Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and that you have had a lovely, relaxing weekend.
I had a really fun weekend. I went out with some friends on Friday night and had a good catch up as we hadn’t seen each other properly for a few months. Mr Bennett and I then went to Norfolk for the weekend. I’d like to tell you that we jam packed our weekend full of long walks and all things healthy. . . in reality, we went out for a long lunch, watched a film that required no concentration and caught up on work and life admin! We did have good intentions of going to the beach for a long walk (as you know, I love the beach but especially in autumn and winter when it is usually empty and cold!) but the weather on Sunday was just divine so we sat in the garden, had breakfast and enjoyed being at home. I cooked the obligatory weekly roast and then it was Sunday night and the preparations for this week at work begin: clothes laid out for the week ahead, the alarm is set for 5am and then the thoughts of what the week will hold start circulating in my brain, usually as soon as my head hits the pillow! I know that some people dread a Sunday night as their working week starts the next day. I know that Monday morning is full of anticipation, nervousness and trepidation for the week ahead. I know that some people worry so much about going to their jobs on a Monday that they make themselves ill. I am so glad, and eternally thankful, that I do not get this fear. Please don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I like more than a Sunday night in the holidays knowing that I do not have to get up on a Monday morning but that is so I can have a lie in (and maybe an adult beverage the night before!), it is not because I dread my job! The thoughts that I have, the ones that keep me awake on a Sunday night are happy, professionally curious ones such as: Will child A be in school again this week? I wonder if they are better from their illness? I cannot wait to see Child B – I want to hear about their weekend away that they were excitedly telling me about last week. I wonder if Child C is a big brother yet. I hope Child D has finished the piece of work for my display that they kindly offered to do. Has Child E had a good weekend, I know they were nervous about. . . Has Child F remembered that they need their swimming kit tomorrow? I hope it’s not raining for gate duty! When I’m at the Senior School tomorrow, I hope that I will see the Year 7 children that came through the Prep School and I hope that they say Hi! Will I have had a reply to that email that I sent? Will the traffic be ok on my commute to allow me time to grab a coffee on the way into school. . . the list, as you can see, is varied!
I am so lucky to love my job. I know that I am blessed to look forward to each new day at work. Getting up isn’t a mental battle (it might be physically as I get older!) but I really do look forward to each new day. What is there not to love. . . no two days are the same. I get to enjoy watching and interacting with hundreds of smiling and happy children who are on such a valuable learning journey, seeing children progress – socially, academically and spiritually, working with an amazing staff team, without whom, I couldn’t do my job, a wonderful and supportive parental body who, like us, only want what is best for their child, instigating exciting initiatives, organising trips, attending meetings, eating delicious food, being part of a community that respects and supports each other, the children’s funny anecdotes and so, so, so much more. . .
I think what I am trying to say is that life is too short to do things that do not bring you joy. Life is for living and enjoying. In the words of Mary Kondo, “Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy.” – wise words and we can apply this to all areas of our life. . . I’ll leave that with you to ponder this week. . .
Quote of the week: “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” C.S. Lewis
Well-being tasks for this week: This month is Optimistic October and all of these tasks are based on positivity and hope – reaching for a goal and trying our best. These tasks are good for all ages.
Tuesday 4 October – Start the day with the most important thing on your to do list
Wednesday 5 October – Be realistic in your optimism. See life for what it is but focus on the positives
Thursday 6 October – Remind yourself that things can change for the better
Friday 7 October – Look for the good in the people around you today
Saturday 8 October – Make progress on that project or task that you have been avoiding
Sunday 9 October – Share one of your goals with someone you trust
Monday 10 October– Take time to reflect on a recent accomplishment
Jokes of the week:
What is a scarecrows favourite type of fruit? Straw-berries!
What is the cutest of all seasons? Awwwtumn!
Why do trees hate tests so much? Because they get stumped on all questions!
Why did the scarecrow win the Nobel Prize? Because he was outstanding in his field!
Sleeps til Santa: 81 days to go. .
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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 trying a new recipe this week
- I am looking forward to going for an autumnal walk
- I am looking forward to the Year 4 Harvest Assembly
- I am grateful for the last bit of the sun’s warmth
- I am grateful for my sofa at the end of a long day!
Have a super week and embrace all that you do with positivity and optimism.
With love,
Mrs Bennett
