As part of our rich Life Education programme Year 10 pupils took part in a fantastic series of sessions on Thursday aimed at promoting a holistic understanding of health. The day’s activities were thoughtfully designed to cover a wide range of important topics, equipping pupils with essential skills and knowledge for their well-being.
Year 10 had the opportunity to participate in engaging, hands-on sessions, including CPR. This practical workshop taught the lifesaving skill of performing CPR, a vital ability that could make a life-changing difference in an emergency situation. They learned how to assess an emergency, provide chest compressions, and use a defibrillator, all under the guidance of our amazing school nurses. In addition, pupils were taken through the procedure for using an EpiPen, from what allergens might trigger a severe reaction, to calmly delivering the medication in an emergency situation: “blue to sky, orange to thigh!”
In addition to the CPR session, the students engaged in a 3-hour self-defence workshop led by the inspiring organisation Action Breaks Silence. Founded by Debi Steven, Action Breaks Silence works to empower individuals, particularly women and young people, by providing self-defence training and personal safety education. Debi Steven, a dedicated advocate for safety and self-empowerment, started the organisation with the goal of equipping people with the tools to protect themselves and raise awareness of violence prevention. During the workshop, Year 10 pupils were taught vital self-defence techniques designed to keep them safe in difficult situations. The session focused on building confidence, promoting personal safety, and teaching strategies to assess and avoid dangerous circumstances.
The day also included an informative session on nutrition from our very own Sports Graduate, Hannah, with a focus on understanding the fundamental ingredients of a healthy diet and the realities of supplements and protein consumption. Putting her master’s degree in applied sport and exercise nutrition to very good use, Hannah’s session emphasised the importance of obtaining essential nutrients from whole foods and understanding that different bodies have different needs. Pupils were also provided with valuable insight into the world of dietary supplements and the often misunderstood role they play in health and fitness, as well as helping them to carefully challenge the credibility of some health and fitness ‘gurus’ online.
Henry Hudson from People Change Minds led our Year 10s through an engaging discussion around inclusivity and diversity, challenging stereotypes, promoting empathy and understanding, and teaching us that whatever situation we found ourselves in we should communicate with compassion and consideration for those different to ourselves. Healthy conversations begin with understanding that differences within our community do exist and are valued, and so we should always do our best to use language thoughtfully and challenge those around us who don’t.
Mr N House, Life Education Coordinator, Middle School