This week has felt much like one of the musical canons performed so brilliantly at the Year 7 concert on Tuesday: competing voices, some doing the same thing at different times, others doing different things at the same time.
What I am trying to say is, it’s been a busy week.
Last night, we had a trio of Zoom events, with two running simultaneously: in one ‘room’, Ms Lowe held an information evening for those interested in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; in another, Mrs Ashdown and I reassured Year 11 parents about the minor tweaks being made to exam specifications for Summer 2022. Earlier the same evening, Ms Pearson, along with a representative from World Challenge, inspired students to sign up for an expedition to Nepal in the summer of 2023 – in incredible opportunity that will be transformative for all who take up the challenge.
These Zoom sessions were very well attended, proving perhaps that such virtual events will continue to have their place and will be added to our list of ‘COVID keeps’. However, what made this week special for me, was the sense of normality returning as we welcomed parents and visitors to a series of in-person events. On Tuesday, the Year 7s delighted a live audience with their enthusiasm and beaming smiles – and this event was, unbelievably, only the second live concert I have attended at Brighton Girls. It was superb! From the ‘Scoo Be Doo Song’ that opened the show, to the ingenious ‘There’s a Girl That I Love’, the students coped with some complex choral pieces – and seemed to be enjoying themselves throughout. Well done to all the soloists and singers! That same day, our Under 14 Netball team were busy competing at the GDST Netball Tournament in Northampton. After a very early start, and a five-hour delay on the M25, they showed great resilience and played brilliantly to take third place overall. Well done to all the players! You did us proud!
Wednesday evening saw our Stepping Up to Sixth Form evening; it was lovely to see students from Years 10 and 11 and to welcome so many external applicants who came to hear more about A Levels at Brighton Girls. Year 13 students, Molly and Cluny, spoke alongside our favourite ex-Head Girl, Daisy Wright, and entertained audiences with tales of life in the Sixth Form. It was a fantastic evening!
When you throw in a Year 10 theatre trip to the ‘Woman in Black’, a Year 9 trip to Hove Lagoon, a visit to ‘Bird & Blend’ for those taking part in our Café Enterprise Scheme, a Just Dance session for Year 8, and pumpkin carving for the Sixth Form, it is not surprising that we are all starting to think longingly about half term.
But, what I have observed this week is that a busy school is a happy school.
All these activities, events and opportunities work independently but, like counterpoint, are at their best when experienced together.
