Well-Being Week

Well-being Week

‘Well-being means feeling strong in our minds and bodies, having energy, getting along with and helping others, knowing our strengths and feeling proud because we are doing our best. It means we can cope with the little problems and disappointments of life. It means enjoying life, being grateful for what we have and accepting ourselves just as we are!’

Quote from Weaving Well-Being, Fiona Forman and Nick Rock

Many programmes and practices exist in our school to enhance the well-being of pupils and staff, and our hope is that these will lead to a positive learning and working environment for all. Through our committees and other opportunities for student participation in the life of the school we are committed to listening to our students and providing them with ways in which they can build their self-esteem, solve problems, resolve differences, develop supportive relationships and become active and responsible citizens in society. This work continues throughout the year and permeates all aspects of school life. It has been well documented recently that enhancing well-being brings benefits to other areas of life; better academic performance, greater sociability, better ability to cope with the ups and downs of life. It has also been said that success follows happiness rather than the other way around – an interesting viewpoint for those involved in enhancing the well-being of children.

During Well-Being Week teachers will explore with children, at an age appropriate level, what is meant by well-being and what are the implications of taking care of our well-being in our daily lives. They will help children to realise that well-being is linked with feeling good in our body and mind and that it helps us cope with the ups and downs of life and increases our resilience to setbacks and failures, helping us to bounce back and start again. Children will be given tools to develop character strengths and boost positive emotions and they will explore, through a range of activities, ways in which they can empower themselves and make well informed decisions and choices. Well-being will be discussed in terms of friendship, caring for others, feeling part of a community. Other aspects to be explored will be the link between well-being and healthy eating, exercise and sleep, and the importance of being able to switch off our busy minds for a while and feel calm and peaceful, and present in the moment (mindfulness).

Our senior pupils will have an important role during Well-Being Week as they will support the younger children on the playground, building relationships and being role models for the type of behaviour we expect in school. Through taking on responsibilities and assuming ownership for their school, our senior pupils are invaluable in promoting a positive well-being culture throughout the school.

We look forward to a positive year ahead, where we will build relationships, support each other as a team and help to foster in our pupils a sense of care and respect for themselves and others, creating a school in which pupils feel safe and happy and are motivated to learn and achieve to the very best of their ability.

Odd Sock Day – Celebrating our diversity and uniqueness.