At a time when the needs of teachers and students can seem to run in opposite directions, everyone needs to take a moment to be mindful of their wellbeing.

Supporting positive endings through celebration, reflection and closure

Well done!!! Huge smiles and high fives. You have battled through the sweat (literally) and tears and made it to the end of the year!

At a time when the needs of teachers and students can seem to run in opposite directions, everyone needs to take a moment to be mindful of their wellbeing.

Students can carry excited nerves and have a bank of questions pinballing around their heads, whilst also feeling tired, worried and uncertain; they’re moving from a safe space of belonging to a new unknown. This can lead to emotional reactions to everyday situations becoming erratic and, rather unhelpfully, contagious.

Conversely, teachers are entering a point of exhaustion that requires those around them to be gentle and understanding. As something comes to an end, there is a natural human reaction that guides us to ease off the pedal of relentless effort and begin to process the changes ahead; we recognise the end is near and begin to slow down in search of closure.

This combination, without some care and attention, can be a recipe for tears and dysregulation from all parties.

So, what do we all need to get us through these final weeks?

Celebration, reflection and closure.

By following these celebration-based prompts, you, your colleagues and your students can reflect on the year with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment, bringing closure to the experience and readying you for the changes to come.

Self-Care Celebration - This is for teachers, support staff, leaders, and anyone working in the setting.

Having the time to pause and reflect on your impacts as practitioners is a laughable suggestion at times - but not right now. You and your students need you to do this.

Individually, with a colleague or in a group, use these prompts to help you see just how worthwhile your efforts are:

  1. Name, discuss and celebrate a student that you have helped to achieve this year.
  2. Name, discuss and celebrate something you have improved in your own practice this year.
  3. Name, discuss, and celebrate something you have contributed to your setting this year.

Proud and Proud

If you are doing this as a group, you could use the same prompts to hold a ‘Proud and Proud’ discussion.

Each person thinks of and shares a reason they are proud of themselves this year and a reason they think someone else can be proud of themselves this year, too. This is a gentle and caring way for the whole team to be recognised, which also strengthens bonds between team members.

Student-Care Celebration - Alongside your transition activities and days, these reflections and celebrations will help you and your students better process the end of the year.

With your students, set up a session that enables them to celebrate their achievements this year. You will know best how to set this up for your age group and cohort, but use these prompts as necessary:

  • If you could only share one piece of learning from this year, what would it be and why?
  • What do you think you have most improved at this year?
  • What moment are you most proud of from this year?
  • Who would you most like to thank for supporting you this year? (Peers, adults)
  • Did you set any targets this year? How have you done? Is there a follow-up target?
  • What one question would you like to ask before you move on from this year?
  • What questions do you have about next year?

The impact

How you make your students feel at the end of the year can set them up for a successful transition and a positive beginning to their next stage.

If your students feel valued as they leave your space, they will take with them the belief they can be valued in their new space. If they feel like they truly belong in your space, they can believe they will belong in their new space.

Once your students feel ready for their transition, their nervous systems will settle, and their observed behaviours will remain consistent. This will give you and your team more time to process your own changes and find that state of calm that you crave this time of year.