Thought For The Day – Thursday 23^rd October 2025

It has been a busy week for the School Hall.

Just one week ago, our School Hall played host to “B.B.C. One’s” “Question Time”. This was our second major “B.B.C.” outside broadcast of the year, an unintended consequence of, and made possible, to a great extent,  by  “B.B.C. Radio Four’s”  “Any Questions?” of February 2025.

Last evening, the School Hall was a hive of “Black and Gold” activity with a plethora of professions, and engaged students,  all buzzing under one roof.   A “Black and Gold Careers Fair” for the ages. So many opportunities for all, all orchestrated by Mrs. Jonas, who ensured so many came together on one remarkable evening voluntarily.

And, in relation to orchestrating,   this evening the School Hall will be graced with the sound of yet more memorable Music at T.B.S.H.S., led, as ever,  by Mr. Emery and Mr. Mead, and all who teach Music,  as the Year 7 concert takes place.   All students who join the School in Year 7 give, at very least, one musical performance on the stage of the School.  A very proud moment for families.

This is the culmination of another very busy half-term for the school generally with various cultural, sporting, charitable and visit activities.

And we never forget the foundations of all schools:  moral values;  and passion for our subjects,  academic, examination and lesson work inside and outside the classroom.

This half-term is not complete yet either.  We finish healthily, safely and well in the next two days.

We must be careful never to take any of these things for granted and not to forget these special moments.  Just as we should never take people, or our environment, for granted.   All are, and all is, to be appreciated, cherished and valued.

And all this only happens because of all staff, all students, and all families.

For sure, it is the players that play, and show good moral character and massively inspire in, the games of life that are our future.  Thank you to all students.

A key difference between coaching and playing, is that coaches devote their life and time to thinking of all the players in the team and squad, the supporters, and the season itself.  Thank you to all staff.

Ultimately, respect for all staff and all students is vital to “The Black and Gold Spirit”.

And, in a wider context, the very deepest inspiration and love is drawn from our families and roots outside school, in our communities, neighbourhoods and lives.

Thank you to all who make us who we are.

We should never forget.  The Poppy Appeal at T,B.S.H.S., for 2025, begins today.

Half-term provides an important opportunity to re-charge, including, and especially, for those who care. Those who care for others, in whatever context, need, and deserve,  a break to care for themselves.  Carers need cared for too.

Globally,  this half-term,  has seen what we hope will be the first tentative and small steps on the long road to care, peace, and respect.

In a different context, for the first since 1534, at the time of “The Reformation”,  the Pope, Leo, and the Monarch of the U.K., King Charles III, will pray together this morning in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

As we near our half-term,  when we do not need to go very far, or spend very much, we do not forget to be kind to one another, both in-person and on-line.

This takes attention, fairness, humility, justice, listening, openness, patience, reflection, and time.

This takes integrity.

But our differences do not actually make us that, or any, different and less united.

And unity, and being united, does not mean we cannot be, and are not, diverse.

The circle within which all this takes place is the circle of respect and treating others as we wish to be treated.