The Power of Community

This week at Charters School, we’re proud to be recognising Mental Health Awareness Month, with our assemblies focused on the important themes of Mental Health Awareness Week, running from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th May.

Throughout the week, our Year 12 students, who make up the 2025–26 Welfare Committee, have been speaking to their peers about the importance of community and the positive impact it can have on our mental wellbeing. They’ve been sharing a powerful message: the people around us matter. When we’re surrounded by supportive friends, we feel safer, more confident, and more ourselves. And it’s absolutely okay to take a step back from relationships that leave us feeling drained or unhappy.

A key reminder shared with all students was that mental health isn’t always visible. That’s why kindness matters so much. Students reflected on the quote, “In a world where you can be anything – be kind.”

The theme of Community Kindness was also woven into Mr. Metson’s presentation, which highlighted the importance of standing up against discrimination. He spoke about the upcoming International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, which takes place on 17th May. Sadly, discrimination too often goes unreported, and Mr. Metson discussed the steps the school is taking to ensure every student feels safe, heard, and empowered to speak up.

He also reminded us of the important role played by our Free and Equal Ambassadors, who work to promote respect, equality, and inclusion throughout our school community.

To end the assembly, students watched a powerful video underscoring a message that resonates deeply: every individual has the right to be treated with dignity, and to be free and equal.

We are proud of our students and the support they show one another.