Newsletter 6 Spring Term

Sir Ed Davey MP launches Community and Wellbeing Week

This week at SASM, it is community and wellbeing week. Pupils have spent time learning about how our democracy works. In school, our annual 'Headteacher for a Day' event was launched in Collective Worship by Sir Ed Davey, our local MP and leader of the Liberal Democrats. Ed also took questions about leadership and how to appeal to voters. 

Year 6 pupils have written manifestos and the selected candidates will create volunteer campaign teams to canvass around the school. On Friday, a polling station will be set up and each pupil and member of staff will vote for a winner, who will take the post of Headteacher for one day in March. 

As part of the week, pupils will also be learning about online safety and courageous advocacy. The climax of the week is the Mini Market, where pupils work in teams to run a stall to raise funds for the Bishops' Lent Call; this year, the money raised will support projects that work to improve mental health and well-being in the UK and around the world. 

How do we promote pupils' wellbeing at SASM?

This week is Children's Mental Health week and pupils have been learning about positive mental health and wearing bright colours to promote the day. It has been well-reported that childrens' mental health needs are increasing, partly due to the effects of the pandemic. At SASM, we have risen to the challenge in a number of ways. Here are just some of the things we do to support pupils' mental wellbeing throughout the year:

Whole school approaches:

• Collective worship - is where the school meets as a community each day. Persistent issues are addressed here, often through the lens of our Christian Theme. For example, we have been learning this half term about how learning to forgive can make us feel better as well as the person who has wronged us. The Bible is used as a ‘guide’ to show us how we should behave, even if it challenges us. This promotes pupil wellbeing through teaching us how to have a positive mindset.

• Spiritual garden (seasonal) -  this is a staffed place at lunchtime for any pupil to speak about pastoral matters with a member of the teaching assistant team. This is a brilliant space for pupils to share their worries.

Classroom approaches:

• Spacemakers - all pupils complete a daily 'Spacemakers' contemplation after lunchtime as a way of encouraging a time of daily reflection away from the pressures of school and society. The toolkit is founded on ancient pathways and practices of meditation and prayer that have resourced, benefitted and healed Christians for generations.

• Check-ins - these take place twice a day in all classes. Pupils are able to write comments for their class teacher via a Google Form. Teachers are then able address wellbeing issues with individuals.

• Worry boxes - are in each classroom and also outside Mr. Gates' office, for any member of the class to post (anonymously or named) any concerns.

Individual pupil support:

• Interventions - such as nurture baking and other SEMH (social, emotional and mental health) interventions, as well as ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) support may be allocated to pupils based on need, as assessed by teachers and the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).

• Calm Club - a quiet and safe environment at lunch time which is invitation only. Any member of staff can recommend a pupil for Calm Club.

• Safe spaces - Bespoke ‘safe spaces’ are available for pupils who suffer from dysregulation or high anxiety - pupils know they can access these at any time.

• Art therapy - Pupils may be invited to take part in art therapy sessions, led by by a member of staff from the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) service. 

• Pet therapy - a therapy dog called Nelly visits our school once a week and spends time with individuals or small groups.

Individual parent and carer support: 

• Parent/carer workshops - Parents and carers have been invited to workshops led by our Education Psychologist in supporting children with anxiety through strategies to build their resilience.

• Education Wellbeing Practitioners  (EWP) - from the Mental Health Support Team work with referred individual families to provide strategies, advice and support. Speak to Emily Woodward (Senior Teacher) via the office if you might benefit from this service. 

Welcome back to SASM alumni! 

It was a delight to meet former pupils, including many who were part of SASM's first intake when the new junior school opened in 1972. Mr Gates gave the group a tour of the school; it was fascinating to talk about the changes to the school over the years as well as the areas that were familiar to the group.