Executive Principal's Blog

Executive Principal’s Blog – 17.7.26: ‘The Power of Gratitude’

As we come to the end of another academic year I would like to thank all staff, parents and carers, and students for their hard work and continued commitment to Bushey Meads School. Last night our final Trust Board meeting took place to review aspects of our school and multi academy trust, including those key areas of finance, teaching and learning, self-evaluation and school improvement strategies, attendance and pupil outcomes and stakeholder engagement.
 
The Directors on the Trust Board particularly wanted to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all staff for their hard work and they clearly recognised the significant achievements and progress made this year. That important and vital attitude of gratitude they demonstrated extends and permeates throughout our school and serves to create and maintain that positive momentum that underpins our journey of improvement.
 
Parents and carers have played their important part in supporting the school and their children, and have also continued to show immense gratitude for the support, guidance and encouragement all the staff at Bushey Meads continue to give. Here are just a few of the messages of thanks we have received over the last week or so:

Dear Mr Turner and all Bushey Meads Staff,
As my daughter leaves the school, I would like to say a massive thank you for all the care, support, and encouragement you all have given over the years. I am truly grateful for the positive impact you have had on my daughter’s learning and confidence, and for the wonderful memories made here. Thank you again for everything, and I wish you all the very best for the future. Best wishes, Year 11 Parent
 

Dear Reception Team,
I hope you are well. I just wanted to let you know that today my son’s father dropped off some of his school uniform at reception to donate to the school. The donation included three pairs of trousers and one blazer, all in perfect condition. We hope they will be useful for another student, and we are pleased to be able to support the school community in this small way. Thank you for everything you do. Kind regards, Year 8 Parent

Dear BMS,
I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the whole of the Bushey Meads school community, for once again inviting us to be part of the school’s Annual Rewards Celebration Evening and for giving us a such a warm welcome and reception. It was truly a fabulous evening and we thoroughly enjoyed witnessing all the students receiving their individual awards and once again I was extremely proud and honoured to present the new recipient of the Jamie Rugg Memorial Trophy to someone who has exceptional talent and is a worthy recipient to receive the Trophy. I’m sure she will be another excellent and inspiring ambassador for the year ahead. Please would you kindly pass on our sincere token of thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in making the evening such a joyful occasion. Kind regards, John Rugg

Dear BMS,
Thank you for a wonderful Annual Rewards Evening. I was very happy and proud that my daughter was awarded a certificate for Computer Science. It was a lovely moment for her and for our family. It was such a great evening, filled with inspiration and aspirations for the students. It was wonderful to see their achievements being recognised and celebrated. Please extend my thanks to all the members of staff for your support, encouragement and dedication to the students throughout the year.
Kind regards, Year 10 Parent
 
Dear Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, Teachers, and All Staff of BMS,
I would like to express my family’s deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation for the great honour you have bestowed upon our son by recognising him as one of the school’s outstanding students of the year and presenting him with a certificate of achievement and a star award. This recognition represents far more than academic success. It reflects the exceptional leadership, dedication, kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment shown by the school’s leadership, teachers, and every member of staff who work tirelessly to inspire, educate, and nurture their students each day. Your recognition of our son has become a powerful source of inspiration and encouragement for all of them, strengthening his determination to work even harder, pursue excellence, and continue to strive for success.

Seeing our son’s achievement recognised by such a caring and supportive school filled us with hope, happiness, and renewed strength. For this kindness, our family will always remain deeply grateful. Please accept our heartfelt thanks to you, the Senior Leadership Team, every teacher, and every member of staff for your guidance, encouragement, care, and dedication. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, helping to shape confident, responsible, and successful young people while leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on families such as ours.
 
We pray that you all continue to enjoy good health, happiness, and every success as you carry on your remarkable work in educating and inspiring future generations. With our highest respect, sincere appreciation, and heartfelt thanks,
Thank you very much. Year 9 Parent
 
Dear Mrs Charles,
I just wanted to email you to say a very big thank you to Mr Harris, Miss Rocha and yourself for the recent year 9 trip to Seville. My son had the most amazing time and couldn’t stop talking about all the things they did and fun they had. I know arranging trips, especially abroad is a lot of work and a huge responsibility and I just wanted to say I really appreciate it. You all took such good care of them and they have made memories that will last a lifetime. Thanks again. Best wishes, Year 9 Parent

Amy Collette – American life coach, author, conference speaker and the founder of the book Unleash Your Inner Author, is best known for her inspiring words on gratitude and the creative process. Her most popular, widely shared quote connects thankfulness to inner joy: “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness; it’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul”.  Austrian-American Catholic Benedictine monk, author and lecturer David Steindl-Rast, holds a similar view and is quoted as saying that “It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
 
We do hope this year that we have helped to bring joy into young people’s lives. It has certainly been a privilege for us to see the students in our care mature and develop over the last year. The selection of messages from parents quoted in this end of year EP’s Blog and our annual End of Year Celebration Assemblies, which some of you were able to attend, have also been a powerful demonstration of this. As parents and carers your gratitude certainly brings us joy and keeps us going! Thank you for the key part that you play.
 
Do enjoy and well-deserved summer break and we look forward to seeing you all again in September. As usual don’t forget to also click on the usual link to read the latest BMS News……..
 
Jeremy Turner
Executive Principal