As I write this week’s newsletter, I am awaiting the return of Year Seven from their residential trip. I have heard some positive updates and seen some fabulous photos of our pupils, and I have very much enjoyed hearing about their campfires, laser tag adventures and the team building activities they have taken part in. I am looking forward to a full debrief from Mr Dean, whose missives so far indicate everyone will return tired but happy and with a pile of washing to do! Although, please check that you haven’t acquired anyone else’s laundry!
We had some more bonding over at the Prep school with Year Six taking part in a Stone Age Day at Bestwood Environmental Education Centre. Additionally, the Prep School held a Harvest assembly in which they learned about local foodbanks. A thank you to Kate and Sophie from Trinty Church for supporting this assembly and helping us to engage in a little community bonding.
This week saw the first Senior School Council meeting of the academic year; each form has a nominated rep who submits agenda items, as discussed in form groups, and represents their form at the council meetings. Council meetings are chaired by Diya, our Head Prefect, supported by our deputies: Travis and Ruby. The School Council is an important device; in one regard it is incredibly functional, allowing pupils a voice in what happens at Hollygirt and affording them an insight into how the school is run, including why certain requests are difficult to achieve: a zip-wire between the four school buildings for example. Secondly, the process models the Fundamental British Value of Democracy; demonstrating t the pupils the process of nominations, voting in, agenda setting, representing a group and not the self in meetings, and reporting back to ‘constituents’. Dr Holbrook oversaw the meeting, noting “I was impressed by the conduct of the reps and way they handled discussions; they had forwarded some very sensible suggestions from their form groups. A thank you too to Diya for chairing her fist meeting.”
Yesterday I was at the ISA Regional Heads’ conference, the Keynote speaker was Laura Knight, an ex-teacher who now specialises in consultancy with schools and educational institutes around using technology to transform education and experiences. The focus of Laura’s talk yesterday was on AI in education, ranging from what schools should be writing into policy, how teachers can create engaging resources and assessments, to what pupils should be learning about how to harness the technology and how to avoid falling victim to scams. There was certainly a lot to consider, some of it very promising; it certainly reminded me that technology can be useful although there are, of course, dangers we need to be prepared for. I would like to reassure parents that online safety and safe technology use is firmly on our agenda; supporting us in that quest are two new appointees. Mr Malysz joins us this week as IT Technician and Mr Livingstone as a Trustee; both have a wealth of experience, not only in the field of IT, but directly working with schools; we welcome them both and look forward to working together to improve experiences across the school.
Ever Onward and Upward
Ms Purdy