The end of the first half term of the academic year is upon us and, as the School prepares to go on holiday for a fortnight, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also enjoying time away, on their official tour of Oceania.
A change of scene is important, and one I hope you are able to enjoy with family or friends over the next two weeks. Only yesterday, Prince Harry and Meghan talked about the importance of recreation in relation to mental health, a topic we are focusing on at Lyonsdown after half term. I hope you will be able to join us on Tuesday 13th November, when Cat Williams will be speaking to parents about wellbeing at 7pm, following similar sessions with pupils and staff. Do sign up if you have not already done so.
The Royals will also visit the Invictus Games, to promote the fact that a healthy body is equally important as a healthy mind. A healthy diet is part of this and I hope you daughter or son has told you about the new dishes that have been on the lunch menu this term, including a variety of vegetable cakes. As part of our ongoing improvements to our catering provision, I am also pleased to announce that the School now has its meat supplied by a local family butchers, Moore and Sons.
Our Open Morning was a huge success (and, incidentally, a chance for pupils to say how much they loved their food), as the School welcomed a multitude of prospective parents. We are always particularly proud of our Year 6 tour guides on occasions such as these, as they show off the amazing array of teaching, learning and other activities that take place at Lyonsdown. There were kind comments across the board, but one parent summed up their morning by saying “the lessons and the girls were amazing,” which I can entirely agree with.
After the break, our minds will turn to Remembrance Day, another theme of the Sussexes’ tour as they lay a memorial wreath in Fiji. This year, to mark the centenary of the Armistice at the end of the First World War, Lyonsdown warmly invites parents, grandparents and other family members to join us on the playground for a short Service of Remembrance on Wednesday 7th November. Please see our earlier email for further details.
So, a busy first half term over and the prospect of even more excitement and hard work after the break. All the best for a relaxing holiday.
C. Hammond
Riddle me this: glass is not always clear. A house point to any individual that can clarify matters.