Mrs Bennett’s Bulletin Tuesday 27 June 2023

Posted: 28th June 2023

Good morning, Prep School family,

 

I hope this Bulletin finds you all well and very relaxed from the weekend.

 

I had a super lovely weekend which mostly involved spending time with Amelie and Arthur, my niece and nephew! I had them to stay all weekend! We had so much fun together from coming to school for the Friends of Highclare School fayre to dance lessons to breakfast out to singing along to The Beatles in the car (apparently Arthur’s new favourite band) and many, many water fights to keep cool in the heat!

 

Once they had gone home, and I had put the house back together, I had a very relaxing evening with Mr Bennett and my dad. We had a delicious dinner in the garden as the weather was so beautiful and then Mr Bennett went to bed to watch a film. My dad and I stayed up with several adult beverages and thoroughly enjoyed watching the end of Glastonbury. Elton John was just amazing and the crowds were unbelievable. His set from beginning to end was full of every single classic you would want him to play and the crowd’s reaction to him and his songs gave me goose bumps! I loved it all. Watching him play was a joy, the sparkling costumes and glasses in the crowd were spectacular and the weather was perfect. The whole thing just made me feel so happy. Apart from Elton, a few of my personal favourites from Glastonbury this year were (and I appreciate this is an eclectic mix): Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Lizzo, Rick Astley, Faithless and Guns N’ Roses! I do love a bit of Axel and Slash! I went to see them live in concert a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have ever been to! Who knew Mrs Bennett liked a bit of metal!!

 

So after that revelation . . .over the weekend, I came across this analogy and I really liked it. It made sense to me and therefore I thought I would share with you all.

 

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you, making you spill the coffee.

 

Why did you spill the coffee?

 

“Because someone bumped into me!”

 

Wrong answer.

 

I spilled the coffee because there was coffee in my cup. Has there been tea in there, I would have spilled the tea. Whatever was inside the cup would have spilled out.

 

Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which will happen, whatever is inside you will come out. It’s easy to fake it until you get rattled.

 

So we have to ask ourselves, “What is in my cup?”

 

When life gets tough, what spills over?

 

Joy? Gratitude? Peace? Humility? Happiness? Love? Acceptance?

 

Anger? Bitterness? Quitting tendencies? Nastiness?

 

Life provides the cup – you chose how you fill it.

 

Let’s work towards filling our cup with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation, resilience, positivity, kindness gentleness and care for others.

 

Quote of the week: “Perhaps we should love ourselves so fiercely, that when others see us they know exactly how it should be done” – Rudy Francisco

 

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 27 June – Be kind to you, do something that brings you joy

 

Wednesday 28 June – Notice how positive emotions are contagious between people

 

Thursday 29 June – Share a friendly smile with everyone you meet today

 

Friday 30 June – Make a list of the joys in your life and keep adding to it

 

Saturday 1 July – Take a small step to overcome a joy or a worry

 

Sunday 2 July – Adopt a growth mindset

 

Monday 3 July – Be willing to ask for help if you need it

 

Jokes of the week:

 

What’s a mathematician’s favourite summer vacation spot?

Times Square!

 

What school teaches you how to make ice cream?

Sundae school!

 

What’s a shark’s favourite summer vacation spot?

Finland!

 

What does bread do on vacation?

He loafs around and has fun!

 

Why do all comedians love the mountains?

Because they love being hill-a-rious!

 

Sleeps til Santa: 190 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?

  1. I am looking forward to the Year 6 Enterprise Days
  2. I am looking forward to the Prep School sleep over
  3. I am looking forward to an afternoon nap after the sleep over
  4. I am looking forward to the Swan’s (HPW) graduation
  5. I am grateful for the continuing beautiful weather
  6. I am grateful for all of the wonderful teachers and children who helped make Prize Giving last week so special. What a team.

Have an amazing penultimate week of school! Have fun and enjoy everything that is on offer, we have such a busy, fun-packed week!

 

Much love,

 

Mrs Bennett

Senior School and Sixth Form Open Evening

On Thursday 10 October, we are holding our Senior School and Sixth Form Open Evening, from 4:30-7pm.

Come and experience a whistle-stop tour of the school, as we demonstrate a typical day at Highclare. Any questions you may have will be answered as you move around the school and speak to staff and students alike. Teaching staff are highly motivated professionals with a wealth of experience that they are keen to share! There will also be an address by the Head, so ensure you arrive in plenty of time in order that you do not miss out.

As places are limited, if you are interested in attending this event, please book by contacting the admissions department. You can do this by calling 0121 373 7400, emailing highclare.admissions@highclare.co.uk, or filling out the form linked below.

Highclare School holds regular Open Events throughout the year at Highclare Senior School, Highclare Preparatory School: St Paul’s, and Highclare Preparatory School: Woodfield.  However, if you miss one of our Open Events then please contact admissions for an individual appointment to visit the School during any school day. Parents are always welcome to visit, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

If you are interested in attending our event on 10 October, please click here to book your place 

To find out more about our other open events, please click here