As part of the Amber Flag application, one of the criteria is to hold a Mental Health Awareness Day. We decided to hold a Wellness Week where each day focused on our children's mental health and well-being.
MINDFUL MONDAY
We started off with Mindful Monday where first on the agenda was to get up and move around to music. The children and their families really enjoyed this.💃
You can listen to the song that got them all moving HERE
They were then asked to draw the word HAPPY on a page and think of all the things in their life that makes them happy. Have a look at all the fabulous pictures that were sent in. See can you spot your own.
Finally to end our first day, we focused on our breathing and shut out all the noises around us and listened to a relaxation podcast.
THANKFUL TUESDAY
For day two of our Wellness Week, the boys and girls were asked to remember everything they are thankful for. We are thankful for all our amazing, talented children that we have in our school. Well done everyone.
We all enjoyed some mindful colouring from Charlie Mackesy book ;The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Then for the afternoon activities the children enjoyed some buddy breathing and mindful snacking, where they closed their eyes, took their time to enjoy what they were eating and really acknowledge their senses.
Buddy Breathing
Mindful Snacking
WELL-BEING WEDNESDAY
Today the children listened to the stories, Take Five by Niall Breslin and Under the Mask, Inside Feelings by Emma Cahill. These stories promote positive mental health by helping children recognise and manage sadness, anger and worry. We enjoyed lots of well-being activities from @walkinmyshoes, took part in some cosmic yoga and Ms O Regan taught us some lámh signs for the song Don't Give Up On Me by Andy Grammar. Mr Gallagher set the children a ping-pong challenge which they enjoyed immensely.
Junior Infants
Senior Infants
First Class
Second Class
THRIVING THURSDAY
As we near the end of our Wellness Week, we wanted to focus the children's attention on what makes us thrive and stay healthy. The students main responses were; " School", "Friends" and "Family". Unfortunately Covid-19 has impacted all those areas but nevertheless we will continue to thrive and be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
To end the day, the children practised some fun, calming activities such as blowing bubbles and rainbow breathing.
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY
For our last day of Wellness Week, we had a fun-filled day planned. We started the day off with some "square breathing" to help us relieve any stress we may have, then we got creative with a Laundry Challenge, where they had to create scenes with clothes in their laundry basket.
Then it was a Take On the Teachers Challenge where the children were asked to compete against Mr Donovan and Mr Gallagher to complete burpees, lunges, wall sits, the plank, and squat challenges. Watch out Karl Henry, these lads are after your job!!
Then after all that exercise, it was time for some crazy Wacky Races with Mr Donovan. We had to beat him to grab objects from around the house. No contest...the children won EVERY time. Hard luck Mr D!!
Last thing on the agenda for today was to act out one of our favourite stories, We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.
We hope you all had a great time taking part in the Wellness Week activities. We loved seeing all your photos and videos that you sent in. We're sending you all a great BIG virtual hug and can't wait to see all our friends back again in SS Peter and Paul JNS.
And Finally...
For a whole school challenge, the children were asked to take a photo of themselves holding a heart in one of the colours of the rainbow. Mrs Adderley then put all these pics into a lovely video. Enjoy.
