Wellbeing Week 2025

Schools are busy places. Days are jam-packed with assembly, lessons, clubs and societies, extra-curriculars and after school sports. Children are constantly learning new things, mastering new skills and building friendships. Participation is at the centre of our ethos – we have so much on offer so there really is something for everyone.

That being said, you can’t be busy all of the time, and in fact, prioritising opportunities to rest, reflect and recharge is paramount to success. Here at the High School, we believe that to do well, one must first be well. Children are more likely to excel in their personal growth, extra-curricular pursuits and achieve good results when they are safe, happy and encouraged. By creating an environment where wellbeing is at our heart, pupils have the confidence to aim high and the resilience to face challenges while navigating a world in flux.

Schools are also places of community. This is a cornerstone of wellbeing, as human connection is critical to a sense of self and a wider purpose.

Wellbeing is woven into School life year-round and we have dedicated spaces for pupils to experience a moment of calm or share what’s on their mind. At the Junior School this takes the form of a Relax Zone and a partnership with Purple House, and at the Senior School it’s our purpose-built Health and Wellbeing Centre and a partnership with mental health charity SAMH.

Each February, while in the depths of winter, we amplify our focus on wellbeing by dedicating a week to fostering positive mental health in both our Junior and Senior School. Assemblies, many lessons and lunchtime activities are infused with practices, activities and learnings to improve mental health, create healthy habits and build resilience. With Prelims having recently concluded for Seniors, short days and generally poorer weather taking its toll, there is no better time to shine a spotlight on wellbeing than in the run up to the February break. Wellbeing Week provides a timely reminder to everyone in the School community to take care of themselves and those around them.

Below, we’ll outline what went on...
 

Junior School

Across the year groups, children were involved in many activities designed to spread joy and cultivate feelings of wellbeing tailored to their age and stage.

These included yoga, crafting affirmation cards to promote confidence and self-belief featuring positive messages such as, ‘you don’t have to be perfect to be fabulous’ and ‘be your own kind of wonderful’; creating ‘calm jars’ a tool for mindfulness and self-regulation that develops a deep sense of calm; a reflective and goal-setting activity entitled ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ where each pupil created a concertina flower, with different parts representing their personal growth and creating a clear road map for the future. In addition, children heard from guest speakers on the topic of mental health and learnt about distinguishing between big and small feelings.

Children went on 'Wellbeing Walks' to Thorn Park to get out into the fresh air, connect with nature and move their bodies. They practiced deep breathing and connected to all five senses as they explored their surroundings.

Other special moments that took place across the week included a ‘Coffee, Cake and Camaraderie’ tea party which Junior 5 hosted for members of the community via an Alzheimer’s charity. Pupils sang songs, played music and recited poetry to entertain their guests. They also took the opportunity to sit down and have a chat with their visitors in between performances.

Meanwhile J2 and J3 built on their exploration of abstract art, focusing on emotions. As part of this, each pupil selected a ‘mood monster’ and created unique artworks that reflected their chosen monster’s mood. Through techniques including cut paper collage and various types of pens, they brought their designs to life. Once their masterpieces were finished, they moved to the Music room to compose music and sounds to represent the emotions expressed in their art. This was a unique way for children to tap into their emotions, rather than shying away from them, and use them as creative inspiration.

Art and Music collaborated again, with J4 children learning a three-part harmony to the song ‘Believe in You’. Children used lyrics that resonated with them to create posters featuring uplifting messages such as ‘Listen to your Heart’ and ‘Believe in Joy’ which are now on display around the Junior School.
 

Senior School

Meanwhile, at the Senior School, charities including SAMH and Landed led special assemblies, with Transitus S (one of our Primary 7 classes) delivering their very own assembly on the benefits of physical activity on mental health. Transitus did incredibly well standing up on stage in front of the whole school, speaking eloquently, confidently and with humour!

Across the week, there were a variety of talks timetabled including neurodiversity championing charity Mindroom delivering a talk on neurodiversity to Transitus and mental health charity Headstrong speaking to Senior 3. Senior 6 pupils heard from Rape Crisis on the topic of consent, Senior 1 and 2 took part in Alcohol Awareness lectures with Landed and Senior 5 learnt about online sexual behaviour with charity Shore.

Alongside the Senior School Nurses, instrumental in the planning of the week were Senior 6 Health and Wellbeing Representatives Alex C and Matthew A who helped to ensure the smooth-running of the week. Activities took place each lunch time including a screening of the movie ‘Inside Out’ in the Assembly Hall, a chance to make a stress toy in Art, lacquer fan painting with Mandarin teacher Miss Song and smoothie making in HFT. Friday Fun Club held a special mindfulness session and Wellbeing Reps Alex and Matthew hosted a Peer Support Hub where participants crafted kindness paper chains featuring words of affirmation to decorate the Health and Wellbeing Room, providing pupils the chance to pause and connect.

And finally, with movement a well-known medicine, pupils took part in a variety of different activities to get their blood pumping and release plenty of endorphins. This included Pilates, Zumba, five-a-side-football and the chance to challenge a PE teacher across a number of different sporting feats!
 

Conclusion

Wellbeing permeates school life year-round and we empower children to take the lead on decisions relating to wellbeing with support from Pastoral staff.

Peer led mental health initiatives start at the Junior School with a Wellbeing Committee and develop in the Senior School with pupil Mental Health Ambassadors trained in mental health first aid. In addition, every year, two S6 pupils are appointed as Health & Wellbeing representatives by the School Nurses and they are key to the hosting of Peer Hubs, where pupils gather to have a chat and share anything they want to get off their chest, all while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the Health and Wellbeing Room (often with a cup of hot chocolate in hand). You cannot be what you cannot see, and this peer-led approach allows younger pupils to witness examples of older pupils championing mental and emotional wellbeing providing positive role models for all.

For more information about health and wellbeing at HSOG, click here for Junior School and here for Senior School.

...

You can view a gallery of images from the week below.