Headmaster's Bulletin (43)

As you are aware, I am currently on jury service.

I actually met a parent at the courts (juror not defendant!) but those of you who have yourselves performed this civic duty will know that you are not allowed to discuss the case with anyone other than your fellow jurors (in the final deliberation). My service has, however, led me to muse on the importance of honesty whilst I have been waiting to be summoned to the court room!

Communities like ours where so many pupils and staff live and work in such close proximity cannot exist happily without mutual trust and honesty. Yes, we are delighted when our pupils achieve great things, but we also want them to learn the values which we cherish as a community, and which we share with parents. And the values of trust and honesty are values for life.

We all make mistakes, and children are likely to make more mistakes as they grow up and acquire a better appreciation of their responsibilities. As part of their education we should present them with choices, in the hope that they will have enough understanding to make the right choice. They should know that their actions have consequences, both for themselves and for those around them. They do go wrong, and where honesty and trust are concerned, should then face the appropriate discipline - whether this is at school or at home. This enables us as ‘educators’ to provide guidance alongside an expression of our disappointment, so that children learn and move forward positively as better people.

This may sound like righteous moralising, yet a clear moral compass is one of the greatest gifts which we can give to our children - through our example, our values and our expectations.