Friday 5th February
Happy, happy Friday you lovely lot!
I hope you’ve had a good week. I think many of us are struggling at the moment and long for a return to normal. People are missing routine, going to work, going to school, going to see family and meeting friends. Thinking of different things you can do at home can be hard, there are only so many cupboards you can clean, walls you can paint, cakes you can bake and films you can watch! We love hearing your news about the things you have been doing at home, it often gives us inspiration! We’ve had families who have gone camping in their living room, film nights with popcorn and fizzy pop, family games of hide and seek, families learning a new language together, families with new pets and lots more. Although being under national restrictions can be a struggle, it is really important that we all continue to follow the government guidance so that we can keep our loved ones safe and, eventually, return to normal.
In this situation, many of us may find that we are struggling with our mental health. Mental health is ‘a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community’. This definition, from the World Health Organisation, links strongly with our school values of happy, confident, responsible and successful. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. This week, Children’s Mental Health Week has been taking place and there are lots of resources available on the Internet to support this.
I am lucky that I am able to come to work everyday as that gives me a sense of purpose. But I am struggling with not having all of our children in school and even with the children who are in school, I am not able to spend much time with them. I know that when I am finding something a little bit stressful, going into classroom will always make me smile. Children, I do hope that you are all able to return soon.
When it comes to our own mental health and supporting the mental health of others, there are lots of things we can do to make sure we remain mentally healthy:
TALK - if you are feeling anxious or worried about something, it is important that you talk to someone. Some people also find it helpful to write things down.
STAY CONNECTED - it is important that you stay connected with others. Although this is more difficult at the moment, technology does allow us to stay in contact with families and friends. The Teams sessions in school are part of supporting our children to feel connected even though we are apart.
EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS - do more of the things that make you feel happy. Explore the things that interest you most.
BE CREATIVE - dance, art, music, drama, there are many ways that you can be creative. Perhaps you could set up a family band with kitchen utensils! Even if you are not very good and it makes you all laugh, laughing is a great way to look after your mental health.
BE ACTIVE - make sure you get moving. Go out for daily walks, run as a family in the morning, skip in the back garden, join in with the physical challenges your teachers have been setting. Exercise is super important for your mental health and, if you are outside you have the added benefits of nature and the positive impact that will have.
BUILD ROUTINE - although our routines many be different, it is still important to have them. Avoid staying in bed throughout the day, make sure you get dressed and make sure you eat regularly. Set yourself goals that you want to achieve each day.
SPEND TIME TOGETHER - I am talking about quality time, without the stress of work or remote learning. Build this into your daily routine. By spending time together you can talk, you can explore interests together, you can be creative together and you can be active together. Have at least one meal together each day, with the television turned off and mobile phones in a basket.
I am really passionate that we learn best when our minds are in a happy state. Children, please look after your parents and carers, their mental health is just as important as your own. Don’t cause them any more stress. If they ask you to tidy your bedroom - do it. If they ask you to complete your remote learning - do it. If they ask you to clear the table - do it. In fact, even better, do it without being asked. In addition, think of the little things you can do to show them just how much you love them!
I couldn’t finish this blog without mentioning Sir Tom Moore. Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised £32m for the NHS during the UK's first national lockdown by walking 1,000 laps in his garden with his walking frame, died in Bedford Hospital on Tuesday morning aged 100, after contracting COVID-19. He has been described as a national hero and he certainly embodied the greatest of human values.
As always, thank you to our wonderful community for the support you continue to show each other. Olive Hill staff, you are amazing! Olive Hill parents and carers, keep up the HARD work! Olive Hill children, you are simply the best!
Stay happy and stay safe.
