Psychology’s silver linings during this time
We are in the midst of a global paradigm shift, as the impact and status of the COVID-19 virus evolves daily. As the world faces uncertainty, fear and anxiety are heightened and...
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We are in the midst of a global paradigm shift, as the impact and status of the COVID-19 virus evolves daily. As the world faces uncertainty, fear and anxiety are heightened and...
Posted by Chloe Lister
I was so impressed with Thomas (7 Willow) who is one of the small group of children of key workers who are still attending Bushey Meads every day during this period of enforced...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
This time of year students within Year 9 get very excited at the prospect of choosing their GCSE options. This has had the additional challenge this year of not being able to hold...
Posted by Sara Ash - Deputy Headteacher
NEWS Mr Cartledge Head of PE and Health This week has seen the next round of Inter House Sports competitions with the KS3 Boys Basketball competitions taking place for years 7,8...
Posted by Ashley Cartledge
One of the highlights of Wednesday evening’s Full Governing Body Meeting was the excellent presentation made by Year 10 Student Leader Jhanavi and Year 8 STEM Leaders...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
School leaders from across the South East of England continue to visit our outstanding school to learn and hear about the very best practice and all the latest educational...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
The third of five whole school enrichment days took place on Thursday 6th February. The days are designed to enrich the curriculum for students with more in depth looks at subject...
Posted by Sara Ash - Deputy Headteacher
Many thanks to Mrs Palenzuela for organizing a return visit for the Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch, a Spanish international school in London, which we visited with Year...
Posted by Hilarie Charles
As a PE teacher it is my job to ensure maximum participation in all lessons, regardless of any perceived physical or mental barriers. As a PE department it is something that we...
Posted by Terry Piper
With the annual BMS food drive underway some of our Oak House representatives look back and reflect on the importance of charity work within our school community. Isaac “We...
Posted by Andrew Symeou
We are in the midst of a global paradigm shift, as the impact and status of the COVID-19 virus evolves daily. As the world faces uncertainty, fear and anxiety
What is being called forward from us as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
1. COMMUNITY: Even though we cannot hug our friends and hold hands in solidarity at this time, we are all in this together. Social distancing and self quarantine have become common language since COVID-19 does not discriminate. Unity, collaboration, and harmony are being called forward in the hopes of birthing a successful global response. On a macro global level, we must act as one. On a micro level, children are out of school, families bound to their homes and some people suddenly out of work, which creates an increasing need to structure and balance our time. We are being called to connect to our communities with phone and video calls, live stream events, virtual play dates, and virtual learning platforms. Many yoga and fitness instructors are offering live classes, spiritual leaders are streaming services, friends are meeting for virtual chats, virtual dance parties are sprouting up, and many therapists, coaches, and dietitians have moved their services to a telehealth platform. Our idea of social interaction is transforming rapidly before our eyes. How well we create and stay connected to a community will be a major factor in our personal resilience equation. Could we come out of the other end of this with deepened relationships and enhanced communication?
2. GROUNDING: When collective energy becomes chaotic, we need to work harder to set boundaries, both internal filters and external boundaries to support grounding and inner peace. Helpful boundaries may include limiting news and social media consumption or asking family and friends to limit anxiety producing conversations about the virus or economic recession. Staying grounded in difficult times doesn’t mean that you’re not afraid or don’t have feelings. It is very important, especially now, to have a safe place and safe person/people, with whom to process fear and other difficult emotions. Remaining grounded requires experiencing your feelings but not getting swept away with the current. Breathing exercises, DBT mindfulness
3. RESILIENCE: Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulty or challenge. While we cannot avoid adversity, we can practice bouncing back from it and letting it positively shape our character. COVID-19 has personally invited each of us to strengthen our resilience muscles. While most of us have experienced a slowing down of our schedules, we are being called to assess our individual situations and to creatively pivot. Employment, financial status, health, housing, and education have shifted for many, and life as we knew it a month ago, won’t be the same. The prediction is that those who hold on to what was will suffer the most and those who listen to the call of what is to come will thrive. Since many people will be forced to find new jobs, the job market will be uncertain and the other side of that coin is space for new companies to be birthed. The last US recession 2008-2010 brought about companies like Uber, Air BnB, Square, and Vemno. Our ability to engage a community and to creatively pivot will build resilience as our life structures change.
5 tips to protect your psychological well-being during COVID-19:
I was delighted to hear this week that one of our talented Sixth Form students Megan Tobin won a Highly Commended Prize in the recent #JUSTTALK 2019/20 Film Competition....