In Week 4, we had the absolute pleasure of witnessing our Primary students present The Story of Moses in their Primary School Production.It was a day filled with joy and celebration as our students excelled in their abilities, each one given the opportunity to arise and shine in the unique gifts and talents God has placed within them. Throughout the day, I was deeply moved as I saw our school values lived out so authentically. Many students stepped forward in courage, taking on roles that stretched and challenged them. Others demonstrated integrity, dedicating their lunchtimes and spare moments to rehearse with peers, refine scenes, and take initiative to ensure the performance was the best it could be. Our older students embodied leadership beautifully, guiding and encouraging our younger students backstage and onstage, offering reassurance when nerves set in and modelling calm confidence. It is through moments like these that students engage in what educators call the hidden curriculum. The hidden curriculum refers to the unwritten, unofficial, and often unintended lessons, values, and expectations that students absorb at school alongside their formal learning. While subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science are explicitly taught, children are simultaneously learning important social and emotional skills, cooperation, resilience, respect, punctuality, teamwork, empathy, and how to navigate relationships, through the daily routines, interactions, and culture of school life. The term was first introduced by educational researcher Philip W. Jackson in his influential work Life in Classrooms (1968). Jackson reminded us that so much learning happens outside planned lessons, and that every part of the school day, from lining up, to playground play, to teacher language, shapes a child’s development just as profoundly as academic instruction. At Emmanuel, we hold a strong commitment to nurturing the whole child. We believe each learner is created by God with purpose, value, and potential, and our role is to support them as they grow into the person He has called them to be. Experiences like the Primary School Production allow children to step beyond the constraints of the mandated curriculum and enter spaces where deeper learning takes place, where they grow socially, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. These moments remind us that every child is seen, known, and loved for who they are in Christ, not just for what they can do. We are reminded of this in 1 Peter 4:10 ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ As we look ahead to the final weeks of the term, may we continue to foster an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to shine in their God-given identity. Thank you for partnering with us in nurturing not only strong learners, but compassionate, confident, and Christ-centred young people. It is a privilege to walk alongside your children each day and witness the many ways they grow, lead, and contribute to our Emmanuel community. Laura Ferguson – Head of Primary
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