Thank you for the shoeboxes filled with gifts for Operation Christmas Child. 51 boxes were delivered and are on their way to children around the world.

If you would like to attend, please note that there is still time to sign up for the Advent and Christmas Carol Service. Please use this form.

Key Christmas Dates

6 December
Community Day for Lower Sixth organised by Mrs Brown. Community Day will comprise a range of volunteering events and a sweet sale.

11 December
Christmas Jumper Day. Students are invited to donate £2 in exchange for wearing a Christmas themed jumper with their school uniform. Proceeds to Save the Children.

11 December
Carols and Christmas Songs for Boarding Students and Residents at 6.30pm. Outside on Trew Lawn Terrace or in the Dining Hall if wet. Followed by hot chocolate and chocolate brownies. Please wear your best winter hat and scarf!

12 December
Hartley House Bake Sale in aid of Noah’s Ark Hospice for Children.

12 December
Advent and Christmas Carol Service in Q Hall at 3.30 pm. All students are required to attend. Parents and Guardians are warmly invited.

IN ASSEMBLY

Monday and Tuesday of this week Sophia Z (Wellbeing Prefect, 13H) and Mrs Leggett (School Counsellor) advertised Wellbeing Week and talked about the powerful strategy of self-compassion to manage anxiety, stress and burnout. Self-compassion is the act of being kind and understanding towards ourselves when we are experiencing difficulties and involves:

Acknowledging how we are feeling, without judgement.
Directing feelings of kindness and care towards ourselves.
Being helpful and encouraging, like a good friend would be.
Focusing on ways to alleviate anxiety.

Sophia Z and Mrs Leggett explained that burnout is an issue many of us face, when we are juggling multiple responsibilities; as such, they said it is important to recognise the signs of burnout such as feeling exhausted, losing motivation and physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches.

Sophia Z and Mrs Leggett said that if there are two things to take away from the presentation, they would be to set boundaries that work for us and to prioritise our self-care.

Mrs Leggett then said the following:
“As the school counsellor, I am here to support you. You do not have to face these challenges alone. It’s crucial to involve the people around us, like parents, teachers, or friends. Share your plan for managing your stress with them. Let them know you’re actively working on it by practising self-compassion and positive thinking. This way, they can support you in the best way possible.”

Sophia Z then said the following:
“For instance, if you know you get stressed around exam time, set up support systems in advance. This could be regular check-ins with friends, scheduling relaxation time, or even having a study group. By doing this, you create a safety net that allows you to balance your mental health with the responsibilities and stresses that you may have.”

The activities for Wellbeing Week were then advertised and students were invited to join in as much as they could.

ACT OF WORSHIP

After singing the carol which was voted number 3 by students in the Queenswood Christmas Carol Hit Parade – Hark the Herald Angels Sing – students Rebekah W (9N) and Darrah D (8H) read from Mark’s Gospel, chapter 5, verses 25-34.

Reverend Kate said that the woman in our Bible story had been on her period for twelve years so not only did she feel physically ill but, given the culture of the time, physically isolated because her condition made her ‘unclean’ and unable to participate in everyday life. The woman was alone, outcast and exhausted.

Reverend Kate said that we may, or may not, have a physical illness like the woman in the Bible story but we may struggle with mental health, emotional wounds or insecurities, perhaps through anxiety, stress at school or pressures around fitting in.

Reverend Kate said: ‘If this is you and you hide your struggles, thinking no-one will understand, then I am here to tell you today that Jesus understands and that he cares deeply about every part of your wellbeing.’

Reverend Kate told us that despite her pain and isolation, the woman in our Bible story took a bold step of faith. She had heard about Jesus and had faith that if she just touched his clothes, she would be healed - and she was. Reverend Kate told us that not only this, when the woman touched Jesus’ cloak, something more profound happened. Jesus looked at her and said: ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’ (Mark 5:34). The word ‘Daughter’ here is very important because in using this term, Jesus restored not only the woman’s physical health but her place in the community and her identity, worth and wellbeing.

Reverend Kate said that this is exactly what Jesus wants to do for us today and so she gave us three practical steps to try going forward:
Reach out in faith. Whatever we are going through, we can be like the woman in our Bible story and reach out in prayer to Jesus; we can also access the support here at school, not least from the Wellbeing Centre.
Believe in our worth. Jesus called the woman ‘Daughter’ as a demonstration of her value and so we are to know that we are not who the world or other people say we are; we are who God says we are.
Pursue wellbeing. Jesus wants us to be whole - not just physically - but mentally, spiritually and socially and so we are to take care of ourselves by making healthy choices which are good for our mind, body and spirit.

Reverend Kate said that like the woman in our Bible story we should not be afraid to do these things as we will be met with open arms.

Reverend Kate prayed for us:

We thank you God for your love and compassion.
We thank you for the example of the woman who reached out in faith and whose wellbeing was restored.
You know the hearts of everyone here today; you see their struggles, fears and hopes.
Help them to reach out in faith and to experience your healing touch in every area of their lives.
Amen.