Student Welfare

All of us are living through an unprecedented time as we work to keep our families and communities safe and healthy in the face of coronavirus (COVID-19). During this time we would like to offer our support and advice on how to ensure your children stay safe during the event of school closure.

Coronavirus – firstly we must be careful with what we say!

Whilst it is important not to understate that coronavirus is a serious issue, it is also vital that we don’t frighten children, especially younger ones, and dispel all of the myths. Many young children are accessing websites which report a lot of false information regarding coronavirus and not all information is accurate. Please speak with your children and inform them of factual information about the virus; further information can be found at the bottom of this letter.

Boosting Student Wellbeing

Young people are increasingly dealing with issues around wellbeing and mental health. Below are the top tips to improve the wellbeing of your child. Adopting the steps below and accessing resources such as Student Minds (https://www.studentminds.org.uk) and Childline (https://www.childline.org.uk/ and tel 0800 1111) is recommended.  Please also see the information below.

Nutrition- Proper nutrition is the foundation of good health and recovery. Encourage plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Exercise- Make sure you exercise each day. Exercise improves the health of body, mind, and spirit multiplying vitality and health.   

Water- Ensure you drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.

Sunlight– Make sure you get exposure to sunlight as a good source of energy. Even a cloudy day is beneficial!

Temperance- Using good things moderately and avoiding the bad (less: TV, social media, junk food)

Air- Fresh air is essential

Rest- Restoration requires rest because sleep allows the body to renew itself. No late nights!

Trust- Trusting and hoping in something is an important part of life. Thinking on those things that are good, true and right.

Encouraging positive and healthy friendships

At City Academy, we have a student wellbeing team who believe in ‘You are what you think’. You may have also heard the phrase ‘Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are’. Encourage your students to surround yourself with positive and uplifting friendship groups. Avoid being part of friendships or friendship groups that don’t encourage the right decisions. Ensure that face to face meetings are in line with government guidance on social distancing.

Encourage and support home learning

In the event of school closure, students will be expected to access resources and online lessons, as well as completing worksheets or booklets to ensure learning is still in place. Teachers and school leaders are working hard to ensure subject-specific lessons will be accessible to students each day. Teachers will be available via email to answer any questions pertaining to the subject. Please look at the school website for more information.

Our school is aware that this may cause further anxieties for some of our students especially some of our children with Special Education Needs as students are not used to completing work at home. Subject specialist teachers and our SENCO team will be available to speak to students via email in regards to any questions students may have. Please refer to the Headteacher letter relating to coronavirus dated 16^th March for contact details of the senior team.

How to handle sexting incidents as a parent or teacher

Whilst school is closed it is important to check your child’s electronic devices and keep updated with what your child views and accesses. Sexting isn’t just behaviour that adults engage in, it’s increasingly common in young people too. With that dynamic comes all manner of legal, ethical, and personal challenges. Parents can learn how to manage sexting incidents with young people through the article: ‘So You Got Naked Online’ (see below link)

Useful Docs/Websites/Numbers

• Student Welfare PDF
• NHS mental Health contacts & advice during school closure PDF

Student Minds: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/lookingafteryourmentalwellbeing.html

Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/

Coronavirus helpline: The DfE has opened a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows: Phone: 0800 046 8687

You can download ‘So You Got Naked Online’ here: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/so-you-got-naked-online/

Further Concerns or Questions?