11 November 2022
Firstly, I would like to thank all the families that attended our spectacular ‘Magic at The Movies’ event last Saturday (please click here to see pictures). I have lost count of the number of emails of thanks we have had from parents who commented on the welcoming attitude of pupils and staff, before getting swept away in astonishment at all there was to see and do! Additionally, it was the perfect launch into our annual Junior Discovery Week.
Junior Discovery Week
The Junior pupils have had an extraordinary week, continuing to explore the theme of films from behind the scenes. On Monday, we were joined in assembly by parent Mrs Henwood, an agent who works at Pinewood Studios and the children were excited to ask lots of questions about the film making process. Everyone went to Stunt School at the start of the week, learning how to roll, tumble and balance, and on Wednesday we ventured behind the camera with an informative Green Screen workshop. With much excitement, pupils were transported to the sets of a variety of block-busting films from Star Wars to Harry Potter!
Our younger pupils in EYFS and KS1 have been following the adventures of Zog, returning to dragon school to create sock puppets, 3D models and even becoming Zog in a creative art workshop. Meanwhile, Key Stage 2 pupils have been creating their own Pitch Bibles ready to pitch their new film ideas to Disney or Netflix. They started the week watching the short film The Dragonslayer and have storyboarded, written scripts, created adverts, designed and made costumes, explored new characters and written and presented their own pitches. All I can say is watch out Hollywood!
Year 10 A-level Options Fair and Year 11 Sixth Form Scholarship and Assessment
On Tuesday, we held our A-level Options Fair for all Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. The event for our Year 10 is designed to encourage them to begin to think about life beyond GCSEs, without the pressure of having to make immediate decisions. For Year 11, it provided a useful refresher of subjects available at A-level, ahead of our Sixth Form Scholarship and Taster Day which took place on Wednesday. Year 11 revelled in the opportunity to experience lessons in their potential A-level subjects and also took part in one of three enrichment sessions at the end of the day. Most importantly, they were given time in the Sixth Form common room, made all the sweeter with Chef Paul’s infamous rocky road! We are very much looking forward to supporting this talented group of young people through the next six months and beyond into Sixth Form.
Remembrance Day
Today we gathered as a whole school around the Willow Tree, in our annual Remembrance Day service. I am always incredibly proud of how our pupils mark this event, with such a sense of occasion and respect. As has become tradition over the last few years, several of our Senior School trumpeters performed a very moving rendition of ‘The Last Post’. During the minute’s silence, we collectively reflected on those who have lost lives fighting for their country and we also thought about children and families displaced by war currently.
I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.
With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Headmaster