In a bid to help all the pupils from Years 3 – 8 feel mentally strong and confident ahead of a busy new term, our Pastoral Care Team organised a special, pastoral care “Go Slow” week, to help the children understand the importance of physical and mental good health and how they can help themselves to be reflective and calm, especially important ahead of the upcoming exam season.
Almost 300 pupils did an hour of yoga. Roaring like lions, flying like crows, saluting the sun and breathing deeply, founder of Blessed Yoga, Niki Perry, took the children through different yoga poses, stretches and relaxation techniques. During five different sessions in the sports hall with Years 3-8, and an extra session at breaktime for Years 7 and 8 and staff, Niki explained how yoga connects your mind, your body and your breath to be in the present moment while relaxing and gaining a peaceful state of mind.
“I was blown away by all the children and how they listened and learnt. They arrived full of beans and high energy and at the end of the sessions we had slowed right down.”
Niki Perry
Earlier in the week, Westbourne House pupils, staff and parents attended nutrition workshops to learn about healthy eating and how it helps the body and the brain. Leading child nutritionist and head of the nutritional therapy team NatureDoc, Lucinda Miller, told the children: “My view on nutrition is that there are no bad foods in the world. There are some foods that maybe we shouldn't eat all the time. There are some foods that are a treat to eat. So, every single day it is about trying to find habits that will help to nourish all the cells in the body and your brain.”
“It’s crucial in this ever-changing and pressurised world that we help our children understand the importance of being calm and reflective so that they are able to cope if stressful or anxious situations arise at school or at home. If they have the tools to navigate these situations and understand how to use them, it gives our pupils great confidence."
Head of Pastoral Care, Mrs Sam Pollock
On the final three days of the week, the children practised slow breathing, shared skills and did some gardening on 'Slow Grow' day!
It was wonderful to see the children “Taking the Time” to teach each other something new on the Wednesday. New skills learnt across our Prep School year groups and teaching staff included speaking Hindu and Dutch, Monkey trail tricks, owl calling, making a homemade fly fishing lure, playing the piano, dancing, magic tricks, drum rolling, cat’s cradle, hair braiding and making bows and arrows, to name but a few.
Our Head of Pastoral Care, Mrs Pollock, said: “It was uplifting to see so many people taking time to teach others new skills at breaktime. Learning something new is a great way to relax and give your mind a break – another skill we hope the children will take away from this week.”
