I hope you all had a great half term and I think everyone was certainly ready for the break...
I hope you all had a great half term and I think everyone was certainly ready for the break. Alex, the boys and I enjoyed a very peaceful few days away in Somerset with lots of blustery and damp walks and plenty of fresh air. We certainly ended the first half of term on a high with a brilliant and fully inclusive whole school Creative Arts Day. I am sure we weren’t the only Edge Grove household to be singing and humming Let’s Go Fly a Kite for quite a few days into the holiday - I think I know all the words now!
It was wonderful to move around the school during the day, watching the children in their House groups collaborate and be completely engaged in either learning the song, practising their dance moves, making their art installations and generally absorbed in their creative tasks. One of the greatest joys of such a day, when the children are working in vertical groups, is seeing the older pupils take the younger ones under their wings, treat them with tremendous kindness and understanding and support them to achieve their common goals. Likewise, observing how much our younger children admire those in the upper years and absolutely love learning from them and being in their company. It is one of the many benefits of schools such as Edge Grove where we are able to give our pupils positions of responsibility at 12 or 13 years old and for them to be the oldest in the school, to grow in maturity in a safe and familiar environment, to build their confidence and self-esteem and ultimately achieve great success and become very accomplished.
Needless to say, the outcomes were fantastic but the high quality of all the House performances made it a very difficult job for the judges. It was a reminder, if needed, how much talent we have in our pupil (and staff) body from the singing to the acting and brilliant musicianship. Well done to everyone involved and thank you for all your efforts.
It is that time of year when senior school results, including scholarships, exhibitions and other awards are in and parents and pupils can start to relax. Our children have achieved considerable success this year, not only in gaining entry into some of the most academic and competitive schools in the country but also in the number of awards they have been given. I will write with full news of these next week when the results have all been collated but in the meantime, congratulations to everyone!
You may not be aware but 2020 is the Hertfordshire Year of Culture and to celebrate this, Aldenham Parish Council will be holding the Festival of Culture in Radlett from the 4th to the 7th June. As Chair of the organising committee (I am not quite sure how that happened but I am more than ably and thankfully supported by Alex), we would like to invite you all to the event which will include lots of child and family friendly activities on Saturday 6th June and Films in the Park on Sunday 7th June – see the attached flyer for more details. We will also be taking part in the schools’ literary and art competition within our lessons. Please save the date and support Edge Grove’s community involvement.
Have a great week ahead.
Best wishes Ben Evans