BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

Bonjour from France, where I am currently basking in the joy of accompanying our vibrant Year 6 on their residential trip! This week has been an incredible reminder of the pivotal role these trips play in fostering independence and resilience in our children. As they prepare for their transition to Senior School come September, I can’t help but appreciate their growth, both in laughter and in depth.

Our adventures ranged from the thrilling rides at Parc Asterix to the delicious art of chocolate making. And let me tell you, I haven’t laughed this hard in ages! But it wasn’t all fun and games. During our visit to the Menin Gate and Passchendaele, the maturity and reverence displayed by Year 6 were profoundly moving. It’s moments like these when you realise that children can truly rise to the occasion, making any Headmaster puff their chest out a bit.

Three Year 6 pupils smile at the camera during a chocolate making workshop on their French residential trip.
A group of Year 6s stand in front of a war memorial at the Tyne Cot Cemetery in France.

Meanwhile, back in Blighty, our Year 3 and 4 pupils enjoyed having the Prep School all to themselves, with Year 5 away on their own outdoor escapade in Dorset. The School echoed with music as the middle schoolers dazzled us with a recital that I’m told was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing talent well beyond their years. And Year 4 JL, they soared in their class assembly on Superheroes. They emphasised that embodying the virtues of respect, hard work, and kindness can indeed make everyday heroes out of all of us.

Year 3 wrapped up their final STEM day of the year with a focus on Roman aqueducts. From what I’ve heard, they were not only fascinated by the historical significance but also managed to build an impressive 20 aqueducts in just four hours. If Rome wasn’t built in a day, our Year 3 came impressively close! Kudos to the ever-energetic Mrs Simmons for steering our STEM ship so skillfully.

Not to be outdone, our Pre-Prep children had a visit from Gareth Jones, a bestselling author who sparked a fire in our budding writers. Gareth, with his tales of ‘The Lion on the Bus’, ‘Rabunzel’ and ‘Snowy White’, he left our young scribes buzzing with excitement and ideas, much to Mrs West’s delight.

Year 5 sit on the grass at their residential camp site whilst they're listening to their instructor explain the rules of a game.
A girl in Year 4 plays the piano in The Blue Coat School Chapel
Author, Gareth P Jones, plays one of his stories on the ukulele in front of a group of Year 2 pupils at The Blue Coat School Birmingham.

As we all gear up for a restful half-term break and anticipate an action-packed final stretch of the academic year, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness as I bid you au revoir for now. But fret not, I shall return, hopefully with just as many stories and a bit less chocolate smeared on my clothes. 

 

Here’s to a splendid break and an even more spectacular term ahead!

 

Happy half term!