Good morning, Prep School family,
Welcome to the summer term! I hope that you have had a wonderful break and that you managed to relax and have lots of fun over the Easter holidays. I am finding it hard to believe that April is half way through and we are in the last term of this academic year. . .madness!
I had a lovely break this Easter, made all the better by the “Rule of Six” and being able to meet friends and family outside and in gardens. I was able to catch up with people who I hadn’t seen for months on end and actually speak to them face to face! I have been so grateful for the simple things in life since we broke up like coffees in parks, pizzas in gardens and walking with a group of friends. I have never smelt so much of fire and smoke due to all the chimineas I have sat by of an evening trying to keep warm but I also have not been as happy for a long time! My winter coat has been invaluable and I have discovered a new range of thermal vests and leggings – thank you M&S!
I was also able to celebrate my birthday this year – something that I didn’t really do last year due to it being right at the start of the Covid outbreak. I had a cake with candles and everything! I think my favourite part of my celebrations were sitting in my dad’s garden with my family, playing with my niece and nephew eating my Millie’s giant cookie cake (family tradition!).
However, my two very favourite parts of the holiday were firstly taking Amelie and Arthur to the safari park for a day out. We fed giraffes, wildebeests and some sort of elk. We loved the white lions and tigers and laughed lots at the rhinos. I had forgotten how much I missed going on day trips and how special these days. We made so many memories from going around the dinosaur sections many, many times, to watching everyone get wet on the log flume. Our day was full of laughter and awe.
Secondly, I was so happy to be able to travel to Norfolk again and to walk by the sea. As I have told you before, Norfolk is my happy place and boy, have I missed it. Mr Bennett and I only went for a day but it was the best day! We met my brother and his wife there along with Amelie and Arthur. The weather was perfect – the sky was bright blue; the sun was shining but it was cold. We had a long walk along the beach and sat in the sand dunes to eat our picnic. We went paddling in the sea (freezing) and collected shells for the garden. We watched dogs playing in the sand and old fashioned planes flying overhead. We even managed to have a Sunday roast in a pub to finish the day off perfectly!
This holiday has given me time to think about what is truly important to me and what I have actually missed throughout lockdown. I have missed family, friends and that basic human connection with others. I have missed the sea, the beach and the freedom to travel. I have missed the simple things in life. I haven’t missed the buzz of the shops or the overly busy weekends we used to have. I haven’t missed the rush and immediacy that seemed to come with life before lockdown. So whilst I was sat on the beach in the sun this weekend, I made a promise to myself to remember these lockdown positives and try to adapt my life in some way to get the best of post and pre-lockdown life. Lockdown has made me refocus and for that I am very grateful.
Days of the year themes for the coming week:
Tuesday 20th April – Volunteer Recognition Day
Wednesday 21st April – World Stationery Day, Chocolate covered Cashew Nut Day, Tea Day and Banana Day
Thursday 22nd April – Teach Your Children to Save Day, Earth Day, Thank You Thursday, Jelly Bean Day and Beagle Day
Friday 23rd April – Lost Dog Awareness Day, World Book Night, Asparagus Day, Day of Silence and English Language Day
Saturday 24th April – Pigs in A Blanket Day, Firefly Day, Vets Day, Sense of Smell Day and Independent Bookshop Day
Sunday 25th April – DNA Day, Courgette Day and World Penguin Day
Monday 26th April – Get Organised Day, Help A Horse Day, Pretzel Day and Alien Day
April is also: Stationery Month, Stress Awareness Month, Jazz Appreciation Month, Decorating Month, Gardening Month, Straw Hat Month, Poetry Month and Autism Awareness Month
Quote of the week: “When you look at a field of dandelions, you can either see and hundred weeds or a thousand wishes.”
Jokes of the Week:
Where would you find an elephant?
The same place you lost her!
How do you talk to a giant?
Use big words!
What animal is always at a baseball game?
A bat!
Facts of the Week:
The longest French fry in the world is recorded at 34-inches long.
Ice-cream used to be called “cream ice”.
Apples float because they are ¼ air!
Active April calendar task (Active April’s month’s activities are based on getting active and out and about):
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Tuesday 20th April: Spend less time sitting today – get up and move about |
Wednesday 21st April: Focus on ‘eating a rainbow’ of fruit and vegetables today |
Thursday 22nd April: Regularly pause to stretch and breathe throughout the day |
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Friday 23rd April: Enjoy moving to your favourite music – go for it! |
Saturday 24th April: Go out and do a good deed for yourself, someone in your family or a neighbour |
Sunday 25th April: Get active in nature |
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Monday 26th April Try a new type of exercise that you have not experienced before |
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Sleeps till Santa: 249 days
Five things I am looking forward to this week (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!
This week I am looking forward to: celebrating my friend’s birthday on Friday night (fingers crossed it stays warm and dry!), seeing everyone’s smiling faces in school, hearing all about your Easter holidays, finish off my book and seeing my dad.
Have a super week,
Stay safe and take care of yourselves and each other,
Lots of love
Mrs Bennett
