5th July 21

Wetherby Senior School has a proud history of film-making.  You may recall that Oscar and latterly Isaac in Year 10 have triumphed in the Independent Schools Association short films competition as national winners for three years in a row.  As proof that our talent pool runs deep, I was delighted to receive the link to the latest film by Max P in Year 10.  Remnant is a moody, tense exploration of post-apocalyptic life with a time-travelling twist.  The plot has a well-conceived structure and is very carefully shot – with technical skill (including CGI) and creativity.  Jake P (in Year 7) gives a powerful performance as a wearied, impassive survivor on a mysterious Groundhog Day quest.  The film’s original score is especially effective in its spare snatches of melodic guitar phrases and open, lugubrious strings.  Congratulations to John A (also in Year 10) for its composition.

Fantastic news that Aidan in Year 12 has gained a place in both the England and GB Ski teams for the 2021/22 Season, his first inclusion as a Senior.  Many of you know that Aidan has been involved in elite skiing throughout his Wetherby career.  In person he is a quiet and unassuming young man but he shows tireless dedication, skill and courage to excel.  I would also highlight that he manages to balance a commitment to the slopes with a fierce determination to succeed in his A Levels and (most recently) in his SATs for potential entry into US universities.  Aidan will represent Great Britain throughout the next season and he is short listed for a place on the National Team competing at the European Youth Olympics which is scheduled for February 2022 in Finland. We wish him all the very best in his coming glacier training camp in Italy.

I will be writing to parents before the end of term but I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the teaching and support staff for their dedication and professionalism throughout a year that has offered plenty of challenges.  I would also like to congratulate the boys on their resilience, creativity and good humour in the face of what have been, on occasion, uncertain and even anxious times.  It is to their very great credit as individuals and collectively that they have come through with such a strong spirit as a community.  To all who are leaving Wetherby Senior, staff and boys alike, I would like to extend my very best wishes for the future and thanks for their contribution to the successful life of the School.  Finally, I would like to thank you all very much for your support this year and especially throughout the course of this term when I have been acting headmaster.  Next term sees the arrival of Mr Joe Silvester and exciting times lie ahead.  Have a relaxing, delightful and well-earned break over the summer and I look forward to seeing you in the new term.