Friday 7th July 2023

Dear Parents,

Thanks for your support for some wonderful events over the last two weeks. The three Sports Days were well attended, and the boys excelled with teamwork and pushing their own personal bests. We also enjoyed a hat-trick of drama performances from Year 6 and the Year 8 production was a tour de force comedy of errors.

Assemblies and a Music ensemble brought us into the penultimate week of term, as did our team who competed in the National Science Quiz Final in Oxford coming second in the UK.

During the week spades went in the ground for a final flourish of our rebuild as the timber of the new adventure playground started going up. You will be able see the rapid progress if you stand in the MUGA pitch. We are also doing a cuter version of this playground for the Reception boys outside their classrooms.

Great to see so many parents attending the parent-teacher consultations. We have an on-line seminar for you on Tuesday on AI in education, The Homefield Association are also laying on a circus show for Reception to Year 3 after School on Wednesday. For boys in Year 4 and above, our Prize Day ceremony at St Pauls Church next Thursday at 2.00pm will be a treat.

This is my last newsletter as Head: as you know from September, I move on to the Royal Bridewell Foundation leading Barrow Hills School in deepest Surrey. I have no intention of getting into green hunter wellies, rather I hope my import of brogues and pocket squares will soon become the new normal to my more rural setting.

I thank parents again for your support and kindness over the last nine years. You really do have the very best boys in London (well in my view).

My last shout out to my team of 63 staff. They are the glue that holds this community together. I’d like the thank them all sincerely. Mrs Harmes, my PA, is coming up to her 23^rd anniversary at the School and she will have taken superb care of a hat-trick of Heads.

A shorter tour of duty, but thanks to Mrs Drake, Miss Samengo Turner, Mrs Costain and Ms Tong, who move onwards. Thanks also to Mrs Walker and to Mrs Evans for their kind service over the years. We are fully staffed for 2023-24.

I leave you in the very capable hands of Mr Siva as Acting Head in September, holding the fort until the arrival of Mr Naismith later in Autumn Term.

I look forward to celebrating the last week of term with you all.

Head

John Towers