Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and managing to find the positives of Lockdown 2.0. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed a lockdown weekend! It was relaxing and restorative after what had been a very busy start to the new half term! I went for a long walk on Saturday along the River Trent. I don’t know about here, but in Nottingham there has been a low hanging mist all weekend. It was just beautiful walking through the woods, listening to the leaves crunching beneath my feet, the river flowing and hearing the animals rustling in the undergrowth. It was also a little bit spooky at times and very atmospheric. I was very glad that I was walking with a friend and not alone! After that, it was a weekend of sorting out the house, cleaning, watching films and afternoon napping – however, if Mr Bennett asks, I wasn’t asleep, I was just resting my eyes!
This weekend was also a time for reflection. I really missed all of the Remembrance services that usually take place for Remembrance Day. It was strange not going to our local church on Sunday and gathering with the village to remember all of the fallen service men and women. Since my nephew has been born, we go as a family to the service and take part in the community silence. It is such a poignant moment of the year and something that I feel lucky to be able to take part in. I enjoy telling Arthur about my grandad and grandma’s experiences in the war and talking about the effects this had on them for the rest of their lives. Family history is so important and I wish I knew more about my family’s past. I love the endless questions that follow the Remembrance service and the ways that young minds process information and ask what seem the simplest but actually very though provoking questions for us as adults!
This year, Armistice Day will be difference – we usually mark it together in the school hall with an assembly and a two-minute silence. This year, we will still hold our silence but in a different way, we may not be together physically in a room but we will be together in spirit remembering bravery, loss, friendship, forgiveness and hope.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Days of the year themes for the coming week:
Tuesday 10th November – Sesame Street Day, Area Code Day, Vanilla Cupcake Day and Forget-me-not Day
Wednesday 11th November – Armistice Day
Thursday 12th November – Chicken Soup for the Soul Day and Pizza with the Works Day
Friday 13th November– World Kindness Day
Saturday 14th November – Pickles Day, Guacamole Day and World Diabetes Day
Sunday 15th November – Clean Out Your Fridge Day, Bundt Cake Day, I Love to Write Day and Cookie Day
Monday 16th November – Have a Party with Your Bear Day, Clarinet Day, International Day of Tolerance, Button Day and Fast Food Day
This week is also Talk Money Week!
Quote of the week: “It is not what you think you are that holds you back. It’s what you think you are not.”
New Ways November calendar task (this month’s activities are based on continued learning and trying out new things):
Tuesday 10th November:
When you feel that you cannot do something, add the word “yet”
Wednesday 11th November:
Be curious. Learn about a new topic or an inspiring idea Thursday 12th November:
Overcome a frustration by trying out a new approach
Friday 13th November:
Choose a different route to school – what do you notice along the way?
Saturday 14th November:
Find a new way to help or support a cause that you care about Sunday 15th November:
Go outside and do something playful
Monday 16th November:
Look at life through someone else’s eyes and see their perspective
Sleeps til Santa: 44 days
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: My take out coffee in a Christmas cup, finishing off the book I am reading tonight, going for a walk after work, the Student Council meeting at HPP and a long, hot bath!
Have a super week, stay safe and take good care of yourselves,
Love,
Mrs Bennett
