We are all busy – busy with our lives, busy with our interests and busy with our own priorities. Schools are particularly busy places and I am mindful that I often write that “It has been another busy week in school …” before listing a plethora of things which have happened each week. This is, of course, great. We enjoy the “busyness” of our lives and our young people thrive on being kept busy as part of our strong school community and also in their lives outside school.
However, sometimes it is good to have a moment to pause and reflect. This week assemblies have been on the theme of Thinking of Others and this feels pretty important. A video clip has been shown in the assemblies of the former Rugby League player Kevin Sinfield entering Old Trafford stadium at the end of completing seven ultra marathons – 40 miles each – in seven days in order to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and funds to support both research and those who are living with it. He is doing it primarily as his close friend and former teammate Rob Burrow has the disease. The connection is clear but when asked why he was doing it he said “I’m going on a run for a mate”. His response was understated, dignified and immensely moving. Other examples have been given in assemblies of charity events such as last week’s Children In Need and many of the activities we have been involved with in school such as supporting local food banks, the Christmas toy donations to Sleigh2Give and of course the epic Sponsored Walk – more to follow on all of these in the weeks and months to come. However for now, the wonderful notion of doing something for a friend, however big or small, resonates strongly in our school community and demonstrates how we think of others each and every day.
Friday 16th December will be a non-uniform day with a Christmas theme. Christmas jumpers are welcome to be worn but not expected. We will be raising funds and collecting donations for several charities and further information on how this will work will follow over the next couple of weeks.