The View From My Study 17 April 2026
On Tuesday this week, my eldest daughter (aged 18) told me on a video call that she had jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet off the east coast of Australia. I didn’t know whether to be proud, relieved or annoyed that she didn’t tell me in advance she was going to do it.
After realising I wouldn’t have been able to do much even if I had known, I then reflected that it was only yesterday she was in reception and now she was jumping out of planes. Mmm. But, rather than be wistful for time lost, I realised that this is how it is meant to be. She is meant to have grown in confidence, as she experiences her own adventure; she is meant to be tackling challenges that take her out of her comfort zone; and she is meant to be enjoying the moment and creating memories that will stay with her forever. Pride is definitely the order of the day.
The Hanami celebration on Thursday was a further reminder of the beauty of life and why we should enjoy the present before it passes. The Hanami Festival is a centuries-old Japanese tradition which symbolizes the arrival of Spring and celebrates the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossom. I have been fortunate to visit Tokyo in the Spring and the vibrant pink of the cherry blossom trees there really is a sight to behold. But it only lasts a few weeks thus reminding us that life is there to be enjoyed and appreciated.
Hanami signals the end of winter and the start of new opportunities in a more encouraging climate. And the return to school this week has certainly felt like that. It was lovely to see the children smiling and eager to see each other again on Monday morning. It was also lovely to welcome several new pupils enjoying BG for the first time and I hope they have experienced a good first week. Ambition, commitment and camaraderie have been evident across the year groups already and I have no doubt there will be plenty more over the coming weeks. We won’t be seeing any children jumping out of planes but I am sure we will see many enjoying the moment and making the most of their time.
