Sunday 10th October is World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year, as set by the World Federation for Mental Health is: Mental Health in an Unequal World. It is only by fostering good mental health that we are all able to Aspire to Achieve. As it is through having good mental health that we are able to cope with the demands of our busy society, contribute to our wider community and in turn, reach our potential.

It is important to recognise that mental health is not a static state but naturally fluctuates and it is knowing yourself and having awareness of how you are feeling that are key to looking after yourself in this respect. In discussing mental health it would be remiss not to acknowledge COVID and this idea of having a ‘new normal’. The impact of returning to school for our students and staff has been positive however the individual differences within this are recognised. Our wonderful pastoral team has been working hard to ensure that all students have experienced a supportive and reassuring start to the school academic year.

Small steps such as making plans for the day, noticing what has gone well for you and acknowledging how something has made you feel have all added to our students’ confidence as they readjust to the school environment. While we maintain the additional cleaning habits established during covid our extra curricular activities are back up and running allowing students to find alternative ways to express themselves and to work on securing good mental health not only now but also in the future.