Headmaster’s Blog 10.09.21

Dear parents,

At the end of our first full week back, there is a real feeling of being back to business. Boys have now had a full week of lessons and a chance to meet their teachers. There have also been a lot of decisions to make for boys as they fill their diaries with clubs and activities for the weeks ahead. Today has seen the re-launch of our Friday afternoon activities programme, with a most impressive 34 different activities on offer. When the after-school activities begin on Monday, the total number of things on offer across the week will be 116! This is an amazing number of different activities for pupils in all the different year groups to take advantage of – it really is an enriching programme on offer to them.

Our full games programme is also now running, and with a much-expanded range of choices, it has been great to know that we are sending pupils to a fantastic variety of activities nearby; competitive football and rugby continue to be offered at the wonderful Ealing facilities. Closer to home, boys have been swimming, climbing, and playing recreational football in Regent’s Park. Here on site, the gym and new spin studio have been very busy indeed. The spin studio is a terrific facility to have on site and is of a quality you would expect to find in a commercial gym. More than one parent has remarked to me this week that they would like to be able to use it!

Last week, I promised to update you on the fixtures taking place this week. On Thursday, the Year 10 footballers travelled to Barnes for a six-a-side tournament. Although they had not played together for some time, Ms Bachmann noted to me how impressed she was with their individual performances and resilience in the face of stiff opposition. At the end of the afternoon, the boys left with a record of: lost two, won one, drawn one. Well done to Jack for his captaincy and all of the rest of the squad.

Having welcomed the boys back last week, it has also been nice to welcome so many of you this week at the events for Year 7 and 9 parents. Both evenings have been a wonderfully normal way to meet you and begin to build relationships with you.

With best wishes for the weekend.