We Supported Mental Health Awareness Week - 18th May to 22nd May

Mental Health Awareness Week in 2020 was from 18th to 22nd May 2020.

As a school we would normally have had various activities and events planned in school to celebrate. However, this year it happened during the time of the Corona virus. That being said there were still lots of very positive things that took place.

The focus for Mental Health Awareness this year was 'Kindness' and Ms Warburton set some lovely work for PSHE lessons and the work produced was really exceptional. You can see a selection here: http://www.balshaws.org.uk/news/2020-05-18-mental-health-awareness-week-2.

Every day Mrs Seedall sent an email to students and staff to set the challenge of a random act of kindness with each day having a different focus:

• Monday - Today's challenge is to tell a member of your family how much you love them and appreciate them
• Tuesday - Arrange to watch a film at the same time as a friend and video call to discuss the film, as you watch it!​
• Wednesday - Send an inspirational quote to a friend
• Thursday - Offer to skill share with a friend via video call - you could teach guitar, a dance or tell them a joke to pass on!
• Friday - 'To thine own self be kind'. In other words, be kind to yourself! You could - take a hot bubble bath, go for a walk, have a special treat i.e. your favourite snack, meditate, decorate your own personal space with positive messages and mantras, get cozy and watch your favourite film!

There were some amazing and wonderful kindness being shown and inspirational quotes are being shared by students and staff during this time and you can see a selection below:

Kindness

Megan - Year 8
Megan said - Really missing being in school! But even though we are in lockdown I have managed to keep busy by going on my bike and playing with my cats and teaching one of them how to sit for a treat! Last week I also gave £50 to help build a house for a family in a poor country. Although I am having a good time, I can’t wait until we can go back to school!

Thalia - Year 8
Thalia has been keeping in touch with her friend. They have watched a film 'virtually' and chatted about it together

Mrs Seedall 
Mrs Seedall has been busy tidying out the garage and donating lots of blankets, towels and dog beds to the RSPCA

Inspirational Quotes

We have received some fabulous quotes from students and staff that have been written by others but inspire them:

• Mrs Seedall - You are braver than you believe, stronger that you see, and smarter than you think
• Ruby in Year 9 - sent to her friend - There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had enough
• Curtis in Year 9 - Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people and Colossian 3:13 (...) forgive the things that you are holding against one another. Forgive just as the Lord forgave you
• Mrs Hayes - Through listening, come awareness, through awareness comes understanding, through understanding, comes knowledge
• Miss Brown - Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared. You are amazing!