Animal Behaviours
Published on: Friday, January 28, 2022
Almost inevitably this week’s scrawl will have some influence from life with covid.
One consequence to see would stand inclusion in one of David Attenborough’s natural history programmes. At break times, if you lurk furtively (if they see you they won’t perform in the same way) near the inner quad, or by the West Wing arch you can observe the four-times daily behaviour of the King’s Hall supportive friend. This animal can be seen gathering in groups and collectively they crane their necks up towards the windows of the rooms where those boarders with covid not able to be off site are isolating. There follows an unintelligible exchange of noises and gesticulations that are meaningless to any human over the age of 20 but it seems to make them all happy.
Very tentatively, it feels as if we may be at or just over the worst as a school (with boarding and staff still taking a bit of a hit) so fingers crossed that a calm, quiet weekend will aid the pace of recovery for us all. I hope you enjoy some rest at home.
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Our Turn
Published on: Friday, January 21, 2022
This was the week when covid came to town. Last term saw many schools struck in October and some in November/December – our turn has come in January. Who knows how long it will continue to have an impact here but we will continue to maintain a patient, upbeat, tolerant, pragmatic and serene outlook as we respond to the situation.
As ever, the staff have been magnificent and their level of engagement and communication with the children not in school has been terrific. The children have been very sensible and thank you to those who are supporting isolating family members at home for making it possible.
I have been in a few lessons via Teams myself and it is always interesting to see the profile pics or images that children use. There are often sports heroes, Marvel characters, animals, cartoons but this week I came across one child using cheese for theirs. I only saw what looked to me like cheddar but was told it was Wensleydale, and, furthermore, I was informed that the choice of cheese in the pic cycled through a few different varieties. I might have to dig some out myself this evening.
A weekend with no activities, fixtures or boarding is very welcome at this time and I hope everyone hunkers down and has a good rest before we see what next week brings.