EDUCATION
LET ’ S BE
HAPPY
Wellbeing dog - Labrador George has made a big impression at Teesside High School .
Why mental health matters at Teesside High School
Teesside High School says it understands and appreciates the ever growing demands on young people – and that nurturing and promoting positive mental health among students is very important to the school .
It is also of high priority that Teesside High is able to support its students and families when they face challenges in this area .
For this reason , the school has invested significantly in its wellbeing provision in recent years , introducing and developing a number of initiatives to benefit staff , students and the wider school family .
Kirsty Mackenzie , head at Teesside High School , said : “ As well as the support of a private school counsellor , we have introduced a team of wellbeing champions in school , who in turn have developed a wellbeing space in our Forest School for pupils to access and enjoy .
“ We have also developed a strand of our co-curricular provision specifically designed to support positive mental health through building time for mindfulness , crafts and social activities which engages our pupils with peers in both their school and local community .
“ All of this work is complemented by a school Mental Health website - accessible to staff , pupils and parents – offering key support and coping strategies for ageappropriate challenges .”
Making mental health an everyday topic of conversation is a key priority at Teesside High – when pupils are feeling a little under the weather , out of sorts or overwhelmed – so it has found one particular member of the school family makes this task a little easier , wellbeing dog , George .
“ We welcomed George to the THS family in 2021 , after the turbulent couple of years following the Covid pandemic ,” added Kirsty .
“ He helped with the return to school and any worries and wobbles our pupils may have faced along the way .
“ As a small school where we know every individual , we knew a wellbeing dog had the potential to help our children develop in a range of academic , personal and social areas , and would only further enhance our caring , nurturing environment .
“ George makes everybody smile – from pupils to staff alike , he is a super popular member of the school family .
“ We find pupils speak more freely when George is around . They have an immediate bond and common interest with their classmates and peers so can often be more comfortable and confident .
“ Having George around can help some pupils to demonstrate their caring and kind attributes , boost their motivation , burn off
Happy - Teesside High School pupils have been working hard to promote positive mental health and wellbeing .
some extra energy or just sit and be calm .
“ Having a dog in school can teach empathy and other important social skills , or be a soothing and calm presence .”
Working with George , Teesside High says , has taught students about how to care for and train a dog , and they are becoming much more aware of the responsibilities required when caring for animals .
“ This helps in our quest to inspire students to learn and achieve beyond the classroom – essential life skills which influence our young people way beyond the years they spend at THS ,” said Kirsty .
Find out more about joining Teesside High School by visiting teessidehigh . co . uk or by emailing admissions @ teessidehigh . co . uk .
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