We were so happy to open our New Wellbeing Centre earlier in 2023: a space in school dedicated to the Wellbeing and Mental Health of our whole school. As well as the main Wellbeing Space, there are meeting rooms for our external visitors, the Offices for the DSL and Wellbeing lead, and a large, formal, and invaluable board room space. Year Seven pupils have been having private tours by Ms Banner over the past few weeks, and pupils in other years will also be invited there to have a look around over the next few weeks. Pupil Wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do at Wilson’s and the new Wellbeing Centre is not the only way we are making sure that the message of Wellbeing is loud, clear and relevant.
Last week Ms Banner held the inaugural meeting with the new Student Wellbeing Team, made up of Year Twelve and Thirteen students who all truly understand the message and want to use their own experiences to help promote positive Mental Health and encourage our younger pupils to become mentally fit and aware of what contributes to their own wellbeing. Over the next year, these students will deliver Assemblies, develop form time activities and contribute to the School Website and a new Wellbeing publication.
They will also lead pupil voice with younger pupils to help steer our policy making and ensure the message of Wellbeing and Mental Fitness is relevant to and as impactful as possible for our Wilson’s community. The Team is headed by Wellbeing Prefect Ewan Ferguson, introduced here in his own words:
Hello! My name is Ewan and, as someone who places high importance on others’ and my own mental wellbeing, I’m excited to be the school’s Wellbeing Prefect for 2023-24!
One’s mental wellbeing is without a doubt one of the most important aspects of enjoying life through feeling safe, comfortable, and happy. It can be a very difficult time when someone is struggling with their mental wellbeing, and it can often feel very difficult to find the support that someone might need. I can proudly say that the school cares deeply about its students and keeps positive wellbeing a top priority.
Hopefully, this year will be one in which we can improve even more in taking care of our students. We have a new (and very cozy) Wellbeing Centre in which we hope to be able to provide an environment that allows students to feel more comfortable in asking for help. A big change that we hope to introduce very soon is that much of our amazing sixth form wellbeing team as well as myself will become mentors, so that any student can have a one-on-one conversation with us to discuss whatever may be on their mind.
I look forward to aiding the school towards creating an environment where students feel even more happy, comfortable, and excited to be at school!