As we hurtle towards the end of term there has been a huge amount going on in school this week.

The Christmas Dinner on Tuesday was a great event – hundreds of students and staff enjoying their Christmas lunches accompanied by some really great music. This was followed on Wednesday by the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Dinner which was a lovely afternoon. A huge thankyou must go to our catering team for all of their hard work to make both of these events happen – it is very much appreciated. I would also like to state how impressed I was by our Sixth Form students as they supported the senior citizens on Wednesday afternoon; they were kind, understanding and generous, making sure that all of those who attended enjoyed their afternoon – well done to all.

There have been lots of House matches this week and they have been played in exactly the right spirit – competitive, committed and full of fun. Results to follow but really impressive. Last night marked the opening night of our production of Our House which I wrote about last week. I have yet to see the full, costumed version but have heard great things. And, of course, there have been several trips and visits out of school which continue to be such an important part of our school ethos.

I must mention our Year 11 students who have been sitting mock examinations this week. Their approach to these exams has been exemplary and demonstrates the maturity and commitment of this year group. It is not easy to be sitting exams – often more than one each day – this close to the end of term but they have done so with good humour, focus and resilience. Mock examinations are of course about preparing for next summer’s real exams and there may be things which they have struggled with or found difficult: this is quite natural and the challenge is to reflect upon this, talk to teachers, parents and carers and use this process to help with revision and practice in the new year. I have no doubt that they will do so.