Returning to school after a long break can be challenging for many pupils. It has been encouraging to see how they have drawn on their resilience to attend school each day, even when this has felt difficult. I often speak with pupils about the importance of gently facing anxiety rather than avoiding it and trusting that with time and consistency, each day can begin to feel a little easier.

In our wellbeing lessons this week, pupils spent time reflecting on 2025 and thinking intentionally about the year ahead. I was very proud of the thoughtful and mature way in which they approached this task. Some pupils shared that the past year has been particularly challenging, speaking openly with trusted friends about experiences of family illness or bereavement and considering how these experiences shape them moving forward. Others reflected on what they have learned about themselves and what they would like to carry into 2025, for example, noticing how asking for help has supported their wellbeing, or reflecting on how they have managed friendships and what they might like to approach differently in the year ahead.

The reflection activities used in these lessons were adapted from resources on Chris Williamson’s website. Having completed the reflection myself, I found the questions encouraged a deep and meaningful level of self-awareness, which was reflected in the pupils’ responses.

As always, the Teen Tips Wellbeing Hub (which parents can access as part of the school’s subscription) continues to offer a range of excellent resources. The list below highlights the key content available for families this month.

★ Week commencing 5th January – Podcast: Managing conflicts in friendships with Dr Maryhan, Psychologist and parenting expert, and Alicia Drummond, Founder and CEO of The Wellbeing Hub

★ Week commencing 12th January – Podcast: Pornography, consent and online relationships with Dr Calli Tzani, Co-Director of the Cyberpsychology Research Network and Senior Lecturer in Investigative and Forensic Psychology and Professor Maria Ioannou, Professor of Investigative and Forensic Psychology

★ Week commencing 19th January – Tips: Top tips for easing back-to-school anxiety by Alicia Drummond, Therapist and CEO of The Wellbeing Hub

★ Wednesday 28th January, 6:30pm (GMT) – Webinar: Raising teens in the digital age: Friendship, bullying and the online world with Nicholas Carlisle, Child Psychotherapist, Founder of the internationally recognised ‘No Bully’ programme and TEDx speaker on bullying