We are very proud indeed of our Gardening Club and, as I sit here writing, I look out across the Courtyard Garden at a host of daffodils which cannot help but make everyone feel good. Thank you to the team of students who make this happen and also to the staff who have driven it forward over the last few years to make it a defining feature of our school community.

Linked to the Gardening Club is the development of two biodiversity areas in school. The first is the Pat Granados Biodiversity Area adjacent to the Walter Bigg car park and I am delighted to confirm that we have a new substantial potting shed being installed very soon in addition to a water connection and both of these developments are going to enable us to move further forward with the area and have more students and staff down there experiencing outdoor learning. The second area is a historic biodiversity area between the bottom tennis courts and the Bullcroft path which was once many years ago a much-loved nature area with a pond and other biodiversity but which has been neglected for some time. The great news is that we have secured funding for the shipping container in this area to be removed and for some cutting back and removal of other foliage which is going to make it accessible again and available for learning. We are very grateful to the Walter Bigg Foundation for their support of the first project and to an organization called Mend the Gap for their support of the latter – both projects will enhance the experience of students at Wallingford School.

Thank you to everyone who completed our annual Parent and Carer Survey over the past couple of weeks. We are collating the information and will share an overview with families next week.

Finally, it continues to be an absolute joy at this time of year to walk down after school most evenings to see our students taking part in netball and football fixtures against other schools – well done to everyone who has played this week.