Worry Boxes

All classrooms in Key Stage 1 and 2 now have Worry Boxes. Worry boxes are a good way for children to deal with their emotions and share their feelings with an adult at school. A worry Box is a container where children can safely store their worries. Children can write or draw their worries on a piece of paper and place it in the box. This physical act helps children to let go of their worries and focus on the present moment.

We have Calm Corners in Nursery and Reception where children are able to go if they feel worried or anxious about anything. This space is a designated safe space where a child can go to manage their emotions and practice regulation if they are overwhelmed or upset.

Calm Boxes

In all Key stage 1 and 2 classrooms we have calm boxes accessible for all children. The boxes are filled with a variety of sensory resources to help support children with self regulation, to encourage focus and to promote calm.

The boxes can be used to prevent children from exploding or imploding, providing opportunities for children to rest, re-energise and regulate.

In EYFS we have a designated area for children to go to where they can remove themselves from stressful situations and regain composure using sensory friendly items.

The purpose of the areas are to help children manage and regulate their emotions, helping with emotional wellbeing. We also encourage the children to take time to understand and label their emotions which can help them express their emotions more easily. When big emotions are managed, children can focus better on learning and participating in class.

Anti Bullying Week 2024

This week our Wellbeing Champions decided to take part in Odd Socks Day and spread the message of respect. Taking part in this special event encourages our children to express themselves and celebrate their individuality. 

The Wellbeing Champions decided to run an 'Antibullying Poster Competition' and discussed the features of a good poster. This helped them to choose the winning posters that will be displayed around school.

In Early Years and Key Stage 1 the children read stories about bullying and unpicked unkind behaviours. They then entered the Wellbeing Champions Anti-Bullying Poster Competition.

In Key Stage 2 the children took part in a live lesson with the BBC and the Antibullying Alliance which helped children to understand bullying and empower them to speak out about it if they see it. The children also entered the Wellbeing Champions Anti-Bullying Poster Competition.

Take a look at our pictures from the week.

Children's Mental Health Week 2024

It's Children's Mental Health Week 5th-11th February and the theme this year is 'My Voice Matters'.

This Year the Wellbeing Champions have created an assembly to share with the school which you can view here.

Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed listening to the story 'Speak Up' by Nathan Byron read by Josie which is about a child who wants to save her local library from closing. She uses her voice to speak up about things that matter and manages to save the library.

Jigsaw Homes fully funded this week for pupils Y3-Y6 by inviting Jess from 'The Sea Within' into our school. Jess focused on creative mindfulness teaching, helping children to find moments of peace in calm, in an often frantic world.

Jigsaw Homes has also funded some delicious fresh fruits to be delivered to school for all children. A healthy, well balanced diet can help us to think more clearly, feel more alert and have a positive effect on our mental health.

Take a look at some of the children taking part in a calming and grounding mindfulness activity. In the sessions the children explored calming breathing techniques, meditation and mindful art as a way to learn more about their emotions and connect with themselves, each other and nature. Each session followed a nature inspired theme and the children used nature objects and their imaginations to discover their own place of peace.

Pupil voice from the week

"I found the activity peaceful and fun. It made me feel calm and happy. I'll do this when I'm sad to make me feel happy."

"This was nice, calm and relaxing. It made me feel mindful. I will use this skill when I'm worried or scared to relax. I will use the breathing techniques and the drawing techniques."

"I found the activity extremely relaxing and enjoyable. I felt like a bird flying off, calm and tranquil. I will use these skills when I feel angry."

"I found this activity calm and relaxing. It's inspiring for me to do good in the future. Jess was a kind person who showed me new ways to draw so it has opened new realms in my heart. I will use this skill in the future to help me pass hard times in life like marriage or something frightening to make me feel calmer."

Active Listening Training

Today the Wellbeing Champions took part in active listening training. The children acted out scenes which contained active listening and passive listening behaviours. This encouraged discussions about how we show support to others in need.

We then made keychain sentence starters for us to wear during break times and lunch times to help us to help the children at Fairfield.

First Aid Classes

Knowing first aid in primary schools is crucial for several reasons. It equips students with essential life-saving skills, enabling them to respond effectively in emergencies. This knowledge fosters a sense of responsibility and confidence, encouraging children to act swiftly and calmly in crisis situations. First aid education promotes a culture of safety and care within the school environment. Early training instills lifelong awareness and preparedness, reducing the severity of accidents and potentially saving lives.

During sports week all children from Nursery to Year 6 had first aid sessions with Helen and Amy from Mini First Aid. The children thoroughly enjoyed learning how to deal with bumps, burns, breaks and bleeding, carry out CPR and deal with choking. The early years children learnt how to apply a plaster and how to phone 999.  All of the sessions were practical, lots of fun and involved lots of activities for the children to enjoy.

We believe first aid knowledge is a fundamental aspect of a well-rounded primary education. Take a look at our photographs from the sessions.