Dear Parents and Carers,

This term, our staff, students and school community have had an opportunity to gather and participate in various experiences that foster belonging and connection. 
Recently, I have been reflecting on the significant role of gratitude in helping to support a sense of belonging and well-being. Showing someone gratitude is one of the easiest and most genuine ways to make life better for ourselves and those around us.
What is Gratitude?
‘Gratitude is about paying attention to the things and moments we have right now and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise gratitude by noticing the positives around us, and by being thankful for things, places and people in our lives.’
Research has shown that the benefits of expressing and receiving gratitude are beneficial to our well-being and mental health due to specific chemicals being released in our brains. In addition, taking the time to thank others is vital to strengthen social connections and encourage generosity.
A helpful way to incorporate gratitude into our lives is to reflect as part of our daily routine, e.g. during dinner or before bed. Studies show that sharing a list of positive events at the close of a day and why the events made you happy gives individuals a greater sense of calm at night. One thing we can control is our actions.
When we incorporate gratitude in our daily practices, the benefits will be invaluable not only for ourselves but also for those around us.
I challenge you to find ways to reach out in the next two weeks and show gratitude to those around our St Francis of Assisi school community.

Thank you for your continued partnership.