Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are well. I hope you all had fun weekends doing lots of the things that you love, with the people you love!
I had a great weekend – very productive! I spend most of Saturday and Sunday in the garden – jet washing, weeding, pinning up honeysuckles and clematis, planting my hanging baskets and pulling ivy from fences! This was intertwined with seeing friends, writing reports, a little bit of shopping, a BBQ and obviously, in this weather, having an adult drink of the rose variety! I never would have thought that I would enjoy my garden so much – it must be an age thing as since I turned 25 in April, I am hooked! I am, however, not great with the plant/weed identification! I know the common plants and weeds but my friend Jaci (who is a professional gardener) has had many, many picture messages this weekend that simply read: plant or weed?! Well you have to start somewhere don’t you?
I am constantly telling the children and staff to push themselves out of their comfort zones and I decided that it was time to take a spoonful of my own medicine with regard to my garden and I have not looked back since. Not only am learning new things but it is also so rewarding as you can see immediate results. Everyone in school knows that I do not like clutter and mess and that my clean outs of classrooms, cupboards and sheds are legendary. I enjoy it so much as you can see the results of you labours straight away– just like the garden. It’s also so relaxing and therapeutic – when I was weeding, my mind wandered off and I thought about nothing in particular, I was just enjoying the moment – how often do we get to do that, especially at the moment when life is so busy. . .
I am already looking forward to getting home each night this week to sit in the garden and relax – to take time to admire the beauty of nature and to be proud of what I have achieved when creating my own small sanctuary. To drift away for a few minutes as I watch the bees buzz or the ants crawl will be my mindful time, to restore calm, to help me relax and enable me a few minutes peace to refocus ready for the next day. What a great way to promote our personal well-being and mental fitness. Go on, everyone, give it a try!
Quote of the week: “You are not the darkness that you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender” – John Mark Green
Well-being tasks for this week: Joyful June.
This month is all about us belonging to, and being part of, something bigger and all of the ways that we can connect with, and make a difference to, the world.
Tuesday 13 June – Take a light-hearted approach. Choose to see the funny side
Wednesday 14 June –Share a happy memory with someone who means a lot to you
Thursday 15 June – Look for something to be thankful for where you least expect it
Friday 16 June – Speak to others in a warm and friendly way
Saturday 17 June – Take time to notice beautiful things
Sunday 18 June – Look for something good in a difficult situation
Monday 19 June – Get outside and find joy in being active
Jokes of the week:
Why did the sun not have to go to university?
He already has a million degrees.
What is the sun’s favourite day of the week?
Sunday, of course!
What flower can be seen growing on the sun’s surface?
Ultra-Violets.
What is the sun’s favourite ride at the theme park?
The solar coasters.
How does the sun greet the moon and the earth?
Heat waves.
Sleeps til Santa: 194 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 my dad’s birthday.
- I am looking forward to the Highclare 90th birthday ball at the weekend.
- I am looking forward to more sunshine!
- I am grateful for sun cream this week!
- I am grateful for the kindness of strangers.
Have a wonderful week and remember to take care in this weather. Wear sun cream, drink plenty and avoid the midday sun!
Much love,
Mrs Bennett
