St. Catherine’s Lower School is gearing up to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week starting on February 3rd with a series of activities, expert presentations, and workshops aimed at raising awareness and providing valuable resources for both students and parents. In partnership with the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, the school is proud to host a week-long event designed to promote mental well-being and resilience among young learners. Thanks to the generous support of Mrs. Katerina Laskaridou and the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, professionals will be on hand to offer their expertise on various aspects of mental health, ensuring the week’s events are educational, interactive, and beneficial for everyone involved.

 “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to our students and parents, thanks to the support of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation,” shared Alex Alford, Deputy Head of Lower School at St. Catherine’s British School.  “Mental health is a critical aspect of our children’s well-being, and it's essential that we equip them with the tools to understand and manage it. This week is a perfect chance to have open, constructive conversations about mental health, giving our children the knowledge and confidence they need to thrive both in and outside of school.”

“We are delighted to partner with St. Catherine’s for Children’s Mental Health Week at the Lower School. Our Foundations  vision is to  function as a center of excellence for the promotion of  culture and education . We aim to stand next to whole school communities by providing not only training but supervision, and support tailored to developing the well being and mental health of everyone involved ,” expressed Mrs. Katerina Laskaridou, Vice-President and Head of the Mental Health Department at the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. “By offering our expertise and connecting with young minds, we hope to inspire resilience, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of the importance of mental well-being.”

The week will feature a variety of events designed to engage both students and parents in meaningful discussions about mental health, including a few first-come first-served workshops for students.

STUDENT EVENTS

Tuesday 4th February

KS1 Assembly: Students will attend an assembly to learn about mental health and the importance of resilience at a young age.

Wednesday 5th February

KS2 Assembly: Continuing the focus on mental well-being, this assembly will cater to older students with tailored messaging on resilience and mental health.

Wednesday 5th & Friday 7th February

Workshops for Year 6 Students: Two groups of Year 6 students will participate in small, interactive workshops from 8:50-10:30 am and 11:15-12:30 pm on both days. These workshops will allow students to dive deeper into topics such as emotional regulation and coping strategies, with spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Monday 3rd - Friday 7th February

In-Class Activities: Throughout the week, students will engage in PSHE lessons focused on mental health awareness. These lessons will include a mental health-themed homework assignment to reinforce the week's teachings.

Saturday 8th February

Workshops for Students Years 5+: Navigating Safely Through the Social Media Maze

In the last years the influence of social media on young people's lives has been tremendous.  Research keeps indicating that the impact it has on their wellbeing can be extremely detrimental. Higher rates of depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders (in both girls and boys) have been reported in many studies, leading to a push globally to change legislation and make social media legislation stricter. 

As parents and educators this is a new playing field for us. We are called to enter it cautiously, monitor constantly and work in partnership with our children to guide them through the potential pitfalls, without compromising their independence or trust. We hope these workshops and the corresponding parent presentation on February 10th will provide valuable insights as well as practical tips. 

Each workshop session will be limited to 20 students, so be sure to register quickly!

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Workshop for Years 5, 6 & 7 

Please register for Year 5, 6 & 7 Workshop HERE. 

12:30 - 2:00 pm: Workshop for Year 8+ 

Please register for Years 8+ Workshop HERE.

PARENT EVENTS

Monday 3rd February

1:45-3:00 pm: Presentation for Parents – Cultivating Children’s Resilience

This session is a unique opportunity for parents to learn strategies for fostering resilience in children. The event is open to all parents.

Monday 10th February

1:45-3:00 pm:  Presentation for Parents – Navigating Safely Through the Social Media Maze

A presentation for parents about social media and its impact on children’s mental health, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A.

STAFF EVENT

Tuesday 11th February

A staff meeting led by Mrs. Lavidas on the topic of "Stress and Compassion," helping educators to manage stress while nurturing students' emotional needs.

This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, foster resilience, and support both children and adults in understanding the vital role mental health plays in our everyday lives. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that our children grow up feeling empowered, informed, and mentally strong.

For more information, and to register for workshops,

please visit the Events section of St. Catherine's Connect.