A well-earned exeat weekend awaits us. I hope that the pause is helpful for all, not least for our Upper Sixth students who will be doing their final revision before their A Level mock examinations start next week.

This afternoon it was lovely to be able to celebrate a range of aspects of school life in the Headmaster’s Assembly, including musical certificates, sporting prowess, Duke of Edinburgh awards and also to hear a scene performed from last week’s excellent production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was especially pleasing to listen to Summer Beames (Upper Sixth) give a fascinating speech relating to her EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) about crime and punishment in literature and history. I look forward to this being a regular slot where students can share some of their research and academic progress – next week we will focus on technology.

Last Friday, I was delighted to be able to attend my first Senior School Drama production at the School. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was a fantastic show and its success was very much testament to the hard work that the cast and crew have put in over the last few months. Although we had to restrict the audience, it was a highlight for many to attend and was a sign that we are slowly approaching normality. On Saturday, it was good to welcome a number of Third Form parents for a cup of tea/coffee and pastry outside the Refectory at the ‘HSMs at Home’ gathering (it will be the turn of the Fourth Form parents to join us on 28th January). It was also nice to see so many faces on the touchlines for the Football, Hockey and Netball matches this week. Next week, Fifth Form parents will be able to experience an online Study Skills Seminar and Lower Sixth parents have a Parents’ Evening; you will have been sent relevant information.

Whilst we still have a mixture of some in-person and other online events, I am really pleased with the level of interaction between parents and the School. Thank you for your ongoing understanding of the protocols which Mr Farrell wrote about earlier this week; we also had the NHS vaccination team in School for 12 to 15-year-olds on Thursday. We are united in optimism, I hope, that we are turning the corner.

Best wishes

James Thomas, Headmaster