South Tyneside pupils learn how to fill their “happy tank”
Children at a primary school in Jarrow have been learning a variety of ways to fill their “happy tank” to improve pupil mental health and wellbeing. Brilliant! Where do we sign up?
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, welcomed John Magee, Kindness Coach and UK Kindness Ambassador, for a special Happy Tank Super Learning Day.
“We have learned so much about helping ourselves”
John Magee first visited the school last year to deliver a special Kindness Matters Day, and he didn’t stay away for too long! This month, John returned to hold a Happy Tank Super Learning Day.
This unique opportunity taught children – from Nursery to Year 6 – different techniques to support their pupil mental health and wellbeing, including how to self-regulate and improve their self-confidence and resilience.
Covering six therapeutic areas (breathing, self-reflection, kindness, affirmations, gratitude and ‘happy tapping’), children cited feelings of positivity following the workshops.
Year 6 pupil Arianna Ceolin, 10, said: “We have learned so much about helping ourselves from John. We have been inspired to set up our own ‘Happy Tapping’ club that we will run every week.”
It’s critical we teach this behaviour and recognition as early as possible
Head Teacher Paul Craig said: “Throughout society, we are spending less and less time looking after ourselves, and specifically our mental health.
“Happy Tank Day has been an opportunity for our pupils and staff to stop and think about themselves, and how we need to have a full ‘happy tank’ in order to share our own positivity.
“It’s a message that is so important to everyone. A day with John certainly fills everyone’s tank and provides all in our school with the tools to keep this full.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Happy Tank Super Learning Day truly sounds brilliant! Every school should experience something similar as we fight against the mental health crisis in our schools.
“The earlier children begin to understand the warning signs and how to combat negative emotions, the better for their mental health and wellbeing. It’s not only helpful for right now, but into adulthood, too.”
School staff and pupils also celebrated World Mental Health Day on 10th October by wearing the bright and sunny colour of yellow.
Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust is a Schools North East Partner Trust. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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