DESS Newsletter - 34

DESS Newsletter - 34 - Appreciation of Beauty

Children naturally practise the strength of ‘Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence,’ which is this weeks’ character strength.  Children have fresh eyes, untainted by the cynicism that can creep up on us as adults and so they often see joy and wonder where we may struggle.  Having spent my whole working life with children I feel constantly grateful for the opportunity to see beauty through the eyes of children.

The beauty of the human spirit is very powerful and, in any crisis, it is always incredible to me how beauty is always there.  As human beings we are amazingly adaptive and there is beauty to be found in the innovative ways people are keeping themselves safe and sane at the moment.  So, this week I have been reflecting on the beauty that I have seen all around.  Not just in the natural world with the regeneration of our planet that is taking place as highlighted in the assembly, but also in our DESS online school.

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” Franz Kafka.

I find great beauty in the skill of watching a true craftsman at work and this platform has given me the opportunity to continue to see some of our highly skilled DESS teachers at work.   There is undeniable beauty in the power of the connections and relationships that our teachers have with the children.  This has been evident through the quality of the feedback that they give each and every child.  Over the past couple of weeks, it has also been beautiful to watch the joy in the children’s faces as they have reconnected with their teachers and classmates on Webex. 

Through our Seesaw platform we have also been privileged to see the beauty in the connection that parents have now, more than ever before, with their children’s learning.  

If you feel that your question is not answered then I would urge you to email Jacqui Thurley at: [email protected] or your class email.

Staff are busy planning and developing their use of Webex to ensure it meets the needs of their year group.  We know that we cannot please everybody all the time but what we can do is make decisions that we feel are in the best interests of the children and their families in these incredibly challenging times. We ask you to trust us as experienced professionals to do just that.  Please also be assured that you will also be receiving an end of year report to update you on your child’s progress in 6 weeks time.

Some of our parent comments show that they are also appreciating the beauty in the skill of our amazing DESS teachers and it has really helped to continue to motivate staff when they read that, overall, the vast majority of you are at least satisfied with the quality of provision.  Of course, we are continually striving to provide our DESS children with learning opportunities that are (if not excellent as nothing can replace the human connections of being at school) at least as good as they can be.

“Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence” lies within the virtue of transcendence. When the world is a different place to usual, when life feels a little uncomfortable; the ability to stop, value and absorb a moment of goodness may be very reassuring.  Whether it is the sound of your child laughing, listening to a great piece of music, immersing yourself in a good book or the excitement of an online family quiz, I hope that you too will be able to find a moment of beauty this weekend.

Catherine Dando 
Headteacher

Meet the Teacher

Fatema Fazal

What is your full name?
Fatema Fazal

What do you teach?
I am a Year 5 class teacher.

What is your top tip to dealing with the stay at home policy?
While working at home has come with its own set of challenges, I have found that having a positive outlook has changed the way I have dealt with the situation.

Following a schedule has been one of the most important things I have put into place, and while I don’t always follow it, it keeps me in check. Over the weekend, I make a list of “non-school” things I want to accomplish, like cooking or playing card games with my daughter and through the week, I make the time to do those things. Finally, I have found solace in prayer. As a family, we gather every evening to pray and be thankful for what we have.

How are you staying active?
Does walking to the fridge to get a treat count? Hmmm… not too much to be completely honest. Being in my third trimester of my pregnancy, I have found a new hobby – sleep, so when I am not working or spending time with my family, I am cuddled in bed sleeping or relaxing.

What is your favorite food?
That’s a difficult question –there is a food to fit every mood and occasion. I love any type of coconut curry with bread, steak and fries or a delicious thin crust pizza with lots of vegetables and jalapenos. The only thing that is non-negotiable is dessert. No meal is complete without something sweet (like ice-cream…yummm).

How do you relax in the evenings?
We play a lot of card games like Five Crowns, Sequence or Cover your Assets. In addition, my daughter makes a weekly Kahoot for us. When my daughter goes to bed, I usually relax with a cup of tea and some biscuits and either watch some TV or chat with my family in Canada.

Aishling O'Boyle

What is your full name?
Aishling O’Boyle

What do you teach?
I teach Music! Singing, dancing and a little acting for the wonderful and talented children at DESS. I also enjoy teaching the recorder, ukulele, tin whistle along with guitar and can even be found rocking out with some chair drumming from time to time!!

What is your top tip to dealing with the stay at home policy?
Creating playlists of my favourite songs which makes me remember so many people and happy memories! I love to video chat with family and reconnect with friends all over the world.

How are you staying active?
I am enjoying some virtual exercise online with friends and smashing a workout together! More recently, I am enjoying a light jog around my area appreciating the beauty that surrounds me.

What is your favorite food?
I love to cook and bake delicious treats, but I sometimes find it difficult to follow a recipe (I like to add a lot more chocolate to desserts than necessary!!). Food that always puts a smile on my face is home cooked and made with love.

How do you relax in the evenings?
I love to sing and play the piano. Away from Music, I love to watch a gripping series with a cup of tea and some chocolate!

Stars of the Week

We are proud to announce that the following children each received Star of the Week. Well done to everyone!

Thursday 30th April 2020