Headmaster’s Message

It’s been another busy week at FBS. The hot weather brings about its challenges for all of us. A number of parents have been in contact regarding our policy on blazers in school so I want to reiterate what we’ve said to the boys. Blazers should be worn to and from school so our boys look smart. Once in school, boys can remove blazers in all lessons and during break and lunch time. I’ve asked boys to wear blazers in corridors between lessons so that they don’t get left behind and potentially lost. All boys need to ensure that they have a water bottle with them every day. A significant number of boys do not have one which is particularly problematic during sport. Boys should also have sun cream for outdoor sport and PE lessons.

 

On Monday and Tuesday, boys who have been undertaking the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) programme performed their end of year showcase. It really is great to see so many boys loving The Arts. Speaking of which, on Friday 30th June, parents will be able to see the end of year drama production, arts revue and an art exhibition as part of the International Food Day and Summer Fair event after school. There is still time for you to sign up for the International Food Day if you would like to prepare dishes from your home nation for all to try. Please use this Google form to register.

 

On Wednesday, we took all Year 8 students to visit Shree Ghanapathy Temple to experience and learn about Hindu culture. The trip was a great success and I am thankful to the team at the temple for allowing us to visit them.

Next week, boys in Years 7 to 9 have their end of year assessments. The majority of these will be completed in normal lessons as in the case for the vast majority of assessments during the year. However, Year 9 boys will sit English, Maths and Science assessments in the main hall during the week as this allows for a longer format.

 

Later on in the term, we have some great events coming up with Sports Day on Thursday 6th July at Barn Elms and Enterprise Week. We are putting together the programmes for these events which will be sent out in due course.

David Smith

Headmaster

From The FBS Foundation

Inspiration

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club” – Jack London

It would be easy to assume that inspiration is something that is given to us, something that comes to us as if by magic when we are least expecting it. However, this is not the way I see it. As American writer, Jack London, wrote, “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club”.

This quote reminded me of a teenage student I used to encounter at the start of my teaching career. He was constantly late, completely disengaged and seemingly lazy I once stopped him coming into school, late again, and asked him “why are you always late?” He paused, looked me in the eye, and said,

“Sir, I know I’m always late, but I make up for it by leaving early”.

I nodded as if somehow this was a reasonable answer, and he was thirty metres down the corridor before I realised he’d got me! This student was not easy. He wanted to be anywhere else but in school and would try to shave off minutes at the start and end of the day in order to minimise his time there. I remember thinking that there was probably nothing we could do to turn him round.

I was wrong.

I watched this student’s progress over the next three years with mounting interest and no little incredulity. He went through a transformation, becoming the first into school and the last to leave. What had changed? It was very simple. The school had introduced a kit car club in the co-curricular programme. At the start of each year it would bring in the parts of a sports car and, overseen by one of the teachers, a small group of students would build the car from scratch to its drive-worthy completion. This student had discovered his passion, he committed time and energy and he became an outstanding car engineer. It gave him a reason to come to school and a direction for his future. He went on to study engineering at university.

That student fundamentally changed the way I look at education. I believe that there is no such thing as a lazy or disengaged student, only one that isn’t inspired or hasn’t found the right niche. It emphasises to me the importance of a rounded education where students are given the chance to discover and develop their passions, not just in the classroom but beyond.

This is the reason the school is so passionately committed to an outstanding co-curricular programme, and so keen to ensure that it flourishes and grows. Of course, this is where The FBS Foundation is so important. Without the money raised by The Foundation each year, the co-curricular programme at FBS would be drastically reduced. Without the voluntary donations from parents, it simply would not be possible to put on the variety of clubs and activities that we have at present and which we intend to expand still further next year.

Lurking somewhere in the programme, there may be a new interest or passion that will remain with your child for the rest of their life. If you ever wonder about the value of The Foundation, look no further…and yet this is just one of the aspects of school life which would not otherwise be possible without additional funding.

You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club!

Best wishes,

Julian Thomas

CEO, The Fulham Boys School Trust

j.thomas@fulhamboysschool.org.uk

From The Friends of FBS

Summer Fair and International Food Day Part 2 – Friday 30th June + Newly Added  School Production and Arts Revue

Our Summer Fair and International Food Day will take place on Friday 30th June from 3:30pm to 6:30pm (possibly later). We will now also be hosting the School Production and the Arts Revue on the same evening. The School Production will begin at 4pm and will run for around 20 minutes,  shortly followed by the Arts Revue after an interval which will allow time for food and refreshments. The Arts Revue will include Music and Drama performances from the boys. There will also be an Arts exhibition running in the canteen for the duration of the evening where boys’ work will be on show. 

The Friends of FBS