“Time and tide wait for no man, but time spent with loved ones and on things that bring joy is time well spent.” This well-known proverb is a reminder that while time continues to move forward, regardless of our circumstances or priorities, the moments we dedicate to meaningful, joyful experience – especially with the people we are closest to are invaluable. Regardless of what we’re doing and how we’re feeling, time keeps moving forward. And whilst we can’t ever stop or control time, we do have control over how we use it. Prioritising activities that bring joy, satisfaction and connection, whether it’s with friends, family, hobbies, or self-care, ensure that the time we have is meaningful. As you and your daughters head into the Easter break, I hope that you will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with one another and that you might seek a joyful balance of work and play. I say this particularly mindful of those girls preparing for public examinations for whom this balance is more vital than ever.
At NLCS the girls work hard but you’ll be pleased to know that there is plenty of time for play! Play may encompass hobbies, sports or socialising, and provides much-needed downtime that allows the brain and body to recharge. It helps develop creativity, critical thinking and emotional resilience. Play contributes to personal development; social skills, teamwork and problem solving are all fostered during play. When I observe NLCS girls at play it is evident that a well-rounded individual thrives when they have the time to relax, explore personal interests and have fun.
This term we have seen an array of opportunities for play most notably through our co-curricular and academic enrichment programmes; the launch of our new House system, the Gym and Dance display, the French Soiree, Fantasy Fashion to name but a few. There are other more spontaneous opportunities for play; the table tennis tables at lunchtime, playing Budge in the Rose Garden, reading a book, a game of chess. It is here that we witness our girls seeking balance, the right harmony between work and play. Balance is not something you find it’s something you create.
This term I have, to the amusement of my Senior Team colleagues, conducted an ‘Audit of Joy’! The purpose has been to identify where in the school year there are opportunities for play and for joy and to ensure that every year group experiences an outing or experience of some description every half term. We have already started to add to the calendar, for example, the Sixth Form girls enjoyed an evening of Ceilidh with Harrow School this half term. There is much more to come, and I welcome your ideas of how we can sprinkle further opportunities for joy into our school calendar. Whilst there is some amusement in the aptly named ‘Audit of Joy’ the sentiment is an important one: “Time and tide wait for no man, but time spent with loved ones and on things that bring joy is time well spent.”
Wishing you all a wonderful break full of play and joy.
By Nicola Dawson, Deputy Head Pastoral
