July 2021 – Happy Schools

Two Words to Start the Day With in Challenging Times

July 29, 2021

Sad but true – we all have a Use By Date. Whilst we don’t like to think about it, it is inevitable. At some stage we are all going to die. In “The Comfort Crisis” author Michael Easter quotes researchers from the University of Kentucky who had people think about death and the result was…they got happier. The scientists concluded, “Death is a psychologically threatening fact but when people contemplate it, apparently the automatic system begins to search for happy thoughts.” Easter notes that it is similar to being on holiday. If you obsessively dwell on your holiday ending (yes we will be able to travel again in the future), it is depressing and isn’t helpful. However, acknowledging that the…

Managing Student Anxiety Before It Becomes A Problem

July 22, 2021

Stevef

Effectiveness

Research shows that childhood anxiety left unmanaged will almost certainly re-emerge, highlighting the importance of early detection and management. Teachers, as first responders, play an important role by minimising the impact of stressful moments before they lead to full-blown anxiety. Recognise anxiety triggers Recognising the events that trigger anxiety is the first step to helping students to manage their stress. Rapid or unpredictable change, new social situations, unfamiliar events and difficult experiences are the most common anxiety stressors for students. Know how anxiety shows Stress and anxiety show in many ways however, most students display anxiety behaviours that are specific to them. Typically, anxiety shows through physical signs such as chest pains, nausea and headaches. Anxiety can be observed through…

Effort vs Achievement

July 15, 2021

Stevef

Engagement

Pretty much anyone working in schools can talk extensively about the difference between effort and achievement – particularly in the scenario when some students seem to cruise through their school life with very little effort whilst achieving high grades whereas others continuously ‘bust their gut’ trying, but only ever achieve average academic outcomes. While situations like this can be frustrating for teachers to watch, it can be downright disheartening for those students in the latter group. But when we fast-forward and look at the individuals in their later lives, evidence shows that the kids who learn the value of effort are the ones that are more satisfied and successful in work and life. They are the resilient ones. Often, schools…

Interruptions Are Inevitable

July 8, 2021

Stevef

Efficiency

Working in a school environment or teaching in a classroom is challenging in a myriad of ways. One of the causes for stress and work dissatisfaction is the number and severity of interruptions experienced by staff. We’ve all felt the frustration of getting stuck into a work task or classroom lesson, gaining momentum and starting to see great results, when… BAM – there’s a knock on the door; the phone rings; a student arrives late or must leave early; and so on. Rarely does it matter WHAT the interruption is, the focus is lost and it can be difficult, sometimes impossible, to regain momentum in the available timeframe. Whilst it’s tempting to throw your hands in the air and bemoan…