This week, each class across the school have been taking part in Children’s Mental Health Week. This national event aims to shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting young people’s wellbeing. This year’s theme, “This is My Place,” encourages children to reflect on the environments, relationships, and communities that help them feel they truly belong.
A sense of belonging is a fundamental human need, playing a crucial role in both emotional and physical wellbeing. Feeling valued, accepted, and connected - to our friends, our families, our schools, and our wider communities -helps shape our identity and empowers us to contribute positively to the world around us. When children feel they belong, they feel safe to be themselves, and this security can have long-lasting impacts on their confidence, happiness, and learning.
To explore this theme in a meaningful and creative way, children across the school took part in activities designed to help them identify the places and groups where they feel most at home. Here are some examples:
Year 1: “This Is My Place” Islands
Year 1 began their week with thoughtful discussions about what gives them a sense of belonging. Together, they explored the different people, places, and moments that help them feel connected and cared for. The children then created their own “This Is My Place” islands - beautifully illustrated maps filled with the things that bring them joy and make them feel anchored. From favourite activities to special people, each island became a celebration of what it means to feel happy, safe, and included.
Year 5: Islands of Belonging
In Year 5, pupils delved even deeper into the theme of belonging. Through class discussions, they reflected on the many groups they are part of - from families and sports teams to places of worship and, of course, the school community at RSM. Inspired by this, the children created their own Islands of Belonging, each one representing the communities that shape who they are. These islands highlighted how belonging contributes not only to wellbeing but also to personal identity and self-confidence.
Across the school, Children’s Mental Health Week has sparked meaningful conversations and thoughtful creativity. By reflecting on their personal places of belonging, pupils have been supported to build stronger self-awareness, deepen their connections, and understand the important role belonging plays in positive mental health.
