Support

The Social Science Department at Southam College are proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week from Monday 10th May -16th May.

This year’s theme focuses on the importance of nature and the benefits it has upon our mental health and wellbeing. It has been proven that nature is central to our psychological and emotional health and this has been evident from our very own experiences during the lockdown period. 

During the week, tutors will be delivering an assembly on personal experiences of mental health (please refer to the clips below). Please be aware that there are sensitive topics discussed but students will be made aware of this prior to the session beginning. If they need support their tutors will be on hand. Students will also be signposted to internal and external support. In addition, during the week, we will be uploading our very own top tips for mental health and wellbeing via social media. Please keep an eye out for these. If you have any useful tips and would like us to share them with our students, please do let me know by emailing your suggestions. 
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y97VF5UJcc

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/personal-stories/5-ways-to-ask-twice-when-your-mate-says-im-fine

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/personal-stories/depression-isnt-choice-it-can-happen-to-anyone

Furthermore, during the week, we will be delivering a competition requesting students to create and design their own pompoms. We are aiming to create a display from all the entries in order to create a “pombomb” by hanging the Pom Pom’s on the trees at the front of school on Wednesday 6th May. Our display aims to symbolise brightness and hope, connections with nature and individual experiences.  This campaign was initially instigated in memory of Holly, who sadly lost her battle to mental health (refer to the link below).

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/heartbreaking-story-behind-colourful-pompom-15826071

October 2021 - Warwickshire Online Safety leaflet 

Coronavirus has dominated our conversations at home for several months now. As the news, social media and conversation has moved towards race demonstrations and protests in the USA, UK and around the world, we would like to support you with the conversations you might be having at home with students. 

Vocabulary

There are certain words and phrases that have been used recently. Most of them are not new, but will have come to students’ and adult’s attention. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-52892949In this article, the BBC explain the terms ‘white privilege’, ‘ally’, ‘white saviour’, the use of the phrase ‘All Lives Matter’.

Another term that we would like to address:

‘colourblindness’ While this is a well-intentioned phrase, intended to show that you see the person, not the colour, it can be problematic. ‘Colourblindness’ takes discussion of racism off the table and supresses racist experiences and racial inequalities. For students and adults, if we see colour, then we can hear if somebody is making a racist comment and we can address it. This encourages us to be more than non-racist, but anti-racist.

History

An issue that has been raised in the past and has come to light more recently, is a lack of awareness among many of us relating to black British history. It is important to understand the history of contemporary racism in order to support the conversations we are having at home.

BBC Newsbeat has put together some useful information on this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-52939694

 https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-gender-identity-issues/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/away-from-home/at-school/

Young Minds - Talking to your child about coronavirus

Coronavirus: Helpful information to answer questions from children

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers

https://www.theparentingplace.com/technology/how-do-i-get-my-son-off-the-xbox/

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/5-strategies-for-getting-kids-off-devices

New technologies have become integral to lives of children and young people in today's society, both within schools and in their lives outside school. Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times. It is important that children know how to keep safe when using new technology.

SOCIAL MEDIA APPS

The way we access the internet is constantly changing and no longer confined to desktop computers. More children than ever are going online on phones, tablets and even game consoles. New social media sites crop up regularly, many have positive attributes but there's no denying the potential dangers, such as identity theft, cyber bullies, exposure to predators and reputation damage. Privacy is not always guaranteed on some of these popular apps.

You can view some helpful safeguarding websites below:

• Think u Know
• Childnet International
• Child Exploitation & Online Protection
• NSPCC Online Safety
• Apple Products - Understanding Restrictions (Parental Control)

Advice Sheet 1 - Road Safety.

Warwickshire’s Family Information Service (FIS)

The Family Information Service offers free information to support families with children and young people aged 0 to 25 across Warwickshire.

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis

22 OCTOBER 2020

Did you know…Next Saturday night we will be setting the clocks back an hour and summer time ends. Road traffic collisions increase by 20% in the fortnight after the time change. Children under-16 are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users.

The latest available government statistics (2015)* show that 58% of children who die or are seriously injured in a road collision are involved in incidents between 3 and 7pm. From next Sunday, much of those will happen in darkness. 

Whilst younger children are at risk, the data shows that 11 - 15 year olds are actually at more at risk from accidents that kill or result in serious injury.

The resources below will help remind children, especially teenagers, about road safety and safe cycling. 

Teaching Road Safety: A Guide for Parents https://www.rospa.com/media/documents/road-safety/teaching-road-safety-a-guide-for-parents.pdf
 

road safety

17 November 2020

Did you know? Our safeguarding fortnightly fact. 

The Guardian reported that during the first 7 weeks of the previous national lockdown, there was a domestic abuse call EVERY 30 seconds. Sadly we know it happens and we know it happens in Warwickshire, but please know there are places to get help