Ms. Sarah Thomas, Principal, Campion School, contributed to the panel discussion at the Maharashtra Educators’ Summit & Awards, 2026, on the topic: Are Schools Equipped for Today’s Anxious Generation?, which examined the pressures facing students and the role schools can play in helping children manage their emotional well-being.
During the discussion, Ms. Thomas highlighted the importance of understanding anxiety as a feeling rather than allowing it to become a defining identity for a child. This distinction encourages educators and parents to recognise a student’s experience without reducing the child to a label. It also creates space for supportive conversations about the underlying causes of distress.
She drew attention to the influence of parental anxiety and expectations, noting how adult concerns can be transferred to children. The conversation also addressed the effects of excessive screen stimulation and the different ways in which students may respond when they feel overwhelmed. Some children may become withdrawn or sleepy, while others may appear overactive or socially isolated.
Her contribution reinforced the need to look beyond a student’s immediate behaviour and consider what might be causing it. Rather than relying only on discipline or academic interventions, schools need to understand the individual needs of children and help them develop healthier ways of managing stimulation and stress. These concerns also reflect the wider conversations highlighted by EducationToday around the importance of creating learning environments that recognise students’ emotional needs.
The discussion also underlined the importance of a shared approach between families and schools. By recognising emotional concerns early and responding with understanding, educators and parents can help children feel more secure in their learning environments.
Ms. Thomas’s perspective added an important dimension to the panel’s central question: preparing schools for today’s learners requires attention not only to academic performance but also to the emotional experiences that shape children’s ability to learn and participate.
Ms. Sarah Thomas is the Principal of Campion School, Mumbai.
Ms. Sarah Thomas is associated with Campion School, an educational institution located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
A school principal oversees academic planning, school administration, teacher development, student welfare, and the overall learning environment.
Effective educational leadership supports academic progress, encourages student participation, promotes personal development, and helps create a supportive school environment.
School leaders can encourage critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy, and practical learning to help students develop skills for future opportunities.
