Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and enjoyed a lovely weekend? I managed to pop across to Norfolk on Saturday for the weekend, which was amazing. There is nothing quite like a walk along a deserted beach in winter to put everything into perspective.
This week is extremely busy within the Prep School with our annual Book Week under way. We have so many wonderful activities planned throughout the coming days for the children to take part in and to help them really foster their love of reading for pleasure. I could go on for pages and pages and pages about why reading is so important, about how it is the gateway to all aspects of learning and I could highlight all of the positive emotional benefits reading has on us all. . .however, I also strongly believe that a picture speaks a thousand words! Therefore I have attached a picture for you to look at and share with your children.
Try to take some time this week to read, for your own mental health and pleasure but also to model to our young people that reading and the ability to read is a gift.
“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations—something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.” — Katherine Patterson
Quote of the week: “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.” – Walt Disney
Well-being tasks for this week: These tasks are based on Mindful March. They are meant to give us chance to pause, breathe and notice so we can respond more mindfully each day.
Tuesday 5 March– Bring to mind people you care about and send them love
Wednesday 6 March – If you find yourself rush, make an effort to slow down
Thursday 7 March – Take three calm breaths at regular intervals during your day
Friday 8 March – Eat mindfully. Appreciate the taste, texture and smell of your food
Saturday 9 March – Take a full breath in and out before you reply to others
Sunday 10 March – Go outside and notice how the weather feels on your face
Monday 11 March– Stay fully present when drinking your cup of tea/coffee/milk
Jokes of the week:
Why was the dinosaur afraid to go to the library?
His books were 65 million years overdue.
What vegetables do librarians like?
Quiet peas!
Where does a librarian sleep?
Between the covers!
What building has the most stories?
The library!
Where was the librarian when the lights went out?
In the dark!
What does a book do in the winter?
Puts on a book jacket!
What do librarians take fishing?
Bookworms!
Why didn’t the burglar break into the library?
He was afraid he’d get a long sentence!
Conversation starters:
When was the last time you felt lonely and what made you feel better?
If you could meet a famous person, who would it be?
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 seeing who everyone comes dressed up as on Friday
- I am looking forward to meeting our visiting author today
- I am looking forward to taking some time to read my book this week
- I am grateful for happy memories
- I am grateful for the first signs of spring
Sleeps til Santa: 294 sleeps. . .
Have a brilliant week and enjoy all of the amazing Book Week activities that we have going on in school. As I said above (that’s how important I think it is!), try to take some time out of your busy lives to sit and enjoy some time to read for pleasure, I will be trying to do the same!
With much love,
Mrs Bennett
