Mental health and Wellbeing

At Coloma Convent Girls' School, we believe that every young person deserves to feel happy, healthy,valuedand supported. We recognise that good mental health and emotional wellbeing are essential to learning, personal development and a fulfilling school experience.

Inspired by our Catholic ethos and the charism of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, we are committed to nurturing the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

We understand that growing up brings many opportunities, challenges and changes. Every student experiences life differently, and there may be times when they need a little extra support, encouragement or someone to listen.

Our aim is to create a caring and inclusive environment where students feel safe to talk openly, confident to ask for help and empowered to develop the resilience and self-belief they need to navigate life's challenges.

At Coloma, we want every student to know that she matters, her feelings matter and she is never alone.

Our approach to wellbeing

We believe that positive mental health is everyone's responsibility. Wellbeing is woven into the everyday life of our school through our pastoral care, relationships, curriculum and wider enrichment opportunities.

We are committed to:

• Belonging: Creating a welcoming community where every student feels accepted, includedand valued.

• Listening: Ensuring that students have trusted adults they can approach and feel confident sharing their worries with.

• Building resilience: Helping students develop the confidence, self-belief and strategies to manage challenges and setbacks.

• Promoting positive relationships: Encouraging kindness, friendship, respect and compassion.

• Encouraging healthy choices: Promoting positive habits around sleep, physical activity,nutrition,relaxation and digital wellbeing.

• Celebrating individuality: Recognising each student's unique strengths, talents, achievements and aspirations.

• Seeking support early: Encouraging students to talk about their feelings and access help whenever they need it.

Supporting our students

We recognise that mental health and wellbeing needs can change throughout a student's school journey. Our pastoral team works closely with students to provide appropriate care, guidance and encouragement.

Support may include:

• Form Tutors and Heads of Year who provide everyday pastoral guidance.

• The school's pastoral and wellbeing teams.

• Designated staff who can provide additional emotional support.

• Signposting and referrals to appropriate specialist services where necessary.

• Support with friendship difficulties, anxiety, exam pressures, bereavement and changesinpersonal circumstances.

We aim to identify concerns early, listen without judgement and work in partnership with families and external professionals where appropriate.

Looking after our wellbeing

We encourage students to develop positive habits that support their mental, physical and emotional health.

Wellbeing throughout the school journey

We recognise that different stages of school life bring different experiences and challenges. From the excitement of joining Year 7 to the opportunities and responsibilities of Sixth Form, we aim to provide age-appropriate guidance and support.

We pay particular attention to important transition points, examination periods, changes in friendships and the preparation for life beyond Coloma.

Our intention is to help students develop the emotional awareness, confidence and resilience toapproacheach new chapter with optimism.

Faith, spirituality and wellbeing

Our Catholic identity provides an important foundation for the way we care for one another.

We believe that every individual is created with dignity, purpose and unique gifts. Through prayer,reflection,our chapel, our Prayer Garden and our wider faith life, we offer students opportunitiesto find stillness,develop gratitude and reflect on what matters most.

Our school community encourages compassion, forgiveness, hope and service to others. We believe that knowing we belong to something bigger than ourselves can bring comfort, connection and a sense of purpose.

Working together with parents and carers

We know that positive mental health is best supported when school and home work together.

We encourage parents and carers to share any concerns about their daughter's emotional wellbeing with her Form Tutor, Head of Year or the appropriate member of the pastoral team.

By communicating openly and working in partnership, we can identify difficulties early and help students access the right support.

We also encourage families to talk openly about mental health, listen without judgement and reassure young people that asking for help is always the right thing to do.

Useful support and resources

It is important that students and families know where to find additional advice and support.

If a student is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 999 or attend A&E. For urgent mental health support that is not an immediate emergency, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option where available.

Our wellbeing promise

At Coloma, we want every student to recognise her worth, embrace her individuality and have the confidence to become the person she is meant to be.

We know that flourishing is not about being happy every moment or getting everything right. It is about feeling supported through difficulties, celebrating achievements, learning from experiences and having the courage to keep moving forward.

Together, we nurture a community where kindness matters, every voice is heard, every individual belongs and every young person is given the opportunity to flourish.