Head’s Blog: Open-Mindedness

“Open-minded people embrace being wrong, are free of illusions, don’t mind what people think of them, and question everything, even themselves.” – author unknown

What an incredible start to the new year!

As I reflect upon the whirlwind of activity that we have embraced, I am filled with an immense feeling of pride regarding everything our school community has achieved, coupled with a sense of awe that we have facilitated so many fabulous experiences.

Our school-wide focus on being open-minded has been evident in the agility, adaptability and boundless enthusiasm our pupils and staff have demonstrated. Since January our pupils have embraced new experiences with resilience and confidence. Whether adjusting to different learning styles, tackling new challenges or exploring creative problem solving, they have exemplified what it means to be agile learners.

The dedication of our staff in guiding and nurturing our pupils has been nothing short of remarkable. Their encouragement and feedback have helped our children grow both academically and personally. It has been a joy to see them develop in self-belief and skill, celebrating their progress every step of the way.

Over the last six weeks, our children have been transported through time in a Lost in Time workshop, indulged in delicious chocolate at Cadbury’s World (all in the name of research, of course!), and showcased their skiing skills at Chill Factore.

Pupils have delved into ancient history at the Brampton Museum and immersed themselves in music at Denstone College. They have demonstrated their competitive spirit in netball, football, and athletics as part of the School Games series and during the ISA Cross Country and Rugby tournaments. Meanwhile, back in school, they have explored self-awareness and personal growth during Children’s Mental Health Week, under the inspiring theme Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.

At Edenhurst we love nothing more than to open our doors and invite visitors into school. We have welcomed PCSO Sarah Rhodes, who provided invaluable safety advice, and Sam Holgate from Dougie Mac, who spoke about how our fundraising efforts aid dementia support services within the local community. Alison Wainwright, Sustainable Environment Officer at Newcastle-under-Lyme Council, educated us on reducing food waste and recycling, while Reverends Josh and Clare from St Giles’ Church led a thought-provoking assembly on Valentine’s Day about love and kindness with our pupils. Keele University students spent the afternoon with Prep 5 and Prep 6 talking about their journey so far, why they chose their particular course and discussed future career plans.?

Preparations were well underway for our Spring Concert and the Bellevue Northern Schools Musical Showcase at the Stoller Hall in Manchester.?Excitement is building as Miss Harvey has begun to work her Friday afternoon magic with Prep 5 and 6 on the much anticipated end-of-year show. I don’t want to reveal too much but this event promises to be like no other!

A particularly special moment this half-term was when Mr. G took the reins as Headteacher for the day! This ‘honour’ was a sought after prize from the Christmas Fair. I was a little alarmed by the speed at which he settled behind my desk, made himself at home (tea and fancy biscuits quickly appeared), outlined his ambitious plans and subsequently handed me a contract to sign (with a rather snazzy pen). However, I have to admit that he did an outstanding job, confidently hosting the Awards Assembly, visiting classes to find out about their learning, executing a fire drill and even writing a report. Having said that, my stash of treats (namely the Monster Munch, Chupa Chups and Jammy Dodgers) seem to have taken a hit whilst the fruit bowl has remained suspiciously intact.

To round off the half-term in style, the EPTA’s annual Break the Rules Day where pupils were actively encouraged to rebel in a variety of ways such as having crazy hair, wearing nail varnish or bringing juice in their water bottles brought a fantastic sense of fun and mischief. It just goes to show that SOMETIMES, bending the rules just a little bit, brings the biggest smiles.

I am extremely conscious that none of this would have been possible without the dedication and passion of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the incredible support from our parents. It is this strong sense of community that gives us the Edenhurst Edge and makes our school such a special place to learn and grow.

As I look ahead to the rest of the Hilary term, I have no doubt that the excitement and momentum will continue, starting with our International Day of Languages when we return to school on Monday 24th February. With open minds and boundless enthusiasm, we will create even more unforgettable experiences.

As always, wishing the Edenhurst community a happy and safe break.?

Mrs Emma Mousley

Headteacher