From the Headmaster's Desk

International Women’s Day opened proceedings this week, with Mrs Windsor’s informative assembly for the Upper School and activities and discussion for all. Celebrating the achievements of women, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality, are all as important now as they were when Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes were campaigning.

The importance of those women we know personally cannot be understated. Inspirational women may come in the form of Marie Curie or Malorie Blackman, but our sisters, mothers and grandmothers are equally, if not more, important in moulding the people we become. When young children look up to their family members, teachers and others they meet regularly, they are seeing role models up close and can learn so much. When we call them “wonderful humans” and they cry, those tears show how much the relationship between parents is worth.

Speaking of strong women, the phrase seek and ye shall find came to mind this week. Ask and thee might get is perhaps more apt, as some Year 5 girls used persuasive techniques to press-gang me into holding “Story Club” for two lunchtimes this week. They asked politely, detailed the potential benefits of such a meeting and then came well
prepared to work on the ISA essay competition. As our Lyonsdown Learning song chimes: “team work, makes the dream work…” Volunteering to sacrifice that most important part of the school day (playtime) to do additional work shows real character. Story Club will run next week on Tuesday and Wednesday: interested Year 5 and 6 girls should materialise at my Office door at the beginning of lunch.

Our ongoing parents’ evenings (there is one more next Tuesday) also demonstrate the importance of collaboration and that most vital of partnerships between school and home. With current affairs as they are, thank you to all families for your continuing support. I look forward to seeing Nursery to Year 2 parents at our Spring Concerts next week.

All the best for the weekend.

Mr Hammond

COVID-19

Please read the letter that was sent today and keep up-to-date with the School’s latest advice by looking at our dedicated webpage: https://www.lyonsdownschool.co.uk/covid-19/, where you will also find links to official guidance from the UK Government, the NHS, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Public Health England (PHE).