Message from the Co-Principals
 

It has been a rather ‘different’ week as the news desks around the world continue to bring statistics of the inevitable spread of COVID-19 and it is very easy to get caught up in the panic that media outlets appear intent on sowing. We are not dismissive of the potential threat that this new virus holds, but as a school we are doing our best to ensure that for our students it is very much ‘business as usual’. There has been an increased focus on hand washing and personal hygiene for staff and students alike (much to the chagrin of our junior boarders!) and our cleaning teams have stepped up efforts to ensure that high-contact areas are receiving increased levels of attention to minimise the spread of germs. The rumour mill churns out different stories each day and we are working hard to ensure that we provide an oasis of calm in which our students can continue to study and learn in a safe, international community. We are in daily contact with the Independent Schools Association and Boarding Schools Association to ensure that we keep our community safe and are following best practice as advised by Public Health England.
 
With the approach of the holidays we have been asked about the school’s plans should travel restrictions be put in place. The school will ensure that any boarders who cannot go home for the holidays have a place to stay – either at our Lions centre or at school. Mr. Sutton has sent information about this around to international families, but if you have questions do please speak to our admissions team directly and they will be happy to provide the requisite information. There have also been questions about public examinations this spring and what might happen in the event of schools being closed. We are receiving updates from Ofqual and JCQ on this and if there are changes, we will inform you at that time. Right now, though, we are preparing for exams as normal so don’t let your child use this as an excuse not to be revising hard!
 
Our students have been positively engaged in things here at school whilst all of the above whirls around beyond the school gates. Our sports teams have continued to be successful and we are running as many trips as possible (risk-assessing them of course!) and across the academic curriculum students are working hard and progressing. In the innovation department, the ‘tenner’ challenge is being launched – teams of students are given £10 and have to make the most profit from this, using it as seed money. They have to produce a short promotional video and then go out amongst the community selling their product/idea and at the end the team that makes the most money (after giving back the £10 of course) will be announced. It is a great example of innovation and entrepreneurship in action. Our new weather station is up and running outside the school office (our thanks to the Saint family for constructing this) and the geography department will be taking daily readings with the goal being a ‘Buckswood Weather Report’ to come out on the information screens. Our thanks also go to the various families who came in on Friday to lend their construction expertise in putting the new boys’ changing room block together down by the Great Hall – another example of the ‘Buckswood family’ coming together.
 
Carrying on that theme, it is through coming together and staying together that we will come out the other side of this current health crisis. Please remind your children to wash their hands regularly, to cover their coughs and sneezes and of course, to stay hydrated. We will continue to update you on this rapidly evolving situation and thank you for your trust in us as we work to ensure your children remain happy, healthy and productive here at school.

Form 3 Parents Evening  - tomorrow we will be on hand to  present our options for next year, this will take place between 5 - 5.15pm in The Great Hall. Consultation with individual teachers will then take place afterwards.

On Thursday we are delighted to welcome Dr Aric Sigman to the school, who will be talking to our students about 'managing screen dependency' and the broader dangers of addiction to internet enabled devices. He will be offering some top tips for students to enable them to find a healthy balance when using such devices and is part of the school's wider commitment to ensuring our students use technology responsibly. There will also be a talk for parents at 4pm and we encourage as many of you as possible to attend. If you would like to attend please email [email protected].

Innovation - The junior school (here are Form 1 in action, above) continue to work on their 'Tenner Challenge' whereby they are given £10 by the school to create a product or service to sell for profit within the school community. Thank you to those who have been assisting at home. The students will be selling their products during break times next Thursday - 19th March. Here is the pitch from 'cards n sweets' who asked to promote their product in our newsletter this week.

Cards ‘N’ Sweets! 

Our tenner challenge idea is to make homemade mother’s day cards and sell them along with pick’n’mix sweet bags! As mother’s day is upcoming we believe that it will be a great thing to sell! 

Our team is Finley, Tibbie and Arthur! 

Safeguarding, a message from The Hub

Coronavirus - careful what we say!
I think that whilst it is important not to understate that Coronavirus is a serious issue, it is important that we don't frighten children, especially the younger ones.
In one of my seminars this week, one person told me that she had been checking her eight-year old son's internet history. She was shocked to find that his searches were all about Coronavirus, including do children die from getting Coronavirus? And yet, he had not asked his mum one single question about it.
I think we just need to be a bit cautious about the words we use to not make children fearful.
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline

The DfE has opened a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
Schools should not close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.