Monday 5 February marks the start of Wellbeing Week at Embley with a range of activities, talks and experiences planned for pupils across the school. The focus on the week’s activities are underpinned by the NHS’s five key points about supporting wellbeing: connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.
We are grateful to Embley Parents’ Association for their contribution to the cost of some of the Wellbeing Week activities across the whole school including our circus skills workshops at our Prep and Senior schools and a farm visit and mission possible team building day at Prep.
Highlights of Wellbeing Week at Prep:
Circus Skills – ‘Lucas Jet’ will launch Wellbeing Week with a Circus Performance for Nursery to Year 6. This will be followed by workshops from Reception to Year 6 throughout the day, giving children the opportunity to be physical, learn something new, take a challenge and have fun with their friends.
Healthy Eating Workshops – Activities for Nursery to Year 6 children to engage with, alongside their form teacher: a Hungry Caterpillar food exploration tunnel, smoothie bikes, food waste information boards, food samples (with allergen checks) and an interactive ‘What’s in my food?’ game. The focus will be on healthy eating, being diverse with food choice and food waste.
Miller’s Ark Farm Visit – We will welcome a menagerie of animals for all the children to meet. There will be an emphasis on how to care for animals and build confidence when around them. Expert handlers will talk about the different animals and answer questions. Time with the animals will allow the children to connect and take notice.
The Sleep Site – Renowned sleep expert Dave Gibson will speak to pupils in Year 5 and 6 about the importance of sleep on our bodies and minds and how to sleep well.
Mission Possible Day – Over the course of a day, Reception to Year 6 will work towards solving a top secret mission by gaining clues for every activity they complete. They must try and gather as many as possible and avoid letting key information slip to potential spies. Working together in teams to attempt a variety of challenges, co-ordination, communication and co-operation will be tested and enhanced. Some of the activities target physical strength, others are more aimed at mental ability. All will need teamwork to be completed!
Highlights of Wellbeing Week at Senior School:
The Alcohol Education Trust – Helena Conibear from the AET will speak to pupils in Years 9 to 13 about addiction, alcohol, vaping and drug use. She will explain the impact of these substances on the body and mind and will give practical advice to pupils about how to keep themselves safe, avoid addiction and be resilient. We will also provide you with a series of short videos, exclusively available to Embley parents, so that you can learn more about this important topic and empower and enable you to support your child with these tricky issues. Links to the videos will follow in due course.
The Sleep Site – Dave Gibson will speak to pupils in Year 5 to 8 about the importance of sleep on our bodies and minds and how to sleep well.
Safety Awareness Motoring and Education will speak to Years 12 and 13, providing them with the knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible drivers.
Circus Skills – ‘Lucas Jet’ will teach these skills to pupils in Years 7 to 10, giving them the opportunity to be physical, learn something new, take a challenge and have fun with their friends.
Leah Goodey, Embley’s Deputy Head Pastoral, commented: 'By embracing the NHS’s five key points and integrating them into our school culture, we strive to create an environment where every student feels valued, supported and empowered. We are all looking forward to Wellbeing Week and a chance to really focus on nurturing the minds, bodies and spirits of our children.'
