The Five Ways to Well Being:

We teach the children about the Five Ways to Well Being and each class has a Five Ways to Well Being weekly plan.

The Five Ways to Well Being are:

Connect

Give

Take Notice

Be Active

Keep Learning

Whole School Nurture Approach to Learning:

We have incorporated the six principles into our daily practice, procedures and policies in school.

Here are the principles:

We are currently working towards the Whole School Nurture Approach to Learning and will be assessed for this award soon.

Additional support for pupils well being in school:

If children need additional support for their well being , we have a range or strategies to support them:

• one to one ' check in ' sessions to chat about how they are feeling and any worries
• one to one sand tray therapy
• small group well being craft sessions
• one to one Emotional Literacy sessions

Also each term we assess the health and well being of pupils using an online tool and where needed put strategies into place to support pupils individual needs.

Forest Schools at Penarlag:

 Forest School is “an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in local woodland” – (O’Brian, 2002). 

Children engage in motivating and achievable tasks and activities throughout the year and in almost all weathers. Children will work with tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, grow in confidence, self-esteem and motivation whilst developing an understanding of the natural world. 

Originating in Denmark, primarily aimed at preschool children, it was found that children who attended forest school arrived at school with strong social and communication skills, had the ability to work in groups effectively, generally had high self-esteem and a confidence in their own abilities. These foundations helped them to raise their academic achievements. 

Forest School encourages children to:

 - develop personal and social skills

 - work through practical problems and challenges

 - use tools to create, build or manage 

- discover how they learn best 

- learn how to manage failures

 - build confidence in decision making and evaluating risk

 - develop practical skills

 - understand the benefits of a balanced and healthy lifestyle

 - explore connections between humans, wildlife and the earth

 - regularly experience achievement and success

 - reflect on learning and experiences 

- develop their language and communication skills - improve physical motor skills

 - improve their concentration skills   

Miss McGill is our Forest School leader and she leads sessions on a Friday afternoon.

Years 1 and 2, Year 4 and Year 6 all complete a block of Forest School sessions with Miss McGill.

Mrs Ketland , Early Years Learning Support Assistant is also a Forest School session and she leads sessions with Early Years pupils.

Photos of our Forest School sessions are under ' Special Events', under the 'News and Events' heading on this website.

The Wildlife Trusts 30 Days Wild June 2025:

30 Days Wild is a free, month-long challenge designed to inspire people of all ages to connect with nature during June. For further information visit:

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild

Mental Health Awareness Week, week beginning 12th May 2025:

Further information can be found on this website:

www.mentalhealth.org.uk

All classes completed work related to Mental Health Awareness Week:

Reception:

For Mental Health Week the theme is Power by Community.

Our Reception children have thought about joining the community together to enjoy a shape sensory garden. They used shapes they’ve been learning about to design a garden with different areas for everyone to enjoy. They thought about different members of the community that they could invite.

Year 1 and 2:

For 'Mental-Health week', the children in Year 1 and 2 have spent sessions outside creating 'Incredible Art' using natural resources. Their work has been inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. The children were keen to leave their art work on display for others to enjoy, just like Andy Goldsworthy. Da iawn pawb!

Year 4:

For Mental Health Awareness Week last week, Year 4 talked about the different communities that they belong to, how they fit into them, what effect clubs have on the general community and how they can help others within our communities.

The children went into pairs and role-played different scenarios regarding creating clubs, being in clubs, thinking about joining clubs or feeling lonely and not knowing where to find like-minded people. We then wrote down the communities that we belong to, how we feel that they support us and who within those communities do we feel supports us.

Year 5:

For Mental Health Awareness Week last week, Year 5 have been thinking about improving their mental health by collaborating as a group and creating a collaborative community hub garden. A place where everyone is welcome, where wellbeing is priority and positivity is key to the power of the community; the key theme this year. The children thought hard about their designs and had to give reasons and explanations as to how they came to their decisions of what to include.

Year 6:

For Mental Health Awareness Week, Year 6 have discussed and written about how their residential trip and trips in the community have helped them grow and set goals for the future. Also in groups they created and performed songs and raps thinking about ideas, activities and emotions.

Neuro Diversity Celebration Week, week beginning 17th March 2025:

Further information can be found at:  https://www.neurodiversityweek.com 

The benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature: