CHS Wellbeing

Cwmbran High School Wellbeing and pastoral department. Celebrating and supporting our amazing pupils to be the best that they can be!

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

To any parent whose child is experiencing school anxiety, this story is really worth reading. Sarah shares what happened when her daughter Emily couldn’t go to school because of overwhelming anxiety.

“Primary school was easy. Emily was outgoing, sociable, loved her drama classes. Secondary started well: new friends, good grades. She seemed positive.

Then, in Year 8, things went wrong. First came the odd detention; then repeated warnings in class, frequent calls home, meetings about behaviour.

We stumbled on until the pandemic sent school online. At home, Emily became withdrawn. She saw less of friends. Reluctantly, she returned to school for Year 9, but things fell apart in weeks. One morning she simply said she couldn’t put her uniform on or go in. I knew nothing about anxiety-related school absence. I naively thought young people just got up and went unless they were physically ill.

Attempts to cajole or force (yes, I bundled her into the car one day) led to panic attacks and uncommunicative days under the duvet. As term progressed, so did the anxiety. The result was six months of depression, self-harm - and no more school that academic year.

It was deeply distressing; for Emily mainly, but also for me. Witnessing your child’s mental health decline rapidly is terrifying. It was also very isolating. Even the most empathetic friends and family cannot understand without direct experience.

Where are we now?

Emily, now in Year 10, is in school most days. She works on her anxiety with a fantastic mentor and spends breaks in a quiet room. She has regular CAMHS appointments and is waiting for an autism assessment. Things aren’t easy, but they are so much better.

The turning point was hospital admission after a particularly serious self-harm incident. A psychiatrist assessed Emily (she had previously refused to engage with CAMHS) and prescribed sertraline for anxiety and depression. There was real improvement, quickly. It was an indescribable relief.

After a few weeks, Emily said she felt like going back to school. She was still anxious, as well as nervous about missed work and what people would be saying, and there were some failed attempts. Then her mentor offered a home visit. They chatted and then she suggested Emily put her uniform on for a walk “just to the school gates”. She managed an hour in school for the next three days. That would have seemed inconceivable previously. The home visit from school was the link we needed.

There are still days when Emily can’t go in, but letting go of the idea that education has to be a linear progression helps. It’s not easy, but I try not to worry about the future too much. I’ve learnt that mental health takes priority over education. School remains a daily battle for Emily, and I am so proud of what she has achieved.”

If you relate to Sarah’s story, our Parents Helpline can support you. You can call us call us for free on 0808 802 5544, from 09:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. You’ll get through to a trained adviser who will listen and talk through your concerns in complete confidence. You are not alone in this.

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

Make sure that your new school tie is collected ready for a perfect start to the new year! 😁

[CHS Transition and year 7 with Mrs H @CwmbranHighYr7]

Hot off the press!
The new school tie is available at school for collection for ALL pupils. Mrs Woodcock is based in lower school to distribute these (reception is currently out of action). Ties are available Tuesday to Thursday 9-3 and Friday 10:30 - 3:30 @CwmbranHigh

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

The very best of luck to everyone collecting their exam results today. Remember to.....

[CHS Transition @transition_chs]

As we speed towards September, we look forward to welcoming our new year 7 pupils.
Please ensure that uniform meets school policy requirements (see the link). The policy has changed and pupils should wear proper school shoes, no trainers.
https://t.co/oan6akp6Ma

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

Amazing work this year, can't wait for all the new projects!
https://t.co/ZMdQMc3k9u

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

@coach_rgower @SOHKCharity Heartbroken that I missed you guys leaving. Take care all. X

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

A great day!

[CHSTyfu @chs_tyfu]

Free workshops for any parents of young people who may need support during the summer break.

[Torfaen Health, Sport & Fitness @TorfaenH_S_F]

@torfaencouncil @TorfaenLeisureT @torfaenyouth @torfaenplayserv @TorfaenLibrary @CS_TCBC @AtWorkTorfaen @MarkWilliamsFMH @CwmbranLife @iamElliottRae @MFFonline_ @ScottMair9

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

One of our very own! Very proud 👏

[CwmbranLife @CwmbranLife]

💇🏻‍♀️ Cwmbran teenager Ella Jenkins walked into a hair and beauty academy at 14 as a "shy, anxious young girl." Two years later she's changed into a "confident, articulate" woman with qualifications who new students look to for support.

📰 Read her story:
https://t.co/tOGlgnLuFT

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you Mrrs Hobbs for arranging this awesome day!

[Cwmbran High PE Dept @CwmbranHigh_PE]

A fab day with our KS3 girls today, we hope you all enjoyed the activities. Massive thanks to everyone who helped make our day great!! #NotInMissOut @CRedmanRugbyHub @GLAMSCHS @CwmbranHighYr7 @CwmbranHighYr8 @CwmbranHead @CwmbranHigh

[CwmbranLife @CwmbranLife]

Don’t forget to donate any old school uniform items to go to the ‘swap and shop’ days to help parents save cash in Torfaen. CoStar in Fairwater is one drop off venue. More venue info here: https://t.co/3Uf8mTnylR

[YoungMinds @YoungMindsUK]

"It's okay that you can't feel like you can solve someone else's problems. You're already doing the best you can just by being there for them."

Crystal, Activist

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

It was great to meet you all!

[CHS Transition @transition_chs]

What a great Move Up Day year 6! You were a pleasure to have at school. Excellent behaviour and great effort in lessons, well done 👏🏼
We look forward to September 😊
#NotInMissOut @CwmbranHigh

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

Amazing support for our pupils! Any questions please contact me.
#notinmissout @CwmbranHigh

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

@CeriWilliams23 @CwmbranHigh_PE Well done Charlie 👏

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

Lovely event and amazing achievements shared well done all 🥰

[CHSTyfu @chs_tyfu]

Thank you to everyone who attended our film awards ceremony, The Tyfties. We are so proud to share the success of our pupils - they make us proud every day. Parents, thank you for your support - your engagement means the world to our youngsters. #NotInMissOut @CwmbranHead

[CHSTyfu @chs_tyfu]

We are ready for our film awards, The Tyfties. Looking forward to seeing everyone. #NotInMissOut @CwmbranHead @CwmbHSWellbeing @CwmbranHighYr7

[CHS Wellbeing @CwmbHSWellbeing]

More PRIDE photos of our amazing young people 🌈