Walking around school, the boys have settled remarkably well back into the classroom. For many, if not all, the concerns they had in returning quickly disappeared when surrounded by familiar walls and friendly faces. The fact that the boys have been meeting one another online each day in their form periods has helped maintain links between the boys and with their teachers. The next three weeks present an opportunity to re-focus the boys' learning in the classroom and to check on and consolidate their progress over lockdown. 
I very much enjoyed catching Mr Wurr's assembly on resilience this week. Mr Wurr related the life story of Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. Sanders lived an extraordinary life. By the age of 10 he was employed as a farmhand before becoming a tram conductor, soldier, blacksmith, fireman, labourer, lawyer, ferry boat owner, midwife, salesman and then service station manager to name but a few jobs. 
Whilst Colonel Sanders was not necessarily the ideal employee - he was sacked for insubordination and brawling (including ruining his legal career when he resorted to blows with his own client in a courthouse) - he did demonstrate an extraordinary ability to brush himself down and start again. When Colonel Sanders turned his attention to perfecting his fried chicken recipe, it took 1009 attempts before his secret recipe was accepted and his first franchise was opened.
Mr Wurr urged the boys not to be upset or give up should they find school work difficult on their return. However difficult times may have been of late, the multiple challenges the Colonel faced in his working life: being fired from many jobs, coping with the Great Depression, fires in his restaurants and the halt to trading during the Second World War, serve as an example of how resilience and determination can overcome most difficulties.
As Mr Wurr suggested, simply by adding the word 'yet' following any negative statement such as 'I can't remember my tables' provides the positive mindset to resolve many of life's difficulties.
No doubt the boys will be going home this afternoon very tired after their first week back. Returning to routines has been exhausting for many. I am sure that for all our boys there will be a sense of accomplishment for a job well done and the promise of more to follow in the remaining weeks of term.