ABSTRACT
Student wellbeing in this chapter was considered a priority for the research participants. They discuss their strategies and challenges, acknowledging that belonging is observed to be a basic human need. This chapter examines the findings of neuroscience which reveal that exclusion is experienced in the regions of the brain which register the pain of physical injury, making the authentic integration of students with refugee and asylum-seeker experiences a priority. School climate, culture and ethos are each discussed as important aspects of school life which heavily influence the degree of belonging students can develop in their learning context. Also considered are ethics of care, perspectives on compassion and diverse notions of empathy.
