Thought For The Day – Friday 19^th December 2025

This Autumn and Winter Term concludes today with Final Assembly which, like the excellent edition of “The Mitre”, shares wonderful highlights of the term.

This will be the first Final Assembly for Year 7 students, many Year 12 students, and all new staff.

We thank you all for joining The Bishop’s Stortford High School to add your new verse, chapter, book, and story.

We stand on the shoulders of all who have gone before.  In our stories. In our lives. In our communities.

We also look beyond The Bishop’s Stortford High School, to other schools, other communities, and other cultures.  We both appreciate, reflect, think, and act, internally and externally.

No doubt, we are looking forward to the holidays.  We remember those working over the holidays, particularly those caring for others.

Very rightly, this is a time of year particularly special for young people and children.

May they, and you, receive blessings, joy and love.

But we remember those, of all ages,  for whom this is a very challenging time.

Those who are not looking forward to this time.

Those suffering from challenges of:  bereavement;  conflict; economics;  environment; health; negative prejudice; and negative discrimination.   Those not well, at home or in hospital.  If we know of anyone suffering, or if we are struggling ourselves, we reach out.

That one caring, kind,  and supportive word and action makes all the difference.  It says everything about us.  It means everything to others.  The greatest gifts cost nothing.

And in our world that wants, and seemingly demands,  more, and more, we very humbly appreciate what we have,  and what we give, mindful of our own imperfections.

The Interact “bag packing team”,  with students from all year groups represented, who, working proactively, professionally and politely in school uniform,  received many positive comments from the public,  raised £1102.39 for those in need as part of Bishop’s Stortford Rotary Club’s unique  “Christmas Collections” project for those in need in our local community last Sunday.

In the coming days, for Christians,  Advent hope will transition into the magic, miracle, and gift of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Jews, at this time this year, are continuing to remember, until Monday evening,  the Light and Love of Hanukkah.

Every good culture and community has their own remembrance and respect.

We pray for kindness, love, peace, respect, fairness, and justice in the world.

For we are one people and one planet.

Love is everything.   Respect is everything.

We wish all of you, those you love, and everyone, a happy, healthy, loving, and safe holiday.