Tabonuco Tree By Matt Barnard:- Page 4

I was incredibly impressed by our group of peer listeners this term, who felt that the Mental Health First Aid training they received, would not only be helpful for the Year 7s, but their fellow Year 13 friends. They reminded me of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, as students support fellow students. Being on the receiving end of an empathic, compassionate listener can make a world of difference when you feel isolated with your own problems.

Talking to others and sharing experiences can help us regulate our own emotions. Keeping those feelings fight/flight/freeze or collapse responses at a manageable level. At the same time, in being the listener you can gain insight into your own perspective, and I must say, I learn something new each time I meet with a young person for a session; it’s what’s been sustaining me throughout this difficult time.

I would like to thank the Psychotherapist Ana Gomez, who during a Zoom conference from Colombia, told the story of the Tabonuco tree. It’s meaning has been shared from a small island in the Caribbean, to Latin America and on to our small island of the UK. It’s this network of connections (root system), that has allowed me to pass on this piece of knowledge of how we can weather this storm together.

The Peer Listeners become Youth Mental Health First Aiders

This term the Counselling Service had the pleasure of delivering the Youth Mental Health First Aid training to the Year 13 Peer Listeners. They are now equipped with some listening techniques to support a young person’s mental health, spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues, have the confidence to reassure and support a young person in distress and have strategies to look after their own mental wellbeing.

By Matt Barnard and Donna Brunstrom

Back row, left to right –Ella Myers, Cristina Garcia Rapoport, Luke Wright, Grace Whitty, Matt Barnard, Stacey Haziri, Leanne Elias, Theodore Colbert, Harry Lawal, Oscar Graham, Samuel Cooper and John Boyd.

Front row, left to right Raphaela GoeldnerThompson, Beatrice Vincent-Ratti, Bea Quinney, Grace Chaikin, Sarita Bray, Donna Brunstrom, Linnea Hopfenbeck, Siana Jacob, Alexey Savelyev, Jose Villarroel and Imogen Eve.

CHERWELL GIVES BACK EVENT - DEC 2021

Year 12 were fantastic in Social Wellbeing and all got super involved in the Cherwell Gives back event on Friday 10th December.

Research suggests that all acts of giving and kindness however small, are associated with positive mental wellbeing. Giving our time to others in a constructive way helps us to strengthen our relationships and build new ones, and of course, relationships with others also influence mental wellbeing. This year students worked in small groups to prepare a box of donations.

They chose one of two local organisations to support:

1) Providers - supporting people going through mental health crises and who are staying in a mental health ward by providing practical items and items that can bring some comfort.

2) Oxford Mutual Aid - an organisation that started during the pandemic and is currently supporting 8000 vulnerable members of our local community (of all different ages) every week.

We made over 80 boxes which will make a difference to those individuals at what can often be a challenging time of year. Well done Year 12 and we hope that you enjoy a lovely break.

By Ms Dorn

Katie Brunwin from ‘Providers at Christmas’ takes delivery of some of the charity boxes

I can't thank you enough for your hard work in collecting and wrapping donations for 'Provide'. Everything was so beautifully done and so much care gone into it. I really loved the Christmas messages you wrote as well. You all deserve a medal!

This year we have had enough gifts to provide for 54 patients at the Warneford, your work has blessed many people in hospital this Christmas. Please thank anyone who donated.

This is our 4th year collaborating together! We could not have done it without you.

All have a wonderful Christmas you have earnt it and blessings into the new year

Year 11 Mock Virtual Interviews

All of our Year 11 students had the chance to ‘dress up’ and take part in a mock virtual interview in October, during World of Work week. Students prepared their CVs in advance and local employers and trainers (boosted by our fabulous Cherwell parents) gave up their time to hold short virtual interviews with our students and provide them with verbal and written feedback. The interviewers were overwhelmingly positive about their experience, see some of their comments below:

Mark Massingham - BMW The students were of very high standard, I was very impressed and had some great conversations with them.

Laura Jones – Lucy Group It’s been a fantastic privilege to meet your very talented students today, I have thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Daniela Petrovic – Telecom Research & Development They are all smart young people with a lot of potential, which is a great testament to Cherwell School.

Steph Stansbie – Little Tiger Press This was such a rewarding experience - thank you!