Head’s Blog: Rewarding Attitudes

I have three school-age children and when I attend their parents’ evenings there are a couple of things I really care about. I want to know that they are safe and happy in school and I want to know that they have a good attitude. None of us can do much to change our innate ability, except work hard and try our best. That is what I want for my children and it is what I want for students at Fearnhill.

Celebrating students

We have reflected recently that there is more we could do to celebrate students who give their best effort every lesson in school. Inevitably, these students can end up receiving less attention because they do not cause any trouble, but they deserve to have their efforts celebrated.

Student of the lesson

Every lesson reward points are issued by each teacher to their ‘Student of the Lesson’. This is a student who has displayed an especially good effort in lesson. It is not given out to students because they get the highest score in a test, or because they are better at that subject. It is given to a student who has demonstrated the qualities of a Fearnhill Student; someone who is kind, confident, resilient and self-aware.

Hot chocolate Friday

Each week teachers also nominate a student who they think demonstrates an excellent attitude consistently. Teachers cite their reasons for nominating students and I meet with 4 or 5 on a Friday morning for a cup of hot chocolate and to say thank you for their contribution to school life. It is uplifting and inspiring to spend time with students who are striving to do so well. We have more celebration events planned, including subject awards and our whole school end of year celebration assembly with rewards for students who have excelled in their attitude throughout the year.

Having the right attitude

I want Fearnhill to be a school where students know that effort and attitude will be rewarded and celebrated. I want students to see the value of trying hard now as well as in the future. And we do care more about attitude than ability. In the end having the right attitude is much more likely to lead to success and healthy relationships in the long run. Talent can be wasted, but a good attitude never is. I would like to congratulate all our students who are showing an improvement in their attitude day in and day out.

Tim Spencer, Headteacher