Our Year 9 Wellbeing Leads led a fantastic assembly with Head of PSHCEE Miss Cagnino, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week (February 3-9), which this year had the theme of “Know yourself, grow yourself” and the aim to encourage children, young people and adults to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them. This will help them grow and develop resilience to cope with what life throws at them.

Miss Cagnino spoke about the importance of self awareness of your emotions – to know your likes and dislikes – what makes us tick – the key roles of emotions – listening and expressing ourselves helps build resilience, grow and develop. This will help your sense of self and helps us grow to connect with others. 

She also talked about the risks of well meaning but echo chambers of personality trait challenges and behaviours on social media like TikTok and Instagram, which make it too easy to put a diagnosis label on how you are feeling – but offering up no solution.

The academic psychologist Dr Lucy Foulkes recommends focusing on what makes you happy so our Year 9 wellbeing leads shared what makes them happy – from frog socks, to noodles, little sisters, a sunny day and chocolate brownies! They spoke about the science behind moods – suggesting eco therapy to lift your mood, fresh air to get more oxygen into your system, playing with pets (and chocolate!) for more endorphins.

The Leads then shared a fun video with teachers showing what makes them happy, from cricket and netball to pottery and sunshine!

Finally, they also recommended some great things to do in half term in London to boost your spirits, including visiting M&M World, the London Dungeons, Harry Potter Studios, the Sky Garden and taking a canal tour around Camden Lock.

The Place2Be has an excellent list of resources on its website for students and parents.