At St John's College, we believe that a healthy and happy student is the foundation for success. We understand that each student is unique and faces their own challenges, which is why we are committed to providing comprehensive support and resources to promote their overall wellbeing.
This page is a dedicated space to provide our school community with a diverse range of information, tools and initiatives, enhancing the mental, emotional and physical needs of our students.
At St John's College, we believe in providing a positive and nurturing environment to all students, empowering them to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.
Here you will find a wealth of information to encourage holistic development, whether it's navigating academic challenges, coping with personal issues, or fostering a strong sense of self, our focus is on equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to flourish.
We invite you to explore these pages and discover the information available. We endeavour to update and add to these resources regularly.
If you require further guidance or support, please contact Meredyth Holland.
At St John's College, our motto is "From the Heart" - this is no more represented than in the wellbeing of our pupils and staff.
We proudly celebrate the importance of individuality and belonging at our school, every pupil deserves opportunities to understand themselves and others. Our inclusive approach helps nurture this growth. We spend time helping pupils understand themselves what makes them unique and how their strengths can build self-confidence and belonging - resilience and emotional growth. This begins in our nursery school and continues throughout their journey until they leave us at 18, from whole school assemblies, classrooms, workshops, and in small groups or one-to-one.
To ensure our pupils' needs are reflected, our decision-making is purposeful and driven by evidence. Termly wellbeing surveys, pupil voice, school council, and the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guide our actions. We actively encourage our pupils to evaluate what we do, just as we value and act on feedback from parents about our commitment to wellbeing.
We continually react to topical discussions and ensure our children feel supported when navigating new information, especially that which has been highlighted by social media. We do not shy away from difficult topics to ensure our children know that they can come and discuss anything that is worrying them.
We prioritise community connections. Inviting in local charities. Hearing from individuals that resonate with them, lived experience talks empowers pupils to not feel isolated or alone. We have a wonderful support system of teachers, our Wellbeing Officer, ELSAs, Counsellors, and Adolescent Mental Health First Aiders who are always available to listen. Alongside ‘’Tell Me’ which offers our pupils an opportunity to share information about themselves or others in a wholly confidential way, giving our pupils a space to begin a conversation in a way that meets their needs.
We are incredibly proud of our pupils caring for each other. Wellbeing Prefects in year 10 give up their time to spend time with pupils at break and lunchtimes who find themselves alone or worried. We have a team of 6th formers who offer ‘Chill and Chat’ sessions for pupils to grab a biscuit and talk about what is on their mind with slightly older versions of themselves.
Parental inclusion is key to our whole school approach. We are passionate about supporting our families and offer half-term parent workshops to equip them with valuable tools. Topics such as building resilience & understanding anxiety, navigating social media, neuro inclusion, and boosting self-confidence. Our next workshop will explore one of the most pressing issues for young people today: sleep, particularly in teenagers.
Over the past few years, we have worked tirelessly to create opportunities and spaces that truly resonate with our pupils - places where they feel safe to express their emotions. From the creative calm of our Wellbeing room, to moments of reflection in our aptly named Quiet Room, to the comfort of chatting in designated quiet spaces, outside spaces, and forest school allows movement for our pupils that need to express their emotions physically. We also share wellbeing resources through our website, providing guidance that’s accessible to all.
Most importantly, our team notices. Every morning begins with a warm “hello,” and throughout the day, staff remain attuned to subtle changes in mood or behaviour. We initiate conversations, share insights, and connect with care.
At St John’s, Wellbeing isn’t a programme - it’s a promise. Rooted in curiosity, compassion, and kindness, our approach grows from the heart. Together, we’re building a school community where every voice matters and every child is supported.
Immunisation Calendar 2024-2025
Forms:
Request to Store/Administer Medication in School
Onsite and Trip Medical Information Form
School Nurse Information - 'parent line'
Upcoming workshops
We are delighted to announce that our next Parent Workshop will take place on Thursday, 5th June.
We’re thrilled to welcome back Sean Allen from AP Cymru, who will be speaking to parents about neuro-inclusion and the importance of ensuring that all pupils feel included, valued, and understood.
Our second presentation of the evening will be led by our school counsellors, focusing on a vital topic: Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence - supporting our young people in building a strong sense of self.
This event has been shaped by the feedback you’ve given us in previous evaluation forms, and we hope it reflects your suggestions and interests.
We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible for another evening of insight, support, and shared learning.
More information to follow…
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PRESENTATIONS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
1. Parent Workshop: 'Eating Disorders' - Wednesday, 5th July 2023
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2. Parent Workshop: 'Resilience' - Tuesday, 5th December 2023
Parent Feedback
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3. OUR 'PARENT WORKSHOPS CAROUSEL' EVENT WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY 2024
A) 'Revision Techniques' - Tuesday, 6th February 2024
B) 'Early Years Emotions' - Tuesday, 6th February 2024
- Resource sheet to accompany the ‘Early Years Emotions' presentation
C) 'Social Media' - Tuesday, 6th February 2024
D) 'Eating Disorders' - Tuesday, 6th February 2024
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4. OUR SECOND 'PARENT WORKSHOPS CAROUSEL' EVENT WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY 2025
We were delighted to host our most recent Parent Workshop on the 4th of February 2025. We were especially pleased to welcome representatives from South Wales Police, who delivered two incredibly informative talks—one focusing on online safety, and the other addressing the growing concern of money mules and the dangers this poses to young people.
We were also joined by our dedicated school counsellors - and Sean Allen from AP Cymru, who provided valuable advice and support for parents.
In addition, we offered workshops on childhood anxiety and revision techniques—please see the slides attached below.
A huge thank you to the many parents who attended. We’re grateful for the positive feedback shared through the evaluation forms. Here are just a few of the comments we received:
"This was a fantastic evening. I liked how you could move between workshops and choose what was most relevant. All sessions were extremely informative and helpful."
"An excellent evening – fantastic presentations from everyone. A lovely bonus was getting the chance to chat with parents from other year groups. It's amazing how much support and guidance can be found in those small moments."
“I found Mrs Holland's session on anxiety useful and relevant.”
We’re also taking on board the thoughtful suggestions made through the evaluation forms. Your feedback helps us grow and improve, and we look forward to incorporating your ideas into our next Parent Workshop.
Thank you once again for your support.
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5. OUR FIFTH 'PARENT WORKSHOP' WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, 5TH JUNE 2025
At our fifth Parent Workshop, we were delighted to hear from two speakers who offered valuable insights and practical advice for supporting our young people.
1. Sean Allen from AP Cymru delivered a thought-provoking session on neuroinclusion, exploring diagnosed conditions and emphasising how curiosity, adaptable communication, and inclusive environments can make a meaningful difference.
2. Ceri Fife from BSC Counselling & Hypnotherapy shared her expertise on nurturing self-esteem, the power of language, and how modelling resilience can empower children in everyday life.
Below, you’ll find the slides and resources Ceri shared during the evening and a link to AP Cymru website.
Slides - Confidence and Self Esteem
We’re continually grateful for the support and enthusiasm from our parent community. Your feedback shapes future events - please keep your suggestions coming!
Attendees also got a sneak peek of our next guest speaker: Keren Rogerson, who will join us in the Advent term to explore the ever-relevant topic of sleep.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Co-Curricular First Aid Training
Students from R14 and R15 have the chance to participate in the 'St John’s Ambulance for Schools' first aid training, held on Thursday afternoons from 4 pm - 5 pm.
Led by Mrs Holland, groups of around 20 students explore weekly topics such as the Primary Survey, allergies, bleeding, and CPR. The six-session programme offers a blend of theory and hands-on practice through age-appropriate scenarios, helping students build essential first aid knowledge and skills.
Pupils can further their learning in the Sixth Form by attending the full-day course.
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Sixth Form First Aid Training
At St John's, we believe that developing essential life skills is a crucial aspect of a well-rounded education. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Pro Active First Aid to provide our Sixth Form students with a full day of in-depth first aid training.
Delivered by Trystan and his outstanding team, the session is designed to be both engaging and educational, ensuring students are actively involved as they learn vital, potentially life-saving techniques. Upon completion, each student earns a recognised first aid qualification.
This enriching experience is offered to all Sixth Form students during the October half term for a small fee.
We take pride in helping our students acquire practical skills that have a real impact beyond the classroom. They also have the chance to volunteer at school events, working alongside Mrs Holland, our Health and Wellbeing Officer.
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RevivR Session
In March, all senior school pupils took part in a basic CPR training session during their PSE lessons. We are committed to ensuring our pupils are well-informed and equipped with essential life-saving skills. This initiative aligns with the British Heart Foundation’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about CPR among both young people and adults.
The session was highly interactive, with pupils using devices that provided real-time feedback on the speed of their chest compressions - something they found both informative and enjoyable.
For more details about the CPR training, please visit the British Heart Foundation’s website by clicking on their logo below.
Our next parent workshop will take place during the Autumn term, and we’re excited to announce that Keren Rogerson will be our guest speaker. Keren is both a qualified sleep specialist and an experienced secondary school teacher. She will explore topics such as the science of sleep, effective sleep habits, and how sleep impacts children at different ages.
The date will be announced soon.
More information to follow…
