By Richard Smith, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Are you a Thermometer or Thermostat?
Last week, we were delighted to welcome our pupils back into school for the start of the new academic year. Fresh from long holidays, and on a sunny morning, they arrived back into school looking neat and ready and keen for the term ahead. As they filed into the hall for the first Whole School Assembly of the term, I talked to them about the school’s culture of Grace and Gratitude.
Some of our pupils are new to the school and we know that some of their excitement at starting at Thames Christian may well have been mixed with ‘new school’ nerves about settling in, making new friends, and how best to get involved in school life.
This mixture of feelings is entirely normal and we are well-used to it. As the days pass, we anticipate that for nearly all of them, their feelings of comfort will grow and that any nerves or tension will fade. We say this with confidence because what’s great about our school is its strong and established sense of community and a culture based on Grace and Gratitude.
A culture of grace
Our culture of Grace is rooted in how we treat each other: we create a nurturing environment where pupils feel welcome, safe and free to learn, to try out new activities and to make mistakes and learn from them along the way. Our school is an environment that lifts people up, where we help them to be who they want to be. It’s not something artificially imposed but is a natural and enduring culture enjoyed by students and staff alike. It is manifest in our house system; our regular school assemblies; the Forest Room where pupils who need a quiet place can relax and have a place to go; in our mentoring of Year 7 pupils by sixth formers or perhaps even some words of wisdom or gentle encouragement by a teacher. And our pupils all learn very quickly that they will be known, cherished and valued here for who and what they are by their teachers, tutors and the pastoral team.
A culture of gratitude
An equal partner in our culture is Gratitude, which is about how we appreciate our school community. A new school and a new school year represents a fresh canvas and our pupils and staff give thanks for those around them who make each and every day go well; and support them on the days that don’t! Our pupils support each other and give space for their peers to succeed and support them when they make mistakes or slip up. Our teachers help instil a sense of gratitude for the talents and skills they help each student to nurture.
Thermometer or thermostat – the vital difference!
To go back to the original title, the answer and the call to action that lies within the question is this: thermometers simply measure the temperature, nothing more or less. They are helpful in what they do but they don’t influence or change the ambience when it gets too hot or too cold. On the other hand, thermostats regulate, influence, change and correct the ambience – they can raise it up, or let it drop a little so that it is well-regulated and constant.
I encourage all our pupils to be more like thermostats in school every day and demonstrate a collective commitment to allow the school ambience to be constant, so that everyone thrives well together in a spirit of Grace and Gratitude. We were delighted that this culture was recognised in the Independent School of the Year Awards this summer, with Thames commended for student wellbeing.
