Holiday Wellbeing for Students (& Families)

Holiday wellbeing means balancing festive fun with self-care by managing stress through mindfulness, healthy habits (sleep, nutrition, movement), setting boundaries, staying connected, and focusing on gratitude to enjoy the season without burnout, especially with extra tips for sun safety in summer.

Key Strategies for Holiday Wellbeing

Prioritise Self-Care: Schedule quiet time, practice relaxation techniques (breathing and meditation), and do activities you enjoy, such as reading or gentle exercise.
Manage Your Schedule: Don't overcommit; simplify plans and focus on what's truly important to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Mindfulness & Gratitude: Use deep breathing to calm stress, keep a gratitude journal, and stay present in joyful moments.
Stay Connected: Reach out to supportive friends and family, but also be mindful of who drains you; it's okay to set boundaries.
Healthy Habits: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep, stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods (veggies first!), and incorporate daily movement, such as walks.
Limit Screen Time: Reduce social media use to prevent comparison and feelings of inadequacy.
Be Flexible: Embrace changes to traditions and new experiences to reduce stress.
Sun Safety (Summer Holidays): Slip on protective clothing, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, Slide on sunglasses.

Disability Inclusion

Celebrating Growth in All Its Forms

As we come to the end of the school year, it’s a time to pause and reflect on progress. While reports are one way we measure learning, they don’t tell the whole story — especially for students with disabilities.

This year, we have seen many important kinds of growth, including:

increased confidence to ask for help or try something new
stronger emotional awareness and use of calming strategies
growing independence in learning and daily routines
improved social skills, friendships and teamwork
persistence and resilience when learning felt challenging

Alongside this growth, we have seen many strengths shine in our students, such as:

creativity and original thinking
empathy and kindness towards others
determination and effort, even when tasks were difficult
honest communication and strong self-awareness
unique perspectives that enrich classroom discussions and learning

These strengths don’t exist despite challenges; they often develop from them.

With the proper supports, adjustments, and trusting relationships in place, students can demonstrate what they can do in ways that work for them.

Inclusive classrooms help all children understand that:

Everyone learns differently
Everyone has strengths and needs
Progress looks different for each person

As a school community, we are proud to celebrate every kind of growth this year, big or small, visible or quiet. Each step forward matters, and every child deserves to finish the year feeling seen, capable and valued.

A Family Reflection Prompt

As you head into the holidays, you might like to talk with your child about:

Something they are proud of this year
Something that felt tricky, but they kept trying
A strength they showed at school
One thing that helped them when learning felt hard

These conversations can help children recognise their own growth and finish the year on a positive, hopeful note.

Looking Ahead to Next Year

As the school begins preparing for the year ahead, we carry forward what we have learned about each child — their strengths, interests and the supports that help them thrive. Transition planning, sharing information and building new relationships are all part of ensuring students feel safe, supported and ready to learn in their new class. We look forward to continuing to work together with families to build inclusive environments where every child can grow in their own way.

TheirCare @ WPS