Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care and Wellbeing 

Taking time to stop, rest and recuperate

There is no doubt that for many of us the past term has been a very busy one. Between the change in weather, many students giving up their time for School of Rock (what a great show!!), the juggling of part-time work and study, it is important that we take time to simply rest and recover in preparation for the next term. Rest is essential for our health and our wellbeing. We all need to make it a priority, for without rest, we can not function at our best.

Burnout and stress are closely linked, and at this time of the year our senior students are busily preparing for trials and final assessments in the lead up to their final exams. One of the first signs of burnout or stress is not sleeping, feeling stressed all the time and not engaging in the things that make us feel good, like socialising with our friends. We feel exhausted and we are quick to lose our cool at even the most minor of things. It is really important to help our young people begin to identify these early warning signs of stress and burnout and encourage them to begin to take time out for rest and relaxation.

My hope for all of you is to find time these holidays to make rest and recuperation a focus. To give yourself and your children permission to STOP and just be still for even just a few minutes each day. To get out amongst nature and explore the natural world around us. Taking time to reflect and be grateful is another key way to rejuvenate and gain new energy.

May you all have a restful break and come back next term ready to engage in another term of active learning.

Mellissa Bell

Leader of Learning - Pastoral Academic Care & Wellbeing