Emotional Health & Wellbeing

Our Vision Statement

Our Catholic Mission is to enable every child to have an active mind, a sense of empathy and compassion, aspiration and ambition so that they become what God calls them to be.

An active mind is important to us here at Saint Thomas of Canterbury Primary School as the emotional health and wellbeing of all members of our School (including staff, students and parents) is fundamental to our philosophy and ethos of valuing everyone, caring for each other and achieving excellence.

At Saint Thomas of Canterbury Primary, we work together as a school community, staff, students and parents in a supportive and challenging environment to maximise opportunities and achievements for all by providing a secure and stimulating environment that promotes independence, self-esteem, health and wellbeing. We intend to embed an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

Strategy for Developing Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health

What is Emotional Health and Wellbeing?

‘Emotional wellbeing describes your mental state – how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life.

Emotional wellbeing is essential for us to function and be happy.’ Mental health is defined as a ‘state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential.’

At Saint Thomas of Canterbury Primary, one of our main priorities is the emotional health and wellbeing of our staff, parents and children.

We believe that a strong sense of self and belonging is a huge part of well-being and as teachers we have:

• created opportunities so that children develop their physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual health through a holistic approach
• created opportunities for children to be able to make choices in the classroom, to work together in groups to create strong bonds and develop peer learning and give them the opportunities to be able to make some decisions within school. This is done through our school council; which has many roles that contribute fully to the running of the school
• elected children to become ‘Wellbeing Ambassadors’, to support their peers within school and give someone familiar they can talk to
• been committed to highlighting the importance of wellbeing through staff training, workshops for children and parent coffee mornings
• addressed emotional wellbeing through pastoral lessons and a wellbeing scheme within school
• put in place a ‘Change Team’, where staff are committed to promoting wellbeing across the school community and developing the provision for other staff and parents.