Please see below our Summer term Wellbeing Newsletter. This newsletter gives you an update on what support is available to students and some ideas about how you can support your child’s wellbeing. There are many additional wellbeing resources on the school website for parents and students to refer to.
We believe in ourselves and connect:
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. Loneliness has had a big impact on people, especially over the past couple of years during the pandemic. Our connections with people are an excellent way to help protect our mental health and emotional wellbeing. We can all play a part in helping to reduce loneliness.
Wellbeing week: The 16th May is our third Wellbeing week in school.
‘It’s OK to feel lonely sometimes’
Anyone can experience loneliness. However, the way you experience loneliness can be different to somebody else. Some people can be alone and not feel lonely and others can be surrounded by people and feel lonely.
- Almost 10% of young people said they were ‘often’ lonely1
- Almost 70% of young people said they have felt alone some or all of the time during the pandemic.
If you're feeling lonely it might be a good idea to keep a journal. This can help you understand your feelings better and notice any patterns.
Don't read too much into social media. People like to only show the positive aspects of their life. Behind that smile or that photo with lots of friends someone could be feeling lonely too.
Get involved with something you enjoy. Finding people who have similar interests to you can really help. Are there any after-school clubs or activities in your area?
Check-in with your friends and family. Send them a text, give them a ring, and see if they want to do something. If they say they are ok' then try starting a conversation.
Remember you can't fix someone's loneliness by yourself. Just be kind, listen and be supportive. If you or they are worried its getting too much then encourage them to speak to someone else.
The Mental Health foundation have put together this fantastic resource for young people about 15 tips for if they are feeling lonely
During Wellbeing week all students will be taking part in a survey to help us understand how our young people are getting on.
The questions are based around the following areas:
- Personal
- Healthy Eating, Physical Activity & Mental Health
- Rotherham & Local Area
- Safeguarding
- Safety & Your Local Neighbourhood
- Young Carers
- Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
- *Relationships and Sexual Health
- Child’s voice
*Sexual health questions are age appropriate, different questions are asked to Ks3 and Ks4/5 pupils
We will then be able to use the data to help us plan and offer further improved holistic care to our students from September onwards.
Safeguarding our children:
Safeguarding our children remains our key priority. If you have any concerns about the safety of a young person in our school please email safeguarding@rawmarsh.org in the usual way and our team will endeavor to support you.
Pledges update:
KS3 Your pledge challenge for this half term is to Visit an art gallery, theatre or sporting event (LS Bronze). Make sure you take a photo or bring in your ticket stubs and show them to your form tutor as evidence.
Alternatively, if you have already achieved this, why not Keep a sleep or healthy eating diary to evaluate and improve your lifestyle choices (LS Silver). this will tie in with our next wellbeing week on the 16th May.
KS4 Your pledge challenge for this half term is to Accomplish a new feat you have never done before out of school (BV silver).
Alternatively as many of you are attending Post 16 interviews you could Have a formal interview for the next stage of education, training or employment (AC silver)
Remember - you need to complete these pledge tasks to attend your prom!
You must bring in or send evidence to your form tutor so they can log them as complete
Enrichment
This half terms enrichment grid is based around wellbeing to link with wellbeing week this week.
Students should send evidence of completed tasks to Mrs Hawkridge for a CFP
School Council news
This term we have introduced some new student champion roles:
Mental Health Champions
- Abbey Hancock
- Amy Thompson
They will research and collect information about positive mental health. They will work with our Trust wide media team to design a positive mental health poster to be displayed in our big poster boards around school. They will encourage a form period on keeping your mental wellbeing healthy with exercises and practices for students to do.
Anti-Bullying advocate
- Tyler Richardson
Victims of bullying incidents will be given the option to put their name forward for a future catch up with our advocates who will do drop-ins with students to see how things are. They will then provide a link between students and our Year Teams. They will also encourage self reflection of students own actions through form resources and an assembly.
Student Voice Lead
- Lewis Arnold
- Amy Thompson
They will design and create google form questionnaires about behaviour, wellbeing and improvements around school. They will collate results and present their findings in SLT meetings
Equality Champions
- Faith Harrison
- Alexandra Wallace
They will work on our whole school language and promote equality in our school communications with home. They will create positive posters through our Trust-wide media team showing students around school how to promote diversity and equality. They will set up and host ‘The Group’, a weekly LGBTQ+ safe space at dinner times for like-minded individuals
President and Vice President
- Abigail Adegboye
- Kyle Thompson
They will lead, check up and direct all of the champion roles. They will be responsible for chairing and minuting meetings Creating agendas alongside Mr Green for the leadership meetings. Be responsible for presenting in SLT and governor meetings and the face of our student leadership team.
We take pride in and look after our school community. The School Eco - Council
Our Eco-council have once again been very productive and have continued in their efforts in a few areas including the collaboration with ‘Hope For The Future’ who are a charitable organisation who are educating our young people on becoming activists and how campaigning for change has a positive effect on local communities. These summits are hosted by HFTF and are held at Clifton Academy School which includes Eco-councilors from each of the WPT schools.
PSHE update for this term:
In Y7 students are currently working their way through their citizenship unit, exploring crime, the role of the police, and British Values.
In Y8 students are learning about positive and healthy relationships
In Y9 students are currently completing work on wellbeing and E-Safety
In Y10 students will be exploring issues around healthy relationships and how to look after their wellbeing
We are now moving onto the following topics:
Year 7 - We are now onto substance misuse and the law
Year 8 - We are now on Relationships and Sexual Health unit
Year 9 - We are now on mental health and wellbeing
Year 10 - We are now on mental health followed by finance
For more information about PSHE lessons, please contact hmayfield@rawmarsh.org
Useful resources:
The following websites are really useful for supporting young people with sleep and wellbeing:
Some great resources for young people on how to look after their wellbeing and a chance to chat online with mental health professionals about anything that is on your mind
Loneliness – Finding our connections to feel less lonely School Pack from the Mental Health Foundation