Staff Reflections

Education & Schools Resources for Schools Staff Reflections

Staff Reflections

We all know how stressful school life can be, and how important it is to take care of our mental health and well-being, but how often do we pause to be still in our busy schedules?

The idea of these reflections is to encourage you to take a few minutes to consciously stop and reflect. We hope that they will help you to centre yourself and maybe to see things in a new light. There is plenty of research that shows the very real and sometimes unexpected benefits of intentionally attending to our own well-being.

How you do this will look different for each of you. You might choose to sit quietly with a cup of tea, or go for a walk, or simply find a space to be alone with your thoughts – there is no one-size fits all. Before we can support and encourage others, we need to nourish ourselves first, and we hope that these simple, weekly reflections will be a helpful starting point.

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.”

2023/2024 Reflections

Holly

Holly trees were historically planted in deer parks as the leaves were a good source of nourishment...... Click to find out more

Sticking plaster

Earle Dickson invented the first adhesive bandages in 1845...... Click to find out more

Juggling

Being able to juggle takes practice..... Click to find out more

Opportunity

How do we make the most of each day’s opportunities Click to Find out more

Bridge

In a world where the news is so often shocking and upsetting, it’s useful to think about building bridges, not barriers..... Click to find out more

Bulbs

Planting is a great way to spend an Autumn weekend in the garden...... Click to find out more

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Starting Block

Starting blocks give a sprinter something to push against...... Click to find out more

Acorns

A single oak tree can support an entire eco-system..... Click to find out more

Balloons

There are times in life when people must know when to not let go..... Click to find out more

Geese

When geese fly in a V formation they can fly up to 70% faster..... Click to find out more

Laughter

'The most wasted of days is one without laughter...' Click to find out more

Playmobil

Since the 1970s, over three billion figures have been sold.... Click to find out more

Road

What does the road ahead feel like at the moment? Click to find out more

2022/2023 Reflections

Book

‘Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.’ Click to find out more

Staff Reflections Ubuntu

The African philosophy of Ubuntu tells us that we’re only fully human when we live our lives connected to other people... Click to out more

Staff Reflections Pebbles

Are you someone who fills your pockets with pebbles when you walk along the beach? Click to find out more

Staff Reflection Sunflowers

Sunflowers originally came from the Americas and were grown for food, medicine and dyes... Click to find out more

Staff Reflection Lollies

Mesopotamian nobles built ice houses along the Euphrates River at least 4000 years ago so they could have iced drinks and desserts on hand... Click to find out more

Boat

You can row in a purposeful, focussed way, or simply drift along and enjoy the scenery... Click to find out more

Beads

As we reach the end of the school year, it’s good to take time to look back and reflect. Click to find out more

Herbs

Lots of claims are made for the healing properties of herbs........ Click to find out more

Bluebells

A sign that Spring has definitely arrived, half the world’s bluebells are found in the UK..... Click to fnd out more

Lens

Lenses bend light, to make objects appear bigger or smaller than they really are..... Click to find out more

Books

Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten..... Click to find out more

Stained Glass

Imagine sunlight streaming through a stained glass window..... Click to find out more

Mountains

What mountains are you facing at the moment? Click to find out more

Elastic bands

When an elastic band is relaxed, it can be stretched further..... Click to find out more

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is widely used in traditional medicine.... Click to find out more

Chocolate

The Aztecs used cocoa beans as money....... Click to find out more

Fish

When life gets you down, just keep swimming...... Click to find out more

Daffodils

For many people, daffodils represent hope..... Click to find out more

Cookies

Are you a baker? Click to find out more

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Building Blocks

Have you watched a small child building with blocks? Click to find out more

Data

Are you a data person? Do figures and statistics excite you or leave you cold? Click to find out more

Hands

Spend a few minutes looking at your hands. Are they well-groomed or a bit uncared for? Click to find out more

Logs

The rings in a tree trunk show the tree’s age..... Click to find out more

Marmite

Do you love it or hate it? Click here to find out more

Steps

Do you like to get things done and tick them off your list, or are you a bit of a procrastinator? Click here to find out more

Bauble

Baubles are an echo of Roman times when people hung fruit on trees during festivals....... Click to find out more

Bear

Do you still have your childhood teddy? Click to find out more

Smoke alarm

At their best, smoke alarms save lives. When they’re too sensitive....... Click to find out more

Bicycle

Do you remember learning to ride a bike? Click to find out more

Socks

Do you have a favourite pair of socks? Click to find out more

Jelly Babies

The inventor of jelly babies was originally trying to make jelly bears, but they ended up looking more like babies....... Click to find out more

Jigsaws

It’s thought that jigsaws became so popular during lockdown because they gave people a sense of control and achievement, when everything else seemed so chaotic...... Click to find out more

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the South African philosophy, that says ‘I am because you are.’ Click to find out more.

Apples

Apples originated in Kazakhstan and were originally very bitter....... Download

Conkers

Think about the spiky chestnut case, is there anything spiky or difficult in your life that needs sorting out? Download

Leaves

Take time this week to appreciate the Autumn leaves...... Download

Bread

Bread is a staple part of the diet in most cultures, whether it’s an artisan sourdough, or a convenient sliced white loaf. Some see it as a symbol of life itself..... Download