Feel Good Friday – 18th September

Every Friday morning, staff at Finham Park come together as a staff body for our Feel Good Friday celebration. This is a chance for us to recognise significant achievements during the week of both staff and students. It provides an upbeat way to end our busy weeks, and to highlight some of the many things we have to celebrate at our school.

It is my intention to meet different students on a weekly (or at least fortnightly) basis who have been identified by mentors and college leads as achieving or doing something worthy of wider recognition.

On Friday, I welcomed a group of students during break time to recognise their achievements and contributions, both within school and beyond. The meeting provided an opportunity to celebrate students whose actions, commitment and character reflect the values that make our school community so special.

Among those recognised was Year 11 student Jack, who showed remarkable courage and compassion when another student experienced a seizure. Rather than standing by, Jack acted quickly to help, placing the student in the recovery position and remaining with them until further support arrived. His calm and responsible response in a challenging situation demonstrated great maturity and highlighted the importance of looking after others when they need it most.

Also celebrated was Year 10 student Jailen, who has been selected to represent England at the forthcoming European Taekwondo Championships. Competing at international level is a tremendous achievement and reflects years of dedication, hard work and perseverance. Jailen spoke about the commitment required to train and compete at such a high level, and the school is incredibly proud that one of its students will be representing his country on the European stage.

Year 9 student Lewis was recognised for progressing to the next phase of the Coventry City Football Academy pathway. Balancing schoolwork alongside academy training demands significant discipline and determination. Lewis's advancement is a testament to both his footballing ability and his commitment to continuous improvement. The school looks forward to following his journey as he continues to develop within a professional academy environment.

The final student recognised was Freddie in Year 7, whose honesty and integrity has really impressed staff. After finding a £20 note, Freddie chose to hand it in rather than keep it for himself. His actions exemplified one of the school's core values: integrity - doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. In a world where small decisions can reveal a person's true character, Freddie's honesty set an outstanding example for his peers.

Speaking to the students, we were able to reflect on the qualities they each demonstrated, from courage and compassion to perseverance, dedication and integrity. While their achievements were very different, they shared a common thread: a willingness to work hard, support others and make positive choices. Whether helping a fellow student in an emergency, competing for England, pursuing elite sporting aspirations or displaying exemplary honesty, each student has made the school proud and serves as a wonderful role model for others.