Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

Wellbeing in Winter

As we officially enter winter this week, it is important to remember to keep ourselves well over the coming months. Cold and flu season is definitely upon us and we also have COVID heavily impacting our community once again. Keeping warm and remembering to use hand sanitiser is crucial during this season. Already we have had many students and staff away from school unwell. We understand the impact this can have on families and student’s learning, but we know that when we are not well it is difficult to learn. We also know that staying home when we are unwell is the only way to decrease the spread of germs amongst our College community.

Dark mornings and evenings, grey days, cold weather and rain can all have an impact on our overall sense of wellbeing. Less light during the day decreases the amount of time spent outside, whether that is exercising, playing sport, going for a leisurely walk or just generally spending time out in the fresh air. The same applies to rainy days, where our students are restricted to being indoors. 

While it is an easy trap we can all fall into, it is a good idea to try and limit screen time on these occasions. This can be difficult to manage given phones are often regarded as one of the easiest options for entertainment however activities such as reading, playing cards, board games, cooking and dare I say it (homework!) can pass time on these days.

Spending time with friends, doing activities you enjoy and maintaining a healthy exercise regime can also help to lift our mood. Why not consider joining a gym for the winter months so that the weather is no longer a barrier.

It’s not uncommon for people to experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a disruption in their sleep schedule during the winter season. Good sleep habits are integral to the daily functioning of an individual and sleep deprivation can greatly affect a student’s ability to successfully learn and operate within the classroom. 

Teenagers should be getting between 8 - 10 hours sleep each night. Making sure that your sleeping area is comfortable, free of noisy distractions and slightly cool will assist with this. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule can also be beneficial - this means going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time, regardless of the day. Winter is a time of dormancy and the desire to sleep in can be strong!

We would like to remind families that school starts with Learning Mentor at 8:53am and that it is part of our structured school day. Learning Mentor sets students up for the day and week ahead and is a great opportunity to connect with others and build motivation and enthusiasm at a time of year when we can all be feeling less so. We ask that students value this time with their Learning Mentor Teacher and Learning Mentor Group by being there on time.

Jarrod O’Brien

Director - Kildare Campus