10 Ideas for Wellbeing in the New School Year
As the new academic year begins, the excitement of fresh starts often collides with the pressure of new timetables, commitments, and expectations. Whether you are a teacher, a member of support staff, a student, or a parent, the demands can feel endless.
Dr Emma Kell, teacher and staff wellbeing specialist, and counselling psychologist Lina Paumgarten, who has worked in international schools for over 20 years, recently came together to share 10 simple, powerful ideas for looking after ourselves and one another as the school year unfolds.
Emma’s Top 5 Tips for Staff
- Plan something to look forward to.
Put a date in your diary that’s just for you — a walk by the river, coffee with a friend, an afternoon tea. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, but it should bring joy and remind you that life exists beyond school. - Know your glass balls.
We are all juggling. Some balls are plastic — they can drop without major consequence. Others are glass — your health, your relationships, safeguarding, professional growth. Know what your glass balls are and keep them in the air. - Accept the job is never done.
Teaching is infinite. If you’ve read Oliver Burkeman’s 4000 Weeks, you’ll know the power of accepting that you’ll never get everything done. Focus on what truly matters and make peace with the rest. - Build your team.
Who are your tent poles — the people you lean on in times of need or inspiration? They might be colleagues, friends, or mentors. Know who they are and use them. - Focus on what you can control.
Stephen Covey reminds us to centre our energy on what we can influence. With so much happening in schools and beyond, it’s easy to become consumed by what’s outside our control. Anchor yourself in what you can do.
Lina’s Top 5 Tips for Students (and Families)
- Find a trusted adult.
Every young person needs at least one adult in school they can go to — someone who understands their world. This might be a teacher, mentor, or coach, and it doesn’t need to be the same person for everything. - Create a sustainable routine.
Don’t sprint through the first fortnight of term and collapse by October. Establish a rhythm you can maintain, with planned breaks and genuine downtime — some of it away from screens. - Value rest.
In South America, the word sobremesa captures the joy of lingering at the table after a meal, talking for hours. Build those unhurried, screen-free moments into your life. - Complete is better than perfect.
Perfectionism keeps us stuck. Define what “complete” means for you and allow yourself to move forward instead of aiming for flawless. - Choose kindness.
School life isn’t free of harshness or bullying, but each of us can make the environment a little better. Start with yourself — be kinder to yourself and extend that kindness to others.
The Overlap
What became clear in our conversation is how much these lists overlap. Staff tips apply beautifully to students, and student tips are just as valuable for staff. That leaves us with 10 tips for everyone in a school community; practical, simple, and low-cost.
At their heart is a reminder that we are human beings, not human doings. Intentionally making time to rest, connect, and focus on what matters most is the foundation of a healthier, happier school year.
Final Thoughts
We wish all students, staff, and families the very best as you step into the new term. Take these tips, adapt them to your own context, and share them with those around you.
And if you have wellbeing strategies of your own, we’d love to hear them — share them in the comments and keep the conversation going.
From Dr Emma Kell and Lina Paumgarten — sending you a big high five for the year ahead!