The mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community is very important to us.  To celebrate World Mental Health Day 2021, children across the school took part in a range of planned opportunities which linked to our PSHE & RSE curriculum.  Children in KS1 and KS2 also had a live webinar with Mental Health practitioner and Transformational Coach, Tanya Collins.  She very kindly agreed to conduct some age appropriate assemblies on the topic of Mental Health for all the children in school. 

Whilst KS1 and KS2 had their own age-appropriate slots, the context of both talks is outlined below:

• How to change state and choose something more resourceful 
• Thoughts are not things and DO NOT have to be believed 
• What kindness is and why it’s good 
• What to do when someone is not kind 

Feedback from staff and children was very positive, in particular, the sharing of ‘tools’ which the children can use in days when they don’t feel at their best.  These can often be quite sensitive issues but the way in which Tanya addressed the topics was very appropriate to the age groups of the classes involved and the sessions were enjoyed by the children due to their interactive nature.   

Mini Marathon and Oxford Half
Exercise is medically proven to help boost our mental health and wellbeing.  It’s been great to see children taking part in and enjoying the Mini Marathon at lunchtimes. On Sunday Mr McKay is taking a group of keen runners to compete in the schools’ challenge as part of the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday.

Reception

In Reception, we took part in some mindfulness yoga where we concentrated on our breathing and stretching. We then listened to some relaxing music and engaged in some mindfulness colouring all together in the hall. We found the whole afternoon calming for our minds and bodies. It reminded us of when we read 'The Colour Monster' during circle time and focused on the green colour monster who showed us how to become calm.