Headmaster’s blog 9/12/22

We began with Bus Stop at RADA on Monday and Tuesday, and I’d like to congratulate all involved in our fantastic Upper School play. With an innovative set design, gripping storyline, and strong acting, the hours of hard work and dedication of those involved was plain to see and made for a wonderful night of theatre.

On Wednesday, we then enjoyed an evening of competitive fun – thank you to our fantastic PTA for arranging a super quiz night. I have also heard great things about our Brass Band, who performed at The Gower School on Wednesday. More details about this are below, and I look forward to seeing our young musicians in action at next Wednesday’s Christmas Concert in Hannah House.

Christmas is a time for giving and so, at Wetherby Senior, we have a number of initiatives underway to support important causes close to our heart as a school. Firstly, a group of Year 8 boys are running a coffee business with Safi Coffee, which helps educate children in Uganda. More information about their wonderful Christmas hampers can be found here, in case you are looking for a last-minute caffeine-related gift.

Secondly, you may recall that, last June, our then Year 8 pupils undertook a sponsored sleep out to raise funds for the organisation, End Youth Homelessness. So, if you are still looking for an extra Christmas present or two, then this charity has a number of interesting options available, from donating a safe night’s sleep to beautifully designed t-shirts or Christmas cards. Find out more here.

Thirdly, boys from our Charity Committee have been busy selling tickets for our School’s Christmas raffle. Tickets are still available at £5 for a strip or £1 each, with the winners (for we have three prizes – two Christmas hampers and a gaming wheel) set to be drawn next Thursday. This is also Christmas Jumper Day, so boys can come to Marylebone wearing their festive sweater for £2, which they give to their tutor. Our PTA and our Charity Committee will also be selling £15 Christmas jumpers on that day, before-school, and at break and lunch, in Hannah House Hall.

Finally, another way for your son to get involved in charitable giving is via our Christmas shoebox appeal for West London Mission. Wetherby Senior has supported this very worthy cause for a number of years, donating over 100 shoeboxes last December, and I hope we can meet or surpass that number in 2022. Shoeboxes (which can be filled with items like men’s toiletries, socks, gloves, scarves, hats, books, and confectionary) should be donated by Thursday 15th December. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Before wishing you all the best for the weekend, I did promise news of last Friday’s Field Day and so I hope you enjoy reading the many stories, on our website, about the different trips undertaken. End-of-term arrangements for our last week are now swinging into place, with readings, singing and musical performances planned for our assemblies on Friday. For our Lower School, this will be at Hannah House, while other year groups will be at Hinde St. A reminder that boys will be dismissed after assembly, at around 12:15pm, and are expected back in Marylebone on Tuesday 10th January 2023.