Headmaster’s Blog 14.05.21

I am sure that, like me, you are looking forward to the promised freedoms as we pass another milestone on the government’s roadmap out of COVID restrictions on Monday.  For all of us at Wetherby Senior, the most evident change will come in the fact that facemasks will no longer be obligatory when on the campus, in corridors or during lessons from the start of next week.  That said boys should have a mask with them in case it is necessary if they are unable to maintain social distancing, for example.  Boys may continue to wear a mask if they wish to do so until further notice.  All other preventative measures will be in place including hand sanitizing, ventilation, one-way systems and year group bubbles.

Another very welcome feature of the changes is the fact that we can begin to return to a more diverse pattern of games provision and activities.  This means that the Marshall Street swimming baths are now reopening and those boys in Year 7 and 8 can go swimming on Monday afternoons.  Year 9s and Year 10s will intersperse trips to Ealing Trailfinders with local sessions at either the School gym or AMP (a gym in Marylebone) for training sessions.  Year 11 and above will have sessions in the School gym or at AMP added to the options list too.  Before and after school physical activities return with early sessions in the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Years 12 and 13 as well as basketball after school.  Years 7 and 8 can sign up for HIIT after school on Tuesdays and Years 9 and 10 for strength and conditioning after school on Wednesday.  There will also be an opportunity for boys in the lower and middle school to try out rowing at Rowbots at Oxford Circus on Wednesday after school.  Fridays see the return of Barbell Society (for the older boys), park run and football at Seymour Leisure Centre after assembly.  I am delighted that we are able to return to something more akin to our regular, pre-COVID provision for the boys.

As part of the ongoing pastoral curriculum, Years 8 and 10 had talks from Natasha Devon earlier today. These will be followed up with a parent talk at 4pm. Natasha is a Body Image and Mental Health Campaigner. She is also the founder of the Mental Health Media Charter, and a trustee of Student Minds. She has worked with young people in schools, colleges and universities for many years, and in 2015 she was awarded an MBE for services to young people. The parent talk will cover ‘communication and mental health’ and provide a broad overview on how to have discussions about wellbeing with children, particularly during the pandemic, along with some self-care tips for adults.


Wetherby Senior sixth formers have been snapping around London, taking photos of what our capital city means to them.

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