Workshop Helps Promote Self-Esteem 

Pupils in Leckby are looking at how to build their resilience and boost their self-esteem ahead of the build-up to GCSE examinations.

Year 9 pupils welcomed Thesan Coaching and Training to the school this week to deliver a day-long masterclass in building their self-esteem. The event coincides with the build-up to World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October.

The series of workshops focused on building pupils’ confidence in dealing with life’s challenges and encouraging them to reflect on their strengths, both as an individual and in a team.

Thesan’s Sue O’Leary-Hall led the sessions. During one of the workshops, pupils had to complete a task and overcome adversity along the way. She said: “During a workshop called ‘The Rice Game’, pupils had to work under pressure and respond to a number of scenarios from suffering significant building issues to having to pay for medical treatment!”

Sue added: “Afterwards, they reflected on the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours: The pupils realised that each of us has the capacity to choose how we respond in difficult circumstances and that we are each responsible for our own behaviours.”

The pupils also explored a variety of friendship scenarios, considering how they might respond to peer pressure both in school and in their social lives.

The event also was complemented by an accompanying Parent Seminar which provided an opportunity for the Thesan team to share research with parents on how to develop children’s self-esteem and enabling children to rehearse potential responses for new social situations.

Cundall Manor School’s Wellbeing Support Teacher, Mrs Diane Riddell, said: “It’s been wonderful to see our pupils engaging in activities that raise awareness of personal strengths alongside their mental and emotional resilience. Thesan’s tasks today have been practical and fun as well as challenging and thought-provoking. It is a great start to the week and is a superb starting point for World Mental Health Day.”