Mrs Bennett’s Bulletin, Wednesday 24 February 2021

Posted: 24th February 2021

Good morning, Prep School family, 

Welcome to Wednesday. I have a story to share with you today. 

Once upon a time, there was a Kingdom. The king there only had one leg and one eye, but he was very intelligent and kind. Everyone in his kingdom lived a happy and a healthy life because of their king. One day the king was walking through the palace hallway and saw the portraits of his ancestors. He thought that one day his children will walk in the same hallway and remember all the ancestors through these portraits.

The king did not have his portrait painted. Due to his physical disabilities, he wasn’t sure how his painting would turn out. So he invited many famous painters from his and other kingdoms to the court. The king then announced that he wants a beautiful portrait made of himself to be placed in the palace. Any painter who can carry out this should come forward. He will be rewarded based on how the painting turns up.

All of the painters began to think that the king only has one leg and one eye. How can his picture be made very beautiful? It is not possible and if the picture does not turn out to look beautiful then the king will get angry and punish them. So one by one, all started to make excuses and politely declined to make a painting of the king.

But suddenly one painter raised his hand and said that I will make a very beautiful portrait of you which you will surely like. The king became happy hearing that and other painters got curious. The king gave him the permission and the painter started drawing the portrait. He then filled the drawing with paints. Finally, after taking a long time, he said that the portrait was ready!

All of the courtiers, other painters were curious and nervously thinking how can the painter make the king’s portrait beautiful because the king is physically disabled? What if the king didn’t like the painting and gets angry? But when the painter presented the portrait, everyone in the court, including the king, left stunned.

The painter made a portrait in which the king was sitting on the horse, on the one-leg side, holding his bow and aiming the arrow with his one eye closed. The king was very pleased to see that the painter has made a beautiful portrait by cleverly hiding the king’s insecurities. The King gave him a great reward.

The moral of the story: We should always think positive of others and ignore their disabilities. We should learn to focus on the good things instead of trying to hide weaknesses. If we think and approach positively even in a negative situation, then we will be able to solve our problems more efficiently.

Ask yourself – Do you do this? Can you do this? What difference would it make to your life and the life of others if you did this? 

Days of the year theme: Pink Day, Tortilla Chip Day and I hate Coriander Day (I don’t – I love Coriander), 

Quote of the Day: “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest things that we’ll ever do.” – Brene Brown

Friendly February calendar task (this month’s activities are based on friendship):

* Tell your loved ones why you value them

TOP’s weekly activity: Can you do some yoga daily? Try Cosmic Kids yoga or Yoga for Kids with Adriene. 

Life skill of the day: Learn to address and envelop correctly.

Joke of the day: 

Where do you go to learn to make ice-cream?

Sundae School! 

Fact of the Day: An ostriches eye is bigger than its brain! 

Sleeps til Santa: 303 days

Three things I’m looking forward to today (thanks to Mrs Hinch for the inspiration): Can you try this each day? Remember, it focuses your mind on the positive and reminds us to show gratitude for things, no matter how small! 

Today I am looking forward to: my morning drive through coffee, HPP merit assembly and break duty in the sunshine!  

Have a wonderful day, 

Stay safe,

Mrs Bennett

Highclare School is proud to announce its newest Sixth Form Scholarship

Our Sixth Form Pre-Med Scholarship is now live for applicants to Highclare Sixth Form from September 2024 onwards.

The scholarship provides a bespoke programme for students aiming to enter university in September 2026 with a research-science based degree.

For more information email admissions@highclareschool.co.uk