Table 5 Reflections from youth advisers about the construct of school connectedness

The conceptualisation of school connectedness as a multifaceted construct comprising both relational or social aspects in addition to engaging with the wider environment of a school and learning experiences was reinforced by our youth advisers. Youth advisers shared that school connectedness encompasses notions of: feeling acknowledged by teachers, peers, parents and the wider school community; relationships characterised by empathy, care, active communication, respect, and genuineness; a cohesive and welcoming school environment; feeling included, a sense of belonging and not feeling alone; feeling able to express your identity and personal strengths; and engaging in learning and participating in enjoyable school activities. As one youth adviser, 16, from Australia explained:

“You've got that social aspect, but you've also got extra-curricular activities, how you're going through your studies, your classes, if you're enjoying them, it’s engagement… being supported in all aspects of your wellbeing, it's the positive emotions, it's the relationships, it's the meaning, it’s engagement, the accomplishment, it's all of that. Once you feel supported in all these areas is when you feel connected… It's hard to define it as one thing… and if we want to measure it, we have to measure different areas.”

The relational components of school connectedness were considered paramount; even when youth advisers felt connected to the school as an institution and enjoyed engaging in activities and learning, poor relationships with teachers, peers and other school staff had a strong impact on overall sense of connectedness. They reported that the quality, rather than the quantity, of relationships was critical. One youth adviser, 18, from Indonesia highlighted the importance of this by saying:

“If I had all the money in the world… it would be that everyone in the school really cares about their students, they know their interests, and their names, and every time they talk about something they just connect in a really genuine way.”