Mental health and Well-being
‘Emotional health and wellbeing is the emotional resilience that enables us to enjoy life and to survive pain, suffering and disappointment. It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own worth and of others. Emotional health and wellbeing is embedded in social relations built upon social skills that are developed from birth.’ (Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer, 2001)
In other words it's about:
‘Children and young people feeling good, feeling that their life is going well and feeling able to get on with their daily lives’
Offenham C.E. First School offers a happy, safe and caring environment where children are enabled to thrive. We have a unique family atmosphere where each child and every member of staff is valued as a child of God. As a small church school, we develop a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and foster a respect for other people, their beliefs and world views. We use our values to help develop and transform the lives of all who come to our school.
Mrs Jayne Nicol is our Designated Senior Mental Health Lead.
Jude, supported by Isla is our Pupil Parliament Minister for Sport, Health and Well-being, Mr Steve Webb is our Governor responsible for Safeguarding and our Governor responsible for the positive Mental Health and Well-being of children and staff is Rev Neil le Tissier. Neil is also available to support parents and families. If you feel you need an opportunity to chat through issues you may be facing, please contact him. All conversations are strictly confidential. He can be contacted via his school email - Neil.leTissier@offenham.dowmat.education.
Pete, our Pastoral worker, comes into school every Thursday afternoon. Alongside our Pupil Parliament Lead for Well-being, he leads a 'Lift your Spirits' lunchtime club. He also works one to one with some of our pupils and occasionally leads assembly. Pete is a qualified counsellor and is experienced in child bereavement and play therapy. He is able to help with bereavement, anxiety and emotional issues. If you feel your child might benefit from attending sessions with Pete, please contact Mrs Nicol.
We also have regular visits from Freya, a K9 police well-being therapy dog. She comes and enjoys lots of cuddles with staff and children.
We want all the children at our school to develop positive self-esteem, self-awareness and self-confidence so that they can play an active part in school life; we want them to feel valued and become valuable members of the communities to which they belong.
Why not visit Childline's 'Calmzone' - it has lots of activities and ideas that might help with maintaining your well-being and positive mental health.