Positive mental health provision in The High School

As part of the ongoing mental health provision within The High School, the Health Promotion Committee has initiated a 10-week programme on mindfulness for pupils that started on Friday 13 January and will continue for the next 9 weeks. This programme has been specifically designed for schools and offers help with attention, recognising worries and stressors, being more aware of our surroundings, and learning how to cope with worries and stress. It is an excellent programme for all pupils, but particularly suitable for those pupils who might be facing into stressful times, and/or have other reasons to seek to help their concentration or attention as well as understanding how to use their mind to recognise negative thoughts and appreciate the present.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is all about learning to direct our attention to our experience as it unfolds, moment by moment, with open-minded curiosity and acceptance. Rather than worrying about what has happened or might happen, it trains us to respond skilfully to whatever is happening right now, be that good or bad.

What are the aims of the .B programme?
 To improve concentration and focus, in classes, in exams and tests, on the sports field, when playing games, when paying attention and listening to others.
 To fulfil potential and pursue goals (for example to be more creative and more
relaxed both academically and personally).
 To experience greater well-being (for example feeling happier, calmer, more
fulfilled).
 To work with difficult mental states such as anxious thoughts and low moods.
 To cope with the everyday stresses and strains of adolescent life (for example
examinations, relationships, sleep problems, and family issues).
Details:
 The programme has started but pupils can still join the programme by signing up on
sheets located outside C11 and on the SPHE noticeboard outside the 6 th Form Common
Room.
 The duration is 30-40 minutes.
 It takes place after school on Fridays in the Dining Room.