Parent/ carer workshops- 'Helping your child with fears and worries'

Helping your child with fears and worries

Virtual targeted parent group workshop, starting in September 2025 every Tuesday morning at 10:30am.

All parent/ carers will be offered a screening assessment appointment to gather information about their child's presentation, main difficulties with worries, risk etc to check this intervention is suited to them. If we feel another one of our interventions may be more suitable for the parent/child then we will offer a different intervention.

It may be particularly helpful for parents who would like peer support.

 

Wellbeing PLG

When the Wellbeing Pupil Leadership Group meet, we think about ways to encourage people to be healthy in body and mind. 

One way we discussed that helps us is to use positive reinforcement. These are statements we can say to others, but also to ourselves.

Can you use any of these suggested?

Do you have any others that work well?

Y5 and Y6 parent / carer workshop- Transition

 Greenwich CAMHS- Mental Health in Schools Team workshop:

 Supporting your child’s transition to secondary school

 

The Mental Health in Schools Team offers a workshop for parents of Y5 and Y6 children who will transition to secondary school within the next 1.5 year.

 

The session aims to provide a space for parents to explore the idea of ‘change’ and the accompanying feelings this triggers, as well as hopes and concerns.

 

It also provides tips and tools to promote a smooth transition to secondary school.

 

Friday 28^th February 9-10am

The Partnership Unit - the corner of Bannockburn Road and Plumstead High Street.

Lumi Nova coffee morning

On Friday 4 Oct 2024,  there will be a coffee morning to share with parents/ carers information about the FREE Lumi Nova app, which supports children struggling with anxiety, recommended by the NHS.

9am- 10:30am in the Partnership Unit on the corner of Bannockburn Road and Plumstead High Street.

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage

A therapeutic digital intervention (game) for childhood anxiety:

• For 7-12 year olds (facing difficulties with anxiety)
• Therapeutic basis: Psychoeducation and Exposure therapy
• Built in safeguarding & accessibility features
• Available on Android and iOS
• Co-created with young people, guardians, teachers, clinicians, academics, game experts

Parenting support

 

Online game to support anxiety 7-12 year olds

 

KS2 parent workshop- virtual

 

Looking after our mental health during winter

The Young Minds website has lots of tips and advice to help us all through the winter.

A guide for parents and carers: Money and mental health

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/money-and-mental-health/

"Information on the links between money and mental health, how to support your child's wellbeing and look after yourself in the cost-of-living crisis, and where to find practical and financial support for your family."

This includes where to find practical support and further advice.

Tips for coping with seasonal affective disorder

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/tips-for-coping-with-seasonal-affective-disorder/

"Although seasonal affective disorder is very common, it’s not something you hear talked about enough. It is similar to depression, except it comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, with the symptoms usually being mainly present during the winter. These symptoms include low mood, a lack of energy, a loss of pleasure in activities you would normally enjoy, and feelings of irritability."

• Sunlight and walking
• Stop scrolling in the mornings in bed
• Journaling
• Creating a routine and planning my days
• Therapy/ Talking with someone you can trust

How to help your child if Christmas makes them anxious

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/blog/how-to-help-your-child-if-christmas-makes-them-anxious/

"Gifts, gingerbread houses, advent calendars and chocolate. Trips to see Santa, trips to see his ‘elves’, ice skating, movies and more chocolate - the stuff of Christmas that children so often love.

But for some children, the festive period can be a time that makes them anxious."

1. Check in with your child

2. Plan ahead

3. Discuss plans for time with extended family

4. Understand their needs

5. Get out of the house

6. Be aware of what your child picks up on

7. Look after your health (adults)

8. Do what's best for you

Anxiety in Children Workshop

 Anxiety in Children Workshop

Greenwich CAMHS- Mental Health in Schools Team 

Useful for parents and carers whose children are experiencing anxiety and would like to learn more about how it presents and how to manage it.

The Mental Health in Schools Team offers a psychoeducation workshop for parents around Anxiety in Children. This workshop aims to provide information for parents about what anxiety is, the factors that can lead to children experiencing anxiety and strategies that can be used to support them and build their confidence. In addition, the sessions hope to provide a space for parents to share their experiences with others of anxieties they have seen in their children and promote awareness of it.

The workshop is divided into two sessions taking part on the 7^th and 14^th of December. Session one will focus on what anxiety is and the factors that can lead to children experiencing anxiety. Session two covers strategies that can be used to support your child with their anxious feelings and build their confidence.

Duration: 2 sessions, each between 45-60 mins. 9:10am start

Sessions will be held in The Partnership Unit.

On the corner of Bannockburn Road and Plumstead High Street, SE18 1HE.

Please be aware that there is only street parking and the surrounding streets can become quite congested.

You do not need to go into the school office, please come straight through the iron gates to the white door. Please knock loudly on the door, if it is not open.

 

 

 

The Wellbeing Award for Schools

 Bannockburn has held the Wellbeing Award for Schools for a few years.

We continue to expand and develop our support of emotional wellbeing and positive mental health in the school community.

The award focuses on the long-term culture of the whole school. It ensures that mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of our school life.​

Bannockburn Wellbeing Vision Statement:

• Everyone feels safe, included and valued.
• Promote positive social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, resilience and wellness for pupils, staff and our community.
• Everyone believes in themselves, creating relationships that develop them personally, socially and emotionally.

If you would like to support us in promoting wellbeing and mental health awareness and strategies, both in school and in the wider community, please contact Nicky Dalton (Deputy Headteacher- Inclusion).

COFFEE MORNING FOR WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY- 1Oth October

World Mental Health Day on 10 October. 

The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is 

‘Mental health is a universal human right’.  

Come along to our COFFEE MORNING morning 9am- 10am in the Partnership Unit.

There will be tips, advice and information about services available locally.

You do not need to go into the school office, please come straight through the iron gates to the white door. Please knock loudly on the door, if it is not open. 

Looking after our WELLBEING over the Summer Holidays- 2

There are many fun activities to do over the Summer Holidays to keep children engaged and entertained.

Try some of these websites for local suggestions.

• BETTER leisure centres
• Royal Museums Greenwich
• Visit Greenwich

What can your children take the lead on?

Try some challenges-

TIPS FROM THE WELLBEING TEAM

Yes, the Summer Holidays are great, but it can be hard to fill all that time and still look after our WELLBEING; remembering our mental health as well as our physical health.

Therefore the Wellbeing Team have some tips and advice for our families.

1. Tell others what you appreciate about them and what they do for you.
2. Help out at home- offer to do jobs/ chores before being asked to.
3. Keep learning- read different types of books, do Linguascope and Times Tables Rock Stars, learn to play a musical instrument, learn a new sport. 
4. Do activities other people in your family like to do (even if you don't).
5. Put plans into a calendar and have routines at home. 
6. Keep up your hygiene- brush your teeth, have a bath or shower regularly, don't wear dirty/ smelly clothes.
7. Do arts and crafts, with other people and by yourself- drawing, painting, making things.
8. Remember to eat your fruit and vegetables. Don't always have 'naughty' snacks. 
9. Check out the school website for the Transition Booklets to remind yourself about your class and teacher in September. 
10. Do nice things for your family- give them a massage, do your mum's hair, bake them some biscuits, make them a card.
11. If someone is sad, cheer them up by telling them a joke and making them laugh. 
12. Get lots of sleep. It helps our bodies and minds recover and reset. Young people need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
13. Stay in touch with your friends- invite them over to play, arrange to meet them somewhere like a park or library, call them/ Face Time with them on the phone. 
14. Go out for the day- fun fair, cinema, museum's, beach, park, playground, swimming, bowling, walk in the woods, picnic.
15. Spend time with friends and family- at parties, BBQ's, playing football, playing board games, playing card games, movie nights, doing some yoga, walking around Danson Park.
16. A digital detox. Try to spend less time on devices.
17. Positive reinforcement. Say nice things to other people, but also yourself. "I am funny," "You are kind," "I am good at cooking," "You are a great dancer."
18. Spend time on your own just chilling out. 
19. Share your thinking- good communication is so important in our lives. The more you can describe your thoughts and feelings, the easier it will be for others to see your point of view.
20. Dance and sing!

.

Looking after our WELLBEING over the Summer holidays -1

Free meals for kids during school holidays

The council is ensuring that regular meals are available for all children and young people within the borough during school holidays. Food is served at multiple locations across the borough, and there's no age limit for children, meaning that nutritious meals are readily available and families continue to receive support outside of school term time.

Meals are available throughout the Summer holidays, starting from Monday 24 July. There are no forms, and no fuss - just turn up and tuck in! 

https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200234/children_young_people_and_families/2108/holiday_meals_for_kids

MORE COST OF LIVING SUPPORT FROM GREENWICH -https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200244/benefits_and_financial_help/2361/greenwich_supports

Live well as a family.

livewellgreenwich.org.uk/living-well/live-well-as-a-family/

Lots of suggestions for positive things to do over the Summer Holidays and also links to sources of support.

The mental health and wellbeing support can be found in the Youth Services sections.

Worry Wizard Workshop with Year 1.

Year 1 took part in a Worry Wizard Workshop, which focused on different feelings and emotions. They were able to name different emotions and explored them through drama, music and facial expressions. We discussed how we may feel a range of emotions throughout the day and that all feelings are okay.

Easter Wellbeing

The Easter holidays are the perfect time for adventures, laughter and enjoyable activities with the whole family. But it can also be stressful, so there is no better time than now to refocus on your health and wellbeing. 

Doing mindfulness, physical and communication exercises as a family is a great way to support your wellbeing and mental health. 

Here are some ideas for health and wellbeing activities you can do over the Easter break.

1. Use up odd socks by making an Easter bunny sock puppet.  
2. Make Easter cards.  
3. Make use of your local library.  
4. Make a pasta picture.  
5. Have a picnic.  
6. Make a bunny den.  
7. Memory Minute 
8. Bat and Ball keepy-uppy
9. Egg Collage
10. Mini egg challenge - Make up a small race track or obstacle course on the floor or table. 
11. Easter decorations 
12. Jokes
13. Baking 

calmahoykids.co.uk/2021/03/20/calming-easter-activities-for-kids/

www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/family-wellbeing-activities-for-easter

www.publichealthdorset.org.uk/b/family-health-and-wellbeing-activities-for-the-easter-holidays-2

www.familylives.org.uk/advice/your-family/holidays/easter-holidays-fun-for-families

Let's connect- Mental Health

This year Place2Be's theme for Children's Mental Health Week is 

Let’s Connect. 

"Let’s Connect is about making meaningful connections. Human beings thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing. When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing. And when our need for rewarding social connections is not met, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on our mental health. 

As parents and carers, you play an important role in your child’s mental health."

There are lots of resources for families here- https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/families/#resources

And lots of tips and advice for parents and carers  here-  https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/

We have lots of earlier posts on this blog with advice, tips and activities to support mental health and wellbeing. Simply go to the search tool and type in 'mental health' and / or 'wellbeing.'

This Friday (10th February), the Coffee Morning will be about The Zones of Regulation. We use these in school, and encourage the children to use them outside of school too, to understand their emotions and regulate their responses. Please come along if you'd like to find out more, 9-10am in the Partnership Unit, on the corner of Bannockburn Road and Plumstead High Street.
 

SUMMER WELLBEING

Staying active during the holidays can be difficult. For the wellbeing of the children and adults, having a variety of things to do is very beneficial. 

It is also proven that limited screen time, on age-appropriate websites/ games, helps with mental health, physical health and sleep habits. 

Here are a few activities to help the wellbeing of the whole family. 

WoW Yourself: This is a ‘do-it-yourself’ section. It’s full of practical things you can do to improve your well-being – tips to test, activities to try and places to visit.

https://www.wheelofwellbeing.org/wow-yourself

 

"You'll find loads of fun activities to keep your children entertained during the summer holidays - they're fun, educational and active! Suitable for children aged 4 to 11 years old."

https://imoves.com/summer-holidays