“Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail.”
Ivan Turgenev
Why is it the case that a week in January takes twice as long to pass compared to a week in May? Time is clearly an elastic, stretchable dynamic and while we still have weeks to go before the end of term (5th July) these days will simply fly by. The pace had already picked up before we broke for our mini-break. We enjoyed a tremendous jazz concert, a Festival of Discovery trip to Normandy and a magical 6th Form Ball. Our older students are now in the thick of public exams with GCSE and A levels being taken and an air of studious endeavour hangs over the Kett Hall where most of these exams are taken, and today we enjoyed another fabulous Around the World Day at the Junior School.
In the coming weeks there is much to anticipate. There will be the Fête de la Musique at the Senior School, the Junior School summer concert, Prize Givings and a variety of school visits and field classes. There will be internal exams and at the end of the term, reports on a year of hard work to be read and digested. Sports days will be enjoyed. Adventure Weeks will be relished. It is a busy time, a productive time, and a joyful time of the academic year.
There remains time for new discoveries to be made and for new friendships to be developed and cemented. We have been pleased to welcome new pupils to our school for this final lap of the academic track. It is good to have you with us.
At this time of year, I find myself ever more likely to encourage all pupils to make the most of all that the school has to offer. Our exam candidates should take advantage of the offers of support that have been made by their teachers. Those going on trips should seek to learn the lessons that communal activities teach us and, knowing that some of our community are preparing to move on to new schools, make the most of time with friends.
As always, our students are also recognising their responsibility to others and the wider community. With the inestimable help of the BSP Society our Charity Shop will open on Saturday 25th May, so why don’t you drop by to pick up a new summer outfit or perhaps that all important poolside reading matter?
So, as we enter these last few weeks of school, we do so in the knowledge that we will learn lessons, develop character and enjoy the company of all those in our community.
Nicholas Hammond
Headmaster
