Refreshing change
School always seems a bit soulless without the happy chatter of pupils! This holiday it has been full of dust, as we make the most of the space available by undertaking various refurbishment projects. So, it has been exciting to welcome pupils into school again, and I hope that your child has been pleased to return or to become a new member of our vibrant community.
Assembly on the first day can be a bit of a shock to the system as our youngsters’ body clocks readjust to the early start! So, I will forgive them if they cannot recount every aspect of my message to them. I spoke primarily about change.
As they begin the new year with new teachers and new classmates, they may also be in a new section of the school, with fresh expectations. Whilst this can be unnerving, I hope they will embrace new opportunities, make new friends and keep moving positively forward. Routine will often feel more attractive, and lots of us will dislike change if we disagree with it or if we find it threatening. Sometimes we’ll respond emotionally and irrationally, opposing change without considering it – purely because it’s change. Some change, of course, we can control, some we can’t - and some of the changes we experience in our lives can be very challenging. Though we always have control over how we react, however difficult that may be at times.
I asked them to consider the positive changes we can all make – to ourselves, in how we live our family lives, in school, as we look to learn and make improvements both personally and for others, and as we aim to challenge certain things and to be a force for good.
I quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” And I asked them to pause for a moment to reflect on three areas:
- How they could control their own reaction to change which initially makes them nervous or even cross.
- The positive changes they would like to make this year for their own development.
- And the changes which they would like to lead or be involved in to improve the lives of others - at school, at home or in the wider community and world.
We ended with a prayer which might be familiar to you:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
I wish you and your family a school year which is full of positive and refreshing change.
Best wishes,
John Watson
Headmaster and Principal