Dear parents,
It has been another busy and rewarding week at school.
On Tuesday we held our first Charity Committee meeting of the term. It was encouraging to see pupils so engaged, reminding us of the importance we place on pupil voice and on service to others. This was followed by a wonderfully inspiring informal vocal concert in the Chapel on Wednesday. It was moving, entertaining and a real joy to attend. I am very much looking forward to next week’s event, which will feature our guitarists.
We were also delighted to welcome actor Matthew Goode back to school to work with our senior drama scholars. We are extremely fortunate to have such a rich, varied and committed community of former pupils who are so generous with their time and expertise. Keeping with the on-stage theme: I would like to wish the very best of luck to all pupils taking part in National Youth Theatre auditions this Sunday.
It has been a busy week for sport too, with swimming and football alongside our major sports programme. This weekend sees the boys’ hockey team take on West Buckland, and a large (putting it mildly) netball festival with KES Bath involving no fewer than 17 teams from across the school. And that is not forgetting the Devon Cross Country Championships; good luck to all our runners.
On Thursday we welcomed Lower Fifth (Year 9) parents for their parents’ evening. As pupils move towards making their GCSE option choices, I hope the evening proved informative and encouraged pupils to reflect carefully on the advice of their expert subject teachers. Next week, following a study skills afternoon, it will be the turn of the Upper Fifth (Year 11). A reminder that Thursday 5 February is the deadline for both Upper Fifth A Level and Lower Fifth GCSE choices.
Looking ahead, our next Parental Forum will take place on 4 February and will be led by our Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Fennemore. He will outline our plans for the shape of the school week from September and there will also be a breakout group specifically for parents of neurodiverse pupils, helping ensure that these children continue to receive the expert care and support they need as we move towards these changes. We will be sending an invite to all parents soon.
As part of our ongoing programme of site improvements, we will shortly be further improving the security of the perimeter with the installation of new fencing along Victoria Park Road. We hope to have this completed by the start of the summer term. Until then, you will see some temporary fencing.
Next week promises to be just as full, and just as fun, with more pupil committee meetings, art trips and on Wednesday we host our annual careers convention. Here pupils can talk with different employers from a wide range of fields, hopefully gaining additional insight into their future career pathways.
The week ends in joyous fashion with the Sixth Form Winter Ball on Friday. I shall be getting my dancing shoes ready.
