Rousing Message For The Challenges Ahead This Term

This week's message from our Headmaster Mr John Watson reflects on the recent Easter break, the glorious sunshine that has greeted our return to school and the challenges ahead this term.

It also draws from a less obvious but much-respected cultural source: Kung Fu Panda! Mr Watson writes:

"I hope that you enjoyed glorious sunshine as well as rest at some stage over Easter, and that the gardeners amongst you have been dazzled by the season’s new life!

Our senior pupils will have blended rest and revision, and I hope they are feeling increasingly well prepared for forthcoming challenges. My assembly on Wednesday focused on the importance of appreciating the present moment and those people who fill it. Whilst our exam candidates should have learnt from past mistakes and should be planning ahead, we hope that they are not living with regret or excessively anxious about the future.

I showed a brief clip from Kung Fu Panda: Master Oogway finds Po obviously upset. He is comparing himself unfavourably with others, worrying that they hate him and that he will never make it as a dragon warrior. He may as well go back to cooking noodles! Master Oogway does his best to encourage him: 

'Quit- don’t quit! Noodles- don’t noodles! You are too concerned with what was and what will be.'

'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, but today is a gift: that’s why it’s called the present.'

It’s a light-hearted clip, but the last quotation is especially memorable. These are two of the thoughts I wanted pupils to take away with them: 

• More easily said than done, but do your best not to be anxious about what might or might not happen tomorrow or in the future.
• Be proud to be yourself and don’t spend your time comparing yourself with others. 

Do watch the clip if you like by clicking here, and please don’t hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s Form Tutor if you are concerned that he or she is becoming excessively anxious in the run-up to exams."

This message perfectly complements the series of revision articles we posted over the Easter break and is a fitting piece to accompany the final day of National Revision Week that has been highlighted by Young Minds.