I am Mrs Gardner and I am the Pastoral Coordinator at Hopton CEVC Primary School. I believe that supporting the health and wellbeing of our pupils and parents will help to improve every pupil’s school experience and academic outcomes.

My role is to provide support and guidance to pupils who may need support with social, emotional or behavioural needs which may arise.

Children are assessed on referral to determine their areas of strength and to establish any difficulties.

Children may access some of the following individually or in small group interventions to achieve their targets:

• Anxiety
• Emotion Control
• Bereavement
• Eating Disorders
• Self-Esteem
• Friendships, behaviour and social skills
• Emotional Awareness
• Transition from KS1 to KS2 and High School

These can be accessed with the support of our Pastoral Co-ordinator in our specially designed KIWIS room.

I am keen to work in partnership, to support pupils and families, so if you have anything you would like to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to contact me in school or via email

michelle.gardner@hopton.suffolk.sch.uk

We have been working hard this year to make improvements to the KIWIS Room and have recently added sensory lighting which has so many benefits such as mood stabilisation, aiding concentration, coordination and motor development.

The children have really enjoyed using the sensory lights and have already identified which is their favourite colour to help them relax.

Problems at home or school can have a detrimental impact on a child's wellbeing and on family life therefore I aim to develop positive home/school relationships by listening and caring in a non-judgemental way.

I am here to help, offering a professional service with access to an extensive range of information and resources which enables me to signpost parents and carers to a variety of services and outside agencies who may be able to help. 

Children are encouraged to approach me at any time during the day if they feel in need of her support. 

If you wish to make an appointment to see me please complete a parent appointment form which can be downloaded here (insert hyperlink) and can be handed in at the school office. 

Parents and Carers have access to our Lending Library where they can borrow mental health and wellbeing resources and parenting self-help books.

We have recently enhanced this provision to include a weekly Board Games Lending Library. Playing Board games has many benefits which include: spending quality family time together, reduced screen time, opportunities for learning and developing hand-eye coordination, turn taking, boosting language and teamwork skills, and learning how to be a being a graceful winner or loser.

At Hopton Primary School we run a “Playground Buddy Scheme” where children from KS2 can choose to become a peer buddy to the children in Foundation Stage and KS1 during lunchtimes. They are required to fill in an “application form” for the job stating their qualities and why they think they would be suitable. The aim of the scheme is to encourage children to be good role models and it plays an important part in creating a safe, friendly, happy and peaceful atmosphere for children during lunchtime. It also gives them some feeling of responsibility. Not only do they help to make the playground a happy place for all the children, they also offer great help to the staff on duty at lunch.

What is their role?

1. To help children to play co-operatively with each other.​
2. To help children resolve minor conflicts. 
3. Teach children to play a wider range of games. 
4. Help lonely children make more friends. 
5. Most importantly, be available to be a friend to all the other children.

How do we spot them?

 Look out for their yellow bibs and blue hats!

As part of our lunchtime play provision we offer an indoor play option for children who may find break times challenging or prefer quiet play. With the help of one of our playground buddies we offer a range of board games and cooperative activities which has proved very popular especially for our EYFS and KS1 children.