It has been wonderful to see everybody in school this week for what has been a very busy and productive start to the term. I have had the pleasure of leading assemblies with all the year groups to welcome them to the year and remind them of how special a school we have where community, support and responsibility are at our core. It was also a pleasure to meet a number of the new parents at the New Pupils’ Day on Monday and share their excitement of being part of SVS. The site looks beautiful and I know for many it has felt a bit like coming home.

Particular highlights in the week have included the return of sport, CCF, excellent nourishment in the Refectory and a very purposeful atmosphere in lessons. I can certainly see that our students are advocates of the ‘work hard, play hard’ approach to life. We have also undertaken the military operation of administering lateral flow tests to all of the students twice; many thanks indeed for your support and co-operation.

You might be aware – indeed some parents joined the online seminar earlier in the week – that we have had the excellent James Shone in School giving various presentations about mental health, resilience and facing challenges. I was certainly struck by his messages and I am sure they will have had an impact on our students.

I am writing this looking out of my study window where there are some slightly ominous grey clouds coming over the Weald – I hope that they will not challenge the Communal Walk which is happening this afternoon. As many of you know, this is a highlight in the School calendar and I am so pleased we are supporting the Hedgehog Ward at Pembury Hospital, a cause of particular importance for some members of our community.

In due course I will be in touch about ways I intend to get to meet and know the parental community; please bear with me as we get into the swing of things in this ‘almost back to normal’ year. If you have anything urgent or particularly important to discuss please do approach me or my colleagues. In the meantime, I will do my best to add short comments and images of my observations on my new school Twitter account – @SVS_Headmaster so you can see what I have been up to! Please do follow me.

Best wishes, 

James A Thomas, Headmaster