Help and Support in Evidence.

Friday 17th December 2010

 

Dear Parents,
The boys often hear me say that school plays are great team events, and that the senior play is the
biggest team event of the year. I believe that boys learn so much from standing on stage and
performing; remembering the lines, the cues and the actions. This is only part of the picture in a
school production, as boys also learn from working back stage ensuring that everyone is in the right
place at the right time with the right props. At this time of year boys in all age groups are given the
opportunity to learn these lessons; the Pre-Prep productions, the Junior play, ‘The Ballad of
Salomon Pavey’ and of course, we can add the Carol Service to this list.
I frequently use a prayer in assemblies about supporting others. It reads something like this – “their
activities may not be our activities, but if we support others we will all prosper and can be said to
lead useful lives in the eyes of Christ”. This has been so evident this term, with boys not involved in
the play marvelling at their friends’ talents. Others of course have helped behind the scenes, happy
to do their bit unseen, knowing that they play a part in the overall success.
As I look back at the term I am extremely proud of the fact supporting the success of others has
been evident in many areas of school life. We have had successes on all fronts, the cultural side of
the school has been strong, academically many boys have been sent to me to show me their work
and once again there has been success on the sporting front. The major achievements have been
written about in newsletters during the term, so I will not dwell on them. However, what always
delights me and makes my job worthwhile is to test a boy on his spellings, see some excellent work
or have a boy proudly explain what he has learned.
One of the best innovations this term has been the reading club. Most days a group of boys in Years
5 to 8 leave lunch early; Year 8’s then listen to some of the younger boys read, showing an interest
in their efforts and progress. So many lessons are learned by all those involved. Obviously it helps
improve boys’ reading, but important life skills linked to supporting and helping others are central to
the reading club.
Part of the message of Christmas is about Christ coming to earth to help and support us all – young
and old. This is a simple, ancient story with a timeless message. Perhaps the boys may like to
reflect on the support that they can give to each other so that we all prosper, and then we can
indeed say that we are leading useful lives.
I wish all a very Happy Christmas and a restful holiday with your families.

The boys often hear me say that school plays are great team events, and that the senior play is the biggest team event of the year. I believe that boys learn so much from standing on stage andperforming; remembering the lines, the cues and the actions. This is only part of the picture in a school production, as boys also learn from working back stage ensuring that everyone is in the right place at the right time with the right props. At this time of year boys in all age groups are given theopportunity to learn these lessons; the Pre-Prep productions, the Junior play, ‘The Ballad of Salomon Pavey’ and of course, we can add the Carol Service to this list.I frequently use a prayer in assemblies about supporting others. It reads something like this – “their activities may not be our activities, but if we support others we will all prosper and can be said to lead useful lives in the eyes of Christ”. This has been so evident this term, with boys not involved inthe play marvelling at their friends’ talents. Of course others have helped behind the scenes, happy to do their bit unseen, knowing that they play a part in the overall success.As I look back at the term I am extremely proud that supporting the success of others has been evident in many areas of school life. We have had successes on all fronts, the cultural side of the school has been strong, academically many boys have been sent to me to show me their workand once again there has been success on the sporting front. The major achievements have been written about in newsletters during the term, so I will not dwell on them. However, what alwaysdelights me and makes my job worthwhile are such daily occurances of testing a boy on his spellings, seeing some excellent work or have a boy proudly explain what he has learned. One of the best innovations this term has been the reading club. Most days a group of boys in Years5 to 8 leave lunch early; Year 8’s then listen to some of the younger boys read, showing an interest in their efforts and progress. So many lessons are learned by all those involved. Obviously it helps improve boys’ reading, but important life skills linked to supporting and helping others are central to the reading club. Part of the message of Christmas is about Christ coming to earth to help and support us all – young and old. This is a simple, ancient story with a timeless message. Perhaps the boys may like to reflect on the support that they can give to each other so that we all prosper, and then we can indeed say that we are leading useful lives.I wish all a very Happy Christmas and a restful holiday with your families.