Thought For The Day – Tuesday 28^th April 2026

In a performance and production, though those on the stage lead the way, this could not happen without those working behind-the-scenes.  They are “the team behind the team”.

Those that illuminate and project the show through light and sound.   The Stage Manager that ensures the correct equipment, and personnel, are on the stage.  This was seen, once again,  with the work of Joshua Tingley, Isaac Jones, and Oliver Berry at the recent “Showcase”.

The importance of those behind-the-scenes, the team behind the team,  is demonstrated in school, which is a microcosm of life itself.

In our lives, we must never forget such people.  They are key to any community.

Those who are quiet, speak volumes.

The catering staff arrive, in the early hours each day, to prepare the food and refreshments so enjoyed by the community.  The cleaning staff work late into each evening to ensure T.B.S.H.S. is ready for the preceding day.  The caretaking team take care of the school.

An inspirational “team behind the team” of support staff also work behind-the-scenes.  Office and support staff are essential to administration; admissions; appointments; attendance; careers; college and university admissions; computing; cover;  educational visits; employment;  examinations; events;  finance; health; grounds; inclusion;  learning; literacy; practical lessons; reprographics;  technology; work experience.   And so much more.

On Friday evening, at the end of our week,  we learnt that Mr. Alastair Cook passed away from this life.  Mr. Reeve respectfully informed the staff personally, in the staff meeting yesterday, at the beginning of this week.

Mr. Cook, pictured below,  gave many of his weeks to The Bishop’s Stortford High School, serving between 2006 and 2020.

Mr. Cook was a highly valued, and greatly respected, member of the support staff at T.B.S.H.S., our  “team behind the team”, playing a vital role in supporting senior school leadership, particularly working with the inspirational Mr. Noble.

Mr. Cook was a well-travelled, and global, citizen and thinker.   With a degree in Geology, Mr. Cook was always grounded and humble. A very kind and polite person, with a wonderful sense of humour, Mr. Cook always had a balanced, philosophical, and wider perspective and was always a pleasure to talk with.  A laugh, and a smile, was never far away. 

Mr. Cook was “Black, Gold and Green”.  A great lover of nature, Mr. Cook was a volunteer for the “Birchanger Woods Trust” and the “National Trust”.

Mr. Cook captured the environment with his great and professional passion, and expertise for, photography, running a business in this field.  Mr. Cook brought such visual skills to our community, editing “The Mitre” and chronicling the life of The Bishop’s Stortford High School.

Everyone’s journey is different, unique, and sacred.  Mr. Cook had very significant health challenges in his life, but Mr. Cook bore these with grace, kindness, positivity, and resilience.

In our lives, we should always be mindful of, and grateful for,  our legacy and our roots. This past is essential to our present and future.

Our thoughts and prayers are with: Mr. Cook; Mr. Cook’s wife, Denise; and their family.