BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

With our superb catering team conjuring up a Harry Potter-esque atmosphere, this week’s House Suppers for Chandler and Grace House introduced our new House system in magical style.

The tables were decked out in House colours and the two House Captains certainly made their mark. Mia (Chandler House) and Rayan (Grace House) gave an insight into the role of our young leaders, delivering their speeches with the sort of aplomb that we might expect from Hermione and Ron.

Mrs Redfern (Chandler) and Mrs Newman (Grace) then outlined their visions of the future, speaking with particular passion about House Charity Days. Our new House Leads clearly made a strong connection with parents: I could sense the freshness and pride as they represented their new Houses.

Thank you to all involved, particularly the catering team, for these two memorable evenings.

One parent told me that the evening had reinforced why his family was so pleased to be a part of BCS! This is of course gratifying to hear. As for the majority of the children, their highlight  – apart from the delicious cupcakes – was having a picture taken with guest star Bluey Bear.

Bluey the Bear stood next to the Chandler House bear mascot.
Mrs Newman and Bluey the bear pose in a Grace House selfie frame.

It must have been disappointing for our children that a heatwave arrived just as the holidays ended, but, anyway, I wish everybody the warmest of welcomes back to the first Update of the new academic year. As you have read from Mrs West and Mr Newman in their start of term letter, it’s going to be a busy but – I have no doubt – productive term.

Appropriately enough, my assembly this week was based on positivity. It involved my favourite game, Frustration. We looked at how our lives can be challenging but with belief and a positive outlook, anything is possible. The children thought about dynamic ways in which they are going to meet their challenges: not only in their studies, music, and sport , but also personally – with friends, when, from time to time, despite the best intentions, things go off track. I believe that we bought into the idea of being positive and digging deep. Mood-hoovers are not welcome in our community. Neither of the adult or the child variety!

It was great to visit Pre-Prep and see the children already hard at work, and a joy to visit them and lead their weekly assembly. Every year it is refreshing and inspiring to see our young children grow in confidence as they begin their personal journey here at BCS.

A special thank you to all those parents who attended the information session, hosted by Showbie, regarding the one-to-one iPads on Wednesday morning. I trust that this supports your knowledge and understanding of this academic development, and believe it will significantly enhance the children’s learning.

We will round off the week with a lovely BBQ with the Year 3 children and parents. This now traditional welcome, a wonderful event, allows new children and parents, as well as existing ones, to bond and begin new friendships. I look forward to seeing you there.

Spare a thought for our senior cohort of children as they enter the Senior School exam season. They returned to BCS a week before school started as part of our unique ‘Sprint Finish’ program, and – being unable to get too much of a good thing – will again come to school again tomorrow, Saturday, for a final session. Year 6 has shown magnificent energy and an admirable work ethic. I am very proud of them.

Have a wonderful weekend, one and all. Next week it’s the turn of Birmingham House and Cathedral House to enjoy their House Suppers!