I will start my blog as I started my first assembly of the year by saying Welcome to Year 8 and I hope you have had a lovely summer. 

At the end of Year 7 I would usually write a final blog to the parents to wish them well and confirm who their child’s new Head of Year would be in Year 8. This year I am pleased to inform you that I will continue as your child’s Head of Year.  

One of the focusses during tutor time this week has been self-care and the students discussing the following: 

• Why is self-care important?  

• What might be the benefits of self-care? 

• What might make self-care difficult for some people? 

This got me thinking about the pressures on young people and how important it is for not only them to think about their self-care but also for us as adults in their lives to be aware of this and their mental health. 

There are many ways in which we can support children and give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. It is important that we encourage and guide them to think about their own mental health and wellbeing and pass on vital skills that we can teach them from an early age.  

• Be there to listen – Speaking to children about what they have been doing and how they are feeling and making them aware that you are always there to listen. 

• Support them through difficulties – Talk to them about difficulties and help them to work their way through them. 

• Stay involved in their life – Show an interest in their life and pay attention to what is important to them. 

• Encourage their interests – Support and encourage your child’s interest. 

• Take what they say seriously – Listen to and value what they say and help them to work through their emotions. 

• Build positives routines – Encourage clear structures and routines especially around exercise and healthy eating. 

Useful websites: 

Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health/ 

https://maudsleycharity.org/familiesunderpressure/ 

https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/7-ways-to-support-children-and-young-people-who-are-worried/ 

https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/children/relaxation-tips/ 

The students have had a great start to Year 8, showing a great attitude to learning and responding well to the new behaviour consequence system. We have also had an incredibly positive start with attendance; achieving 96% or above and I would like to thank parents for their continued support with this. As discussed in previous blogs attendance can have a significant impact on a child’s education and the better the attendance the more opportunity a child has to reach their academic potential. 

Thank you for your continued support, and please do contact us with any questions or concerns; hoy8@hessleacademy.com 

Miss Pinkney 

Head of Year 8

Miss Briggs 

Assistant Head of Year 8