A lot of Mr Kelly’s work with his Year 10 and 11 team is about building on the school’s philosophy of how to achieve success. Our IGCSE and IB students are ultimately judged at this point in their young lives on their academic performance, and results are key.
I have shared with all the students in assemblies this week the importance of having the right mind-set. Everything we do in the school from building on our behaviours and social graces, educating our children to develop the right characteristics for success and developing their High Performance Learning skills revolves around a basic scientifically proven idea: that you can build intelligence and improve any skill. Students were told that if you try and fail it is all part of a process that will ultimately help you succeed. This simple idea has a basis in years of scientific research by leading Stanford University psychologist Carole Dweck who calls it a growth mind-set, students are told to
“…believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishments.” V
Students were reminded that their brains are like muscles and the more they are challenged, the greater capacity the brain has. Your brain learns from it successes and its failures, in fact research shows failure and reaction to failure can help boost intelligence faster. Students were told that they do not have to rely on their genes, their god given skill or luck. Students started the year with the strong message from us that, with effort and endeavor, they can build intelligence by following our High Performance Learning values. It is a powerful reminder to all of us at the beginning of this school year.
On a final note we are still very much looking forward to continuing the successful secondary room parent network that builds a bridge between your child, the form tutors and the school community. If you are interested in being a room parent for your child’s form please email secondaryrooomparent@bisspuxi.com. A meeting will be held and PTA room parent coordinator hopes to get the network up and running again within the next two weeks.
Next week I will update you on more of our ongoing community initiatives but for now have a wonderful long weekend.
- Chris Share, Head of Secondary