Pastoral care in our changed school environment
We are aware that some pupils will require additional emotional and pastoral support while we endure the continued restrictions the coronavirus emergency thrusts upon us, so making time for pastoral care within the remote learning curriculum remains a priority for us.
Children across the UK are experiencing a range of emotions including grief, anxiety about catching the virus, separation anxiety from missing their friends, sleep dysregulation, depression, reduced self-esteem and in more extreme cases obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) behaviours and paranoia.
Meeting the emotional needs of our pupils is very important and our programme of activities is specifically aimed at supporting mental health and wellbeing. The children will be introduced to the programme either via their weekly PSHE lessons or via Seesaw – our remote learning platform: there are competitions to enter, activities to take part in, videos to watch and challenges to complete.
We have also introduced weekly Pastoral Zoom Meetings to provide opportunity for the children to chat and communicate face-to-face with their classmates and Form Tutors.
Here is a sample of some of the activities that we will be introducing to the children:
Thank the NHS Primary School Competition
Produce an entry for the NHS competition, in which you thank all the NHS workers who are helping us during the pandemic. To find out more watch the video in this link
Feeling Positive
A ten minute activity to highlight the positive aspects of your life during this time.
To stay healthy during lockdown, it’s important to focus on the positive things in our life. This can be hard. Start by getting rid of the bad stuff!
Think of something that really annoys you or worries you and write it down. Now rip that piece of paper into shreds and throw it in the bin – it’s gone!
Make a list of at least 5 things that make you feel good. Now keep that list in a place where you can see it as reminder that life is pretty good.
The Lockdown Kindness Challenge
Being kind is great for others but even better for your own mental health. Try and complete one of these challenges each day and see how it make you feel.
*Make a cup of tea for someone in your family.
*Send someone you haven’t seen in ages a letter or postcard.
*Donate food or clothes to people in need.
*Bake a cake or some biscuits to cheer someone up.
*Ask your parents for a chore that would really help them out.
*Video call someone you know if feeling a bit lonely.
*Be kind to yourself and spend some time on YOU.
Relax with Mindfulness and Yoga
Here are some links to mindfulness and yoga practices which will help you to feel calm, relaxed and reduce any worry.