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The 12 Days of Christmas Term: A Festive Thank You to School Staff
By Sensory Inclusive Schools, 1 December 2025
December in schools has its own unmistakable buzz. Carol concerts drift down the corridors, someone is always searching for a missing prop, and every timetable seems to bend itself around rehearsals, craft, and celebrations. It’s joyful, it’s hectic, and it can take a lot out of the adults who hold everything together.
So this year, we’ve created our own version of The 12 Days of Christmas, celebrating the wonderfully busy world of schools in December. Each day comes with a small wellbeing reminder — something gentle, sensory-friendly, and doable in the middle of a long school day.
Here’s our 12 Days of Christmas Term song - you know the tune, so sing along!
The 12 Days of Christmas Term
On the first day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
A phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Notice your own senses today. Take three slow breaths and enjoy one comforting smell or taste that is just for you.
On the second day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: When things feel frantic, plant your feet, lengthen your spine and press your hands together. Remind your body that it is steady and supported.
On the third day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Between rehearsals, roll your shoulders, stretch your jaw and shake out your hands. A thirty-second movement pause can release a lot of tension.
On the fourth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Give your senses a rest. Silence non-urgent notifications for ten minutes and take a slow drink of water while you focus only on the act of sipping.
On the fifth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Hold something in your hands and really notice its weight, texture and smell. A tiny moment of sensory focus can help reset your nervous system.
On the sixth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: If the lights and sparkle feel like too much, let your eyes rest on something calm and plain for a minute, such as the sky or a blank wall.
On the seventh day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Protect your ears. Step into a quieter space whenever you can, or use discreet earplugs if sound levels are draining your energy.
On the eighth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Eight requests for extra nativity tickets,
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Your nervous system matters too. It is alright to say no, not yet, or I will come back to that when I have more capacity.
On the ninth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Nine overwhelmed kids in tinsel,
Eight requests for extra nativity tickets,
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: You support pupils to regulate by being regulated yourself. Choose one small regulating action for you today, even if it is a one-minute stretch at the sink.
On the tenth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Ten tins of staff biscuits,
Nine overwhelmed kids in tinsel,
Eight requests for extra nativity tickets,
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Before the next biscuit, pause and notice your body. Are you hungry, tired, bored or needing connection? Choose something that truly meets that need.
On the eleventh day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Eleven lost gloves,
Ten tins of staff biscuits,
Nine overwhelmed kids in tinsel,
Eight requests for extra nativity tickets,
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: Plan one small sensory comfort for tricky transitions, such as a warm drink, a soft scarf or a quiet corridor loop. Predictable comforts can calm a busy day.
On the twelfth day of Christmas term, our school day somehow included
Twelve traumatised teachers,
Eleven lost gloves,
Ten tins of staff biscuits,
Nine overwhelmed kids in tinsel,
Eight requests for extra nativity tickets,
Seven carol concert practices,
Six light-up Christmas jumpers,
Five Christingle Oranges!
Four turkey dinner order reminders,
Three full costume dress rehearsals,
Two borrowed tea towels (IYKYK),
And a phonics session on frankincense and myrrh
- Staff Wellbeing Tip: You cannot pour from an empty mug. Rest is essential, not a reward. Over the holidays, give yourself at least one activity that truly restores your body and senses.
A final thank you
School staff carry so much through December, often with humour and heart, even when the days feel full to bursting. This little song is our way of recognising that hidden effort and offering small moments of support along the way.
If your school is looking for ways to create calmer, more sensory-inclusive environments in the new term, we’re here to help.