From the Base
Published 16/05/21, by Angela Slater
Learned Helplessness vs Learned Optimism
Last week I spoke about resilience. This week, Mr Cuyler has expanded further on this idea.
Community blogs
Thoughts, comments, ideas and pause for thought from members of our school and extended community.
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Read MoreFrom the Base
Published 07/05/21, by Angela SlaterI thought it might be helpful for you know some initiatives going on within the school to help develop the pupils' wellbeing, self-regulation, personal growth and happiness.
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Published 30/04/21, by Angela SlaterManners
When my children were young my wife and I, when they were really annoying us, would say, 'They might be devils at home but at least they are angels at school.' I don't think they were ever angels, but they knew their pleases and thank yous, always behaved and didn't speak out of turn. And so do many children.
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Published 26/03/21, by Angela SlaterA life well lived
In an especially touching lesson with Year 3 this week, we discussed having a pet and what you have to do to look after one. The boys spoke passionately about their love of animals, from dogs and cats to ducks and rabbits. One of the points of the lesson was to introduce the concept of loss and how it might make someone feel, how to talk about it, and what it all means. Tricky but worthy stuff.
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Published 19/03/21, by Angela SlaterIs talking all it's cracked up to be?
When things are tough, we're encouraged to talk about it. Got a problem? Open up. Feeling rubbish? Call a friend. Struggling with life? See a therapist.
Question is, does it help? Well, depends on who you talk to - but often the answer is based on someone's own experience.
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Published 12/03/21, by Angela SlaterThe Power of Gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Published 05/03/21, by Angela SlaterEarly Mornings
There is a stillness early in the mornings, especially in Spring and Summer. Those quiet moments just before dawn, when life is waking up (not the teenagers in my household though). The only times I've seen a fox have been then, and many hedgehogs and quite a few other creatures. If I'm lucky and in the garden, I will have a cup of tea with me.
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Published 26/02/21, by Angela SlaterDuring Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, I did some work with Y6-8 entitled the 'Cognitive Triangle'. At its heart it is based on:
THOUGHT leads to FEELINGS leads to BEHAVIOUR
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Published 12/02/21, by Angela SlaterBitter pills
One of the hardest things I've ever had to do as a parent is ask for help. The idea of admitting that I was failing, that I was not doing a good job, that I was not 'protecting' my children, was a bitter pill to swallow.
That was, until I actually swallowed it. Swallowed my pride, consumed and destroyed the idea that somehow, we are so supposed to just 'know how to be a good parent'. My guidebook must have been lost in the post!
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Published 05/02/21, by Angela SlaterExpress yourself - Children's Mental health Awareness Week
Self-expression is such an important part of life and good wellbeing. It helps us highlight our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and allows us to build a narrative of our life. Some people express through art forms such as drawing and dance, whilst others through the things they do and what they wear.
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Published 29/01/21, by Angela SlaterNext week is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. The school will be running activities and assemblies based around the theme of 'Express yourself'. The focus is finding ways of talking about and expressing your emotions and feelings, especially in creative and non-verbal ways.
Read MoreThe Community at Pilgrims'
Published 25/01/21, by Angela SlaterThe community at Pilgrims’, although distanced, is stronger than ever.
What did The Pilgrims’ School, Winchester, due to begin their Spring Term at 0830 on Tuesday 5th January do when the Prime Minister announces at 8pm on Monday 4th January that all schools were to close for the first half of term? Why, they re-launched Virtual Pilgrims’, which meant that at 0830 the following morning, 12 hours after the Mr Johnson’s announcement, 95% of pupils logged on to the Headteacher’s online assembly, including key worker boys supervised on site, numerous boys from around the world, AND two boys who were joining Pilgrims’ for their very first day! After a few resets for passwords forgotten over the holidays, all boys were logged into their first lesson of the day, following their new, virtual timetable.