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Mrs J Derrick Blog
As I write this Blog, we are returning after a two-week Half Term holiday – refreshed and ready to embark upon the next 6 weeks on the ‘run up’ to Christmas. Historically, this is always a very busy term and I have no doubt that it will be the same this year!
This week, our theme is ‘Combat Climate Change’. This is a whole school priority and one that I know our students are really engaging in, which is wonderful. This is, indeed, an interesting time for all generations – there is certainly a lot of ‘unchartered territory’!
In his book Erebus, Michael Palin brings the story of HMS Erebus dramatically to life. The expedition to Antarctica in 1842 was far reaching in its discoveries, not least in its charting of unknown terrain. The ship’s captain, James Clark Ross, took it upon himself to name these newly discovered land masses and the names he chose for them were interesting. Palin commented that ‘many of the names given to physical features mirrored the mental states of those who named them.’ Maybe he is right. There is Danger Island, Cape Longing, Cape Disappointment, Delusion Point and Exasperation Bay… still all there!
Over the holiday, I read an account which highlighted that any sort of journey will have its interesting points; these are not untypical for anyone wanting to make changes, especially those seeking to reach new destinations. Cape Longing, for example, is very apt! If we lack aspiration and desire we are not likely to achieve much of memorable significance. James Ross’ imagination knew little bounds and he pressed hard to achieve his dream. Erebus tells how he did. Eleanor Roosevelt put it like this, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ Ross saw in potential what others could not see. It is as George Bernard Shaw conjectured, ‘Some people see things as they are and say ‘Why’. Others see things that never were and say ’Why not’?’
We can recognise too, Disappointment. Times when it does not work out, times when people let you down and indeed times when you let yourself down. Times when you sail down Iceberg Alley, as Ross did. These are part of the journey of life through which we must press on. They will arise this term, and on our journey to combat climate change I am sure. We eliminate them when we can, we ride them, handle them, when we can not. We call it resilience.
I read too, about the concept of Exasperation Bay – where too much disappointment can exist. Exasperation is a dangerous emotion, spilling out into blame, irritability and irrational behaviour. Exasperation has its derivation in Latin from ‘asper’ meaning rough. It was used of sour wine - not tasting very good - and bad weather - the storms of life. It is neither pleasant nor comfortable. We need to move on!
And we do not really want to get to Delusion Point! Marilyn Monroe said, ‘Dreaming about being an actress is more exciting than being one.’ Someone put it like this, ‘Delusion - when the distance between your reality and the reality of the situation is so vast it can be measured in light years.’ That is what Captain Ross felt but his vision was so clear he pressed on. Lady Gaga, no less, had a view, ‘I operate from a place of delusion… that’s what fame is all about… I want people to walk around delusional about how great they can be… and then to fight so hard every day that the lie becomes truth.’ Ross certainly did that and it paid off for him, and for Lady Gaga too it seems.
Incidentally, Ross never quite made it to where he hoped to be… yet his legacy lives to this day. He made his mark and so, in this term, will we; particularly with the concept of action to combat climate change! Please do look out for our actions and support them with interest, resilience, and dreams.
Mrs J Derrick
Headteacher
What we are doing in school...
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Find out more about the Eco-Schools Programme
Recycling bins have been introduced into every classroom across the school to recycle dry mixed recycling (plastic, paper, carboard and glass).
