CONTRIBUTORS
Making the most of any half term break
In her latest piece for Education Today CHARLOTTE ROWLEY, Principal at St Austin’s Catholic Primary school in Stafford, stresses the importance of making the most of any rare breaks that come your way.
I am writing this article as I prepare for a new term, following a wonderful Easter break. I felt that it may be a good time to reflect, but also an appropriate point to look forward too!
As anyone who works in Education knows, all roles are hugely rewarding, joyful and certainly never dull(!) however, as well as this, the days and weeks can be incredibly fast-paced, jam-packed and at times, stressful. Last half-term, especially with it being a short one, certainly felt extra busy and flew by because of this. Many of us actually crave more time within educational roles, because you blink and before you know it, are you about to embark on a new term ahead! Time seems to disappear … this is the same of any holiday too!
I have said it before, I feel blessed to be a Headteacher and working with children and young people is truly the
best job in the world, but it is very easy to burn-out if we are not careful, with many colleagues using half-term holidays to simply recover from already feeling run-down, or the opposite, cramming everything into one or two weeks, thus, returning to work feeling burnt-out before the new term has even started!
I was thinking about this and the importance, particularly as leaders, for modelling to colleagues how to really utilise a half- term break, why this is important and personally what works for me:
A little bit of escape
A colleague once said to me that they only ever truly switch off when they are on holiday abroad…and interestingly, even then they often chose to take work with them. Personally, I do not share this view, but do strongly believe that escapism is good. For me, escape comes in the form of not logging onto my laptop constantly, having some time away from my phone, reading, going on long walks with my husband and our dog, regular runs and generally spending a lot of time outdoors, away from any screen! Specifically factoring in time for escapism and truly being present in these moments are good for the soul and help to restore a sense of balance, resetting the mind.
Communication
My last article discussed the theme of communication and how it is so important to not bombard colleagues with e-mails, but especially outside of work hours. It is vital that all of us put up ‘barriers’ at times to help us to wind down. All staff need time to switch off over the weekend and holidays to refresh and recuperate. I will never send e-mails during weekends or breaks, especially asking for work or information, but it is important as
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a leader, that if staff need to get hold of me urgently or check anything, they have my number and I will always get back to them. It matters to me that staff know that they can get hold of me if needed. Things happen and colleagues need to know that they are supported – in term time and holidays.
Staff social time
This Easter holiday, we actually had a staff social event, which was arranged by a member of the senior term. This was appreciated after a hectic few weeks of parents’ evenings, fundraising events, meetings and general busy day-to-day teaching and learning. As new Principal, I loved this, as it gave me the chance to attend a meal with colleagues outside of work and therefore, I could get to know staff better in a relaxed setting … and importantly the conversation did not
simply default to work! Yes of course some people were away, some could not make it or were busy at home; no one will ever be forced, but we had a positive turn-out and a lovely evening together, which does help for team building.
Above all, family time
Nothing should come before family time. Our vocation in Education is important and forms a big part of who we are, but unapologetically, family time is absolutely crucial. Making plans with family (and friends), not rushing around, not worrying about time – especially in the holidays – is so important and simply enjoying catching up and being in positive company is wonderful. The simple things in life often create the most perfect memories! These moments do exactly that.
Overall
None of these examples are extraordinary, but they genuinely help me to rest and find balance. The truth is, we should not wait just for half-term holidays or the summer to do what we enjoy. As educationists, we often feel guilty when not working and time to rest often turns into the view of, ‘I have some time, so I will just finish this …’ or ‘I will start to plan this’. Avoid this trap. When we rest and most of all, are truly present when doing so, we are better at our roles.
I have had a lovely family-filled Easter, but genuinely feel excited for a new term now because I have recuperated and am now raring to go as a result. Yes, of course I worked during some of my break, personally it is important for my well-being to get my ‘head in the game’, but enjoying a lack of routine and slightly slower pace for two weeks is refreshing. Invest in you!
May 2024
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