As part of the Government initiative to provide all school’s with elected funding to promote pupil catching up in their education during the pandemic. Here at Hartington we felt it was important that the children’s emotional and mental well being was a top priority. After discussions took place between staff and the governing body, the school applied to take part in the ELSA initiative which would involve a member of staff undertaking dedicated training in this area. The work would help to underpin the Nurture and Positive Support Programs already established within the school around this important subject matter. Following the training the practitioner from the school proudly informed the senior leadership team and governing body that she had successfully achieved ELSA accreditation both for herself and the school.

Congratulations on achieving this award.

Miss Robinson quoted ‘Working at the school, I am proud to be part of a team that is passionate about providing  a holistic approach to children’s education, mental health and well being. It is important that children are happy, content and receive support which empowers them to become active participants in their education both in and out of school.

Please click on this link to access further information regarding ELSA

This year the May Pole performance was undertaken on two separate occasions to a maximum audience of 30 people due to the Covid Pandemic restrictions. On Tuesday 6th and Friday 9th July the pupils performed 4 modern dances around the May Pole , songs and 4 very powerful poems about Dementia. These were written by class 2 pupils following work undertaken as part of the Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award. This was a ticket only event for parents and supporters of the school from the community.

The dances included ‘Black Magic’;  ‘Nine to Five’; ‘Shut up and dance with me’, and ‘Its raining men’.

One community member quoted: “You could pay good money to see a performance and not experience something as remarkable as this.”

Please read the Dementia Poems below, be warned have a tissue at the ready!

I am here to help                  Watched It

Dementia                    Dementia Poem

Adhering to government guidelines the children and staff were pleased to welcome to the school a new friend from Uganda Mary Cholok who is an International Ugandan netball athlete.  She came to share her experiences as a child and young person whilst living in her home in Uganda. Mary plays international netball with a former friend of the school, Peace Proscovia,  who now resides in Australia. The children were excited to demonstrate their prowess at May Pole dancing and share information with each other about life in villages situated on different continents.

Although Mary was only at the school for a short period of time due to a prior engagement with the BBC she left a lasting impression on the children. The school council quickly expressed their desire to continue the project that began 4 years ago with Peace and interview Mary about how the school could help young people living in her village. Hopefully once the netball championships have concluded this month there will be an opportunity for Mary to return to the school, so a plan of action can be created.

It is with thanks to Liz Broomhead that this friendship continues to be upheld and educates the children to the understanding that not all children within the world are granted the same rights that they have.

0800 1111 – Child line

On Friday 2nd July the pupils met Buddy, a friendly, green speech bubble who believes that children should be able to speak out to someone if they’re worried or unhappy. Unfortunately Buddy couldn’t be there in person this year due to the current climate, but his representatives Ant & Dec helped support the delivery of the assembly and activities with the virtual NSPCC members and the schools class teachers.