Sense of belonging is something that we create together as a community. See you at the Great British Splash!
Sense of belonging is something that we create together as a community. See you at the Great British Splash!
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Dear BSM Family,
Today’s Whole School Assembly is the first time this year that our Year 1 students are with us in a Whole School Assembly. It is a milestone for them and also the first time in 10 and 12 years of school assemblies that two groups of students are not with us in the assembly since they were in Year 1; our Year 11 and Year 13s.
Our Year 13 and Year 11 students are now writing their final IB and IGCSE examinations in different stages of their educational journey.
This constant movement of students arriving and students leaving is part of the rhythm of school life. It is a steady reminder of our place in each other’s lives in this world we call BSM. As humans, we need connection, we need community, we have a strong need for belonging. We find it here.
I shared at the assembly a reflection on the recent Artemis II mission around the Moon.
The Artemis astronauts saw the Earth as something other astronauts have always described, a planet with no countries and no borders. Just one small, bright, shared home. A place where they knew that they belonged.
Just like the astronauts, we too all need to know we are part of something larger than ourselves, that we have a place in the story, and that we matter, that we belong.
When we feel that sense of belonging, then we think more clearly, we act with courage, and we stay true to our values. When we don’t feel a sense of belonging, we can feel lost in the world.
Think about this: as a school community, how do we create spaces where every person, student and adult, feels grounded, valued, and connected? How do we ensure that belonging is not just a word we use, but something we actively build every day?
In short, it begins with each of us. With small, consistent actions: noticing one another, listening carefully, including others, and recognising that each person here adds something unique to our shared BSM story.
Belonging is not something we wait to feel; it is something we create, together. Whether we are looking at the Earth from space, looking back to BSM with fond memories, or sitting side by side in the Main Hall at assemblies, the truth is the same: we are part of something shared, something meaningful, and something worth caring for.
And…speaking of belonging and opportunities to come together, please remember that on Friday, 15 May 2026, is the Great British Splash!
Enjoy the long weekend.
Martin van der Linde
Parent Workshops
‘College Spotlight Parent Workshop #3: Shaping the Path: A Collaborative Workshop on our College Framework’, Wednesday, 06 May 2026, 08.00-09.00am, LRC Level 2, Screen Space
We are redefining what college counselling looks like at BSM, and we want you in the room for the next phase. We have developed a framework centred on four key pillars—Discover, Develop, Define, and Decide—designed to align with international best practices. However, a framework is only as strong as the partnership behind it. Join us for a collaborative session where we share our vision and ask for your input on how we can best reflect the values and realities of our families within our 4-year plan. Help us ensure that the transition from Year 10 to Year 13 is as clear, supportive, and intentional as possible.
Register HERE.
‘Raising Thinkers: AI Basics for Parents in an Evolving World’, Wednesday, 13 May 2026, 08.00-09.00am, Senior FoodiE Bistro
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, workplaces, and daily life, many parents have expressed curiosity—along with uncertainty—about what AI is, how it works, and how it affects their children’s learning.
Join us for a supportive and practical workshop designed to help you navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape alongside your child. In this session, we will demystify AI, moving past the jargon to focus on what matters most: your child’s ability to think, create, and make decisions.
Please register here on or before Tuesday, 12 May, if you would like to attend this Parent Workshop.
BSM PTA: The Great British Splash 2026
🌞🌊Secure your tickets today by scanning the QR code or by clicking this link.
RELATED LINKS
- Message from the Head of School
- Whole School