A round up of Mental Health Awareness Week from the EDI Committee

King’s started Mental Health Awareness Week with sound baths, meditation and some yoga to prepare them for the week ahead. The carousel of activities allowed pupils to reset and ground themselves before a busy week with all three providing the chance to clear your mind of the stresses of life. In particular, the sound bath was a new opportunity for many of the students, a meditative, immersive experience that uses resonant sounds and vibrations to induce a deep relaxation.

Monday afternoon saw many of the students and teachers, joined by members of the community, participating in the ‘afternoon recharge’. A community dance, providing an opportunity to get outside in the fresh air and take part in a range of dances including the YMCA and then Macarena, 20 minutes of fun to improve everyone’s mental health.

On Tuesday, we had tea in the house, where we enjoyed scones with jam and clotted cream. It was a great opportunity to socialise with our house after sports and lessons. Some houses served their teas out on the grass, while others decorated their kitchens beautifully for the occasion.

Wednesday was our mufti day when pupils wore their own clothes with a hint of green – the colour for Mental Health Awareness week. During pastoral tutor time on Wednesday after church, members of the Lower Sixth EDI community visited tutor groups to talk about Mental Health Awareness Week. One idea they introduced was for each group to write a thank-you letter to someone within the Bruton community. Some groups wrote to the Mayor and local MP Sarah Dyke, while others thanked local shops and the church for always welcoming students into those spaces. Our colour run was a great success and the pupils absolutely loved it. The sun even appeared and lots of money was raised for our School Charity, Facial Palsy.

On Friday, New House planned to arrange a charity rounders event which would involve ice creams, a barbecue and of course, rounders. However, due to the weather, we were forced to call it off and to relocate to inside the theatre, where we watched the film Dodgeball instead. The barbecue still went on though, with the Lower Sixth boys soldiering on through the rain and wind to cook everyone burgers and hot dogs alongside crisps, drinks and ice lollies. Overall, it was a fantastic evening in which everyone came together and enjoyed themselves as a community, even if we were forced to change plans due to the weather.

Throughout the week, there was also an opportunity in the evenings for the boarders to go on walks around Bruton. Each night, a different house led and explored different areas of the town. One house walked up to the Dovecote, while others went through the woods and along the river. It was a lovely way to end the day, giving everyone the chance to socialise, enjoy some fresh air, and relax after a long day of lessons.

A huge thank you to Mrs Simper, Dr Larsen and Ms Atkinson who organised all of the MHAW activities.

The EDI Committee

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