This, it would seem, is the sister school to St James in the USA. I noticed a couple of names and faces from the past: Nicholas Debenham and Sheilah Caldwell. And who's that John Hipshon character? Any relation to the thug who assaulted me and many of my former colleagues at St Vedast, I wonder.
Scroll down and there's a portrait of none other than Leonardo da Vinci MacLaren accompanied by these moving words:
On September 25th, 2000, the Abraham Lincoln School joined its sister schools around the world in celebrating the birthday of Mr. Leon MacLaren. It was his unique vision of education that guides all these schools.
At the Lower School Assembly, Mrs. Solowey asked what qualities could be seen in a photograph of Mr. MacLaren. With delight they offered "kindness," "truth" and "bliss." The threefold promise was then recited by the children, reaffirming their commitment to be truthful and live according to the fine laws of the Creation, the cornerstone of their education. The story of the lion who was raised with sheep, which the children know and love, was retold and they were reminded of the "real lion" that lies within each of us. In order to wake up to that, access to a "real lion," who reminds us of who we truly are, is needed. Mr. MacLaren is that "real lion" to anyone who knew him and all those who hear of him through their teachers.
We concluded the assembly with the School Chorus, grades 4-7, singing O Thou Lord Supreme, a magnificent masterpiece composed by Mr. MacLaren. The level of attention to this celebration and the joy experienced was the greatest testament of all to the founder and leader whose full name bespoke such scope: Leonardo da Vinci MacLaren.
"Magnificent masterpiece" my arse! And I wonder with quite how much "delight" the children offered those words of praise for the god-like MacLaren.
Does anyone have any more information on the SES's involvement in schools in the USA?