It is also the time when Year 11 starts to think about the end of the Senior School experience. Throughout my career, students always say how quickly the time goes and I think there is a lovely message there for us to remember - to make the most of the time we have. This time of year always reminds me of The Specials song and the motto that could be found on Roman sundials; Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. 

At the other end of the secondary experience and thinking about choosing a new school, it can be hard to work out from the outside just how the school feels from the inside.  The character, the camaraderie, the atmosphere and ultimately the culture can be gleaned from a multiple of touchpoints.  However, I feel the best way to experience it is in person.  This is one of the reasons we offer Discovery Days, to both our internal Year 5 girls and to external Year 5s from other schools, so they can really feel what a school day may be like for them in Year 7.  We held one of these days yesterday and although I am at a Heads conference currently, I was told of the sheer delight the girls had on their faces when reflecting on the day with their adults at home time, expressing just HOW GOOD the day had been!  Mrs Austin Smith, our Head of Year 7, fed back that the girls were delightful, eager to learn and open to the different ways of working that are offered in Year 7.  We are running another one later in June so if you want to share the wonderful culture that we have with your friends, please do let them know there is a day for their children to try us out.

Yesterday the Year 8s went on a joint trip with the Year 8 boys to Dorney Court, one of the finest Tudor manor houses in the country. The day proved to be exciting for all where they were able to workshop through military drill, through theological debate, through art and drama the life and times of both Roundheads and Cavaliers.  Giving our young people the opportunity to work together is always a priority and now the restrictions have been lifted, we hope to be able to offer more of these as time goes on. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend ahead in the sunshine.

Mr Richards