YEAR 9 WELL-BEING WORKSHOPS

Yesterday, was a busy day for Year 9, as they took part in well-being and team-building workshops, run by the brilliant NHS Mindworks team.

The day started with an assembly, in which Year 9 students were reminded how valued they are in their homes, their local communities and in the Glyn community. It was an opportunity to celebrate their importance as individuals and to recognise their contribution to our school.

Each Year 9 tutor group then took part in 2 workshops: one focused on well-being - students made their own stress balls and thought about how they could manage difficult emotions. They also wrote positive affirmation cards (giving them the opportunity to think about what makes them such an important and valued person). There was no

expectation for students to share what they had written, but, it was heart warming to hear them suggesting things to one another like, "you're kind, you make me laugh, you're a good friend".

In the second workshop, they were divided into teams of 3, each having a role to play in constructing a Lego Mario. The task was all about team work and effective communication. Our students were really impressive.

The day was great fun, it was fantastic to see all of our students interacting so enthusiastically and positively. And, it was really good to read feedback like,

"I think the activities we have done today have really helped me and I would love to do it again".

"Today is a good idea as it makes people more confident through having fun".

"I think this was an amazing idea. This has lifted my happiness. I really appreciate it. I think everyone thought the same. It was a good idea to focus on our mental health".

Big thanks also go to the Year 12 volunteers who came along to encourage and support Year 9. And, a special mention to those Year 9 students who spent Wednesday afternoon in Food Tech, with Ms Scafidi and the Mindworks team, making HUGE quantities of play dough so that their peers could make stress balls. Thanks, also, to the Year 9 teachers who got so stuck in, and to Mr Beaney for helping to organise the day.

Ms M Thompsett, Assistant Headteacher