Creating Genuine Belonging Through School Anniversaries: Lessons from a 75-Year Milestone

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the Communications Director at an American international school, who shared fascinating insights about their recent 75th anniversary celebration. As we discussed over  a virtual coffee, this milestone became much more than a simple commemorative event—it evolved into a strategic initiative to foster a deeper sense of belonging among their community members.

Their approach particularly caught my attention because it so beautifully aligned with Owen Eastwood's work on belonging. If you're familiar with Eastwood's philosophy, you'll know he emphasizes that true belonging comes from connecting people to a shared narrative and helping them see their place within it. This school's anniversary celebrations embodied this principle remarkably well.

What Worked: A Multi-Layered Approach to Community Building

The Communications Director described how they approached the anniversary through the lens of their three key stakeholder groups: students, staff, and parents. Each initiative was designed with intention, creating touchpoints that resonated across generations.

Their digital strategy was particularly effective. They developed engaging "Did You Know?" features and decade-by-decade historical summaries on their website, drawing everyone into the school's evolving story. This wasn't just about nostalgia—it was about helping newer community members understand the legacy they were now part of.

The tangible elements also created powerful connections. Special anniversary spirit wear allowed students and families to visibly demonstrate their pride. Their beautifully designed commemorative magazine featured photographs and personal stories from community members across generations, creating a tapestry of shared experiences.

What I found most impressive was how they leveraged the wisdom of long-time community members. Retired teachers shared reflections that connected past experiences to current traditions, providing meaningful context for newer families. These weren't just stories—they were bridges between different eras of the school community.

Student Engagement: The Heart of Authentic Belonging

The students' enthusiasm was palpable in the various ways they participated. From creating vibrant displays like giant "75" block letters to sharing heartfelt testimonials about why they love their school, the students weren't just passive participants—they were active storytellers. The limited-edition pins became coveted items, and the student-led quiz transformed historical learning into an engaging social activity.

Areas for Growth: Cementing Belonging for New Families

While the school's approach was largely successful, our conversation did reveal some opportunities for improvement. New families sometimes felt like they were joining a story already in progress, making it harder to immediately feel the sense of belonging that established families experienced.

The Communications Director acknowledged that while the anniversary celebrations created powerful moments, the challenge remained in translating these moments into lasting connections, particularly for families who hadn't experienced the school's evolution firsthand.

Forward-Looking Strategies

Based on their experience, I'd suggest several approaches for schools considering similar initiatives:

1. Create Deliberate Onboarding Narratives: Help new families see where they fit in the ongoing story. This might include "heritage buddies" who share institutional knowledge and traditions with newcomers.
2. Develop Personal Connection Points: Beyond celebrating the institution's history, create opportunities for new community members to add their own chapters to the story. Interactive exhibits or digital platforms where families can share their "arrival stories" could be powerful.
3. Balance Past and Future: While honouring history is vital, equal emphasis should be placed on co-creating the future. Invite new families to participate in visioning exercises about what the next milestone might celebrate.
4. Implement Belonging Checkpoints: Regular informal gatherings where new families can discuss their experience of integration into the community could provide valuable feedback for improving belonging initiatives.

For schools considering anniversary celebrations as community-building opportunities, this international school's experience offers valuable lessons. By thoughtfully connecting past, present, and future through personal stories and shared experiences, schools can transform ceremonial milestones into meaningful anchors of belonging for all community members—including those just beginning their journey with the institution.

When done with intention, anniversary celebrations become powerful vehicles for implementing Eastwood's principles of belonging, helping every community member feel connected to something larger than themselves while finding their own place within a living, evolving story.