Statement of intent for PSHE:

We can be responsible, social and healthy citizens for the future.

At St Matthew’s Primary School, we aim to give the children the life skills they require to become future model citizens in our society. We believe that children should understand what the future holds for them and how they can make positive choices in their life. We encourage children to speak out about anything they feel is unjust or something they believe strongly in.

In our school we feel it is vital that children are able to express themselves and talk to others about their feelings, emotions and mental wellbeing as well as being a good listener for those who may wish to confide in them. The Zones of Regulation is a strategy used to equip children with these life skills.

Our PSHE teaching will ensure children are ready for the next chapter in their lives and are able to deal with what the future may hold. In each year group, PSHE is taught around the following topics:

• Physical Health and well-being
• Mental health and emotional well-being
• Keeping safe and managing risks
• Identity, society and equality
• Careers, financial capability and economic well-being
• Drug, alcohol and tobacco education
• Sex and relationships education

All of the above are taught in an age appropriate manner at St. Matthew’s Primary School. We make sure we are sensitive towards others but at the same time inclusive. Safeguarding is always at the forefront of what we do, especially when teaching sensitive materials.

PSHE

At St Matthews Primary School we aim to promote healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We encourage all our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community through class & school councils, fundraising events, supporting nominated charities and involvement in community activities. Our pupils are given opportunities in PSHE and assemblies to develop confidence, self-motivation and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities within our diverse society. 

It is delivered to all students at St Matthews  through work in lesson time and a wide range of activities across and beyond the curriculum; pupils gain practical knowledge and skills to help them live healthily and deal with any personal issues they face as they approach adulthood.

Children's Mental Health Week - February 2024

We kick started the week with an assembly about Mental Health. We discussed the Mental Health Continuum and how different situations may affect how we feel. When feeling overwhelmed, the high 5 breathing technique could be really useful. We ended the assembly by each class receiving a new book to boost self - esteem.

Wellbeing Day - Friday 9th February 2024

Each year, our school wellbeing day has been a huge success. On Friday 9^th February, it is our next school wellbeing day. This is a day where we learn about positive well-being and engage in a variety of activities. Photos will be uploaded below of children engaging in the sessions.

Useful links

World Mental Health Day - October 2023

We enjoyed assemblies this week based on having positive mental health. We introduced The Zones of Regulation as a resource to equip children with key skills. (this is below). Each year group engaged in different activities. Reception pupils read the book 'Incredible You' and shared discussions about what makes us incredible. They then completed an activity to share positive words about ourselves and reflected on what we do well.

Zones of Regulation

Inspired by The Zones of Regulation, we've created our own version to link it with one of our favourite books, The Colour Monster. This is a really useful tool to help children understand their feelings can put them in different zones. Our aim is for children to recognise these feelings and zones and to develop strategies together.

Personal development 

Personal development underpins our curriculum as this involves developing knowledge, attitudes, skills, relationships and our behaviour choices. This links with many other areas of school life, especially Christian values. Our aim is to create calm, kind, patient, compassionate and inclusive individuals. 

Careers Week - June 2023

We enjoyed a successful careers week. Some classes enjoyed visits from a criminal barrister, a district judge, an Everton footballer, engineers, doctors, vets, police officers and paramedics. This week has inspired children to think about their passions.

International Week - November 2023

A huge thank you to our amazing families and staff members who kindly donated their time to help us learn about many different counties. This has linked closely with our Reflection Time learning as we have learnt about how different countries celebrate Christmas. It is so important to help us become more inclusive and celebrate our wonderful world.

Growth Mindset

We can when we have a growth mindset. Children start learning about having a positive growth mindset in Reception through a range of books e.g. Tilda Tries Again, Mabel and The Mountain. These skills develop throughout their school experience.

British Values

International week supports the value of respect and treating others fairly. This is a key message, our aim is for all children to feel comfortable and safe throughout the school day.

School council is created by each class voting for their class member after they have delivered a class speech. This helps them understand the meaning of the word democracy. This group of children then work very closely with Mrs Molloy to make important decisions for the school e.g. charitable lent project, food bank collections. 

Celebrations

Our aim is to encourage positive behaviour choices through positive praise. We use a range of strategies throughout the school day to promote positive choices. Star of the week certificates are given out during our weekly shine assembly. Golden Certificates are awarded during lunchtimes to encourage kindness and good listening.