This week as a School community we have watched our monarch take her final journey from her beloved Balmoral, to her final resting place in the Great Hall at The Palace of Westminster.
We have also witnessed our new King, Charles III, deal with the death of his mother whilst travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles to carry out his new responsibilities with gravitas and grace. He has shown great courage and selflessness as he has put his duty before his own personal grief.
Perhaps I can most appropriately start my review of the school week by referring to a subject which our new King has long been passionate about: the environment.
In Pre-Prep, it was encouraging to see the Eco Committee get down to business once again. Even at such a young age the children continue to show a ‘right royal’ passion for their environment. I must commend them for getting involved and I very much look forward to seeing the outcomes of their work.
This week I have been bowled over not just by the youngest pupils but by the hard work of all the children and staff; they are well and truly back into their collective stride. Starting a new academic year, it takes time to build relationships, and the staff are really working hard to develop these. This in turn will ensure that positive achievements are made from the children’s starting points.
The work coming out of Pre-Prep, for instance, has been most impressive, and I was particularly taken by the exceptional phonics skills on display in Reception.
In Year 2, the children were studying a wonderful text called The Barnabus Project. A Failed Project, half mouse and half elephant, Barnabus is kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure. A stunning picture book from international bestsellers, The Fan Brothers, this has captured the imagination of our children and inspired them to produce some stunning writing. I would encourage parents to share and discuss this wonderfully moving story.
Miss Fagan delivered an excellent Maths workshop to a full house of Year 3 and 4 parents on Tuesday morning. It is always constructive and satisfying to work alongside the parent body and give them the opportunity to understand how we teach the subject. The workshop is designed to help cement knowledge and understanding, linking home and school.
This week, Mrs James introduced Buddy Brunch, which allowed our new Year 3 children to meet up with their assigned Year 6 Buddy in the Dining Hall. The feedback was excellent and I must commend the senior children for being such positive role models. I am looking forward to seeing this programme develop further over the course of the year, during which there will be many exciting initiatives.
Today, we celebrate National Teaching Assistant Day. Here at BCS we are blessed with wonderful TAs, who are a great support to the teachers in their relentless pursuit of excellence with the children. Thank you, one and all.
A special thank you now to all the parents who supported the Flood Disaster Appeal. All monies raised will be sent to the victims of the tragic situation in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Special prayers were said in our chapel service for the victims.
To sign off today, can I ask you to remember all the children who are sitting grammar school exams tomorrow. They go with our best wishes…. Believe it! Achieve it!
