Mrs McCarthy's role in school.

Just a little about Mrs McCarthy's role. She is a Learning Mentor and assists children with their behaviour and how they can be the best they can be. She is also an ELSA (Emotional, Literacy, Support, Assistant) and she can support children with their emotional needs.  

Her work is based around Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Need. These are the things that we all need to grow from baby to adult.

Physiological needs.... drink, food, warmth, shelter, sleep.

Safety and Security.... protection, security, feeling safe and able to cope.

Love and Belonging....being loved, valued, friendships.

Esteem.... achievement, status, responsibility, feeling good about themselves, recognition, attention and appreciation. 

Self Actualisation.....personal growth, fulfilment, talents, abilities, chances to experiment.

She uses special play techniques in her work. PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy) is used often.

The child is at the heart of all Mrs McCarthy's work. 

We are learning about The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We are aiming to be a school that respects the rights of children. This means we will be learning about children's rights and acting on them. This will hopefully lead to an award for Southglade School, which is very exciting.

Monday 11th is the start of Anti-Bullying Week. The theme this year is CHOOSE RESPECT.

We always try to show respect at Southglade and I'm sure we will make an extra special effort to be respectful during Anti-Bullying Week.

ODD SOCKS day is Tuesday the 12th. Wear your odd socks to show you care.

Thursday 10th October is World Mental Health Day. At Southglade, we take everyone's mental health seriously. If you feel like you would like to chat about how you are feeling, then pop and see me or any other trusted adult in school. The theme this year is workplace Mental Health, so staff can also come and have a chat if they want to.

Mrs McCarthy (Mental Health first aider)

Wednesday 9th October is Wellbeing Wednesday in school.

The theme is emotions. There will be different activities around school today. Including visitors. There are many different feelings and they are all ok. We all feel emotions and we all react differently to those emotions. This is what makes us unique.  You will learn to name them and how to cope with them.

Top tips for good wellbeing.

1. Get lots of sleep. Rest well every night.

2. Eat well. Lots of fruit and vegetables. Milk is important when you are growing. Try to keep sugary foods as treats. A balanced diet is best.

3. Look around you! Go for a walk. Take in your surroundings. Breathe in the air.

4. Exercise. That walk will do you good. We all need to be more active.

5. Drink water!

If you are struggling with any of these things, ask to speak with me or another trusted adult.

Mrs McCarthy

I hope you have all settled into your new classes well.

I have been speaking to the new children in our school and checking in with them this week. If you think one of our new children needs some help with anything, do offer to help them. This is being kind and I'm sure we all need more kindness.

If anyone needs a chat with me, you can come and find me in my room (The ELSA Room) or ask your teachers to get a message to me.

KS2 classes you all have a worry box that you can leave messages in. I check them on a Friday.

Mrs McCarthy

Welcome back to school everyone, 

We are now in a new academic year. You will have all moved up a year!

Remember, you may be feeling a little anxious and that is perfectly normal.  Some nerves are good nerves. It's the bodies way of keeping you safe. If you are over worried about anything, ask to have a chat with me.

Mrs McCarthy 

Just a reminder of some useful numbers and websites.

Childline  phone free  0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

Young minds   0800 802 5544

www.youngminds.org.uk

NottAlone  0808 196 3779

www.nottalone.org.uk

What is BIO club?

By Invitation Only.

A lunchtime provision ran by Mrs McCarthy and other support staff, to provide a safe, fun environment inside at lunchtime. Not everyone enjoys the hustle and bustle of the playground or the loud dining hall. That's where another place to be helps to support those children who find that part of the day stressful. There are games to play, colouring, imaginary play and on a Friday music. 

At Southglade we take mental health seriously everyday.

Here are some numbers and websites to support.

CAMHS crisis team 0808 1963779

text SHOUT to 85258 for a conversation with a trained volunteer.

NottAlone  www.nottalone.org.uk

Urgent help 0808 1963779

Samaritans 116123

childline 0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

CALM  www.thecalmzone.net

young minds 0800 8025544

www.youngminds.org.uk

What does Mrs McCarthy do?

Mrs McCarthy is a Learning Mentor and ELSA. (Emotional, Literacy, Support, Assistant)

Her sessions can be where children can talk about their worries, emotions or any problems they may want to discuss. She also likes to use a therapeutic approach and uses PACE to support her work. PACE stands for PLAYFULNESS, ACCEPTENCE, CURIOSITY and EMPATHY.  Mrs McCarthy will also use an emotion coaching style when working with children. She is trauma informed, which means she understands what trauma can do to a child and their behaviour. She will always look for strategies to help the child's wellbeing and mental health. She works closely with the Head teacher, SENCO and Special needs assistants, to ensure team work.

As well as all that she does singing assemblies and attendance checks!

The sun has got his hat on... have you?

We are experiencing some very hot weather at the moment.

You need;

Water. Drinking is so important in the hotter months. You do not want to get dehydrated and struggle with heat exhaustion and headaches.

Suncream. EVERYONE needs to protect their skin from the suns rays. This protection is essential to protect from burning and damage to skin which shows in later life.

A hat.  Protect your head from the sun. You can burn your scalp. You can also be sick if your head gets too hot.

Shade. Try to find shade when outside for long periods of time.

Sun glasses. Protect your eyes.

Enjoy the weather, but be sensible!

What is ELSA?

Some of you may have heard that I am an ELSA. You may also be thinking... What is ELSA?

ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. Which means someone who cares about your emotional wellbeing and can help with understanding and controlling emotions. We all have emotions, that's what makes us human! However sometimes, they can become a bit much to cope with, especially if you are struggling with angry feelings, or feelings of anxiety. I can work with children who are struggling to understand their feelings and help them to find strategies to regulate themselves. I can also support if someone has died.

Speak to myself or your teacher/ TA if you feel you may need ELSA support.

Mrs McCarthy

Well-Being Vision Statement

‘Wellbeing and mental health are at the heart of our school and our community. We believe having a mentally healthy community is about working together through the challenges and sharing the celebrations; feeling supported, heard, accepted, valued and empowered.’

At Southglade Primary School we will promote, develop and prepare healthy learners for life. We are committed to making it our mission to promote resilience, positive wellbeing and mental health for all our pupils, staff, parents and community. We understand wellbeing to be a state of being comfortable, healthy and happy. We aim to drive this message forward, and to ensure that mental health and well-being is “everyone’s business” across the whole school community. We will strive to create an environment that has a whole school approach, in providing excellent mental health support, understanding and intervention. We will put Wellbeing at the heart of our school to ensure successful learning, and commit to our policies reflecting this practise.

Here are some useful numbers and websites.

Childline free on 0800 1111   www.childline.org.uk

CALM (campaign against living miserably)     www.thecalmzone.net

Young Minds free 0800 802 5544 weekdays 9.30-4pm   www.youngminds.org.uk

Samaritans   116123

In school,   Mrs McCarthy is the learning Mentor and ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) She is also a mental health first aider. Mrs Thomas is the Mental Health lead. If you would like a chat about anything regarding your wellbeing or mental health, we are always here to listen. We also have a Wellbeing Team of staff. You can approach any staff member and they will point you in the right direction for the appropriate support.

Childline.

The Childline site is great for browsing, finding things to do (including free games) and getting advice. Take a look at the link below.

Whenever you are feeling anxious or extremely upset, one way you can help yourself is by using an emergency bag or box. Fill it with things that you know will help you. Sometimes it is called a self soothe box. (see video below)

The fantastic ELSA site has great ideas for lifting a low mood.

www.elsa-support.co.uk 

We all have stress. Some stress is good stress, it makes us get things done! For example, if you have a task to finish, the good stress makes you get on and finish it.

However, sometimes we have stress that is not good for us. Sometimes we can't control the bad stresses of life. These can build up and makes us unhappy. That's when we have to find things that make us happy to get rid of that bad stress. For example, listening to music, reading, going for a walk, doing sports we enjoy and talking to someone. Anything that relieves the stress. Take a look at the document below. It shows a stress bucket, sometimes called a stress container. As it gets full, the tap releases some of that bad stress. Have a think what you could do to release the bad stresses.

What is an ELSA?

An ELSA  (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) is a specially trained professional who works with children to support their emotional intelligence. We all have emotions. Emotions are necessary to be a functioning human being. Sometimes, we may need a little bit of help to be able to understand our emotions. That's where an ELSA can support.

Who is the ELSA at Southglade Primary School?

My name is Mrs McCarthy. I am the ELSA at Southglade. I have been trained by Educational Psychologists to be able to offer interventions to children who might need support with their emotions.

Interventions include

Anger management, bereavement support, anxiety worries, confidence and self esteem and friendship worries.

Sessions are confidential unless I feel a child is unsafe or I need to liaise with parents, carers or teachers. The child usually has a target that we can work on together, for example , a child with anger may try to use a learned strategy, like breathing, instead of losing their temper. 

I love my ELSA role as well as my Learning Mentor role. I am always happy to answer any questions about ELSA and can be contacted at school by email julia.mccarthy@southglade.nottingham.sch.uk

Mrs McCarthy ELSA

Here are some useful contacts if you need support.

Place 2 Be          place2be.org.uk

Young minds       youngminds.org.uk

Calm                   thecalmzone.net

Childline           free number       08001111

Samaritans       free number        116123

kooth                kooth.com

me and my mind             meandmymind.nhs.uk 

papyrus hope line uk       papyrus-uk.org         

Remember every day try to ...

*Exercise

*Help others (it makes you feel good)

*Learn something new

*Notice what is around you. Look up!

*Connect with others. Call, write, message safely.

Sleep

Getting enough, quality sleep is so important for all of us. Children need sleep to be able to concentrate on their work. When we don't get enough sleep we often feel grumpy, tired, irritable and sometimes our mood can be very low.

Here are some top tips for a good night's sleep...

*Try to have a good routine.

*Go to bed at a reasonable time

* Have a bath or shower and relax in your night wear, or something comfortable.

*Try a nice warm drink. Something like drinking chocolate or warm milk.

* Make sure the lighting in your room is not bright and when sleeping try to have a dark room.

*Listen to some relaxing music. Nothing that is going to make you want to dance!

*Read a book or a magazine in bed. Something fun...not scary.

*AVOID DEVICES! They stimulate your brain and will keep you awake.

*Try some gentle stretches before bed.

*Listen to an app....rainfall, birds, gentle relaxation music.

Below is a video , It's called Yoga for kids. Yoga can be very relaxing and it's worth a try before getting ready for bed.

Mrs McCarthy has top tips for staying well.

Every single day try too...

*Exercise. This could include a daily walk, jog, game of football in the garden, skipping,  online class.

*Learn something new. Look for online courses, read a book about a new subject, google a subject or person.

*Notice.  Look around you! There are things you have never seen. Look up! (mindfulness)

*Connect. Call a friend or family member. Email, text,  do it safely! Speak to the people you live with,

*Help  Helping others makes you feel good and gives you a happy feeling. Try it.

Here are some useful places to turn to, if you need to talk or need support with your mental health.

Child line 0800 1111

youngminds.org.uk

Samaritans 116123 or text 07725909090

kooth.com

calm helpline 0800 585858 (campaign against living miserably)

HOPE line uk 0800 0684141 papyrus-uk.org

As always, you can contact a learning mentor  julia.mccarthy@southglade.nottingham.sch.uk

lisa.chambers@southglade.nottingham.sch.uk

Hi,

Below is a link to a CAMHS YouTube channel. There are videos on there for primary aged children and secondary. I would like to recommend watching the lady Sarah, who has long dark hair. She reminds me of me! I think she talks in a way that you will understand, as I hope I do (I try). Hope you give them a watch. I really like the one about worry.

Mrs McCarthy. 

Hello Everyone,

Please take some time to go to our bereavement page below. If you feel you might need some support right now, there are some websites to visit that may help. Also some activities to try.

Mrs M.

ELSA SUPPORT

The lovely Debbie at ELSA support has given permission for children and adults to download activities. See below. Mrs M.

See the links

 Check out the links for some great advice on anxiety and worries about illness or if someone you know has died. Mrs M.

Mrs McCarthy is a trained ELSA.  ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. This means that she can deliver specifically planned interventions to children who may need support with emotions. Areas covered include anger, behaviour, anxiety, confidence and bereavement.

Mrs McCarthy is also trained in Mental Health First Aid and so some of her ELSA work includes mental health support.