Emma Keane - Happiness & Wellbeing

Out with the old and in with the new!

Love these planners from

I know most hip hoppity hip young teachers have moved online for planning but I’m too old soul to do so. My brain To-Do area also does not function unless it’s written down in front of me on the daily! These planners are designed and made by teachers for teachers. They have great designs, loads of notes pages and class list pages and a handy couple of pockets to store all the stuff you don’t ever have time to look at as a teacher 🤣 It also makes me excited to do my planning in my holidays.

✨ Would 10/10 recommend! ✨

I started an SSAT Pastoral Leaders Programme this week because it’s important to keep developing and keep growing… not only for myself but for those students and staff I lead in school. We talked about our values, our vision and our “why”. We drew doodles of what pastoral leadership means to us and looked at a matrix of importance for academic success, wellbeing, behaviour and the people around the child. I’m a massive believer that if the wellbeing and support is right then the behaviour and academic success will flourish… we had interesting discussions about this and it was great to meet so many new people who I’ll be working alongside throughout the rest of the year.

My 1st doodle represents the different directions my day can go in, some small issues, some greater issues, some never ending issues, the fast pace, never feeling like you stop….. but at the centre of it all the love I have for making a difference for each and every student I work with.

We were asked to bring some objects to represent our current feelings about our leadership role… I had to fight my 3 year old for his Paw Patrol Fire Engine and his Spider-Man figure because I do a lot of fire fighting currently, thanks to the fluctuation in hormones that teenagers experience, and students see me like some kind of superhero who can fix everything immediately… what they don’t realise yet, but I hope to instil in them as they head towards Year 11, is that they can be the firefighters and superheroes of their own lives!

A wonderful day spent delivering an ‘All about You’ wellbeing workshop for some members of a local Milton Keynes charity DAFs.

DAFs is a growing community set up by two amazing ladies who offer advice, support and a listening ear to family members affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction.

We explored different happiness models, kindfulness, positive relationships with others and ourselves, gratitude, mindfulness practices, resilience, direction and meaning. All elements of positive psychology which if practiced regularly can help us live with an improved sense of wellbeing and happiness.

It was a privilege to spend the day with such incredibly brave, kind, resilient people all brought together through the heartbreak of addiction and I hope their heart is as full as mine this evening 🫶

Thank you to all who attended, your loved ones are lucky to have you all 💛

An exciting delivery and gift for myself from and I love it!

I chose the Sunset Sands 24-25 academic teacher planner because I love a sunset, especially at the beach. It will be my mindful reminder to be calm, peaceful and take a breath when needed as I take on another new role as Pastoral Leader within the team. It’s a similar role to last year but on a larger scale with a whole year group of 13-14 year olds. Chuffed to bits to be remaining in the pastoral team, supporting and championing students on their journey in year 9.

Love people, not things 💕 Join us for Friendly February and find ways to boost your relationships & encourage more togetherness

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/february

Dear Mum and Dad,

Please stick with me.

I can’t think clearly right now because there is a rather substantial section of my prefrontal cortex missing. It’s a fairly important chunk, something having to do with rational thought. You see, it won’t be fully developed until I’m about 25. And from where I sit, 25 seems a long way off.

But here's what i want my parents to know..

My brain is not yet fully developed

It doesn’t matter that I’m smart; even a perfect score on my math test doesn’t insulate me from the normal developmental stages that we all go through. Judgement and intelligence are two completely distinct things.

And, the same thing that makes my brain wonderfully flexible, creative and sponge-like also makes me impulsive. Not necessarily reckless or negligent but more impulsive than I will be later in life.

Please stick with me.

So when you look at me like I have ten heads after I’ve done something “stupid” or failed to do something “smart,” you’re not really helping.

You adults respond to situations with your prefrontal cortex (rationally) but I am more inclined to respond with my amygdala (emotionally). And when you ask, “What were you thinking?” the answer is I wasn’t, at least not in the way you are. You can blame me, or you can blame mother nature, but either way, it is what it is.

At this point in my life, I get that you love me, but my friends are my everything. Please understand that. Right now I choose my friends, but, don’t be fooled, I am watching you. Carefully.

Please stick with me.

......

Here’s what you can do for me

1. Model adulting.
I see all the behaviors that you are modeling and I hear all of the words you say. I may not listen but I do hear you. I seem impervious to your advice, like I’m wearing a Kevlar vest but your actions and words are penetrating. I promise. If you keep showing me the way, I will follow even if I detour many, many times before we reach our destination.

2. Let me figure things out for myself.

If you allow me to experience the consequences of my own actions I will learn from them. Please give me a little bit of leash and let me know that I can figure things out for myself. The more I do, the more confidence and resilience I will develop.

3. Tell me about you.

I want you to tell me all the stories of the crazy things you did as a teen, and what you learned from them. Then give me the space to do the same.

4. Help me with perspective.

Keep reminding me of the big picture. I will roll my eyes at you and make all kinds of grunt-like sounds. I will let you know in no uncertain terms that you can’t possibly understand any of what I’m going through. But I’m listening. I really am. It’s hard for me to see anything beyond the weeds that I am currently mired in. Help me scan out and focus on the long view. Remind me that this moment will pass.

5. Keep me safe.

Please remind me that drugs and driving don’t mix. Keep telling me that you will bail me out of any dangerous situation, no anger, no lectures, no questions asked. But also let me know over and over and over that you are there to listen, when I need you.

6. Be kind.

I will learn kindness from you and if you are relentless in your kindness to me, someday I will imitate that behavior. Don’t ever mock me, please and don’t be cruel. Humor me-I think I know everything. You probably did as well at my age. Let it go.

7. Show interest in the things I enjoy.

Some days I will choose to share my interests with you, and it will make me feel good if you validate those interests, by at least acting interested.

One day when the haze of adolescence lifts, you will find a confident, strong, competent, kind adult where a surly teenager once stood. In the meantime, buckle in for the ride.

and.. Please stick with me.

Love,

Your Teenager

....

By Helene Wingens
https://grownandflown.com/letter-from-teen-to-parents/

Life has a funny way of turning full circle…

Never let your past define you; let it inspire you, let it develop your mind, your soul, your passion.

What a leader! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness week...

This week is a reminder that everyone struggles in different ways and the best we can do is support one another with understanding, empathy and love.

The theme for this week is Nature and one of my favourite things to do to support my own well-being is to sit and watch the sun rise or set. I’ve watched the sunrise in lots of locations and set in many more. Here are a few snaps of my own from some of these moments I’ve had.

When you or someone you know are finding things difficult, try to remember that the sunrise and sunset are daily reminders that each day can begin and end beautifully no matter what we have faced or have ahead of us.

Try to take some time this week to notice the sun rise or set and pay attention to the affect it has on your well-being... I hope it brings you all some hope and peace 🧡

So excited to be delivering online workshops for Elevenology 11 Plus Tuition Bucks students today!

One of the fun activities we did was a Scavenger Hunt at home.
The students found something blue, something shiny, something from nature and they all showed me their favourite books too which was lovely!

If you’re looking for something to do with your kids at home here are some examples of scavenger hunts you could send them on. I found this on website but there are lots of others online too! Or why not create your own with different items you know you have in your home?

Love is not what you say... love is what you do.

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody ❤️

So many people I know struggling right now, myself included.. but we’re over the hill now everybody... we’re closer to the end and some form of normality returning. Keep going my darlings, hold on. You got all this way by yourself already, celebrate yourself for that!
It is March soon too! Longer and brighter sunshiney days are coming... Springtime flowers and summer plans are almost a thing again..
How about you start a list or mood board of things to look forward to?