Head’s Blog 15.01.21

Dear Parents,

I have been pleased to hear from staff that the boys are settled into the routine of online learning and that they are working well in all year groups. It is great to hear from pupils about their enthusiasm for their learning and how much they are appreciating the teachers’ dedication to keeping their engagement in lessons. Mr Astbury-Palmer’s random name generator keeps all of his mathematicians poised to contribute to his online lessons. Ms Page is using a great online whiteboard app which allows her pupils to write or draw their answers to show their contribution and then show all their answers to each other simultaneously on the screen.

The assemblies this term have moved away from YouTube to Teams.  I know that some of you were tuning in each week but using Teams makes it easier to include other members of the community in the assembly.  Last week Alex, a Senior Prefect, shared the shout outs and there was also an announcement by Harrison, the Prefect that leads Walbrook, announcing the inter-Trib ‘Lockdown Cookbook’ competition.  Recipes should be submitted with a photograph.  To qualify the dish must be a one pot dish, take no more than sixty minutes to prepare and cook and the recipe should be accompanied by an explanation as to why that dish, or the ingredients, are significant to you.  The fourteen best will be included in a special ‘Lockdown Cookbook’ edition of the Barometer.

I am also pleased to let you know that two of our pianists, Edward and Alexei, have both made it to the finals of the Independent Schools Association’s Young Musician of the Year.  They now have a couple of weeks to submit a second video of them performing a piece of their choosing.  They have done very well to make it to the final 8 in their age groups and I wish them luck.  Thank you also to Mr Repa who has supported all the boys who entered this year.

Finally, Mr Montgomery has been into School this week and recorded three workouts for the boys.  Mr Sullivan will be in next week to lead a live session as well as recording some more routines.  I hope the boys will enjoy doing them.

With best wishes, Seth