The Nutshell w/e 23rd May

Dear Parents,

Every day at Hazelwood, we strive to create meaningful learning experiences that connect knowledge with real-world issues. This morning was an outstanding example of that ongoing commitment in action.

Across every year group, from Reception to Year 8, the pupils stood tall and presented their research, insights, and ideas around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — causes they felt passionate about as a class. Whether it was climate action, clean water, gender equality, or peace and justice, they spoke not just with knowledge, but with urgency, clarity, and heart.

Today captured so much of what defines us as a school — pupils leading their own learning, engaging deeply with real-world issues, and using their voices to make a difference in thoughtful, creative, and connected ways. This kind of learning not only prepares our pupils for the world they will grow into, but also shapes the way they make choices about their future — including the subjects, causes, and paths they’ll pursue in senior school and beyond.

And it’s important to say this: none of this is possible without a foundation of academic rigour. We are uncompromising in our commitment to high standards in the core academic disciplines — because it is precisely those skills that give children the tools to explore the wider world with such depth and independence.

In the words of the late Sir Ken Robinson:

“If you create the right conditions, people flourish. It’s not a miracle – it’s what happens.”

That’s what we saw today — not a miracle, but the outcome of thoughtful planning, skilled teaching, and a culture that empowers children to explore, question, collaborate, and create. It’s about engaging with the world as it is and boldly imagining what it could become. It’s about preparing our children not just for exams, but for life itself.

Our pupils don’t just speak about the future — they live it.

Best wishes,

Lindie

Read Full Nutshell here