The House system lies at the heart of Wallingford School and Thursday lunchtime saw the now established Speed Language Learning Competition with over 13 languages in the game and House points to play for. It’s always a great event and celebrates both the cultural diversity of our staff and student bodies and the passion for, and curiosity about, languages which run throughout our school. Thank you to all of the staff and students who delivered another language in a short period of time and very well done to all of those who took part.

Sport, music and drama are also integral to the life of our school and this week has seen minibuses rolling off to fixtures and tournaments, the Bigg Band at full volume on Wednesday afternoon in the Hall and the cast list released for our whole school production of Legally Blonde in January. Equally, lunchtime clubs are now in full flow and it is always a delight when Year 7 students find me looking for Key Stage 3 choir or Lego Club or Warhammer Club. School is about lessons and it is also about great experiences outside the classroom and all of these threads contribute to the tapestry of our school experience.

Trips and visits are also a big part of what we do as a school and last week’s History visit to Berlin was a great success as was the Sixth Form Geography visit to the Welsh coast. The trip to the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi final in Bristol on Friday evening also looked great fun.

A busy school is a happy school and that has certainly been the case this week.