As we hurtle head long into week four and say goodbye to January, it always surprises me how quickly each term flies by...
As we hurtle head long into week four and say goodbye to January, it always surprises me (and I should know better by now), how quickly each term flies by. This is made all the more poignant for Alex and me as many of the events and activities that are happening will be the last ones that we experience at Edge Grove. Luckily, there is still lots to look forward to for the remainder of the academic year.
I hope that many of you enjoyed meeting Lisa McDonald last week and found it helpful to put a face to her name and to hear a little of her educational philosophy. I know that after three full days at the school and a Governors’ Strategy meeting, Lisa returned to New York a little tired but very happy to have met so many pupils, parents and staff, and excited about the future. Unsurprisingly, she found the children absolutely delightful and very welcoming and was so impressed with both the learning she saw and the opportunities available to our pupils. Change is healthy and all schools must evolve and adapt or risk stagnation and an inevitable drop in standards. I am very confident that Lisa is just the right person to lead and take Edge Grove forward whilst also understanding and appreciating the special nature and ethos of the school which will, I am sure, remain largely unchanged. The current challenges facing schools are many and varied but we are fortunate that Edge Grove has such a strong reputation, both locally and nationally and is also so highly regarded by senior schools. You may have seen the familiar face of Mr McManus when out in your cars, as he charges along the pavements clocking up the miles in preparation for this year’s London Marathon. I used him and our other marathon running staff of previous years as examples of
determination, tenacity and the importance of trying hard and not giving up when speaking in assembly earlier this term. "I have started so I will finish” is a very familiar phrase but one so often superseded by “I quit” when the going gets a little tough. However, not so by our Director of Sport so please do support his efforts in fundraising for our school charity – Hertfordshire Community Foundation – by clicking here. I know that he, and the charity are very grateful for your generosity. And don’t forget to wave and shout some helpful words of encouragement if you see Mr Mc out training!
It’s another busy week ahead culminating in the much anticipated annual FoEG Quiz. Mr Wooding returns as quiz master and will this be the year that a staff team can beat the parents…?
Best wishes
Ben Evans