4th March 2019
Red Hill Primary School launches positive campaign with ambassador Michael Turner
Southend United star Michael Turner launches school’s ‘Great To Be Me’ campaign, created with the aim of promoting positive body-image amongst primary children.
With growing national awareness and concern around the importance of both mental and physical health, Red Hill Primary School in Chislehurst has launched its own campaign to promote healthy and positive attitudes amongst its community of pupils and staff.
‘Great To Be Me’ is a positive health campaign being launched across The Pioneer Academy’s community of schools, with each school partnering up with their own positive, popular ambassadors.
National studies from the British Journal of Developmental Psychology reported that 8% of boys and 14% of girls aged 9-10 had a negative image of their body, with girls as young as 5 expressing concern about the way they look and their size.
Other studies report one in four 7-year-old girls has tried to lose weight at least once, and one third of young boys aged 8-12 are dieting to lose weight.
Ambassadors like Michael Turner of football fame will support and encourage school children to develop self-confidence and self-belief, as well as nurture kind and accepting attitudes towards themselves and one another.
Michael shared stories of his own experiences and challenges as a professional footballer; the difficulties that can come with injury and the feelings that can come with promotion and demotion in high stakes competition. He reflected on the lessons learnt from working hard and the important qualities that come from doing so, such as perseverance, resilience and commitment. These are all qualities Red Hill pupils and staff are working hard to develop.
Commenting on the project Michael said, “I think it’s a really good project which encourages the children to look at themselves in such a positive way and to realise what’s great about them. And to look at others around them and realise what’s great and different about them as well, hopefully being inspired by what they see and wanting to improve themselves further.”
As a Great To Be Me ambassador Michael will be visiting Red Hill pupils again to help develop their team work skills, positive mindsets and other important attributes needed for successfully tackling the variety of challenges we can all face growing up.
As a Great To Be Me ambassador Michael will be visiting Red Hill pupils again to help develop their team work skills, positive mindsets and other important attributes needed for successfully tackling the variety of challenges we can all face growing up.
CONTACT
For any further information, please contact Eddie Hannifan at eh@thepioneeracademy.co.uk
