Sponsored Editorial

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the very first pledge walk from Sandwich Technology School to Sandown Castle in Deal and back.

The route and sentiment of the walk remains unchanged. Like all of those students did in 1974 before them, this year’s student’s successfully carried out their 10 mile pledge walk on June 27.

This charity event has raised money for countless charities over the years and this year’s walk raised over £1,500, which were donated to Cancer Research.

The annual pledge walk has now become part of a wider school initiative, in light of the new challenges students of this generation face, and has evolved into a non curriculum day.

Health Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Futures day is a day that focuses on the students’ mental and physical wellbeing and gives the students dedicated time to think about and discuss pastoral issues that may have impacted their current and future lives.

The school welcomed external providers into school to give valuable presentations, workshops and performance to their students to enhance this day.

You don’t have to look far into the news to see heart-breaking stories of young people taking risks with drug use, gang involvement and knife use. The number of cases of self-harm and suicide in young people continues to rise.

The figures for young people out of employment need to be reduced. The obesity rate in youth is increasing. STS used this whole school event to highlight and address these issues head on with their students.

Year 8 and 9 students took part in a variety of positive mental health activities, inter-college cricket and rounders matches, yoga and mindfulness sessions. Followed by inspirational presentations from The Amy Winehouse Foundation and Dover District Council's Impact Roadshow visited, IMPACT stood for “I’m making positive action choices today.”

They bought Robbi White from the Netflix show Heartstopper with them too!

Their sessions conveyed essential and positive messages concerning mental health, and encouraged young people to support each other and build their personal resilience through the choices they make.

The Rah Rah Theatre carried out drama workshops focusing on communication skills with the Year 10 students. They also benefited from a variety of external providers sharing information on the opportunities available to them including workshops and presentations from Sixth Form Leaders, local colleges and apprenticeship providers to ensure their students have high expectations for their future and are inspired to achieve their goals.

The day was met with great excitement from the students and the school leaders received great feedback from pupils and parents alike. Mrs Savage praised her staff team and the visiting practitioners for their dedication to ensuring student’s mental and physical health is well supported at Sandwich Technology School.

Choosing a secondary school for your child is a difficult decision. If you are considering Sandwich Technology School for your child’s secondary education, then you’re warmly invited to join them at one of their open events.

Thursday 19 September | 6-8pm
Friday 20 September | 9:15am–11:15am
Friday 18 October | 9:15am–11:15am

They will do all they can to support your family in making the right choice for your child.

No appointment is necessary, we hope to welcome you soon.