Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and had a wonderful weekend of whatever excitement came your way! For me, it involved birthday parties, birthday cake, a roast dinner, cleaning and a roaring fire amongst other things. It was a weekend of two halves really – Saturday was manic and filled with much fun. Sunday was far more relaxed filled with adult jobs and eating. I am very much looking forward to next weekend already as we have lots of exciting things planned but I am also really looking forward to this week in school. I have thoroughly enjoyed the cold snap we have been having – crisp, frosty mornings are right up my street and I am looking forward to the so called ‘snow bomb’ that is apparently coming in our direction in the next week or so. . .I know I am in danger of doing a Michael Fish here but I am thinking a snow bomb might be a bit ambitious for the Midlands, maybe we might get a snow show, sprinkle or dusting. . .we shall see.
This week, I thought I would re-share with you a story from one of my favourite story characters. As you avid Bulletin readers know, I really enjoy Winnie the Pooh and all of the stories about his and his friend’s adventures in the 100-acre wood. I especially like the tales as they always have a meaning and are teaching us important lessons without even knowing it!
I was reminded this weekend of just how important friendship is and how vital it is that we check in on those people we are lucky enough call our friends, our family. . .
It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn’t heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore’s stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.
“Hello Eeyore,” said Pooh.
“Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet,” said Eeyore, in a glum sounding voice.
“We just thought we’d check in on you,” said Piglet, “because we hadn’t heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay.”
Eeyore was silent for a moment. “Am I okay?” he asked, eventually. “Well, I don’t know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That’s what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all. Which is why I haven’t bothered you. Because you wouldn’t want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is sad, and alone, and not much fun to be around at all, would you now.”
Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.
Eeyore looked at them in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“We’re sitting here with you,” said Pooh, “because we are your friends. And true friends don’t care if someone is feeling sad, or alone, or not much fun to be around at all. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are.”
“Oh,” said Eeyore. “Oh.” And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.
Because Pooh and Piglet were there.
No more; no less.
Quote of the week: “A friend is the nicest thing that you can have and the best thing that you can be.”
Well-being tasks for this week: These tasks are for a happier start to the year.
Tuesday 24 January – Take a small step to achieve a goal
Wednesday 25 January – Lift people up instead of putting them down
Thursday 26 January – Pick one of your strengths and use it today
Friday 27 January – Challenge your negative thoughts
Saturday 28 January – Ask people about something they have enjoyed recently
Sunday 29 January – Send a card or a letter in the post to a friend you haven’t seen for a while
Monday 30 January – See how many people you can smile at today
Jokes of the week: All linked (kind of. . .to Winnie the Pooh)
Why did Kanga call the 100-acre wood police?
She saw Christopher Robin
What type of books does owl like to read?
Hooo-dunnits (mystery books)
What does Winnie the Pooh take to a sleepover?
Just the bear necessities.
Why didn’t Winnie the Pooh order dessert?
He was already stuffed.
What kind of honey does Winnie the Pooh like the most?
The kind that is closest to him.
Sleeps til Santa: 334 sleeps til Santa
5 things that I am grateful for or looking forward to this week:
Can you try this simple exercise in gratitude and positivity?
- I am looking forward to seeing my friends this week
- I am looking forward to a long walk
- I am looking forward to February – January has been a long month
- I am grateful for delicious soup recipes on the BBC website (other websites are available)
- I am grateful for a good book
I hope you all have a quiet and relaxing week, filled with moments of joy, kindness and friendship,
Lots of love
Mrs Bennett
