Ormiston Endeavour Academy marked World Mental Health Day with a week-long series of impactful activities aimed at promoting wellbeing and reducing stigma around mental health across the school community.
The academy kicked off the week with a dedicated evening for parents and carers, titled ‘Happy Families, Happy Minds’, in partnership with the local mental health support team. Aimed particularly at Year 7 families, the session focused on helping parents support their children in managing anxiety and navigating the transition to secondary school. Staff and students across the academy also took part in a full day of events designed to highlight the importance of self-care, community and positive mental health strategies.
Twenty staff members also undertook a static bike challenge, collectively cycling the distance from Ipswich to London in the academy’s main hall. Set to a motivational playlist, the activity served as a powerful reminder of the positive impact of exercise and music on mental wellbeing, while offering an energising start to the day for all involved.
Students and staff also came together for a positive bake sale, and everyone was encouraged to wear something yellow in support of the cause alongside yellow awareness pin ribbons being sold throughout the day, raising over £300 for Suffolk Mind.
Endeavour’s initiatives form part of its broader commitment to building a culture of wellbeing, empathy and support, empowering students with the tools they need to thrive both in and out of classroom.
Katy Morrow, Assistant Principal at Ormiston Endeavour Academy, said: “Wellbeing sits at the heart of everything we do at Endeavour, and Mental Health Awareness Day gave us a brilliant opportunity to celebrate that in action. From the warmth shown at our family event to the incredible energy of our staff and students during the cycle ride and bake sale, we’ve just seen how powerful our community can be when we come together to support mental health. It’s been inspiring and we’re proud to continue making this a priority all year round.”
Baljit Nhal, Head of Mental Health at Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see our schools leading the way with such thoughtful and creative approaches to mental health awareness. These events not only raise vital funds for brilliant causes, but also show young people that it’s okay to talk about mental health, to ask for help and to take care of themselves and each other. The work happening at Endeavour is a shining example of our Trust-wide commitment to mental health as a foundation for learning and life.”
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partner schools who took part in World Mental Health Day. Your enthusiasm, creativity and commitment have played an invaluable role in raising awareness of mental health across our wider community, while providing our pupils with enriching experiences and inspiring events that will have a lasting positive impact.