“Go to the Headmaster’s Office” is probably not a phrase that children want to hear too often, but another busy week (as it should be) has seen my office play host to an ethics lesson and Scrabble Club, as well as the usual range of parents and Headteachers. In every corner of Lyonsdown, you will find pockets of activity: as I type, the soft sound of carol singing drifts through the school. Next week, the boys and girls can look forward to the School Council and theatre trips, amongst other things.
This week, I have spoken to the Heads of Edge Grove, St Margaret’s, Bushey and Palmer’s Green High School and every one of them has said the same thing: Lyonsdown pupils impress. I don’t need to be told that our School is blessed with children that can go on to do anything they set their minds on, but it is reassuring to know that the qualities of a Lyonsdown boy or girl are respected across North London.
I did not have the pleasure of giving an assembly this week, but was more than happy to hear a variety of Lower School Music, listen to Fatima from Noah’s Ark Hospice tell us all about the work this superb local charity carries out and also learn about the seasons in 1H’s class assembly. Performance is a tricky skill, and I am always impressed by those who have the bravery to speak or play a musical instrument in public. Brenda Sheridan, our safeguarding governor visited the School, to learn more about how we take care of the well-being of all of our pupils. She was impressed by how much the boys and girls knew about how to keep safe and happy. The children astounded her by remembering what the different colours of lanyards represent, and were able to answer difficult questions as they moved between lessons.
This is exactly the sort of ability that the Senior Schools we feed to acknowledge. I see such qualities every day: small things, such as sorting out a swap on gate duty, happen naturally and without guidance. The delight our House competition prize winners showed when their House captains announced they had won proves that responsibility is vital to the development of any child. I am proud to say that Lyonsdown is a School where the opportunities to develop are broad, and increasing in number.
Finally, you may notice that the Headmaster’s Desk is shorter than has been the case in the past: this is not an error and nothing has been missed, but all good things must come to an end. By now, you should have received our first weekly newsletter in your inbox (in fact, rather self-referentially you may be reading it at this very moment). This publication contains a greater number of notices and articles than I could ever hope to contain within my piece. This is another way in which we are looking to engage with Lyonsdown parents and hope that you find the new system informative as we develop it throughout the year.
All the best for the weekend.
C. Hammond