Pupils at a North Tyneside school mark Children’s Mental Health Week

Pupils at a North Shields primary participated in a range of activities to mark Children’s Mental Health Week, which took place earlier this month.

Children’s Mental Health Week took place between Monday, February 5 until Sunday, February 11, and youngsters at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School took part in activities with the theme ‘My Voice Matters’. 

St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School’s head teacher Shaun Dillon explained: “My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves.

“When we feel empowered, there’s a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.

“This year, our aim was for our children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work collaboratively to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing and that of their families.”

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The UNICEF Golds Rights Respecting School, who are part of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, explored topics over the course of the week which included. the role of the brain in the body’s functions. 

Mr Dillon said: “Children explored how our brains are responsible for all functions of the body, including how we move, communicate, make decisions and interpret our surroundings.

“Our brain also processes our thoughts, behaviours, feelings and emotions. This is why we couldn’t talk about mental health without looking at brain health.

“Children also took part in lessons and activities exploring how our body works, how exercise, diet, and how we treat ourselves and others, all impact our mental and physical wellbeing.”

They were also visited by the Cedarwood Trust, who work with councils, non-profit organisations and businesses across North Shields to help those in need by providing meals, food banks, support groups, work placements and more.

“During the week we also invited families into school to meet the staff from the Cedarwood Trust to hear about the wonderful work they do in supporting our local community,” Mr Dillon continued.

“Following lots of conversations between the families, Cedarwood staff and our school staff, we have planned a project around growing vegetables and cycling.

“Our curriculum gives our children lots of experiences that show them that they have a voice which will be heard and listened to, and that they can make a positive difference in our school community and the wider world.”