Over the last week, I have sat down in front of the television for a few brief moments to watch some of the action from the Winter Olympics. As I encouraged my two children to join me and engage with sports they had never participated in, or even heard of before, I was struck by just how different snow and ice sports must look through the eyes of a child, compared with those we traditionally play in the UK. And yet, British athletes appear on the world stage competing in these winter sports, brimming with confidence, exceptional skill and remarkable physical strength.
I was particularly interested in watching Mia Brookes at the beginning of the week, as she attempted to win a gold medal by landing a trick that had never been successfully completed before in the big air snowboarding event. She was unable to land the trick with the precision required to take first place and had to settle for fourth. She had, however, attempted something that would almost certainly have secured gold, had she landed it.
This moment, for me, encapsulated everything that is good about the Olympics. Athletes are not simply competing to win medals; they are competing to push boundaries and, in doing so, to become better versions of themselves. The Olympic motto, Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together, reminds us that progress comes through effort, resilience, shared support and, at times, a few backward steps.
All of this matters for children too. Research by Carol Dweck shows that children who are encouraged to try unfamiliar things and see mistakes as part of learning are more likely to develop resilience, confidence and long term success as adults. Achievement, it seems, grows from courage rather than comfort. And of course, this Olympic message sits at the heart of our Rookwood values. Ambition means stepping beyond the familiar. Personal Growth comes through challenge. Integrity and Responsibility are built through effort and perseverance. Emotional Wellbeing is strengthened when children learn that mistakes do not define them, and that improvement is a shared journey.
So, as we approach the half term break, I wish everyone the opportunity to try something new, in the hope that maybe, just maybe, one of our young people may discover a passion that takes them all the way to their gold medal.
Mr Robinson
Headteacher
