I have recently swapped radio stations on my drive into school. This was entirely by accident as, one morning, I stumbled across Pause for Thought on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 show. Now, as someone who usually uses the commute to rehearse the day’s to-do list in my head whilst simultaneously singing along (very loudly) to pop songs, this switch has been quite a revelation in the Mousley household!
One reflection in particular has lodged itself firmly in my mind. It was delivered by Steve Chalke MBE, a Christian leader, author and social activist. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, he shared the story of the worst present he has ever bought for someone – a petrol can for his wife. Yes, he really did.
It was, he explained, beautifully wrapped. It even had a huge bow. And in his mind, it was a deeply thoughtful and useful gift. You see, her car, a very old VW Beetle, didn’t have a petrol gauge and he genuinely believed he was solving a problem. What he couldn’t fathom at the time was his wife’s overwhelming disappointment when presented with this practical item.
As the story unfolded, I realised that the moral of this sorry tale wasn’t about gift buying at all, but about misunderstandings. They happen. All the time. In families, friendships and here in school. The only really important question is how do we respond to them?
At Edenhurst, we work hard to nurture our children. That means creating an environment where it’s safe to get things wrong, to ask questions and to explain ourselves. In a busy preparatory school, misunderstandings are part of daily life. A pupil hears one instruction and does another. A parent misconstrues an email, read at lightning speed between meetings. A member of staff interprets a message slightly differently to how it was intended. None of this is unusual, it’s human.
What matters is that we listen, talk things through and learn from one another. In doing so, we inspire our pupils by modelling kindness, empathy and clear communication, skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. And when we do that well, we all achieve – stronger relationships, happier children and a school community that moves forward together.
Since returning to school in January, Edenhurst has been buzzing, with every corner of our school community fully engaged in learning, creativity, sport and plenty of fun. Pupils have embraced the thrill of competition, participating in our local School Games football and athletics events, showing great skill and teamwork. Netball matches brought plenty of excitement to our courts, and we even squeezed in a fun-filled pancake race, which, as always, had everyone laughing and cheering. In the performing arts, preparations for our Spring Concert are well underway, alongside rehearsals for the Prep performance and the Form 1 and Form 2 plays. The dedication of our pupils, supported by staff, is already evident, and I cannot wait to see their hard work come to life on stage.
Our Prefects have been particularly active over this period, demonstrating pupil voice at its finest. They have promoted eco initiatives such as the RSPB Big School’s Birdwatch, sought input from pupils on new sports equipment, and created a donation station for a local cat charity. They have also started an exciting new business initiative offering 3D-printed personalised keychains and are actively considering wellbeing initiatives that will benefit the whole school community. Their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to our school values are inspiring.
Open Week provided a wonderful opportunity for parents to step into classrooms, joining their children for lessons in ICT, art and science, and even experiencing the fascinating world of 3D printing. We have also welcomed special guests and workshops that brought learning to life in exciting ways. Mrs Tufail, one of our parents, delivered a hands-on First Aid session for Prep 4 to Prep 6, giving our pupils essential life skills, while Mr Atkinson, Head of Digital Development at Bellevue, ran coding workshops that both challenged and inspired our budding tech enthusiasts.
Visits out of school have added further enrichment. Prep 4 ventured to Cadbury World, indulging in a mix of chocolatey fun and education, while Prep 5 attended a local emergency services open event, gaining a fascinating insight into the work of those who keep us safe. Kindergarten took a trip to the Regent Theatre to see Bluey’s Big Play, providing them a memorable and interactive theatre experience. Back in school, our ever popular Parent Lunch Club, offered a warm and cosy social opportunity for our school community to connect with one another over a shared meal.
Throughout this busy six week period, we have celebrated a range of themed days that enrich our pupils’ understanding of the world. Number Day was a hive of activity both in and around the classrooms, complete with a scavenger hunt across the school grounds. We marked Safer Internet Day, raising awareness of digital safety, and observed Children’s Mental Health Week with activities inspired by this year’s theme, “This is My Place”, helping our pupils reflect on their own sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Finally, our Friday assemblies continued to bring the school together as a community, welcoming a variety of distinguished guests, including Dr Joan Whieldon, Madame Deputy Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, our local MP Adam Jogee, Giles Bell from Shrewsbury School, and Sarah Rhodes, our PCSO. Their visits inspired our pupils and reminded us all of the wider world we are a part of.
As we’ve raced towards the break, Edenhurst has, as always, been a hive of activity – vibrant, productive and full of laughter, learning and achievement. Our wonderfully busy community of pupils, staff and parents has been learning, performing, competing and supporting one another every step of the way. Along the journey, we’ve sometimes muddled things up before figuring them out, but that’s ok – it’s all part of life at Edenhurst. Our days are full, fast-paced and occasionally chaotic, yet consistently grounded in care, open communication and our shared commitment to nurture, inspire and achieve together. I am immeasurably proud of all that we continue to attain as a community, and grateful to every member of Edenhurst for making this half-term so memorable.
I wish all of our Edenhurst community a safe and relaxing break and encourage you to take this opportunity, amidst the busyness of school life, to Pause for Thought. It’s important to reflect on all that we have accomplished over the past half-term, to think about where we are heading next, and to be grateful for the support, effort and kindness that surrounds us every single day. I look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday 23rd February, refreshed and ready to kick start the term with our International Day of Languages.
But for now, Bonnes vacances! / ¡Felices vacaciones!
Mrs Mousley, Headteacher
Categories: School Blogs
