Focusing on wellbeing and mental health at Maricourt

Mental Health Week was a very busy week at Maricourt Catholic High School. As well as the usual mental health initiatives and programmes at the school, Maricourt used the week to celebrate all of the work that the wellbeing team and wellbeing champions do week in week out. 

Maricourt launched the week with its collective act of worship, being centred around connecting, talking and caring for one another. The school Chaplain gave all form tutors reflective pieces to deliver each day, which gave students and staff a chance to revisit its mercy values. 

LFC Foundation started its social action project with a cohort of boys and the learning mentors continued with the delivery of the Blooms Programme, which focus on self- esteem and empowerment amongst females. 

The school’s wellbeing champions had an amazing celebration service in the school chapel, where they received badges and pledged their promise to be great leaders amongst their peers. They hosted time to talk in both Arnold and Newman Campuses, and had their busiest turn out yet. 

Students shared their thoughts, sought advice and talked through some of their problems. The learning mentors had arranged for some hot chocolate, which set the tone and created a homely vibe. A great foundation for love and friendship was made over lunch.  The wellbeing champions also had a cake sale with all donations going to mental health charity Young Minds. The school was filled with yellow ribbons and smiley stickers to raise awareness. 

Year 11 prefects enjoyed afternoon tea together, which was organised by their progress leader Miss Orr. Many  got to join in some therapy dog fun. The PE department focused on all their after school clubs – cross country, rugby, football, netball and dance – around physical well-being and even got some of Maricourt’s local primary feeder schools involved. 

The school’s social media was continuously filled with mental health support signposting for pupils, parents and staff. The school raises mental health support year-round, and the week was an opportunity to highlight the good work and raise awareness about the importance of talking, connecting and caring for one another.