Fleas are one of the best jumpers of all known animals, relative to body size. But if you put one in a glass jar with a lid on, it will learn to jump only to the height of the lid. Even when the lid is removed, the flea will still only jump to the height of the lid as it has been conditioned to accept that it can do no better.

104 students in the Secondary department of BHS were recognised on Monday, January 12, not only for achieving high grades, but also for their readiness to learn and their willingness to extend themselves, in order to gain more from their studies.

Guest speaker alumna Christine Jack, who completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2009, spoke to the students about how hard work really does pay off, having just successfully completed her Chartered Accountancy examination. She also advised them that there is more than one way to achieve a goal and stressed the importance of surrounding themselves with family and friends who are supportive, not just when you are doing well, but also when you may have moments of doubt in your abilities or the direction you have chosen to take.

Head of School, Linda Parker, congratulated all of the students, advising them that the bar is set high at BHS and encouraging them to aim to the bar and beyond, in all that they do. At BHS, students are expected to always try their hardest to achieve their personal best and that is reflected in the addition of “Responsibility for Learning” awards which recognise students who actively participate and are engaged in the process of learning, not just the students who achieve the highest academic results.

Using the anecdote of the flea, Deputy Head of School, Catherine Hollingsworth, encouraged students to leave their comfort zone and not just stick with the things they know they can succeed at. She urged them to stretch and challenge themselves, so that they would know the pride and excitement of achieving something that they found difficult. She advised them not to just go to class and passively absorb what was taught, but to find ways to extend their learning and to build on skills that will be required to be successful beyond BHS. Year 8 student, Freya Neame, summed up her interpretation of Ms Hollingsworth’s message with this poem:

Break free from your own covered jar

And be yourself: jump high, jump far.

Don’t hide under that lousy lid

Jump higher – you’ll be glad you did.