Ms Toni Mason

How to Talk to Your Child About Mental Health

This week marks Children’s Mental Health Week, a great opportunity to start or continue important conversations about mental well-being with your child. Here are some quick tips to help guide those conversations:

1. Create a Safe Space

Encourage your child to talk openly about how they feel. Let them know that it’s okay to have different emotions, and reassure them that mental health is something we all need to look after.

2. Use Simple Language

Explain that mental health is just like physical health – it’s how we think, feel, and act. Let them know it’s normal to sometimes feel anxious or sad, but it’s important to talk about it.

3. Teach Coping Skills

Discuss ways to manage feelings, such as deep breathing or taking breaks. Encourage them to express emotions through talking, drawing, or writing.

4. Be a Role Model

Show your child that it’s okay to take care of your own mental health. Share with them how you manage stress and emotions in healthy ways.

5. Keep the Conversation Going

Mental health is an ongoing discussion. Check in regularly with your child about how they’re feeling and encourage them to ask for help when needed.

By keeping the conversation open and supportive, you’re helping your child build a healthy mindset that will last a lifetime.

Lost Property

We have a new Lost Property collection point. For children in years 1-6 there is a container at the blue gates at the end of every day. The container will be moved to the front office from 3:45pm for children attending after school activities.  A reminder to all families – please make sure your child’s items are labelled – if items are labelled we can find the owners of items quickly and there won’t be a need to look in Lost Property.

Please see below our discussion and notes from yesterday’s Friends of SJB Meeting.  A reminder that all are welcome.

Last week’s topics included updates from the suggestion box, confirming Easter event dates, and planning upcoming activities.

For Easter, key dates have been confirmed:

• Easter Bonnet Workshop will be on Tuesday, 26th March for children and parents
• An Easter Egg Hunt planned for Thursday, 3rd April
• The Easter Bonnet Parade Friday, 4th April.

Workshop resources were discussed, with straw hats and items being discussed and where we can get them. Anyone who finds useful materials is encouraged to take a photo and send it to the school office. The workshop will take place in the dining room until 5 PM.

Other key dates:

• World Book Day on 6th March will feature a book fair with a role-play shop after school. A sign-up sheet will be available for volunteers to help wrap books. A second-hand costume sale is being planned, with donations of old costumes encouraged. Children will have the option to dress as a book character or wear comfy pajamas to enjoy reading. Costumes welcomed as soon as possible. WB Day costume sale aftger school Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th February.
• Red Nose Day Comic Relief – Friday 21st March – Wearing a red top and a red nose or other accessories (which will be available from the office)

Volunteers are needed for setting up and running the second-hand costume stall, making and arranging Easter bonnets, and hiding Easter eggs for the hunt.

Fundraising plans for Year 4 include ensuring clear communication about the purpose of the funds, with a car boot sale as a possible initiative. Similar ideas are being considered for Year 6, such as hoodies or a South End Trio event.

To improve communication and planning, event dates will be displayed on notice boards with more advance notice. There is also a plan for an info session to help parents teach phonics at home. A discussion about PE took place, with the idea of organizing a session for parents to learn more.

Uniform

We wanted to give you a quick heads-up that we have had a message from Brigade that uniform costs will be increasing from March 1st. There hasn’t been an increase for 2 years. While we are still awaiting the new pricing details, we recommend purchasing any needed items now to avoid the upcoming increase.

Click the picture below for the uniform website.

Mobile Phone Safety Message

We want to remind you about the importance of mobile phone safety, as there have been recent incidents of phones being taken near secondary schools and in the Hackney area. Please stay vigilant and take the following precautions:
📱 Avoid using phones in public, especially when walking alone.
🔒 Keep devices securely stored and not visible where possible.
👀 Be aware of surroundings and avoid distractions.

Let’s work together stay safe. Thank you for your support.

What activities can you do for free this week?

Hoxton Hall Youth Arts
When: Monday to Friday
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: 130 Hoxton Street, London N1 6SH

Hoxton Hall is offering free creative workshops for young people this week! Children can take part in dance, drama, and music sessions, helping them build confidence while developing their creativity. It’s a fantastic way to let your child explore new skills in a fun and supportive environment. Entry is free, and booking in advance is recommended.

Hoxton Market
When: Saturday
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Hoxton Street, London N1 6NU

Visit Hoxton Market this Saturday for a vibrant day out with the family. While browsing local stalls, children can enjoy free entertainment, including face painting and arts and crafts activities. It’s a great chance to experience the local culture and support small businesses in the area. Entry is free, and no booking is required.

The Geffrye Museum Gardens
When: Daily
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA

Take a relaxing stroll through the beautiful gardens at the Geffrye Museum. With plenty of space for children to run and explore, it’s a perfect spot for a family outing. The gardens feature a range of historical settings, and there’s always something new to discover. Entry is free, and you can drop in anytime during opening hours.

In the news this week…