Chaplaincy news

Reflection – how to push through to the end (of Term!)

He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak. Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall. 

But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.

Isaiah 40:29-31

I’ve been hearing that a lot of people are feeling tired at this end of the Term. We are still a few weeks away from holidays and I think the feelings of burnout are starting to kick in. 

Burnout is the emotional and mental tiredness that no amount of physical sleep will help. Make sure to check in with yourself to see if you’re burning out. If you are, don’t worry, now is the time to start helping yourself by resting more.

More sleep isn’t the cure to burn out. It’s actually setting up strategies to help with mental and emotional tiredness. This means trying to turn off the constant whirling thoughts. When resting, it is about actively stopping yourself from taking in new things, giving your brain a rest from the constant processing. 

Meditation is a great way of helping, to put away all the thoughts and focus on one thing. If you have thoughts and worries that come up, let them go by writing them down on a notepad for later. That way you don’t forget but you don’t have to think of it! This can be applied when you’re in the middle of anything, not just a meditation.

If we are fully resting and turning off when we aren’t ‘on’ then we will be way more motivated and productive when we need to be. This will help us push through till the end. 

Prayer for the fortnight

I pray this week I will consider where I am giving my time. I pray I will actively try to rest my brain to stop the effects of burnout.

Year 7 and 8 Chapel: inclusive community 

Year 7 and 8 students have been learning about respectful relationships, building friendships and getting the most out of people in their lives during Wellbeing this term. Our Chapel this term has followed these teachings by focusing on how we can create inclusive communities. 

During Chapel, the students enjoyed spending time outside in the Oaktree gardens as they discussed questions like ‘What does an inclusive community look like?’, ‘Who is included in my community and who is excluded?’. These questions helped the students to consider actions they can take to be inclusive in the Shelford community and beyond. The list of actions created during this time are now displayed in their Home Groups.

Chapel at Shelford always aims to be a time to reflect on our behaviours and actions as we continue to reinforce ideas taught during Wellbeing time. Elements of scripture and prayer are used, yet always remain open for students to interact with in a way that suits them.

Oaktree chickens

Many of you have noticed the wonderful Oaktree Community Chickens that are under the big old oak tree near the Church Hall. You can enter the playground gates and go to visit the chickens inside their house. We ask for parents to supervise those in Junior school and remind all to correctly close the chicken house latch if you do choose to go and hug a chicken!

You can find out more by following @chickensofoaktree on Instagram or emailing chickens@oaktreeanglican.chuch

We would also like to introduce Shelly, the blue tagged chicken, who is named after Shelford! We feel honoured and excited to have one of the chickens named after us! This was a name given by one of our Year 8 students. 

Claire Cheeseman

School Chaplain