Middle Years 

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of others; to create and appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of myself; to leave the world a bit better, whether by happy and healthy children or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because I have lived.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Dr Geoff Handbury died last week aged 94. I knew Dr Handbury for close to thirty years and I know his vision was for local students to have access to Positive Education; the ideas and skills that will enable them to flourish in their adult lives. I feel passionate about continuing this exciting journey.

 

Dr Handbury and his family are generously sponsoring the Western District Positive Education Hub in collaboration with the Geelong Grammar School Institute of Positive Education. I am looking forward to continuing to develop the Western District Hub as a legacy to this generous and kind man. I learnt a great deal from Dr Handbury, and his positive attitude to life was infectious.

 

Our Middle Years students have been sitting exams this week and I have been pleased with the focus and commitment to studies in myPEC. I would like to pass on my congratulations as they have made the most of the revision phase at school. Students have been under some stress and this can be viewed as a good thing. We need to be stretched and challenged, and the examination phase does this for students and staff.

 

John Ratey, in his book Spark, suggests that we need stress in order to grow and learn and that we possess the natural antidotes to stress; which are exercise and good friends. When we encounter situations which require us to struggle, this places more demands on our body and brain. Our bodies quickly repair in the face of stress and strengthen against further stresses. Neuroscientists call this phenomenon stress inoculation.

 

Exercise reduces stress and strengthen our mind and body. It takes our minds off stress and creates a feeling of mastery and positive emotions which combat the cognitive causes of stress. Being around our friends stimulates the release of serotonin creating feelings of well-being, which also combat stress.

 

The end of the year is fast approaching and students need to get organised in the last few days of the year. Lockers need to be cleaned out, folders need to be sorted, old textbooks need to be taken home or sold to other students. Booklists need to be submitted for next year. Care and attention need to be given to this final phase.

 

Finally, as we head into the last week of the school year, I encourage all students to;

Be grateful.

Be a good friend.

Be kind.

Help others.

Be your “best self”.

Focus on the positive things in your life.

Julia Winter Cooke