A Community of Care: Building Respectful and Supportive Relationships
At OAK International, Growing Safe reflects our deep commitment to creating spaces where students feel secure, valued, and guided in every aspect of their formation. It’s about nurturing hearts, guiding minds, and building relationships founded on trust and respect.
As part of our ongoing dedication to student well-being and integral formation, this September marked an important step in strengthening our Program for Respectful and Supportive Relationships — an initiative designed to foster empathy, prevention, and emotional safety across our international programs.
Alma González Saray, Coordinator of Psychopedagogy and Safe Environments, together with Sofía Martínez, Safe Environments Manager, and Ana Rosa Castro, Chief Operating Officer of OAK International, carried out on-site visits to Woodlands, Dublin Oak, and Le Châtelard. Their joint mission focused on reinforcing the program’s implementation and further strengthening a culture of safety and care throughout the OAK community.
During the visits, Alma González Saray led interactive sessions with both staff and students, focused on creating safe, trusting environments and encouraging healthy relationships grounded in empathy and mutual respect.
In collaboration with Sofía Martínez, additional Child Safety workshops were conducted to strengthen prevention, detection, and response protocols for potential risk situations. These sessions included:
- Workshops with students on recognizing safe behaviors and practicing self-care.
- Staff training on professional boundaries, safeguarding procedures, and the vital role of adults as protectors and mentors.
Chief Operating Officer Ana Rosa Castro joined the on-site agenda representing OAK Central Office, accompanying the team’s efforts to strengthen safety and care across our programs.
During her visit, Sofía Martínez also conducted a walkthrough of each boarding school to review daily routines, operational practices, and physical spaces — offering feedback on areas that can be further reinforced to ensure greater safety across the educational community. She also met with parents attending student drop-offs at the start of the term, where she introduced the “Growing Safe” campaign, highlighting the shared responsibility of families, staff, and the institution in ensuring the well-being and safety of all students.
Through these efforts, OAK International continues to foster a global community where respect, trust, and empathy are lived every day — a nurturing environment where every student feels seen, supported, and free to grow in all dimensions of their formation.
At OAK, Growing safe means growing together — creating spaces where care inspires growth and relationships shape character. Thank you for being part of the journey!
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