On Friday 15th October, St Hilary’s Prep School in Godalming were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Godalming and a number of other special guests for the grand opening of their Wellbeing Centre, ‘The Nest.’
Pupils will use this space to relax and develop their own mental health awareness, increasing their resilience and confidence to discuss their thoughts with dedicated staff trained in mental health and ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants). The school believes that Wellbeing and excellent pastoral care go hand-in-hand with progress and achievement, as reflected in Year 6 pupils’ recent record number of exhibitions and scholarships to senior schools.
Situated above the Art room, The Nest has been designed by parent, Mrs Wilson (of Anna Wilson Interiors) and has been created to look very different from the school’s classroom spaces. The Nest is a large, calming space full of soft furnishings, comfortable relaxation areas, beanbags and star-effect lighting in the ceiling.
Headmistress, Mrs Whittingham, said; “The happiness and safety of the pupils in our care is of paramount importance to us as we strive to ensure that they develop their resilience as well as acquiring strategies to promote positive wellbeing. We are very proud of the exemplary pastoral care our boys and girls receive. Indeed, this was a crucial part of the offering to our families during the lockdown periods, sitting alongside the remote learning and then in the transition back to school.
We are very grateful to the Friends of St Hilary’s for their support with this new initiative.”
The Senior Prefects surprised Mrs Whittingham with a Gratitude Journal which included messages of gratitude from pupils and staff and ideas for maintaining positive wellbeing. The Mayor and other guests also took the chance to contribute their own messages to the journal.
The Nest has already been put to good use, with pupils enjoying the new space and the benefits it brings.
