Focus on… The Wellbeing Meter
Mental health and emotional wellbeing are just as important to our lives as our physical health. At Hardenhuish we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community and we know that mental health and wellbeing can affect children’s learning and achievement. By supporting wellbeing we can also support our pupils to succeed.
The Wellbeing Meter is our tool to help support pupils to talk about their mental health and steps they can take to promote positive wellbeing. It is based around four key areas:
· Belonging: Do you feel connected, supported, and celebrated by your friends and the school community? Can you ask for help and rely on others without fear of judgment?
· Positivity: What are you looking forward to in the future? How would you describe your overall mood and energy levels, and how do you cope with challenges or setbacks?
· Challenge: Are you challenging yourself to grow by setting ambitious goals, learning new skills, and seeking feedback? Do you embrace opportunities outside your comfort zone and keep going when faced with setbacks?
· Uniquely You: Do you value and feel confident in yourself? Can you name your strengths?
Pupils can rate themselves against the four areas and then are encouraged to think FRESH: Fuel, Reflect, Exercise, Sleep and Hydrate – all ways in which they can support their own wellbeing. If any concerns are raised following these discussions then there is a wide range of support available through our pastoral system, school counsellors and mentoring programmes.
Cadbury World Visit
On Wednesday, our Year 11 Business students had the exciting opportunity to explore the world of chocolate at Cadbury World. The visit included a factory tour, where students observed the production process and gained insight into how Cadbury’s iconic products are made. They also experienced hands-on chocolate tempering and explored the interactive museum, learning about the brand’s rich history.
A highlight of the day was an engaging marketing lecture delivered by Cadbury’s team, offering valuable perspectives on how the company positions itself in a competitive global market. This visit provided students with a practical understanding of business concepts in action and demonstrated how theory translates into real-world strategies within a leading international brand.
Student Achievement
Congratulations to GCSE Business student Finnley Howarth-Smith who has shown outstanding entrepreneurial spirit by running his own stall at his local Christmas market for the second year in a row. His creative approach included a Pokémon-themed lucky dip, a “Spin the Wheel” game with prizes, and a range of Pokémon-related products that proved hugely popular with visitors. His efforts highlight key business skills such as innovation, marketing, and customer engagement in a real-world setting. He will be attending another event at the end of January to continue growing his business venture.
Food Donations
Thank you very much for your kind donations of food to St Peter’s Church FoodBox, which we shall be giving them today. The FoodBox project collects donated food alongside surplus food from local stores, and distributes this to those in need throughout the Chippenham area. We know that your generosity will have a really positive impact on our local community.
