Andrew Watt – Principal

Benefits of expressing gratitude throughout the COVID-19 journey

As we cautiously emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, we will face challenges relating to rebuilding our economy and regaining our confidence in returning to school and re-engaging in social events and sport. For many of us, the journey over the past three months has been stressful, isolated and fear-laden. Some of us have fared better than others and perhaps there are lessons to be learned, as we move forward towards a rebuilding phase. The power of gratitude, for example, should not be underestimated as a protective factor for our mental health. Research had revealed that expressing gratitude on a daily basis can improve sleep, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, depression and increase levels of optimism. Mira Goldstein, a 15-year-old cub reporter in the USA, shares her experiences of practising gratitude.

Gratitude, in its simplest form, is taking stock of what we have and being grateful for it. It involves focussing on silver linings and counting our blessings. This practice of noticing and being thankful for what is valuable and meaningful to us is especially important in the midst of our current uncertain future. Like most things, expressing our gratitude becomes easier with practice. Over the past 12 months, our staff have been encouraged to engage in mindfulness and the discipline of expressing gratitude. Our weekly staff briefings have concluded with several staff members sharing ‘gratitude points’. Some strategies to get started include:

1. Set aside time each day: make a habit of intentionally reflecting on the positives;
2. Jot down your joys: make a list and challenge yourself to identify and name your gratitude;
3. Count blessings not sheep: think of positive things that have happened before sleeping each night;
4. Pass it on: expressing gratitude towards others can make a difference.
5. Don’t force it: If you are struggling to feel grateful, don’t beat yourself up, rather practise self-compassion;
6. Don’t minimise to your own struggles: there is room for conflicting emotions; and
7. Keep it simple and uncomplicated: capture what makes you smile or be happy.

According to the Talkspace website, the bottom line is to be gentle with yourself during one of the most stressful times in human history. When it comes down to it, you deserve as much gratitude for yourself as you give everyone else.

Launch of Emanuel School Instagram

I am delighted announce the launch of watt.s_up_at_emanuel, where the latest news around our campus will be posted to members of the Emanuel School Community. This will provide an opportunity for special moments in the life of Emanuel School, big or small, to be shared on a regular basis. The Principal and the Marketing and Communications team will be on the lookout for breaking news, interesting activities, personal interest stories and special moments, across our Kornmehl, Primary School and High School. Please sign up for access to regular highlights of life at Emanuel School. We request that for safety reasons, please ensure that your instagram page is ‘private’.

Yasher koach (translation: great job/more power to you)

• Two Year 9 students have had particularly bad internet issues this term. Lucy Menczel, also in Year 9, took the initiative and always made sure that her two friends were on a phone call with her throughout class so that they could hear the High School Jewish Life Zoom sessions, respond to questions and participate in Breakout Room activities.  

Poem of the week

Education

Teachers are not private chefs
Preparing knowledge
Just how you like it
They are not farmers
or food trucks
Seeds are being dropped all around
You, the earth 
Must be a place for growing
And your teachers,
Bless them,
Are the rain
By bentlily