Leadership Likes: Dr Purvis
This week Dr Purvis discusses the importance of practice...
Read MoreWeekly News
Find out what is happening at Croydon High this week.
The Importance of Practice
In a society where time has become scarce, people are no longer willing to wait for anything. Today, retailers have no choice but to adapt to the new cultural need for immediacy. And so, they have developed new solutions such as same-day delivery, real-time updates, no shipping delays, and one-click information access, among others.
The urge to share, the desire to get anything anywhere at any time and the instinct to instantly find information are consumer shifts that mobile devices have clearly intensified. Texting, multimedia messaging, and mobile web browsers have dramatically whetted the collective appetite for getting what we want when we want it– and when we want it is now. The culture of the ‘everywhere-anytime’ access to the internet offers ever more opportunities for consumers to get what they desire simply, rapidly, and seamlessly.
Against this backdrop, popular culture tells us that often success (of sorts) can be instantaneous, though, of course, we do not often see all the things that have led up to a particular person achieving success in their chosen field. We are not shown the practice, the preparation, the practical and psychological support that a person gets, and the personal drive to succeed and get better. Instead, we are presented with a packaged and often rather anesthetised version of success, which people often seek to replicate by skipping the unseen factors that led to it. What we are seeing is only the tip of the metaphorical iceberg.
I write my latest Leadership Likes blog just as the school embarks on its annual round of internal examinations. While the results of these examinations provide an important indicator of learning over the course of the academic year, they also serve a much more prosaic function: they provide a crucial opportunity for pupils to practise revising for and taking assessments. Crucially, success in GCSE and A levels stands on the shoulders of such internal formal and informal assessments, which provide a chance to practise revision and recall and apply knowledge and skills to unfamiliar situations under pressure. We should not overlook the rich opportunity to practise provided by assessments, and yet so often, we do so as we focus on the outcome rather than the process.
But what is this mystical art of practice? Practice, in the broadest sense of the term, is simply an activity that you repeat regularly. Sometimes we repeat activities consciously, e.g. ‘I practise swimming five times a week.’ But one might practise some activities unconsciously: is eating a conscious practice? Walking? Cooking? What about sleeping?
We are practising all the time, whether we know it or not. That is why practice is so important. Even when we are not actively engaged in an activity, our brain is still absorbing, processing and, ultimately, learning. Just think about those times you took a few days off from something and suddenly got better. We are always learning, even in our downtime. So, we might as well make the most of our time and practise effectively when we can do so.
Practice is also concerned with ‘the absorption, mastery and maintenance of skills.’ This is how most people think about practice. There is an element of improvement. How quickly we can improve and what direction the improvements take us is the essential question for anyone who does something regularly, especially where the potential stakes are high, as is the case for public examinations.
Focusing on what we want to learn and improve upon is the best way to practise effectively. Imagine if you are jumping around from random skill to random skill – think of how much longer it will take you to master each item. It is certainly good to mix it up and even take breaks. But there comes a point where practice can become too scattered to be beneficial. That is why schools provide an opportunity to practise taking assessments regularly.
At this juncture, it is important to note that while education is so much more than assessment, assessment acts as a gatekeeper to educational progress, and every school wants to make pupils find it as easy as possible to open the metaphorical gate to whatever future they want.
The upcoming internal assessments should be configured as a means to an end, a method of preparation through practice, rather than an end in itself. Alongside class-based assessment opportunities, these internal assessments form part of a long process of trying out and tweaking study and revision habits and of building a level of resilience which can be put to good use when the public examinations come closer into view. Importantly, then, we should all encourage pupils to try to keep a sense of perspective as they finalise their examination preparations. As they do so, remind them that practice does not always make you perfect, but it definitely makes you better.
Dr Purvis
Deputy Head (Academic)
Our Juniors have been getting into nature and have been awarded the RSPB Wild certificate.
Read MoreCroydon High Junior School is pleased to announce that we were awarded the RSPB Wild Challenge Bronze Certificate during the Easter holidays. During Science week, the girls in every year group from Nursery to Year 6 took part in a range of challenges, experiencing nature and helping nature. It was wonderful to watch the girls so engrossed in the activities on the school grounds and we are looking forward to seeing Nursery’s wild garden growing and Reception’s mini beast hotels developing. Well done to all the girls in the Juniors-another small step in helping to save the planet!
Mrs Wragg
Year 1 Class Teacher & Science Coordinator
Our Crystal Ivies celebrated the time they have spent at Croydon High with a special lunch and visit back to where it all began!
Read MoreCrystal Ivies is the name we give to the girls who have been at Croydon High since either Nursery or Reception right through until the Upper Sixth. This year’s Crystal Ivies are Tay, Sarena, Ivana, Finty, Shayna, Avani, Sajni and Bethany. Tay and Serena report on their special lunchtime celebration…
This Tuesday eight of the sixth formers who have been here since nursery/reception were able to take a trip back to their junior school lives. (Karen Roe, Alumna Relations Manager)
“We had the opportunity to have lunch with not just Mrs Pattison but some familiar faces that made our journey. We were joined by Mrs Pickett, Mrs Grinham and Mrs Raja and spent the time reminiscing about our time in junior school including our favourite trips, plays and admitting some embarrassing moments!
After lunch (and several photos later) we travelled the short distance to Juniors. We were greeted by nursery who were excited to sing the ‘5 ladybirds’ song. Seeing everything so miniature made us feel like giants and we were beyond jealous of the lifestyle of a nursery. After playing some more, we took a tour around the school, which took a while considering all the memories that we had. Walking around the school made us feel old as we remembered looking up to the sixth formers as being grown-ups.
We were lucky to run into Mr Garrard, the songs he taught us remain close to our hearts and we were tempted to break out into song the minute we saw him.
Looking around the school, made us appreciate the changes and improvements the school has made but there were still elements of our experience that remained.
We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to revisit our time at Croydon High Junior School and a huge thank you to all the teachers who have been part of our journey and who have put this afternoon together.
We look forward to seeing the future of Croydon High.”
Tay and Sarena
Upper Sixth students
On Thursday 28th April, the school hosted an Iftar celebration for years 7-13 (and their families). Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan when Muslims are fasting, but you did not have to be fasting or be Muslim to come.
At around 7:45, everyone arrived in the Senior School Hall, where a few of the older pupils talked about what Ramadan meant to them. When it was 8:25 (the time the sun set that night) everybody queued up for dinner before they started eating. Afterwards, prayer mats were set out in the drama studio for those who wanted to pray.
We all had an amazing time and would like to thank Mrs Bhugalee for organising this wonderful event. Hopefully, more people will come next year as well and experience the wonderful time that we had.
By Holly I (7S), Aleena B (7S) and Hannah J (7H)
I absolutely loved the iftar celebration event, I had the opportunity to talk about Islam with my Muslim and non-Muslim peers and it was eye-opening to hear my peers’ experiences with Ramadan. I really enjoyed breaking my fast and eating iftar with the people around me, it was great to hear their perspectives on Ramadan too.
Tania Z (Y9)
Last Wednesday, we welcomed author Patrice Lawrence to Croydon High for a talk and workshops.
Read MoreLast Wednesday, we welcomed the brilliant Patrice Lawrence to Croydon High. During the workshops and lunchtime talk, Patrice spoke with passion and honesty about her own reading and writing journey, describing with great insight how it felt to never see anyone who looked like her reflected in the books she read when she was growing up.
She also brought along the diary she kept when she was thirteen and treated us to some of her teenage musings, which had us all laughing and wanting to crawl under our chairs with shared embarrassment.
Patrice’s generosity continued with her invitation to the students to ask her questions, any questions they wanted, which they duly took her up on.
It was a wonderful day with a truly inspiring writer that left us all buzzing with thoughts and ideas. A testament to the incredible power of stories. Thank you Patrice!
Ms Tapsfield
Learning Resource & Innovation Hub Manager
We hosted a breakfast for those students who are interested in studying Social Sciences.
Read MoreOn Thursday morning, Year 10 and Lower Sixth pupils interested in studying Social Sciences were joined by Maria Villares-Varela, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Admissions Tutor from the University of Southampton, for a Social Sciences breakfast. While pupils enjoyed croissants and juice, Maria talked about the different course options available in Social Sciences, including Sociology and Criminology, and about what it’s like to study Social Sciences at university. Pupils also heard about the wide-ranging careers that would be open to them with a Social Sciences degree. Maria gave us some excellent book recommendations to find out more about Sociology and Criminology, and we will be adding copies to the library.
Mrs Humphrey
Head of Progression & Futures
This week we celebrated 10 years of Little Ivy’s Stay and Play and we were delighted to welcome back retired Junior School Head, Liz Wilson – who oversaw the toddler group’s launch in 2012 – back to the school for the celebrations.
Parents, grandparents, and toddlers joined the anniversary event, and some new faces were treated to a joyous first session as the school celebrated with tea, coffee, cake and a cheerful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. And every birthday party needs presents, so it was the perfect opportunity for the school to gift Little Ivy’s a new changing table, which was happily received.
Mrs Raja hosted the festivities alongside Little Ivy’s coordinator Anita Reeves and it was a wonderful celebration of this integral Croydon High offering and its important role in supporting families in the local community over the last decade. Our thanks to everyone for all the hard work that goes into making Little Ivy’s ‘ the best toddler group in the area’ but especially to Anita who works tirelessly to devise creative and stimulating activities in a warm and welcoming environment. Liz Wilson was clearly delighted to see how Little Ivy’s has grown, saying:
“It was a real treat and privilege to come today. Thank you so much for inviting me and for remembering the small part I played in setting it up all those 10 years ago.
I was so impressed with the way that the session ran. It wasn’t just an opportunity for parents and their lovely little ones to come to meet, which is vital in itself, but It was structured with a wonderful choice of activities. It also enabled the parents to meet together, but also to spend time with their own child away from home where other demands often take over. I was so impressed with Anita who is clearly putting so much thought and preparation into each session.
It’s such a wonderful space and fantastic that Croydon High, namely all of you are making this facility available to parents in the community.”
Happy Birthday, Little Ivy’s!
Thanks all
Mrs Cook
Director of Philanthropy and External Relations
It is time to start thinking about nominations for Alumna of the Year 2022 and with plenty of inspirational Alumnae, we would love for you to all get involved.
Read MoreWe are now looking for nominations for the GDST Alumna of the Year 2022. The competition was launched over ten years ago to recognise and reward the many varied achievements of our alumnae.
If the person you nominate has succeeded in any of the following, they will have a good chance of making the
shortlist:
Click here to nominate – closes Saturday 14 May.
Episode #18 – Our guest this week on Raise Her Up is Kate Muir, producer of the Channel 4 documentary Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause, which has been viewed over 2.5 million times. Last autumn Kate was part of a #MakeMenopauseMatter rally in Parliament Square supporting the Menopause Bill to demand free prescriptions for HRT in England. Her book Everything You Need to Know About Menopause (but were too afraid to ask) came out in January.
Kate joins us to explain why we should all be talking about menopause, as well as giving us an insight into her follow-up documentary on menopause at work. A must-listen for the whole family: mums, dads, daughters and sons. Davina McCall: Sex, Mind & The Menopause aired on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday 2nd May.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.
Our School Minibus service offers an efficient and flexible option designed to help families with journeys to and from school. Minibus travel is offered to pupils in Year 3 and up.
The service is managed on our behalf by Vectare, a specialist school transport management company. All bookings for our school bus routes are made via our online booking system, which can be accessed at croydonhigh.vectare.co.uk.
The website allows you to book travel 24/7 from anywhere, meaning that if you need to leave early for work one morning or are running late and you would like one of our students to travel on a school bus as a one off, you can make a booking right up until the route is due to depart. Payment for the school bus service is made at the time of booking, so there is no need for pupils to carry cash.