It is exciting to announce that this academic year, the Pupil Wellbeing Team, headed by our Wellbeing prefect Ewan, will be introducing a new wellbeing mentoring scheme. This is the first time in the school’s history that there will be a dedicated student mentoring team, giving guidance and support to younger students on a range of mental health and wellbeing-related issues.
The team is composed of Wilson’s students in Year Thirteen who have volunteered to assist in this special programme intended to promote mental health and wellbeing. The Year Thirteen students will use all of their first-hand knowledge of dealing with school-related problems, as well as personal experience of struggles with mental health, in order to provide help and support to those in need of a helping hand. The Year Thirteen students have also received specialist mentor training from an NHS psychologist specialising in providing support for young people. Whether you are going through a tough time, struggling with stress or schoolwork, or just in need of someone to talk to - as long as you are willing to make a change and invest in your mental health and well-being, the mentoring team will be there to support you.
There will be opportunities for students to participate in one-on-one mentoring sessions with Year Thirteen peer mentors; a teacher might suggest this option, or pupils can ask themselves to meet with a mentor. The student mentors will be running a weekly wellbeing drop-in session at lunchtimes for any student who needs someone to talk to, and there will also be a well-being mentor presence in the playground, on a weekly basis, during lunchtime, looking to provide help and support to younger pupils.
No problem is too small: any concerns or worries you have will be met with compassion and support. We want to help students develop skills and strategies to cope with stress, anxiety and other challenges, as well as promote student self-awareness, self-esteem, and resilience. Together, we can create a more supportive and inclusive school community where everyone feels valued and respected. Remember, you are never alone.
By Edward and Bhuvan (Year Thirteen)
