The second half of the Spring Term has been as busier than ever as each area of the School expands on its Enrichment offering. Girls in Years 5 and 6 have enjoyed their residential trip to Glaramara House near Keswick where they enjoyed a wealth of outdoor activities in the glorious sunshine. Drama students in KS3 and KS4 have entered the ISA national Drama competition, Junior School pupils took part in “STEAM” week combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths and our Language Leaders have been sharing their passion for languages at local primary feeder schools. For many of us the highlight of this half term has been the celebration of the founding of our School in our St. Joseph’s Day service. Chaplain Lenny led a moving service on the theme of protecting our planet and new beginnings. After the service the girls received their traditional Crème Egg – a time honoured AESG tradition!
The educational press is awash with articles on the themes of well-being and happiness. At AESG we pride ourselves on our pro-active pastoral care and commitment to support the well-being of every member of the School community. For me happiness is an essential component to wellbeing. As I was growing up I remember the song “I don’t like Mondays” written by Bob Geldof. I am incredibly fortunate that I have always loved working in schools and don’t suffer from that sinking feeling as Monday morning approaches. At a previous GSA Heads’ Conference I had the privilege of listening to and meeting Andy Cope (aka The Doctor of Happiness). In his speech Mr Cope encouraged us to love Mondays; our aim should not be to get through the week but to enjoy the week, every moment of the week and not put off our well-being and happiness until the weekend. By living the moment, loving the moment, and inspiring others to do so, we lift the well-being of people around us.
Andy Cope, author of “The Art of Being Brilliant”, stressed to the audience of Headteachers the importance of positive psychology. He reminded us that happiness was not real. It is in our heads and we are therefore only a moment, a thought, away from happiness. We need to focus on getting to that moment, being positive rather than be pulled down by the negative. By being happy and seeking out people who are happy creates a positive learning environment, full of joy. It is contagious.
Our lives have become so condensed, so full of lists of things to do, that we have become overwhelmed and exhausted. Instead of focusing on what we still need to do, we should concentrate on how we are being and being our best self everyday. Sometimes it is easier to complain, to criticise or to be negative to fit in. But we can also consciously and deliberately choose to be positive and watch the ripple effect this has on the surrounding people. Being positive is a learnt behaviour and this behaviour can influence others.
This resonated so much with me. Sometimes I do wonder who we are “being” when we are so busy “doing”. The conference reminded me and all other GSA Heads of our role in an increasingly frenetic world to live in the positive moment, and not put off happiness until the weekend.
I was reminded of this thought during a pre-lockdown holiday when I came across an inspirational poster. The words on the poster are known as the “Holstee Manifesto” which was created by three young Americans as they sat together on the steps of Union Square in New York to write down how they defined happiness and success. The goal was to create something they could reflect back on if they ever felt stuck or found themselves living according to someone else’s definition of happiness.
I thought it was appropriate to end my blog with the manifesto in the hope that it helps us to focus on the important things in life.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter break.
Mrs Smillie
