Last term, we challenged our boys to take part in a new Future Skills competition. The competition encouraged boys to engage with the school’s values, which lie at the heart of our Future Skills curriculum, by writing a short piece about a time when someone in their family demonstrated, exemplified and embodied one of these values.
We are delighted to say that the competition provoked some outstanding responses and inspiring stories. Many boys chose to write about their inspiring relatives. We heard about a family member with autism who shines through her difficulties. A cousin who shows endeavour along with many other incredible attributes. Born with cerebral palsy, which left him unable to communicate via speech, he, nonetheless, learnt to use his eyes, with the aid of technology, to write a stunning memoir, Eyes Can Write (which we encourage you to read). He also set up the charity ‘Teach Us Too’.
Grandparents also featured heavily. We heard tales of the grandad who defused explosives underneath Benouville Bridge during Operation Overlord in World War Two. His story sat alongside more homespun accounts of a grandpa, dubbed ‘Captain Kindness’, who raised money for charity and was Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. A grandmother who, despite living on her own, helps her neighbours and devotes time to charity. Her grandson felt she deserved the Endeavour Cup!
Brothers and sisters featured, too, for doing great work for charity or showing remarkable resilience when things do not go their way. And a mother running a marathon to raise money for vital causes – one of the best told accounts.
“A huge well done to all of those boys who entered the competition and thank you for letting us read your remarkable stories. It was a pride and honour to award the prizes to the boys this term and share their wonderful stories of family heroes in assembly.”
The Winners
Endeavour
- Ben Zanna
- Jeremy Dunn
- Xavier Clark
- Jo Lucas
- Sam Morgan
Kindness
- Isaac Ferguson
- Shray Garara Patel
Integrity
- Gabriel Roberts
Curiosity
- Muhammad Umar