14 February 2020

It’s been an incredibly musical week here in school as both Junior and Senior pupils provided a string of performances fit for applause.

Our Year 5 Choral Day saw well-known composer Lin Marsh leading both our pupils and visitors from Crowmarsh Gifford Primary in a day of workshops and rehearsals, topped off with a wonderful recital for parents, staff and friends. Well done to everyone who took part.

Tuesday night’s Rock & Pop Concert delivered more sterling singing as pupils from across Senior School took to the stage to sing their favourite tunes. This is always a fantastic, celebratory evening which acknowledges pupils’ ability to overcome any nerves and do themselves proud just as much as it does vocal talent and this year’s concert saw the audience cheering our performers to the rafters.

Not to be outdone, our Art Department took GCSE Art and Textiles students from Years 10 to 11 to London on a trip designed to inform their own work. Visiting the Picasso on Paper exhibition at the Royal Academy and the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A, they certainly found plenty of inspiration for their own sketchbooks.

Elsewhere, our usual busy roster of sports fixtures, engaging teaching and exciting extra-curricular activities have all continued apace. We now look forward to a well-deserved pause in the term and wish you all a lovely half-term break.

Finally, some parents have contacted the school about the Coronavirus. The school is following the advice from the DfE, which has informed parents that they should not be unduly concerned. If you are planning to travel to an affected area, in particular China, we would suggest you review latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice). Further information can be found on https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Wishing you all a lovely half-term break.

Best wishes

Dr James Raymond