Many years ago, I turned into Lady Penelope from Thunderbirds, minus the pink Rolls-Royce. I’d developed one of those stiff necks where you can’t turn your head left or right, which made driving awkward and, if I’m honest, probably not safe. It took a cocktail of muscle relaxants and a handful of chiropractic adjustments to loosen things up and ease the pain.
So, when I felt the familiar twinges, tightness, and tension creeping into my neck last week, I didn’t wait. I booked in to see my chiro straight away. I was being proactive; I wasn’t about to spend another week walking around like a puppet with a stuck neck joint.
When I arrived, my chiro asked, “What’s your pain level today?”
I said, “Probably a 1 or 2 out of 10.”
She laughed and said, “I wish more of my patients were like you, taking a proactive approach to self-care!”
And that got me thinking…
What did you feel like at the end of Term 1?
Were you hanging in there by a thread, counting down the hours?
Or did you finish feeling balanced, in control, and ready to enjoy the break?
As we head into this new term, it’s worth considering how you can apply the same proactive approach to your class/es before things start to ache or break.
One of the most powerful tools I’ve used to set the tone for a positive and productive term is a Preparation Circle. Think of it as a classroom ‘adjustment,’ just like a chiro session, but for the collective energy and expectations of your group.
In the first week of term, instead of diving straight into content or admin, gather the class in a circle. No desks, no distractions, just open space and open minds. Talk about what kind of term you want to have as a collective. Ask questions like:
- What worked well for us last term?
- What do we want more of this term?
- What do we need to feel safe, focused, and supported?
- How do we want to treat each other?
- What should we do if things start to wobble?
You’ll be amazed at the insight students bring to these conversations, no matter their age. They know what helps them thrive, and when they’re part of shaping the classroom culture from day one, they’re far more likely to invest in it.
It’s not just about behaviour or rules, it’s about ownership. It’s about setting the emotional and social tone before problems pop up. Because prevention, as we know, is far easier (and kinder) than a cure.
So, just like booking that chiro appointment before things got painful, think of your prep circle as a preventative reset. It gives your students and you a chance to realign, refocus, and build a term that feels good to be in.
Check out other articles Sheila has written here.