Children's Mental Health Week at Priory Park School St Neots

Sophie Bolger, assistant head teacher at the school, said: “We had so many events going on during Children’s Mental Health week.

“From discussions with the children about what they were proud of at home and school to stories shared to highlight many different themes, from feelings, to being kind to themselves, being different and standing up for what they believed in.

“The children took part in ‘peer massage’ as a tool for calming themselves and their peers and some children also took part in a pamper afternoon, having their nails painted, using the chill out zone and listening to calming music. 

“The theme continued in the school’s regular Forest School sessions, where children learnt about how being outdoors is so important for their wellbeing.”

The whole school also had a visit from Rina from 'Yoga Sloths' who led sessions for all year groups to learn a variety of yoga poses and how to use their breathing to relax and calm their body and mind.

Children and parents at the school already benefit from the ‘My Happy Mind’ programme which is an app filled with activities and games to support mental health.  

In the run up to the week, the school’s Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) asked the St Neots community if anyone could spare some time to crochet or knit small keepsakes, which would be handed out to children.

The response was overwhelming with 300 gifts being made from people across the town.

From flowers and bumble bees to hearts and animals, the little woollen items were handed out to children as a keepsake.

Mrs Bolger added: “The week ended with a wonderful community gesture organised by our brilliant PTA.

“Small gifts were made by people in the local community and these were handed out on the playground on Friday.

“I’d like to thank everyone who made this week a success, the mental health of our children is so important.”

Joanne Morris, of the PTA, said: “Organising these small gifts for the children was an absolute pleasure.

“I knew the St Neots community would help with this project and I was inundated with offers of help so we managed to have plenty for the whole school and playgroup.

“We’d like to thank everyone who helped us out, and for the volunteers handing them out too, they brought a lot of smiles to children on the playground.”