blog - 16 October 2009

I spent two days in London this week. On Tuesday 13 October I visited The Trinity College of Music, together with Peter Crompton, our Director of Music. We are in the process of forging links with the College, which I hope will be mutually beneficial, and we had a very productive few hours with the Principal, Derek Aviss.

I was back in London on Wednesday 14 October, this time at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Annual National Service for Seafarers. Our Choir sang as well as ever, but our star performers were our flag party (Charlie Lambert, Head of School, the flag-bearer, together with Lucy Bird, Deputy Head Girl, Paul Crompton, Deputy Head Boy and John Snoddon, Guard Commander) and Kirsty Brown (Head Girl), who read beautifully in front of a packed cathedral, including a great deal of RN top brass and The Lord Mayor of London.

The first half of the term concluded with Divisions on Friday afternoon. Our inspecting officer was Commodore Steve Kirby, the Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood. He said some very kind words at the end of the parade before sending us all off for a well-earned break.

Headmastering of any school is a great privilege, but weeks like this past one give me a huge sense of pride and satisfaction. Our pupils never fail to rise to the challenge and when it is most needed, they always impress!

There is no doubt that the first half of term has been extremely successful in spite of the weather which has disrupted our rugby fixture list. Needless to say, I hope that the second half of term will be equally productive.