From The Head - Friday 13th October 2023

While listening to the radio recently, I discovered an interesting fact about giant sequoia trees and their roots, which provided a much deeper message about humanity.

These enormous, majestic trees can grow to an incredible height of 84 metres and can live for up to three thousand years. Given the extreme height of these trees, you would expect that the roots are very deep in order to anchor them securely to the ground. However, the roots of these towering trees are often only around 4 metres deep on average.

Though shallow, the underground roots possess an unexpected element of interconnectedness – they grow towards other roots and intertwine amongst themselves. It is this intertwining of roots and net- work that provides the strength and stability to the sequoias to keep them upright. The trees rely on each other for support.

Within this feature was the powerful message that we are stronger when we work together and support each other: there is strength in community and that it is difficult to successfully stand alone.

Unfortunately, we continue to live in turbulent times with conflict across the globe and it is deeply disturbing to witness such an utter disregard for life and a complete lack of tolerance for others and how they choose to live their lives.

If only mankind could learn lessons from nature, the world could be a more harmonious, peaceful and productive place. We can achieve so much more when we are united.

Wishing you all a wonderful half term holiday.

Julia Langford
Headteacher