Children's mental health week
At Davenant we wanted to ensure the students took part in the mental health week.
SPORT & HEALTH FACULTY- Children's Mental Health Week
As part of the recent Children's Mental Health Week- 'Express Yourself' we promoted the importance and created opportunities for students to be away from their screens and lessons and give them an opportunity to 'Express Themselves' through various outlets and activities- which included one day dedicated to doing activities students enjoyed and the whole school taking part in an Online Workshop focussed on 'Mapping Our Emotional State'. Key Worker School were also given the opportunity to take part in environmental, physical and creative activities throughout the day for both staff and students.
A brief description of the activities included were as follows;
'Green Fingers' - this session will involve students connecting with the environment and sowing a variety of seeds which they are allowed to take home or donate to our very own school garden. Seeds include- Sweet Peas, Broad beans, Brocolli which can all be sown now.
'Garden Design'- this is an opportunity for the students to redesign and relocate our very own school garden including recommending what plants, produce as well as what materials can be used to do this. All designs have been put forward to our Davenant Gardening Group for consideration.
Health Walk through Epping Forest- this walk allowed Key Worker school to get outside and enjoy their local environment but also collect inspiration for their garden design workshop. The walk had been mapped out by staff involved in our DofE programme and also risk assessed in line with Covid Guidance and a copy of the route will be provided. This was be led by staff and was enjoyed by all.
Stone Art- Students and Staff were given the opportunity to create their own art on Stones using Acrylic Paints. Finished stones were taken home or again donated to our School Garden Project. We encouraged students to express themselves when creating their masterpieces!
Whole School Online Workshop- nearly 700 students took part in this Online Workshop and the feedback was excellent. Luke Mullen, a systematic kinesiologist & TRE provider, led a session explaining how the body reacts to stress, anxiety and trauma. Students learnt about how their brains work and respond to stressful situations. They were invited to practice breathing and relaxation techniques which many have said they found so relaxing and a helpful way to relieve any anxiety or worry. Please see the following video below of the session if you would like to repeat the relaxation work or missed it last week.
REFLECTION- this took place at the end of the day and was an opportunity for students to draw, write, paint and reflect upon their day.