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ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
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The Maldives, which ‘float’ in the Indian Ocean, are the cream of the crop when it comes to secluded beach vacations. The waters are a distinct shade of blue, the beaches are impossibly white, and rows of palm trees surround the shoreline. Furthermore, if you count each island separately, there are about 2,000 reasons to visit!
ANANTARA KIHAVAH MALDIVES VILLAS LAUNCHES NEW FAMILY Designed with multi-generational travel in mind and for larger group stays, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has launched new family-style villas just in time for travellers seeking their next winter sun escape.
These new accommodation options consist of four Two Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas and eight One Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas, with rates starting from $2,200 per night. Complemented by the wide array of activities and tailor-made experiences available at this island sanctuary, families will be entranced by the enriching memories waiting to be discovered.
THE KIHAVAH COLLECTION Whether perched over the crystal-clear lagoon against the majestic backdrop of the Indian Ocean or nestled along the pristine beach, Anantara Kihavah’s collection of two, three and four-bedroom pool residences is the epitome of luxury.
Staying true to the heritage of the destination, each residence features Kajan thatched palm roofs and Balau hardwood flooring on its expansive outdoor decks. Each residence is also fitted with its own professional working kitchen, double-bed spa treatment room and gym featuring a range of fitness equipment. With a dedicated Villa Host to attend to every need, and a Wine Sommelier and Personal Chef service on request, a stay in one of these residences is a promise of a truly private escape.
For more information or to book, call: +960 664 4111, visit: Anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives or email: reservations.maldives@anantara.com.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVE HOLIDAY IN THE MALDIVES Planning an escape with the family over the festive season? Try Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa and Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa. These two Maldivian hot spots are packed with fun for all ages and once-ina-lifetime experiences that make for the best memories with little ones before they outgrow them.
FAMILY ADVENTURES From land-based activities to undersea adventures and wondrous encounters under the night sky, families will delight in the memories waiting to be discovered together.
Snorkel or dive at the best house reef in the Maldives, with experienced instructors, first-class rental equipment, comfortable dhonis and reef dive sites catering for both beginners and experienced explorers. In glass-bottomed kayaks, guests can follow the edge of the reef fringing the island for some of the best overwater views of the oceanic life thriving in their natural habitat. If staying dry is preferred, hop onboard the ‘Ocean Whisperer’ for a sunset cruise or dolphin discovery excursion.
Catering for children aged six to 11 years old, a trio of marine biology programmes is available. Designed to provide an educational holiday, young explorers can join the resident marine biologist on a turtle quest or manta snorkelling excursion or take part in coral transplanting and essential research snorkelling adventures.
Named after the beautiful seashells found on the sugarwhite beach encircling the island, ‘Thiththi Boli Kids Club’ offers complimentary daily supervised programmes, fun arts and crafts activities, indoor and outdoor sports, and games for younger guests between four to 12 years old.
With six restaurants and bars, each offering a distinctive setting, menu and ambience that divulges a different view of paradise, families are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining.
SHERATON FULL MOON RESORT & SPA Sheraton’s first family programme, Side by Side at Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa is a multigenerational programme that offers immersive activities, both on property and in the community, to create shared experiences that celebrate big or small moments.
Intended to be enthralling and entertaining for all members of the family, Side by Side not only offers a variety of immersive activities to rejuvenate and restore, but it also enables guests to create time to connect and make long-lasting memories with the family.
Coral fragment planting activity and to help restore reef habitats - adopt a coral with a fun and interactive coral-fragment plantation activity Family picnic at Furanafushi Island - an island escape with a picnic basket in hand, full of sumptuous treats for the whole family Family spa day - little guests make facial masks at the eatable DIY station filled with yummy treats
To take advantage of the Festive Winter Package, guests can use code XY0 upon enquiry, valid on stays of four or more nights. Rates start from $700 per room per night.
For reservations, please visit: www.SheratonMaldives.com LE MERIDIEN MALDIVES RESORT & SPA Making its debut, Le Meridien’s maiden Maldivian property opened its doors on 1 September 2021 and has already become a favourite for its Le Meridien Family and Kids’ Hub, with programming that ranges from day and night nature trails, a mini marine conservation program, folklore storytelling, sustainable art classes and micro-green planting in The Greenhouse.
For their first festive season, Le Meridien goes back to the days of glamorous travels with La Fête by Le Méridien on 22 December 2021 until 07 January 2022. Decked out in the joyful touches of winter décor, guests of all ages can embrace the end-of-year celebrations as they revel in a programme of lifestyle, culinary, thrill-seeking and wellbeing experiences that evoke the sights, sounds and aromas of the festive season.
Families can also explore a purposefully-curated menu of expeditions that include a nature safari, marine talks and coral restoration, family foraging and cooking classes in The Greenhouse and expeditions to the resort’s whollyowned private island, Bodu Finolhu. Rates start from $450 per night in a Beach Bungalow inclusive of breakfast for two persons.
More information and reservations online at: www.lemeridien-maldives.com.
VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND Velaa Private Island is gearing up for a spectacular festive season with a host of world-class acts and events, including shows from the worlds of music and dance offering unique experiences to make it an unforgettable end to the year
Throughout the festive season, children will be immersed in an Alice in Wonderland fantasy, while also being captivated by the opening of the grand Gingerbread House, in a fun celebration filled with festive joy and goodies for the whole family. Christmas celebrations will culminate with Santa’s visit, lifting the spirits of guests with Christmas Day in paradise and gifts for the younger members of the family.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style starting with a Cocktail Party followed by a Gala Dinner, while being mesmerised with the performance ’Melody Of Your Imagination’. Guests will be captivated by a night of theatrical performance and celebrations as they dance the night away for a grand finale to the end of the year and the start of the new one on one of the world’s most exclusive private islands.
As guests wake up to the first day of 2022, an indulgent brunch will await by the pristine white sandy beach. In the evening, join a musical and culinary experience with international pop-up stations and a ‘Night at the Oscars’ performance by Maryana Holovko and the Noble Singers Band. The gastronomic celebrations will continue through the start of the New Year with a range of indulgent feasts to choose from with Little Italy, Latino, and Teppanyaki nights.
For more information, please visit: www.velaaprivateisland.com/events-news.html
GET WRAPPED UP AT W MALDIVES THIS FESTIVE SEASON The holiday season is the absolute best time to grab your better half or travelling companions and embark on a voyage that is fuelled with fabulous over-the-top festive feasts and some extra frills for that special time of the year. W Maldives kicks off the festive season with a little sparkle and a warm and witty celebration. With a mission to drive guests’ lust for life, W Maldives invites visitors for an exciting line-up of activities to keep them entertained along with a variety of signature dishes, fit for those seeking exclusivity and thrill to ignite their senses.
CHRISTMAS EVE A beach style Christmas Eve awaits with a gastronomical journey spanned from an extensive selection of local nibbles, healthy greener foods, and fresh Japanese seafood, amongst others. For those who have an epic sweet tooth craving, there are plenty of desserts to choose from. Backed by live entertainment delivered by the luxury resorts’ very own music curator Jennifer Dons, a trendy band and epic dance performances, guests can be sure that the party will continue all through the night. CHRISTMAS DAY- SANTA’S BEACH PARTY Christmas is always a wonderful day to get jolly! As the resorts’ beach transforms into the ultimate beach party, get into the Christmas vibe with Santa hats, party pops, games, food trucks, and of course Santa himself.
When: December 25, 2021 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE – IT’S CARNIVAL TIME As the year comes to end, it’s time to clink your glasses and revel in a New Year’s Eve celebration on a private luxury island playground. With a vibrant and glowing carnival theme, the five-star luxury resort is set to captivate its guests with a Grand Rio Parade followed by a Mix & Mingle at overwater speciality restaurant - FISH.
When: December 31, 2021
NEW YEAR’S DAY – POOL PARTY The celebration continues on the first day of 2022 as W Maldives organises an epic pool party with bubbly beverages throughout the afternoon.
When: January 21, 2022 from 1:30pm – 4:30pm
WE’RE FACING A TRAGIC CRISIS OF PRINCIPAL BURNOUT
In a study by the University of Texas in February of this year, it was found that over 20% of principals leave their posts due to burnout. This is a staggeringly high number. Catherine O’Farrell, a highly experienced
and influential education leader and consultant,
explains more about this worrying phenomenon and ways in which we can begin to address it.
‘Burnout is a multidimensional concept defined as a ‘psychological syndrome of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy, which is experienced in response to chronic job stresses’ (Leither & Maslach, 2003, p. 93).
With the new announcements around changes to the working week here in the UAE, principles are faced with the behemoth challenge of reconfiguring their entire school schedule to accommodate the loss of half an instructional day, right on the brink of the ‘holiday’.
‘Principalship is becoming more stressful with increasing demands, duties, and expectations. Burnout is one of several factors that contribute to principal turnover’ (Reyes, P., 2021).
This is typical of the life of any principal - one of the most common responses to the “how are things?” question I hear in leadership circles is “same old same old, fighting fires….” The journal of Educational Administration cites emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and the persistent, nay relentless, drive to perform as the main causes of principal burnout. Ultimately, principal turnover jeopardises school improvement, fractures school-community relationships, and erases institutional memory.
TAKING JOY IN YOUR DAILY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Any educational leader realises pretty quickly that the role is relentless; your job will NEVER be complete. Improvements to be made, adjustments to tweak, students to support… it is learning how to take joy in your daily accomplishments that can help us get through the quagmire of tasks.
Robeck speaks of the importance of taking credit for the tasks you have achieved every day. Educational leaders rarely accept praise with ease. The majority of principals spend their time praising their teams, their students, their communities, and shy away from selfpraise. This is a missed opportunity and can contribute to this burnout pandemic.
ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD
Reflect on your day each evening, taking a moment, not to think of the tasks you have yet to do but on those that you have accomplished that day.
It is estimated that an adult makes around 35,000 decisions a day of which, as a leader, 300 are important or impactful. If you reflect on your day, of approximately 300 impactful decisions, how many had a positive impact… most probably most of them.
By taking the time to truly reflect on the good decisions you have made in a day (instead of the five or 10 not so good ones) it can shift your perception. Focus on the value that you bring to the role, your impact!
Isolation is a real concern for educational leaders
FIND AN ADVOCATE
Being the main decision-maker, it can be difficult to find a balance between friendship and professionalism. No matter what, at the end of the day, the principal is the one making tough decisions, decisions that your team may not like. It is vitally important that, as a leader, you have an ally on your team; someone who will stand firm with you through the battles. This can provide immense emotional scaffolding as you tackle the challenges of those 35,000 decisions every day.
SUPPORT GROWTH
Hire effective educators to your team. Support them and nourish them. Be the leader that you wish you had in your career.
Many of us are lucky enough to have experienced a truly inspirational leader. Think of the characteristics that made that leader stand out - mentorship, encouragement, stability. Weave these traits into your daily practice. Take someone under your wing and focus on that person’s growth and development. Take pride in their growth as a reflection of your own personal growth.
SUPERWOMAN (OR MAN)
This is one of the simplest tools to have in your repertoire as a leader. When you begin using this tool you sometimes feel like…well…a tool! But believe me, it works.
Amy Cuddy talks about the ‘Power Pose’ in her TedTalk and the psychological shift it triggers the moment you assume it.
Before you leave your office; stand up, pause, draw your shoulders back, assume the superwoman pose, take a deep breath and tell yourself “you’ve got this” (or whatever mantra you like). Then walk out with purpose. It takes 20 seconds but it can completely change your demeanour, your presentation and your psyche. others in similar roles. Find other principals who can truly relate to the post and the mammoth responsibility of principalship. Connect over LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram. Reach out to the schools around you and find an ally.
REMEMBER YOUR ‘WHY’
Simon Synek speaks about ‘The Golden Circle of Purpose’ with the very core being ‘finding your why’. Just as you wouldn’t get into your car without a map (in your mind, on your phone, whatever) you shouldn’t traverse the career highway without a clear understanding of where you want to go. What is your purpose, your why, the reason you step on campus every day? When things get tough, drawing this to mind can help us look over the barriers we face every day to see that ultimate destination and give us the drive to navigate obstacles and continue the journey.
KINTERACT
+971 5 6268 0609 katescounselling@gmail.com linkedin @Catherine O’Farrell By implementing simple changes like these you
