SCHOOL NOTES

 

 

Headmaster’s Overview of 2020

By Roger Sinnett

 

Dear St Beghians,

It is with pleasure that I put metaphorical pen to virtual paper and provide you with a brief summary of what has been happening at St Bees during the past year. 

As you will be aware through regular bulletins, press releases and notifications, since its recent rebirth St Bees School has pioneered the concept of character development. We have taken ten character attributes - e.g. teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, confidence, etc. - and integrated them into every facet of the students’ education in order that IQ and EQ are developed in balance to produce caring, confident ladies and gentlemen of character. This was, of course, Archbishop Grindal’s original vision. Sure enough, 18 months down the road and we are witnessing clear evidence of success - the first green shoots which predict the forthcoming harvest. 

So what is this harvest? What outcomes do we see? Certainly it is too early to view examination results. We do not have students in Year 11, so no GCSE results yet, and one student will sit her A levels this coming summer. What we clearly see, however, is the very real growth in maturity in our students. This maturity produces a positive attitude to learning which in turn produces more effective learning. We now have a school which enjoys a positive, ‘can-do’ ethos with overwhelmingly positive interpersonal relations between all parties.

Nothing succeeds like success, as the saying goes, and this success is working its way into the local, national and international consciousness. At the start of this academic year the student roll increased from 15 to 53 to include a growing number from the local community, who have heard such positive things about St Bees. We now have students from Turkey, Romania, Germany and Kazakhstan with hopes to recruit others from China in the coming year. 

Covid 19 has, of course, had a real impact on our school community. The measures we have taken to shield the students from infection have been proven to be highly effective and, unlike most neighbouring schools, we have not had to close any of our provision. But the Covid impact has been extensive in terms of disruption to school procedures. Our senior team has burned the midnight oil, providing the school community with a matrix of Covid-proof practices which to date have safeguarded us from contagion.

That was the ‘Covid impact’. So what about the ‘Covid dividend’? Throughout the summer term our team of doughty teachers provided a full online timetable which met with unanimous approval from all parents and - albeit a little reluctantly from a few - most students. The end of year examination results provided clear proof that learning advanced successfully despite lockdown, and students had increased opportunities to develop their resilience, perseverance, independence and personal organization as they studied from the home environment: a well-deserved standing ovation for our St Bees teachers for their singleminded and unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

We have now reached the end of term and exams, along with parent reports, have been completed. I am pleased to say that the results have shown measurable improvement across the board - which has brought a broad smile to the faces of all concerned as they wend their way home for the holiday.

Finally from me, some news from China. You will already know that two new St Bees Schools opened their doors back in September. At St Bees UK, we continue to act as the so-called ‘mothership’ for these fledgling schools. We hold biweekly online mentoring sessions with their leaders, ensuring that they develop into clearly recognisable St Bees Schools even though they are on the other side of the world. We are pleased to announce that a third China-based St Bees School is in planning - this time located in the deep south of the Guangdong province, and situated in a beachside resort. With the developer eager to start building, it is remarkable that they intend to open the doors on the first phase of development in six months’ time. Naturally this places us under extreme pressure to set up the school leadership, its teaching and support staff and gain all the regulatory approvals within such a tight time-frame.

 

OSBs - a new dimension

This term saw the creation of an extension to The St Beghian Society, as we welcomed present students into its midst, bringing both past and current students together in a supportive society.  Community plays a huge role in life here at St Bees; it brings us all together and makes school fun, enjoyable and, most of all, allows us all to come together as a unique St Bees family. Now, for the first time in over a century, the Society is opening up to current students of the school, providing access to a supportive network of students - both past and present - during their time at St Bees School. From now on, all those who join us here at St Bees will automatically be enrolled into the Society, continuing throughout their time with us. This means that the Society will now play home to students aged 11-18, as well as the existing members. 

The OSBs is a global network - people from all backgrounds, involved in all walks of life, with one common connection - a small village on the edge of the Western Lake District - St Bees. Opening up the St Beghian Society to current students is a huge event in our history - and we are extremely proud to be able to share this momentous occasion with you all. Watch this space for more student St Beghian Society updates.

As we approach the festive season and a new year, it gives me great pleasure to report that your alma mater is alive, prospering and developing in ways we could only dream of a few years ago. This is despite the ravages of Covid and a heavily depressed economic environment. The continued support of our St Bees alumni is hugely important to us and we hope that you will continue to provide us with whatever means are at your disposal to enable us to continue this upward curve. 

On behalf of all students, parents and staff at St Bees School I have pleasure in sending you our festive greetings and warm wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Roger Sinnett,
Headmaster.

 

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St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk