11 January 2025

Dear Parents

Welcome Back! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break and the first week of term has run smoothly, despite the frosty weather! It has been a fun week and there is always a special excitement welcoming the school back from the Christmas break. We have enjoyed hearing about the adventures pupils across the Senior and Junior School have enjoyed over their holidays!

Mock Exams
Year 13 and Year 11 have had a busy start to the New Year, tackling the first week of their mock examinations with maturity and self-assurance. We have been particularly impressed by their collective sense of purpose and the evident preparation that has gone into revision for this important milestone. The mocks continue at a pace next week and I know you will all join me in wishing our students every success over the coming days.

Car Park
It has been a particularly busy week in the car park - exaggerated by the absence of fixtures in the first week of term and varying club attendance as you might expect during the cold weather. We are pleased to confirm that we have two new members of staff joining the maintenance team next week who will be adding to the car park supervision on Willow Court Lane. Thank you for your understanding as they work together with the wider school duty team to ensure the car park flows smoothly and safely. Please can I gently request everyone's support in following the drive-round protocols in the car park for the collection after school. Staff will be encouraging families to keep moving and not to park in the pick-up lanes. This really does help the car park to run more smoothly and efficiently. Thank you for your understanding. Please do feel free to take a space in the car park if there are spaces free if you have to wait for a period of time.

Welcome to new staff
I would like to take a moment to welcome some new staff who have joined the school this week. Mrs Sophie Lomas has joined the Junior School and taken up a new role teaching in Year 1. I know she is looking forward to meeting more Year 1 parents at the Coffee Morning next Tuesday. In Senior School, we are delighted to welcome Mr David Skinner into the English Department and to welcome the return of Mrs Hannah Varker into the Drama team. In addition, Mrs Lisa Van Doesburgh has joined as our new Whole School Librarian. Good Luck to Miss Culver who departed on Maternity Leave earlier this week!

History Trip Departure Meeting
It was lovely to see Year 9 families at the Battlefields Trip Departure meeting on Thursday evening. We are all looking forward to an exciting adventure to Normandy later this half term! We'll look forward to seeing Year 9 parents again next Wednesday for Parents’ Evening.

Ski Trip
Over 80 intrepid students and 10 staff headed off at the end of last term for an exciting week skiing in Italy to the stunning slopes of Sestriere. The resort, known for its world-class skiing conditions and picturesque views, did not disappoint. Blessed with perfect snow throughout the week, the students took to the slopes with enthusiasm, skiing for five hours each day under the guidance of instructors and staff.

For beginners, the progress was remarkable. Many arrived unsure if they could master even the basics, but by the end of the trip, they confidently tackled red runs—an achievement they hadn't thought possible. The more advanced skiers pushed themselves to new heights. The top group, full of energy and daring spirit, ventured off-piste, carving through untouched powder, and even attempted jumps that left staff members in awe. Some of their stunts were so impressive that even the most experienced adults on the trip preferred to stick to safer slopes! Beyond the skiing, the trip fostered camaraderie and unforgettable memories. From shared laughter on the ski lifts to evening activities in the hotel and the village, the week brought everyone closer together. Whether beginners or experts, every student returned home with stories of personal achievements and new friendships forged on the snowy mountains of Sestriere. Please click here to see photos of the trip.

Residential Trips
We have an exciting array of trips planned for 2025 ranging from Sports Tours to Spain for Cricket, Hockey and Football, to Junior School residentials for Years 3-6 (including a Year 6 trip to France), adventure and leadership training for Key Stage 3 in Dorset and so much more besides. We will be writing to parents with an update on our trip plans for the next five years in the near future. We hope this will be helpful in seeing the exciting opportunities ahead and planning for these as a family.

Please take a moment to look at this week in pictures.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head