On Friday 10 October, The Island VI Form proudly recognised World Mental Health Day with a range of activities designed to spark conversations and raise awareness about mental health.

Students were invited to wear something yellow for a £1 donation, with one Year 13 student stealing the show in a full banana costume — a definite highlight! Others opted for more traditional yellow attire, and the vibrant colour filled the main corridor.

A "Yellow Wall of Positivity" was created, where students shared messages of support, encouragement, and mental health strategies. It became a powerful symbol of unity and awareness within our community.

We were also honoured to welcome Dr Stuart Lawrence — educator, author, and motivational speaker — who delivered an inspiring talk on resilience, positivity, and the impact individuals can make in the world.

Year 12 brought the day to a close with a variety of community fundraising activities. These included cake sales, party games, "guess the smell" challenges, and even a competition to "challenge the teacher." As a result, we’re all looking forward to seeing Mr Kidd dye his hair, wear a costume, and perform a rap — all in the name of a great cause!

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, spirit, and compassion shown by our students throughout the day. Their involvement demonstrated a strong sense of community and reinforced the importance of talking about mental health.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised a fantastic £243.57 for the Young Minds charity.

If you’d still like to contribute, our fundraising page remains open. You can donate by following this link.