Celebrating Courage Across the Lower School

This week, we launched our new Lower School Values Assembly, through which we will celebrate children who bring our five school values - Courage, Empathy, Generosity, Humility and Integrity to life. Our first focus was Courage. Class teachers nominated children who have demonstrated courage since returning to school, reminding us that courage does not always have to involve something big or dramatic. It might mean putting your hand up when you are unsure, trying a new activity, asking for help, admitting a mistake, standing up for someone else or walking into school confidently when you are feeling nervous. Sometimes courage is quiet - it is simply choosing to take the next step, even when something feels difficult. Each nominated child received a certificate and a special Courage keyring to add to their school bag. Throughout the year, we will continue celebrating all five values, and pupils will have opportunities to collect keyrings that represent the qualities they demonstrate through their everyday choices and actions.

This message was particularly meaningful for our Year 6 pupils, who have shown a wonderful example of the Wisdom at the heart of the final stage of our G.R.O.W. Pathway. An incredible 30 pupils put themselves forward for the roles of Lower School Head Student and Deputy Head Student. Standing in front of others, sharing your ideas and allowing yourself to be considered takes real courage. Leadership is not only about being chosen for a position, it begins with having the confidence to step forward, knowing that the outcome is not guaranteed. Every pupil who applied demonstrated bravery, aspiration and a willingness to contribute to our school community - qualities that will serve them well far beyond this particular opportunity.

We are immensely proud of every Year 6 pupil who gave it a go and would like to congratulate them all. Our new Head Students and Deputy Head Students will be announced next week, but every one of the 30 applicants has already shown us something very important, true courage lies in being willing to try.