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This term, as all our terms, has been action packed and it has flown by. We had many new faces join our school community, but within a few days it felt like they had always been here. Welcoming new children and families and ensuring that they feel a part of our loving and kind community is something that all our children and teachers strive for, and it is something that I believe we are very good at. Two of these new faces included school guinea pigs, named by the children, Jeff and Nugget. They were a brilliant surprise and they have become very loved. I think that they have received more cuddles and treats than any other guinea pigs in Sussex!
On the first Saturday of the academic year, we opened our doors to lead a day entitled, ‘Their Finest Hour.’ This is a University of Oxford project that aims to collect and digitally archive the everyday stories and objects of the Second World War that have been passed down from generation to generation. The day was a huge success, with over 100 people in attendance including BBC Radio Sussex, the Deputy Mayor of Worthing, Ibsha Choudhury, and 36 stories and countless objects being recorded. Lancing Brass of the Royal British Legion came along to play second world war-themed music and Worthing Society came to speak with people about the history and architectural amenities of Worthing and the surrounding area. We met many wonderful people and heard some touching stories. One that particularly affected us was that of a lady called Margaret, who brought along a photo that was taken in 1942 with her sister, Eileen. In the photograph they were wearing dresses that their mother had made from the parachute that saved an airman’s life.
Our usual traditions continued this term with pupil party nights and a fabulous firework display to mark bonfire night, organised by the LPWA. Our parents’ association work tirelessly to support extracurricular activities for all our pupils and we are extremely grateful to them.
The whole school celebrated Harvest. Even the two-year-olds in our Nursery performed in the Pre-Prep festival. Their singing and performances were so confident and quite magical. The Prep pupils’ service at St Mary’s Church was beautiful and so jam packed that we had parents having to stand outside! All our families gave very generously to the collection that supports a local homeless charity, Turning Tides.
On the same day all pupils wore some red to Show Racism the Red Card, the largest UK anti-racism educational charity, and in November we celebrated diversity and individuality with Odd Socks Day.
We held a moving Remembrance Service in our Thursday Eucharist, led by Father Justin, where pupils read poems and stories. This important occasion was marked with a whole school two-minute silence and two of our pupils represented LPW at the Lancing College Chapel Service.
Like always, we have welcomed many visitors and speakers into the school. Just a few this term have included doctors, dentists, firefighters, Police and Community Support Officers and music scholars from Lancing College. We value introducing our pupils to visitors from a variety of professions, cultures and backgrounds. We believe this promotes real-world experiences, tolerance, diversity and inclusivity, and enriches their educational experience.
Our valued and important Pupil Committees have regularly met this term to make positive change. These include our School Council, Green Team, Anti-Bullying Committee and the LPW Food Committee.
We have had much opportunity for creativity this term too. Our children have been working on a recycling art challenge, pupils created stunning posters and pieces of art to recognise Black History Month and the Prep school pupils began preparing for this year’s whole school production of High School Musical. We were lucky to welcome Laurie Riddiford who played Martha in the UK tour, who led a workshop for the pupils involved.
Before the end of term arrived, we managed to squeeze in a host of Christmas celebrations too. The nativities were delightful and the hard work that had gone into them by the children and their teachers was evident. Our Prep school pupils returned to Lancing College Chapel for our carol service, where they never fail to impress.
Finally, throughout term time we share a Word of the Week (WOW) with the children that is presented in every classroom, and they are encouraged to introduce it into their vocabulary and into their writing. This term, i keep going back to one of these words; Melorism (noun) - the belief that the world can be made better by human effort. All our children have thrown themselves into school life. Both inside and outside of this school, LPW children frequently and diligently demonstrate our school aims, to Love Learning, to Be Kind and to Go Out into the World and Do Good. They all do this, and I feel immensely proud of them.
Mrs Milling, Head