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the SchoolRUN Challenge

the final weekend of every month is ‘SchoolRUN Weekend,’ a virtual 5km
interschool staff race. over the last few months staff at the College have
joined staff members from schools across the country and abroad, in a
group challenge where the aim was to run/run-walk/walk a 5km route of
their own choice and then submit their time.
this monthly inter-school challenge has been organised by gary Burman,
from Kingsbridge Community College, to help improve wellbeing for
teachers and support staff.
Claire Davidson, teacher of english at the College, has been championing
this challenge saying, “the main benefit from this wonderfully inclusive event
is to get people out of the house, to take their children, or their dog, with
them and walk or jog 5km. Plus the camaraderie of knowing lots of
colleagues were doing the same is really positive. overall, the health,
wellbeing and teamwork benefits of this challenge are excellent.”
there are two winning categories: for the most number of staff
participating from any school, and the six fastest times from each school
(totalled up to give an overall winning school) and we are delighted to
report that the College has topped the leader board in both catagories.

Wellbeing at Ivybridge
6

A Focus on optimum Mental health

the College has been supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students by
celebrating Stress Awareness Month and Mental health Awareness Week. this has been
a valuable opportunity to focus on the importance of optimum mental health. Around
the College are various pop-up displays for students from our team of ambassadors,
promoting positive mental health, motivation and stress awareness and containing
practical ways to support.
Kelly Atkin, PACe keyworker, said, “there are
inspiring stories, quotes and challenges repeated
on the display boards, to help instil the positive
ideals and steps every young person can take to
inspire their own self-care.”
the College also held a quiz during tutor times, as well as other
challenges to promote fun ways to get young people involved in
managing stress. this was in addition to a whole College assembly
focussing on developing resilience. Students have been encouraged to
embrace their mistakes and ensure that these are turned into opportunity
rather than feelings of failure.
“It has been great to see how the College is supporting us with any
feelings of stress. the displays around the College have been really
useful to visit and have offered advice and support. the resources available have encouraged me to speak
to a member of staff about how I have been feeling.” Year 11 student.

Mental Wellness, Prevention and education

Staff at the College have been participating in training with iheart - Innate health
education and Resilience training, a non-profit organisation who are dedicated to
helping young people uncover their innate resilience and mental wellbeing.
the College has also launched a ‘Supporting Mental health’ page on the College
website and hosted a Parent Workshop in February, with a focus on the topic of mental health. Whilst students
have also participated in a CPShe session that introduced the iheart principles, and received information
through an assembly and informative displays.
Nina Kyprianidis, Deputy Principal and Designated Safeguarding lead, said, “the staff who attended the course
found the experience quite ‘transformational’ in developing their understanding of how we can best support
our young people, our teachers and parents, in how we focus on mental wellness, prevention and education.”

Character Education - Respect, Ambition and Charity