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To be a Pilgrim … is to express yourself, Episode 16
More than a calendar month in, this lockdown feels as if it has been quite long now. I want to pay tribute to our boys, parents and all the teachers for your effort, hard work, resilience, positivity and sheer determination to keep learning and teaching going and get our wonderful school through lockdown. Those of you parents who are medics and are working so hard to help all of us through this pandemic, thank you – thank you for your enormous care and dedication!
I think most of us are having to dig deep, in this lockdown and during The Pilgrims’ Virtual School, in a way that is not easy. Well done. Thank you. Keep up the amazing work! Together we will learn and succeed. We will continue to look after each other. One of the most important things I have learnt at this time is to celebrate and savour the small but good things that could easily pass us by. I encourage you to recognise those small moments that happen every day and celebrate them. Whether it might be the sun coming out, bird song, your friend’s smile on Zoom, a good book, singing your favourite song at the top of your voice in the shower, a joke or a card trick (Pilgrims love those after all) – celebrate small joys!
This week, it has been Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week. As part of our activities to promote good mental health, we were thrilled to welcome Lorraine Lee, the parenting expert with a background in child psychology, Positive Parenting and child development, to The Pilgrims’ Virtual School last night. Her theme was Managing Strong Emotions (from the children) during Homeschooling. A hundred parents attended on Zoom as she shared stories of parenting in lockdown that were so relatable to; her presentation was packed full of tools we can all use starting today and all underpinned by an intuitive understanding of human behaviour based on brain chemistry. Thank you, Lorraine, for a wonderful and incredibly helpful session!
As I mentioned last week, the theme of Children’s Mental Health Week this year is ‘Express Yourself’. Mr Shroff has written and spoken about why self-expression can help promote good mental health as one shares one’s feelings and emotions. The boys have been working all week on this topic in assemblies, tutor group sessions and in a number of lessons, to learn more about how to promote their own good mental health and about how expressing themselves through the arts supports it. I talked to the boys on Monday about how expressing themselves builds their self-esteem and counteracts pressure on them from others (friends, family, media) who sometimes tell them what they ought to be, think or look like. We talked about how self-expression can help the boys reflect on their life, their actions, decisions, relationships, beliefs, and thoughts. By expressing themselves thoughtfully, they can better communicate, collaborate and build a community with others. I made it very clear that we are not talking about boys expressing themselves at the expense of others, e.g. arguing with a sibling or refusing to co-operate with parents, but with others as part of understanding each other and getting to know ourselves and each other better.
The arts are a wonderful way for all of us to express our individuality whether that be through writing, music, art, drama, fashion, interior design, gardening, cooking or in other creative pursuits. At times of crisis, there have been many examples of how people come together to express themselves through the arts. For example in the pandemic: 11,000 people sang virtually together last year as part of Gareth Malone’s Great British Chorus which has spun off many other virtual choirs; Grayson’s Art Club on Channel 4 (about to start again) in which 10,000 people sent in their own art and millions of viewers shared in this catharsis of creativity; the BBC Lockdown Orchestra involved 1500 instrumentalists over 10 days in a huge virtual performance; Create Solidarity 2030 Art was a collaboration between the World Health Organisation, Create2030 and a group of international working artists which collaborated to showcase films, music, poetry and visual art about the COVID-19 pandemic. For children who have suffered trauma, there is an amazing programme in New Zealand called Te Rito Toi (the twice born seed), led by Professor Peter O’Connor at the University of Auckland, which uses art to help children when they first return back to school following a traumatic or life-changing event. Mr Shroff was lucky enough to be taught by Professor O’Connor.
As you will see in the articles below, this week our boys have expressed themselves in so many wonderful and creative ways. It has been a joy to hear all about this, to see the pictures and the social media posts (with thanks to teachers and to Mrs Brown). Today the boys are expressing themselves through what they decided to wear to virtual school. We encouraged them to be as creative as they like. Pilgrims, of course, met the challenge head on and had some fun into the bargain! Enjoy.
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The Week Ahead
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Saturday 6 February
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1200
1230
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Drop-in Zoom for parents with Mr Shroff on Wellbeing.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9437395383?pwd=Z0EyQ2VUY3BpY25MVGRUSCtZTGdHZz09
Meeting ID: 943 739 5383
Passcode: Shroffy99
Drop-in Zoom for parents with Dr Essex and Alistair Duncan, Deputy Head (Academic).
https://zoom.us/j/5748915058
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Wednesday
10 February
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1100
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1400
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All Join In!
Pre-Prep Music and Movement event for Nursery and Reception children (boys and girls welcome.)
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Friday 12 February |
1220
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Half-term starts – please note this is 20 minutes later than previously published due to the Virtual School timetable changes.
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1400 |
Half Term assessment cards published |
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w/c 22 February
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All Week - Save the
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e-Safety Workshops with boys, parents, and staff. Details to follow. |
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Artwork of the Week
"My Feelings" by Year 4
This week, I asked Year 3 and 4 to draw their feelings, in keeping with the theme of Children's Mental Health Week.
After watching a short instruction video, I asked the boys to think through their bodies, starting with their toes and ending with their heads. I then instructed them to draw how each part of their body felt in that moment. After 10 minutes of drawing, I invited the boys to explain their drawings to their classmates. As the boys spoke about their work, I was impressed by how naturally they utilised the symbolic power of colour to communicate the complicated sensations we all feel in our bodies, day in and day out. Each colour they used had been carefully selected for its own unique symbolic meaning and this made me feel incredibly proud of these young artists.
Here is a selection of some of these drawings created by the boys of 4M and 4B. Well done, boys! Have a Show Up each for your efforts.
Mr Walters
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School Notices
Free expert advice on guiding your child to a successful career
We are delighted to announce our "Success Beyond School" events for this term: free-of-charge interactive 'Live Online' seminars designed to help parents supercharge their children's career potential. Invitation For Parents: Success Beyond School.
Mrs Bailey
Form of the Week:
Junior - 3G
Senior - 8W
An edible treat will be posted home today!
Junior Plus Badge Winners
Mr Burton
PPA Events - The Summer Ball 2021
Please see the message to parents further down the newsletter.
This includes important information about ticket refunds for the much delayed Pilgrims' Summer Ball 2020 and a link to a form on My School Portal to let us know how you would like to have your tickets refunded.
Alison Karran-Smith, Ball Chair
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05 Feb 2021
The 7S boys and Mr Cuyler have recently explored the paintings of American Realist, Edward Hopper, in their English lessons.
His work often depicted empty or isolated spaces (scarily reminiscent of what we are experiencing at present), that exhibited an almost photographic quality. The aim of thi...
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Year 3 Zoom Show and Tell - with the residents of St John’s Almshouses
On Monday, Year 3 had a zoom call with Reverend Alison and the residents of St John’s Almshouses. It was super to see our friends once again and we all enjoyed an hour of ‘Show and Tell’ with the theme of ‘Things that make us happy’.
As you can imagine, there was a huge variety of items! They ranged from squirty cream (thank you, Zach, for the demonstration) and many very lovable and much loved cuddly toys to guitar and drum playing, Lego and other models, a metal detector, and some brilliant books!
We all agreed that things that make us happy often rekindle fond memories. To that end we saw beautiful amethyst crystal, a picture drawn by a dear friend, a prize given to a lady who spent a very memorable year at a boys’ boarding school during the war, steam trains, and a cherished picture of family.
Naturally, some of the most popular items were pets! Eddie introduced everyone to his parrot, aptly named Cheeky, and Hugo Winward’s dog waited her turn very patiently on his lap!
Mrs Goodthwaite and I agreed that seeing the boys’ smiling faces always makes us very happy indeed!
It was so much fun to see the residents once again and we look forward to another zoom call after half term.
Miss Erasmus
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Accelerated Reader
Reading continues to be a huge strength and interest of the Pilgrims’ boys. The word count for each set continues to rise with a very close competition between the top three places. Week 4 sees Saxons narrowly holding their lead, with strong competition from both the Wrens and the Normans. A good addition from the Monks this week sees them move into 4th place. Come on Romans – we know you are there!
Miss Higham
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05 Feb 2021
The Briggs Virtual Library is open for business and the Book Club is back!
Mrs Brill is delighted to launch this half term’s Book Club, which will focus on Michael Morpurgo. Visit the Briggs Library Virtual Classroom ztpc6rw where you will find links to reading resources...
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The Virtual Briggs Library (Google Classroom code: ztpc6rw)
We continue to hold daily zoom sessions from Monday to Friday, exploring books, reading and illustrations, through chats and activities.
The sessions are open to all pupils and the details are below:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 1300-1330
https://zoom.us/j/93255152765?pwd=M2l3TjJ2WUlnZjRnakYvN2pPSDF2QT09
Meeting ID: 932 5515 2765
Passcode: 013743
Thursday and Friday - 1600-1620
https://zoom.us/j/91972988839?pwd=a2hTUHlhM2NKZm1BcUF6ZHhaZWxTUT09
Meeting ID: 919 7298 8839
Passcode: 181310
Book Club Cake Breaks
We hope that a good number of our pupils will have read some of the Book Club books written by Michael Morpurgo over the past weeks. Cake Breaks this time are not restricted by Year Group, though not all books are suitable to all ages and reading abilities. Further information about the chosen books are in the Virtual Library classroom.
The Book Club’s Virtual Cake Breaks will take place as follows:
Butterfly Lion, Boy Giant and Shadow on Monday 8 February, 1pm
In the mouth of the Wolf and Private Peaceful on Tuesday 9 February 1pm
War Horse and Alone on a Wide Wide Sea on Wednesday 10 February 1pm
Any other of Michael Morpurgo’s books which is not included above on Thursday 11 at 4pm
Mrs Brill
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The Sky at Night - Saturday February 6 and onwards
Jupiter and Venus
There is a great joy to being up early - even in the depths of Winter. None has contradicted this, so perhaps all are in agreement. If so, then there will be special pleasure in the early hours of Thursday February 11, when Venus' closest approach to Jupiter will occur shortly before sunrise. Look just above the east-south-eastern horizon before sunrise for the bright planet positioned just to the lower right of one-sixth as bright Jupiter. Both planets will fit together in the field of view of binoculars or even a small telescope— but take care to put your optics away before the sun rises.
Go for it - again!
Mr Hammond
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Back online for the Quiristers and Chapel Choir
The current national lockdown has meant a return to online rehearsals and singing sessions for the Chapel Choir. Once again, we are having weekly sessions with the Quiristers, organised in year-groups. The focus this term is far more on the theoretical side of things. We are looking at a variety of pieces that ordinarily we would be singing in Chapel – Stanford’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C and Tallis Salvator Mundi to name just two.
I am able to work on these pieces, particularly looking at intervals and rhythm, in a very different way to a ‘live’ rehearsal in Chapel. The boys also have some wonderful performances to watch from other choir and vocal groups. This clip on the Classic FM website of Il Fagolini performing the Tallis has been a clear favourite amongst the Qs!
https://www.facebook.com/ClassicFM/videos/tallis-salvator-mundi/3170624429680072/
The choir are going to be doing some remote recording, as before, and we hope to have a few videos and recordings out shortly after Leave-out.
Mr Ionascu, Director of Chapel Music, Winchester College
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From the Base
Express yourself - Children's Mental health Awareness Week
Self-expression is such an important part of life and good wellbeing. It helps us highlight our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and allows us to build a narrative of our life. Some people express through art forms such as drawing and dance, whilst others through the things they do and what they wear.
Self-expression can also make us a target. Is makes us feel vulnerable, as we 'put ourselves out there'. This is because the world is very good at telling us what we 'should' be or how to behave, think, speak, and act. This constant messaging makes it difficult to feel secure in expressing our true selves.
By expressing ourselves in meaningful ways allows us to live a healthier and happier life. It can relieve stress and improve our mood. It allows us to reflect on what is happening in our lives and to consider our actions and choices for the future. It also allows us to reveal and explore what has happened in the past.
Self-expression also allows us to connect with others, something that has been shown to be very important to good mental health and happiness. By expressing ourselves we communicate - building relationships, and collaborating in ways we would not otherwise be able to do.
We are very lucky at The Pilgrims' School in having fantastic teachers who both teach children some of the skills needed for self-expression, and also teach the importance of it. From Mr Walters in his Art lessons, to Mr du Plessis in the choirs, from Mrs Kent in Reception with squiggle time, to Mr Darlow in his English lessons, the staff here are committed to developing successful AND expressive pupils.
Kia kaha - stay strong.
Mr Shroff
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Mr Armstrong and 5P expressing themselves this morning...
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Teamwork
You may not be a hockey fanatic like me or even a sports fan, but it is difficult not to admire the teamwork that is involved in a first-class sport. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Great Britain Women’s Hockey team created history by winning the Olympic gold medal. The famous saying ‘There is no I in team’ could not be truer and Alex Danson-Bennett, former GB captain, reiterates this when she talks about that gold medal performance: ‘We won Olympic gold because we were a team, there were no superstars’. Teamwork is all about working with others in order to reach a common goal. Being part of a team requires everyone to take responsibility for their own personal role to support their teammates.
I have been part of a team for as long as I can remember. When I was at school, I played many sports, which continued into my adult life, playing netball, hockey and cricket for various clubs and university teams. Now, I tend to focus more on playing hockey, and I am proud to be part of Winchester Hockey Club.
What I enjoy the most about playing hockey is being part of a team and having the sense of community created by teammates, coaches, and supporters. It goes without saying, teamwork is a massive part of the game, players uniting behind a shared goal. It is not only playing the game itself that builds this team ethic, but also the running and organising of a hockey club or even putting on an event.
Being part of the Pilgrims’ community means that we are all part of one big team. Within that one team, there are many ‘sub-teams’; form groups, choirs, sports teams, commoners, to name a few! Like hockey, in all these teams, we have pride in what we do and the quality of our work. We work (and play!) with energy and enthusiasm; we aspire to achieve more than we have done before.
Teamwork is essential, and it teaches us important life skills such as to respect one another, act in unselfish ways, make good decisions on behalf of the team and not cut corners. Not only do these skills benefit the team as a whole, but they help us as individuals; a win-win situation!
This short video clip of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games hockey final highlights demonstrates that teamwork really does make the dream work!
Mrs Goodthwaite
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Virtual Challenges
Firstly, I'd like to extend my thanks and best wishes to Mrs Goodthwaite on behalf of the Sport department. She has been an inspirational teacher and coach, not only as Head of Hockey but in football and cricket too. We will miss her and wish her well!
Don't forget our virtual challenges, details of which are in the PE Google Classrooms. The Set Virtual Running Challenge deadline is next Wednesday.
The Pilgrims Way Virtual Challenge, from here to Canterbury has no time limit. Just log all your distance efforts in an excel or google spreadsheet as you build your way to 214km/133 miles. The Short family are up to 35km with a series of short daily runs - so some way to go yet.
It's also been great to see your photos as you keep fit at home - keep them coming in. Also worth checking out is the Conqueror series of virtual challenges. The Dobsons are 37 miles along the virtual Hadrian's Wall - that's 40% achieved, well done!
Mr Short
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Kitchen Lockdown Returns
Brought to you by the Ford family
KL2.0, Episode 4: Expressing Yourself in the Kitchen for Children's Mental Health Week
In support of Children’s Mental Health Week (CMHW) 2021, Kitchen Lockdown has focussed on some different ways to express yourself in the kitchen. We believe that the kitchen is the most creative space in the home.
This episode includes three ideas that provide the starting blocks for you to run with and create your own success story. They are by no means finished recipes for you to follow but suggestions to guide you... the way the idea becomes a recipe is up to you.
The episode includes: 1) suggestions for breakfast smoothies and juices, 2) suggestions for puff pastry tarts, and 3) suggestions for chocolate fridge cake.
Have a go. Explore your ideas. Express yourself.
And remember, what’s the worst that can happen? You find the bin, learn from your mistake and make something yummy next time.
“Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colours there are only so many flavours – it's how you combine them that sets you apart.” Wolfgang Puck, chef
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Chair design in Design & Technology lessons
Year 7 have been looking at chair design this term, and in particular Marcel Breuer’s Wassily chair. Their task was to design a new chair that could be used for work during the day, comfort in the evening and be used for other things such as eating lunch and dinner.
The boys had to think about what sort of things would someone need during their day? What would the chair need to provide throughout the day? Would it need to make sure that the user took breaks or had snacks easily to hand?
I hope you enjoy looking through these top designs from the three Year 7 classes.
Mr Armstrong
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Debating Commoner
Motion: THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT SAFARIS AND ZOOS ARE NOT GOOD FOR ANIMALS
Proposition : David, William and Ben
Opposition: James, Wilson and James
This week, we had an excellent debate as the Year 8 teams had prepared well, using carefully researched statistics, and they have started to use rebuttal with greater skill. David was the first speaker for the Proposition, and he set the bar high with a wide range of carefully defined points. The Opposition had to work hard to defend the work of zoos and safaris. Still, they did manage to support with strong and interesting facts about the popularity of zoos, their work and protection of animals and the dangers of poaching. James was brave; he spoke for the first time and showed good potential while James K and Wilson improved their confidence and talked at length.
The judges' team was more swayed by the presentations and range of points provided by the Proposition who included drugs and cages as part of their persuasive attack. They had the advantage of passion in this debate, and they worked well as a team. I was pleased to have judges who were in agreement of their result and used the marking criteria well.
All round, the boys have made super improvement in their presentation skills, and they can read less and entertain more; not quite Boris at the Oxford Union but getting there!
Mrs Bailey
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Photography Commoner - ‘Express Yourself’
‘Whatever you do, do it good….EXPRESS YOURSELF' - lyrics from the classic 1970 song, ‘Express Yourself’ (the Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band version, not NWA!).
We hope you enjoy this week’s photographic submissions from the Photography Commoners. I’m sure you agree they are great, and each boy has interpreted the brief with gusto, intelligence, and creativity.
Mr Armstrong
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Community Spirit in Lockdown
George and Teddy pick litter for recycling in their village and Patrick tells us about his litter picking experiences in a short video here.
Great ambassadors, helping wildlife and the countryside. Thank you, boys!
Miss Erasmus
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Lockdown Tutor Group fun
We all wore our choice of hat this morning to express our different personalities. A little light relief during Childrens' Mental Health Awareness week.
Mr Cuyler
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The Pilgrims' Summer Ball - a message from the PPA
I'm sure it will come as no real surprise to hear that we have taken the difficult decision, once again, to postpone the Pilgrims' 2020 Ball. This will come as a blow to many of us for whom the prospect of a relaxing evening with friends was something to look forward to after such a difficult 12 months. Happily, we can confirm the new date for the Pilgrims' Ball is FRIDAY 8 JULY 2022.
Safety has of course been foremost in our minds in taking this decision, but lack of certainty also makes planning such a special event particularly tricky. I'm sure you will agree that by Summer 2022 a school celebration will be even more meaningful.
We completely understand that your circumstances may have changed or that you may no longer be able to come, so we are giving existing ticket holders a choice of what to do with their tickets. Please follow this link to My School Portal (PPA tab, PPA Event Booking forms folder) before 12 February 2021 to choose your preferred option from the following:
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Roll ticket(s) over to the Pilgrims’ Ball 2022 on Friday, 8 July 2022; OR
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Donate the value of my ticket(s) to the Hampshire Medical Fund. Our hope is for Pilgrims’ to raise enough to provide one of the specific pieces of equipment so vitally needed in our local hospitals. We will update you as soon as we know how much has been raised; OR
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Make a smaller donation to the Hampshire Medical Fund and refund the balance of the value of my ticket(s); OR
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Refund the full value of my ticket(s) as a credit on my Summer Term 2021 bill.
Whatever you decide you will, of course, still be invited to buy tickets for the Pilgrims' Ball 2022 in due course.
Thank you for all your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the Pilgrims' Ball. I hope you and your families are safe and well, and I very much look forward to seeing you again once we are all permitted to do so.
With best wishes from Alison Karran-Smith, 2021 Ball Chair
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From Mrs Ross
Thank you to all of the Pre-Prep staff, boys and parents who dressed to express themselves today! We have had a lively, colourful day of fun to conclude our focus upon Mental Health and wellbeing this week.
Just what we all needed! I wish you all a very happy weekend of very precious family time.
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Topic work - Africa
Y2 have been learning about Africa as a continent. Today, with sun hats, sunglasses, factor 50, and insect repellent, they began their journey down the longest river in the world, the River Nile. They encountered elephants drinking on the banks of Lake Victoria before heading off through Uganda and Sudan. Their boat capsized so they had to jump across crocodile heads to reach the Valley of the Kings where they crept inside Tutankhamen's tomb and discovered treasures!
They will continue their journey by boat next week when they will be going on a hippo hunt: they're going to catch a big one, will they be scared?
Mrs Thorne
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This week's Pilgrims’ Shell Award
Year 2 - to Rio Crewe - for impressing Mrs Ross with his hard work and sustained concentration during Virtual School lessons this week.
Year 1 - to William Cole for persevering with his writing even when he found it hard. He showed great spirit and resilience!
Reception - to Teddy for working hard.
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Year 1
Year 1 have certainly helped me maintain positive mental health this week with their amazing dancing skills! As part of our work considering what makes us feel good, the boys took on my dance challenge and we all danced ourselves happy together on Zoom!
The boys then did some independent dancing and sent in their videos on Google Classroom. It was a joy to see them all smiling and moving! As well as this, the boys have been sharing other activities that make them feel good and it has been lovely to see pictures of them doing things that make them happy!
The Critical Worker classroom has experienced great excitement this week whilst celebrating George and Alfred's sixth birthday! Although it was a small celebration, the boys all had fun and certainly enjoyed their very special birthday cupcakes from the Pilgrims' kitchen!
As ever, thank you to the Year 1 parents who continue to support and encourage the boys. I hope that you have also managed to find a moment to something to enhance your positive mental health!
Mrs James
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This week in Maths, the boys have been working hard on measurement, height, length, capacity, and weight.
Much fun was had when making a lighthouse taller than the boys themselves. It is wonderful to see how resourceful they were and especially in allowing older and younger siblings to enter the investigations too. Well done, boys!
Mrs Kent
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This week in Forest School, Year 1 were set the challenge of finding different shapes in their natural environment. The boys went on the hunt for examples of circles, squares, rectangles, triangles and ovals outside. We chatted about the difference between something being man-made or natural and looked at some examples. Have a look at the some of the images and see if you can work out what shapes were found.
In anticipation of the RSPB ‘Big Garden Bird Watch’, Year 2 brushed up on their observation skills and familiarised themselves with the different species of birds that they might see in their garden.
Following on from last week’s lesson on identifying where small animals and insects might hide away during the winter months, we decided that Year R would have a go at creating their very own home for these little creatures. The children used leaves, stones, moss and sticks and twigs to make their new homes.
Mrs Walker
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The Pilgrims' School, 3 The Close, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9LT
01962 854189
pilgrims@pilgrims-school.co.uk; admissions@pilgrims-school.co.uk
  
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