Well, we’re now three weeks into the longest stretch of the academic year, the school has got a bit of impetus behind it and we are running, dare I say it, like a well-oiled machine….
I was absolutely delighted with the turnout for Harvest Evensong last Sunday – it was good to see the chapel completely full. Thank you to all those parents who answered the call – it really makes a difference to have you all there. The Proprietor gave an excellent sermon and the evening was rounded off with a very jolly drinks party in the Front Hall.
This week we have had a SAAFA Coffee Morning which raised £1500 in an hour and a half and we were very honoured that the General came to speak to the assembled masses. There was a frisson of excitement as word spread that the General was coming, and he didn’t disappoint.
We won 4 out of 5 matches against Milbourne Lodge, only going down in the Under 9 match, to a very classy side indeed. In fact EL said they were probably the best Under 9 side he has ever seen.
I was delighted to welcome a London pre-prep Head to Woodcote who was tremendously impressed by the school – especially the ‘vast’ grounds and the amount that we pack into the school day, both academically and in terms of extra-curricular activities. She was immensely positive about our decision to start a bus service in April and I hope that she will send a few of her charges our way. It is something that people are increasingly taking an interest in, and I am seriously toying with the idea of buying an old American School Bus, as transport.
On Thursday I went to the Prep / Public School heads conference at Summerfields. Michael Gove had been booked in to address the (what is the collective noun for Headmasters – answers by email; a prize for the best!) crowd and I have to say, I was hugely impressed. One doesn’t necessarily believe everything that the Minister for Education has to say but, goodness me, he certainly has a passion for the subject. He spoke for nearly an hour and a half, including a 40 minute Q&A session with no recourse to notes of any sort – something we HMs can only appreciate!
Yesterday was the annual Charity Golf Day at Foxhills in aid of the Willow foundation. No idea yet how much was raised but it will be another good sum and this year there was a slightly different format, with the golf taking place in the afternoon followed by a dinner and cabaret. Talking of a well-oiled machine, I hear the guests had a wonderful time, although this is only reported second hand as I was at school running a Horse Racing Night for the boarders.
Today there is Chapel, Drinks and Lunch for the parents, followed by matches against Pilgrims. The Juniors are off to London this evening for Dinosnore – a night sleeping with the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum! Rather them than me…..
That is all.