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| 13th November 2020 |
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Dear <<First Name>>,
The view from the study
The children have been back ‘on show’ as we continue to search hard for all opportunities to offer variety and challenges within the guidance.
Recent opportunities have included: matches against Merchiston Castle, internal ‘Test series’ of Scarlets v Saltires, individual and collaborative musical performances, an increasing focus on drama productions as deadlines loom large, Halloween and Bonfire night celebrations and, most importantly of all, two Remembrance services.
It has been wonderful to see the children’s response to these opportunities. In every respect, they have risen to the challenge – they have been brave and passionate, excited yet controlled and, at the right moment, reflective and respectful.
It is in our ability to encourage this range of emotional responses that we must judge ourselves as a school as we prepare them for the next stage of their lives. I am very proud of what they have achieved over this past fortnight.
With best wishes,
Olly Langton |
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Welcome to the Fourth Eagle's Eye!
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| This has been a momentous fortnight in this strangest of all years. Read about some of the variety and challenges we've been offering despite the restrictions... |
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| Moments of 'Collective Stillness' |
| At our Remembrance Services |
On Sunday 8th and Wednesday 11th November, Belhaven held two very special services of Remembrance. Mr Ellison masterminded these important occasions with a great eye for detail and the very highest of standards. Everyone responded magnificently.
The choir sang the Taize Refrain, Hurford’s ‘Litany of the Holy Spirit’ and Fauré’s ‘Pie Jesu’; Harry Hawkins and Beetle Bucher piped ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Amazing Grace’; Mrs Parks played her violin (she takes her Grade 8 later this term – good luck!) in solo on Sunday and also as part of the excellent String Ensemble on Wednesday.
We streamed and recorded Sunday’s service and Fraser Stewart took some photographs of Wednesday. I hope that you enjoy seeing these on the website. As he builds his store of photos to mark ‘A Year at Belhaven’, it strikes me that there are few more important events to record than this annual moment of collective stillness.
I cannot overstate how impressed I was with the children’s response to the solemnity of both occasions. |
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| What a Sight! |
What a sight Halloween was! Thank you very much for all of the support that you gave in sending the children back with some truly terrifying costumes and raising over £100 for Shelter in the process.
We also held a scaled-back Bonfire Night – we decided against fireworks in the circumstances but went all out on the bonfire, which was enormous, and the toffee apples, which were deliciously sticky.
Thank you to Alex the groundsman, to Mr Townshend the pyromaniac and the Reynolds family for the sparklers! |
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| Form 6 Perform ‘The History of Belhaven’ |
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Miss Kidd hosted a very insightful assembly in which Form 6 reminded us all of the history of the school. We heard about the minimal heating and irregular bathing – the robust approach to morning exercise and the lack of quarter given to parents who had the temerity to enquire as to the comfort levels of their children.
There was some excellent acting on display as well as some wonderful photographs of Belhaven through the ages. It is our intention to celebrate each decade of life at the school in detail as we approach the Centenary and Form 6 have provided much inspiration!
Robyn Middlemass then sang a beautiful rendition of Sarah McLachlan’s ‘When She Loved Me’. I am always incredibly impressed by anyone brave enough to sing a solo in front of a large audience; these solo performances will become a regular feature of life at Belhaven as we look to give the children a platform to develop their confidence. |
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| Christine Celebrates 40 Years |
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The wonderful Christine has worked at Belhaven for 40 years this year, and continues to be at the very heart of the warmth and care that is such a hallmark of the School.
The children and parents of last year’s Form 1 had combined to provide a present for her in recognition of her extraordinary service to Belhaven but were sadly unable to present it due to lockdown, so I was delighted to be able to ask Forms 1 and 2 to surprise Christine at the end of lunch with a beautiful bunch of flowers and a cheque.
These will allow Christine to treat her own family to a fantastic tea in the same way as she has treated hundreds and hundreds of Belhaven families over the past four decades.
Thank you Christine! |
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Watch the Scarlets v Saltires.
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| The Return of Competitive Sport |
| Nurturing Passion & Spirit |
The last two weeks have seen the fields come alive with the passion and spirit inspired by competition as various incarnations of Scarlets v Saltires have risen from the slumber of the lockdown period.
The Under 11 rugby has been particularly fearsome and I hope that you enjoy a few clips of the action, accompanied by Beetle’s piping.
Senior boys' and girls’ teams and two Under 11 boys’ teams played hockey against Merchiston Castle - it was great to feel the buzz provided by external competition ringing around the school and we hope to arrange some more fixtures in the near future.
This week's quizz question is: What two sports are mentioned in Mr Wilson's U11 report on their match against Merchiston? |
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| Fitness & Gym Equipment Appeal |
| For the New Injury Rehabilitation & Sports Development Area |
We would like to develop the mezzanine floor of the Sports Hall into an injury rehabilitation and sports development area.
William Townshend expands on his idea in more detail on the website, but please do let us know if you might have any spare gym equipment that we might be able to use to supplement our offering.
We would be particularly keen to hear from you if you have a rowing or running machine that is not currently in use! And a Peloton Bike, of course! |
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| Diary Dates |
| Welcome Distractions! |
Saturday 21st November: Sponsored walk in aid of ‘The Great Green Wall’. We have raised almost £900 already, which is nearly halfway to our target, so thank you very much! More details...
Journey Breakers: we very much hope that these PTFA-run events will return in 2021.
Christmas @ Belhaven: full details will be available soon via the website and in the next Eagle's Eye – we will involve you as best we can in our festive plans! |
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