🌟 School Wellbeing Newsletter – November Edition

Finding Calm and Joy as We Reach the End of the Year

As we reach the final stretch of the school year, it’s natural to feel the signs of end-of-year exhaustion. Children are tired, parents are juggling a million things, and teachers are running on determination (and coffee!). With concerts, assemblies, reports, and the whirlwind of the Christmas season just around the corner, it can all feel a bit too much.

But amidst the busyness, there are small ways we can pause, breathe, and care for ourselves and each other. Here are some gentle reminders and tips to help your family end the year with more calm, connection, and joy.

🌿 1. Acknowledge the Tiredness

It’s okay to admit we’re running low on energy. Everyone feels it this time of year! Try to give yourself—and your children—some grace. Some evenings might call for an easy dinner, an early bedtime, or skipping an activity. Rest is not a reward; it’s a necessity.

☀️ 2. Keep It Simple

As calendars fill up, choose what truly matters. Ask: “Will this add joy or just more stress?”It’s okay to say no to some invitations, scale back the gift lists, or do a “quiet weekend at home” instead of rushing to every event.

💖 3. Create Small Joys

Moments of joy don’t have to be big or expensive.

Play your favourite music while cooking dinner.
Have a family picnic in the backyard.
Take a slow evening walk to look at Christmas lights.
Share one thing you’re grateful for each day. These small things help reframe our focus from what’s next to what’s now.

💤 4. Prioritise Rest

The lead-up to the holidays can throw sleep routines out the window. Try to keep regular bedtime habits for children (and adults!). A good night’s rest can make the next day feel more manageable—and happier too.

🎄 5. Plan Pockets of Peace over the Holidays

Before the holiday rush begins, think about where your family can find moments of calm. Maybe it’s a day at the beach, a slow morning with no plans, or an afternoon spent baking together. Protect those moments like they’re appointments for your wellbeing—because they are.

🌈 A Final Thought

This time of year isn’t about doing everything—it’s about feeling present, grateful, and connected. Let’s all finish the year gently, celebrating not just what we’ve achieved, but also how we’ve cared for one another along the way.

Take care, rest when you can, and remember: you’re doing enough, and you are enough.

The Wellbeing Team 🌿

Kelly Goodgame and Hayley Nixon – On behalf of the Wellbeing and Culture Team

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