It was very apt for Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form Miss Silla to be taking the main school assemblies this week on the theme of independence – a core value and character trait that is inculcated in our students as we prepare them to take up a place in the superb sixth form that Miss Silla oversees so superbly at Bushey Meads School.

She provided a number of very memorable examples of how we all develop and see first hand independence developing, both in and out of school and reminded all students that, with growing independence must come growing responsibility. As Socrates said “To find yourself, think for yourself”.

As parents and carers do encourage your children to read regularly and independently, to make the most of their study periods if they are Sixth Form students and always respond in DIRT (Dedicated Independent Reflection Time) which is built in to lessons after most major marking and assessment opportunities in school.

Miss Silla told an inspirational story about the footballer Jack Collison who grew up in the local area and ended up playing for West Ham. At the end of his football career he made the most of his new found independence and went to university to gain a degree in Sports Journalism and then set up his own very successful football coaching company.

She ended the assembly with some powerful words from Kim John Payne: