This week at Great Sankey High School, we have been proudly celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week, leading up to World Mental Health Day today. The focus has been on promoting positive mental health, raising awareness, and equipping our students with the tools and knowledge to look after their wellbeing. We believe that supporting mental health is just as important as academic success, and this week has been full of activities and opportunities to reinforce this message.

 

Assemblies and Wellbeing Ambassadors


The week began with assemblies delivered by Mrs Buchan alongside our Wellbeing Ambassadors, highlighting the importance of looking after mental health and signposting the support available within school and beyond. The Ambassadors have played a key role in leading these initiatives, helping to create a supportive school community. They also ran a ribbon campaign throughout the week to raise awareness, showing that small actions can make a big difference in promoting mental wellbeing.

 

Wellbeing Walks for KS3


Our KS3 students took part in Wellbeing Walks, designed to encourage physical activity, reflection, and conversation about mental health. Year 9 students enjoyed their walk on Monday, Year 8 on Tuesday, and Year 7 on Thursday. These walks not only allowed students to enjoy some fresh air but also gave them the chance to connect with their peers and think about strategies to manage stress and maintain positive mental health.

 

Parental Engagement on Online Safety


On Tuesday, DC Kevan from the Cyber Crimes Unit led an engaging workshop for parents focused on online safety. In an age where social media and online interactions play such a large part in young people’s lives, it is vital that both students and parents are aware of potential risks and how to stay safe. This session provided practical advice and strategies for keeping children safe online, reinforcing the link between digital safety and mental wellbeing.

 

Mental Health Awareness in Intervention Groups


Wednesday saw Think for the Future delivering mental health awareness sessions to intervention groups. These interactive sessions encouraged students to reflect on their own mental wellbeing, recognise the signs of stress or anxiety, and explore ways to support themselves and others. Activities and discussions helped students feel more confident in seeking support when needed and normalised conversations about mental health in the school environment.

 

Year 10 Programme with Warrington Wolves


On Thursday, over 50 of our Year 10 students took part in the Ahead of the Game: Movember Mental Health Programme, delivered by Warrington Wolves. This programme focused on raising awareness of mental health challenges, breaking down stigma, and promoting strategies for resilience and wellbeing. Students were actively engaged in discussions and activities designed to help them understand the importance of looking after their mental and emotional health.

 

Promoting Positivity and Safety


The week concluded on Friday with a focus on promoting a safe and supportive environment. Cheshire Police visited with the knife arch, reinforcing messages about safety in the community. Students showed their support for Young Minds by wearing yellow items as part of a school-wide initiative. The Wellbeing Ambassadors also helped run a very popular cake sale, raising vital funds to support mental health initiatives.

 

This week has been an inspiring reminder of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. At Great Sankey High School, we strive to foster a culture where students feel supported, valued, and confident in seeking help when needed. By engaging in activities like assemblies, walks, workshops, and awareness programmes, our students are learning not only to take care of themselves but also to support others in their community.

 

Well done to all our students and staff for making Mental Health Awareness Week such a success!