Headmaster’s Blog 14.10.21

I hope that this finds you well, and that you and your sons are looking forward to a well-deserved half term break.

This half term seems to have flown by, and as we head into the break, there is much to reflect on and be grateful for. Having spoken with a number of other Heads this week, I certainly think that we have been quite fortunate in the low number of Covid cases across the school. Where others have had to return to bubbles and large numbers of pupils at home, we have been able to carry on fairly normally albeit with our appropriate mitigation measures in place.

This Monday the Music Department put on their first recital of the year, and there were some very fine performances indeed. As with other areas of school life such as sports and visits, it was lovely to return to live performances and I know that there are more concerts in the diary for next half term. We were also treated to a performance by the Brass players in assembly yesterday, and their playing was fantastic – a fitting end to the assembly and half term and I am extremely grateful to Mr Martin and all of the players for their efforts.

We were also privileged to be spoken to in assembly by members of the school’s diversity committee. Formed last year and looked after my Ms Nash this a committee formed of boys from all year groups and is a superb example of boys and staff in the community demonstrating our commitment to, and engagement with, issues relating to diversity and inclusion within and beyond the school.  The School Council has also been meeting in the last few weeks, and they have been engaged in reviewing some key school policies for us – a very adult but important aspect of their role and it is an opportunity for the voices of our pupils to feed into what we do.

Before I sign off, it is important to offer my thanks to all members of the school community for their hard work over the last seven weeks; and to note the hard work, enthusiasm, and good cheer of boys and staff alike as they have all come back together. My thanks also to you – the parent body for your support of me and of the school. I have very much enjoyed meeting many of you at the coffee mornings and parents’ evenings this half term.

I hope you have a lovely restful half term, and I will see you in November.