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Dear Parents
As we embark on Healthy Schools Week, I wanted to take a moment to highlight how we prioritise the health education of our girls. This initiative goes beyond simply promoting physical wellbeing; it’s about nurturing holistic health practices that empower the girls to excel academically, socially and emotionally.
Healthy Schools Week provides a valuable platform for instilling lifelong habits that contribute to overall wellbeing. By dedicating time and resources to this cause, we are equipping the girls with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their health, not just for now, but for the future as well.
Here are a few reasons why focusing on their health is so crucial:
- Foundation for Lifelong Habits: Instilling healthy habits from a young age lays the groundwork for a lifetime of wellbeing. Children who learn these habits early are more likely to carry them into adulthood.
- Physical Health: Promoting healthy behaviours like regular exercise, proper nutrition and good hygiene will help the girls maintain optimal physical health, strengthening their immune systems and reducing the risk of obesity.
- Mental Wellbeing: Teaching strategies for managing stress, expressing emotions and building resilience (like Resilience Robin) can help the girls cope with challenges and develop positive mental health habits.
- Academic Performance: Research consistently shows a strong link between physical health and academic performance. Healthy children tend to have better concentration, memory and cognitive function, leading to improved academic outcomes.
- Social Skills: Healthy children are more likely to engage in social activities and develop positive relationships with their peers. By promoting health-conscious behaviours, we can foster a supportive and inclusive environment where the girls feel valued and connected.
- Responsibility and Independence: Learning to take care of their health fosters a sense of responsibility (like Responsibility Badger) and independence (like Independence Owl) in children. Teaching them to make informed choices empowers them to take control of their own wellbeing.
- Prevention of Illness: Educating the girls about preventive measures such as handwashing and proper nutrition can help reduce the spread of illnesses within the school community.
In summary, prioritising the girls’ health education is essential for promoting their overall wellbeing, academic success and future quality of life. It empowers them to make healthy choices and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
I am looking forward to the exciting array of activities aimed at promoting holistic wellbeing for our pupils. Throughout the week, we will be delving into different aspects of health, fostering mindfulness and nurturing a sense of community spirit. Below is an overview of the engaging activities awaiting the girls:
- Self-Care Monday: We kick off the week by highlighting the importance of self-care. The girls will have the opportunity to spend time in our specially designed sensory room and will create their own self-care plan for the week.
- Think about your Buddy Tuesday: This day is dedicated to cultivating empathy and support within our school community. The girls will have the chance to create beautiful flowers for their House Buddies, followed by House Buddy playtime during break.
- Get Outdoors Wednesday: Embracing the wonders of the great outdoors, the girls will enjoy time in our enchanting Forest School. Additionally, the Sustainability Team will participate in a national litter-picking initiative, the Great British Spring Clean, contributing to the betterment of our community (and the country!).
- Screen-Free Thursday: A day devoted to disconnecting from screens and embracing real-life interactions. We encourage you to support this initiative at home by exploring alternative activities that foster creativity and socialisation with your daughter.
- Thoughtful Friday: The pinnacle of our week, where we shift our focus to giving back to those in need.
Leading up to the end of the week, we invite every member of the Channing community to contribute items they no longer need to the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation. From adult and children’s books and clothes to toys and gadgets, every donation makes a meaningful impact. Donations can be dropped off in the courtyard between 7.30am and 8.20am each morning.
Additionally, we will be selling raffle tickets every morning for enticing prizes: a signed and framed England women’s rugby shirt (£5 per ticket) and the opportunity for your daughter to swap places with Miss Bolton, Head of Sport, for the day (£2 per ticket). All proceeds will be donated to the London Air Ambulance, an organisation committed to saving lives across the capital. Rhiannon, a representative from the charity, spoke to the girls in assembly this morning to provide further insight into their incredible work. Notably, she explained how two new helicopters are needed to continue their work. Our fundraising efforts this week will be contributing directly to these essential new vehicles. Should we raise more than £100, the charity will add ‘Channing Junior School’ to the side of one of the life-saving helicopters. Raffle tickets will be on sale from 7.30am to 8.20am each morning this week. Tickets will be available to buy in cash, as well as online.
To buy raffle tickets online, please see below:
- Raffle ticket: Signed England Ladies’ Rugby Shirt
- Raffle ticket: Swap Places with Miss Bolton for the Day
Friday will also be ‘wear it orange’ non-uniform day chosen because the London Air Ambulance lifesaving team wears orange jumpsuits. We encourage the girls to wear something orange that they already have at home, whether it be clothes, hair accessories or face paint. There will be stalls set up in the playground during lunchtime for activities and fun including: nail art and glitter, face painting, sponge a teacher, guess the number of fruit Yoyos in a jar, guess the number of house points in a jar, basketball shoot out and beat the teacher! Everything will be £1 so please give any change to your daughters to bring into school in a named, secure purse.
We are incredibly excited about Healthy Schools Week and the invaluable opportunity it offers to reinforce to the girls the importance of prioritising their wellbeing and actively contributing to the broader community. I extend a heartfelt thank you to Miss Bolton, Head of Sport and Miss Wright, Assistant Head Co-Curricular for orchestrating such a fantastic week full of activities. Their dedication and enthusiasm have been instrumental in shaping this event into a meaningful and impactful experience for the girls.
Happy Nanakshahi to our Sikh families celebrating last week!
Nowruz Mobarak to our Iranian families celebrating this week!
With warm wishes
Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School
