Good morning, Prep School family,
How are we all on this fabulous Tuesday morning? By the time you are reading this, it will only be 3 more ‘get-ups’ until the half term holidays! Where has this half term gone? It only seems like 5 minutes ago, it was the beginning of September and we were starting back at school! We are now nearly 1/6th of a way through the academic year. It is utter madness. My glorious September morning sunsets have been replaced by ever darker morning drives and it will not be long before the clocks go back signalling that winter really is on its way. It will soon be dark by teatime and the heating will have to start going on. Mr Bennett and I do not agree on when we need the heating on in our house. I was always told that if I was cold to put a jumper on, the heating in our house doesn’t go on until the 1st November, by which time Mr Bennett is usually dressed in a million layers, including a hat, scarf, gloves and dressing gown as well as carrying a hot water bottle around with him! I have attached a picture of what he looks like at this time of year!
I thought this week, I would share with you a story I saw on social media over the weekend. As you may recall, Saturday 10th October was World Mental Health Day and I thought this was just a beautiful story with such an important meaning. It also includes Winnie the Pooh and Piglet which makes me very happy.
“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.
There was a pause.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.
“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”
“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.
“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs…he thought that his best friend had never been more right.”
A.A. Milne
It is still a challenging time for us all right now, even though we are 7 months into this pandemic. I am sending my thoughts to all of you who maybe having or have had a Difficult Day recently and I really hope you have your own Piglet to sit beside you. Please remember, it is ok not to be ok.
Days of the year themes for the coming week:
Tuesday 13th October – Own Business Day and Train Your Brain Day
Wednesday 14th October – Dessert Day, International Spinning Top Day, Pet Obesity Awareness Day and Accident and Emergency Nurses Day.
Thursday 15th October – Chicken Cacciatore Day, Conflict Resolution Day and Global Handwashing Day (if ever there was a day suited to us all at the moment, this would be it!)
Friday 16th October– World Food Day, Dictionary Day, Department Store Day, Feral Cat Day and Boss’ Day.
Saturday 17th October – One for Mrs Griffiths – Spreadsheet Day, Repair Day, Wear Something Gaudy Day and Sweetest Day.
Sunday 18thOctober – Toy Camera Day, Chocolate Cupcake Day and No Beard Day.
Quote of the week: “You are more precious to this world than you will even know.” – Lili Rhinehart.
Optimistic October calendar task (this month’s activities are based on looking after yourself and being positive):
Tuesday 13th October:
Put down your ‘to-do’ list and let yourself be spontaneous.
Wednesday 14th October:
Do something positive to overcome an obstacle that you are facing.
Thursday 15th October:
Look out for some positive news and reasons to be cheerful today.
Friday 16th October:
Thank yourself for achieving the things that you often take for granted.
Saturday 17th October:
Share your most important goals with people you trust.
Sunday 18th October:
Make a list of things you are looking forward to over half term.
Sleeps til Santa: 72
Five things I am looking forward to today (thanks to Mrs Hinch for the inspiration): Can you try this each day? Remember, it focuses your mind on the positive and reminds us to show gratitude for things, no matter how small!
Today I am looking forward to: Enchiladas for my dinner, having a cup of coffee at break time, doing some yoga, Story Club and speaking to my dad on the phone.
Have a wonderful week and a safe and restful half term,
See you in November!
Mrs Bennett
