Mrs Bennett’s Bulletin Tuesday 31 March 2020

Posted: 31st March 2020

Good Tuesday morning, Prep School children, 
 
Yey, it’s Tuesday! The sun is shining, there is a frost on the cars, the sky is blue and it is not raining! It is a gorgeous day! 
 
I don’t know about you but I found yesterday quite hard. It wasn’t a nice day outside – the sky was grey, it alternated between rain, snow and sleet and the sun didn’t shine at all. It was hard to get some fresh air. I missed the buzz of school on a Monday morning, I missed my morning briefing with the staff and catching up on what they had been up to. I missed seeing you all and finding out what you had been up to over the weekend and hearing your laughter in the halls and the hushed footsteps as you pretend to walk past my office, when we all know you should be walking! I missed going to the senior school for my normal Monday afternoon meetings and, whilst up there, catching up with our wider school family at The Abbey. I missed my drive home at the end of the day – normally, this was my down time and my time to process the day – yesterday I didn’t feel that I had had any time to just sit and think about and process what the day had offered me. And to top it all off, my computer decided that it wasn’t going to do what I needed it to do. . . 
 
So at 6:30pm – I switched off my computer and went for a walk in the pouring rain (no pictures of this walk! Imagine a drowned rat!). I am so glad that I did. It gave me the time I needed to process the day, it also gave me time to call a few people that I wanted to catch up with without any interruptions, it made me realise that it was still light at this time – summer is on its way. It made me think that actually rain is beautiful in its own way too and I should embrace any weather and get outside if I can. My walk also gave me time to think about the wonderful emails that I had been sent yesterday and how grateful I am to have these daily. 
 
When I got home, Mr Bennett had cooked tea for me and there was a film on the TV ready to be watched. At bedtime, I got into my bed and snuggled under my covers and read a book until I feel asleep. 
 
On reflection, yesterday wasn’t such a bad day – I just needed time to think about things and take time to see things from a different angle. I had so many things to be thankful for, I just needed some time to see these. 
 
So if you are feeling a little bit down or out of sorts, it is ok. It’s completely normal. I can promise you we are all feeling like this – your teachers, your parents, your friends. You are not alone. Don’t forget to talk to someone about how you are feeling (mummies and daddies too) – whatever you are feeling is completely normal and it really is ok to feel like this. Sending you all a big virtual hug today! 
 
I have attached a booklet, Child’s guide to coronavirus, that talks about coronavirus and what is happening in the world at the moment. Its written specifically for children and it is a really good read. If you have time over the next few days, please ask your mums and dads to share it with you – it answers many questions that we all have and it also discusses emotions at this time. 
 
One of the things I did yesterday was receive a text from Ms Kenny – she has come up with a lovely idea to keep our school community together and talking as well as making new friends at this time of social distancing! 
 
A long time ago when Ms Kenny was at school, she collected pen pals from across the world. Since we have been asked to stay home, she has started writing letters to her friends again. If you would also like to write letters to each other whilst we are at home during the holidays and beyond, Ms Kenny is setting up Highclare Prep Pen Pals Club. Ms Kenny, Miss Upham and Miss Broder will match you with someone from the other site who they think you would get on well with. You can share drawings, stories or just information about yourselves. 
 
If you would like to take part in this club – it is very easy. Please ask one of your parents to email Ms Kenny (c.kenny@highclareschool.co.uk) stating that they are happy for you to be talking part in this club and that they agree to have their email addresses exchanged with another parent (this is essential!). Ms Kenny, Miss Upham and Miss Broder will then do the rest! Then hopefully, you can have more fun post coming through your door than your parents!
 
So each day I promised I would be sending you a life skill task to complete and also a joke, poem, picture, fact or reflection. Here we go for Tuesday 31st March 2020:
 
Life skill of the day: (with the help of an adult if needed) – can you make a sandwich for lunch? Be careful if you are using a knife – these are very sharp – please make sure you have adult supervision! 
 
Day of the year theme: ‘Crayola Crayon Day’ (other brands are available!), ‘Eiffel Tower Day’, ‘Bunsen Burner Day’ and who knew that March was ‘Music In Our Schools’ month! So do something with today that makes you happy! I’m sure you can be inventive! 
 
Thunk of the day: Remember, Thunks are unusual questions that are designed to make you think. There are no right or wrong answers -just your answer. The only rule is that you must be able to justify and explain your answer. You cannot just say the first thing that comes into your head. Really think about the question and discuss with your family! 
 
Question: If elephants ruled the world, what changes would you see?
 
TOPS activity of the week: Can you create a poster celebrating the NHS? All the things NHS workers do for us/when was the NHS established etc. 
I would like to see these, so once complete, please send them through to me. Maybe you could display in your windows? Remember to make them bright and eye catching? 
 
Joke of the day: Thank you, Seb (Yr3W) 
Q: Which end of a worm is its mouth? 
 
A: Tickle its tummy and see which end laughs!
 
And one from me (it’s an oldie but a classic and my favourite joke of all time). . .
 
Q: Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?
A: In case he got a hole in one!!
 
And a new addition to the bulletin – today instead of a poem, we have:
 
Quote of the Day: “If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.” – Marcus Aurelius
 
Can you find out who Marcus Aurelius was? When did he live? Where did he live? I’d love to hear what you find out! 
 
And we cannot forget. . . 
Sleeps til Santa: 269
 
Have a fantastic day, everyone, 
 
Be good and be kind to yourself, 
 
Love
 
Mrs Bennett 😊 
 
Highclare School is proud to announce its newest Sixth Form Scholarship

Our Sixth Form Pre-Med Scholarship is now live for applicants to Highclare Sixth Form from September 2024 onwards.

The scholarship provides a bespoke programme for students aiming to enter university in September 2026 with a research-science based degree.

For more information email admissions@highclareschool.co.uk