With our Year Six enjoying the sun, scenery and splendour of the Italian Alps, the rest of us have been ‘business as usual’ enjoying our first week back for the final half term of the year.
One of the highlights for me this week has been reading the boys’ entries in their gratitude journals which they have completed during Life Skills lessons each week since the start of the year. We have a community who show a healthy balance of being grateful for what they have, and what is done for them; this is not always the case in other schools. In an age of ‘plenty’, research shows that often possessions and treats become expectations in life, rather than being thought of as things to be appreciated. The impact of this is that children can feel disappointment and anger when these expectations are not met or disappear. It is perhaps no surprise then that people who deliberately practise gratitude have a stronger sense of wellbeing and self-esteem, and more positive relationships with others; there is also evidence that this leads to greater achievements, better physical health, and emotional resilience.
Whilst visiting for a transition session this week, our Year Two pupils discussed the most important feature of our school, which is that we are a community of kindness. I firmly believe that showing gratitude is a fundamental part of this. The Greater Good Science Centre (University of California) describes gratitude as the “social glue” which nurtures relationships. This is recognised throughout our school and nationally through the National Thank a Teacher Day on 19th June. This is a lovely initiative which allows children and families to show their gratitude National Thank A Teacher Day – Thank a Teacher by posting messages about schools and sending e-cards to staff. Please do visit the site if you feel that you would like take part with your children.
So, as I ponder the blessings that have been in evidence in the school this week, I am overwhelmed with the kindness I have seen around me. From the Year Three boys who were excellent friends to our visiting Year Two pupils, and the staff who have covered lessons with fun and flair and stepped in to offer exceptional pastoral care in place of colleagues who would normally be doing this but have given up their time to accompany the Year 6 boys to Italy, to the HPPPA who have been working so hard to prepare for the Centenary Summer Fair on Saturday … it makes me grateful to be a part of the Hampton community of kindness.
What a lovely place we are! Have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Howard
Deputy Head Pastoral
