At Bishop Monkton School we want our children to be healthy and happy so that they can flourish in everything they do. Sometimes children (and adults) need a little helping hand for this to happen, particularly when life seems very challenging. For this reason we have a Pastoral Lead in school - Mrs Amanda Coupland. Please use the resources below for yourselves and your children and do get in contact should you need someone to talk to  - we are here to listen.

Eat Them To Defeat Them - Feb 2024

Mrs Graham and I were really pleased to be selected to take part in this campaign "Eat Them To Defeat Them 2024".  We immediately started planning what we were going to do with the Julie from Tilda Rice and Julie's enthusiasm, support and help encouraged us to be creative in what we were going to do.   We are currently in the process of making the display area around the kitchen more eye catching and interesting and we are going to "jush" up the display board.  

The "Eat Them To Defeat Them" campaign started in 2018, as a way to encourage more children to eat and try a wider range of vegetables, especially in schools.   We already encourage children to bring a healthy snack in to school and children up to the end of Year 2 have a piece of fruit or vegetable offered to them everyday (School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme).  As well as Mrs Graham cooking up very nutritious food for us all to eat, each and every day in school.

During March, Mrs Graham will be cooking up a special rice dish for all the children, of which will be entered into a competition, watch this space...

Children's mental health week 5-11th February 2024

Myself and the wellbeing warriors put together a timetable of events for the whole school to take part.  We started on Monday 5th, with an assembly about the importance of children's mental health and that "their voice matters". 

Each class during the week, ensured they dedicated 20minutes each day to concentrate on activities that we know promote positive mental health.  Activities such as, yoga, mindfulness colouring, mindfulness painting, story time in the woodland area (yes, even despite the rain this took part), playing with bubbles, balloons, the parachute to name a few.  

On Tuesday 6th Feb, a lady called Jane from the "Bigfoot Arts Education" team came into school to carry out workshops with each class called "worries to wellbeing".  This was a very positive experience for all the children and staff.  Some of the ideas we are hoping to implement into school.

Worry Box

Each class has a "worry box",  with note paper for children to write down any worries they may have.  Worry boxes are a safe way for your child to post their anxious thoughts, worries or feelings in a safe way.  It gives them control over sharing their worries to a trusted adult (Mrs Coupland) and it gives children a physical way of getting rid of their worries.

The "worry boxes" are checked at least twice a week by Mrs Coupland who will then act on them immediately.  If the child writes a worry anonymously, Mrs Coupland addresses the whole class and a chat/discussion around the worry will take place.  If a child writes their name on their worry, Mrs Coupland will speak to them individually.  

During the chat/discussion Mrs Coupland reassures the pupil that they are there to listen to them and offer comfort and support.  

Go-To, for help and support around

wellbeing and mental health for young

people in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Mental Health

Services for young people

Support your child's emotional

wellbeing with these free resources

Mindfulness exercises

for children

5 ways to help yourself

to better wellbeing

Ten keys to happier living

Tips, advice and guidance around how

to keep active in and around your home

Supporting your child's

mental health

Advice and support for parents

and carers from the NSPCC

Online safety advice for

young children