Thought For The Day – Tuesday 21^st October 2025

The word “opportunity” is derived from the Latin word “opportunitas”, a combination of two words, “ob” meaning towards, and “portus” meaning port.

These words were used to signify the arrival of a ship to its destination.

In a school that prides itself on opportunities, which help the ship of your, and our,  life reach its destination, there is, tomorrow evening, yet another (black and) golden opportunity for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The “11th Biennial Careers Fair”, of Wednesday 22^nd October 2025,  will see T.B.S.H.S. host: 55 employers; 4 universities; 4 colleges; 6 educational institutions; and a “gap year” company, specialising in visits abroad. ​

What an opportunity.

Education has many very important purposes:  academic; assessment; enjoyment; moral and ethical;  health and social.

But, working towards future employment is equally essential, and integral, and so often is a catalyst and driving force.

We need an appropriate ambition and aspiration.  And we also need a plan to make the dream become reality.  Communication, listening, passion, and research is essential to both.

Tomorrow evening is one of those moments where it would be very easy for students invited to not make the effort, to stay at home in these autumnal times.

However, it is, equally, one of those moments where we can:  go round the stalls;  build confidence, and skills;  find information;  trigger a thought and make a plan;  and, on returning home, reflect on what was gained, taking pride in commitment shown.

From screen time to seen time.

For, sometimes in life, we need to, personally, respectfully and safely, look, talk and walk, trying and opening doors, rooms, organisations.

And so often it in life, it is an unexpected, or even previously unseen,  door that opens.

There may even be occasions when we have to build, create and make the door or even the building itself.

If we do not make the effort for others, why should they make the effort for us?  A first, respectful, move must be made.  To be in the team, the training requires attendance and commitment.

And, when we are given an opportunity, we ensure we give opportunities to, and for, others. We hold the door open for those that follow, remembering what it was like for us.

Students are invited to attend the “Careers Fair” at the following times tomorrow evening:   Year 10 between 6:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Year 11 between 4:45 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.; Year 12 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.​; and Years 13 between 7:00pm and 7:30pm​

Thank you very much indeed to Mrs. Jonas for her truly outstanding leadership of careers education at The Bishop’s Stortford High School, day after day, month after month and year after year, including this (black and) golden” opportunity.