The whole King's community has enjoyed Mental Health Awareness Week...

View the programme of events for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Flickr album: Mental Health Awareness Week - May 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

This has been an extremely busy, yet rewarding, week for pupils and staff focussing on the theme of anxiety. We were very fortunate to start the week with an excellent Assembly, led by our Mental Health Reps Eliza, Niko and Millie, and Educational Psychologist Amanda Benbow. Amanda’s talk was inspiring, answering questions such as: what triggers anxiety?, how can you control it? and along with some very useful breathing exercises, she also gave us the anacronym CLANGERS as a way of coping with anxiety. The pupils really took note of this and produced some excellent posters in their Tutor session after Assembly, which have been displayed in the Dining Room corridor this week. Rev'd Beverly also spoke superbly about anxiety in his chapel service on Wednesday, and following this service, we all, dressed in the Mental Health Awareness colour of green,  walked up to the Dovecote in the sunshine, as it is known that being outside and having fresh air really helps anxiety. This was also the case with our 5 afternoon teas, held every day for each individual year group. Our catering team went above and beyond with their production of delicious doughnuts, chocolate crispy cakes and muffins, and we were so lucky that the sun shone every day, though we did have a torrential hail storm on the last day which cut the 4^th Form tea short. The Catering Department also made delicious curries for our sharing curry meal on Wednesday and lovely homemade scones for the entire staff. There have been lots of events in the evenings too with karaoke, dancing and firepits, but I think it was the whole school House Night at Hyde which was probably my favourite event of the week as everyone was there and the exam pupils really enjoyed a hot dog, ice cream and a short break from their revision, whilst the 3^rd and 6^th Form loved playing games and socialising. Overall, I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and support given by all pupils, and an enormous thank you to the Mental Health Reps - Archie, Eliza, Niko, Scarlett, Will, Millie, Archie, Izzy, Ollie and Holly for all their planning and help in organising a very successful week.  

Emily Simper - Head of PSHEE

"My favourite event was on Wednesday afternoon when, following our church service, the whole school enjoyed a walk up to the Dovecote. We walked up within our Houses,, which made it a great opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy the sunshine and socialise across and within year groups. It was lovely to spend some time away from the classroom, or for many exam halls, and instead spend some quality time outdoors, away from our screens, socialising with friends." Izzy 

"Being a Mental Health Rep, we organised a karaoke night for the 3^rd form which was my favourite event of the week. It was my pleasure to be a part of this fun night, with the 3^rd Form having fun singing and dancing and experiencing the 6^th Form Club for the first time. We all really enjoyed it." Archie 

"My favourite event was the Firepit night. This was on Friday evening when the boarders enjoyed a mixed fire pit night where we selected randomly one of three Houses to go to. This allowed for everyone to integrate and socialise with people who they potentially do not normally get the chance to see. The firepits were at Blackford, Priory and Orchard and there was the opportunity to toast marshmallows, participate in some activities or sit and chat. The sun was out and it was a great way to lift people’s spirits for the end of the week." Scarlett