On Tuesday evening a new addition to the school calendar took place with the first Summer Recital Concert in the school hall. It was a brilliant evening full of great performances and brimming with potential. We said goodbye to two of our Year 13 musicians, Jasper and Evie, who have made a wonderful contribution to music in the school over their seven years with us. We also celebrated the talents of a huge number of Key Stage 3 students who performed, sang and inspired across a range of instruments and groupings from solos to large groups, some of whom were experienced performers, others for whom it was their first performance in front of a large audience. It was a great evening and very well done indeed to all who were involved, with particular thanks to Ms Hammond and Ms Weston and also the parents from the Wallingford School Association for supporting with refreshments.

It has been wonderful over the past couple of weeks to really feel that our French and German Exchanges are back.  Last week we had students and staff from our French partner school staying with families of our Year 10 students and in school; this week our Year 10 students and staff are in Germany. For a very many reasons there is nothing quite like an exchange and the value they add to our students’ experience is considerable. We also look forward to our Year 8 German students going to Aachen next week – about which there is much excitement!

Finally, the public examinations have concluded this week and we have to say “well done” to all of our Year 11 and 13 students for their hard work over the past two years in particular. They can now look forward to a good break over the summer – although we do have our Year 13 Leavers’ Ball, Sixth Form Taster Days and Founder’s Day next week for them to look forward to first! Our Key Stage 3 students have also been immaculate in their conduct during their assessments this week and their overall approach has been very impressive indeed.