7 February 2025

Dear Parents

It has been an exceptionally enjoyable week across the school as pupils in both Junior and Senior School continue to tackle the Spring Term with enthusiasm and curiosity. We are incredibly impressed with the maturity, focus and determination of Year 11 and Year 13 as they hurdle the final run towards their GCSEs and A-levels. Their sense of purpose and commitment is particularly notable this year.

High School Musical

Elsewhere in school we were treated to a simply exceptional two-night run of 'High School Musical' as pupils from Year 9-13 delivered an exceptional production. Across two busy evenings in the Willow Theatre, audiences were treated to a genuine toe-tapping, musical extravaganza! As well as some truly incredible singing and dancing, I was particularly impressed this year by the quality of the characterisation as the cast brought to life such a well-known production with confidence and warmth. It was a genuinely exceptional show and the cast and crew should all be incredibly proud of their achievement. I hope they are all able to enjoy a well earned rest after so many busy evening and weekends of rehearsals! Please do take a look at the photos from this epic production by clicking here.

National Finals - U16 Hockey

Last Sunday our exceptional U16 hockey team headed to Nottingham to participate in the national finals, finishing a truly outstanding 3rd in the country! This a genuinely wonderful achievement and reflects a huge amount of hard work, practice and dedication from the whole team. We are all incredibly proud of them and I know you will join me in sending them congratulations on their richly deserved success! They are an incredibly talented and modest group and we have all been particularly struck by the quiet self-assurance, warmth and competitive spirit!

Activities like the school production and participating in our sport teams are such an essential part of school life - these opportunities are so central to ensuring that school is a fun and happy environment and supporting our pupils in developing the social, leadership and teamwork skills that they will need to succeed at school and beyond! I never cease to be amazed by the sheer number of students taking part in fixtures, clubs, show rehearsals, music lessons and so much more every week.

Please click here for pictures of this week! I hope you are all looking forward to a restful weekend. I'll look forward to seeing you all in school over the weeks ahead.

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head