I MISS the days of being in a primary school as a child – Christmas was truly magical.

Maybe Christmas loses a little bit of its sparkle as we mature, perhaps until we have children of our own.

However, even in secondary schools there is palpable sense of excitement and …. “otherness”. Yes, much of the excitement will be about finishing term, but, really, what is that feeling about?

I have just six points to offer:

1 Celebrating the birth of Jesus; yes, this is a fact. Jesus was born, lived an incredibly short life, but was a real person. Whether he was the true son of God is up to the individual. However, he was as real as you or I, and we are still celebrating his message 2,000 years later - amazing.

2 Rest; students are working harder than ever, as are their parents. Longer hours, pressure and expectation – none of this is necessarily bad, but it means that rest at Christmas is vital.

3 Reflection; if you can snatch some time during what can be a hectic “break”, try to reflect upon what has gone well. We have no difficulty in recognising problems, but are perhaps less aware of all of the good things that have been achieved. Reflecting upon success promotes wellbeing and happiness.

4 Giving is good; of course it is! The message of Christmas is that we move from ripping to wrapping. Savour the moment when someone smiles, thanks you, gives you a hug. Giving is something that comes naturally, and is, in many respects, our greatest gift.

5 Receiving is fine too; Christmas is also about receiving with gratitude, joy and the warmth that comes from knowing someone loves you enough to think of a gift that you would like. Your smile will be a precious gift in return.

6 Finally, family; the importance of spending time together as a family can never by overstated. The times our children share with us stay with them forever. The magic of Christmas is passed from generation to generation based upon the joy we share. On behalf of all the staff in our schools, I hope you had a restful, reflective, generous, Happy Christmas, that mirrors the spirit of an amazing man.