As a school we have focused on developing an understanding and awareness of The Five Ways to Wellbeing as a strategy to support the wellbeing of all stakeholders.

The Five ways to wellbeing are simple things that we can all do to improve our emotional health and wellbeing:

• Connect
• Be active
• Take notice
• Keep learning
• Give

Connect: Spend time with family and friends.  Enjoy doing things together and talking to each other.

• Talk to someone instead of sending an email
• Speak to someone new
• Ask how someone’s weekend was and really listen when they tell you
• Put five minutes aside to find out how someone really is.

Be active:  It keeps you physically healthy, and makes you feel good

• Take the stairs not the lift
• Go for a walk at lunchtime
• Walk into school - perhaps with a friend – so you can ‘connect’ as well
• Get off the bus one stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey to school
• Organise a family sporting activity
• Have a kick-about in a local park
• Do some ‘easy exercise’, like stretching, before you leave for school in the morning.

Keep learning: Try something new. Try a new hobby or learn about something just because it interests you.

• Find out something about another member of your class
• Sign up for a club
• Read the news or a book
• Set up a book club
• Do a crossword or Sudoku
• Research something you’ve always wondered about
• Learn a new word.

Take notice: Take a break to see how you feel. Relax and look around you or listen to music, take a few deep breaths.

• Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
• Take notice of how your friends are feeling or acting
• Take a different route on your journey to or from school
• Visit a new place with your family.

Give: Do something for a friend or relation/adult, as well as making them feel good, it can make you feel good too!       

• saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you
• asking friends or family how they are and really listening to their answer
• spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company
• offering to help someone you know at home or school
• volunteering in your community.