Exercise Can Boost Your Memory and Thinking Skills
One of the many fantastic talks that I heard earlier this week at the Society of Heads Annual Conference focused on how healthy routines amongst our young students can have a positive impact on their physical and mental wellbeing. Much of what was said was not necessarily new, but it reinforced why the independent sector of schools have always believed in the importance of physical exercise as part of an educational experience that is truly holistic.
Not only does physical exercise have a positive impact on cognitive development, it also has a positive and direct effect on lessening anxiety and reducing the risk of depression by up to 30%. These are powerful statistics and encapsulate why Saint Felix places great stock not only in sporting activity but also outdoor education via the Forest School and Duke of Edinburgh scheme. It is also the case that the presence of high levels of green space during childhood reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. We are truly blessed to have such spaces in the most picturesque rural and coastal landscape and having heard so much about student wellbeing over the last few days, it has been highly apposite to hear so many reports of physical and sporting endeavours by our students over the last week or so. It is our role as educationalists to provide the opportunities and they are certainly taking them aplenty.
The Prep Department have had a busy time across a myriad of different sports. Our Under 9 Girls’ Football side secured a fantastic 5-0 victory over St Joseph’s with a memorable hat-trick from Beatrice S backed by up an outstanding team performance. In the Under 9 Mixed Tag Rugby against the same school, the Gold Team scored 9 fantastic tries, but the final try went the way of the opposition in a 9-10 thriller. Meanwhile the Green Team lost 7-11 in another determined and energetic display. There were also two Under 12 Netball matches against St Joseph’s with the Gold Team drawing 9-9 in a tight encounter with Isabelle T named player of the match, whilst the Green team won 8-2 with Florence D-P and Violette D putting in star performances. It is so heartening to see so many students involved in a number of different sporting activities including the now infamous Prep Inter-House Pancake Race! Pemberton won the day showing some first-rate flipping skills beating Edmond into 2nd place with everyone thoroughly entertained by the lemon-dancing that accompanied the race. Meanwhile on the Football front, the Under 14 Team drew 1-1 with Finborough with our Under 15s also drawing 3-3 against the same school in two exciting and tense matches whilst our Under 11s lost 4-1 to St Joseph’s with Patrick G putting in a stand-out performance against a strong side. It isn’t just the students that still show great athletic and personal determination though! Our very own Saffron Manning (Old Felician and School Counsellor) completed the Southwold Half-Marathon in a fantastic time, with the day marking three years exactly since she had her first of five surgeries for breast cancer. Not only is she incredibly happy with her time she is also ecstatic about regaining her fitness after such a challenging time. A true inspiration to us all.
It has also been World Book Day this week and what a fantastic celebration of reading, imagination, and creativity has been on display! The day was filled with exciting literacy-based activities, a wonderful visit from the library, and a class book focus that tied all the fun together. The children dazzled in a spectacular costume parade, bringing their favourite characters to life with amazing effort from both staff and pupils. A huge thank you to all parents for their support. To end the day on a special note, every child had the chance to take home a book to keep because at Saint Felix, we truly love to read. Reading is the gateway to knowledge, passion, and imagination!
The Prep Department has also continued to build on its partnership with Blyth Valley Rotary Club with Hugo S leading from the front showing real fortitude in ensuring that ideas result in action. They will all have learnt so much from their community involvement and that sense of service will begin to become more instilled in the fabric of the school. Additionally and in another excellent example of developing student leadership, Sixth Form student Holly R-W will be speaking at the sold-out event in celebration of International Women’s Day – Women Who Inspire – Blyth Valley Rotary. And in other student news, Imogen T has been actively promoting beekeeping at the Norwich Science Festival helping interested parties to make beeswax candles; she was such a successful advocate of the skill that she has been asked to be a key player in the Norfolk Show this summer.
This newsletter began with the idea of student wellbeing and it feels only right to finish on a similar note. Many thanks to all of you who filled in the parental survey and as an ISI Inspector of many years, I see something similar at each and every inspection that I have done. As a point of comparison therefore, I was blown away by the positive statistics on student happiness, safety, mental health and wellbeing and the manner in which the school deals with any concerns. The results were truly heartwarming and is a testament to the amazing pastoral team here at Saint Felix. I am indebted to all of their hard work as whilst academia and exam results do matter, they are always secondary to the happiness and safety of your children. Thank you for the trust that you place in us.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Oakman
Head
