From The Head - Friday 11th October 2024

The Ryleys School was even sunnier and brighter on Thursday when pupils and staff joined in on our World Mental Health Day focus by wearing something yellow. Fortunately, our uniform lends itself very well for occasion!

The wellbeing of each and every one of us is pivotal to ensure a happy, productive and purposeful environment where everyone feels valued and cared for. There is an extensive wellbeing programme in operation in school which is part of our overall personal development curriculum, helping the children to manage their emotions, and develop important life skills and coping strategies. We have mental health and wellbeing ambassadors and leaders to ensure that the programme is valuable and comprehensive.

A key message we always emphasise with the children is that they have the ability to impact both positively or negatively on someone else with the choices they make and the words they use. Of course, the same applies to adults! One of our golden rules in school is that if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Just imagine the type of world we would live in if this was unilaterally applied by every human being.

Positivity and gratitude play a huge part in people having a healthy, happy mindset. One of the most powerful ways to rewire your brain for more joy and less stress is to focus on gratitude - being grateful for the everyday simple, but important pleasures, can create an enormous sense of wellbeing such as being out in nature, a beautiful blue sky, someone making you a lovely, hot cuppa, a delicious home cooked meal, a warm, comfy bed, a hug...

If we all take responsibility for ourselves and look out for others, we have the chance of making a positive difference to the world and people around us. Year 6 read out their 'Pep Talk' poems in assembly today which perfectly illustrated just that - have a read of them in the newsletter for some weekend inspiration!

Julia Langford.
Headteacher