Sport and Politics have featured heavily this week
I hadn’t intended to write a blog this week but there is so much happening and so much to celebrate that I really wanted to share with you.
A few weeks ago I was asked by the brilliant people from Bradford Citizens UK if Beckfoot would be interested in talking to the candidates of the two main parties contesting the forthcoming election for the Shipley constituency, Anna Dixon (Lab) and Phillip Davies (Con). Of course I said yes! We made the decision to work with some incredible Post 16 students who have already demonstrated how genuinely engaged they are in local and national affairs and the political process more broadly. After a brief session with Phil from Bradford Citizens we welcomed both Anna and Phillip to meet with the group separately so that our students could talk with them, ask questions and find out more about their views on the things that are important to young people. They were amazing. They put questions to each candidate around their campaign for better mental health funding for young people and racial equity in education. They raised local concerns around community funding, safety, the built local environment and how to make their communities feel more like great places to live. They had positive conversations about how to make the Bradford district better for everyone the wider political landscape. A huge thank you to both Anna and Phillip for their time and willingness to share their stories and views with us.
Last night was our annual Sports Awards and what a night it was. Despite the clash with England’s game with Denmark the hall was full and the evening proved to be yet another triumph. The night began with a video of our students and a message about the importance of sport in terms of changing young lives. It was followed by awards for Commitment in Sport, Achievement in Sport, Leadership, Team of the Year, the Head of PE Award and the Sports Personality of the Year Award. There was a performance from our young Cheerleader squad and a warmth throughout the evening that was palpable.
I was completely blown away by the talent that walks the corridors of our school each day, by their humility and their sheer dedication to being the best they can. We heard stories of accomplishment at local, regional, national and international level. There were examples of this is such a wide range of sporting activities that I felt honoured to be a part of such an incredible celebration of our students. I wanted to evening to go on and on and to hear more and more stories about the endeavours of our students because that is the thing I love dearly.
I talked at the end of the evening about our PE team. I talked of their love of sport and physical activity, about their genuine care and interest in our students both in school and beyond. They are a wonderful team who go above and beyond at Beckfoot to provide a wealth of experiences and opportunities for students. They build relationships that allow students to be comfortable to get involved and often out of their comfort zones. That shone through in Theo (Yr12) who won the Sports Personality Award. He is the epitome of what we believe sport and sporting values should represent and it was so fitting that he should receive his award from Sian, last year’s winner who is also the most incredible role model for our young people.
To finish, the PE staff are all exceptional leaders. They invest in young people and they make it ok to just get involved and be happy through sport. They work with the most invested and talented group I have ever know in a student body and they want to celebrate them whenever possible. For me great leaders create leaders and not followers. Last night I saw masses of young leaders and I am excited about the future because they are Beckfooters!
A huge thanks to all involved but especially to Mrs Lawal who somehow manages to make the evening such an interactive and slick experience but for putting our young stars at the centre of such a celebration.
Simon Wade, Headteacher
