This week, we have enjoyed celebrating Children's Mental Health Week. Using the theme 'My Voice Matters', each year group discussed different ways that children and young people can express themselves, explaining that when we feel empowered to express ourselves, there’s a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference, have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.

At the start of the week, Year 3 took a stroll to the beach, where they were reminded that nature and physical activity is good for our mental health. At the beach, they each selected a stone to decorate with a positive affirmation once they returned to school.

 

  

In Year 4, Arty Wednesday was inspired by the book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’. The children created artwork using pencils and paints and different blending techniques to make their pictures come alive. 

 

 

Year 5 shared 'The Red Tree' by Shaun Tan and discussed changes from the beginning to the end of the story. They looked at being kindness superheroes and designed their own superhero outfits and quotes they might use. Year 5 also created leaves for a kindness tree, either about things that make them happy or things that they could do to show kindness in our local area.

 

Year 6 created a piece of artwork with swirls of colour to show the emotions they feel. Each emotion was given a colour and the one felt most powerfully, shone through in their painting.

 At Herne Bay Junior School, we want children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work together to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing. We want every child to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters”.