Yesterday’s storm certainly gave us a battering...
Yesterday’s storm certainly gave us a battering although we have escaped lightly with the loss of just one tree and a general thinning out of bare branches. As a community, we are all extremely lucky to live, work, learn and grow in such an outstanding beautiful setting. It is so easy to take our surroundings, and the opportunities they provide, for granted and to forget how fortunate we are and the importance for children of space, fresh air and an abundance of nature in all its forms, everywhere.
It was therefore great to see our Pre Prep pupils enjoying the winter sunshine this week as they explored the lake, its plethora of wildlife and the little known or visited Victorian rock garden and paths (think the Lost Gardens of Heligan but on a smaller scale) all covered in snowdrops at this time of year. Curiosity, resilience and independence were all on display together with excellent levels of scientific understanding, not often seen in children so young, due to their Forest School lessons and exposure to the natural environment. This was true learning; capturing their spirit of adventure, engagement and love of the outdoors. The learning objectives could have been covered from behind a desk using Google images on the big screen but with limited outcomes for the children and no development of skills. Some of you may have noticed that we have a striking addition to fauna in the school grounds – a large and colourful snail which has taken pride of place on the Colts’ Lawn. My grateful thanks to the Edge Grove family who donated it to the school and now we need a name. I sense an inter-house competition coming on!
We are very nearly half way through the academic year and it is a useful time to review the tremendous progress made by our pupils and to look forward to the exciting challenges which lie ahead. Half term is, for many, when the results of senior school entrance examinations are announced and can be an anxious time. We live in an area that has an unusually high concentration of academically selective schools and without doubt, over the last few years, the entrance process has become increasingly competitive. The answer is not to engage the growing number of rather questionable and expensive tutors who prey on parental anxiety, but rather to find a school which suits your child’s academic and social needs to ensure that they will be happy, continue to thrive and develop into well-rounded and accomplished young adults. Who really wants their child to be stressed, constantly thinking they are second best and with low self-esteem but in what is considered to be a top local school?
I hope you all have a really enjoyable half term with a chance to rest, relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
Best wishes Ben Evans