5th May 2023
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
EXCELLENCE This week I would like to focus on challenge, aspiration and excellence. On Wednesday I had the pleasure of accompanying 14 of our learners to Essex University Business School to graduate from the Brilliant Club. These learners have spent the last couple of months studying alongside a PhD tutor. They have developed their research skills and independent study techniques as well as expanding their knowledge about a topic they would not normally study. Our learners completed the programme by writing an extended essay about the voting habits of different hispanic groups in America. In reading their essays it is clear that they have learnt a lot. I myself have also learnt about social and economic voting theories - a topic of much relevance in the UK currently. Countries that learners have been researching include Cuba, Dominica, Mexico, Salvador and Panama.
All our learners now have a clearer idea of what university is like. The experience has helped to shape their aspirations. We offer the Brilliant Club every year. I am looking forward to working alongside our next crop of aspiring scholars next year. Please join me in congratulating our newly crowned Brilliant Club Scholars: C10: Ola Arowosegbe; Laila Arkell; Lizzy Buscombe; Joseph Byers; Cerys Godfrey; Miles Ramsay; and Daniel Taylor C9: Jonathan Hardington; Soha Malek; Karis Newman; Vasille Rusu; Aaron Shrimpton; Daisy Taylor and Tama Ujfalusi
At the graduation event I was asked if any of them would like to volunteer to speak during the ceremony. I asked the group and immediately five of them volunteered. They then bravely stood up at the front of the auditorium and spoke about the programme in front of peers from ten other schools.
CONGRATULATIONS Last week Caleb Gilbert in C8 attended a Karate tournament in Coruna, Spain; a very prestigious event, with nearly 2000 athletes attending. It is the highest level that Caleb can currently compete at in his age group.
They all did a great job. However, one of our learners in particular inspired me through her honest and reflective account of the struggles she had through engaging with the programme. Why? Because it is challenging. After the first session she wanted to give up as the challenge appeared to be insurmountable. After a pep talk from Mr Williams she decided to keep on pushing and was delighted to come out the other end and explained how she really enjoyed the experience.
We are pleased to say that he came away with a bronze medal, which was a massive achievement!! He lost his first round fight, but was able to get repechage which meant he could get back into the tournament and he had 3 other fights back to back, which he won, meaning he was awarded the bronze medal. Well done Caleb!