Meetings. There are an awful lot of them in a week. This week perhaps more than ever. I suspect that we have just about covered every variety of this particular activity, individual, board, group, standing up and sitting down. I have never counted up the number of meetings that take place at the BSP each week, but it most probably tops the hundreds. To give a flavour of the vast variety of meetings, this week has seen department meetings, parent teacher meetings, faculty meetings, coaching group meetings, CPD meetings, and even governor meetings. Most of them will have been useful and they may well have led to positive outcomes.
One element of my week that I particularly enjoy is my meetings with our Heads of School, the Head Girl and Head Boy. During our meetings I am given a clear picture of what they see from their perspective regarding the school’s performance, and I am constantly intrigued by the range and scope of topics they would like to cover. This week we ranged from Christmas decorations to exam anxiety, a heady mixture that speaks to this time of year. In the middle of the week there were a range of Governor meetings: Governance and Nominations, Alumni and Engagement and a Board Meeting. These meetings are an invaluable part of the School’s activity. Plans are considered, reports presented, and scrutiny follows. This week the Governors had the opportunity to learn more about the important work done by the Senior School Learning Support Department.
Year 8 Parents had the chance to meet with teachers this week accompanied by their children and next it is the turn of Year 9. A valuable opportunity for congratulations, encouragement, and advice to be passed on as we draw to the end of this important term for academic learning. Next week’s meeting will be the final Parents’ Evening of the calendar year and I would like to extend a thank you to all who have contributed to making these meetings so valuable, especially all who provide the ever-necessary tea and coffee!
Whilst we may sometimes question the necessity of meetings, good ones are essential for enabling collaboration, creativity, and innovation. They can often foster relationships and ensure proper information exchange. They provide real benefits. But they do take time. So, as we reach the end of another busy week, I’d like to say thank you to all who have contributed to that oft-maligned activity that is the meeting for their time and thought and contributions.
Nicholas Hammond
Headmaster
