Health and Wellbeing
The Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience provides a holistic structure for understanding health and well-being. It is concerned with developing the capacity of learners to navigate life's opportunities and challenges. The fundamental components of this Area are physical health and development, mental health, and emotional and social well-being. It will support learners to understand and appreciate how the different components of health and well-being are interconnected, and it recognises that good health and well-being are important to enable successful learning.
Physical Education
Ysgol David Hughes’ pupils take part in a broad range of activities in the physical education department, and often, the pupils are able to choose the type of sports they’d like to take part in. By listening to the pupils’ voice, year 7 pupils have recently been able to take part in new activities such as boxercise, parqour and yoga, as well as the traditional activities like fitness and netball, basketball, hockey, football, badminton and rugby. We’re extremely lucky because of the great facilities we have here – a new 3G pitch, sports hall, dance studio, a gym with a fitness studio, and the department’s teachers are committed to ensuring that each pupil achieves his or her full potential in the subject.
As well as physical health, the department feels that mental and social health is of utmost importance, and we try to take advantage of all opportunities to develop these elements. Often, this happens through the department’s excellent extra-curricular offering, with sports clubs being held before school hours, during lunchtime and after school. Ysgol David Hughes’ pupils have succeeded on a local, county and national level, but more importantly have volunteered their time to share broad experiences with the school’s younger pupils in extra-curricular sessions. We also arrange ski trips, and trips to see various games/competitions. Over the last two years, the department has arranged trips to Colwyn Bay, Cardiff, France and the United States.
Health
This subject gives pupils an opportunity to consider and act on what helps keep us healthy. This can include following the Five Ways to Wellbeing, setting targets to improve sleep quality, consider the changes that will derive from becoming a teenager, body image and online safety. We also consider healthy relationships, stress management, bullying, racism and stereotyping. This subject is part of the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience, and the three subjects – Health, Physical Education and Food Technology work closely to make sure that pupils understand the need to consider all elements in order to ensure our Health and Wellbeing. We are very lucky to be able to work with a broad range of external agencies to support us in this area, including the Police, Youth Officers, the NSPCC, the Urdd, Menter Iaith Môn, the Young Farmers, Gorwel, Be Di’r Sgôr (a drugs and alcohol service). This subject is fond of finding creative ways to present work, whether that’s via games, computer programmes, crafts – however you like to work!
Food Technology
Food and Textiles Work at KS3
Year 7 learners learn about the importance of following a balanced diet in order to have healthy bodies and minds. They have an opportunity to tase foods, and to learn practical skills in terms of handling food safely and hygienically.
During year 8, the pupils work with food and textiles. With food, they learn about different ingredients while producing tasty treats for an afternoon tea or bakery. In textiles, they learn how to confidently use a sewing machine, while designing and creating products to help store personal items.
Year 9 learners’ work with food is based on nutrition, but the main focus is on learning practical skills through cooking a range of delicious dishes. The textiles work is based on the fashion and textiles industry, and considers the effect of our clothes on the environment. This time, the challenge is using old clothes to create a decorative item with a Welsh theme.
Health and Wellbeing fair
