Hello everyone,

I hope you are feeling great and keeping warm with the recent chill in the air.

We certainly have been keeping busy in the Wellbeing space at school. The wellbeing room is open mornings, recess and lunch for those students in need. I also welcome parents to pop in after school, should you need a chat about your child’s wellbeing or mental health.

Over the last couple of weeks we have been focusing on yoga, building small cities, finger knitting and playing card games in the wellbeing room. Also, many students who visit me just come in to chat through some big emotions, draw, read or have some quiet time.

Our St Patrick’s Therapy Dog ,Zahli, has been very busy winning hearts. She is so happy and her energy is contagious. Zahli has a very busy day at school, so she is only able to attend on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Zahli loves active club in the mornings. You might see her playing ball, walking with kids or having a little dance to the music. She loves a cuddle that’s for sure.

Zahli has been visiting all classrooms. She is a very lucky dog because lots of students have been reading to her, crafting with her and even letting her join in their maths groups. She also loves hearing singing, so prayer is one of her favourite times.

When students need a bit of extra love and support, Zahli is a great listener. She loves to lean into a person’s body to help them calm down, feel safe and secure. She has recently been helping me to teach students about deep breathing, another very important tool in everyone’s mental health tool kit.

When students come and spend time in the wellbeing room at recess or lunch, Zahli is in her element. She loves building, playing ball, drawing, watching Lego being constructed, and relaxing in the pillow corner with Big Ted. You will often find her snoozing her after everyone goes back to class.

We are very lucky to have Zahli helping us with our wellbeing. There is a huge amount of evidence-based research around the benefits of Therapy Dogs, and she sure does teach us so much, every day.

Keep well, reach out to anyone here at St Patricks if you need some extra support. Remember to enjoy each day, time is precious, and you are so very worth making your life the best it can be.

Take care,

Kelly Wilson.