My first week as Deputy Head (i/c Sixth Form)
Following a positive start to the 2020/2021 school year, Mrs Beadnell offers some initial thoughts of her first week as Barney’s Deputy Head (i/c Sixth Form).
Embarking on our second week back, the Sixth Form is alive with excitement and is a hive of activity once more.
It has been a delight to see our students face-to-face (observing social distancing, of course!), rather than through a tablet or laptop screen, and I have equally enjoyed meeting our newest Barnardians, who join our popular Sixth Form at an incredibly exciting time.
In true Barney fashion, our current crop of Sixth Formers – including those who have progressed from Year 11 at our School – have made our new students feel right at home – 29, to be precise, which is an incredible figure considering the unprecedented times the country finds itself in.
Studying has begun with determination, as our Year 13s prepare for their upcoming mock exams, and our Year 12 cohort immerse themselves in their new A Level courses. Already, we have enjoyed a lecture on ‘Grit and Perseverance’, exploring the concept of growth mindset, and we very much look forward to our diverse Lecture Series, addressing Opportunities, Careers and Employability.
Albeit with Covid measures in place, we are ensuring the students continue to receive the very best holistic education.
The student energy is palpable everywhere. The Sports Fields are filled with pupils revelling in the return of games, the music rooms ring out with the sound of our talented youngsters, and our upcoming Sixth Form Common Room AGM will kick-start our student campaigns and manifestos.
It is truly humbling to see such maturity and drive, and whilst adhering to distancing rules and safety guidelines, these students are certainly not letting Covid-19 deter them from thriving academically.
