PSHE at Rushmore
Health and Well Being Lead: Cherrelle Gray
At Rushmore we offer a PSHE curriculum which enables children to become engaged, independent, creative and critical thinkers. We firmly believe that children’s difficulties in understanding and managing their feelings, working co-operatively in groups, motivating themselves and demonstrating resilience in the face of setbacks can impact their learning and stop them reaching their potential.
We support children with their PSHE development through our Rushmore Values, Weekly Jigsaw lessons and Zones of Regulation.
Rushmore Values
The Jigsaw Programme
Jigsaw is a mindful approach to PSHE, it is an original and comprehensive scheme of work, which integrates personal, social, health and economic education with an emphasis on emotional literacy, mental health and SMSC, especially spiritual development and mindfulness. Jigsaw aims to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people in the ever-changing world.
Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulation is a curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. There are 4 zones that the children are encouraged to use to describe how their brain and body feel. We support the children in understanding what zone they are in by discreetly teaching them in class, individually and in small group sessions. We encourage the children to use tools to help them get back to the green zone and be ready to learn. These tools include social stories, calming techniques, thinking strategies and discuss ways they can apply these in class.
When they are in the blue zone, their body is running slow so they may feel tired, sick sad or bored.
The green zone, like a green light, is when their body is ‘good to go’. If a child is in the green zone, they may feel happy, calm, focussed and ready to learn.
The yellow zone describes when a child may start to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, wiggly, excited or anxious. We encourage the children to use caution when they are in the yellow zone.
The red zone is reserved for extreme emotions like terror, uncontrolled anger and aggression. When a child is in the red zone, they have trouble making good decisions and must stop.
Community Projects
As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, we have been working closely with the local community and raising money for a range of charitable causes. Through a variety of projects and fundraising initiatives, pupils, staff and families have come together to support worthwhile organisations, strengthen community links and demonstrate our school values of generosity, teamwork and social responsibility.
Year 1 – Intergenerational Music Making Project
Year 1 worked with the Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) project to create and perform their own original song. The children then shared their performance with residents at Oswald Street Day Centre, bringing together different generations through the power of music.
For more information about IMM, visit: www.imm-music.com
Year 2 – Hackney Night Shelter
Year 2 pupils are supporting Hackney Night Shelter through a sponsored walking challenge. Throughout the school day, children will take turns walking around the playground, ensuring that there is always a Year 2 pupil on the move from 9:00am until 3:30pm. Sponsors will donate based on the total number of miles walked by the year group.
For more information about the Hackney Night Shelter, visit: https://www.hackneydoorways.org.uk/
Year 3 – Hackney Children & Baby Bank
Children in year 3 supported Hackney Children & Baby Bank by organising a Teddy Bear Picnic during the summer term. Parents made donations to attend the picnic, helping to raise funds for the charity. In addition, pupils collected donations of clothes, toys and essential items for local families.
For more information about the Hackney Children & Baby Bank, visit: https://www.hackneybabybank.com/
Year 4 – The Tree Musketeers
Year 4 pupils worked alongside The Tree Musketeers to help improve the local environment. The children planted trees in Millfields Park, learning about sustainability, biodiversity and the importance of caring for green spaces within our community.
For more information about The Tree Musketeers, visit : https://www.treemusketeers.org.uk/
Year 5 – Hackney Foodbank
Year 5 supported Hackney Foodbank by organising a week-long food collection. Pupils collected donations from families at the start and end of each school day and helped load the donated items onto the collection van. They also organised a school talent show, selling VIP tickets to parents to raise additional funds for the charity.
For more information about the Hackney Foodbank, visit: https://www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/
Year 6 – Hackney Migrant Centre
Year 6 pupils are organising a fundraising football match between staff and pupils in support of Hackney Migrant Centre. They will also sell tickets, refreshments and snacks at the event, with all proceeds going towards supporting migrants and refugees within the local community.
Through these projects, our pupils have developed a deeper understanding of community involvement, social responsibility and the positive impact they can have on the lives of others.
For more information about the Hackney Migrant Centre, visit: https://hackneymigrantcentre.org.uk/