Year 10s are beginning to step up to the mark as senior prefects. House Captains and Year 7 prefects along with the Head Girl team did an excellent leadership job at the New Girl's induction evening on Monday and they are all ready getting their teams together ready for Senior Girls Sport Day next week - if you are on the afternoon of Monday 26 June why not pop into to see some excellent athletics competition - we start at 1.00pm.

Year 10s were also busy looking to the future on Wednesday when they had a morning as members of the Sixth Form. They experienced a varied range of A Level subject lessons and had the opportunity to talk about life in Claires Court Sixth Form with Andy Giles and Steph Rogers. Wonderful to report back that they made a great impression on the Sixth Form staff. This horizon scanning continues next Friday when they receive a presentation on ‘Higher Education and the Alternatives’ given by Jayne Marshall, Imperial College and Helen Cole, CCS Careers Consultant. That will be followed by our annual Motivation and Memory session with David Hyner.

Talking of the Sixth Form I had the privilege of attending the Sixth Form A Level Art & Photography exhibition. Without doubt I believe this to be the highest standard I have ever seen from our Sixth Form artists and photographers. There is a wonderful vibrancy about the work on display, showing stimulating creativity and  a confidence to push the boundaries. The exhibition is on until next Thursday 29 June, and even if you are not yet connected to our Sixth Form it is worth 30 minutes of anybody’s time.

So pointers for the future and reminders. Very much looking forward to the Year 7 Medieval History Day, when we once again invite Senior Boys to join us for an experiential learning day on Wednesday, a reminder to order your Theatre and Dining tickets.... and please please please return your signed permission slips for Year 7 to 10 Activity Week.

Our week began in both a sombre and a spirit lifting way. We began Monday’s assembly with some reflective thoughts on the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and the immediate aftermath. After a look at the reasons as to why this may have happened, and how our local and national bodies reacted to support all those involved our thoughts turned to the more uplifting elements.

Once again we could be proud of the skillful and courageous actions of the first responders. Then as the scale of the disaster became apparent how the response of individuals, both from within the local community and from further afield showed the best of our national humanity.We concluded by reinforcing the notion that as individuals we can make a difference - we just need to take the first step and make the call to action.

So hoping to see as many of you as possible at the Summer Fete on Saturday. I am delighted  to see how many Year 9 and 10s are turning up to help.

Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.
Alexander Graham Bell