Headlines By James Saunders 9th October 2020
World Teacher’s Day On Monday it was World Teachers’ Day. A day to celebrate teachers “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”. The day provides the occasion to celebrate everyone who contributes to education worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind. At Honywood I am proud of the way our wonderful staff responded to the challenges of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly added to the challenges faced by already over-extended education systems throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the world is at a crossroads and, now more than ever, we must work with teachers to protect the right to education and guide it into the unfolding landscape brought about by the pandemic. It a small but important gesture - if you have the time, say “thank you” to an amazing teacher - through the following link https://thankateacher.co.uk/ Open Evening and tours I am so pleased that we have been able to run our open tours and evening presentations this year. If you have already visited in the day or evening, thank you. It has taken a lot of organisation but we have managed to safely welcome over 200 visitors into the school for a personalised experience over a period of two weeks. During my evening talk to families I have spoken about how education is more than just academic success. I spoke about our aim for children to leave us as happy as well as successful young adults. Happiness is a tough thing to measure when compared to simplicity of exam results. However, without it we have not done our job fully. I highlighted our six capitals: moral (excellence of character); social (relationships); cultural (authentic and enriching experiences); knowledge (academically challenging curriculum); organisational (aspiration and challenge)
and professional (leadership). Our six capitals along with our core values of trust, respect, equity and excellence, remain a central part of the Honywood experience and they are carefully woven into the daily lives and learning of our learners so that they build their character and become happy and effective citizens. I have always viewed educational outcomes through a dual focus lens - personal development and academic achievement. These outcomes are like keys to the future; they complement each other and they unlock the next step. Qualifications open the door; it is excellence of character and the ability communicate and develop relationships that keeps the door open. At Honywood we believe that true success can only come from the right balance of these outcomes. The feedback I have received from tours has been excellent and highlights the hard work that goes on at Honywood to provide a happy environment that creates happy children. Our tours have naturally been operating a little differently than previously. However, the current climate of small groups and social distancing has provided us with the opportunity to showcase what we are all about even more - personalisation and relationships. It has been great to meet with small groups of parents and learners to talk about what our wonderful school has to offer. “Is effective teaching more about good relationships than anything else?” I would like to thank families for taking the time to visit us. I really do feel that you need to see the school with your own eyes and am glad we have been able to provide this opportunity to prospective families. Our tours have all been fully booked, therefore we have extended our tour period so that any further families who would like to see the school are still able to visit. If anyone would like to book onto a tour or if you know of anyone please contact the school office. Weather and coats The weather is well and truly turning now and things are getting colder. Our current risk assessment and covid requirements means that we must maintain good ventilation.
Headlines contd... This will invariably result in colder classrooms. I would recommend that as the weather gets colder children wear layers underneath their uniform. We will not be penalising learners if they need to keep their coat on in classrooms when it is cold. A quick word on coats. We have put wet weather arrangements in place for break and lunchtime for when the rain is extreme, however, for light rain we will be operating as normal. We will be outdoors much longer so please ensure learners have coats to keep them dry - an umbrella could be useful too. I wish you all a great weekend James Saunders Thank you to our Lead Learners for supporting our open tours this week for Year 6 families: Gabby Assuman, Jude Battersby, Lily Blute, Issie Brewer, Daisy Donnelly, Sienna Gray, Maisie Harris, Charlie Mullenger, Emily Pyatt, Hannah Pyatt, Hannah Read, and Katie Speed.
Change to Break and Lunchtime Locations C11 MOCK EXAMS 12th OCTOBER - 6TH NOVEMBER PLEASE NOTE C11 AND C8 HAVE CHANGED LOCATIONS FOR BREAK AND LUNCH DURING THE MOCK EXAMS
Dates for the diary
The BBC is looking for young people aged 1118 who want to report on a story or issue which is important to their life or the world around them. The Young Reporter Competition gives young people a unique chance to tell their story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers. Please email Mrs Stoneman: lstoneman@honywoodschool.com to express your interest by the end of Friday 9th October. Mrs Stoneman will be running a workshop to support learners entering this competition.
Follow us on...
Monday 12th October
C11 mocks commence Year 6 tours continue
Monday 19th October
C11 mocks week 2
Monday 26th October
Half term
Monday 2nd November
Return to school C11 mocks week 3
Monday 9th November
C11 mock practicals
Thursday 12th November
Alternative Tie Day fundraiser
Friday 13th November
Non learner day, staff only in school
Tuesday 17th November
Mop up school photos
Friday 11th December
Christmas Jumper Day for Save the children
Congratulations to the following learners who successfully applied to be part of the Brilliant Club this academic year. They will study with a PHD tutor as part of the Scholars Programme. Amy Barnes-Grime 9ABr Madeleine Bates 8HTr/ GWa Maxwell Bennett 9ATr Ebby Blowers 10AGi Joseph Byers 8ATo Rose Collier 8ATo Sidney Critch 9FJo Kala Dunne 10MHa Megan Ginn 9ABr Melissa Lemin 10MHa Anish Mistry 9HGo Finlay Newton 9CHo
Finley Petts 9FJo Samantha Repman 9ABr Jasmine Rigby 9HGo Charlotte Russell 9RHr Dominic Scherer 8HTr/GWa Roxy Slaney 10AGi Erin Smith 9SAr Marcia Swain 10CPa Rosa Swain 8HTr/GWa Megan Walby 10MGr Emily Wild 8CWa Theo Wilson 9CGa
Parents’ Time Members of the Leadership Team will be available to see parents without appointment: Monday
7:15am—8:00am
Wednesday
3.00pm—3.45pm
Friday
7.15am—8.00am
Tours for current and prospective parents are available on Wednesdays , 9:15am—10:15am.