PUBLISHED 25 January 2023
We were delighted to be awarded the 'Wellbeing for Schools Award' (WAS) in April 2022, following a review of our pastoral practices, culture and feedback from members of our community, including staff, students and parents. One of the initiatives to support staff wellbeing are the 'Wellness Wednesday' messages sent by Mandy Briggs, Year 4 teacher and PSHE and Wellbeing Co-ordinator for Prep School.
'Mandy's Musings' have become popular with staff, as positive messages about taking care of our mental health and wellbeing. Today's message provides a gentle reminder to appreciate the moment and find the positives...
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Have you heard the increase sound of birds calling in the morning more recently?
On these cold, crisp winter mornings, they are for me a pleasing and calming sound as I take the frost sheet off the car and start the 10-minute scraping of the windows.
We have a little robin in our garden, who will always come and say hello if we are out there.
Robins are my favourite bird. I am lucky, as we have lots of 'little visitors' to the garden as I live near some woods. I have a little pebble with a robin on it and on the other side it simply says, 'Always with you'.
There is a lot of symbolism and meaning behind the robin. It can signify joy, hope and good luck. It is also associated with bereavement 'giving comfort to show loved ones you are not alone'. It has also been associated in the past with New Year and spiritual renewal/transformation and growth. The robin is also about perseverance and the trying to 'keep on keeping on'. The robin can teach us how to focus and trust ourselves better.
I also have a little glass robin which hangs in my porch so I can see it every day as I leave and return home.
As the robin reminds us to appreciate the moment, find the positives in the day and stand up for yourself and protect what we value, perhaps we should follow this too.
Have a good week and 'keep on keeping on'.
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