Author Archives: headdixie

Students at Dixie have not only returned to what has come to be expected in schools at the start of the 2020/21 academic year, but also to what may prove to be a significant step into the future. In line with government guidance, the Dixie has thought carefully about how to keep the whole schoolContinue reading “The New Normal”

As a maths teacher, former Head of Maths, Director of Studies, Deputy Head and now Headmaster, I have used data every day of my nearly 30 year teaching career.  I enjoy nothing more than manipulating externally provided data (!) and have even been known to generate some of my own (much to my colleagues’ delight).Continue reading “A Level Grades 2020”

“Private schools have taught too many live online lessons during lockdown and are turning some pupils into “Zoom zombies”, an expert has claimed. Professor Lue said that asking children to attend live web lessons all day “was not effective and results in immense Zoom-learning fatigue”. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/online-lessons-create-classes-of-coronavirus-zoombies-jbvzkxgl6 . Just today, schools have been criticised for providingContinue reading “Dixie Remote Learning”

Update in the face of Coronavirus Currently, Britain and the world is facing new and extensive challenges to people’s mental well-being arising from the reality of COVID 19.  There is no doubt this is a particularly challenging time – many of our usual support mechanisms for our well-being are not open to us the mostContinue reading “Mental Health at the Dixie”

None of us would have wished for our Year 11 to have had the opportunity to sit GCSE exams removed from them, but given that it has happened, there is a wonderful opportunity to be exploited. There is a well-documented academic gap between GCSE and A level courses, and a significant factor in this isContinue reading “Year 11 – making the most of opportunities”

I first heard this term in conversation with Walter Baynes – the Dixie Grammar School Association archivist and fount of knowledge on all things Dixie. Walter maintains close contact with the school through the annual laying of a wreath on the grave of former Dixie student, Herbert Black. Students are always fascinated by Walter’s knowledgeContinue reading “Dixie Fortitude”

Traditions I first wrote this piece in December 2019, just two months after my father passed away; the combination of Christmas and loss was a potent one for reflection on family traditions.  Now some five months later, in midst of extraordinary times for which there are, thankfully, no traditions,  I am moved to revisit. IContinue reading “Traditions”

As an A Level Ethics teacher I have taught Sixth Formers about the deontology of Immanuel Kant for many years.  I can’t say it’s my favourite part of the course but taught it, I have. Deontology is a theory that puts duty at the heart of ethical concern – to do the right thing isContinue reading “Duty”

Whether through merit or effort badges or recognition in Gold Book assemblies at the Junior School, da Vinci awards, credits or presentation assemblies in the Senior School, or dialogue in the classroom, through encouragement and praise, pupils flourish at the Dixie and learn to become responsible for their own achievements and behaviour.All of us thriveContinue reading “Praise”