News from Mr Grady
Hello everyone,
Last Friday I attended Badminton Club. Dr Carr and myself will be running this club for Year 10 and 11 students every Friday, restrictions permitting, and it was such a joy to see so many students last Friday clearly eager to have a decent game, be healthy and fit, and use their lunchtime more positively than huddling in “bubble classrooms” like they have had to do for so long.
I’m sure you can imagine, I am slightly more cut out for non-contact sports, and the good thing about Badminton Club is that I am able to draw on my extensive experience of Badminton, as (and I say this proudly) I was captain of my Primary School Badminton Team. Yes, when I was 10, I captained the St Mary’s Badminton team to a fantastic second place behind St Thomas More in the Coventry Primary School competition. I think I still have the badge somewhere.
Obviously, some 35 years later, I am slightly rusty, but what was fantastic was the positive approach the students in years 10 and 11 took in responding to our advice and attempts at coaching, but more importantly what was delightful was watching how our students themselves led the sessions, organised games and even more pleasingly coached each other with advice guidance and warmth, making this a lovely lunchtime session.
In fact, and I hope this is reassuring to all, what I felt more than anything as I joined the club was a feeling of being a bit daunted: The students were confident, erudite and clearly capable of leading the session. They understood how to support each other, and, being on their home turf, as it were, were entirely comfortable in organising games and getting a rota up and running efficiently and effectively. I was left, at one point asking “can I play?” of one very generous group of students, and despite being a 45-year-old head teacher, remembered clearly what it was like to be “the new person” in the room, or situation, and how isolating that can feel.
We can all feel like that sometimes, particularly when a group seems to be confident and competent, but it would help us all to remember what it’s like to be the person on the outside of that, and as we’re starting a new school year, starting new things at lunch and after school, we could all do well to look out for that person on the outside looking in.
It’s easy to forget what it felt like, but a warm smile, and an invitation to join in must be one the kindest things we can do for members of our community to make them feel involved and part of something bigger and better. We will all benefit from that.
With all best wishes, stay well and safe!
Mr Grady
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PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION – AGM
PTA 200 Club
EXTRA-CURRICULAR SPORT IS BACK!!!
Dear all,
Students are invited to join any of the many music groups run by Warwickshire Music Service for free! 
Want to keep in touch?