Baker’s Beacon Blog – Week 13

Dear Parents,

It was already a festive end of term with the charming Pre-Prep performances, Christmas jumper day, Christmas lunches and yesterday’s Carol Services, but even more so from Monday as the site was framed with a layer of snow that created our very own ‘Beacon Wonderland’ for the remainder of this week. As I arrived on site, Jim Sanderson was clearing the main car park on his tractor with snow plough attachment and the rest of the Estates staff were busy making the site safe for the boys arrival at 8am. As Jim proudly told me later that day, we’ve only closed the school for snow once in the last six years and it would take extreme conditions for us to do so again.  Therefore, in the absence of any formal announcement, always assume the school is open. What we would expect is that parents make their own judgements as to whether it is safe for them to travel and, if it takes a little longer than normal, then so be it – the roads may have been fine but it has been taking me about 15 minutes to defrost my car windscreen every morning and afternoon!

In Assembly on Monday, our School Council reps presented their personal gifts to their form teachers in a very touching ceremony. A lot of thought has gone into the gifts and it was clear how well the boys knew their teachers, how much respect they had for them and another reminder of Christmas being more about giving than receiving. Having said that, I increasingly struggle to think of original, novel gifts for my household these days.  I asked Patrick and Joseph last weekend what they wanted for Christmas just to give me a few ideas and they both said, “wired internet”.  How is that even a gift and if it was, how would I present it to them, all gift wrapped, from under the tree?  Brigid claimed at first that she didn’t want anything, which is laudable, but followed up with, “apart from maybe a replacement for that ring I lost the diamond out of”.  Hmmm, not sure it works like that, she might have to be grateful for her first choice of gift…

This has been an immensely fulfilling and enjoyable term, my first at The Beacon.  This is the most superb school community to be a part of and I have to thank my incredibly capable, professional and good humoured colleagues, who have made me feel so welcome at our School and helped me settle in and navigate my first term. I have worked with many incredible staff in my career but I have to say that The Beacon Common Room has collectively a range of skills, a work ethic and a passion and love for their school that I have rarely seen elsewhere. I am truly honoured to be part of Team Beacon.

Have a great Christmas!

Nick Baker