Dear ALS Community,
We’re another week through lockdown and another week through the school year. I’ve had the chance to walk around school a lot more during lockdown and visit classrooms to spend time with the children and what I consistently see across Arnold Lodge is children working away in purposeful learning environments. That, and Reception dressed as superheroes!
On Monday, we’re supporting the anti-bullying alliance odd socks day. To show our shared commitment to fighting bullying and unkindness, I’d like to ask all pupils, parents and staff to come to school wearing odd socks. I did tell the pupils that wearing two odd grey socks isn’t really the point…the brighter and more garish the contrast the better. Having the chance to make a statement that, at ALS, we collectively do not tolerate unkindness and bullying, is a wonderful thing.
As lockdown restricts much of what goes on in school, it does mean that my weekly communications are pared back a little. For some, that’ll be a welcome change! For this week, our mantra comes from Veritas: Embrace, don’t resent, other opinions. I think this is one of the most powerful gifts we can give children. The ability to listen to an opposing view point, engaged with it respectfully and possibly learn from it is something that is often missing in discourse (particularly political) at the moment. This mantra from Veritas very much represents the idea that no-one has a monopoly on what is “right” and building the critical thinking skills of children as well as their tolerance and respect for others is something we seek to layer in to our culture, ethos and curriculum. I’m hopeful that this mantra provides a good topic for discussion at home.
Your child should have come home this week with ‘data review sheets’ to be completed at home and returned to school. An email will also come out from Reception with the information, too. If you would kindly complete and return the data sheets by Wednesday 18th November, it will help us to keep the data we have for you up to date and correct.
Over the weekend, we’re having some filming completed to create a virtual tour of Arnold Lodge School. Alongside the new website (arnoldlodge.com) and new tour (scroll down one on the website to view the ‘life at Arnold Lodge’ video), prospective parents will be able to follow a 3D tour of aspects of our school to help them imagine their child at ALS. It’s all very exciting.
For any of our budding actresses in Years 10 and up, we’ve been contacted to pass on details for a casting call for the new Game of Thrones series. The information can be found here. The series, which will be based 193 years before Game of Thrones, focuses on the Targaryen dynasty at the apex of its power. Any pupils who are interested in being put forward for the roles should speak to Mr Dobson on Monday. Should a pupil be successful in getting one of the roles, we will obviously support their education whilst they film the series - in return, we just ask they name drop Arnold Lodge when they’re a global superstar. The Oscars awards speech practically writes itself; “I’m so grateful to win the best actress award. When I was at Arnold Lodge, an exceptional co-educational day school for boys and girls aged 4-18 years in Leamington Spa…”
On a personal note, I wanted to share some good news (albeit delayed in sharing) that my wife and I are expecting our first son in early January. It hasn’t been a secret; it’s just that I’m very conscious that the weekly email should always be about the school community and not about ‘me’ and as we were working through Covid-19 communications and updates at the time, I never quite found the ‘right’ communication to weave it in! However, after I mentioned it in conversation to some parents this week whilst on the gate, the number of people who have since shared good wishes with me meant that I wanted to put in writing to you how grateful I am for that kindness. I’m really very excited to meet him! I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry; I’ve reserved my spot for Reception 2025.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
David Preston | Headteacher
