Thought For The Day -Tuesday 22^nd July 2025

Brilliant art work above created last week, the product of a number of hours,  by George Cureton-Williams (Year 9).

We recently paid tribute to the Governors and Staff at all levels and in all areas of the School. They very much lead the way and give up so much for others.  We and you are blessed they chose education. We and you are further blessed they chose, and were chosen by, T.B.S.H.S.

Equally important are students who drive T.B.S.H.S. forward positively.

In a school, very importantly, students learn from, and respect,  staff. 

But, equally importantly, in a school, students also learn from, and respect, students. 

And, in all the wonderful moments of school and life, staff learn from, and respect, students for students so often make a contribution, in oracy, literacy or extra-curricular leadership, which inspires and teaches the staff.

Students bring positive care, enthusiasm, humility, openness and trust. In The Gospels, Jesus said The Kingdom of God should be accepted, and received, by all “like a child”.

Ultimately, education is a professional dialectic and dialogue between staff and students, each respecting each other.

Underpinning all of this are of course carers, families, guardians, parents and the extended and community family. 

They are our foundation and roots. 

They are who we are. 

They are us and we are them.

At the weekend,  in men’s golf, Masters champion Rory McIlroy was roar(y)ed on by his home support at The Open at Royal Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Saturday was a particularly special day as Rory was on the charge  (see pictures below and https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/videos/cql0wer9ez7o).  The eventual champion, the brilliant Scottie Scheffler, also spoke of family and staying grounded.

A few weeks ago, Callum Simpson, once again, took a European title boxing match back to his roots at Barnsley Football Club, in South Yorkshire.  He delivered many of the tickets personally himself. Movingly, he entered to “Hometown Glory” by Adele.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90×88-ajZ4s. He was inspired by his sister, who passed away from this life in a car accident last year.  And, after the winning match, where Callum was twice on the canvas, he took his respected opponent out for Sunday dinner which, of course, included Yorkshire pudding.

We have community heroes and “people’s champions” in our local area, such as former Bishop’s Stortford Mayor Norma Symonds, currently in hospital. We send our deepest thoughts and prayers to Norma and her family. Norma does, and has done, so much good for so very many in our wider community.  Norma massively inspires all to make the world a better place.   

Values of commitment, aspiration, respect, integrity, community, equality, resilience and sustainability are human and environmental values that apply to everyone everywhere.   They will be with us throughout our journey in life, and beyond. Indeed, in the most difficult moments, we go back to our personal and collective values.

For sure, there are challenges on this life journey and we must always be compassionate and empathetic to those in need, valuing the vulnerable, valuing vulnerability, offering and seeking support and staying humble.  We often need support ourselves.  We think of, and act for, all in need locally, nationally and internationally. We stand up against negative prejudice and negative discrimination in person and on-line. Good luck to the brilliant Lionesses tonight.

The players are not just and always on the stage or on the field.   Everyone has their story and stories. Everyone has their moment and moments.  Everyone leads in different ways.   We pay attention to the quieter and humbler places and people and are very careful of distractions that, when it ultimately comes to it, do not matter at all.   The truly extraordinary is found in the ordinary.

“To thine own self be true”, wrote Shakespeare. 

Well done to Year 7 students who performed “Romeo and Juliet” yesterday.  Thank you very much to the English department.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the summer and academic year. Vitally, we will pay tribute to, and thank,  staff and student leavers, and we will wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday.