Dear Parents
School continues to be a happy place. Boys arrive enthusiastically in the mornings, keen to chat to each other and make the day as normal a school day as possible. There are frustrations, of course; not being able to play “proper”, competitive sport is the most frequently mentioned. You do feel as though you have a class of caged lions sitting in front of you at times, especially with the older boys. But they have come up with some quite creative games at break times. This week the afternoon exercise programme has included challenges and we will start offering clubs on other afternoons. The Grade 7s have already signed up and this will be rolled out to Grades 4-6 next week. We will also be looking at giving our musicians a chance to perform. Be sure to watch Culture Unlocked next week where we will start with a number of staff music ensembles. I think Grade assemblies, as well as House meetings, are working well – different to the normal, no singing, in the open air and 1.5m apart but nevertheless adding something to keeping and developing our sense of community. Excited, happy and active boys are what we want to see!
We will have to re-look at our usual 4th term events and celebrations, most of which will not be able to go ahead in the same way, and we are looking into how we can still celebrate the year but in a different way. We are particularly mindful of the Grade 7s and how their year and anticipated experiences have been impacted. I will be writing to the Grade 7 parents about this shortly.
The Principal has included this in his College newsletter today and I include it here too:
There may be parents who are concerned about a perceived lack of progress with regard to transformation and the school-wide process that we are to follow. I have met a number of times with the boys who have shared their thoughts with me. I have shown them the progress made with regards to the renovation of the working spaces of our grounds and cleaning staff and we have discussed various ways of allowing for safe reporting of concerns. The investigation into the allegations of racism by authority figures is almost complete and will be acted upon shortly. The appointment of an expert to lead us through the transformation process is taking some time but we hope to have an answer early next week. I ask for your patience in this matter. I assure you we are not “sweeping matters under a carpet” and regard this issue as too important to rush. We must transform wisely and carefully with due regard for all our people and this may take time to get the right person leading us and the right processes in place.
Finally, we have a four-day long weekend stretching ahead and hope that Women’s Day (on Sunday) will not be forgotten. I know we have heard much about the increase in domestic violence during lockdown and the abuse of women and children. We have to continue to teach our boys about gender issues, respect and responsibility and model the good, decent men that we want them to be.
Enjoy the weekend.
Keep safe.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
