Immediately afterwards, Dylan and Jake Gibbs articulated powerfully their very personal reasons and desire to host a cake sale and mufti day this Wednesday. It was certainly not easy for them to do this in such a public forum and they demonstrated great resolve and dignity. Their passion was clear for all to see and thank you to everyone who supported both ventures raising £625 for the Holy Cross Hospital and the Art Fund. There were some great seasonal mufti day attires on show and the chocolate brownies were delicious!

Mr Butterfield then eloquently caused an excited ripple to cascade through the audience as he described Callum Potter’s (Y6) heroic deeds in the Olympic Park swimming pool last weekend. He represented all of us in the Regional 200m Freestyle Relay team at the National ISA Gala. Diving into the unknown was water off a duck’s back to this champion. A gold medal was proudly hung around his neck. Talent can be natural but often also requires hard work and his commitment to attend training sessions sometimes twice a day is a lesson for all of us to reflect upon. I am sure news of this tremendous achievement will have encouraged Mrs Whiteley and I am sure you all join me in wishing her a speedy recovery and return to school.

Ms Icke and the whole of Year 5 produced a dramatic Wednesday assembly that showcased many thespian talents and clear voices. They also certainly went to town on the Christmas mufti theme! They recreated the Christmas Grinch for our amusement but left us with the important message that we can all stop to think in our everyday lives, that we as individuals and bystanders can change or make a difference.

It was not just the boys being brave and talented on stage this week. I was lucky enough to be royally entertained and enjoy the magical performance of Mary Poppins at Junior Girls on Wednesday. Well done to everyone involved. It was great to see so many younger brothers supporting sisters in the audience as well.

With so many different skills and so many young men unaffected by nerves or anxiety, I was left feeling a little inadequate from the repertoire and resilience shown. I guess the messages are; ‘Go and seize the day’, ‘Keep trying everything on offer’, ‘Respect our differences’, ‘Develop a wide range of interests’ and ‘Face down the gremlins that stop us being the best we can be’. I wonder if anyone will be brave enough to join a different activity next term - one they have not done YET. The list is exciting and endless and my appetite was certainly wetted by the descriptions and information sent out recently. Can you unearth a hidden talent or develop one even further?

Perhaps Dr. Seuss’ words may resonate with us all:

It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes, or bags!"

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!

And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say

That the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!

Mr Leuzinger certainly has reflected upon the Grinch’s words and had an epiphany of sorts. Rumours circulate the Staff Room that his beloved white Land Rover occasionally moonlights as the Roundtable’s Santa’s Sleigh!

I wonder what brave deed, talents or kind actions will make our boys hearts grow three sizes until the end of term.

Please see photos of the week in the gallery.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Dean Richards