Mindful Monday Blog Series 18: We Rise Together: Building a Culture of Encouragement at Pointe Larue Secondary

March 15, 2026

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together!"_African Proverb

When a school becomes a community instead of just a building full of classrooms, something quietly powerful happens. Every student who walks through the gate feels like they belong, and every teacher feels truly valued.

check image source

And every parent knows that their child is being cared for and not just taught.

Pointe Larue Secondary can be that kind of school. That is the kind of school

Pointe Larue Secondary is turning into—one Monday, one mindful moment, and one act of encouragement at a time.

What Does Encouragement Actually Mean?

We often think of big, dramatic acts of encouragement, like a standing ovation, a trophy, or a glowing report card. But the kind of encouragement that really changes lives happens in small moments.

The teacher stops after class to say, "I saw how hard you worked on that today." Before a presentation, a classmate whispers, "You've got this." The parent who asks "What did you learn?" instead of "What grade did you get?" The student who includes the person sitting alone at lunch does so because they want to, not because someone told them to, but because their heart is awake enough to notice.

Giving certificates as appreciation motivates students by recognizing their hard work and achievements. This tangible reward boosts confidence, encourages persistence, and inspires them to aim higher. Certificates symbolize success, making students feel valued and proud, which energizes them to continue learning with enthusiasm and dedication toward future goals.

Appreciate the AGAPE-REED group for a group presentation

These moments cost nothing. Yet they are priceless.

Mindfulness teaches us to slow down enough to see the people around us—really see them. When we move through our school day on autopilot, rushing from class to class, scrolling through our phones, caught up in our own worries, we miss hundreds of opportunities to lift someone up. Mindful living means choosing presence over distraction, and connection over indifference.

The Ripple Effect of a Single Kind Act

What our grandmothers always knew is true: being kind spreads. Researchers have found that people are much more likely to pass on an act of kindness or encouragement if they see it or receive it themselves. One real compliment or word of faith spoken into someone's life can have effects that we will never fully understand.

Appreciates Dhyani Gorasiya for her effort and good behaviour in class

Take a moment to think about your own story. Can you recall someone — maybe even one whose words stayed with you? A moment when that person believed in you before you believed in yourself? That is the ripple effect in action. You are, in part, who you are today because someone chose encouragement over silence. Pointe Larue is not just a school. It is a reflection of our community, our culture, and our collective aspirations for the next generation. Every parent, guardian, neighbour, and community member has a role to play in building a culture of encouragement that extends beyond the school gate.

check source image

Now ask yourself — whose story are you shaping right now?

Divider from Freepik

Support our S5 Digital Yearbook 2026! Reach Out!

# STUDENT CORNER:

Who am I beyond my grades? Behind my public image, I'm just a normal girl. I have a heart for simple things such as nature, animals and my friends and family. I am also the kind of person who loves to appreciate and love those who, for example is easy to please and will also see the good in people. When people see someone with straight A's, they think of a nerd. In reality, I'm a person who procrastinates and spends my time "bed-rotting". In conclusion, I am just a normal person who lives like everyone else.