7 May 2021

We have been very impressed with the mature manner with which Year 11 have approached their examinations this week. Their calm and positive attitude is to be commended, in addition to their displays of maturity and resilience, during what for them has been an unusual end to this period of GCSE study. Significantly, they have approached this first week of exams radiating smiles and an upbeat spirit – well done to you all!

It has been lovely seeing the return of fixtures this week, with some excellent displays of team play in a series of challenging and competitive cricket and tennis matches. I do hope that Parents have had a chance to take a look at our new sports communication tool, SOCS. We are very excited about the positive benefits this will have in communicating fixtures, match locations and times and also match results, and look forward to exploring its full functionality as our fixtures programme increases in line with the easing of restrictions.

Pupils across school have been exploring food this week. Year 1 have enjoyed a second breakfast today, tasting different dips! Our Year 10 Food Technicians enjoyed a spectacularly tasty afternoon yesterday learning about food from Provence, during which they baked croissants. Needless to say, the smell permeated the rest of the school for the afternoon teasing many tastebuds.

Our Sixth Form students enjoyed a highly engaging talk from Dr Richard Penny on developing research skills for their Extended Project Qualification. Dr Penny inspired and challenged the students and explained how highly EPQ projects are regarded in terms of university entry. He also encouraged pupils to review and challenge the work already completed on their EPQ, to get the best possible outcome, and explained how the EPQ will equip students for the level of independent study required at university. We look forward to further talks by University Professors over the next term and also to our Higher Education Event on 15 June, which will be open to pupils in Years 9 and above.

This weekend, our Year 9 and 10 pupils are embarking on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice Weekend. Although we are unable to guarantee the weather, we can guarantee that they will have a great deal of fun and at the end of the weekend, a great sense of accomplishment! We wish them good luck!

James Raymond
Headmaster