Finding Time
With the pace of life seeming to increase beyond the point that might have been considered possible even a short while ago, it seems that we must consciously choose not to do some things, choose to opt out. I am conscious of not asking more of staff or students when their days already seem too full. To me, the ultimate goal is for us to find more time in everyone's lives for simpler things. We have to find a way to make it more acceptable for people to have gaps in their diaries. To create those gaps, we have to take some things out, or not spend so much time on some of the things we currently do. I do not have a solution to this in the next 300 words, but I do think we have to be brave enough to confront one of the great tyrannies of modern life.
Simply put, we need to allow time for relaxing, recharging and for doing nothing. We should cheer when a child (or an adult) spends time day dreaming, or reading. These are the times that enable us to escape from the world as it is, allowing our imagination to operate, and it is often these times that provide powerful insights or earth-changing ideas. Taking a break from technology is a key part of this as well. There is no denying the benefits that can be derived from technology, but we should also accept that time plugged into nature is just as important.
Of course, we should be careful not to confuse taking time off with procrastination, especially at busy times of the year. But it is just as important to accept that those busy times are exactly the moment when we derive greatest benefit from taking a break. It is self-defeating to say we are too busy to recharge.
Tackling Exam Stress
As Year 10 - 12 exams approach, I want to reinforce the benefits that students can gain by taking part in the 'Tackling Exam Stress' course we run at school on Wednesdays from 3.45pm-5.00pm. Helen Heppingstone takes the students through a series of techniques that help them to manage stress and to relax in the lead-up to exams. I strongly urge our young men in Years 10-12 to sign up for the sessions below; in my view, there are few activities that will be of greater benefit to them.
Students are welcome to attend all sessions; below is a guide of which sessions would be of most benefit to Years 10-12:
- Wed 23 August (Week 5)*
- Wed 30 August (Week 6)*
- Wed 6 September (Week 7)*
- Wed 13 September (Week 8)* ^ (Year 11 exams)
- Wed 20 September (Week 9)* ^ (Year 10 and 11 exams)
- Wed 27 September (Week 1 of holidays)^
- Wed 4 October (Week 2 of holidays and the week of Year 12 exams)^
^ Recommended for Year 12
* Recommended for Years 10 and 11
The cost is $10 a session if your son attends three or more sessions, or $15 if he attends up to two sessions. This is excellent value and attending multiple sessions will enable students to become well-versed in the techniques which they can hopefully embed into their routine beyond these exams.
Mr James Hindle
Director of Student and Staff Wellbeing