From The Principal #176
24th March 23
This morning, during an early morning dog walk, I discovered DLD’s local park to be a blanket of colour with an abundance of spring flowers lining every path. The pungent aromas of the apple blossoms remain in my olfactory memory as I type this, reminding me that after what has felt like a very long Winter, Spring has finally sprung. The clock will move forward by one hour on Sunday night and we will start to enjoy more daylight hours, and hopefully, some much anticipated sunshine.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration, took place at DLD recently. It was wonderful to see so many students; day, boarding and even alumni gather under our roof for an evening of fabulous food and family festivities. Traditionally, house cleaning, or ‘shaking the house’ is done before the arrival of Nowruz, but having wandered around the boarding house on Sunday I think they must have forgotten that part!
In keeping with the theme of beginnings, this week marks the start of Ramadan for many of our community, both staff and students. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. With many fasting from dawn to sunset, our values of tolerance, kindness and respect are of the utmost importance as we extend our support to those observing this most holy time. This year is also the inaugural year of the celebratory Ramadan lights, in Piccadilly Circus. Worth making the trip if you have time over the weekend, they are a site to behold.
From the biggest lights of the season to the biggest hour of darkness on earth. On Saturday 25th March from 20:30 – 21:30 London will switch of her lights (along with the rest of the planet) in aid of Earth Hour. Harrods, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, the Shard, the London Eye, all will be plunged into darkness. Since 2007, Earth Hour has been a symbolic event to show our collective support for the planet. I have always found this to be a perfect time to look up; there is a rare opportunity to see the stars without the filter of the usual light pollution.
Whatever you’re doing this weekend, I wish you a peaceful rest – and don’t forget to put your clocks forward on Sunday night!
Shirley Mitchell
Assistant Principal (Boarding and PSHE)
