It's great to be young!
As the public exam season draws to a close and we write leavers’ letters and reports, we are at a point when we begin to turn towards the next academic year. Preparations and planning have obviously been in train for some time, but it was not until yesterday that we invited our incoming Year 7 into school for a day full of excitement, sunshine and ice cream, while next week we will hold Sixth Form induction and team building.
As I spoke to our new parents and pupils, I reflected on the fact that I had journeyed through LGS with our outgoing Year 13, who had been in Year 7 when I arrived. Not only have I seen them grow physically from the bright-eyed, little people they were then, but I have also seen them develop as human beings, and I am always immensely proud of the generous and well-rounded young adults who leave us.
We want those school days to be memorable for all the right reasons: happy times full of shared endeavour and achievement. Yet we also know that adolescence is not always straightforward and that our youngsters are likely to make mistakes; I am a great believer in turning difficulties into ‘learning opportunities’ wherever possible and find that such faith almost invariably pays off!
Some of our pupils also come into school every day bearing the burden of loss, illness or sorrow in their lives, and I have enormous respect for the resilience that they show. At the same time, we want them to feel they don’t need to bear those burdens alone and can talk to an adult in school or seek support. Our pastoral team are always keen to help, so please never hesitate to contact us if you have concerns for your child’s wellbeing.
I hope you can see the growth and positive development – physical, intellectual and spiritual – in your child this year. The road may not have been without its bumps, but I also hope that the onward journey will be full of optimism and happy adventure. Whatever they might tell us, it’s actually great to be young!
Best wishes,
John Watson
Headmaster and Principal