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 huge success, giving parents the opportunity to speak to teachers about our robust examination preparations and pastoral support, as well as the chance to meet with key staff from a variety of senior schools that Lyonsdown has sent girls to in the past. As always, we review and develop our systems, processes and events and are currently looking into further ways in which we can keep parents informed of teaching and learning in school, including our substantial examination preparations. Looking back to inform the future is always valuable and this reflection is brilliantly emphasised by the “mirror, mirror” Lyonsdown Learning Board in the foyer that some of you may have seen.
Of course, looking back can bring a mixture of emotions. This week, the World commemorated the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. If you feel it would be useful to discuss this with your child, CBBC Newsround has an informative and sensitively written article at https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51223804. Mrs Windsor referenced this anniversary in her Year 6 History lesson this week when she spoke to the girls about the story and legacy of Anne Frank. As with the commemorations of Armistice Day on 11th November of each year, looking back at such events should show us that love is the answer and that all people deserve our respect and compassion.
Celebration of diversity, compassion and collaboration are hugely important at Lyonsdown. Following the launch of Girls on Board¸ you may have heard tell of “pink girls” in the playground. These Year 5 children are our new Playground Friends, who have received training in how to deliver playground games, ensuring that no child misses out at break.
In the same spirit of kindness, it was wonderful to welcome a huge variety of cultures to the hall on Wednesday as part of the FLS’s International Food Festival. As always, parents were generous (with money, time and effort) and the children certainly loved it – some girls joined in with serving, although quite a few had pastry on their faces. Even though school work becomes more demanding for all children as the academic year progresses, we would never want them to lose this love of life, learning and fun.
All the best for a relaxing weekend.
Mr Hammond