Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 6th June 2025
Head’s Blog
“It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” Zig Ziglar
As we reach the second half of a busy Summer Term, I have found myself reflecting on a quality that quietly underpins so many aspects of children’s success at school and in life: resilience. It is a word we hear often, but in the fast pace of school life, we can sometimes forget just how crucial it is, especially when it comes to children’s friendships and their overall wellbeing.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going even when things are tough. It’s not about avoiding challenges or negative emotions; it is about facing them and growing through them. For children, developing resilience is essential for navigating the ups and downs of friendships, learning how to manage disappointment, and building confidence in themselves.
Research tells us that resilient children are far more likely to achieve positive outcomes in education and later life. A study titled “InBrief: The Science of Resilience”, published by the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child, notes that resilience is a key predictor of future success, both academically and emotionally. Children with strong resilience skills are more likely to have better mental health, stronger relationships, and greater satisfaction in adulthood.
One area where this plays out daily at Beachborough, and in many other schools, is in friendships. Friendships can be incredibly rewarding, but they can also be complex and, at times, challenging. Children often face disagreements, feel left out, or struggle with shifting social dynamics. It is during these moments that resilience matters most. Being able to resolve conflicts, seek support, and learn from experiences helps children to develop meaningful, lasting relationships and to understand their own emotions more deeply.
With this in mind, I was delighted on Wednesday to drop into a workshop planned by Mrs Blithe for our regular Form IV and V girl boarders, which explored the importance of resilience in community living. The workshop, delivered by Annalise from Dramahut, brought the topic to life in a dynamic and engaging way, using drama to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with friendships. Thank you to the Form IV and V girls for their excellent participation and to Mrs Blithe for organising this opportunity.
This week also marked the end of school exams for Form VIII. They, in particular, have demonstrated a great deal of resilience throughout the year and can now look forward to enjoying their final weeks at Beachborough by taking part in the engaging Post-CE Programme arranged by Mr Stoop.
The very best of luck to Isla R, who will be competing in the Para 25m Freestyle; Eva P, competing in the U11 50m Backstroke; and Beth J, who will be competing in the U13 50m Freestyle at the IAPS National Swimming Finals on Saturday.
We also say “au revoir” to Form VI next week as they head off to Normandy. We wish them a safe and successful trip.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Simone
Thea (FVI) brought nature closer to home by helping her family “wild” part of their garden to attract pollinators. A few weeks ago, this space photographed was bursting with colour, full of beautiful bluebells and forget-me-nots, a brilliant example of how we can all make a difference in our own back gardens as part of the No Mow May campaign to support insect pollinators.
World Hunger Day, established in 2011, raises awareness about the global food crisis and inspires action toward a world without hunger. It highlights not only the scale of the issue, but also the sustainable solutions needed to end hunger and poverty for good.
Desire, a 13-year-old student from Malawi said:
For the next ‘The Link’ meeting, we will be joined by guest speaker and Clinical Psychologist, Dr Marcelina Watkinson, who will be on-hand to answer any questions you may have, offering her advice and expertise. This will be an informative and engaging session, and we hope to see many of you there.
On Thursday morning, ten of our budding artists were invited along to Bloxham for a morning of art workshops. Everyone was split up into groups and went off to explore different creative activities. They enjoyed getting stuck in to making wire sculptures, creating textile panels, etching, painting in the Bloxham Chapel and even trying out the dark room with some photography. The children were brilliant and had a wonderful time! Thanks to Miss Smith and Mrs Chatfield for accompanying us on the trip.
