Thought For The Day – Tuesday 6^th October 2026

“The students were a credit to T.B.S.H.S.: no job was too small, or too large.  They greeted everyone with professionalism, maturity, and confidence. The students worked alongside volunteers from “Isabel Hospice” to cater for the festival members and were on-hand to answer any questions we may have had.”

On Saturday, The Bishop’s Stortford High School hosted “The 7^th Annual Bishop’s Stortford Choir Festival”.   Thank you to Miss Engel for facilitating this.  Our guests were so impressed by the venue.

Through the event, money was raised for “Isabel Hospice”.  The motto of “Isabel Hospice”  is: “Together We Care”.

This was a wonderful event, demonstrating what the world always needs: community; compassion;  joy; love; music; respect; support.

The tribute to students above, from the festival’s inspirational Founder, and Musical Director of “The Harmonaires Choir”, Josie Cowley, was to five student volunteers, from T.B.S.H.S., who gave of their time to greatly help, at short notice.

The student volunteers were:  Amalia;  Emilijah; Olly;  Ruby; Sophie.

These five Year 12 students, four girls and one boy,  all joined The Bishop’s Stortford High School in September. Their stated, and modelled,  great pride in, and of,  “The Black and Gold Spirit” was inspirational and wonderful.

These students were an immense credit to their families, themselves, their former schools, and T.B.S.H.S.’ Sixth Form .

It does not take long for inspirational citizens to embrace the ethos of the School.

And to take that ethos further.

The event featured the following choirs: “Amici Cantate”;  “Herts and Soul Community Choir”;  “The Rib Singers”; “The Sing Space”; “The Bishop’s Stortford Gospel Choir”; “New Edition Singers”;   “Saint Michael’s Church Choir”.

Who knew there was so many different choirs in the town, all committed to the joy of music and singing?

This is something we know all too well each day at The Bishop’s Stortford High School, thanks to the outstanding work of Mr. Emery,  Mr. Mead, and Music teachers and students.

This was a community event. It was very interesting, and inspirational,  to speak, at the interval,  with former students, and former parents, of the School, to hear of their journeys and stories.

And, a little like T.B.S.H.S., which is a microcosm of wider society, it was also a pleasure to see Jane Towns, from “Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank”, working on Saturday this time for  “Isabel Hospice”, and Siobhan Nundram, from the local charity “Red Kite”, which supports survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual violence,  singing in one of the choirs.

Inspirational citizens wear many hats.  They do not just do one thing.  They do everything, wonderfully,  mindful everyone matters.

“If you want something done, ask a busy person”, it is said.

Deeper still, a network of relationships. A very small, but inter-connected, world.  A true community The event was blessed with so many “Community Champions”, on and off stage.  All driven by that invaluable spirit of volunteering.

These are the golden threads that bind society.

Saturday’s festival helped to raise approximately £1200 for the inspirational “Isabel Hospice”. 

This money will help provide vital end-of-life care and emotional support to families facing life-limiting illnesses in our local community.

Further inspirational citizens present on Saturday were the volunteers from “Isabel Hospice”, who regularly give up their time to help others.

Talking with some of those volunteers on Saturday, they shared very emotional, and personal, stories as to why they help others.  In their lives, they, and their loved ones,  epitomised care, compassion, positivity, and resilience.

The cakes these volunteers made to sell pieces of for “Isabel Hospice”  were a beautiful symbol of all they give for vulnerable, and precious, people in our society.

Whilst the communal music and sound made in the School Hall spread community, love, and joy to all.