Category: Pre-Prep News
‘The great gift of Easter is hope.’ Basil Hume
As we turn the page on this latest chapter and head into time with family over Easter, we could be forgiven for thinking that we have already had a little too much time together at home. However, the holidays are very different. Time together in a room or in a house, distracted by work, technology and interaction, with others not physically present, is not really time together.
This Easter, I would encourage you to take a break. Be in the present moment. Focus your undivided attention on those in the same room and appreciate the time and the blessings that we have with those we love. As we reach the anniversary of dates, be they national or personal, they are times to pause and reflect.
There is hope for the future, however trying the past has been. Appreciate the ‘here and now’ and enjoy the little things that surround us.
I will be attempting to take my own advice in the coming weeks and wish you all a very happy Easter, hopefully together, with loved ones.
‘Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.’ Anita Krizzan
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
What an uplifting week!
It has been such a pleasure to have the children back on site this week. The enthusiasm, energy, smiles and noise has brought the buildings back to life. It has been a real pleasure to see old friends reconnecting and new relationships formed.
The peer support demonstrated this week reinforces the power of connections and community.
At the start of the week in assembly we celebrated International Women’s Day. We looked at women from the past and present who have made positive contributions to society in an array of different fields. Hopefully they will have inspired all the pupils to believe in themselves.
Special days are an important point to stop and reflect but we should acknowledge and celebrate achievements and progress made by all of us every day. Sometimes steps in the right direction may be small and sometimes they require a team and not just one person. No matter our background or beliefs we should work together to ensure we are all the best that we can be.
Thank you for making this week a truly special one.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
We made it!
Lockdown learning mark 2 has finally been negotiated. We completed the challenge on a high note after a wonderful ‘World Book Day’ celebration; another excellent example of our community coming together, despite being physically far apart.
We are so looking forward to welcoming all the children back to the School site on Monday. A very large well done and thank you to you all. Your support, encouragement, feedback and thanks have been so helpful to the staff during this latest lockdown. We would also like to express our thanks to you. Juggling work, family and supporting online learning is not an easy task and certainly not one that comes with a training certificate in advance!
We have all learnt a huge amount from the experiences of the last year and we will continue to review, reflect and learn from these.
I hope that you enjoy the last lockdown edition of CLICK – each week, I have been amazed and inspired by the way your children have risen to the challenges placed before them and the evidence has been clear to see.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
We are now delighted to share with you the fantastic, fun and slightly eccentric results of our recent ‘Junkyard Samba Challenge’, which seemed a hit with both staff and students alike!
Such great creativity and well done to you all for embracing the challenge and making some truly unique tunes!
And thanks to Mrs. Kent and the Music Department for giving us all a focus for our energies during this lockdown!
It has been a good week this week!
Signs of spring are all around us and the first tentative steps out of lockdown are about to start. In assembly on Monday, I talked about the power of music and listening to ‘Thought for the Day’ on Radio 4 this morning, the exact same topic was discussed.
Music has the power to unlock emotions; to uplift and to comfort, to energise and to sooth. It is also an outlet for creativity and expression. The Arts are a vital part of our wellbeing and are, quite rightly, a core part of our education here at Woodbridge School Prep. Drama, Music and Art are integral to the curriculum, as we seek to ensure that the children are equipped with the tools that will allow them to lead happy and successful lives, with the ability to share their thoughts, develop resilience and express their emotions.
During lockdown, we have had the opportunity to realise what we value and to reflect on what we need to ensure that we have a healthy balance in our lives.
In a week’s time, that balance should start to be restored, as the children will be able to reconnect with friends, spend more time outdoors and have the ability to develop their shared interests, as part of the happy and vibrant community at School once more.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
What a week!
As disruptive as extreme weather can be, the snow has certainly brought a level of excitement and difference to what is turning into a long time of necessary restrictions and limitations.
Mrs Martin commented this morning that we are officially half way through the school year and, despite the obvious disruption, time does seem to be going by quickly.
On Monday we talked about Superheroes, and the challenge for the half term ahead is for each child to be their own superhero away from work. The children have adapted so well and are really developing their independence and determination so they are becoming their own best advocate for their school work. Now is the week to do something different.
We have a challenge to help the children get out and about and maintain their levels of exercise.
http://www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk/home-and-away
You may also find this inspiring:
https://www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk/woodbridge-feel-good-fridays/
I have also challenged them to look after their environments and be mindful of what is around them. Pick up that litter (with all necessary safety precautions), send a neighbour a note, call a family member, be charitable – switch off the screens and be active this coming week. It is important that the children feel that this half term really is a break for them and not just more of the same.
We look forward to seeing the children on line on 22 February when, like you, we will be waiting to hear the plans for the return to school.
Have a lovely week and thank you for all your support and encouragement thus far. The staff have really appreciated it.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
29th January 2021
Inspiration has been the theme of the week and, as we have reflected on who, or what, inspires us we are given the opportunity to reflect on our behaviours and attitudes and how these can impact ourselves and others.
Quite often we think about inspiration coming from an external source and there is potential for us to rely on input coming to us.
There is so much opportunity though for us to start with ourselves. As a new mum I remember being told to ‘look after yourself or you can’t care for your family.’ These wise words resound even more now. Whether directed to parents or children, the current situation requires us to care for ourselves and those around us.
We can take our theme for the year, Challenge, combine it with Inspiration and challenge ourselves to be our own inspiration. This could be taking on a House Challenge, noticing nature, making sure we get up and move around between work commitments, embrace the outdoors everyday (even in the rain), complete the Keep Fit tasks… the opportunities are endless.
We have the responsibility to be the best version of ourselves that we can be and that starts with motivation from within, supported and encouraged by those around us.
What can you achieve? How are you going to do it?
Give it a go – be your own inspiration and that will support others in itself.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
22nd January 2021
This week has been an historic one, as we saw the 46th American President take office. President Joe Biden is the oldest president to be sworn in on his third attempt to win the race to the White House. Kamala Harris became the first female Vice-President and also the first black and South Asian American ever to take this position.
Both these stories remind us that with perseverance, determination and hard work we can achieve goals that may seem impossible. Our pupils have role models that surround them, young and old, both in the UK and further afield, that should inspire them to strive to be the best that they can be.
The message from America this week was one of unity; we don’t all need to think in the same way to be able to work together. The most important lessons from the Inauguration Speech were that we should ‘treat each other with dignity and respect’ and that there are times when we need support for ourselves, and other times when we need to give support.
As a new chapter begins, we can only image the paths that our own children will take in their futures. Equipped with key core skills and the ability to communicate, lead, show initiative, collaborate and share kindness, we know that they have the tools required to make the most of any situation that they may choose to face.
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
Years ago, whilst at prep school, a piece of research was set based around interviewing our grandparents. I recall the enjoyment of discovering all sorts of stories connected to my grandfathers; hilarious backroom deals from my shopkeeper grandpa and slightly intimidating stories from my handlebar-moustache-sporting, RAF Squadron Leader grandfather. My grandmothers had their own intriguing and uplifting stories of ration books and living in Egypt during some challenging times.
It occurred to me recently that we are the interview subjects of the future for our own grandchildren. Many of us have seen huge changes in society in the 70s, 80s and 90s; we survived the Y2K and the promised computer meltdown that never occurred; we have learnt of tremendous turmoil, but also stories of hope, from around the world. Opinions have changed, discoveries have been made and mistakes are hopefully being learnt from. There is much potential. However, there is also the global pandemic. Who knows what else will occur in our lifetimes?
We have the ability to make a difference; through attitude and action, we can change events or at least make them seem better. My grandparents lived through incredibly challenging times but the stories I heard were ones of friendship, kinsmanship, care, help and positivity. Times are not easy at the moment, but we can and will learn positive lessons from our experiences.
What we will pass on in the future as memories from our time? Resilience, gratitude, positivity and kindness surely have to be lessons that we can all appreciate, now and in years to come.
Best wishes
Mrs Nicola Mitchell
Head of Woodbridge School Prep
Every school wants the best for their pupils and members of their community, and there are a variety of avenues that may be pursued to support this. At Woodbridge School Prep, the intellectual and emotional intelligence of each pupil is developed, and skills are taught, to enable all aspects of every pupil to expand.
It is vital that children develop a toolkit of skills that they can access to support their learning and their ability to navigate situations that they will face, as they go through life. Adding on skills at a later stage – as and when they are required – is, in my opinion, too late. Children need to be fully confident in practices, behaviours and thought-processes before they need to rely upon them for support. By developing wellbeing and emotional intelligence, children learn to understand themselves and their personal requirements.
Mindfulness is embedded within our curriculum and our community, and is an essential part of each child’s set of skills, which enable them to face the challenges of the modern world confidently and without fear. Giving ourselves permission to know ourselves and our responses is a vital skill for life, and not only for childhood.
By embracing these practices and techniques and ensuring that the ethos of the School is at the core of what we do, we are ensuring that the children are genuinely gaining a rich education for life, and not just the next set of examinations.
You can view our latest ‘Mindful Moments’ campaign – promoting mindfulness and wellbeing with some useful tips and techniques – on the Woodbridge School YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/woodbridgeschool
Nicola Mitchell