Wellbeing Blog - Edition 4

Thank you for visiting our wellbeing blog that we have updated with the latest news from our community.  Once again, our students have been busy supporting others, exploring their creative sides and making the most of their time at home.  As we have received the news this last week about the extension of lockdown, it is important that we work hard to maintain connections with family and friends. That is exactly what lots of you have been doing and the wellbeing team hopes that this blog does the same!

There are updates from students this week but also Mr Harrison (who is one of the amazing team of staff supporting with opening the school for children of key worker families), Miss Vaughan - who has been busy decorating her house, Miss Race and Miss Booth. Scroll through this week in pictures to see more!

Dr Everson has provided us with some more links to support anyone who may be struggling in lockdown which you can access below:

• https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news 

• https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

There has been a number of heart-warming stories over the Easter holidays but Captain Tom Moore seems to have truly captured the hearts of the nation.  Tom successfully completed 100 laps of his garden with the aid of his walking frame before his 100th birthday! This has helped to raise more than £27 million the NHS.   His story is one of great determination - despite the lockdown - to do his but for the country and support our NHS in fighting the coronavirus.  It is an excellent example of the difference just one person can make. 

Tom Moore's 100th birthday is on April 30th and the Royal Mail is handling many extra special cards that have been sent in readiness for his birthday.  Perhaps you might like to send him a card too?  The address is below if you want to get involved!

Captain Tom Moore

C/O Post Office Limited,  67 Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0LA

Bedfordshire, England

Until the next edition!  Looking forward to seeing you all again...

The Wellbeing Team :-) 

Week 4 in pictures and videos

Here's a look at what staff, students, the community and past students have been up to over Easter:

Evan Green (Buj) Year 13

 After nearly 4 weeks of being stuck in the house it’s safe to say I’m running out of ideas to entertain myself. My day to day life has consisted of workouts, going on runs to get my one piece of exercise a day and to escape my younger siblings who have been driving me up the wall during lockdown. I'm trying to learn a new skill which is bar flair as part of my new job role and I’ve driving my mum crackers the amount of time I’ve dropped my bottle on the floor. However, it has kept me busy and I’m slowly but surely starting to master a few tricks. I’ve also not been able to get away from schoolwork just yet with my engineering coursework keeping me busy and hopefully I will get that done soon big emphasis on the hopefully. I’m hoping you are all doing ok, staying safe and finding things to do to entertain yourselves and I’m sorry for the short message but my life hasn’t been that entertaining :).
Yours sincerely
Buj

Kieran Street - Year 13

I’ve been building things to help pass the time. We had a barbecue that needed assembling so I did that and I’ve decided I’m going to build a bike from scratch, so I started stripping our old broken bikes and I’m going to repaint everything and build a really cool mountain bike.

Charlotte Gladwin - Year 13

Whilst in lockdown I have been trying to make the most of the excessive spare time that I now have on my hands. This has meant that I have started to play the piano again, I took myself back to the basics and taught myself everything, from scales to chords. I must admit it hasn’t taken me long to pick it up again and so I am gradually working through my old piano books. I have also been helping my mum in the garden by mowing the lawn, weeding and general maintenance since the weather has been so nice. It’s as though the sun knew we were in lockdown! I must admit I am missing my grandparents dearly, but I am still very much in contact with them through phone calls and Facetime and once a week I do their shopping for them. I also miss the freedom of being able to go wherever whenever, but I know that lockdown is happening for a very serious reason and appreciate that and know that when this is over it’ll have been worth the wait. – Charlotte Gladwin

Emma's painting she been working on over the last couple of days. The NHS Nightingale Bird of Hope.

Hayley Wu - Year 13

This is a time where we need to connect and keep in contact with people so me and my friends have a weekly FaceTime where we just catch up with each other as well as a ‘pub’ quiz night. I have been doing some baking which I enjoy, even if I’m not good at it! Also, I’m watching each Marvel film and doing a mini review on each with my own personal score at the end on Twitter. My regular sleep pattern has gone out of the window during these times but oh well Hope you all stay safe :)

Miss James who works in the SLT suite left these for the workers that collected her rubbish

Well done to Georgie Freeman of 9.9 for her Easter bake. Very creative and looks delicious!

Emily Barber Year 13

Emily Barber has advertised that she's wanting to bring joy to residence of a local care home, if you'd like to contribute please email to Miss Finney at lfy@waleshigh.com and she will pass anything onto Emily

Miss Vaughan - Geography

Hi everyone, hope you are keeping safe during these uncertain times.  For me, March and April means the end of the ice hockey season and the playoffs; something I haven’t missed in 15 years but it was not to be this year.  So rather than spending Easter weekend in Nottingham, watching the Sheffield Steelers lift the EIHL Play-Off trophy for the 7th time (because we absolutely would have won), here is how I have spent the bank holiday weekend instead:
Easter Egg Hunt – thankfully the Easter Bunny is classed as a key worker and still visited my house this weekend leaving eggs everywhere; I think we found them all.

Decorating my house – after moving to my new house in September, I have had a long list of decorating that I wanted to do, lockdown has meant I’ve now finished painting the kitchen and bedroom as well as the living room and hallway that was already done.

Colouring in – Yes I know I’m a Geography Teacher and that means I have expert colouring in skills but I think I’ve excelled myself this time! I do genuinely find it really relaxing and brilliant for clearing my mind.

Mastering my Fortnite skills – I’m not normally one for computer games but it does give me a different way of keeping in touch with friends and I even managed a couple of wins!

BBQ – although we aren’t allowed out, I still wanted to make the most of the sunshine this weekend and so the second BBQ in two weeks happened.

 ‘Zooming’ through a ‘Pub Quiz’ with friends – It would have been the perfect weekend for a nice walk and a pit stop in a beer garden but instead we bought the weekly pub quiz home.  Four teams battling it out via Zoom; lost miserably, here’s hoping we do better next week.

Hope you’ve all had a lovely bank holiday weekend too and made the most of the lovely weather.  Hopefully see you very soon 😊
Miss Vaughan

Thrya Simpson - Year 12

Thyra Simpson Y12 spent her Easter weekend baking this magnificent cake and then delivered piece of this to her neighbours. Miss Finney would like this cake remade for the sixth form team when we are back to school please Thyra :D


Mr Harrison - Head of Lower School

As we come to the end of week 4 in isolation I am starting to realise that keeping to some form of routine is really important. I try to get up at roughly the same time each day and make sure I actually get up and have a cup of tea to start the day off right. I also like to keep busy and keep my brain working so this is what I have been up to!

As a History teacher I am always interested in improving my knowledge (sad I know) - I have started an excellent book called The Hollow Crown which is all about the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors. My favourite period of History. Most days I go for a walk with my dogs (Evie and Millie) and enjoy the fresh air and a chance to get out of the house. 

We currently have my sister in law living with us in isolation so the three of us have all stayed busy. 

I think I have also painted just about everything possible! If it doesn't move then it's been painted! 

Over the course of the last 4 weeks I have pressure washed everything, painted my fencing, decking and I have just started working my way around the inside of the house. Getting used to Microsoft Teams has been interesting too - but I am looking forward to delivering some A Level lessons over the next few weeks.

I have also found it is important to have some 'down time'. Playing games - Monopoly (which I have to win), Dobble, Cards and loads of others.

 I have also enjoyed watching the TV programmes on my Sky box that have been there for ages and sitting down with my family to watch a few films. I think one of the nicest things about the current climate is I have time to speak to my friends and family - we regularly use facetime to catch up. Above all I am trying to make every day different, keep in contact with the people I love and make the most of the additional time we have - despite these difficult times it is so important to look after yourself.   

Mia Bainbridge - Year 13

Hello lovelies. This is all very strange isn’t it? I hope everyone’s keeping safe and happy, I know everyone’s starting to get a bit snippy in my house as the weeks seem to drag on. 

And this week has felt like the slowest yet, and my sleeping pattern is now non existent- I’m sure I’m not the only one. My mum is a key worker so she goes off to work most mornings at stupid o’clock and I emerge from my room about two hours before she gets home, which is a routine I’m trying to get out of. I’ve been trying to keep myself as busy as possible during the day so that I’m knackered at night but it’s not working so the past few nights I’ve been trying rain noises (sounds stupid stick with me) and they’ve helped so much. Combined with putting screens down that little bit earlier, it’s helping me get a good nights sleep and means I get to see a little bit more of the daytime. 

Last Friday I celebrated my 18th birthday in quarantine. Leggings and hoodies wasn’t quite what I had planned for my big birthday but we made the most of it and I’m very excited to celebrate properly once all this is over. I know I’m one of many celebrating birthdays in lockdown, here’s my top tips: 

1. Apps like zoom are really useful for getting in contact with all your friends and family and having a party- even if you can’t see each other.  

2. Just because there’s nowhere to go doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed up, sometimes it’s good to put some nice clothes on and do your hair. 

3. Compromise, l was meant to be going on a spa day with my mum and my auntie so instead my mum and I did facials and pedicures from home in the living room and it was nearly as good (and we’re excited to get to the so when all this is over). 

The most important thing right now is to keep positive. I’ve been telling the girls, every night you go to sleep we’re one day closer to normality. I’ve found that making a list of exciting things I want to do once quarantine is over has helped keep me motivated, as well as keeping a clean house (tidy space tidy mind), and practicing skills that you want to master. I am convinced I will have taught myself to french plait my hair by the time life goes back to normal- I’ll update you on that one. 

Keep safe, happy and healthy. Lots of love, 

Mia x

Ms Booth - Science

This is my new mindfulness activity that, luckily, I took up a couple of weeks before lockdown! 

Amigurumi. Basically 3D stuffed crochet. It originates in Japan. 

As you can see I'm slowly improving. Using free patterns on the Web and plenty of YouTube tutorials. It's really helping me switch my mind off from all the stresses and avoid surfing shopping sites or getting stressed out reading too much social media. What has surprised me is how mathematical it is when you're increasing and decreasing the stitches. 

My 1st attempt was a whale - although classed as easy, I think a little high up the easy scale. I lost count of my stitches a lot! 

I'm currently making play food for my kids but hopefully I'll move onto some scaled up microbes and organs for use in the classroom!

Ex Wales student Mark Firth has fostered this beautiful 7 month old puppy named Olive. She is a pointer and has more energy than all of our Wales students put together. For those spending time at home during the lockdown fostering a puppy or dog is a fantastic way to do something good but also help give yourself a purpose in this time too. Due to her cuteness Olive has already gone to her 'furever' home but if you think you can help another dog out check out Wags N' Wet Noses Dog Rescue.

Miss Finney celebrated her birthday in lockdown! 'I had a really lovely day despite it not being the day planned. My boyfriend had put up bunting, blown up balloons and bought a massive cake. I also received an amazing afternoon tea to my door and some beautiful flowers'.

Miss Race and Wales Key Workers

We are now well into our 4th week of Lock Down and I hope you are all still keeping safe and well and have managed to have a good Easter!
Life has dramatically changed for all of us over the past weeks and we have all had to learn to adapt to the situation we have found ourselves in. Lock Down can be very difficult for lots of people for many different reasons. One thing I have found comfort in is how our nation has come together to demonstrate an appreciation for everything NHS and other key workers are doing throughout the outbreak by joining in a weekly national clapping event that has been organised in their honour. With this in mind, I started to think about past Wales High School students who are currently working tirelessly on the front line and how we could recognise them and the vital work they’re doing during this pandemic. After putting a shout out on social media, I would like to introduce the first post celebrating the work that some our past students are doing, right now, within our community.
From ALL the staff at Wales High School, we would like to say how very proud we are of what each of you has achieved since leaving school and how grateful we are for the critical work that you carry out on a daily basis. THANK YOU! Take care and stay safe!

Ex-Wales Students who are now key workers

Benjamin Storm -
For the last year I've worked as an Administrator and Clerk at Sheffield Children's Hospital. I'm supporting families by making sure all of our outpatients are receiving the care they need, helping our doctors and nurses manage their clinics, arranging video consultations for our surgeons, and supporting all of our frontline workers so they can focus on their jobs. I would like to thank the entire Children's Hospital Family for coming together during this difficult time, and I'd also like to thank all the key workers, and those who can't work, who are doing their bit to help us all get through this together.

Lauren Howis, Community Staff Nurse, Woodhouse Clinic -

Hi, my names is Lauren Howis, i am a Community Staff Nurse and i work for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. I have been qualified nearly 2 years and during this worrying time i am serving the community of patients who are housebound and vulnerable by  providing a wide range of treatments to these individuals. I would like to thank those who are doing a brilliant job at social distancing as you are helping to protect not only yourselves and your family but also the NHS. Stay inside today so we can all have a tomorrow.

Beth Harris -
 I'm a support worker at dimensions which is where we support adults and young adults with many different learning difficulties and health problems by supporting them with shopping, cooking, supporting them out on holidays and days outs, medication and hospital appointments.  It helps to give them independence and keeps them safe. I've been working in the health and social care setting for the past 3 years. I would love to thank the community for staying at home and thank you to all key workers for their hard and dedication for all there hard work!!

Alex Stafford MP - A thank you for Wales High supporting with PPE Equipment

Salguero Selects

Hi, and welcome to Salguero Selects – my weekly feel-good film recommendation.
Each week I’ll be recommending a film for you (and maybe your family) to enjoy and the focus will be on the warm and fuzzy. Films that simply can’t fail to cheer you up. Some of these might be classics we all know and love, but some might be ones you’ve never even heard of! But they’ll all have one thing in common: the feel-good factor!
This week’s film is one of my absolute favourites! It’s in my top ten films of all time (well, actually, as my Film Studies students will tell you, it’s a top eight – I can never quite settle on a final two!).
During lockdown, I’ve seen lots of examples of people doing good deeds for others. Examples include people leaving Easter Eggs on the doorsteps of children with rainbows in their windows, people starting up food banks in their front gardens and encouraging others to help themselves to anything they need, hundreds of thousands of people volunteering to help the NHS and many other small things that can make a big difference. This altruism (the selfless concern for the wellbeing of others) shows humans at their best and is very much at the heart of this film…
Amélie
If anyone ever asks me to name a feel-good film, this is the first one I think of! It absolutely brims with joy and is an utterly beautiful piece of work. The only reason I didn’t begin my series of blogs with this film is that it’s not as accessible as some of the other films on my list. As it is rated 15, this is one for our older students (and their parents – and staff, of course!) and I’ll point out straight away that it is a French film with subtitles. But, please, please, PLEASE don’t let this put you off; I promise you won’t even notice after ten minutes or so.
The film centres around the eponymous Amélie, a Parisian waitress who grew up in an isolated house with a father who struggled to show her his love. As an adult, she is very shy and remains quite lonely but one day, she makes a discovery in her apartment: a box full of someone’s childhood memorabilia. She determines to find its owner and decides that, if it brings them joy, she will dedicate her life to making other people happy. To her delight, when the man opens the box and sees all the memories within, he weeps with joy and resolves to reconcile with his estranged daughter and a grandson he has never met.
Amélie then sets off on her mission to bring happiness to others in a series of anonymous good deeds that bring joy to others whilst seeking no recognition for herself. The result is a beautiful, quirky and heart-warming story that will leave you also wanting to go and do good deeds!
Reasons your parents will enjoy it: Next time they’re in a Zoom meeting with work, they can drop it into conversation so they look cultured.
Reasons your younger siblings will enjoy it: It’s rated 15 so not suitable for younger siblings – save it for when they’ve gone to bed.
Reasons you’ll enjoy it: Because it’s full of warm and fuzzy quirkiness, it looks gorgeous and it might just inspire you to do some random acts of kindness of your own!
(Currently available on Amazon Prime and YouTube Movies).

Week 3 in pictures and videos

Here's what people have been up to this week!

Emma Rogerson did a great job painting her mum's garden shed

Maddie Grieveson Y13 has been trying to watch every Disney classic film from 1 to 57. She's currently on 21! She's also touched up the paint on her guitar.

Miss Booth’s Wellbeing Guide to Lockdown Living: 

During these uncertain times, it’s important to put your wellbeing at the very top of your list. I’ve been doing bits of what makes me happy each day in support of this. 

Here are my 3 Top Tips… 

TIP 1: As I specialise in English, it goes without saying that I’m an avid reader. If you can immerse yourself in a good book, hours can go by without even realising. Turning to the magic of reading can vastly improve your concentration, expand your vocabulary but it can significantly reduce stress. Your mental health is of utmost importance at the best of times, but now more than ever. 

I am currently reading You Were Gone by Tim Weaver, which I’m struggling to put down! Find something you don’t want to stop reading either.   

TIP 2: Create a hobby which you can do indoors. I have started colouring which really encourages a healthy mental state and is hugely therapeutic. Fitness is also paramount. Make sure you feel mentally and physically healthy, whether that be through Joe Wicks’ 9am exercise programme or through some fabulous TikTok routines that I know you all love doing.    

TIP 3: If you have a pet in the house, lots of cuddles are good for the soul. My fur baby, Leo, has been my saving grace. Leo is super happy about lockdown and all the extra attention he’s getting!

I’ve received many emails from my students sending me their home learning, telling me what book they’re currently reading or just how they’re getting on through isolation which is lovely to hear. 

I am sending my well wishes to all staff and students through this trying time and hope you are staying safe. Miss Booth :)

Harry Beecroft's Lockdown Blog

It's been almost 3 weeks since Boris announced the national lockdown of the UK and it's safe to say that life has changed dramatically since. Personally, there is a huge hole in my life, Nando's. Life without it just isn't the same, but it's not all bad. Since emerging from life at Nando's and my bedroom I met a fantastic couple called my mum and dad and it turns out they can cook - sometimes even nicer than at restaurants (but you didn't hear that from me). But joking aside, we are all in the same boat and life for everyone is different.
My time in lockdown has shown to me why dogs get so excited for walks. I find myself taking full advantage of the one piece of exercise rule and I spend my time walking my dog, for hours, in the late hours of the day and early morning hours of the next. It also feels like Christmas when I'm the member of the family chosen to do the shopping for the next few days, however, it's kind of an apocalyptic Christmas as everyone walks round in masks as if it were on set of a horror movie production. But alongside the late night dog walks, and the scarce journeys to Asda it's clear that one thing lockdown is ruined is my sleeping pattern.
There is only maybe once in the whole of lockdown I have been awake at 10 am. Late nights sat chatting to mates get later and before you know it you're up till 6 and waking up at half 4, just in time for dads BBQ. But, the other day I decided I wanted to change all of this and sort my sleeping pattern out. After a good 2 or 3 minutes of thinking I came up with a genius solution to my current sleeping habits. The plan was as follows: do an all-nighter and go to bed normally the next day.
So I prepared myself. I sat on my bed, popcorn beside me and whacked on Netflix. I'd not finished Money Heist yet so that was the perfect thing to watch. So I spent my night and morning watching it as the sun rose in my bedroom window. I'd done it, I'd stayed up all night but I knew the day ahead of me was going to be long. For the next 12 hours I trailed round my house like a zombie. Almost falling asleep every 20 minutes. But after a red bull, and a silly amount of tea I made it through to 7:30 where I passed out on my bed. But oh my, the next 14 hours was perfect deep sleep and I woke up at 9:30 the next day. I felt triumphant. Proud. I'd sorted my sleeping pattern out. Yet this didn't last long as I was up till 5:30 the following night watching the rest of Money Heist (WHICH ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER AND I HAVE TO WAIT 21 MONTHS FOR THE NEW SEASON!!!!) but I guess that's just showbiz baby. But yeah I think that covers my wild and adventurous time in lockdown.
Yours sincerely, Harry Beecroft

PS, my sleeping schedule is still ruined lol :)

Kieran Street Y13 -  We’ve been using our 1 exercise to take Harvey on nice walks through the field. We’ve also been doing a photo challenge where everyday there is a new topic and we have to take a photo of that thing or related to it.

This new way of working was really a shock to me but I soon discovered what things I wanted to accomplish. I really wanted to do fitness every day and started trying to do joe wicks every day. I made my nephew an activity bag as he is getting a bit bored along with some bingo cards which we then played virtual bingo.  I have been working on my alana’s caring cakes cook book . I have been doing art aswell which is quite a surprise as  I usually don’t enjoy it. We have been trying to keep up with the pictures in windows every week and think it is a great idea. Overall this is what I have done

Alana Habergham-Rice Y7

Robyn Dyson Y13 set herself the challenge of putting 20 swim caps on in 1 minute. As you can see she succeeded!

Mr & Mrs Swain’s Lockdown Pizza’s

The Swain’s have been making pizza for the family – a great way for using up leftovers and there’s lots of different ways of making the base even if you don’t have yeast like self-raising flour and yoghurt or water.

Recipe

·      500g Self Raising Flour and enough water or plain yoghurt to form a dough.

·      Lightly knead into a ball and roll into either pizza bases or flat breads.

·      Bake for 15 mins on 200 degrees.

Original founder of our Mental Health Ambassadors Alicia Higgins gave us an update: I am currently studying an access course in health and social care at college. I am waiting to hear back from universities to go and study paramedic science in September. I'm also still working as an event first aider at football.



Head Girl 2018-2019 Ella Roberts

Our lovely previous Head Girl - Ella Roberts - also got in touch this week:
Having come home early from my first year at uni I genuinely feel quite gutted as I know how much there was to look forward to in the summer term. However, I am very fortunate that I’m not directly affected by the coronavirus and that everyone around me is safe and well. Other than the large amount of work and exams to prepare for I’ve been trying to use this time productively by creating a good routine and keeping myself busy. I’ve really got back into exercising since having a lot more spare time and I can already see results so I aiming to come out of the quarantine much more healthy and happy. I’ve been cooking a lot more meals for my family and trying new healthy recipes. I’m hoping to get into good habits so that when life gets back to normal I can try and have a much more healthy lifestyle.