This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and throughout Shiplake College, pupils and staff have been embracing this year's theme, which is 'nature'. Over the course of the last year, research has shown that 45% of people said that their mood was significantly improved by being in green spaces.
At the beginning of this week, Deputy Head Pastoral, Mr Nick Brown, sent out lots of information to pupils to help them engage in a range of activities which focus on enjoying our wonderful campus and to get outside as much as possible. Each activity is centred around four topics which are proven to help improve mental health; creativity, mindfulness, reflection and being inquisitive:
GET CREATIVE...
Enter our nature photographic competition and win a £20.00 Amazon voucher. Simply take a photograph and email it to [email protected] or write a poem about nature or paint a picture. You could even write a piece of music.
GET MINDFUL...
Take time to appreciate the nature around you. Go for a walk, look out of the window or listen to the birds.
GET REFLECTIVE...
Listen to some music inspired by nature. Read a poem or look at a painting. Try these: Music Poem Paintings
GET INQUISITIVE...
Learn three new facts about nature or have a go at our Shiplake Nature Hunt. You might need this to help - Simple guide to recognising trees.
Mr Brown announced to pupils that there will be individual prizes and prizes for the tutor groups who are most engaged.
For further information and advice visit The Mental Health Foundation website.
And the Winners are...
As part of the nature theme of Mental Health Awareness Week pupils were challenged to get creative. Some wrote poems and others used their photographic skills. Oscar Lewington and Matthew Perry won the poetry competition and Joe Morgan and Sam Chambers scooped the photographic prizes with James Perry a worthy runner up. Tutor groups were given a nature hunt to complete. Mrs Pollington and Mrs Thomas's Lower School groups took the honours here, with Mr Loughe's Year 13 group in third place. Sadly their limited knowledge of English trees prevented them from claiming any silverware. Above all, the week was a chance for us all to get outside and enjoy the wonderful surroundings in which we work.
