10th October 22
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. Here at Maltman’s Green School, today was the perfect day to celebrate kindness and wellbeing and to share with our parents how our wonderful girls are bringing kindness, empathy and caring into our Maltman’s world.
The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’.
World Mental Health Day is also a chance to talk about mental health in general, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.
Following a recent assembly where we shared with the girls our school theme of ‘Kindness’ this year and our new kindness rewards, our Head Girl Hollie approached us with the wonderful idea of every class from Years 1-6 having a kindness box. Today, Hollie shared her idea during our whole school assembly, explaining that when a peer is kind to them, the girls can write it down and pop the message into the Kindness box, these will be shared with the form every Friday to celebrate kindness. Hollie tasked the Form Captains to make a box for their form so good luck to them! What a lovely idea Hollie, we cannot wait to see the boxes in action!
Last week saw our year 5 girls training to become Mindfulness Ambassadors. A role which they have embraced wholeheartedly. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their session with Suzy Hutchins from Sit With Will. Suzy’s aim is to teach Mindfulness to empower students and teachers to take care of themselves and others. The techniques used help a child to focus their attention, empathise and thrive. The impact on the lives of her students, socially, emotionally and academically has proven to be very positive. Our year 5 girls are now very excited about sharing what they have learned with their friends and classmates and we can’t wait to see them in action..
The girls are pictured practicing a mindfulness technique where they have to imagine they have something delicate such as petals or leaves in their hands which they smell when they slowly inhale. When they exhale, they have to be gentle enough not to disturb what they are holding in their hands. This technique helps the children to regulate their breathing and clear their minds for a few precious moments in this busy world we live in.
For additional support, as a school community, please do utilise Tooled Up. Tooled up Education creates evidence-based resources, for parents and teachers, on all aspects of parenting, education and family life. They collaborate with eminent mental health and other professionals to source, curate and develop resource information that can empower parents, carers or those who work with children. Each week in our school post you can see a link to the latest Tooled Up resources available to our school as parents and teachers.
At Maltman’s Green, the health, safety and well-being of each and every one of our girls is paramount. If you would like to chat to our Deputy Head Pastoral, please email RGaynor@MaltmansGreen.com
