Principal's News
Anna-Marie McAleer
Kia ora, Glamorgan Whānau
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, no matter our age. As adults, we juggle many responsibilities that can often lead to worry. It's important to remember that our children experience worries too, even if they look different from our own.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, no matter our age. As adults, we juggle many responsibilities that can often lead to worry. It's important to remember that our children experience worries too, even if they look different from our own.
I recently came across a helpful article by Seth J. Gillihan, a clinical psychologist, therapist, and author, about quieting anxious thoughts. The key takeaway resonated deeply: focusing on the present moment is a more effective way to reduce worry than trying to push anxious thoughts away.
The article highlighted a recent study showing that when individuals gently directed their attention to the sounds around them with genuine interest and curiosity, they experienced a greater decrease in worry compared to when they tried to suppress those anxious feelings.
This aligns with advice Seth Gillihan shared, suggesting that while worries are understandable, trying to ignore them often amplifies their power. Instead, redirecting our attention to the present can be incredibly grounding. Think about it – when you're eating, try placing your hands on the table and truly feeling its solidity. When your mind wanders into fearful "what ifs" about the future, let your senses guide you back to what is real, right here, right now.
At Glamorgan, we also proactively equip our students with tools to support their well-being. We are proud to be part of the Mitey Programme and Pause, Breathe, Smile, which provides our kids with valuable strategies for understanding and managing their emotions. These programmes also emphasise the importance of being present.
As adults, we can further reinforce these skills by modeling this powerful technique for our children. Instead of telling them to simply "not worry," we can guide them to focus on what they feel, hear, and see in the present moment when they feel anxious. Let them know that when their minds are filled with those future-focused "what ifs," they have the ability to gently guide their awareness back to "what is."
By intentionally focusing on the present, a skill taught within our Mitey and Pause, Breathe, Smile programmes, and by us modelling this, we can teach our children a valuable skill for navigating anxious feelings and finding a sense of calm amidst the busyness of life.
Ngā mihi nui,
Anna-Marie McAleer
Tumuaki - Principal
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