Embracing the ‘MAGIC’ of Wellbeing for Children’s Mental Health Week

This week, King’s Hawford celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week with a series of different activities each day, all helping to encourage wellbeing a sense of belonging.

Using the school’s ‘MAGIC’ mnemonic – Mindful, Active, Generous, Interested, Connected – children explored this year’s theme, ‘This is my Place’.

Throughout the week, each day highlighted a different aspect of the theme:

Monday – Be Mindful

Children took part in relaxation activities to encourage mindfulness and reflection. A designated ‘chill out zone’ provided a space for quiet, mindful reflection.

Tuesday – Be Active

The school day began with a ‘wake and shake’ session in The Barn, followed by physical activities including yoga.

Wednesday – Be Generous

Acts of kindness took centre stage, and across the school we saw children going above and beyond. Year 5 played and helped Reception children and KG, Reception went on a litter pick, Year 6 tidied different areas around the school. Elsewhere, in Year 3, children donated books to younger children as well as giving them gifts, Year 2 tidied the Year 1 changing rooms and left each child a personalised message by their peg that read“You are great, just as you are!” In Year 4, the children gave all of Year 3 a packet of love hearts with a lovely note attached.

Thursday – Be Interested

A day for learning new skills, we saw children teaching sessions at break time including ‘all about my snails’, balloon animals, and finger knitting.

Teachers spoke to the children about some of their interests and hobbies outside school – Mrs Halpin talked about her motorbike and her time riding for the GB women’s team, Mrs Anstee took us down under to her home country – we learnt some new vocabulary and found out about an Aussie’s daily life!

 

Friday – Be Connected

The week concluded with a focus on community, encouraging children to come together to play, collaborate, and express gratitude.Later, Mrs Elliot talked and showed us her collection of fossils – the children got to pass them around – holding something that was over a million years old was amazing! Mr Roberts brought his therapy dog, Ragnor, into Hawford and told us all about his role in his wife’s school.

Through these activities, King’s Hawford empowered children with valuable life skills while reinforcing the importance of positive mental health, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.