Exploring our achievements

Now that we have reached the end of Term 1, I would like to take this opportunity to explore and celebrate different aspects of what we have achieved together during this time.

I am in no doubt that all of this was only possible because we all had the support of our pride. Within school, we have all supported one another in a whole variety of ways, both adults and children. Outside of school and in the wider community, we have continued to receive support from you, our parent body, as well as from some local businesses. Through necessity, we have learned how to both support and celebrate remotely. Just as the school building did not come alive until we had children inside, not being able to welcome parents inside has meant the school has a different feeling again. As I wander the corridors at various times of the day, I no longer see parents hearing readers or supporting with specific events such as helping students in the cooking room, nor do I see proud parents watching their children as they swim or learn ballet. It is these chance meetings and conversations that I truly relish because they are moments of connection. Those are ‘just’ the daily connections I treasure; we have also missed welcoming parents for class assemblies, soloist recitals, learning showcases, concerts, productions, sports awards, SDS events and so much more. However, our staff and students have once again excelled in their creativity. They did not spend time in self-pity, they sought more creative solutions not only looking for ways to share with you, but also for ways to support eachother and celebrate as a community here in school.

This week our Christmas parties/Christmas lunch/end of term celebrations have looked different again. We were unable to facilitate the tradition of crackers as part of our lunch, so instead they made an appearance at parties instead. Anecdotal stories from teachers highlighted what we hoped for among our students and, rather than the small plastic toys being left on the tables only to be thrown away with the other lunch debris, they were an apparent highlight of some parties; some were swapped and shared while others provided some quiet amusement and a sense of achievement. Indeed, I saw one boy in 1P with a very small hoopla and the sense of achievement he showed when he was successful in getting a tiny hoop over the stem was just wonderful. Sometimes in this digital world the simple things really can still bring pleasure.

Something which has not changed since my first Christmas at BISS Puxi is the annual primary staff panto. This year was a truly fine example with our very own ‘Hansel and Bissel’. As always, the staff performed brilliantly and the students loved it. A window of ‘normal’ in such abnormal times and it is, yet again, all of our staff who I have to thank for that; not just those who performed but also those who supported.

The two key words from this academic year really do seem to be ‘different’ and ‘resilient’. We also have to remember that ‘different’ is not necessarily negative and ‘resilience’ is actually a positive. Positivity is going to be our word for Term 2!

I would just like to finish by saying that all of us are incredibly appreciative of everything that you, our parent community have done with us and for us. Thank you wholeheartedly and I wish you all a safe and restful break. See you in January!