Teachers and pupils from primary and secondary schools across the Vale of Glamorgan joined local and national agencies at a pupil wellbeing event in Barry this week.
Hosted by the Vale of Glamorgan Network of Healthy Schools and the Learning and Skills Directorate at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the event saw educators and specialists meet for a day of presentations, case studies and an interactive marketplace exploring pupil wellbeing and positive mental health in primary and secondary school age pupils. An introduction was provided by Councillor Penrose, Cabinet Member for Learning and Culture.
Over 100 teachers, pupils and representatives from local and national agencies attended the conference at Barry Memorial Hall on Wednesday 22nd of November 2017. With sessions delivered by Vale of Glamorgan Educational Psychology, the School Health Research Network (SHRN), Cardiff and Vale Primary Mental Health and the Education Lead for Adverse Childhood Experiences they offered information on the latest, support and resources to boost pupil wellbeing.
The event closed with a showing of the film ‘Resilience – The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope’ which focuses how adverse experiences in childhood can lead to potentially poor physical, mental and social outcomes for individuals.
Christine Farr, Senior Health Promotion Specialist – Healthy Schools, Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team said: ‘With an increasing focus on the wellbeing of pupils, it’s link to educational attainment and attendance and the latest evidence from the Adverse Childhood Experiences report from Public Health Wales, the organising team wanted to bring everyone involved together to have an in depth conversation about this important issue.’
Mark Davies, Prevention and Partnership Manager from the Learning and Skills Directorate at the Vale Council said: “We are delighted that so many people have attended the event today. This has been an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and good practice”.
A participating Year 9 pupil from Ysgol Bro Morgannwg said, ‘I am so happy to share what we do at our school. In ‘Lles’ I can make friends and get to know people that understand me.’
The Vale of Glamorgan Network of Healthy Schools and the Learning and Skills Directorate at the Vale of Glamorgan Council plan on taking forward outcomes and learnings from the event and continue working collaboratively with schools across the Vale.
