4 minute read
A boyhood education
The Millionaire’s Reading Club is a popular initiative at the school
By instilling traditional values of manners, teamwork and kindness and embracing kinesthetic teaching, Northcote Lodge School ensures that its boys learn with confidence and achieve their very best
Helping boys achieve their best is what Northcote Lodge is all about. Its motto, ‘Si Je Puis’ (I will if I can), exemplifies its teachers’ desire to give boys the confidence to know that, by trying their best, they’ll reap the rewards of personal satisfaction and achievement. Northcote Lodge’s teaching staff do this by embracing the best of traditional prep school values: manners, teamwork, kindness – while tailoring our curriculum to the kinesthetic learning style best suited to boys (which is learning by doing).
The value of competition
The school takes full advantage of boys’ natural competitiveness with singing competitions, charity collections, art and science competitions, debating, public speaking, poetry competitions – and of course sport. Sport not only helps with health, but pays dividends through learning the values of camaraderie and good sportsmanship and bringing self-esteem back into the classroom. The power of competition is also embraced in English. The Millionaire’s Reading Club rewards boys who have read more than a million words with cake! By introducing an element of competition and reward – and by enabling boys to track progress – teachers have seen even reluctant readers become avid readers. More importantly the impact of this can be seen across the curriculum in all aspects of learning.
… and collaboration
There’s also reward for effort and collaboration – particularly in music and drama. Boys have the space and opportunity to take on creative arts that have traditionally been the domain of girls and play all sorts of roles in drama, with the most recent production being Moana. s
Boys are encouraged to relish challenges and competitions
Traditional prep school values such as manners are embraced at Northcote Lodge School
Learning by doing (also known as kinesthetic learning) is the Northcote Lodge ethos
Boys are encouraged to enjoy collaborating on creative art projects, such as drama productions
Risk and reward
Boys are encouraged to take risks and to embrace challenges that go beyond everyday classroom life. Each year, (Covid-19 restrictions permitting!), the school runs action-packed trips where boys can confront new challenges, know the satisfaction of overcoming fears and reinforce the importance of working collaboratively too.
The Northcote Way: a mantra for life
Alongside, and as part of all that the school does, the Northcote Way provides boys with a clear set of boundaries and emphasises the softer, but crucial skills that boys will carry with them for life: teamwork, kindness, compassion, communication, creativity, independence, and resilience. Teachers award house points to boys exemplifying these values to reinforce this behaviour and way of life.
It’s this combination of risk and reward, learning through doing and clear moral and behavioural guidelines that enables boys to leave Northcote as happy, well-rounded individuals who move on to the next stage with the confidence to make the most of the opportunities ahead. In the words of one parent, “Northcote Lodge School really understands boys”.
Beyond the school gates: TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS
The Northcote Way is not just a set of rules for school, but for everyone at all times. Boys, staff – and parents – are encouraged to embrace them and lead by example
Do your best to be your best self
Show children that you value effort – not just the result.
Listen
Be an active listener – really take the time to hear what your child is telling you. Make time to talk – put down your phones. Find a neutral space, for example, in a car or on a walk. Boys find it easier to talk when side-byside or ‘doing’ something than sitting down to discuss.
Share
Spend quality time with your children. Take time to do things together: a walk, a game, cooking. Notice and praise their generosity.
Forgive
Don’t hold grudges; try to think about the other person’s point of view and acknowledge the issue – and then move on. help at home or offer to do something for other people, perhaps a neighbour. Thank them for helping with daily tasks such as shopping or laying the table.
Be kind
Notice when your child is kind and praise them for it. Give clear and descriptive praise. Not just “Well done for tidying your room”, but “I really like the way you’ve found a spot for everything in your room.”
Be truthful
Be honest in your praise and feedback, focusing on efforts and progress made.
Treat others as you would like to be treated
By showing children that what happens to others is in their power – and getting them to think about and empathise with others – they will start to recognise the value of being a communityminded, compassionate member of society.
Be helpful
Encourage your children to
