MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY –3RD MAY 2019

Dear Students, Parents and Colleagues,

Last week I mentioned that we had 224 students taking external public examinations over the next two months. These can be a very stressful time for students in high-stakes assessments. As parents and teachers we must do all we can to support our students. A little bit of stress is good for us as it improves our focus and pushes us to succeed. However, we need ways of releasing the stress, otherwise the build-up can be overwhelming. Mindfulness techniques have been promoted in school although simple steps can be taken to give support:

1. Talk – let your child know that you are there for them to discuss their worries. More often than not solutions aren’t needed, it is the sharing that matters.
2. Exercise – exercise is a wonderful stress reliever and allows us to return refreshed to carry on with our work. The released endorphins give a great ‘feel good’ boost.
3. Sleep – good sleep patterns are essential to staying healthy and refreshed.
4. Socialise – keeping our support network alive allows us to gain widespread support.
5. Food – keeping a healthy, balanced diet keeps us in top condition and stops us from getting run down.
6. Creative – doing something creative is a tried and tested mindfulness technique, try it!

If you’d like to know more check out Natasha Devon MBE, she is an extremely successful mental health and body image campaigner based in the UK. All of ALT were lucky enough to see her at this year’s FOBISIA Leadership Conference and were very impressed with her very simple messages to good mindfulness.

Please note that school is closed on Monday due to the Coronation and will resume as normal on Tuesday 7th May. Our Parent Forums start on Tuesday for Year 7 parents. If you still wish to attend, please contact Khun Mod as soon as possible (secondary.sec@bkkprep.ac.th). This will be followed by a short Parent Workshop on Y7 Careers and University pathways.

Finally, have a restful weekend and enjoy the wonderful spectacle of the King’s Coronation.

Kind regards

Nigel Wilsonlock

Head of Secondary