Elephant's Tea Party
Elephant's Tea Party
As part of developing childrens' emotional health and well-being in school, we will be running a programme of lessons and activities called ‘Elephant’s Tea Party’ during form time (8th January - 12th January), in addition to an off-timetable session during Period 5 on Friday.
Elephant’s Tea Party is designed to help all children, whether bereaved or not, to begin to develop coping skills should anyone important to them die now, or in later life, as well as dealing with general experiences of loss in life. A letter has been sent to all parents and carers which explain the programme in more detail, and further support and information for our parents, including the resources that will be used in our sessions, can be found here on the Year 7 website.
We hope by normalising the conversations surrounding bereavement both our students who have experienced loss and those supporting their friends will feel more confident in seeking support and feel encouraged to discuss the memories they hold and emotions they feel as part of their personal grieving process.
If you have concerns or questions or would like to discuss the sessions in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
mcanessa@roseberyschool.co.uk
Below are the resources we will be using with students. Please scroll down and click on the resources to open / expand.
External sources of information and support can also be found after the resources.
Lesson Resources
Below is a PDF copy of the presentation that tutors will be going through with students during tutor time.
Below is a copy of the workbook that students will be filling in as they progress through the project.
Elephant's Tea Party - Form Time Sessions.pdfWorkbook.pdfExternal Sources of Support
Link to Child Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Child Bereavement UK support line: 0800 02 888 40
FREE App - Grief: Support for Young People
An app developed for and by bereaved young people aged 11 to 25. It can also be used by friends, teachers, parents and professionals who would like to know how to support bereaved young people. Download from Apple and Android app stores.
“It helped us to formulate a ‘whole school approach’, making it easier to plan for a bereavement in advance so that everyone knows what to do.” Jo Laker, Head Teacher
Recommended reading
Teenage Guide to Coping with Bereavement by Sarah Darwen
This pocket-sized leaflet contains practical advice and guidance for a young person managing confusing emotions when someone important in their life dies. Devised by teenager Sarah Darwen following her father’s death. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher To ten-year-old Jamie, his family has fallen apart because of the loss of someone he barely remembers - his sister Rose, who died five years ago.
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/shop/a-teenage-guide-to-coping-when-someone-dies-leaflet
Us Minus Mum by Heather Butler
The boys think Mum is invincible, but they’re wrong because Mum is ill. It’s up to George and Theo to keep Mum (and everyone else) smiling, which will almost definitely involve Shepherd’s Pie and Goffo’s victory at the pet talent show. This book is funny!
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
A book and a film which follow the main character, Hazel, as she battles cancer. Not only is Hazel trying to live the normal life of a sixteen-year-old girl, but she is also struggling with what it will be like for her parents after she dies.
Sometimes Life Sucks: When Someone You Love Dies by Molly Carlile
Teenagers can experience death in all kinds of ways. Full of tips and stories, this book will help young bereaved people to make some sense of their shock and grief.
Still Here with Me: Teenagers and Children on Losing a Parent by Suzanne Sjoqvist
In their own words, children and young people talk openly about the death of a parent. They describe feelings of pain, loss, and anger, and the struggle to cope with the embarrassed reactions of others and the difficulties involved with rebuilding their lives.
Helping Children Think about Bereavement by Heather Butler, in partnership with Child Bereavement UK
A comprehensive and complete package for staff, students and families, written by an experienced teacher. A five part story with activities to help normalise death and to allow children to develop the emotional language to talk about it.
When Someone Very Special Dies by Marge Heegard
A simple workbook that could be adapted for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
