Dear OFS Community,
We opened this week with the slide below – an invitation to spend time looking into the past, something that few of us make time for in this busy world! We shared moments of what the Queen meant to us and how she has been part of our own stories in different ways. We looked back on the turbulence that her father faced in taking up the throne after his brother abdicated and how he faced such a personal challenge with public speaking – I have recommended watching The King’s Speech to our older pupils!
Growing up in Zimbabwe, I recalled how portraits of Queen Elizabeth were in all of our classrooms. My Grandmother spoke endlessly about the Queen, to the point that I assumed that she knew her. In Africa, we had tea every day at 3:30pm – because the Queen did and when I arrived in the UK, and found that school didn't stop at this time for a hot, sweet cuppa, I felt a little let down!
When I shared these stories, Jane Carter caught me to say that Orley Farm had similar portraits and managed to dig them out from the archives:
I shared a few reflections that had come to my mind over recent days that had prompted questions or thoughts in my mind. The Queen watched her father struggle, to the real detriment of his health, with the burden of taking on the Crown due to the unexpected and sudden abdication of her uncle. It must have been so difficult watching her father fighting his own demons.
The Queen was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Army and the fact that she could diagnose faults on a Land Rover made her a hero of mine!
Apparently, on her test day her father King Edward VIII happened to be on the army base. Whilst she was diagnosing a fault that was part of her test, he broke another part of the engine and added to her problems – needless to say, she passed but I think we can safely say that her father was not a snowplough parent, quite the opposite!
Having not gone to school herself, she insisted that her children did attend school – not afraid to break with convention?
In 1961 she danced with Kwame Nkrumah, the President of Ghana in what looks like a pretty rockin’ party – this tells me that she was born to change things, fearless and willing to confront convention.
She developed the most incredible relationship with a partner that allowed her to face any storm – a lesson to us all.
She held the confidence of 15 Prime Ministers, who often comment that they preferred talking to her than members of their own political party – what extraordinary trust.
She had a wonderful sense of humour and never took herself too seriously!
But finally, she never said an unkind word but rather praised others for their achievements and offered messages of hope, regardless of what others said of her.
In a country often steered by a critical media, we could all learn to soften our words, seek a bigger picture and give more time and consideration to others!
Summary
Here are some of my reflections that I shared with your children at the end of Assembly:
- No matter the events in our past, we do not need to be defined by them.
- Be brave, be courageous and test conventions.
- Make time to really listen to others and respect their trust.
- Build amazing partnerships that become rocks in your life.
- Take time for a cup of tea every day…!
Some Challenges
I added a few thoughts for how our pupils might respond in the days and weeks ahead:
- Think of a message or thought to share in the Orley Farm book of condolence.
- We all need ‘constants’ in our lives, what are yours?
- Find an older member of your family and spend time finding out about their childhood.
- Make sure that you know how to make the perfect cup of tea…it’s a life skill!
Football
Two weeks ago, I talked to Mr Baker and we were doubtful that we'd be playing football fixtures as the pitches were baked, grassless and in places cracked! However, the rains came and Mr Baker's Team worked their magic - what a great first day of fixtures that were hard fought, with absolute commitment from both teams.
However, the highlight will always be the spirit in which the game is played.
The Davies Library
We are so fortunate to have three libraries in the school and I love that my office opens straight into the Davies Library. Breaktimes are always buzzing in here in that quiet busy sense! Here are a few moments from Thursday lunchtime.
School Aims
A reminder that your children rewrote our school aims with the intention that we all live through them. I’ve attached a reminder of our 3 pillars that underpin everything that we do as well as the beautifully worded aspirations that pupils set for our community. Thank you to everyone for engaging with them in our recent parent forums.
TED Talk
I came across this TED talk from the 4th Director of the longest human study still running through research started at Harvard decades ago. In it, Robert Waldinger shared some insights that certainly impacted me as an educator but also as a father. I would encourage every reader of this post to set aside the time to listen.
What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness
When things that appear constant in our lives disappear, it’s a good time to reaffirm what we value, why we value it and to invite reflection in a world that appears to overvalue the promise of tomorrow – I for one am enjoying revisiting the past, whilst also making more time for the present. I hope that the long weekend offers meaningful moments to everyone in our community!
Tim Calvey