All things in balance

Happy Autumn Equinox! This week in my Key Stage 2 School Meeting, I spoke to the children about the equinox. Equinox derives from the Latin meaning equal night. This Tuesday was the day of equal night and day, pretty much for the whole planet and all 8 billion people on it. This is a global phenomenon that only happens twice a year at the two equinoxes (Spring and Autumn).

I asked the children to reflect upon this shared experience and how it might give us a greater sense of unity despite the arguments, conflicts and sense of difference that human societies endure. We also spoke about balance, as the Earth momentarily enjoys this balance of light and dark, usually reserved only for those living on the equator.

In the Celebration Assembly last Friday, Mr Partridge, Deputy Head Academic, led the children in discussions on balance in their own lives. We often talk about how much screen time the children crave, the food choices they make and who to prioritise rest and sleep. All of this so that we can be energetic in the way we live our lives. A message that could not be more apt for our fabulous Year 5 pupils who spent 3 days and two nights at Bradwell on their residential.

Amongst the Bradwell highlights were counting up (and naming) their crabbing catches, sailing across tranquil waters, and climbing the high ropes courses. But of course many were most excited by the opportunity to stay away from home with their friends. At ages 9 and 10, this is a crucial step on the journey to independence. With all things at the edge of our comfort zones, you don’t know if you can do it until you actually do it. And afterwards you gain a wonderful sense of being that little bit more grown up. The children did us proud and threw themselves into every activity: the Brentwood child is a courageous one.