On Monday 3 June, we will be attempting to forge the name of The Blue Coat School into the Guinness Book of Records. As you will be aware, we are very keen to develop the children’s sense of being part of a community and teamwork which are such important skills for all aspects of their lives. And so we are really grateful to Year 2 teacher, Nicola Wingfield. She has come up with an idea for a whole school event which promises to break a record set in India just seven months ago. Last November, in Mumbai, no fewer than 419 people got together wearing sock puppets “in a single venue”. We will be attempting to beat this record on the Monday that we return from half term.
By choosing this record, it is possible for all of the children to be involved – from the youngest in Buttons to the oldest child in Year 6. It also allows for all adults who are part of the Blue Coat family – teaching staff, support staff and governors to be involved if they wish to, thus creating a real sense of community. Pre-Prep and Prep School children having been making their sock puppets this week and will congregate in one venue – on the field if it is dry and the Sports Hall if it is wet, for our record attempt. There are strict GWR rules that we will have to follow in terms of counting the participants in and out of the venue, and independent witnesses will be required to ensure that everybody is actively involved in the record attempt. Once our attempt is complete, paperwork will need filling in and signing, and this will then be sent, along with photographic evidence, to GWR.
In the world today, there are so many amazing opportunities for children but being part of a world record attempt is still something very special. The children will always have as a memory of this, linking in to their time at The Blue Coat School.
Talking of memorable events, our Year 6 boys and girls hosted the U11 School Games Primary Schools’ Rounders Qualifiers on Monday. As we shared our enviable facilities with the wider community, the sun shone and many local schools joined in. Thank you to all the children for making this such a well-run competition.
On Tuesday our focus was Founders’ Day. This was a beautiful and poignant occasion lead by our Chaplain, Mrs Drake. The Cathedral was full and the children looked very smart in their ‘Best Blue’. The singing, reading and drama were first rate. Thank you to Mrs Happ and Mr Nicklin and Mrs Jennings for their staunch support of this important date in our calendar.
Landlocked we may be here in Birmingham, but that does not in any way restrict the opportunities that are provided for our children. I must congratulate Will Cowley and Lauren Claridge for representing the School at the National IAPS UII Sailing Regatta at the Olympic sailing centre at Portland. It is our first time at this event and both represented the School with great determination and pride. Yes, there really is something for everyone at BCS!
Buttons and Transition enjoyed raising funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital by going on a BIG TODDLE! Well done to all the children and their parents and friends for their generosity in raising funds for this important institution.
To end the week we had a Non-Uniform Day, and to our Chapel service we welcomed a Taiwanese Choir, who lit up our service. The children really enjoyed learning from another culture. It was a very special event. Thank you to Mrs Dredger for working with Old Scholar, Mike King (1958-1963) to bring the choir to our School.
To round off this week, Mr Nicklin and the music department have planned a whole school Enrichment Day with Graffiti Classics. The event finishes with a concert this evening. We can take for granted that the standard will be of the highest.
And now, as we enter the last six weeks of this academic year we look forward to a number of great family events. Our Guinness World Records™ attempt will be followed by the Headmaster’s XI against the parents at Harborne Cricket Club on Friday 7th June, starting at 6pm. Most important: please put the Friends’ Summer Fayre in your calendar. It’s on Saturday 15th June.
Meanwhile, have a great family half term!
Mr Neeson | Headmaster
