Miss Bailey's Blog - Week 10, 2023

It is always good to watch the build up to a Godstowe Production. Next week, the Year 7 and 8 girls are hosting their joint production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and over the last few days the scenery, backdrop, props and costumes have been assembled with a real sense of anticipation. We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday and Thursday evening, which will be the start of the festive season ahead and the result of their hard work in recent weeks. Today, we were also treated to a ‘Fourths Drama Sharing’ of The Oresteia by Aeschylus (a new version by Ted Hughes). The Fourths have been exploring the conventions of Ancient Greek theatre, in particular, the Chorus and they had devised their own physical performances to highlight part of the Chorus’ speech, at the start of Agamemnon. It was good to see what they have achieved in a short space of time in their new weekly Drama lessons, as many of them are also taking part in the Production. Well done, girls and Ms Lambert!

With Remembrance weekend upon us, we have marked this special occasion across the school today. I am sure you have admired the beautiful red ceramic poppies outside Reception. Thanks to Mrs Sloggett for making these look so eye-catching and this was a direct result of our Parent Daughter Taster Art event week before last. Thank you – they look wonderful.

I wondered if I might use my valuable weekly blog spot to ask for some help. Godstowe is going to launch a daily London bus route from September 2024, which we have been planning in the last few months. As a new undertaking for the school, we wanted to see whether any current families at Godstowe might be able to help with its future promotion to new families, with personal and educational links and family or friends in London. This is an exciting new venture for Godstowe and we are driven to make it work and knowing the large network of families and support we have at Godstowe, I thought I would ask for your help and bring it to your attention. It may be, that you know families who would love to join us, especially those who might want to start in Years 7 and 8 and experience life out of London for two years, before Senior School at 13. You may also know of families with younger children who are looking to start and are looking for better on site facilities. If you would be interested in offering suggestions or ideas, or would like to help as a parent ambassador to spread the word through our valuable Godstowe Grapevine, please do email me on [email protected] and I shall look to host a small coffee gathering on Friday 24^th November at 3-3.45pm. If you would like to join us, we shall host this in the Sports Hall Gallery or my office, dependent on numbers.

If we have learnt anything over the years, it is the word of mouth route that counts for everything and a personal recommendation from our invested families, instils the trust and positive start for any good change, in my view!

Good luck to our U12 and U13 lacrosse players at Cheltenham Ladies’ College tomorrow and a few of my team shall be at the Independent Schools Show in Battersea – hard to believe it is a year since we last went! This is always a good networking event and a wonderful chance to champion the wonderful Godstowe name and offering and share good ideas and practice.

Have a wonderful weekend and look forward to seeing you at the array of school events next week. Exciting times lie ahead for us all…