This week, I am certain that all of us have developed lots of new skills: children have been both learning and socialising virtually and many grown ups have also had to adapt the way in which they work. I too have learned...
From the Headmaster’s Desk
From the Headmaster’s Desk 13th March 2020
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...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 6th March 2020
From the Headmaster’s Desk A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men. On Thursday, Lyonsdown School was filled with a collection of dastardly villains, heroic women and a broad range of creatures. On the gate on...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 28th February 2020
Keep calm and carry on. This week, the Lyonsdown leadership team were looking ahead to the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe *, and the war time motivational message was mentioned in passing. Wikipedia says this: “the poster was intended...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 14th February 2020
Love is in the air, all you need is love, we found love… a very un-scientific Valentine’s Day survey of the last sixty or so years of popular culture would suggest that matters of the heart are the most popular...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 7th February 2020
Teachers spend at least some of their time in school asking children to stop talking – one of the many topics covered in any good teacher training course. Noise is a natural part of school life, and I can’t imagine...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 31st January 2020
This week marked a changing of the guard of sorts: as Year 6 come to the end of the entrance process for their senior schools, the baton is passed to Year 5. Our Year 5 Future Schools event was a...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 13th December 2019
Come the Winter Solstice on 21st December, the sun will set at 3:52pm in New Barnet, as the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth tilts at its furthest from the sun. Winter has arrived and set up camp. By comparison, on...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 6th December 2019
“Do you have an advent calendar, Mr Hammond?” This lunchtime question ignited a pretty serious debate about why we give presents, the true meaning of Christmas, and how much the children at Lyonsdown have to be grateful for. The honest...
From the Headmaster’s Desk 29th November 2019
Benjamin Franklin was right: preparation is everything. As Lyonsdown builds up to a busy final two weeks of term, this is even more vital than usual. Rehearsals are taking place, programmes are being designed and arrangements are being checked. Not...