It has been an uplifting week at ERC and lots of activities were planned across the curriculum to focus on the mental health and well-being of our children in recognition of Children's Mental Health Week.

Human beings change and grow – we do it all the time and in many ways. Emotional growth is often a gradual process that happens over time, and sometimes we might feel a bit ‘stuck’. At these times, we are reminded of how much we need others in our lives to help us to keep growing.  

In exclusive interviews with presenter and Place2Be Ambassador Josh Smith, familiar faces from the world of TV, music and sport have shared their stories of emotional growth with us.

The link below is to interviews with familiar faces from the world of TV, music and sport, who have shared their stories of emotional growth. These videos were used in classes this week to help start conversations about growth and the different challenges we may face.

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/growth-stories/

Other activites this week:

-All form classes came together to create a wonderful "Wings Mural" display which was made up of individual feathers from each student taking part and their key words and ideas surrounding positive mental well-being

-Our Learning Support department created some wonderful displays under the Growing Together theme

-Our junior school students came together to share how they have grown since they have started ERC by writing a "Letter to your younger self" . Some even chose to share this on the Hub to provide support and reassurance to any P6s or P7s currently feeling anxious about making the leap to "big school" (see video posted below)

-We had Ryan from the REACH programme attend school and give out lots of free goodies to our students as they moved between classes on Monday - wireless headphones, wireless chargers, USB pen drives, stationery and lots of free resources and leaflets in support of positive mental well-being

-We held a resilience workshop with our Year 12s who are currently on a very important journey towards GCSE examinations

-We scheduled in "Golden Time" for some of our most vulnerable students who have found the transition back to full-time teaching difficult, but who have managed so very well and definitely deserved a break from class this week. Our team of classroom assistants arranged games, hot chocolate and treats - all of which was enjoyed greatly by the kids throughout the week

-Some of the Growing Together resources and Growth Stories we used in form period this week with our Junior school students can be seen below along with some videos from the real stars of ERC - our young people.