The ‘power of praise’ and simply ‘going the extra mile’ for others has a hugely positive impact. This term all the staff at Bushey Meads have worked so hard to once again adapt so proficiently to the latest twists and turns of government policy and yet have always been there for those students who need the support the most, whether attending school for face to face lessons or learning remotely at home.

As reported widely in the media , this term Ofsted has never received so many positive messages of thanks and praise from parents and carers and our experience here at Bushey Meads has been the same. We have been overwhelmed with the many superb weekly emails from so many parents, genuinely grateful for what we as a school have stood for and delivered, even in these hugely challenging times.

Every week we have received so many messages thanking staff for what they have done to provide that invaluable support. We have clearly not been able to publish all of them, but every week we have tried to provide a sample. Here are just three received last week from the many messages sent in:

Hello All,

Thank you very much for the lovely postcards from Pastoral Support and French recently – great to hear your encouraging words. It was also good for my son to get student of the week recently as he’d never got it before and I know he was keen to get it one week! Moving to daily live online lessons has made a real difference to him and therefore our lives too. He is much happier and it makes these dreary, cold Winter days go much faster. Thank you to all staff for handling the new things that Covid has thrown at them – it can’t be easy alongside adjusting to all the other everyday privations we must endure. This week it’s also been good to hear that he has joined the CDC time every morning, although I wish he would join in verbally and not just via message, but he tells me that’s what everyone does! I’m often in the kitchen nagging him to turn his microphone on (to no avail). Have a good weekend. Best Wishes

Year 9 Parent

Dear Mrs Goldie

Thank you very much for your email. I am delighted that my son is putting so much effort into his studies, despite the lockdown. However, I would also like to congratulate all the staff at BMS. Without everyone working so tirelessly, compassionately and committedly, my son and all the other students would not be able to achieve. I am so grateful that he is a pupil at Bushey Meads. Best wishes to you all

Year 7 Parent

Dear Mr Turner,

I hope this finds you well. Thank you again for your understanding when I messaged you in December. After a very tough few weeks in hospital, including almost two weeks in ICU, thankfully, my son’s dad was discharged and is continuing his recovery at home. Please can I pass on my thanks to all of my son’s teachers delivering ‘live’ on-line lessons. This has really made a difference, giving the school day structure and regular interaction which is incredibly important and very helpful. Kind regards,

Year 10 Mother

I do hope you enjoyed reading them. As always I would like to thank all staff for their hard work and commitment and also thank our amazing parents for going the extra mile to pass on their messages of gratitude and thanks – they have meant so much to us all throughout this challenging half term.