Newsletters

Dear Parents and Guardians,

(Big exhale) Half Term is here. Well done mums and dads, you are all amazing! 

The staff of St. James’ appreciate the challenges of balancing work commitments and home learning. But the extra housework, oh my, every time Lowri or I walk in the kitchen, it is like we have been robbed by a troop of starving gorillas! We continue to plan for a return to school on March 8^th, and we very much hope that there are no last-minute surprises from the Government. With the vaccination regime gathering pace and beginning to meet its targets, we have every reason to be hopeful for the short and long-term future.

In particular, to our parents of students in Years 11 and 13, we know how hard this half term has been. The great uncertainty surrounding the cancellation of GCSEs and A-Levels has hit your children hard, robbed them of their purpose. We are expecting to hear on 22^nd February 2021 the results of the recent OFQUAL consultation into the grade awarding process for this summer. I very much hope that this announcement outlines a fair, rigorous process, but more importantly, offers the certainty and clarity that these year groups need. When they know what is expected of them, by whom, and by when, I hope their spirits will lift. They are all very much in our thoughts and help is available from Miss Harris, Mrs Wilkinson, or Mrs Shepherd if needed.

In this week’s Headmaster’s lessons, I asked two separate questions?

1. Doing bad things to get good results? Should people refuse to fight in wars? Or, should we be prepared to do bad things to bring about a better future?

2. Do all species matter? Should we be worried about species threatened with extinction? Or is this the normal process of nature?

We had some very interesting debates. Firstly, between the opposing utilitarian (doing what is needed to bring the most happiness to the most people) and pacifist (fighting is wrong regardless of the reason, from the Latin pace = peace) standpoints, and the very muddy waters of ‘self-defence’ or ‘striking first’. Secondly, when considering other species, we drifted into ‘trophy hunting’, vegetarianism, evolution and COVID-19. Globally we are trying very hard to eradicate this particular life-form, which brings these two questions together. Are we allowed to ‘strike first’ to avoid terrible consequences? And are humans more important than other lifeforms on the planet Earth?

Yours sincerely

Richard Murray

Headmaster

Longevity 

"I have a dream".  Words spoken by the late, great, Martin Luther King Jn. My dream is by no means as aspirational, but my dream of having longevity, is one which is still extremely important to me. 

In order to achieve longer life, I try to follow certain lifestyle choices. 

Firstly, I place a high value on taking part in regular physical activity. The government recommend an hour's activity per day, which is my minimum daily target. As a teacher of young pupils, I strive to be a strong role model.  Someone who the children can look up to and hopefully learn some very important life lessons from. I myself have been inspired by my former teachers and lecturers, so I understand how pivotal strong role models can be. My role models today are not professional footballers, or top athletes, although I hugely admire their skill and physical prowess. I look up to the older generation, who I see working out at the gym, or pass me by in the street as I am walking my dog Luna. I aspire to be 'a fit old duck', as my mother would say. Two or three Labradors to walk in my twilight years, would be my idea of heaven. 

Secondly, I attempt to eat a healthy balanced diet. The pupils see me eating bananas for my snack and I encourage my classes to eat healthily too, which I am delighted to say that they are. 

The dream is to keep moving for as long as I can and if I inspire a few people along the way, then that would be a job well done. 

Phil Yarborough