In early December the new Year 9s were welcomed to the Senior School with the new Chantology ritual, first formalised by the Class of 2015 earlier in the year. On the surface, chantology is about the culture of BGS – chanting, belonging and welcoming. However, it is also actually ‘evidence informed’. Educational research evidence around transition shows that ‘regression’ is a possible outcome when moving between schools. The single biggest factor in having a positive transition is in making a friend within the first week or so. The welcome to Year 9s does exactly that! A note from a parent received after her son experienced the chantology. “I just wanted to congratulate and thank all those involved in yesterday’s welcome of the new Year 9 boys. My son came home thrilled to be moving into the Senior School, overwhelmed with how welcome they were made to feel and with a real sense of moving forward and into the heart of BGS. He recalled in great detail, all the events that took place and it was a great joy to hear the passion in his voice and the excitement for the coming years.”
SUMMER 2015/16 9