29 September - 1 October 2026
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The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.
Lara Zeaiter
Pastoral & Wellbeing VP - Riyadh Schools Al Malqa
I am an educational leader driven by a deep belief that academic excellence and student wellbeing are inseparable. I have recently relocated to Riyadh, where I currently serve as Vice Principal, Pastoral and Wellbeing for Grades 1, 2, and 3 at Riyadh Schools Al-Malqa. This role represents a pivotal chapter in my professional journey, one that has strengthened my leadership lens, sharpened my strategic thinking, and reinforced my conviction that schools succeed when they educate the whole child.
My professional path has consistently been rooted in the alignment between learning, behavior, wellbeing, and leadership. Throughout my career, I have worked in roles where academic responsibility and pastoral oversight were intentionally merged. This integration shaped my philosophy early on: to maintain high academic standards, schools must equally invest in students’ emotional intelligence, behavioral development, and social growth. Learning does not happen in isolation; it is profoundly influenced by how safe, supported, and understood students feel within their school environment.
Transitioning into my current role in Riyadh has offered a distinctly valuable experience. While my previous work involved blended academic and pastoral leadership, this position has allowed me to examine these domains both independently and collaboratively, strengthening my ability to lead strategically across systems.
Speaker Sessions
GESS Talks Live
1525
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Wellbeing in Education: Building Resilient Communities for Students and Staff
Session Summary:
Educational institutions face an unprecedented wellbeing crisis affecting both students and staff. From rising mental health challenges and burnout to the lasting impacts of global disruptions, schools must reimagine their approach to creating supportive, thriving communities. This panel brings together diverse perspectives on implementing comprehensive wellbeing strategies that address the interconnected needs of all stakeholders. Explore evidence-based interventions, share successful case studies, and discuss practical frameworks for embedding wellbeing into institutional culture. The conversation will address both immediate crisis response and long-term preventative approaches that create sustainable environments for learning and growth. Join this session to:
• Examine comprehensive approaches that address mental, physical, social, and academic wellbeing across the entire school community
• Explore strategies for supporting educator mental health, preventing burnout, and creating positive workplace cultures that enhance both staff satisfaction and student outcomes
• Discuss early intervention strategies, peer support programs, and collaboration with mental health professionals to create responsive support systems
• Share approaches for fostering connection, belonging, and emotional intelligence that strengthen institutional culture and community bonds
