In main school assemblies this week delivered by Assistant Headteacher Miss Silla, we were powerfully reminded of the importance of giving and gaining respect. Miss Silla asked who we most respect in life and suggested that whoever we were thinking of, they probably had two main character traits – care and competence; in other words, high levels of both warmth and skill.

She quoted her inspirational mother and talked about the powerful influence she has had on her own life and that of her family and also shared some lovely pictures of her nephews and nieces, using them to illustrate how we all develop different and greater levels of confidence as we grow older.

It all starts with self-respect and, until we can respect ourselves, we cannot truly become the successful people we aspire to be. A timely reminder of the importance of being respectful online was provided – every post and comment we make online is there forever and, if we are not careful, it can come back to bite us in later life.

She connected her assembly theme to our Keys to Success and school mantras of Our School Has a Mind to Be Kind and Aspire to Achieve. Using ‘One Voice’ in the classroom, attending school every day, being punctual to school and all lessons and just simply working hard are all signs of respect and, the more we cultivate these character traits, the more successful we will be.

Her powerful assemblies made for a very positive and inspiring start to our days in school this week.