Mr Richards' Words Week 11

Ideas can come from many places and this week I was inspired by one of the boys and their parents singing this old favourite tune as they meandered their way through the car park and it created a feeling of warmth, family, tradition and high spirits within me. I had a quick look at the lyrics and it certainly is:

“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Everywhere you go;

There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,

It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;

Soon the bells will start,

And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing

Right within your heart”

Our sturdy trees in reception, the mezzanine, dining room as well as the soon to be erected ‘St Luke's Tree Trail’ competition tree (which will soon be in our driveway) which have all been decorated brilliantly are also festooned with the boys thoughts, dreams, wishes and thanks. They do make for some fascinating reading! I know Mrs Henley would certainly approve of the tasteful shimmering tree outside the office door. It has been a superb backdrop for the Pre-Prep Nativity narrators and Carol Service readers this week. Seeing our pupils and my colleagues patiently retaking films as unsuspecting peers walk past, working hard to deliver their lines with confidence, clarity, understanding and sparkle has been uplifting. Despite the obvious difference in settings and ambience everyone has pulled together as a great team to create opportunities for the boys to explore talents, take risks, develop skills and problem solve.

Christmas fever has taken grip but we are still hard at work in class. The Prep department has a hot topic that seems to be warming the thoughts of many pupils. ‘Trousers or shorts - should it be optional for all years?’ In response, Year 6’s English teachers grasped an opportunity and went slightly off-piste from their plans. It is wonderful to be able to be creative and to develop their ideas and interests. The great debate on this topic encouraged persuasive writing, public speaking skills and an understanding of democracy. The boys also responded to my petition request in assembly and have hit the 50 emails to Ms Stay that will trigger a pupil survey. I wonder how our uniform list might develop. (Please be rest assured that there will be no lurching away from tradition and we are also guiding the boys to be aware of any financial implications!).

Last week we considered Diwali and this week we reflected upon the meaning of Advent. ‘Hope, love, joy and peace’ are certainly all words that we cherish and can strive to demonstrate in our everyday lives. There are abundant examples of each word to be found at Junior Boys everyday. Our school truly is a fantastic place to start your educational journey. The boys and my colleagues come together as a family in a lively, stimulating, respectful and happy environment to celebrate individuals, work as a team and allow personalities to emerge and achieve without anxiety. All give absolute commitment, make increasingly confident contributions, whilst knowing that they can offer opinions, make mistakes and bounce back stronger.