It has been a very busy week for all of us at Bassett. It has been wonderful to see competitive fixtures taking place for Years 3, 4, 5, and 6, with Bassett pupils playing brilliantly. Meanwhile, our Lower School pupils are busy preparing for their Christmas productions and were thrilled to practice on the stage. It has also been rewarding to hold practice interviews with our Year 6 pupils as they approach an important week in their senior school transfer process.
Finally, as a whole school, we have focused on Anti-Bullying Week. On Tuesday, most of our pupils (and staff!) wore odd socks to celebrate the message that it’s okay to be different.
You may recall that at the start of the academic year, I shared with staff and pupils that our theme for the year is ‘Be the best you can be.’ This was certainly evident on Monday when we observed two minutes of silence for Armistice Day.
I could not have been prouder of Bassett pupils for the way they conducted themselves. We gathered in Kensington Memorial Garden to join the nation in honouring those who have served and sacrificed in times of war. Earlier, in our Whole School Assembly, I challenged the children to reflect on how far they might go in sacrificing something for others. This sparked some thought-provoking responses and encouraged reflection on what it truly means to serve in the forces.
As we honour the past, we also consider the evolving meaning of remembrance in a modern, multicultural society. You may, like me, have read the article in The Times on Monday that questioned the importance of this tradition. I am very clear that for younger generations, it is essential to continue acknowledging the contributions of those who have gone before us, as they are the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy today. Each time a veteran passes, we lose a direct link to first-hand war experiences, making it all the more crucial to uphold these memories and stories.
At Bassett, I am keen to instil in our pupils an understanding of remembrance that goes beyond tradition for its own sake. On Monday, there was a palpable sense that our collective act of remembrance was far more than a token gesture or blind adherence to tradition.
Mr Woodward
Head
