Photos courtesy of RAF Benson.

We are aware that a number of personnel from RAF Benson have been deployed to the Caribbean as part of Operation Ruman to offer humanitarian assistance. While this is not a military deployment we appreciate that it is tough for a family to experience a deployment at short notice to a part of the world with such poor communications at present.

The school is keeping a particular eye on service children but if anyone from a service family is worried that we may not have picked up someone who is struggling we would appreciate a call to prompt us to offer some extra support. As with all deployments, any reasonable requests for term-time leave for families affected by this would be viewed sympathetically, especially for younger students.

For students who study alongside children from service families we would ask that you be even more supportive than usual and be careful that nothing is said around someone who is missing a family member to upset them.

I am sure we are all grateful to the service men and women and their families for being on standby to make such a difference when called upon. We hope to welcome those deployed back home soon.