Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 began with a powerful Chapel that introduced this year’s theme, ‘this is my place’, and invited the whole school community to reflect on the importance of belonging. The message was clear: feeling that you belong is not a small thing – it is fundamental to wellbeing, identity and growth.
During adolescence, identity is still being shaped. As shared in Chapel, belonging gives young people permission to try new things, to take healthy risks and even to fail without feeling crushed. When students feel safe and accepted, they are far more likely to engage in learning, ask for help when they need it and believe that they truly matter. Creating a culture where everyone feels they belong is something we take very seriously, and the chapel reminded us that small actions, repeated every day, can change what a school feels like.
Across the week, the theme came to life through a wide range of creative, reflective, and joyful activities. Girls engaged thoughtfully with the idea of belonging through time-lapse canvases, capturing how feelings, ideas and identities evolve over time. Pebble painting offered a quieter, mindful space for self-expression, with messages and designs reflecting connection, kindness, and place.
Many students chose to express their views through the Wellbeing Survey and filming, sharing their voices and perspectives on what belonging means to them and how the school community can continue to grow as a place where everyone feels seen. Alongside this, the pamper drop-in provided a relaxed and nurturing environment, giving girls the opportunity to pause, connect, and care for their wellbeing.
Throughout the week there was also plenty of laughter and shared enjoyment through group activities, reinforcing that belonging is often built in simple moments — spending time together, creating something side by side, and feeling comfortable being yourself.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 was a meaningful reminder that “this is my place” is not just a theme, but a commitment. By valuing inclusion, listening to one another, and recognising that small actions really do add up, we continue to shape a school community where every child knows they belong.
Mrs Chris Wildman
Wellbeing Practitioner
