Student Wellbeing

Christmas is coming! Traditions are important to our mental health because they provide a sense of stability and help us connect with our roots. 

The word tradition comes from the Latin word “tradiare”, which means “to hand over, to transmit”. It is a practice or ritual that is passed down from generation to generation. Traditions give us a sense of stability.

The Importance of Rituals in Our Daily Lives  

Rituals are a powerful tool for creating meaning in our daily lives. They have the power to shape our experiences and regulate our emotions. The idea of rituals can seem foreign to many people in the Western world. However, in other cultures rituals are a fundamental part of what it means to be a person. 

Traditions Provide Structure And Comfort 

One of the most important aspects of life is tradition. You form traditions based on those around you, and they can differ based on one’s childhood. However, there are many universal traditions that people share no matter what. For example, for many people, New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection on all that has happened during the year. It is also a time to set goals for the new year ahead. 

These traditions can provide structure to our lives and allow us to feel safe when we are going through hard times. 

Traditions Foster a sense of being 

The practice of tradition is very popular and key to our sense of belonging. Tradition helps us to feel like we belong in this world when we’ve come from somewhere else. It also helps us to fit in when we’ve always been in the same place. And it provides a sense of belonging for those who may feel like an outsider.

Traditions have been an important component of human societies since the dawn of time. 

Traditions Connect People With Each Other 

Traditions are about more than just following a set of steps. They are about creating unity and gathering people together. Traditions provide us with a sense of comfort and coziness, bringing families and friends together during the holidays. 

Some traditions may seem like silly superstition but, traditions can be used to connect people to their history and family lineage! All while providing them with the opportunity to indulge in some new experiences that they otherwise may not have had. 

These provide us with experiences of shared values and mutual comfort. They also offer us time for reflection and relaxation, and relief from the pressures of our daily lives.  

Traditional Celebrations Make People Happier and Healthier 

People all over the world celebrate in their own way, but what is most common are celebrations that are traditional to their culture. Traditional celebrations are one of the most significant parts of human history and they have been shown to reduce stress, increase mental well-being, and increase physical health. For example, staying up late on Christmas Eve is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. 

Traditional celebrations help people feel more connected to their community. They can even help them find ways of coping with difficult situations by providing an outlet for people during tough times!

(From Student Wellbeing Hub)

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Our next Mini Vinnie project will be to support St Vincent de Paul to collect food items for their Christmas Appeal. Our students in Mini Vinnies will be meeting with a representative form St Vincent's to will be there to help educate us about who needs this food and what types of food are best to collect.

Please bring items and place them in the basket in classrooms.

Food ideas to bring:

• Sugar
• Coffee
• Tea bags
• Cereals
• Ham in a tin
• Small bags of rice
• Pasta sauce
• tins of tomatoes or baked beans
• Salt or pepper
• Christmas puddings in tins

Jenny Willmott

jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au

Deputy Principal