The Nutshell w/e 17th October

Dear Parents,

There are moments in school life that make you pause. Not because they are loud or dramatic, but because they are so full of heart. Watching our Year 8 pupils yesterday, carrying boxes of toothpaste, soap and shampoo to the Hygiene Hub, was one of those moments. There was nothing showy about it; just pupils getting on with something that mattered to them.

The Hygiene Hub began as an idea from 8H in last year’s Sustainable Development Goals project. Their question was simple: how can we make sure everyone in our community has access to the essentials most of us never have to think twice about? That small idea has grown into something bigger: a project built and led by pupils who wanted to do something useful, kind and lasting.

Yesterday’s Hygiene Hub Day was their first step in turning that idea into action. From the early morning donations to the Bake Off competition and lunchtime activities, there was a genuine sense of purpose. The pupils organised everything from the posters and planning to the timings, and did so with a mix of excitement, care and quiet confidence.

What sits behind all of this is not a wish to do good for others, but a desire to understand what it means to stand with our community. The children have talked a lot about dignity and fairness, about how it feels when people notice what you need and choose to help. They are learning that change starts close to home, with empathy, small actions and a willingness to work together.

Over the coming months, Year 8 will continue to develop the project and strengthen partnerships with local organisations so that the Hygiene Hub can grow into something lasting. It is a thoughtful legacy, one that will, we hope, continue to evolve year after year.

What struck me most yesterday was the tone the pupils set: calm, purposeful, unforced. They showed that leadership does not have to be loud to be powerful. It can look like a group of children quietly solving problems, encouraging one another and noticing what needs doing next.

I believe our pupils have shown so clearly through this project what real learning looks like: noticing the world as it is, and taking steps, however small, to make it better.

Best wishes,

Lindie

Read Full Nutshell here