It’s ok not to be ok.
We kicked-off our recent Wellbeing Week, with a host of inspired, mood-enhancing activities designed to highlight the fact that it is impossible to be happy all of the time and that sometimes everyone needs a little ‘pick me up’ to get them through the day. Centred around the theme that ‘it’s ok not to be ok’, the emotionally charged week launched with a special visit from professional psychiatrist, broadcaster and author, Dr Raj Persaud who spoke to the students about the pursuit of happiness. The heart-felt talk focused on the ultimate secret to happiness, touching on mental health issues in the young and the ancient Greek Philosopher, Aristotle.
Mrs Winton, Deputy Head (Pastoral) explained: “We’re all human and we can’t be happy all of the time, there will be days when things don’t go as planned, when test results aren’t what we had hoped for, when we get dropped from a squad or we fail the audition for the school play. Of course, we might just feel sad for no apparent reason. The point of our Wellbeing Week was not intended to be flippant, but actually to highlight the reality and to make sure our students know that they are not alone and that it really is ok, not to be ok.”
With a carefully planned timetable of break-out sessions, activities and events, the students were invited to detox from their mobile phones and from social media as part of a ‘mobile phone amnesty’ which saw many students choosing to give up their devices for a whole day and night in a bid to focus on how they feel inside and to think about what makes them feel happy as well as take time to think about what else they enjoy doing. During the evening the students were encouraged to do something different with their time and prizes were awarded for creativity .
Throughout the week, students took part in a number of activities from laughing yoga workshops and mindful colouring, to taking time out in a specially created ‘sensory room’ with soft lighting, mood-enhancing music and mindful activities such as loom bands.
Other pursuits included mindful meditation and movement sessions, creative writing, painting pebbles and making friendship bracelets, scavenger hunts, wellbeing walks, mindful eating, sing-a-long socials, games and also participating in a whole school completion of a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, which was placed in reception for anyone passing by to add a piece or sit down quietly for 10 minutes and contribute.
Mrs Winton also commented: “As the week gained momentum there was a real buzz about it and the students really embraced the opportunities available to them. It was also wonderful to see children of all different ages and Year groups mixing together, united in their pursuits. The week was full of fun, reflection, laughter and creativity, but for us it was never about gimmicks or a one-off event. We created Wellbeing Week to uncover what our students need on a regular basis to support their ongoing happiness and wellbeing in school.”
Using student feedback from Wellbeing Week, we are now working towards including many of these activities and more, as part of the regular school week and also part of our continuing commitment to health and wellness for every child.
