Resilience
From the Headmaster’s Desk: 22nd September 2023
Mr Hammond
Headmaster
Earlier this week, a Year 4 chap lent me a helping hand when crystallising some Abercorn staff notes on School Community Resilience. At the end of twenty minutes, we were left with a diverse a list of 79 key words on the topic. I was impressed at the boy’s sight reading – there were a good number of words that he would have never seen before. For resilience and effort, house points abounded.
At Abercorn, we want all pupils to work hard. It matters not how able a child is, but more that they should feel challenged at their level in any lesson on activity. Effort trumps attainment every time and will provide the best long-term outcomes. It was a pleasure to welcome back clubs this week. Following a few fallow years, it is wonderful to note new activities such as Senior Film Club proving to be very popular. We hope to add more options in future terms.
Children gain so much from what takes place in school outside of the classroom and I always have the odd job or task to dish out. Mr Brackley has treated me to a neat notice board for my office, but I am in need of a title to adorn the display. In a test of how many children are aware of this weekly missive and to resurrect my weekly challenge, I shall award two house points to every child who hands me a piece of art work that says Mr Hammond’s Notices and measures between 30 and 40cm wide and is 10cm high. The deadline is 1pm on Friday 29th September. If I am lucky enough to receive more than one entry, I shall declare a competition and choose a winner.
There was more than one winner with the progress of a key piece of legislation a few days ago. In a week in which the online (and in person) conduct of some celebrities has been rightly questioned and criticised, it is reassuring to see that the Government is finally taking the online safety of children seriously. The Online Safety Bill will make online and social media companies legally responsible for keeping children and young people safe online. I remember writing to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter and my local MP many years ago, asking for these multi-billion companies to support parents and schools in their efforts to safeguard children on line. Progress has been slow, but I am hopeful the 2023 Act will have real impact. A point of order: having been passed by the Houses of Commons and Lords, the Online Safety Bill still needs Royal Assent from King Charles III. The last monarch to refuse to sign off such a law was Queen Anne in 1708; the Scottish Militia Bill, so I think it is unlikely Charles will cause a constitutional crisis.
All the best for a wonderful weekend, and happy Yom Kippur to the Jewish members of the Abercorn community!
All the best for the weekend! Mr Hammond
Join Mr Hammond for a virtual Coffee Morning next Wednesday 27th September for the opportunity to chat with current and prospective parents as well as our Headmaster, ask questions and discuss the year ahead for Abercorn School.
To see how busy a place our wonderful School is and for a more detailed look into all things Abercorn, follow us on social media; X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and Facebook offer a wide range of updates. My personal thoughts on educational life can be found @hammondteacher.
