Dear OFS Community,
This week started with a look at the word ‘respect’ and what that looks like and means for us. We explored why it is important and how it can be gained and lost.
“Everyone in society should be a role model, not only for their own self-respect, but for respect from others.”
Barry Bonds
I remember hearing a story many years ago about a council official appointed to improve living conditions in the poorest areas of Glasgow. His first step was to replace all of the broken windows in the high rise apartment blocks which was laughed at and considered a waste of time, money and resourcing. He went further in saying that any broken window had to be replaced within 24 hours, again ridicule came his way as this could not transform the reality of lives in these areas.
In the early days, windows continued to be broken but as the council stuck to the plan, with windows being replaced quickly, the damage and vandalism decreased. Residents and visitors saw that someone cared enough to make a difference and slowly over time these spaces gained their own respect for themselves.
I talked about the options that we have as a school in addressing lack of respect. We could add CCTV cameras, we could stiffen the consequences and we could reduce freedoms in time and movement but in my experience all of these options simply move the problem elsewhere!
Which takes me back to my opening quotation, it is our individual and collective responsibility to repair and damage that we see, clearly that first step is not to cause the damage in the first place!
I also shared my thoughts about the people who truly serve this school. I often wonder what Debbie in the kitchen, or Rob in the grounds think about our community, what stories do they tell their families about what they see? I truly hope that they talk about the respect, the actions and the appreciative words that we use!
Talking of respect, I dropped into the final Domestic Skills Edge Session, that culminates in the team inviting a member of staff to a very special lunch. Mr Davies was their guest today and I loved hearing the questions they asked and the conversation that unfolded – being comfortable in the company of adults is an important lesson!
I fear that the menu, put together by the pupils, might leave Mr Davies requiring some greens!
Pilgrim Piano Competition
We were treated to the very first live musical performances of the year, in fact Friday 20th March 2020 was the last time that the school piano was played in this setting! It was a wonderful event in which Mr Ford was able to remind performers of so many important cues – addressing the audience and sharing your love for a piece, taking time to settle at the piano and finally, taking the applause! Congratulations to both Nayan Shah, our runner up, and Tej Pandey, our winner.
Mr Ford closed with the following quotation that really resonated, excuse the pun...
To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable."
Ludwig van Beethoven
Edge
Here are a few moments from Edge this afternoon - I loved seeing and hearing the collaboration with the handful of activities that I joined!
