Mr Bevis' Words Lent 11
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
I am sure the classical scholars amongst you will have recognised that quote from Plato... but if not.. no matter, because Wednesday night’s audience would have understood exactly what he meant. The Senior Girls and Boys Spring Concert was an absolute affirmation of our philosophy of keeping the creative and performing arts as an essential part of the life of our community. It was a marvellous celebration of superb musicianship, exuberant creativity and bright showmanship. By acclamation one of our best ever and I was delighted to see more than 20% of the senior girls school taking part with such elan. My eternal thanks to our peripatetic music teachers and to our Directors of Music Hester Goodsell and Adrian Roach.
On Tuesday the after school Food Club invited staff and parents to afternoon tea. Not a thing I would normally be tempted by, but duty called, and I had to indulge in fine cakes, delightful sandwiches and refreshing cups of tea. The members of Food Club had been preparing all term and they did a marvellous job in explaining what we had before us, and in taking our orders. I gather there are plans afoot to offer pre-theatre dining for the Summer Production!
We hold our Easter Commemoration Service on Tuesday. Our theme this year is “A Peace Building Commonwealth” and that will be particularly apt after the terrorist acts in London on Wednesday. In assembly on Thursday we reflected that alongside our thoughts for the dead and the injured we should also give huge praise to the members of the security forces and first responders.
In the assembly we looked at how the significant changes that the adolescent brain undergoes impact so much on teenage behaviour and relationships. How in times of heightened stress the amygdala gets control of the prefrontal cortex and rationality flies out of the window and teenagers can become moody, aggressive, argumentative and isolated. We looked at how they can get that logical, rational and calm brain back.... meditation, counting to ten, breathing etc. We then reflected how so many people in yesterday’s outrage managed to control their fear or flight reaction, got their prefrontal cortex front and centre and did their job, with calmness and great bravery, not just those who had received the necessary training but also members of the public. I spoke about how important it was to hear and pay attention to the words of our Prime Minister - that our communities should not be divided by evil people, that our democracy must remain steadfast, and that our lives should carry on as normal.
It has been a hugely busy and creative term full of energy and achievement. We will formally recognise that in our Academic Assembly on Wednesday with our usual subject and overall academic awards. Delightfully we shall also get to see a group dance for pupils from Year 5 to Year 11 that has been choreographed by Amy Walters, as part of her GCSE PE coursework.
What a fitting end to the term. Have a lovely holiday.
If we destroy human rights and rule of law in the response to terrorism, they have won. Joichi Ito
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