Invicta Vlogs
The epitome of Britishness: talking about the weather
There is no better way of knowing that it has been exam season in schools as to have a heat wave. We spend all year praying for sunshine, dry days and waking up to daylight in the mornings – and typically it comes when we are stuck indoors rather than during our actual holidays! In school with shirt sleeve order in place, tights, jumpers, and blazers have been discarded and replaced with frozen water bottles and the smell of sun tan lotion in the corridors. There is no greater feeling than to walk across the school site at lunchtime and see girls enjoying eating their lunch on the picnic benches, others playing swing ball on the lawn and some enjoying a quiet shady area with a good book to read.
It occurred to me, with all of the recent hype and excitement regarding the Queen’s Jubilee, that in our fast-changing world, our perception of what Britishness means to us as a society, and individually, is constantly changing. Whether it’s a respect for our Royal Family, coming together for national events or competitions, be it the Olympics or the Eurovision song contest, or having a good local fish and chip shop! I joke to my toddler that he is not a real Brit until he learns to queue properly and be patient in said queue!
Of course, being British is about so much more, and indeed our curriculum, reflects this, with Fundamental British Values being embedded across our subjects, whether it’s exploring the importance of democracy, promoting mutual respect or celebrating triumphs of individual liberty. This month alone we are celebrating Pride Month, coming together as a school community in preparations for our Sports Day and having lots of Leaderships opportunities with students delivering Year 5 Taster Day workshops, doing outreach days with local primary schools and organising and running our upcoming Power Day, featuring a Multicultural Festival.
We may like to think that being British is all about seaside visits, cups of tea, our favourite tourist attractions, and endlessly talking/moaning about the weather, but it is important, and nice to remember every so often that it is about so much more.
Mrs E Harrington
Deputy Head - Upper School
