Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations (James Willam Fulbright)
James William Fulbright was an American politician (Democrat), academic and statesman who as well as having a distinguished career in the Senate as the longest ever serving Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee was renowned for the creation of the international fellowship programme bearing his name, the Fulbright Programme (US-UK Fulbright Commission | Fulbright).
This initiative encapsulated his passion for internationalism and enabled many students to engage in cultural and academic exchanges. This week, we have hosted the most delightful group from China; they have been fun, engaged, and interested in everything that we have put on for them. They have been a delight to host and have added a great deal to the vibrancy of the school even in the short time that they have been here. The power of bringing different cultures and nationalities together was plainly visible with the speed networking session with Year 7 students proving to be one of many highlights of the week. As we continue to embrace group visits, I am delighted to announce that we now have the green light to turn Bronte into an International Centre as previously mentioned at various parental events. Work is now commencing to turn the main part of the building into a space that can accommodate up to nearly 70 students, with bespoke and self-contained teaching spaces that the main school can also utilise as well as social spaces. In addition, this will allow us to upgrade the Nursery facilities during this process remaining in its current space as an independent unit. It will be exciting to see this space develop and all things being well, it will be ready to open in the summer welcoming ILG Prep Schools for their Summer Residentials followed by camps across July and August before the start of the new academic year.
In assembly on Monday, Billy J, Dominica J and Theo M spoke to the students about their experiences at school, what they have learnt and how it has shaped them. All three delivered powerful and honest messages about what had gone well but also how they had dealt with adversity. Dominica spoke about the challenges of adapting to a new school and a different culture, Theo talked about how to make the most of opportunities that become available, and Billy focused on how sport had helped him at times of difficulty and how important it was to him personally. It certainly resonated with the student audience and directly linked to Billy’s message on the power of sport, it was a delight to see so many different matches and activities taking place this week. There is no doubt at all that sport and physical exercise has significant benefits for our learners; teamwork, discipline, resilience, positive mental health and broader friendships are just some of many areas that they will develop if they continue to play a wide range of sports. This was so evident when watching our 1st VII Netball team play Langley where we won 26-12 through great determination, passion, and skill. Skye S and Matilda W led the team by example and the way that they linked up with each other was a testament to the training work that they have done. Our 1st XI Football team had a tough match against a highly skilled Gresham’s School; they will have learnt a huge amount from the game that they can put into place for the remainder of the term. Our Under 15s lost 3-2 in a thriller against Finborough School showing huge potential for the future and our Under 16 Girls and Boys finished a highly credible 3rd and 4th in the County Finals respectively. In
individual sporting news, I am thrilled that Patrick G has been invited to join the Norwich City Football Club Select where he will be part of their elite training programme. In a very different sport that exemplifies the diversity of our student interests, Harry P-R (Chassis Cab Sponsors Young Go-Karting Talent: Harry Parker-Rae’s Journey) continues to thrive in the world of Go-Karting, the route that Lewis Hamilton and many others have taken into professional motor sport. We wish both of them all the very best in their continued sporting journey.
On the academic side, having shown great resilience and determination through their mock examinations, the Year 11 Historians took a trip to Norwich Castle as part of their coursework component. They viewed the keep from outside as well as having a virtual tour, took in the amazing natural art and history collections and by the end of the day, they had all developed their understanding and knowledge to a high degree. Many of our students have also been engaging with Seneca Online, a learning platform that personalises the questions based upon outcomes of assigned tasks. It makes use of retrieval, interleaving, spacing and visual cues as a means to improve independent learning outcomes and is therefore fully aligned with our teaching and learning philosophy. Staff are also able to check pupil progress and then use the data to inform lesson planning and topics to be covered; I am so pleased to see high levels of student engagement with this platform as well as the fact that we are top of the League (Suffolk)!
Wishing you all an enjoyable and not too blustery weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head
