The Six Nations rugby tournament has returned to our screens (and didn’t the Scots do well at Twickenham last weekend!), this is always a sign that Spring is on the horizon.

The Grounds staff at BCS, as usual, have done a superb job tidying up after Winter. With those crinkly leaves composting and the sky turning blue again, our thoughts surely turn to the excitement of life outdoors.

It is therefore timely that this week we welcomed to BCS Lucy MacDonald, to speak to some of the children about looking after their bodies and some key disciplines. Lucy has worked with Manchester United and England Netball to name but two significant clients. This was an informative talk which will undoubtedly have helped our children to understand their bodies and educated them on how to take a healthy approach to life.

It probably goes without saying that girls and boys need to look after their physical health to have the chance to represent the school at some sport or other, but we are very aware that we need to pay more and more attention to our mental health as well. Our focus here – and, I trust, at home – is on being duly diligent when it comes to ensuring that boys and girls make sensible, safe use of the ‘the screen’.

So, following up last week’s excellent Online safety talk by Karl Hopwood, the children engaged with a ‘Safer Internet Day’, and Mr Hill, Director of ICT, has sent some great literature to parents. I urge you all to read it and to adhere to it.

After a busy 7+ assessment day on Saturday, the school resumed in enterprising fashion. 

Putting behind them a busy time of senior school assessments, Year 6 really relished exploring World War 1. Their Wow Day  offered the opportunity to delve into the following: 

Baking ANZAC biscuits

Studying The Role of Women during The Great War

Looking at Life in the Trenches

Making Enrolment Portraits

Creating a 1914 morale-boosting ‘Princess Mary Tin’.

I was delighted to welcome Claire Macro, EHS Headmistress, to talk about the opportunities that her school offers at 11+. A well-attended evening kick-started our Senior School Heads talk series. Over the coming weeks, it will be wonderful to welcome Dr Ricks, Chief Master at KES, Mrs Von Malisae, Principle at KEHS, and Mr Fillingham, Headmaster at Solihull School, to speak to our Year 5 parents. These talks give BCS parents a valuable insight into life at top senior schools.

How lovely it was to welcome Reception parents into School to hear more about how we can work in partnership from an early age. Parents very much enjoyed working with their children in the classroom after the presentation, which was led by head of Pre-Prep, Mrs West and Assistant Head Learning and Teaching, Mr Brown. A warm and informative morning. Thank you one and all. 

Talking of Pre-Prep, it was great to welcome Nursery K to my study for story time. The children have grown so much over their first term and a half here at BCS. A delightful group! I look forward to welcoming the other nursery classes over the coming weeks.

Another of the  week’s highlights has to be the excellent class assembly by Y3SB based on the biblical story of the Two Sisters. The children showed the importance of understanding our differences and putting others first. Well done to Mrs Barnes and Year 3SB.

A new initiative in our thriving house system is the Buddy Brunches. The brainchild of Mrs James, this gives children in Year 3  the opportunity to spend time with children in the upper year groups, to discuss things and learn from each other. This week was the turn of St Monica’s House. It seems to have gone very well; the girls were on top form.

Next week, we are excited to have the Year 4 production of Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies. This lively play takes place on the Thursday and Friday evening before half term. Tickets are selling fast; don’t delay!

Have a great weekend!