Priory shows kindness for mental health awareness week

So this week has been Mental Health Awareness Week with a focused theme of Kindness, which is very apt considering the unprecedented situation we all find ourselves in at this time. We have all had to readjust our lives over the past couple of months but it has given us time to reflect on what we place value on in our lives. Being concerned for others and how our actions can impact on them has been at the forefront of our thinking. An act of kindness, however small, can have a big impact on someone’s mood, wellbeing or simply their day! 

Priory pupils have been sharing some of their Acts of Kindness with us this week, some of them within their own homes and others brightening the day of their local communities.

Year 10 pupil, Nicole C (H8), has been making colourful hearts with positive messages on them and has hung them from the trees at the back of her house to cheer people up as they walk past. She has already received two ‘thank you’ cards; one with £5 in it and another with a box of chocolates off complete strangers because they were so touched by her messages and the effort she had put in to make people smile in these difficult times.

Leon and Samuel have taken on the role of teacher within their homes to help siblings with their home learning. 

Year 7, Leon (D1) has become an expert at Speech and Language work for his brother who has some learning difficulties and looking after his mum’s wellbeing at the same time by enabling her to get on with some household tasks whilst Leon takes control. 

Year 7, Samuel D (H3) may become one of our Maths teachers of the future whilst practicing his skills tutoring his younger sister. Samuel has always been available to teach and guide his younger sister with her Maths school work every day. Samuel’s mum told us: 
“He has given so much time and patience to help both myself and his sister navigate numeracy. Taking the time to break the sums down and explaining it over and over again - exactly like primary school would.”

Many of our pupils are living in households where there are family members with complex medical needs which mean they are classed as vulnerable in the current situation and therefore are having to abide by some strict rules whilst some parents who are key workers are having to spend time away from their families in order to protect them. Year 8, Brad C (H8) has taken on additional responsibilities within the home, including doing the shopping. 

Sisters Violet and Scarlett (C6) have been making rainbow biscuits and iced them brightly to cheer up their grandparents and elderly neighbours. 

It’s not too late to get involved in the Acts of Kindness. There is no deadline to let us know about what you're up to so please do get in touch to let me know what your child has done or what they're planning to do - a.holland@priory.lancs.sch.uk. 

The Red Cross has launched a challenge for people to look at how to show Acts of Kindness in the future. First Aid knowledge and skills will enable you to show real kindness to a loved one or a stranger when it is needed most. So they are asking you to learn simple first aid that could save a life.  You can access this at www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/teaching-resources/first-aid-and-kindness

Mrs Holland
SENCo & Humanities Teacher