The Dragon is planning a range of activities across the whole school community to mark Children’s Mental Health Awareness week. The aim is to ensure that children and their families are aware of the importance of making time to look after wellbeing and mental health – of particular importance given the challenges of lockdown.

This year the theme is Express Yourself.

Our Dragon Values Ambassadors (selected Year 8 role models) kick off the week by helping to lead a special assembly. At the Pre-Prep the theme is illustrated by the book Giraffes Can’t Dance and the Prep assembly explores the story of Billy Elliot. Many pupils and teachers appeared on a film about how they express themselves through the hobbies they love – running, drawing, cooking, looking after pets, tapestry, playing sport or an instrument, singing, photography and even mending chairs!

The School is following a cross-curricular approach, with subject teachers weaving the self-expression theme into their lessons. PSHEE lessons across the age range give pupils the opportunity to discuss the themes of the week. The Dragon will also participate in the national event Time to Talk with two sessions scheduled so that Dragon parents can connect with each other from wherever they may be in the world.

Children will be reminded to think of the wellbeing of others less fortunate than themselves and will be fundraising by expressing themselves through their appearance and designing their very own bespoke Zoom background for their remote learning on Friday. The culmination of the week is a Dragon Community Charity Quiz Night on Friday evening for staff and parents, with proceeds of all the week’s charity initiatives being split between YoungMinds, At The Bus and  Place2Be.