Pastoral Support and Advice
Our Pastoral Lead, Mrs Mattholie, aims to support children and their families emotional well-being and mental health needs.
At Parkside we feel it is equally as important to support our parents, carers and families as it is to nurture our students. Parental engagement is one of the most powerful levers we have in improving outcomes for children.
As a school, this service is to provide a listening ear and support to enable parents and carers to talk through concerns and have someone to listen to and be able to explore options and develop coping strategies with.
This can be done through meetings, where we can bring in additional support if needed, and also signpost you to services that would be best suited. Mrs Mattholie is available (by appointment) every day to all parents and carers who feel they need to discuss any worries they have or to ask for advice. This can be in relation to their child, family or other personal circumstances. Please call 0208 387 3000 Opt 3 or you can email Mrs Mattholie – jacqueline.mattholie@parkside.
Praise for Being
Praise for Doing
Praise for Trying
Praise – whenever you find the chance – it works wonders for your child’s confidence and self-esteem.
Respect – your child’s individuality and within safe limits let them become their own person.
Encourage – your child’s curiosity and learning – including answering endless questions!
Be consistent – it really is important the rules stay the same otherwise it gets too confusing.
Quality time – it is essential to spend time with your child to bond and build relationships.
Positive diversion – always think of a positive that you can relate to the situation to give them something to work towards.
Workshops for children
Counselling
Kooth is funded to provide free online counselling to 10 to 25 year old’s with a GP in Hertfordshire. Kooth’s counsellors and therapists are available until 10pm, 365 days a year. Users can also talk to other young people anonymously on the moderated forums whenever they like and keep an online journal.
Abuse: Keeping your children safe
With the help of our friendly dinosaur Pantosaurus, talking PANTS is a simple way to teach your child how to stay safe from abuse. Please click on the link to find further helpful information and parent guides on how to teach your children how to stay safe.
School Health
You can refer your child to the School Nursing service for a range of different health issues. Please see the leaflet below for further details.
School Nursing parent/carers and school referral form
Health for Kids website – child friendly information, activities and games
Mental Health and wellbeing
Please see some information below in how to help your children feel good and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Please emphasise the five ways to wellbeing, as we will be in school!
You’re never too young to talk mental health leaflet
Parent/carer tip No1 – five ways to wellbeing
Parent/carer tip No2 – anxiety management for over16s_0
Parent/carer tip No3 – how to stay emotionally healthy_0Parent tip No4 – exam stress
Parent/carer tip No4 – exam stress
Parent/carer tip No5 – listening to your child
Parent/carer tip No7 – autism and anxiety
Wellbeing Support for Parents/carers A4 Poster
SEND Information and support for parents/carers in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer
SENDIASS – Herts SEND Information, Advice & Support Service
Kids Hub – information and support for parents and carers
Reading, writing and spelling difficulties
Hertfordshire Dyslexia definition
Phonological Skills Parent/carers Leaflet
Autism
ADD-vance – Autism and ADHD trust supporting families in Hertfordshire
Speech and Language Difficulties
Please come back for updates throughout the terms and let us know if you would like any particular information shared!