Headlines By James Saunders 15th March 2019
Guided choices
Wednesday was my first guided choices evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We should never underestimate how daunting it can appear for our C8s and their parents. I hope that our staff made the process seem less daunting through the advice and guidance they gave. It is easy to think that, for our learners, the rest of their lives rests on the decisions they will be making over the next few weeks but in reality we all know there will be a whole host of decisions that they have yet to make that will hold more significance in their lives. I think it is important to remain grounded in this so that we do not create additional pressure or anxiety for our learners. The process is called ‘Guided’ Choices to reflect the fact that we are guiding them through it. Our curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced. The structure of the choices they can make dictates that, to some extent. Most combinations that our learners will select will meet this criteria, however, I feel it is still worth bearing in mind that we want them to make the right choices for themselves; choices that they own. I shared the following venn diagram with families on Wednesday:
To achieve success, learners need to think about a combination of what they aspire to do in the future as well as what might help them in the future, combined with what they are good at and what they enjoy. If too much emphasis is placed on one at the expense of another then they will not be as motivated to be successful. The classic mistake being to choose a subject based solely on the teacher.
As learning reviews begin, LGLs will be in a great position to talk to learners about their aspirations. This is key to any IAG (Information Advice and Guidance) conversation and parents can support us with this. In any career there will be things you enjoy and things you must endure. This was a conversation I had just this week in a learning review. Once our learners, at any level, start to understand, this it is a lot easier to support them to achieve their goals. We don’t always like every aspect of our jobs yet we understand the need for them. We don’t get to pick and choose everything we do at work. This is no different to the broad and balanced curriculum we offer our learners. Whilst we are proud to offer a curriculum that contains choice, we need to recognise that there are still things we must do that may not necessarily have been chosen. We often hear statistics about the uncertainty of the job market in the future; how there are jobs that don’t yet exist. This is why it is important for learners to recognise that the curriculum choices they make or have to take are designed to support them as they churn their way through the unknown landscape of the future.
At Honywood we aim to for learners to leave us happy and successful; to go on and leave fulfilling lives. I ended my presentation on Wednesday by talking about the Japanese concept of IKIGAI - the reason for being. I think is a great way to support conversations about choice and aspiration.
What I love about this is that it helps to to identify purpose in life. I think working in a school offers IKIGAI and most days I think I have found it. I hope you have too.
Dates for the diary Saffron Academy Trust Consultation meetings We will be holding two opportunities for families to attend a consultation meeting with Mr Saunders and Ms Derbyshire: Date: Friday 22nd March 11:15am-12:15 Venue: Honywood Community Building Date: Monday 25th March 5:30pm– 6:30pm Venue: Honywood main hall Enrichment Week For more information about the activities and opportunities during our first Enrichment week, follow the link below!
http://bit.ly/ EnrichmentWeek
Final reminder
W/c 18th March
Enrichment week
Friday 22nd March Thursday 28th March
Consultation meeting 11:15am— 12:15 Spirit of Honywood evening event tbc Consultation meeting 5pm-6pm
Tuesday 2nd April
Ambassador assembly
Monday 8th April to 22nd April
Easter holidays
Tuesday 23rd March
End of consultation period
April 20th/21st
Duke of Edinburgh practice walk
Tuesday 23rd April to Friday 10th May
C10 exams
Sunday 12th May
Feel Good Fayre
Monday 13th May
C11 GCSE examinations commence
Thursday 23rd May
C11 Last Day celebrations, last day in school
Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May
Half term
Monday 3rd June
Start of Summer Term C11 on Study Leave
Sunday 9th June
Feel Good Fayre
Emmie Bellingham-Wood Dominic Brown Xanthe Goodman Elliot Nash Maddy North
Thankyou to our Cohort 8 Duty Receptionists
C11 families
The deadline for ordering Yearbooks and Hoodies is Friday 22nd March. After this time we cannot accept any further orders. The suppliers make to order, so only orders placed in time will be filled.
Easter Break
Monday 8th April to Tuesday 23rd April
Easter Revision Sessions for C11 Coming soon: information on GCSE revision sessions for C11 during the Easter Break — check our social media and website for more information soon!
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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.
