Mr Richards' Words Week 9

‘Mission impossible’ was played this afternoon by Taimoor-Ali in our celebration assembly and it is the perfect link to start my words. New experiences can be challenging and tackling change can be daunting. However, we always welcome the opportunity here to widen horizons and to safely stretch our charges. As adults we have a responsibility to role model risk-taking, problem solving, bouncing back from mistakes and demonstrating that the outcomes are always worthwhile. Our first ever virtual parents’ evening was an example of how to empathise with the pupils and despite a few no shows on the arranged meets I believe the chance to see, discuss, listen and ask was appreciated on both sides of the screen. During the first lockdown our partnerships were strengthened and I know we all miss the ‘human element and ability to have a quick catch up’. Please be rest assured that we will continue to communicate with you effectively but please do contact the appropriate teachers directly with either academic or pastoral information that will help us guide, support and direct your sons’ education, progression and personal development.
Change within a staffroom can cause concern but I am extremely excited by our new colleagues whom I alluded to over the last few weeks. We will be inviting the respective classes to a ‘Meet’ towards the end of term to say hello. We will also conduct a very robust hand over period. All of our new teachers are tremendously experienced, have an absolutely fantastic child-centered manner, understand our ethos and will add much to our school and, most importantly, the boys' learning.
By way of a brief introduction - in 4W, Mrs Adrienne Watters, is taking over the stewardship of this class. She has two sons at Senior Boys, has previous experience of working in a diamond structured school and most recently has just returned from overseas after working within the prep age group at an International School as part of their senior leadership team.
In 2B, Miss Kate Fossett, who has most recently been working in a local school joins us. She has a fantastic breadth to her primary-aged teaching expertise having led her school in all core subjects and also been a Key Stage One moderator.
Whilst in Reception, Miss Jessica Wilding will be taking the reins. She has over 10 years experience and has most recently been a class-based, Assistant Head Teacher, leading EYFS in a South West London school.
Highlights of the week have been the delightful independent writing and wonderful message delivered by a Reception boy in assembly on Monday as we considered anti-bullying week. He eloquently and confidently told the school, ‘I love my school because my friends are all kind to me’. I was then engaged by a boy whose opening line was, ‘I chose water’. I looked a little nonplussed as it was in an English lesson but he then explained that he had made a conscious decision to do something else other than computer games. I walked off a few centimetres taller as he had clearly engaged and reflected upon our last celebration assembly. A tiny sample perhaps but at least the message has begun to get through. Hopefully a few others might leave
their chromebooks and the like downstairs or out of the bedroom as well. A Year 1 boy also ~~8r0topped me to say that there were 37 sleeps to go before Christmas (yikes) and another in Year 5 reminded me this morning, ‘Not to forget to turn my microphone on in assembly today’ - now that is role modelling, demonstrating mistakes, trying to be better or is it possibly just mission impossible.
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