The Nutshell w/e 3rd October

Dear Parents,

At the Hazelwood Cross Country Relays just over a week ago, as the children ran up the steep and unforgiving Hazelwood hill (!), I was reminded of resilience. Life can sometimes feel like that hill: challenging, relentless, and demanding strength to keep going.

n the past, we might have called this grit. These days, we talk more about resilience, and rightly so. Grit can sound like simply “toughing it out,” while resilience is about something much broader and healthier: adapting well to challenges, managing frustration, and building the confidence to persevere, even when success is not instant.

True resilience is not only about bouncing back. It is also about knowing when something isn’t the right fit, having the courage to say, “I gave it my best, but this is not for me,” and moving on with perspective. Resilience is as much about flexibility and self-knowledge as it is about determination.

This is no small task for children in a world of instant gratification, where so much is available at the tap of a button. As parents and educators, we might ask ourselves: how do we help children keep going when things take time?

At our Parent Insights session last night, Georgina Morgan explored this very theme: Resilience in Kids – does it still matter? The discussion was both thought-provoking and practical. If you have not yet joined us, we would love to see you. Sessions run on Fridays at 9.00am and, on alternate weeks, Thursdays at 6.30pm. The next Parent Insights is on Friday 10 October at 9.00am in the TOSH, when we will be discussing gut microbiome science, ultra-processed food, and the impact on children’s health.

Georgina closed with words that stayed with me: “Resilience does still matter. In fact, it may matter more than ever. Our children do not just need to pass exams or survive the playground. They need to navigate a world of shifting truths and tempting shortcuts. If we can help them value honesty, persistence, and character, even when it is unfashionable, we give them something much deeper than instant comfort. We give them strength.”

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Perhaps try something new with your children and take time to notice together how resilience still matters.

Best wishes,

Lindie

Read full Nutshell here