It’s been a rather damp but typically busy week in school with a focus on progress for Years 9 and 11 in particular. For Year 9 it was Feedback Evening last night with the opportunity to discuss how everything is going across subjects before Key Stage 4 Options Evening on Wednesday 4th February, which is always a great evening to consider next steps and the future. For Year 11 it was the "envelope opening" of their mock examination results on Wednesday afternoon when they experienced a flavour of what it is like to formally receive exam results – something which always sets them up well for the summer and encourages reflection of how the mock exam period went and a chance to plan for the coming months with considerable support from home and school. The year group worked very hard for their mock exams and – as I told them on Wednesday – their approach has been exemplary which bodes well for the summer.

In other news, after many months of planning, preparation and a very many rehearsals we are on the verge of finally experiencing our whole school production of Legally Blonde. Anticipation has been building as the set has been gradually assembled on the stage in the Hall, the cast is huge, the music sounds great, the lighting and sound almost at industry-standard, the costumes lined up and make-up ready – we are good to go starting with Year 6 Primary children seeing the first performance on Monday afternoon. We could not be more excited.

Another event we are very much looking forward to next week is a visit to the school from Olympic Gold medal winning triathlete Alex Yee – much more to follow on this and it is going to be a pleasure to welcome him to Wallingford School.