Mental Health
We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health.
We know that mental health is a fundamental coping mechanism for life's challenges. Those who are emotionally healthy can control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, developing the ability to think clearly, learn new skills and develop socially.
At Goffs Oak Primary School, promoting a mentally healthy community is at the heart of everything we do. We work together through challenging times, celebrate achievements, share positivity, and ensure that everyone, pupils, staff, parents/carers, and the wider community feels supported, valued, empowered, and accepted.
We encourage our children to develop strategies for good mental health and create environments in which they can flourish. We aim to prepare them with knowledge and understanding, strategies and tools to support them beyond the classroom and throughout their lives. PSHCE lessons provide safe spaces for children to discuss general issues and to recommend healthy ways to work through them.
Working towards and subsequently achieving the kite mark for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health in Hertfordshire has ensured a consistent approach to our school-based approach to mental health.
We know that mental health is a fundamental coping mechanism for life's challenges. Those who are emotionally healthy can control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, developing the ability to think clearly, learn new skills and develop socially.
At Goffs Oak Primary School, promoting a mentally healthy community is at the heart of everything we do. We work together through challenging times, celebrate achievements, share positivity, and ensure that everyone, pupils, staff, parents/carers, and the wider community feels supported, valued, empowered, and accepted.
We encourage our children to develop strategies for good mental health and create environments in which they can flourish. We aim to prepare them with knowledge and understanding, strategies and tools to support them beyond the classroom and throughout their lives. PSHCE lessons provide safe spaces for children to discuss general issues and to recommend healthy ways to work through them.
Working towards and subsequently achieving the kite mark for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health in Hertfordshire has ensured a consistent approach to our school-based approach to mental health.
ResearchAn NHS survey from 2017 showed that:
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WellbeingWe use the 5 Ways to Wellbeing to support the mental health of everyone involved with Goffs Oak Primary School.
Connect - Feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world.
Keep Learning - Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Be Active - Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Give - Engagement in social and community life encourages a greater interest in helping others, developing happiness in those who participate. Take Notice – Reflection on feelings and an awareness of the surrounding world promotes the importance of taking time out to enjoy the here and now. |
Children's Mental Health Week 7-11th February 2022
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Children's Mental Health Week has been celebrated in style! With the 5 Ways to Wellbeing as the focus of all our afternoon's activities we have have been able to emphasize the importance of self-care and how a health mind helps us enjoy life and cope with problems. Just as we take care of our bodies by exercising and eating a good diet, we need to do things to help protect our mental health.
So whether it is connecting with friends and family, volunteering, enjoying the outdoors, learning new skills or being active, these are all things that we can do protect our mental health. This video is just a snippet from a wealth of learning opportunities the children have been involved in. A marvellous time had by all! |
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Positivity Rocks!
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What a marvellous morning we had on Tuesday when we held our Positivity Rocks session.
It was a great opportunity to get creative, along with tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits! We have some very talented mums and dads and look forward to placing the stones in the pathway, by the outdoor classroom, for everyone to enjoy. As they were drying in the hall, the children had a chance to view them and they were thrilled to see the different patterns and designs! Thank you to everyone who came along and to the Friends of Goffs Oak for supplying the refreshments. |
Wellbeing Week - October 2021
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What a marvellous week we have had! Painting stones to create a new pathway, yoga, gardening, embracing diversity, the 5 Ways to Well-being, the list is endless! The activities have given the children, and staff, the opportunity to consider their own mental health and that of others. The positive vibes around the school have been amazing and contagious! Look at the video where you will find a collection of photos and videos showcasing a small selection of the wonderful times we have had. 
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Macmillian Coffee Morning - Friday 24th September
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Today we have been so proud of the Year 6 children. They hosted the most wonderful coffee morning. Thank you so much to all of the parents who stopped in for a cup of tea or coffee and enjoyed a bit of cake. I am overwhelmed by the amount of cake that was donated! I think there was enough to feed the whole school three times over. This morning we have raised £385 for Macmillan. |
#HelloYellow World Mental Health Day 2020
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On Friday 9th October we celebrated World Mental Health day in style! In support of the Young Minds Charity, the Uk’s leading charity fighting for children’s and young people’s mental health, each child and adult in the school came in dressed in as much yellow as they could possibly lay their hands on! The energy around the school was electric and, despite the children all being in separate bubbles, there was a real sense of community spirit that ran through the school.
Each teacher had planned a range of activities, pitched at different levels and learning styles, to encourage their youngsters to consider the importance of keeping their minds healthy, as well as their bodies. In Nursery the children made the ‘longest paper chain’ and were proud of their collective piece. They were able to recognise the importance of working together and showing support to everyone. In Reception and KS1 there were Worry Monsters created to ‘feed’ any worries to for the monster to gobble up and take away. A Speed friend activity gave the children the opportunity to connect and find out something new about each other and Superhero’s were designed with special powers of kindness, friendship and listening skills etc. The KS2 children were also involved in a variety of tasks which considered a deeper thinking of positive mental health and how to recognise emotions, whilst being able to name them and ask for help. Mindfulness colouring was undertaken whilst listening to meditation music to support relaxation and focus, whilst worry dolls were constructed tools for ‘taking on’ worries and removing them from the child. Additionally children built a well-being tree from their positivity leaves and the Year 6 children drew pictures to convey their feelings and emotions through artwork inspired by Kandinsky. However, without doubt, the most uplifting experience of the day was when the whole school came together, in their individual bubbles, for the first time since lockdown on the 23rd March. Despite virtual weekly singing assemblies being posted it was the first opportunity for all the children to sing with each other in school. Around the school field the children stood, socially distanced in their groups, to sing songs about feeling good. They sang ‘Power in Me’ with actions, a song which promoted the very essence of the day, along with Top of the World, Mama Mia and Don’t Stop me Now! The atmosphere was marvellous as was the chemistry in the air as everyone enjoyed taking part. The sun came out and it was a most uplifting experience, one that everyone will remember. Throughout this wide range of activities each child was able to learn about the power of a positive mind-set but more importantly to understand that it is okay to not be okay and where to go and what to do if they need support. The school raised £220.00 for the Healthy Young Minds Charity. |
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Mental Health Awareness Week 2020
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The Mental Health Foundation defines kindness as: “doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by genuine desire to make a positive difference,”
To recognise this importance of this week, particularly during the current pandemic lockdown, the whole school were invited to make virtual Kindness Cups to award. This provided a chance to recognise and reward the children, teachers, parents/carers and other individuals who have made a positive difference at this challenging time. The response to the task was marvellous, with cups awarded throughout the whole school for a variety of reasons, all linked to the support and kindness that had been central to them. |
Websites Offering Support for Parents / Carers
Top tips for parents
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Information and support on mental health
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Advice and courses to support parents and carers
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Advice on everyday mental health and wellbeing
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NHS Support for Parents
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