CEO’s Blog – 21st October

“And just like that, we’ve reached the half term break.

The first half term of any academic year is always a challenge, as pupils settle in to new routines and familiarise themselves with new staff teams and new settings.

Having seen some of the learning taking place around our sites, I am proud to say that as a Multi Academy Trust and wider group, we have absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Well done, everyone.

‘Creating Meaningful Futures’ is what it’s all about, but whilst we’re doing that, we have to make sure that we enjoy the present. It certainly seems like some of New Bridge School’s Activ8 Pathway have been enjoying the present, as they went on a positive behaviour reward trip to Treetop Trek at Heaton Park this week.

Probably not the place to go if you haven’t got a head for heights, but they look like they loved every minute of it!

Of course, it’s fantastic to be able to say ‘well done’ in this way, but the transferrable skills and experiences that our young people pick up from activities like this are priceless.

We’re talking about team building, self esteem, resilience, not to mention physical fitness.

Well done, Activ8 and keep up the fantastic behaviour, representing yourselves, your families and your school in the best possible way.

Representing ourselves in the best possible way is something we should all commit to. I think that’s how we can start to become the best Trust we can possibly be.

Part of that journey involves giving something back, and look at how some of the pupils from Spring Brook Upper have given something back this week, travelling to Stalybridge to tidy up a flower bed for the community to enjoy. I’m sure it was hard work, but the results will be rewarding for the people who pass it by when spring returns.

I’m positive that the SBU pupils will revisit it to see it develop, but even if they never went there again, they’ve already given something back.

It reminds me of the quote:

“The one who plants trees knowing that he or she will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”

That’s what the whole education system should be about too, about nurturing our young people so that they have every opportunity to be the best they can be, to help them create their own meaningful futures, long after they leave New Bridge.

That’s what we’re trying to do.

We’re doing a great job.

Enjoy the half term break, everyone.”

Graham