It was a pleasure to welcome Chris Lloyd, Chair of Governors, District and County Councillor, to oversee the end of school departure and observe the road and pavement use last Friday. We all agree we would like to make this a little cleaner and help to keep everyone as safe as possible. Here is what the school has planned now and in the future. Can you support us with a few ideas below?

1. Senior Leaders have agreed to (when possible) be present at the Spinney gate to support traffic. We are purchasing road barriers and plan to block access to the little lane at the Spinney to prevent cars and children  having to overlap. This will mean the parents using that space will need to find other locations. We do hope you understand the reason for this. Thank you for your support!

2. Parent Parking Volunteers. We had three volunteers supporting road crossing and safety. Our last volunteer, Chet Paatni, is currently between children at Little Green. (Thank you to him!) SO, do you have the time and feel willing to support us in managing and supporting parents to park safely? Let me know at admin@littlegreen.herts.sch.uk 

3. We are looking to develop the pedestrian access to the school to avoid people needing to use the car park driveway.

4. We are awaiting pavement lowering to allow a lollipop person to be appointed to cross over Kenilworth Drive by the post box. This is pending the Highways agency prioritising this work - we have been bumped the last two years but keep pushing.

5. We are hoping to develop a new pedestrian exit from the school to the footpath, parallel with the field, to take the Spinney out of play.

Youth Mental Health Day is a time to come together as a school community to acknowledge the importance of mental well-being among our young learners. This year, in PSHE, Little Green embraced the theme of #BeBrave, encouraging our students to develop the resilience and courage needed to face the challenges that come their way.

At a young age, children often struggle to understand and express their emotions. As educators and caregivers, it is our responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment where they can develop the emotional tools they need to navigate life's ups and downs. The #BeBrave campaign highlights the following key messages for primary school children:

• It's Okay to Feel: #BeBrave teaches our young ones that it's perfectly normal to experience a range of emotions, including sadness, fear, and anger. By acknowledging their feelings, they can begin to understand and manage them.

• Talk About It: Encouraging open conversations about emotions and mental health from a young age helps destigmatize these topics. #BeBrave reminds children that they can and should talk about how they feel with trusted adults and friends.

• Support Each Other: By fostering a culture of empathy and kindness, we show our young learners that they are not alone. They can support their peers who may be struggling and, in turn, seek help when they need it.

Youth Mental Health Day at Little Green wasn't just a day; it was a commitment to nurturing the emotional well-being of our young learners. We aim to create a supportive, empathetic, and brave community where children feel empowered to express their feelings, seek help when needed, and support one another. Together, we are sowing the seeds of emotional resilience that will benefit our students throughout their lives.

We have attached the How to #BeBrave: Guide for Young People, which we used during our PSHE learning last week, published by Stem4. It would be great if you could take some time to read it with your child or children, and embrace the conversations it may stimulate. As always, if you need advice or support, you can reach out via your child's class email address or directly to Mrs Rowland or Mrs Crawford.

The Little Green Team

Clare Crawford

Leading and Exploring PSHE with our Little Greeners