Pupils across Harrodian age groups 11s (Year 7) to the Sixth Form benefited from excellent advice from visiting speakers on this year's Mental Health Day and the whole school marked the occasion with joyous Yellow-clad celebrations. Guy Holder, Head of Harrodian PSHE reports.
It was a very busy PSHE day for Harrodian pupils on Thursday October 10th. Coinciding with World Mental Health day, we were joined by four outstanding external speakers.
Our 11s (Year 7) received a typically dynamic talk from Amy Forbes-Robertson (shown below) of our long standing partners 'It Happens'. She spoke on 'Digital Relationships', better preparing children for interacting online and the possible dangers and pitfalls, as always providing the most up-to-date and insightful advice.
The 12s and 13s (Years 8-9) heard Roxy and Gay Longworth, (shown below with Ms Vedrenne-Suffolk and Mr Holder) speaking powerfully of what happened to Roxy when, in her Year 9, she was gradually coerced into sending compromising images of herself to older boys and the damage that followed. Roxy and Gay have written a book about this experience, When You Lose It, an excerpt of which was beautifully read by Gay to parents who came to the after-school talk. It was fantastic to host them again, with Roxy having just graduated from university and now embarking full-time on various projects which focus on young people's mental health and reducing online harms.
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Our 14s and 15s (Years 10-11) heard from one of our regular PSHE speakers, Patrick Foster. He told his compelling and shocking story of gambling and addiction and how he found his way out of a desperate situation. An engaging speaker, Patrick is able to inspire young people whilst simultaneously offering a stark warning about the dangers of gambling and of the need to seek help sooner.
As always, our pupils were impeccable participants. They are a great audience, engaged and willing and able to ask excellent questions, which they did at the end of every talk.
Mr Guy Holder, Head of Harrodian PSHE
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For 6th Formers (Years12-13), Dr Georgia Cox, (Shown below with Sixth Formers) spoke eloquently about food and dieting. She offered a sophisticated analysis of what is meant by a healthy approach both to eating and to body image, topics key to lifelong mental wellbeing. Dr Cox also ran a separate session for our 1st Team boys football team.
As always, our pupils were impeccable participants. They are a great audience, engaged and willing and able to ask excellent questions, which they did at the end of every talk. I was also heartened to see so many pupils approaching speakers to thank them personally.
Thanks to PSHE coordinators Ms Campbell-May (6th Form), Mr Woodward (Senior School) and Ms Vedrenne-Suffolk (Upper Prep). Our next PSHE dropdown sessions are November 6th for Senior School and November 8th for Upper Prep.
To find out more about what Pre-Prep did to mark World Mental Health Day, please visit their instagram @HarrodianPrePrep
I want to take the opportunity to remind parents (and pupils) of the upcoming Superconnected show on Wednesday November 13th. The event could sell out and I am expecting a surge of interest after Half Term as people realise they don't want to miss the opportunity for forward thinking thought-provoking entertainment followed by connection and discussion over a post show drink. You can buy tickets by following this link