Health and Wellbeing Event a Success

Pupils compete in the 'step up' challenge at the Health and Wellbeing event.

An event to help senior pupils take care of their mental and physical health and wellbeing in the run up to the SQA exams was held at Kirkwall Grammar School in February.

This is the second year the school has held the Health and Wellbeing event, which was developed by the school’s Guidance Team and DYW Orkney to support senior pupils as they complete final practical assessments, prepare to sit their exams and, for some, get ready to leave school and take their next step in their career and education journey.

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The event to remind pupils they need to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing, ensuring they have some balance alongside the pressures of their schoolwork.  This is an important skill that they will need throughout their whole working life.

The event began with an introductory assembly which gave pupils the chance to learn more about the day’s activities and hear from three guest speakers.

The speakers were Councillor Jean Stevenson, local athlete and Midwife Tayla Paterson and, Cameron McConnachie from the Orkney Drug and Alcohol Partnership.  All three spoke about their personal career journey and how they balance their mental health alongside the demands of career and their personal life.

Following the assembly and throughout the morning, senior pupils attended a Health and Wellbeing Marketplace which was held in the school Dance Studio.  Sixteen local organisations were on hand to promote the support that is available to help young people navigate this stage of their life and also promote some of the ways they can take care of themselves such as extracurricular and mindful activities.

Pupils could also pick up a leaflet which contained information about some of the groups and activities available in Orkney that can help them relax and switch off from studying, while also enabling them to have fun and make friends.  More details can be found here.

Finally, over lunchtime Orkney Rugby Football Club ran a taster session for pupils in all year groups to try out rugby.

Thank you to our guest speakers and all the exhibitors who supported this event, and all the pupils who engaged with the event, we hope it helps you navigate the next few months and years ahead.