Good morning, Prep School family,
Welcome to July!
I feel all out of sorts as I write to you today. I am not sure if it is because I am tired (I didn’t sleep very well at all when it was hot), or if I am getting excited for the events that are coming up in the next few days or that I am getting sad that we are nearing the end of the term and the end of an academic year. I cannot put my finger on it but I have a strange feeling in my tummy.
This time of year is always emotional for so many reasons. You are leaving your teachers and joining new classes, our Year 6 children are getting ready move onto life at senior school, some of our friends are leaving for pastures new and amongst all of this, we are excited and getting ready for a new school year.
We are celebrating the successes and triumphs that this year has brought us but we are also preparing to say goodbye to things. I think that the last few weeks of term really are an emotional rollercoaster for so many. This is ok. It is ok to feel happy one minute and then sad or apprehensive another. It’s ok to be laughing with your family and then in floods of tears as you remember people and things that you are going to miss.
Today is a prime example of how I am feeling at the moment. I was having a lovely time on gate duty this morning. Chatting to the children and parents at drop off. When I got back to my office, I had the Swans graduation video to check through. Well, I couldn’t stop crying. It isn’t sad at all. It’s a beautiful video, I just felt so proud of everyone that had contributed. They were happy tears – not tears of sadness. The next minute, I was laughing with the teachers outside on duty!
You would think that I wouldn’t feel this way at the end of each Summer term as I have I have been doing this job for so long, but each year is so special and so different for me that I don’t think it will matter if I had 100 end of academic years, I would still be on that emotional roller coaster of feelings. For this I am very grateful, as I think once I lose this emotion and passion, I think maybe my time as an educator is up and I am sooooo not ready for that yet!
I know that many you will all probably be joining me on the roller coaster in the coming days but that is fine, it has plenty of spare seats and plenty of tissues waiting! I also know that you are all much stronger than you think and your resilience has developed beyond comprehension in these last few months. Remember, it is ok to feel how you are feeling. . . however that is and it is also better to talk about your feelings with someone than bottle them up. I look forward to our journey in the coming days together and know that we are all there to support each other and I can only apologise in advance if you see me crying at any point – it isn’t a pretty sight!
Life skill of the day: Can you learn to frame a picture?
Day of the year themes: ‘Joke Day’, ‘Gingersnap Day’, Creative Ice Cream Flavour Day’, ‘International Reggie Day’, ‘Postal Worker Day’, ‘Zip Code Day’, ‘Second Half of the Year Day’ and ‘Canada Day’.
July is a busy month as well! This month it is:
‘Ice Cream Month’, ‘Horseradish Month’, ‘Mobile Phone Courtesy Month’, ‘Picnic Month’ and ‘Plastic Free July’.
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: Does everything have a taste?
TOPS activity of the week:
Draw a face out of cardboard with ears and no hair. Can you find as many different and exciting hair styles as possible? Maybe experiment with a beard or a moustache? Earrings?
I have attached a picture for you to see an example! Please send me lot of photos!
Quote of the Day: “A mind is like a parachute. It does not work if it is not open.” – Anonymous
Jokes of the day (in honour of Joke Day):
Q: What do you call a bear with no teeth?
A: A gummy bear!
Q: Why are seagulls called seagulls?
A: Because if they flew over the bay, they would be bagels!
Q: How do you make a tissue dance?
A: You put a little boogie in it!
Q: What is a pirate’s favourite letter?
A: Rrrrrrrrrrr!
Q: What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping?
A: A dino-snore!
Q: How do you stop an astronauts baby from crying?
A: You rocket!!
Jump Back July calendar task (this month’s activities are based on developing resilience): Be willing to ask for help when you need it today (and always).
Sleeps til Santa: 176
Have a wonderful Wednesday,
Mrs Bennett 😊
