Mental Health and Wellbeing

'Wellbeing and mental health are paramount to this school and are engrained in its culture and in all the school does from the design of the curriculum, inclusion and pastoral practice to mental health support that is highly personalised and quick to access.'

(Judith Nelson Optimus Wellbeing Award Verifier – January 2021)

'I wanted to say a huge, huge thank you for today! Your presentation was fantastic and I think it was hugely beneficial for the delegates to see the journey you have been and continue on. Seeing such a committed approach to something so beneficial to children’s emotional health and wellbeing was so positive. I for one was in awe of what you have achieved and the organic and natural progression you have allowed to happen to really embed zones into all aspects of your school.'

 (Behaviour and Wellbeing Adviser, Herts for Learning - March 2022)

Nurture is at the centre of everything we do, as when children feel safe and secure there is no limit to what they can achieve.  Therefore, the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and staff at St Michael's is of the highest importance, so we are continually developing our approach to promoting positive mental health.

 

WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

 

Your mental health affects how you feel, think and act. It refers to your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Your mental health can change and fluctuate on a daily basis and over time, and can be affected by a range of factors.

 

Just as it’s important to look after your physical health, the same is true for your mental health. Your state of wellbeing affects how you cope with stress, relate to others, make choices, and play a part in your family, community, workplace and among your friends.

 

Good mental health among children

When children have good levels of wellbeing it helps them to:

• learn and explore the world
• feel, express and manage positive and negative emotions
• form and maintain good relationships with others
• cope with, and manage, change, setbacks and uncertainty
• develop and thrive.

 

When children look after their mental health and develop their coping skills it can help them to boost their resilience, self-esteem and confidence. It can also help them learn to settle themselves, feel calm, and engage positively with their education - which can, in turn, improve their academic attainment.

 

Our Approach at St Michael's

 

• Christian Values (click on the link below to view Our Values page):

Our Christian Values permeate everything we do. They help us to live out our Christian Vision of ‘life in all its fullness’. Each half term, we focus on a different Christian Value. This is done explicitly through our Collective Worship time, but also throughout our curriculum. Children have regular opportunities to reflect on each value and to develop an understanding of the Value in action.

• Zones of Regulation (click on link below to see the parent PowerPoint):

All pupils at St Michael’s are taught how to self-regulate by recognising their own and others emotions, the impact their emotions can have on themselves and others and develop tools to master self-control. 

 

 

• Five Ways to Wellbeing (Click on the link below for a detailed description)

 All our pupils have learnt about 5 ways they can stay emotionally healthy by making sure they do normal things.

 

• Pupil Wellbeing Ambassadors

A number of Year 6 pupils have volunteered to take on the responsibility to share the St Michael’s wellbeing vision of promoting positive mental health to all pupils.

• Parent Wellbeing Ambassadors

Parent representatives promote and reinforce St Michael’s Mental Health and Wellbeing approach to all parents. If you would be interested in becoming a Wellbeing Ambassador please make contact with a Parent Ambassador or the Inclusion Manager (Fiona Crooks), via the school office.

 

We offer pastoral support throughout our curriculum and if appropriate, professional therapy services and family support can be accessed through the school.

 

If you have concerns about your child's emotional wellbeing or mental health, please discuss your concerns with your child's class teacher .