I walked around the school today and was so pleased by the learning that I saw occurring in the classrooms. The enthusiasm of the drama class, the intense concentration of the music students and the passion of the English classes as they discussed ‘what matters?’.

The number of students who are not engaging in their learning is decreasing, which provides better opportunities for everyone. This is a justice issue. Last week students completed a survey to create a baseline of data for improvement.  It was pleasing to see that 100% of students felt their teachers believed they could learn – that is a credit to our dedicated and professional staff. I think the challenge now is for students to believe in themselves and work towards their ‘anything’!

At assembly on Monday, I spoke about a psychological study I had been reading that said that when people were asked to spread jam on toast for example, or dish out ice cream, the amount they took varied depending on how full the container was. People took more when the containers were full, and less when the containers were half empty.  This taking more when there is more, and taking less when doing less, can have many analogies. Within friendships, do you take more in the beginning, thus draining the friendship and then settle to a happy medium? At the beginning of the year, do you do more than in the second half of the year? I just found it an interesting piece of trivia and also why would anyone think to ask students about how much is taken when a container is either full or when half empty?

Our War on Waste Club is working towards reducing playground waste. This is part of our Respect for the Environment Initiative. We may not be able to solve the problems of the world, however, we can look towards our own little patch and look after that the best that we can.  Every bottle we place in the Vinnies bin contributes to someone else having a better life. This is such a small thing that can make a big difference. A reminder to all parents that Monday is a pupil free day as staff are engaged in a combined Diocesan pupil free day with all diocesan secondary schools. This day is focussed on improving student learning and the differentiation of work for students in the classroom.