The Courier

This week has been National Children's Mental Health week, endorsed by the charity Place2Be, that we have supported as a school in the past.

It has been almost a year since we held our first school-wide Wellbeing Day, and as Head of Wellbeing I have a vested interest in ensuring our children are aware of their mental health and how to find ways in developing positive emotional wellbeing.

This week, I sent the children an extended form time message reviewing the ‘5 Ways To Wellbeing’ and the importance of developing these. I also gave quick ideas of how they could develop their connection with people, how to learn new things or re-discover old hobbies; to keep active even when the weather is against us; take notice of the small things - to look up and see the changes as Spring arrives and also ways that we can give, as the small things always made the most difference. If you, as parents, have not seen this with your children, you can access it via their Seesaw class activity log over the weekend.

I have pulled together just a few of the visual resources to support families during this period of lock down, to help develop positive routines and identify ways to promote mental health and general wellbeing. They can be viewed here.

We were tremendously encouraged by the questionnaire which indicated how Crescent children are dealing positively with this lockdown.  Within this we're also aware that as with us all, parents, teachers and workers, children too experience low moments especially when they miss human face to face contact with family members, staff in school and indeed their friends.

I found a book this week which I thought was uplifting and comforting.  It isn't about our current situation but it's written for younger children while reminding us all that we all remain linked to one another even when we are apart. 

Please click on the link for a simple Youtube video of "The Invisible String" being read aloud.

The Invisible String

With very best wishes to you all.