Year 9s from across our schools recently took a break from the usual timetable to gather for SupportED, a morning dedicated to connection, community and looking after our wellbeing.
This annual, OX14 Learning Partnership core event aims to get students out of their usual bubbles, giving them the chance to work alongside new faces and hear from experts and people who have been there, done that and come out the other side.
The morning started with a brilliant keynote from our guest speaker, Jamie Denyer. Rather than a standard lecture, Jamie shared a real and honest look at navigating the ups and downs of school life and grief. It was the perfect way to set the tone for the day.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing
With the ice broken, students jumped into four interactive workshops. These were built around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, backed by the NHS.
- Get Active and Be Present: From physical challenges to mindfulness, students explored how moving more and slowing down can shift a bad mood.
- Connect and Learn: The workshops encouraged everyone to chat with people from different schools, building new connections while picking up a few new skills along the way.
- Give to Others: We looked at how small acts of kindness, whether for a friend or the wider community, actually do wonders for our own headspace.
It was not just about the workshops; we were also joined by local charity, The Abingdon Bridge who support young people in the area to build resilience, strengthen their sense of belonging, and take positive action in their lives and communities. Having them in the room meant students could see exactly what support is available right here in our community, making those big topics feel a lot more approachable.
The day was high energy, interactive, collaborative and, most importantly, fun. Students left with practical ideas to support themselves and their friends. Whether it is a new way to handle stress or just a new friend to say hello to in the corridor, the impact of SupportED is something we hope stays with students long after the event.
Thank you to Jamie, The Abingdon Bridge, Peer Support Leads, colleagues who led workshops and supported the day and every student who stepped outside of their comfort zone and made the day such a success.
