Community Making
This week has been an excellent example of how we make our community at the Prep School and we extend that into the Senior School. Perhaps it is becoming a forgotten art, or an art that we don’t recognise anymore despite still carrying out the actions, but the importance of rituals and traditions in creating a sense of community is not a new idea. Michael Norton, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School has long studied human relationships. In a recent BBC article “The secret to long-lasting connection? Shared rituals” his work is explored by science writer David Robson. Michael Norton is interested in the impact of everyday rituals as well as larger ones. Such as a group of friends who say a special cheers at someone’s birthday or a larger ritual such as the way your family does Christmas Day. In a diverse community it is essential we honour the many different rituals and traditions that are important to our families. A community that celebrates each other’s traditions and rituals can be a united community as we thread our school traditions through our multifaith, multicultural community.
Preparing for the end of Ramadan
This week in our Key Stage 2 School Meeting (Years 3 to 6), several of our Muslim pupils took the opportunity to teach the other pupils about the significance of Ramadan, sharing personal insights from their own experiences during the holy month. They discussed the challenges of fasting while emphasising the sense of accomplishment and spiritual growth it fosters, particularly through the practice of self-discipline and developing empathy for those less fortunate. This follows on from a presentation at the start of Ramadan by one of our Sixth Formers at the Senior School. Over the past few weeks, they have also joined staff and Senior School students for Jummah, the Friday lunchtime prayers, enabling them to experience the sense of community in congregational worship. The group of Muslim pupils would meet with Mrs Trowell, Deputy Head Pastoral at the Prep, on the playground at the start of Friday lunchtime and head over to the Senior School. The excitement about having a recognised place in our community as a Muslim was evident and it reminds us the importance of every child having that sense of belonging.
Then it was the turn of the Spring Chickens…
On Thursday we had our Easter Assembly for all pupils from Reception to Year 6 which was followed by our special Easter Service in the School chapel with Reverend McConnaughie. This service is attended by Years 1 and 2, with Year 2 reading and singing to the congregation of parents. The service ends with the highly catchy song about spring chickens, once you have heard it you will be humming it all day long (and you might even catch yourself doing the dance!). This year there was a special edition, a poem written by the family of one of our pupils, Preston in Year 2 who has diabetes. To encourage donations to our chosen charity this year of Breakthrough T1D Preston, along with friends and staff, read the poem which gave insight into his life and the realities of being a young child with a serious medical condition. It was deeply moving and yet again our community came closer together through sharing in each other’s challenges.
A most magnificent evening
Thursday evening was the Choral and Symphonic Gala Concert which I am not sure I can put into words how truly transcendent it was. We were all astounded by the intensity, the complexity of the pieces and the quality of musicianship that far surpasses the expectations of any school. The concert opened with Borodin’s Symphony No.2 conducted by Mr Cooper the Director of Music and Performing Arts at the Senior School and the led on to Maurice Duruflé’s (1902-1986) Requiem, Op.9 conducted by Mr O’Leary the Assistant Director of Music, arranged for soloists, choir, strings, trumpets, harp, timpani and organ. The choir included the Prep and Senior pupils from our chapel choir, also pupils from Becket Keys School, members of Brentwood School staff, Brentwood School parents (well done to those brave and committed parents), members of the Wallace Choir (whom our Director of Music at the Prep Mrs Romhany is also the Director of the Wallace Choir) and a wonderful number of Old Brentwoods who returned to play in the orchestra and to sing.
Our community welcomes people of all ages to join us in these events and we are richer in spirit for the chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
This week, it was a pleasure to award Amelia in Year 4 a Head of Prep Award for designing and building a remarkable wishing well that cleverly incorporated the simple machine of a pulley. Amelia demonstrated great imagination and ingenuity. Her thoughtful design ensured smooth operation, allowing the bucket to be easily raised and lowered with minimal effort. The combination of creativity and practical problem-solving in her work showcased her impressive understanding of mechanical principles. Well done Amelia!
Wishing you all a lovely weekend and fingers crossed for those of us in blighty – it looks like the sun is coming out,
Alice Goodfellow
