14 November 2025

November 14th 2025

Dear Parents

Per Salicem Ad Alta- Through the Willow to the Heights - our school motto reminds us that courage isn't about avoiding the storm, but rather about moving through it - with purpose, with grace and with hope. It is a reminder that strength isn't found in shouting the loudest, but in standing steady when the wind is against you. This week in school we've spent time reflecting on this theme as we find ourselves surrounded by moments that ask us to think about courage, kindness and generosity of spirit.

As I am sure you are aware, schools across the country joined together over the last few days for 'Anti-Bullying Week'. As a school we have talked and thought about what it really means to stand up - not just for ourselves, but for others. In assembly this morning we reflected on how we can all make a difference. Every movement in history - every act of courage - starts small. It begins in a single decision, a single moment, a single person choosing to do the right thing when it would be easier not to.

Anti Bullying week is all about courage. It's about choosing courage over comfort, kindness over silence. It's about remembering that every small action - every word, every look, every door held open tells someone else that they belong. Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's the quiet voice that says, "You can sit with me." Sometimes it is as simple holding a door for someone walking down the corridor, when no one's watching, or choosing to sit beside the person who's been left out. Those are the moments when character is revealed and when a community like ours becomes stronger.

We often talk about achievement, ambition and excellence in the weekly newsletter - and rightly so - our pupils are truly exceptional and have the potential to achieve anything they set their minds to. However, all of this excellence stands on something more important: generosity of spirit, our most important school value. The willingness to give more than you take, to be the person who makes others feel seen, safe and supported. Sometimes it is choosing not to laugh when someone else is the target, or stepping in, gently but firmly, when someone is being mocked or ignored. When we live out our school values, when we remember to respect one and other and show kindness and generosity of spirit, we send ripples that travel through our school community, ripples that shape the culture of our school and maybe in some small way, the world beyond it.

We closed assembly this morning with a call to action. As we shared this week in Armistice day, remembering those who showed courage in the face of war, as we watched leaders debate how to protect our planet at the COP climate conference, and as we look at our own choices, we challenged each other to remember our school motto, Per Salicem ad Alta. At Cranford we don’t avoid the storm. We move through it, together as a group of friends, with purpose, with grace, and with the quiet courage that changes the world, one act of kindness at a time.