The sense of quiet that has now descended on Packwood will be in contrast to the noise of happiness and festive spirit that will have alighted on family homes as the Christmas break gets underway.
A contrast not dissimilar to Nazareth at the time of Jesus’ birth. The story of Christmas brings together the sense of wonder and anticipation coupled with the role modelling of quiet service and thought towards others. The notion of quiet service was my theme for the final week of term. In my Assembly, I used the well-known (and true) story of the School Caretaker who trudged through thick snow for 3 hours to open up the school to enable the children to receive their one hot meal of the day. Not for accolades, but simply because it was the right thing to do. This sense of selfless service is retold time and time again through the familiar narrative of the Christmas story.
As I observe Packwoodians of all ages immersed in it, I feel a sense of optimism that Packwood is helping to produce a positive, selfless generation ready to face the world with quiet service. Indeed, it has been a recurring theme for our Form 8s this term, both in their own positions of responsibility in the school, their understanding of self-leadership and in their preparation for the iPQ (Independent Project Qualification), a component of the ISEB’s assessments. As they choose their Big Ideas on a topic of global relevance, I have been impressed with their understanding and purpose in the face of challenges the world faces. Service means a lot to them.
In a moment of my own quiet reflection this weekend, I read Listening to the Music of the Soul, by Guli Francis Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford. Chosen as the Archbishop of York’s 2025 Advent Book, Bishop Dehqani gives a very personal insight into the true meaning of Advent. A calling for us to heed the message of Advent and become active protagonists of service is a recurring theme, and couldn’t be more salient as human beings are compelled to retreat into their own worlds. Spotify’s wrapped, a snapshot of the nation’s listening habits, shows the rise in self-help books, leaving The Week’s writer, Frances Weaver to wonder, “with all that self-improvement, where do people find time to think of anyone else?”.
The Packwood Way underpins our very purpose here, and as I regularly remind all those who listen to my weekly assemblies, the notion of being our best selves in service to others far outweighs anything else. It’s been a joy to celebrate these moments with our young Packwoodians this term. That, after all, is our greatest responsibility.
Will Goldsmith
Packwood Head
