It’s that time of year. Term Four is drawing to an end, and for many teachers, the break is one that couldn’t come soon enough. However, with all the celebrations, family get-togethers and preparations for the new school year, it can often feel like the end of the year isn’t much of a break at all! With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that people don’t necessarily return to work refreshed and ready to tackle term one. We understand how crucial having a break can be as a teacher, so based on the conversations we’ve had with many of our teachers, here are a few summer tips to help you make the most of the school holidays and ensure you head into the new academic year on the front foot.
Reflect on the Past Year and Set New Intentions
For those with jobs in education, it can be tempting to go straight into “holiday mode” when school ends. However, there is huge value in looking back over the year and thinking about what went well, what didn’t go so well and the lessons you have learned along the way. Remember not to focus solely on the challenges, but to celebrate the successes as well. Ending on a positive note ensures the practice is a constructive one, rather than an exercise in self-deprecation.
In doing this, you’re bringing the year to a distinct close, processing what has happened and preparing to move forward into the new year. It clears the way to set new intentions, creating a solid foundation to work with when returning to school.
Take Time for You
While the demands of the new academic year will need to be addressed at some point, it’s important to intentionally step away and unwind during your time off. Forget about next year’s challenges and actively keep your mind away from anything school-related. Take the opportunity to do all the things that may have been too much to fit in during the term. Catch up with friends and family, read a book, go on a hike or whatever it is that rejuvenates you and makes you happy. It’s so important to use the time to invest energy in yourself; you’ll be a better teacher for it.
Combat the Start of Term Stress
Understandably, as the first term of the new year approaches, many teachers find themselves getting anxious for the year ahead. Starting the school year brings a lot of stresses, expectations and of course, a fresh workload. To combat this, it’s worth taking time later in the summer break (after adequate rest and recreation) to get a head start on back to school preparations. This will help to manage your stress levels and make you feel more on top of things at the start of term one.
Term one preparations don’t have to be overly complicated or time-consuming. It could be something as basic as preparing a few lessons or planning next year’s classroom setup. Ultimately, it comes down to doing whatever will allow you to feel confident and free to enjoy the rest of the holiday.
Summary
These are just a few ways you can make the most of the Christmas break and jump-start term one. However, you choose to use your holiday, be sure to prioritise your own wellbeing, as this will give you the internal resources you need to give your best to students.
Planning for a new start? If you’re looking for support in finding teaching jobs to start 2019 afresh, get in touch with the team at Tradewind today.