“Someofthebestmemoriesare madeinflipflops”
Kellie Elmore
"Wellbeing is health and vitality that arise from your thoughts, emotions, actions, and experiences."
The Berkeley Well-Being Institute, LLC
WelcometoourWellbeingGuide SummerEdition!
Wemadeittotheendofanotherfabulousyear!
It’s been a fantastic year for wellbeing at our community, and I’m so proud to sharesomehighlightswithyou.Todate,340employeeshavebeentrainedinCPI, we’ve hosted 3 wonderful HR drop-in sessions that many of you attended, and our last three wellbeing guides have been read nearly 1,000 times digitally! In addition, our lovely wellness room continues to be a hit, with 102massagechair bookings to date Having these wellroom spaces has also created 2 job opportunities for our HS ILS students who do a fantastic job keeping the rooms looking clean and welcoming A huge thank you all for your support and encouragementthisyear-ittrulymakesadifference!
Inside this issue, you’ll find the results of our wellbeing giveaway, insights from thecommunityansweringsummerself-carequestions,andhandysummerselfcaretips. We also shine a spotlight on the wonderful Loretta, who is retiring this year, share some practical CPI tips, and highlight what’s on this summer in Belgium.
Asthedaysgetlongerandlifeslowsdownalittle,Ihopethesepagesinspireyou tofindmomentsofrest,renewal,andjoy.I’mhonouredtobeinthiswellbeingrole andamgratefulforthechancetosupportyouallonthisjourney.
Here’stoahappy,healthysummerahead!
Staywellandenjoytheread!
Louise
Contributors:
LouiseFranklin-WholeSchoolOccupationalTherapist
LorettaStanley-ECCAssistantHead
YOURSUMMERWELLBEINGBOOSTS!
As the vibrant days of summer unfold, inviting us to slow down and savour the warmth and light, these thoughtfully crafted wellbeing tips offer gentle yet effective ways to prioritise much-needed rest without guilt, safeguard your mental and physical energy by setting kind boundaries, rediscover the simple joy of reading purely for pleasure, and bring fresh perspective and excitement into your life by making small, enjoyable changes to your routine - together helping you to fully recharge, nurture your wellbeing, and embrace the season with a renewed sense of calm,creativity,andcuriosity.
PRIORITISE REST WITHOUT GUILT
You’ve made it through a full school year of holdingspaceforothers-nowit’syourturn
Rest is not something you need to earn It’s essential. Let yourself sleep in, lounge without purpose, or spend an entire afternoon doing absolutelynothing.
Let yourself break the cycle of "doing" and simply exist. You don’t need to earn your rest. Youalreadyhave
Put PD books down (unless you truly enjoy them) and pick up something just for you - a novel, a comic, or a childhood classic Summer is your chance to read without pressure: no need to highlight, analyse, or learn Letyourselfgetlostinastory,escape into another world, and simply enjoy the experience. Reading for pleasure isn’t just fun - it’s a wonderful way to recharge your mind and lift your mood.
PROTECTYOURENERGY (ANDYOURSKIN)
Summerisatimetorecharge-butonlyifyouprotectyourenergy That means being honest about what fills you up and what drains you You don’t have to say yes to every invitation or plan out every day of your break.Sometimes,truerestcomesfromoptingout.
Createspaceforquiet LetgoofFOMO Keepyoursocialbatteryinmind when making plans - and don’t be afraid to prioritise alone time when youneedit.
And while you’re protecting your emotional energy, don’t forget your physical wellbeing too: SPF, shade, and hydration are your warmweather best friends Think of it as boundaries for your body and your mind.
Summer is the perfect time to shake up your routine - even in small ways. Try exploring a new walking route, or pick up a simple hobby you’ve never tried before. These little changes can refresh your perspective, spark creativity, and help you break free from the usual patterns without feeling overwhelming. Sometimes, just one small difference is enough to bring afreshsenseofjoyandcuriosityto yourdays.
Loretta Stanley
LorettaisoneofthefriendliestfacesinourfabulousECCandhasbeenacherished memberoftheISBcommunityforanincredible36years!Alongsideherworkwith children, she’s been a valued member of the Wellbeing Leadership Team, contributingherwarmthandwisdomtohelpshapeourschoolculture.Outsidethe classroom,Lorettaisapassionatepoetandscubadiver,andshe’llhaveplentyof timetoenjoyboth-aswellasmanyotheradventures-whensheretiresfromISB thissummer Shewillbesorelymissed
WeaskedLoretta
Whatadvicewouldyougiveothers aftertheirwellbeing,especiallydu challengingtimes?
Itrytogobacktobasicsinbusytim sleep,drinkwater,eatashealthilya mostlyIliketobalancehardperiods myselfthecomfortofthethingstha joy-longchatsonthephonewithm inthewoods,books,writing.That,as healthysocialsceneawayfromwor beenimportanttometohavefriend outsideofwork.
You'rejustabouttoretireafter36y
What’ssomethingnewyou’relookingforward toinyournextchapter?
Improve my french! Writing, enjoying a slower more indulgent pace of life, never setting anotheralarmclock:)
What’syourgo-tofeel-goodsongforsummer?
“FastCar”byTracyChapman
Canyoushareamomentwhenfocusingonwellbeingmadearealdifferenceforyou?
Developing skills around visualisation and mindfulness were extremely helpful during a recentillness-IwasverygladIhadthemtodrawon.
CPIRECAP
Thestartoftheschoolyearistheperfectopportunitytoestablishsustainableroutinesthatseta positivetoneforthemonthsahead.
Introducing clear, consistent procedures early on helps create a calm and predictable environmentwherestudentsfeelsafeandsupported Involvingstudentsinthecreationofthese routines not only encourages their ownership and responsibility but also fosters a sense of community and mutual respect When students have a voice in shaping classroom expectations, they are more likely to understand and follow them, reducing disruptions and promoting positive behaviour. Together, these steps build a strong foundation for effective learningandemotionalwellbeingthroughouttheentireschoolyear.
Don’tforgettoexploreyourCPIworkbooksformoreresourcesandideas!
Establish RoutinesEarly
Begintheschoolyearby settingcalmandpredictable routines Thesecreateasafeand supportiveclassroom environment,withclear expectationsfromdayone
Followclear,predictable plansthatarerespectfuland fair
Maintain Consistent,Fair Procedures
Plansshouldincludehowto respondwhenbehaviours arechallenging
Develop sustainable habits that promote safety, respect, and emotional regulation throughout the school year. Encourage student ownership and responsibility within the classroom community.
As educators, our behaviour sets the tone for the classroom. Practicing calm andconsistentresponseshelpspreventdisruptionsbeforetheyescalate.
Theseinclude:
Usingasteadyvoiceandclearbodylanguage
Stayingmindfuloftriggersthatmayleadtochallengingbehaviours
Proactivelymanagingourownreactions
ModelCalm, Preventative AdultHabits
Usingde-escalationtechniquestocreateasafeandsupportive spacewherestudentscanlearnandregulatetheiremotions effectively
CPIMODULES
Clickoneach moduleforfurther resourcesand cheat-sheets
WHAT’SONTHISSUMMER? WHAT’SONTHISSUMMER?
Amongstmanyotherevents,there’splentyhappeningacross Belgiumthroughoutthesummermonthstoenjoyandexplore!
Areyouamusiclover?Thenthe CactusFestival inBrugesisfor you!Athree-daymusicfestivalfrom11-13Julyinthepicturesque cityofBruges,offeringadiverselineupofartistsandgenres,set againstthebackdropofthehistoricMinnewaterpark.It'sablend ofgreatmusicandserenesurroundings.
Ghent is hosting GentseFeesten between 18-27 July. It is one of Europe's largest cultural festivals, featuring ten days of music, theater, street performances, and local cuisine in the heart of Ghent.It'sacelebrationofcreativityandcommunityspirit.
The BelgianBeerWeekend returnstoBrussels’stunningGrandPlace from 5–7 September, bringing together over 50 breweries and hundreds of Belgian beers Set in the heart of the city, this freefestivaloffersalivelymixoftastings,livemusic,andbrewer parades Whetheryou'reafanofclassicTrappistalesorcurious to try new craft brews, it’s the perfect place to celebrate Belgium’sworld-famousbeerculture!
“IKNOWSOMEONE”
Doyouhaveagreathandyman?Know of a good tailor, dog sitter or osteopath? Have you found a reliable cleaning company or an excellent babysitter? Help your colleagues out by adding to our “I Know Someone” community page! Brussels and beyond-alltipswelcome!
We have been given the opportunity to award 3 lucky employeesa‘WellbeingGift’eachseason!Allyouneed todoforyourchancetowinoneofthethreegiftsbelow isanswerthispoll
GiftNumber1: SpaDaywithaMassage
GiftNumber2: BrusselsBozarGiftcard(€50)
GiftNumber3: PlantVoucher(€25)
WinnerswillbeannouncedintheFallEdition!
Participants will be assigned a number and winners will be randomly selected using a computer-generated winner-picker system.
