Dear Parents,
The Beacon Boy mind is always ticking over; thinking critically, creatively and reflectively about life at school, and how one can improve and make things even more interesting and enjoyable. A fine example of that this week when Henry Butts and Barney Gibson (both Year 8) approached me about their idea for a ‘Beacon Book of Records’. The obvious sporting records – 100m, long jump, high jump etc – would go in there, alongside some more team-based records, most goals/tries/runs in a season, biggest margin of victory against Davenies, that sort of thing. They also suggested broadening this out to ‘Most Books Read in a Year’, ‘Largest Attendance at Speech Day’, ‘Quickest Solution of a Rubik’s Cube’ and ‘Record Recital of Digits of Pi’ (which stands at 221 and held by David Ife (GBR) in 2023) amongst others; the lists and possibilities are endless in a school where there is so much scope and areas of the boys’ daily life to champion. I’m looking forward to working with Henry and Barney on their Beacon Book of Records and with so many to establish, this year in itself will no doubt be a year when ’The Most Beacon Records in a Year’ is set. And of course, a Beacon Boy will always think outside the box…after launching the annual ‘Biggest Beacon Conker’ in Assembly on Monday (currently held by Geraint Jones (WAL) with 4.4cm), Bertie Hewitson (5R) asked me if I would consider an alternative ‘Smallest Beacon Conker’ as all the conkers he had found so far had been tiny. No problem Bertie, House Point for the smallest as well as the biggest this year…
Tomorrow we will set the Record for ‘Highest Attendance at Beaconfest’ when over 750 of our community will descend on Willsfield for what promises to be another superb event. My thanks, as always, to Faye Hedges and Jas Birha, and the BPS committee, who have worked tirelessly and catered for every level of interest. These events rely entirely on our parent volunteers and, on behalf of our entire community, I thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to enabling such a vibrant and colourful experience for our Beacon boys and parents. There is, however, no such thing as ‘too much help’ when it comes to facilitating Beaconfest, Christmas Fair, Quiz Night, Summer Ball etc., so please do offer your help if you can do so; it will be much appreciated by me and the BPS, and ensure that our portfolio of events get bigger and better, with monies raised and social engagement Records beaten year on year. Thank you for your support.
See you on Willsfield!
Nick Baker