Dear Parents and Carers,

I know that many people will disagree with me, but I think being a headteacher is the best job in the world. I’ve felt that especially this week.

I’ve watched the pile of donations for the food bank grow and grow, and yesterday I joined some of our ambassadors to carry it up to the food bank van and pass it over. Those students were confident, friendly and keen to help; really impressive young people. Thank you to all of you who contributed to that collection. It was a great response.

We’ve given out the first round of school colours in house assemblies this week to a selection of the most dedicated, determined and talented youngsters I’ve met. The response from the rest of the student body to those awards was heart-warming. Clearly those students with colours are going to be excellent role models.

I’ve been on lunch duty in the canteen every day this week. It’s been Christmas dinner week and, again, the students have impressed me enormously. They queue patiently, thank the canteen staff politely and then sit with their friends to share a meal. Watching them with their paper hats on, pulling crackers and obviously enjoying each other’s company, I was struck by just how mature they are. When they had all left the canteen yesterday there was not a scrap of litter left behind. I don’t think that in any other school I’ve ever worked in there would have been the same atmosphere over Christmas dinner. It was lovely to watch.

And then last night I attended the Christmas show. The confidence and excellence of the performances I saw was exceptional. In my experience, school concerts often revolve around a small group of able musicians who carry the show, performing time and again to fill the programme. Not here; our performing arts department is much bigger and more ambitious than that.  Nearly a hundred students performed last night, from year 7 to year 13, and every single one of them was brilliant. I can’t think of a nicer way to end the term.

Thank you to all of you for your ongoing support. Thank you as well to all the staff who work so hard to make the school what it is. And finally, thank you to your children. It is a privilege to work with them. They make me proud every single day.

School opens for students on Wednesday 8th January. Until then, have a restful and peaceful Christmas,

Andy Hunter

Headteacher