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Wings
Year 13 students, from left: Charlotte Brough, Rebecca Gérard, Brittany Livesey, Heather Moakes, Daniel Brown, Dominic Bramley, Oliver Wilby, Ashley Cullum, Joe Bray, Jack Bray, Josh Fisher, with yoga teacher Paul Dickinson
Yoga on the school timetable
Pupils at a local school have found a great way of tackling the stress of examinations
S IXTH Form students from Tupton Hall School have been tackling exam stress with yoga. Classes have been held
once a week in the school gym.
Lucy Curtis, pastoral support manager, said: “The build-up to the exam period is always a stressful time for students so we wanted to offer something that helped the students to relax and to focus their minds.”
Yoga teacher Paul Dickinson said: “It is fantastic to see a school
embracing yoga in this way.
“Yoga is a great way of resting the mind by working with the body
and breathing.
“People come to our classes to create some valuable space for
themselves in their busy lives.
“Students need this more than most during their exam period.” Sixth-former Brittany Livesey said: “Yoga has just been something
different to studying - a really relaxing change. I will use what I have learned to help me keep calm in my exams.”
Classmate Heather Moakes added: “I feel like it clears my mind and gives me a fresh start to the day.”
Another pupil Charlotte Brough said: “Paul has been great. The techniques he has taught us really allow us to relax in a morning and it's something I've been able to enjoy with my friends.”
Carer Sophie’s mission
K NOWING families facing the toughest of times has given Sophie Thornton all the
inspiration she needs to take on this year’s Redbrik Chesterfield Half-Marathon for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Sophie (31), who worked as a carer for ten years and now runs her own cleaning company, will be among hundreds of people taking in the town’s sights when she sets off from Queen’s Park on Sunday, 21st October.
Sophie is the niece of new Mayor of Chesterfield, Coun Stuart Brittain, and is related, through a cousin, to the Singh-Eyley family from New Tupton, who have been supported by Bluebell Wood since 2009.
Eleven-year-old Theo Singh-Eyley, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, feeding problems and is registered blind, visits Bluebell Wood for short breaks, often with his mum Denise and brother Luis.
Sophie said: “My experience as a carer showed me that families go through incredibly tough times and many can struggle to get the
support they need.
“Charities like Bluebell Wood are a lifeline,
giving care in all kinds of ways. I also know that they completely rely on fundraising to be able to continue offering this support.
“When my uncle Stuart, who is the new Mayor of Chesterfield, said he was planning to do the Fun Run at the Half-Marathon, I thought it would be great to go along and do my bit. I’ve been running for five years. It keeps me fit and is a good hobby.”
Theo’s mum, Denise, said: “When we visit Bluebell Wood, Luis thinks he is going on his holidays and really enjoys all the special attention he receives from the staff.
“Being able to talk to other parents who are going through similar situations also helps. This not only means sharing advice and having a shoulder to cry on but also creating lovely memories. Bluebell Wood has taught me many things and I value every single minute we spend there.”
Sophie Thornton
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