As we get older, we tend to forget many of our earliest days; however, I think it is safe to say our children will remember this particular moment in our island's story. It was just a few months ago when we were celebrating the Platinum Jubilee, and now we have lost our longest-reigning monarch.

 

Speaking personally for a moment and recalling how glorious royal events, like the wedding of Charles and Diana, punctuated my own childhood, I feel like I have lost a member of my wider family: one just thought the queen would always be there. I have little doubt history will come to judge her Elizabeth the Great.

 

The school community gathered this morning in the hall. While recognising the sadness we share, we can take comfort from knowing the queen is now reunited with her husband in heaven and walking with Jesus. I explained to the children there are no rules for how we should feel at this time: some of us may be struggling, others simply confused. What we can unite in expressing, however, is our value this half term - thankfulness. We are thankful to God for sending the queen. We are thankful for her devoted service and a long life well lived. And, although this is probably much harder for all but our oldest pupils to understand, we are thankful to live in a country where we can transition from one head of state to another without turmoil, division and harm.

 

The next few weeks and months will be marked by two major state occasions: a funeral and coronation. Every class will have an opportunity today to discuss what has happened, and we shall support each other through the year as events take their preordained course while carrying on, as much as we can, as normal. I will, obviously, update you on any developments affecting the overall functioning of the school.