HEAD’S UPDATE
Week beginning 22nd January 2024
Dear Parents and Carers, Despite the windy conditions, it has been a very good week. Burns Night was wonderful, and a number of children played in competitive sports matches against Ampleforth and Austin Friars on Saturday. In addition, the Senior Choir attended a magnificent choral event at Glenalmond College over the weekend. This week’s prep school assembly was based on Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. We discussed how our habits form our character, and the sort of things that prevent us from being effective. I showed the staff and children one of two pictures, and asked what they saw. This is one of the pictures? What do you see?
Many of you will see a young woman, but there is also an old woman in the picture. Can you see her? If not, do ask your child to help you. I explained to the children that this was a very good example of how people can see things differently. As a group we helped each other to see the old lady as well as the young lady; most of us did need help to do this. By discussing things in a supportive, rational manner we achieved this. We will always be more effective if we work together and recognise that we all have different strengths. In Covey’s book he highlights this as one of the 7 habits of highly effective people. This week children across the school have taken part in a handwriting competition. This was an opportunity for pupils from Pre-Prep to Prep School to showcase their penmanship talents. Everyone demonstrated a remarkable commitment to precision and legibility, making the judging process quite challenging, due to the high standard of entries. Overall, the competition not only celebrated exceptional handwriting, but also highlighted the dedication to mastering this essential skill. Results will be announced very soon. We were thrilled to hear this week that Old Mowdenian, Nancy Newcombe, has been offered a place at Cambridge University (Queen’s College) to study Modern Languages. Congratulations to Nancy. I hope you all have an enjoyable exeat, this weekend. Best wishes,
Head