Our Form 8 Leadership Retreat to Anglesey has become a very special way to begin the final year at Packwood: a chance to step away from the normal rhythms of school, to spend time together and to think about what it means to be a group at the top of the school.
Our inspiration came from Sir Ernest Shackleton and the remarkable story of Endurance. Through his example, during our iPQ lessons in the summer term, we explored the qualities of leadership that matter when things do not go to plan: optimism, adaptability, duty, courage and, perhaps above all, looking after those around you.
There were plenty of opportunities to put these ideas into practice. Raft building demanded teamwork, ingenuity and no shortage of perseverance, while orienteering across the hills and along the spectacular Anglesey Coastal Path tested communication and decision-making, especially as the Welsh mist descended!
For this year group, we observed some of the most memorable moments emerging when nothing at all had been organised.
Back at our bunk house, UNO, Dobble and packs of cards appeared almost immediately. As games developed, conversations wandered and Mrs Hughes, Mrs Parry, Mr Weston and I noted the joy of laughter filling the room . Twice each day, we headed down for a swim in the sea – chilly, exhilarating and embraced by almost everyone (on day one anyway!). These unstructured moments matter. They give children the space simply to be together – a busy, unhurried childhood.
We were also extraordinarily well looked after. My enormous thanks go to Mrs Parry and Mrs Hughes, whose wonderful home cooking provided exactly what was needed after days outdoors, and to Mr Weston for all he did to make the retreat such a success.
What struck me most, however, was our top year. They are a wonderfully genuine and fun group of young people who have really come together. Shackleton understood that leadership begins with the crew. On Anglesey, our Form 8s showed that they are becoming quite a crew themselves. This is something Cat and I have noticed this week in our interviews for this term’s head of school.
Will Goldsmith, Head of Packwood
