Dear Dorchester families,
Next week is Children's Mental Health Week, which is organised by the charity Place2Be. The 2025 theme is Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, and the charity have partnered with Disney Pixar's Inside Out 2, the hit film about emotions.
The theme encourages kids to understand their feelings—whether it’s joy, sadness, anxiety, or even a mix of emotions all at once. By recognising how different emotions affect them, children can build coping strategies and resilience, helping them navigate challenges with confidence.
They have also published the following advice for parents:
How can parents support their child’s mental health?
Even small steps can make a big difference in helping your child feel heard and supported. Here are some simple ways to get involved during Children’s Mental Health Week—and beyond:
- Encourage open conversations – Create a safe space for your child to talk about their feelings without fear of judgment. Let them know it’s okay to experience a range of emotions.
- Lead by example – Show your child how you manage emotions by talking about your own feelings in a healthy way.
- Help them recognise their triggers – Talk about what situations make them feel anxious, sad, or happy, and explore ways to manage those feelings.
- Make time for play and relaxation – Activities like drawing, journaling, or outdoor play can help children process emotions in a positive way.
There is further advice on supporting your child with emotional literacy in the 'Safeguarding and Pastoral Care' section of the newsletter below.
At school, we use Zones of Regulation to support children in regulating their emotions. You can read more about them here so that you can use shared language with your child. Remember that, if you need support in helping your child to regulate their emotions at home, you can contact Julie Enright, our Home School Link Worker, who will be very happy to share some ideas with you.
It was wonderful to see so many parents attend our Education Wellbeing workshop on Managing Friendships yesterday. This area can prove very challenging for children, and it was lovely to be able to share expertise and ideas to support children through the inevitable friendship situations that will arise during their time at school. Thank you to all who attended.
Have a lovely weekend
Cathy Bell
Headteacher
