Good morning, Prep School family,
Happy New Year to you all! I hope that this finds you well. It seems ages since my last Bulletin back in December. Did you all manage to have a good Christmas break and New Year? Our Christmas was filled with chest infections, antibiotics, adult beverages, laughter, fun and lots and lots of sleeping. We managed to see family who live close by but also further afield, we ate good food and watched some good but also not so good films! We had a relaxed New Year’s Eve with our friends and then had a long walk to blow the cobwebs away on New Year’s Day. The rest of the holiday was spent trying to navigate Nottinghamshire in horrid floods, trying to keep dry and make sure that everyone we knew was safe and had everything that they needed. It was very close to home for us and there were many times that I was grateful that although we live very close to the Trent, we also live at the top of a cliff.
This weekend I watched a Christmas film and sat with our Christmas tree still sparkling away in the corner – all of the decoration are off and packed away but the tree and the lights are still up. It’s no longer a Christmas tree, we have renamed it a winter tree. It makes me very happy. The twinkling lights make the room so very cosy and throughout December sitting by the fire with a blanket, the lights sparkling and a cup of tea, reading has been my respite from the busy world around us. It’s been my little sanctuary and I am not ready to give that up just yet. The Queen also used to leave her tree up until February so I am following a great example. Don’t worry, my winter tree will be down well, well before half term though – even I have my limits! I was thinking this weekend though about how January is seen as a depressing month – one of rubbish weather, no events happening, people have less money after the festive period and nothing to look forward too. However, I don’t buy into this. January is what you make it. Sure, I have less money than I would like after Christmas but I cut my cloth accordingly. The fact that there are fewer events happening – great! I am making the most of it. . .
I read an article this week about a state of being called Wintering and I am all for this. It is about taking your lead from nature to enhance and improve your well-being. Wintering is all about embracing the slowing of life that this time of year brings, the opportunity to rest before the spring, the freedom of time to allow us to reflect and make any changes. It is about listening to our minds and the chance to give our bodies and minds time to rest, to recharge and restore.
“You may think that you are being lazy, or flawed. Yet your body is made of almost exactly the same elements as the stars. Our bone composition matches perfectly the coral in the seas, and you, my friend, are ruled by the moon, the sun, the tides and the planets. Whether you like it or not. So no, you are not lazy, you are not late. Nature is simply pulling you to slow, like the life, flora and fauna around you. It is not your moment to rise. Look around you. It is winter. You are wintering.” – Dorna Ashworth
Quote of the week: “Kindness is like snow – it beautifies everything that it covers.” — Kahlil Gibran
Well-being tasks for this week: These are all based on Happier January – actions to help you be happier at this time of year.
Tuesday 16 January – Contribute positively to your local community
Wednesday 17 January – Get back in contact with an old friend
Thursday 18 January – Be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes
Friday 19 January – Focus on what is good, even if it feel tough today
Saturday 20 January – Go to bed in good time and allow yourself to recharge
Sunday 21 January – Try out something new and get out of your comfort zone
Monday 22 January – Plan something fun and invite others to join you
Jokes of the week:
What do snowmen call their kids?
Chill-dren!
What did the icy road say to the car?
“Want to go for a spin?”
What falls in the winter but never gets hurt?
Snow!
Why did the girl keep her trumpet out in the snow?
She liked playing cool jazz!
How do mountains stay warm?
They put on their snow caps!
Conversation starters:
What is the best job in the world and why?
If you could time travel, when and where would you go?
5 things that I am grateful for or looking forward to this week:
Can you try this simple exercise in gratitude and positivity?
- I am looking forward to my niece’s birthday celebrations at the weekend.
- I am looking forward to my meetings today – meeting other head teachers and discussing current issues.
- I am looking forward to trying out a new recipe this week.
- I am grateful for the frosty mornings and bright sunshine.
- I am grateful for thermal tights!
Sleeps til Santa: 343 sleeps. . . who has started their shopping already!??
Have a super week and enjoy all that you do or don’t do!
With love on this week of frosty mornings,
Mrs Bennett
