Thought For The Day – Monday 13^th October 2025

On Friday, we raised £2470 on World Mental Health Day for the following charities: “Mind”, which campaigns, raises awareness and provides support; “Samaritans”, which takes a call every ten seconds;  “Playlist For Life”, a dementia and music charity;  and “Christoforos Charity Foundation”, a local charity, set up by parents of a young person who passed away, which provides positive experiences and raises awareness of online safety.  A few last donations will follow. 

Thank you very much for your wonderful generosity and kindness and thank you to: Mr. Reeve,  and all the Senior Leadership Team; and all the staff for their massive support.

Today, at lunch, there will be a staff football match for charity for Year 7, Year 8 and Sixth Form spectators.  This is “matchday one” as other matches for other year groups will follow later in the season.  These matches, which began last academic year,  organised by Interact students,  were the creation and idea of Fin Macfie, in Year 12, who is a national ambassador for the charity, “Head For Change”. which money raised goes to.  This appropriately titled charity raises awareness about head injuries in sport.  Their logo is pictured above.

For our brain, and mind, is as precious as our life itself.  We all have mental health.  We look after our mental health and wellbeing by: living healthily; being appropriately resilient;  and talking about any concerns and worries. When we share a problem, we feel lighter. Such communication takes the fizz out of the bottle of our emotions and life experiences, easing the top off gently.  Vulnerability is strength.  Sometimes, to cry is also to show resilience. It is equally important we notice, and check-in, on others. As the Buddha taught, with one of his first teachings, life is challenging and imperfect, so it is important we show compassion.  Today, by accepting, and celebrating,  who we are, and taking things step by step, with support, we meet such challenges.  We are all equally beautiful, precious, special, unique, valuable, and valued beyond words.  We engage, encourage, empower, and empathise.

We dedicated Friday, and indeed we dedicate the charity football match today, to all those inspirational and resilient people who have suffered particular mental health challenges and their families.  The Prince of Wales, Prince William, visited one such family for a film released for World Mental Health Day on Friday 10^th October.  He, and they, talked.  His tearful emotion was a sign of his empathy.  Prince William’s mother died when he was fifteen. Pictures from this meeting are below.

In a wonderful report from the weekend, the inspirational Sam, a great citizen,  shared his story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cp3qvw5z2vdo.  “Everton in the Community” are also outstanding.