As a school community promoting positive mental health is important for our students and staff. However, we are aware that the current situation has added pressure on everyone, and balancing education and positive mental health habits has become trickier.
It was clear from feedback from the questionnaires that all stakeholders noted that screen time has increased as a result of remote learning and the restrictions put in place due to Lockdown.
- Most students are spending between 5 and 6 hours on average on a screen for learning.
- Most students are spending between 9 – 11 hours total per day on a screen for learning, social media, gaming and watching TV.
- All stakeholders report a change in mood due to lock down.
- About 75% of students are getting DPA but only 30.3% of students are getting out daily.
As a result, we would like to introduce screen free afternoons after half term for each year group to enable students to move away from a screen and take part in an activity which makes them feel good. This is not more time to spend on social media, gaming or watching television. Here is a link to a video from our Ambassadors explaining the importance of spending time outside. https://tiverton.devon.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Getting-Outdoors-Video-THS.mp4
Timetable for screen free afternoons.
| Monday PM | Tuesday PM | Wednesday PM | Thursday PM | Friday PM | |
| W/c 22/02/21 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| W/c 01/03/21 | Year 11 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 |
| W/c 08/03/21 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| W/c 15/03/21 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 7 | Year 8 |
| W/c 22/03/21 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 7 |
| W/c 29/03/21 | Easter Break | Easter Break |
We encourage students to get outside and make the most of our surroundings, whilst following the national lock down restrictions. There are many activities which students can get involved with during this time. In THS Positive News you will find different ideas and these will be updated fortnightly. https://tiverton.devon.sch.uk/ths-positive-news/
A few suggestions are below…
- Get some fresh air and track your steps send them in to our Head Boy/Head Girl. As a whole school we are trying to accumulate 874 miles which is John O’Groats to Lands End.
- Try out the 4km sports captains running challenge, send in your results.
- Take a book and read somewhere different, take a photo and send it in.
- Take part in Devon Virtual Games. Devon Virtual Games is a series of active events by Active Devon. All students and families can participate. – https://www.activedevon.org/find-the-devonvirtualgames-overview-and-terms-conditions-here/
- Take part in our ‘Moments of Joy’ challenge, send us photos of what you have baked/cooked/made/written/seen to celebrate all the good things that are happening right now.
- Take part in the Royal Academy’s Young Artist competition. https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/
- Try cooking a recipe from the Positive News and send us in a photo of your delicious bakes.
- Try out our virtual bookshelf and engross yourself in a new book.
- Find a quiet space and try out some mindfulness exercises – Sit quietly and make a note of the sounds you hear, move to a different space and note down the sounds again.
- Get outside in the garden, prepare an area for some seeds to be planted. Then watch them grow.
- And finally, a message from The Rotary Club, who are looking for entries for two competitions they have running. If anyone is feeling creative, then get in touch with Rotary for more information!
-
- Rotary Young Environmentalist Competition – Are you passionate about the planet? Can you find ingenious ways to tackle carbon reduction? Then this is the competition for you!
- Rotary Young Filmmaker Competition – Can you write, edit and direct your own short film to transport viewers and stir emotions? Get your creative head on and record something on your phone!
- Entry is free. There are 3 age groups – 7-10, 11-13 and 14-17 and the closing date is March 26th, 2021. To find out more and get an entry form and information pack, email: rctiverton1175@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing what students choose to get up to during this allocated time and will celebrate with them. Please keep an eye on the website, Facebook page and THS Positive News for updates.
The school will not be setting any work for students during the half term holiday to ensure students have a break from their devices, please do encourage them to have time away from their screens where possible.
-