Newsletters

News from Mr Grady

Hello Everyone,

As we approach the end of a very full half term, our Year 11 and 13 students, in particular have had a very busy few weeks.  I have to say how much our students have really impressed their teachers and me with their resilience and incredible hard work, and their ability to continue to remain positive.  I hope, where we can, we will have rewarded that approach with words and notes of praise, but that also our students, and indeed my colleagues and our community, continue to give themselves a break, a small reward for the efforts they are making every single day.  We all need to luxuriate in a reward or a guilty pleasure once in a while, and it is only right that we do so and give ourselves a well-earned rest and reward.  It is with that in mind, that I note with delight that this Saturday marks the return to our screens of a live Eurovision Song Contest. 

I, for one, am incredibly pleased about this.  Over the years I have fallen in and out with the contest – as a teenager happiest listening to the likes of Queen, Meat Loaf and anything with endless guitar instrumentals, I was, understandably, not an avid fan. But as with many changes in taste, as I’ve got older, Stilton cheese, for example, or olives, the Eurovision Song Contest has grown on me.

It’s consistent sense of joy, real joy in coming together to celebrate music and individuality, its unapologetic theatrical nature and love of a “show,” its inclusivity and its good-humoured self-mockery simply are very hard not to like.  It’s frivolous, infectious, and it’s glamourous with a capital GLAM.  What’s not to love?

Over the years, I’ve attended parties where you dress up in national flags of countries, served food and drinks that are national dishes, or, on many occasions rushed home from a non-Eurovision party to catch the final results.  As with many things this year, I shall be watching it with my wife, simply, on our own at home, but I have to say the sheer vitality of this multi-national competition was something I sorely missed last year, and am really ready for this year.  It’s a sign, once again of things moving forward, it’s a sign that we all need a guilty pleasure to indulge in once in a while, and should be unashamed about doing so. 

So, publicly, I state: My name is Mark Grady, and I shall be watching the Eurovision Song Contest this year.  It is my treat, and I shall not just enjoy it in an “ironic” way, but shall actually simply enjoy it.  I hope you all can find something in the coming days that is your reward or guilty pleasure.  You all deserve it, so make time for it!

With very best wishes, stay well and safe everyone,
Mr Grady