Jewell Academy students all given a sunflower to remind them about growing together as they mark Children’s Mental Health Week

More than 400 primary school children have been given a sunflower each to care for to remind them of the importance of growing together. 

Every pupil at Jewell Academy has been sent home with a pot, sunflower seed and soil to enable them to grow their plant. 

The aim of the whole-school activity was to mark Children’s Mental Health Week which came to an end on Sunday February 13th. 

Ali Sinclair, Vice-Principal at Jewell, which is based in the Townsend area of Bournemouth, said the upheaval caused by the pandemic has been challenging for children. 

Explaining the importance of the sunflowers, she said: ‘’Growing things is great for mental health and wellbeing. Having a sunflower to care for will give children a sense of ownership, having a sense of responsibility also gives them a sense of purpose. It’s important to recognise the need for positive mental health because it means children will be happy in school and able to do their best learning.

‘’The theme of this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is Growing Together and I think particularly this year it is about growing emotionally and recognising, yes, we face challenges but we can help each other to grow. The sunflower will help them symbolically to do that. The growing together theme is about growing emotionally and finding ways to help each other grow. Challenges can help us grow and trying new things can help us reach our potential – it’s all about using your growth mindset!’’

Bournemouth Echo article about the sunflowers handed out to take home for Children’s Mental Health Week.

Reception pupils: Mason Evans-Fatogun & Amelia-Rose Barton holding their sunflowers

Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Now in its eighth year, this year’s theme is Growing Together. 

Place2Be’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, marked this year’s event  by reading The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark for CBeebies Bedtime Story. 

The Duchess has marked Children’s Mental Health Week for several years in line with her work in early years development. 

Reception pupils: Mason Evans-Fatogun & Amelia-Rose Barton holding their sunflowers