Thought For Today And The Half Term – Friday 20^th October 2023

At TBSHS, our new staff, new Year 7 and new 12 students and new parents who joined our community  this half term have embraced “The Black and Gold Spirit”.  Thank you very much.  Thank you very much also  to all staff, students and parents.

It is very important that we finish this half term well today.

Standards, discipline and respect are everything.  Go into half term having given a good performance today, rather than with a defeat to put right in, and after, the holiday.  Do not concede late.  Play to the final whistle and then thank the officials, supporters and other players after the game.   Going into an international break, or “bye week”, after a good performance always makes the break far better.

The Jacksonville Jaguars came to the U.K. with their season under significant pressure, after two defeats from three games. Four wins later, including a resilient win this morning,  and after a visit to TBSHS, momentum is building on a daily and weekly basis.  The inspirational post-game motivational words of Coach Pedersen to the team:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkBLBf_A8LQ  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG29kgtfu2I .

It is all founded on hard work every day and week.  We get out what we put in.  We study to succeed.

Seasons are never straightforward though.  How do we respond to challenges?  How can we be better?

There are a plethora of positive opportunities at TBSHS. In the last week alone, there has been a ground-breaking netball tour, sports fixtures,  the launch of “Oliver”, a History visit, a careers fair,  University and College Admissions processing, Year 7 debating, a Year 7 Music concert, a Year 11 residential visit to Germany and a food bank collection.

Lessons remain the foundation of everything. Lessons win championships.

We hope you have a good, healthy and safe half term.  You do not have to go very far, or spend a lot of money,  to have a nice time. It’s the little things.

Our values never ever switch off though, wherever we are. It is always important to look after others, look after ourselves, stay safe both on-line and in the community and to give back to your family, carers and community.  Commitment, aspiration, respect, integrity and community are 24 7 365.  That is why they are values.  Values never stop, they are total and never partial. Values never end and they are for all times and not for sometimes.  Values apply equally on-line and in person.

Most importantly, we continue to deeply think of, and pray for,  all who are going through the most difficult of challenges in the U.K. and around the world;  whether they be challenges beyond words of: illness, sickness, loss and bereavement;  the climate and environment; natural disaster;  poverty;  crime;   conflict and war; terrorism;   misinformation and disinformation;  and all those suffering abuse, bullying, exploitation, harm and suffering inflicted by individuals.

In U.K. Hate Crime Awareness Week this week, we always remember every day that Racism, including Antisemitism and Islamophobia, Sexism, LGBT+ negative prejudice and discrimination, Ableism and Classism and all abuse and hate is divisive, evil,  immoral, illegal and wrong.

We all play our part in spreading compassion, humility, kindness, love, peace, respect and understanding.  We treat others as we wish ourselves to be treated.

We make a massive difference by what we do each and every day.  We support one another.

Those we love, and have loved, are always with us to light, illuminate and inspire our path.