Brentwood Prep Incipe 2019

Brentwood School Preparatory 13 It seems hard to believe that a year has passed since I sat down to write some thoughts about my time as chaplain at this school. I am pleased to begin by saying that my time at the Preparatory School remains a highlight of my week. This year I have had the opportunity, not only to lead my weekly assembly on a Wednesday morning, but spend time mainly on Thursdays as well in classes and having lunch with the students and staff. Great fun! There is a tangible sense of welcome in the air when you arrive through the gates and one of the most memorable moments of this year occurred when three young pupils not only welcomed me at the gate but proceeded to carry my bags to the classroom! Wednesday mornings begin with an important time for us to gather as a community and consider the spiritual aspect of our lives – a time to reflect upon who we are and what we, individually and collectively, are called to do. In the Christian faith, Jesus invites us simply to follow him and this journey is one of transformation in all we do and say. In the Michaelmas term we explored our own journey of life and reflected upon the many situations we face. The film ‘Finding Dory’, which tells of Dory’s return to her family, helped us to engage with this in an important and memorable way. Education lies at the very heart of our society and within the Christian faith a passage from the Bible is often quoted where Jesus speaks of coming to us so that we might have ‘life in all its fullness.’ During the Lent term, the film ‘Monsters University’ helped us to reflect more deeply upon some of the most important lessons. Something for us all, regardless of age! My visits to Early Years and Key Stage One are a little less frequent but equally joyful. This year it has been a real pleasure to have been able to visit more frequently and I am always made most welcome. Being bombarded with welcomes, questions and tales of the day are simply wonderful experiences. I have greatly enjoyed telling stories and joining them in lesson time and sitting with the children at snack time too. Their happiness and love of life are an important lesson to us all. Our annual Key Stage Two Christmas Carol service, in December, this year took place in the hall since the chapel was closed due to building work. It was, as ever, a joyous occasion as we celebrated the birth of Jesus together through music and readings. The Key Stage One performance of ‘Midwife Crisis’ proved to be another highlight of the year as they explored the nativity in yet another creative and enjoyable way. The Junior Chapel Choirs continue to flourish and have had an opportunity to sing choral evensong at our local parish church, St. Thomas of Canterbury, in addition to our own chapel and we are looking to ‘going on tour’ as a visiting choir soon. The quality of singing and the level of commitment required to sing such a service is significant and I am indebted, as ever, to Mr. Revels and Mr. Barber for their expertise and their commitment to this. Every blessing Revd. Dr. Adrian McConnaughie Rev’s Review