Mr Richards' Words Lent 2

Our first full week back commenced with a rather calorific chocolate challenge in assembly. The boys certainly responded and have continued working with much endeavour. Opportunity and talents certainly flourish in the school. One exciting collaboration is Mrs Icke’s Drama Club. Boys and girls are rehearsing to perform ‘The Snail and the Whale’ at an ISA event later in the term.

Next week, Mr Goddard (Art), will be announcing the House selections. These Marvel design pieces have been scanned to colleagues at the Senior School for independent adjudication. I do not envy their difficult deliberations. The work is on display digitally here.

Musicians and sportsmen are also hard at work for Informal Concerts, gradings and plenty of matches. Good luck to you all, tackle your challenges but remember that it should always be enjoyable.

Mrs Hankin and Miss Barrow highlight the wonderous world of exploration that our youngest boys experience. Reception is certainly an exciting place to be. The boys’ enthusiastic approach to our topic this half term ‘Buildings and Construction’ has been very impressive. Designs and structures are being developed using a variety of media. Buildings around the world and their differences caused by local environments will allow imaginations to run wild, constructing obstacle courses and making dens in the Thicket. The cold snap does not stop us! Mrs Burgess, mother of Artie, inspired us all by helping to develop the topic of strong bodies and a healthy diet, providing essential foundations with a superb food rainbow talk. Skills and concepts such as teamwork and communication will also help our Reception classes forge lifelong bonds and supports our assembly theme.

Mrs Stay writes “Boys have been using their ‘voice’ to continue enriching their lives at Junior Boys”. Recently, our Pupil Voice requested Form Assemblies and asked the PTA for new playtime sponge balls. Democratic processes were also experienced in their class Pupil Voice vote. Every child in the school shared acts of kindness and hopes with Christmas baubles.

This term boys will share their views to develop playtimes, review our rewards and sanctions, suggest which local charities we should support, and decide what to spend their class PTA £50 on. Transport surveys and charitable year group fundraising events, alongside our Young Leaders/Kindness Committee, will complete a remarkable approach to encouraging peer mentoring to ensure everyone has a role and a buddy to turn to.

Finally, I would like to thank Mrs Webster for leading a rigorous First Aid course for staff so that everyone in the school is safe.

Photos of the week are here in the gallery.

Have a nice weekend.

Dean Richards