We have been hosting Open Mornings with tours of the school for current Year 5 children at our feeder Primary Schools and their families over the past couple of weeks and it is a pleasure to show them what Wallingford School looks and feels like “in action” on a typical morning in May. One of the aspects of these mornings which is a particular pleasure is to describe the range of clubs and activities which provide such wonderful opportunities for our students.

A great success of this year has been the move back to a longer, single lunchtime and being able to reinvigorate our clubs and activities offer during the lunch break. As I’ve written before, the list of clubs on offer is substantial and this week I would like to highlight the Gardening Club. It takes place in the Courtyard Garden just outside my office window and the work that has taken place this year – under the watchful eye of Ms Ladbrook – has been nothing short of transformational. Very well done to everyone involved.

Lunchtimes have also been very busy with House activities and this week has seen new ground broken with the House Remote Control Car Competition. It has been very exciting and the grand final takes place at lunchtime today in the Hall. As ever, competition and participation walk hand in hand and everyone is having fun. The Great House Bake Off comes up straight after the half-term break.

Assemblies this week have been led by our Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and have been both informative and encouraged reflection. In addition, assemblies straight after half-term will be led by our new Year 12 Student Leadership Team as they introduce themselves and explain their priorities for the year.

Finally, we have a meeting of the Wallingford School Association – our parent and teacher group which raises funds for the school - on Tuesday 6th June at 6pm in the Sixth Form Common Room and very much welcome new members. Any commitment is always very flexible and the WSA makes a significant contribution to the life of the school. This will be exemplified by our new school minibus which will arrive in a couple of weeks’ time and which will be very gratefully received.