We have always been proactive in preparing our girls to be resilient in times of difficulty and troubles. With so many new challenges emerging from the pandemic, we placed pupil, staff and wider community mental health and wellbeing as priority areas for growth and development, promptly increasing and adapting our offer of support for all girls. As a result, we have received significant praise and thanks from so many, hence felt we must put our school forward in recognition of this hard work.

PEER TO PEER SUPPORT

Following a staff training day in 2020, we identified that no matter how much support we offer or provide for girls, some will never reach out or chat with us. Research proves that girls will most often turn to a friend or older peer to seek support. We therefore reframed our offer and gave a focus to peer support. We currently have a Big Sister programme, Headucate Mental Health Ambassadors, a Buddy system for our lower school, plus academic and induction support from our Sixth Formers.

Our Big Sister programme continues to go from strength to strength. With increased numbers and a new structural system with a director, deputy director and topic leads all appointed to help the smooth running of the programme. The Headucate Mental Health team likewise has increased the structure with an additional deputy.

Over the periods of lockdown, one-to-ones moved from face-to-face to online equivalents and group Google Meets became the single opportunity for girls at home to socialise with their peers. Whether it be for revision tips or Kahoot quizzes, the teams involved continue to work tirelessly to provide what is needed for the girls.

THE WELLBEING TEAM

Our School Nurse is fully involved in PSHE dealing with difficult subjects like ‘Domestic abuse in relationships’ and ‘How to examine yourself for breast lumps’ – subjects like these often bring up worries or experiences that the students then come to discuss or disclose with the Deputy Head Pastoral. The School Nurse also offers support around the lunchtimes for girls who struggle with disordered eating.

In terms of counselling and therapeutic support, our School Counsellor offers a number of pathways in. Students are able to self refer confidentially and, when in school, can access ongoing face-to-face counselling sessions during the school day. These take place in a quiet, cosy space away from the main school.

We run an ongoing programme of self care and psycho-education for staff and students via PSHE sessions, assemblies and staff CPD sessions, a regular counsellor’s blog, online wellbeing talks and question and answer sessions, therefore creating a culture where self care and mental health are part of our daily conversation in school.

LGBTQ+ support

We have relaunched and further developed our LGBTQ+ Alliance group, with weekly meetings with all year groups invited in the Senior School. They are very proactive and the group is well attended. This has allowed students to have a voice and because of this the students feel more confident to be who they want to be.

Inspiring Females: Wellbeing

Our final Inspiring Females event of last school year was Inspiring Females: Wellbeing Online. This wellbeing day gave a whole audience of girls a chance to focus on themselves, talk to experts and learn to appreciate the importance in taking time to care for themselves.

The girls enjoyed many different activities to choose from including baking, nutrition, self-care, active sessions, PE workshops, pets corner, with the event culminating with a film night!

The success of this event was followed up with an equally successful Inspiring Mind, Body and Soul day in March 2021 organised by the Student Committee.

Community and staff wellbeing

We are extremely proud of the many students who took time to think of others during the pandemic and support their local communities. Girls made face masks, delivered food parcels to the elderly and baked treats to deliver to their local hospitals.

In December, we decided to record our covid-safe Senior School Carol Service which we shared with our wider community so all those who were unable to attend church services could sing carols together. Care home and elderly residents within walking distance to our school were visited by Sixth Formers who delivered mince pies along with an order of service.

Within the staff body, three Mental Health Ambassadors were trained, as well as a popular Norwich High Whatsapp Cheer Group and a Facebook walking group.

We look forward to the TES Independent School Awards Virtual Ceremony which takes place this week (Friday 30th April 2021), and will update you if we win either award on the night.