Friday 27 February 2015

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 27th February

So we have come back from our half time talk, eaten all the oranges, tended to any cuts and bruises and are ready to take on the second half with renewed determination, vigour and enthusiasm. And we have seen this in abundance this week from our students; from Captain Hannah Meldrum leading the U13 Netball team to a staggering 31-4 win over Stanchester and the U12s also coming away with a win. The U15s put in a stunning performance in the St James Independent School Rugby 7s competition winning the Plate competition (expertly led by Sam Wilson who also recently represented County) and football scores against Ansford have also been encouraging. The House Swimming Gala was keenly contested earlier this week with Golledge house winning the spoils and the U18s hosted ten schools (including a Barbarian side) at the 2nd Annual Sexey's 7s competition on the Elm Field yesterday. With sun, rain, wind and hail to contend with, not to mention the might of Marlborough College, Sherborne and Canford, our boys led by Matthew Owen won a closely fought Trophy Final to a strong Milton Abbey School with Marlborough College winning the Cup. The 7s season has certainly started in earnest and to have won two trophies in as many days is testimony to the hard work and commitment displayed by the students and staff.

The Joint Schools’ Concert on Wednesday was a wonderful occasion and it was a joy to see just how much talent we have here in Bruton amongst the three secondary schools – we look forward to even more joint ventures in the future. Music is integral to what we do here at Sexey’s and it’s important that pupils seize these valuable opportunities to be creative and to be challenged.  Talking of challenges our A-level Government and Politics students put the new Lib Dem candidate for Somerton and Frome, Mr David Rendel through his paces asking some pretty searching questions about the current political landscape, local and national issues and the challenges facing the Lib Dems in the upcoming General Election. Mr Rendel commented on how well informed our students were and I hope to continue to invite politicians of various hues to challenge our students. In a few weeks’ time we have a Ukrainian government official coming to Sexey’s who will be speaking to our Historians about the current conflict in the Ukraine. Ensuring our students are fully aware of what is going on beyond the confines of our Bruton bubble is paramount so that they can develop and form their own opinions.

Every so often, we need to remind our students to stay on TRaK – the Christian values of tolerance, respect and kindness which underpin everything we do here at Sexey’s and forms an integral part of our identity and community. They are clearly displayed in the school’s reception too – do please reinforce these values at every opportunity; they are important.  And as I get ready for the Centenary Lecture next week (Mark Stevenson is a tremendous speaker – do come along if you haven’t already signed up), cheer on our six netball teams against Leweston School tomorrow, prepare for the boarding interviews on Saturday morning, wave off our Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh walkers as they take on the Quantocks this weekend,  try to find my cheque book for the silent auction at next week’s PSA Spring Dinner & Dance (only a few tickets left), and work out the names and ages of the numerous Old Sexeians returning for the OS Football matches on Sunday afternoon, I do wonder where February and the half term holiday went. And of course, a belated Happy Chinese New Year – it’s the Year of the Sheep.

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