On Friday 11th October all pupils participated in a non-uniform day, wearing yellow if possible, in support of World Mental Health Day. There was a variety of activities happening throughout the school day, which were available for pupils to attend.
*Pet Therapy: Our school hosted 4 dogs and targeted pupils spent some time clapping, grooming, reading to them and taking the dogs out a walk. This was hugely successful amongst all pupils and staff. The dogs loved the attention too!
*Focused Registration/PSE lessons for the week on raising awareness of the importance of Mental Health.
*Staff Breakfast morning: Staff attended a breakfast morning hosted in the library. S6 pupils worked hard to get the library organised and it was a great opportunity for emphasising the importance of eating healthy and allow staff to talk about their own wellbeing.
*Focused assemblies: Each year group attended an assembly delivered by our S6 HWB ambassadors. Afterwards, pupils and staff walk a mile around Strathaven Park. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry for us!
*Lunchtime workshops: A massive thank you to the staff who offered to run some lunchtime sessions for pupils to attend. We had a selection of workshops such as: meditation, mindfulness crafts, volleyball, table tennis, use of the fitness suite, musical theatre and offered a peace environment in English for those pupils wanting to go and read.
*FeelsFM Stall: Strathaven Academy are extremely lucky to work with See Me Scotland who were kind enough to provide free resources for pupils to take away. FeelsFM is an online emotions jukebox, which generates a playlist for those pupils who enjoy listening to music as a coping strategy to stress.
*”Choc & Talk”: Pupils were encouraged to attend the library at lunchtime if they were worried about their own wellbeing or someone close to them. Trained staff and S6 pupils in First Aid Mental Health supervised the library and offered a safe space for pupils to come in and chat about their concerns whilst having a hot chocolate.
The day was a huge success and we look forward to the many initiatives our Health and Wellbeing class are creating in the near future.
