There is surely no truer test of how one is ageing than by applying the following gauge: ‘How excited do you feel about snow?’ Of course, there was excitement for every Blue Coat child this week when they woke up on Wednesday morning. Only a thin covering, I grant you, but there was of course the prospect of a thicker blanket to come. And while our optimistic boys and girls prayed for several more inches, Mums went searching for that elusive windscreen scraper, and Dad was reminded to put a blanket and a shovel in the boot.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the parents of today, myself included, could return to their childhoods and have another love affair – with the beautiful little white flakes! Has anybody captured the magic and the mystique of snow any better than Lewis Carroll? A century and a half before Brexit negotiations, it was Carroll who took us all down the rabbit hole, in his Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
While I dream of sunshine and summer, following the misfortunes of the England cricket team in the sweltering heat of Barbados, our children keep themselves warm on courts and pitches here and elsewhere, utilising those skills with which they have been so patiently provided. This weekend, it is the turn of the Year 6 A and B netball squads, who are taking part in the Warwick Prep Netball tournament. Enjoy the experience, girls and, above all, have fun! While they are doing their stuff, this Saturday we have a busy weekend with our Lent term Open Morning. Numbers again are beyond belief. Thank you for allowing your children to support this event and to show off their school.
Week 3 was yet another busy but very productive week at BCS. On the academic front, I again enjoyed observing teaching and learning. It was a joy to witness our young learners engaged in a variety of learning styles. Visually, kinesthetically or audibly, we all learn differently. In a class, a teacher has to cater for diverse needs and I observed some excellent examples of using and blending these three components – with great results.
This week also, I have had the pleasure, and the honour, of addressing teachers from around the country on educating the whole child. Yes, our children need to reach their academic potential but we as educationalists and parents must instil core values of respect, resilience and independence. My main theme was that children must build confidence to speak out and show humility. If we think of our successful colleagues, they have these attributes in abundance. Other qualities which we are in the business of promoting here are courage and perseverance. Mrs Redfern and Year 5 gave a most uplifting assembly on the pathway of these two virtues. Again, the children in Year 5 made their point succinctly. Well done to them all.
Year 1 and 2 parents may need perseverance when it comes to supporting their children at home with Maths. Feedback from our presentation both on that topic and on the Year 3 and 4 English information morning has been gratifying. Parents enjoyed joining their children in the classrooms. Perhaps it made them feel young again? Young enough, even, to enjoy the snow? But seriously, thank you, Mrs West and Mrs Ayub respectively, for delivering with such clarity.
Staying on the Maths front, well done to our Year 4 Mathematicians who competed wonderfully at the KES Maths Challenge. Our representatives did amazingly well in coming second in a high class field. There were more amazing performances in all areas of swimming, netball and football. I am very pleased with the developments being made already this term. Do read the sports page for more detail.
Have a great weekend!
