Where are we Where are we heading?heading?Dennis RichardsDennis Richards

Accident and Near Miss Accident and Near Miss NewsNews

Machiavelli QuoteMachiavelli Quote It must be considered that there is nothing It must be considered that there is nothing

more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order, in all those who would profit by the new order, this lukewarmness arising partly from fear of this lukewarmness arising partly from fear of their adversaries, who have the laws in their their adversaries, who have the laws in their favour; and partly from the incredulity, of favour; and partly from the incredulity, of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of new until they have had actual experience of it.it.

Ed Smith, Captain Ed Smith, Captain Middlesex CCCMiddlesex CCC

““A good leader is looking for a trend A good leader is looking for a trend before it’s obvious to everyone else. before it’s obvious to everyone else. Any club, every institution, needs Any club, every institution, needs leadership. leadership.

The very concept of leadership is the The very concept of leadership is the oppositeopposite of management by muddle, of management by muddle, keeping everyone happy for the sake of keeping everyone happy for the sake of it, self protection. You need to be brave it, self protection. You need to be brave as a captain; you need to have self-belief as a captain; you need to have self-belief and a thick skin”.and a thick skin”.

Blueprint for St Aidan’s Blueprint for St Aidan’s EthosEthos

Religious Studies to be a high status, Religious Studies to be a high status, properly funded, properly staffed properly funded, properly staffed “academic” area in its own right on “academic” area in its own right on a par with English and Maths, i.e. a par with English and Maths, i.e. taught across the age and ability taught across the age and ability range to the highest level possible.range to the highest level possible.

Blueprint for St Aidan’s Blueprint for St Aidan’s EthosEthos

Religious Studies personnel to take Religious Studies personnel to take the lead in a large percentage of the the lead in a large percentage of the issues covered by Personal, Social, issues covered by Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education. It Citizenship and Health Education. It gives both areas of the curriculum gives both areas of the curriculum credibility, the staff know what they credibility, the staff know what they are talking about. are talking about.

Blueprint for St Aidan’s Blueprint for St Aidan’s EthosEthos

Ensure the school is looking Ensure the school is looking outwards. In crude terms, “putting outwards. In crude terms, “putting your money where your mouth is”. your money where your mouth is”. Taking on charity commitments till it Taking on charity commitments till it hurts. Emphasize the global hurts. Emphasize the global dimension in the curriculum. dimension in the curriculum. Establish links with other schools Establish links with other schools across the world across the world

Blueprint for St Aidan’s Blueprint for St Aidan’s EthosEthos

Chaplaincy. Have a model which is Chaplaincy. Have a model which is “user-friendly”. A role which “user-friendly”. A role which supports the welfare services in the supports the welfare services in the school rather than threatens school rather than threatens them……them…… educationaleducational pastoralpastoral worshipworship

Blueprint for St Aidan’s Blueprint for St Aidan’s EthosEthos

The individual. Having had a Brethren The individual. Having had a Brethren childhood I understand how easy it is childhood I understand how easy it is and common for children not to like and common for children not to like themselves very much. This is the most themselves very much. This is the most significant task in a faith school. Check significant task in a faith school. Check where the Learning Support where the Learning Support Department is in the school, check Department is in the school, check which teachers are teaching which which teachers are teaching which groups, and above all check where the groups, and above all check where the school is placed in relation to Art, to school is placed in relation to Art, to Dance, to Music, to Drama and to Sport.Dance, to Music, to Drama and to Sport.

Love God

As you Love Yourself

Love your neighbour

Mark 8 v 22-25Mark 8 v 22-25 They came to Bethsaida, where some people They came to Bethsaida, where some people

brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. After hand and led him out of the village. After spitting on the man’s eyes, Jesus placed his spitting on the man’s eyes, Jesus placed his hands on him and asked him, “Can you see hands on him and asked him, “Can you see anything?”anything?”

The man looked up and said, “Yes I can see The man looked up and said, “Yes I can see people, but they look like trees walking about.”people, but they look like trees walking about.”

Jesus again placed his hands on the man’s eyes. Jesus again placed his hands on the man’s eyes. This time the man looked intently, his eyesight This time the man looked intently, his eyesight returned, and he saw everything clearly.returned, and he saw everything clearly.