20 November 2020

We kicked off this week by inviting our pupils to wear odd socks to school on Monday to mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week. Odds Socks Day (a national campaign) was designed to be good fun and a quick and easy statement of support from each of us within our community, a chance to express our individuality and celebrate our uniqueness. We were treated to a wonderful array of colourful odd socks - thank you for getting involved!

As I am sure you are aware, the theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 has been ‘United against Bullying.’ I have written to you many times over the last few months about the power of community and special features that make us part of a shared community of pupils, teachers, families and friends across the school from Nursery to Sixth Form. This week it has been special to share the collective energy of our community as we unite around our school values in support of the national Anti-bullying week campaign.

Across the Junior and Senior school, pupils have been engaged in a variety of activities on this vitally important issue for our society, with the underlying message that “we are all a piece in the puzzle, and together, we are untied against bullying.” In a year where the national conversation and interactions between our political leaders (whatever your political persuasion) have too often fallen short of the values we wish to encourage and nurture in our young people, Anti-Bullying Week also seems to have an added resonance. I thought I would share with you a short message from the Anti-Bullying alliance that captures the spirit of the week in school.

“Whether it is verbal, physical, online or in-person, bullying has a significant impact on a child’s life well in to adulthood. This year, more than ever, we’ve witnessed the positive power that society can have when we come together to tackle a common challenge.

Anti-Bullying Week is no different. Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. From parents and carers, to teachers and politicians, to children and young people, we all have our part to play in coming together to make a difference.”

We have been proud of the positive conversation around this issue in school over the last few days and our collective focus on kindness and generosity of spirit has been evidenced in form times, PSHCEE and lessons all week. As parents, our children are growing up a world that is infinitely more complicated in so many ways than the one we enjoyed as children, but in this issue there is real continuity. It has never been more important that we articulate together who we are and what we represent as a school and as a group of families and teachers, collectively committed to helping our children enjoy a happy, fulfilling, self-affirming childhood. We want our pupils to grow-up together with the freedom and confidence to be proud of who they are and who they want to be. This speaks to the heart of why I became a teacher and to the school I am fortunate to share with your children.

Best wishes,

Dr James Raymond, Headmaster,