Friday 26th May 2023

Dear Parents,

Last year, we updated our Scholarship Policy to provide for four House Scholarships to be awarded each year. The faculty has considered the standard of the boys’ learning, but also how they learn. Their capacity for soft skills such as collaboration and the commitment to study skills, organisation and even higher order thinking. After much deliberation we have settled on four ambassadors, who will each receive a prize and a commendation on the House Scholar Board. Congratulations to: Yusuf Q (Year 5) in Bomfords, in Greys, Brendan (Year 5), in Ellis, Sidd (Year 7) and in Walfords, Aaron (Year 7). Also, many congratulations are extended to Andrew in Year 8, who is the recipient of the prestigious Martineau Exhibition award from Eton.

The boys shined in entertaining all who came to enjoy the Peri Proms over the last two weeks. Thanks to them and to Mrs Griffith for orchestrating the season. Your kind support was really valued by the boys, whatever their level of musical attainment. A total of 163 boys relished the chance to perform solos or small group compositions.

The winners of our Modern Foreign Language Competition impressed with both linguistics and real creativity. Well played Ariz, John H, Wesley, Jai, Faiz, Oscar, Arthur, Aaron and Mathew.

On good play, I must mention the recent Year 5 cricket fixture against Chinthurst, a win in hardball cricket, but also a showcase of outstanding sportsmanship and impeccable manners. In addition, a special mention to Kamran (Year 5) and his team who managed a fundraising hike for The Royal Marsden, and also led Assembly last Friday with a presentation on their good citizenship. Very inspirational.

Our thanks again to the Homefield Association members who helped us with recent communications audits. A reminder that we plan to streamline all our comms into one tidy and intuitive platform from September. Details to follow. Also do please get your tickets, whilst they last, to the HA Mediterranean Evening at Denbies Wine Estate on June 16^th.

As I write the Governing Board are well into the recruitment of the permanent Head to succeed me in September. This follows a national, rigorous, process assisted by Odgers executive search, we will let you know the outcome and prior to the end of term.

On finding the right people – did you know that London has the highest teacher mobility rate in the country?

Research points to high cost of living nudging teachers out to more affordable locations. However, our staff mobility is half that of our great City. The average tenure of our faculty is 8 years; a balance allowing continuity but also revitalisation. Being part of a supportive community is going to attract and retain the best staff, so I thank parents for the vital part they play in this dynamic. We have ploughed a broader investment in our people and that’s why enhanced recruitment and retention in the team is so important with everything from a low-cost electric car scheme to trained mental health champions.

My last ½ term, before I move on to serve the Royal Bridewell Foundation as Head of Barrow Hills, will be busy. We now have a start date for the final piece of the capital build. You will see our ambitious adventure playground taking shape from July. With the wind behind us we also hope to complete on a complete refurbishment of the Early Years’ Playground into August. Staffing is in place and timetabling all done for September, so let’s now enjoy a strong finish to the year.

Kind regards,

Headmaster

John Towers