For a week starting with the day that the nation names “Blue Monday” it’s been pretty multicoloured here and pretty multicultural too.
The children enjoyed finishing the week representing a fine array of countries and they have been encouraged to teach others something about the country they have chosen to represent. I loved the “Hello to all the children of the world” song that Pre-Prep children were singing this week, which encourages interest in twelve countries and their languages and it has been mastered with impressive ease.
Year 8 rounded off an interesting week of workshops and visiting speakers with their assembly on sustainability, based on their Common Entrance projects and their residential trip to Bore Place.
I particularly enjoyed the visit from Mike Fawcett on Thursday from the diocese of Rochester, to talk about church based links with other parts of the world, which we are about to embark upon.
His lively presentation of the village we might link with in Tanzania was enjoyed by all and it was lovely that Jake could model for us clothes worn by Masai Warriors, whilst Daniel and Diya sported some fine handmade shirts for girls and boys. I was excited to hold a very valuable Masai spear. Bradley demonstrated with a fine rhythm a beautiful handmade drum, whose skin was held across the baobab fruit body with black thorns.
Organising a themed week is a huge piece of work and I would like particularly to thank Ali Chugg for inspiring and encouraging such full participation from all corners of the school. You may have noticed that we are currently advertising for a new Head of Geography and it is perhaps fitting to acknowledge this week that this is because Ali and her husband will be moving to Burma in the summer where Dan is to become the British ambassador. We congratulate Dan on this appointment and all of us know that this will be a challenging and privileged position, in which they will make a huge difference to a country that does need support and we wish them every success and happiness.
Zerrin Leech and I look forward to meeting any parents interested in finding out more about our decision to open a third Reception class this September. We are excited by the prospect of having classes of 18 coming through Pre-Prep and strengthening the reputation of the school.
Parents have suggested we also hold morning slots for parents to come and find out more and I think this is an excellent suggestion. I will announce the dates next week.
This weekend some of our senior students in Year 6 are being assessed for scholarships into Year 7 here. Since our scholarship programme was introduced in my first year of headship here, we have seen considerable success in our scholarship rates to senior schools and I believe that offering a challenging curriculum for the very top students actually enhances it for every single child.
Visitors always comment on the buzz around the school on a normal day and we all love being a part of that every day.
Whatever you’re doing this weekend I hope the sun shines on you and I look forward to seeing many of you next week. Have a great weekend.
Jill Aisher
