Dear Parents
As we come to the end of what I understand has been Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts. When I entered the teaching profession 33 years ago, the focus was on how to teach, classroom management, subject knowledge, use of resources, and so on. However, today’s teachers wear many more hats; whilst learning is at the heart of lessons nowadays, instead of the focus being on teaching, there is so much more our teachers have to consider.
Each day, each group of children presents a requirement to know each child’s strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, cognitive ability, emotional wellbeing status, physical needs, support needs, sensitivities, relationships with other children, targets, likes, dislikes, and any number of other aspects. They act as teacher, mentor, facilitator, mental health supporter, nurse, mediator, counsellor and inspirer. They know each and every child as an individual; they know each family; and they know the dynamics between these individuals. They plan, prepare, feed back, nudge, cajole, set boundaries, discipline, praise, inspire and care. And this year, they have done all of that in school as well as online. They have adapted your children’s learning experience overnight; immediately and in a sustained manner throughout a pandemic, which has had such a negative impact on many children’s development across the world. So, let’s put our hands together and show our appreciation for our teachers who do such a great job. Thank you to them, one and all.
As we look ahead to the next academic year, we will be saying goodbye to a few members of staff. After 25 years at Holmwood, Mrs Goldring, Director of Sport, will be hanging up her trainers, but not completely as she will continue to coach some sports in the afternoons. I am delighted to announce that Mr Lesiak will be acting as Director of Sport next year. Mr Cortes, Director of Music, will be returning to his native Spain along with his wife who teaches at Felsted. In September, Mrs Mitchell will be acting as Director of Music, in addition to her Year 5 role. After 8 years at Holmwood, Mrs Lawson will be retiring from teaching. She has loved her final year with the Reception children. There will be two Reception classes next year; one will be taught by Mrs Upson, who joins our team in September, and the other by Miss Henshall and Mrs Bell. Other staffing movement and class teacher information will be sent to you in due course. We look forward to wishing our colleagues well nearer the end of the year but thought it useful for you to be aware of these changes at this stage.
With best wishes
Alexander Mitchell
Headmaster
