Headmaster’s blog 17/06/22

The sun has certainly been shining down on central London this week and I’m sure our Year 8 were grateful for the lack of rain last night, as they slept out on our Hannah House terrace to raise funds and awareness of youth homelessness. Well done to all boys and staff involved, and thank you to all our generous donors.

For other year groups, the sunshine may have seemed irrelevant as revision and exams continue for many. With this in mind, I am delighted to see the feature this week on one of our current Year 13, William, who holds an offer for the University of Leeds this autumn.

The remaining weeks of our Summer Term seem packed with sports, inter-Trib competitions and other exciting events. This includes our School Fair on Friday 1st July (our poster is in our newsletter, and more details will follow in a future newsletter) but, on the Wednesday and Thursday before that, we have the world premiere of our Lower School drama production, The Useless Tree. More details are in our newsletter but this play, described as both poignant and hopeful by its writer and director, was inspired by one member of our School’s teaching staff, written by another, and will be performed by our Lower School pupils – a truly unique Wetherby Senior experience! Tickets are now on sale via ParentPay, with early purchase encouraged to avoid later disappointment.

Finally, I’d like to end with two further announcements, although both are less joyful than news about the hard work and talent of our Lower School performers. First, a reminder that next week will see major transport disruption with the planned train strikes on Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd June, coupled with the tube strike on Tuesday 21st June. With our School open as usual, and exams still taking place, please do bear this in mind when helping your son plan his journey to Marylebone.

My second notice is regarding my email to parents highlighting the increase in fraudsters targeting independent school parents, by stating that bank details have changed and asking for fees to a different account. As outlined in my other message, please be very cautious of any communication purporting to come from our School regarding a change of payment account, and please do contact us on our usual telephone number, not one contained within any email or letter, to double check the validity of all information before making any payment. A reminder that, in our view, the safest method of paying fees is by direct debit, which can be arranged by sending your direct debit mandate to our finance officer, Mrs Zaman.