“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.”
Lucille Ball
Historians are rather keen on turning points, and whilst the events of this week may not prove historically significant, I do have the sense that we have passed the point of being midway through the term and are now careering towards the end of the school year with (at least from this desk) an alarming speed. It is a busy time of year. Those taking their GCSEs and A levels are approaching the end of this extended season of testing, the Key Stage 3ers have been to the Alps and returned with plenty of tales, the Year 6 have journeyed to Normandy and experienced a great week of learning out of doors. Internal tests are being handed back, teaching takes on a slightly different air and the sun shines. And there are reports, lots of them.
This may very well be a good time to visit a school. Spirits are high, good humour abounds and there are few places in the world better than being on the banks of the Seine in the shade of a generous plane tree. It was a pleasure to have the British Ambassador to France visit on Tuesday. Dame Menna Rawlings enjoyed a tour of the school with pupils, sampled a school meal and was grilled by Lower VI politics students. We were grateful for her taking time from a busy schedule to visit us; we are indeed honoured to have her as our School Patron. Also in school this week were our Governors, the group who provide oversight of the operations of the BSP. One of our Governors, Mrs. Rose Hardy visited the Junior School and was, of course, bowled over by the excellent work that she saw being done there.
Yesterday, I received a letter (always so much better to be sent a letter than an email). It was one that came in a rather impressive envelope and came from none other than President Macron, wishing the school well and sending his best wishes to the entire community following his re-election. It would appear that the good work of the school is being noticed in high places. It was particularly impressive to see that the President, a busy person if ever there was one, had taken the time to comment and sign in his own hand.
We are always grateful when busy people take time to recognise our efforts and wish us well. It is good to learn that even those whose every minute is mapped out for them can enjoy either being here with us or taking the time to notice what it is we are doing for the local community. This is perhaps a lesson for us all. No matter how busy we are, a kind word can go a long way. As we hurtle end of termwards, I hope that our young people have the opportunity to make sure that they enjoy the school, its environment, and community. This is truly a magical place of learning and there is nowhere else quite like it. When the current group of pupils are old and grey I’ll wager they will look back on the time that was spent here as being some of the most significant and influential in the formation of their character.
Nicholas Hammond
Headmaster
