It is hard to believe that we are already at the half-term break and it is fair to say that it has been a whirlwind of a six weeks in school since Easter.

We are, of course, very much in the middle of the public exams season for our students in Years 11 and 13 and the way they are coping – and working – is hugely impressive. Well done to them all and thank you to all of our staff for their support of these fantastic young people. We have of course had other exams and assessments across all the other year groups over the past few weeks and again I have to say well done to everyone involved for their approaches which have been exactly what we would expect and bode well for the longer term.

It has been a busy time for House activities and this has culminated in this week’s House assemblies. What has been great over the past few weeks has been the range and diversity of the House activities on offer from the House lunchtime football competition to the new Lego bridge building competition, there has been something for everyone to take part in and to enjoy during their lunchtimes. After half-term, things roll on beginning with the House Bake-Off Competition and with the annual spectacular of Sports Day coming into view.

As ever, Wallingford School sits at the heart of our local community and in recent weeks we have been involved in the Car Rally and had our Year 7 students in the Bullcroft learning about local history and considering social responsibility while we are also currently planning our involvement in the commemoration of the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Wallingford Carnival. The Bigg Band is integral to many of these events and I have to thank all of its members and its mastermind and leader Ms Hammond for their dedication to both the school and the local community – and also note quite how brilliant they sound!