Last Sunday, a group of Sexeians and colleagues attended the Bath Children’s Literature Festival for an audience with Robert Muchamore, the celebrated author of the bestselling "Cherub" series as well as the Henderson Boys’ sagas. The packed event, which was sponsored by Sexey’s, took place at the Guildhall and the audience were treated to a selection of traditional folk Music played by our Sexey’s musicians who were organised by Miss Jenna Middleton. The welcome address was given by our very own Mrs Deborah Holmes who spoke very eloquently and is a big Muchamore fan. The Q & A session which followed the interview with Mr Muchamore was entertaining and informative and my thanks go to the Head Girl, Ella Hutchinson and Will Stanton, the Head Boy, for their excellent stewardship. As ever, our Sexeians behaved impeccably and were a credit to both you and the School – I am very proud of them. I have been meeting a number of students who have been awarded commendations for excellent work in my study for the Headmaster’s Reception and it’s been wonderful getting to know them and celebrating their success over a cup of tea.
On Monday we said farewell to Mr Martin Searle after 11 years of sterling service to the school as Head of Modern Foreign Languages. Always the consummate professional, he leaves the department in good shape and in the very capable hands of Mrs Denise Magill and Mrs Armina Harris-Urwin – their European Day of Languages is a taste of things to come. We wish Mr and Mrs Searle the very best in their retirement and I am sure they’ll be crossing the English Channel before too long! Congratulations to Mr Pete Prescott, the School’s Facilities Manager on reaching a significant birthday (his 60th) this week and to Mrs Claire Nevitt (nee Woolley) our SEN Coordinator, who tied the knot last Thursday.
After school on Monday, we had the Sports Photographs and it was an opportunity to invite our sponsors and to say a thank you for all their support and financial assistance in helping the school realise its sporting vision and philosophy – the school is very grateful to them in providing opportunities for all our students and I look forward to working with them, and you, in the future – I do have a rather long shopping list!
On Tuesday, Laurie McMahon performed to the whole school at the beginning of Assembly and I was really impressed with the high standard of singing – he will certainly give Ed Sheeran a run for his money! The students then sang that well known Welsh hymn ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ and we look forward to developing their hymn repertoire and singing on these formal occasions. The theme of the Assembly was on Temptation and I thank Atlanta Severn and Charlie Bygrave for carrying out their assembly duties with such aplomb. This week we also interviewed a number of candidates for the post of Deputy Head and after a gruelling round of interviews, which included two presentations, a number of panel interviews, in-tray exercises and meetings with various colleagues, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Reddick MA to the post of Deputy Head – Teaching & Learning at Sexey’s School from January 2014. Mr Reddick takes over from Mrs Hopegood who will be taking up the Headship at Selwood Academy in Frome after Christmas and he has some big shoes to fill. He is currently Deputy Headteacher at St Dunstan’s School and was previously Assistant Headteacher and Head of History at Sexey’s. He was educated in Worthing and Sheffield University where he read Modern History and Politics gaining a First Class Honours degree and then at Warwick University where he gained an MA in British Politics. He has also completed an MA in Education from the Open University and has successfully completed the Leadership Pathways and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) at the National College of School Leadership. We look forward to welcoming Mr Reddick and his family (Mrs Reddick is currently our Head of Art) to the school and to them joining the school community again over the coming months. I am sure you will all make them feel very welcome.
Rugby and Hockey fixtures continued, despite the poor weather and the U12 Girl’s Hockey secured a resounding victory beating a strong Stanchester 5-0, a convincing win which has instilled confidence and self-belief amongst the girls. Well done to Louise Mayes for captaining the side this week. Similarly the boys battled heroically in the mud against The Gryphon, Kings of Wessex and Ansford – full match reports are below and are available here.
The DoE Silver Qualifying Expedition to Exmoor left this morning and I wish Mrs Jenny Wilkinson and Mr Ed Southwood god speed as they and our intrepid Sexeians tackle the unforgiving hills and weather this weekend. For those not taking part, there are plenty of other activities to keep them occupied from Mountain Biking, Climbing in the Vallis Vale, a trip to the Moor Valley Country Park in Bournemouth and a Yr7 and 8 Disco at Sherborne School to name just a few.
With changes a foot at Senior Leadership which will continue to help move the School forward, we are looking for a Parent Governor to join the Governing Body next February and I would invite applications from those of you who are interested – it’s a great opportunity to join the Governors and myself at this exciting time to help shape the School’s future and to support its aim and aspirations. Please see the attached details from the Clerk of Governors, Mrs Helen Gadsden and I look forward to hearing from you.
We have our Sixth Form Open Evening next Tuesday (8th October) and if any you or any your friends are considering sending their children to Sexey’s for Sixth Form, then please let them know. Full details are available on the website and you can also follow us on Twitter (@SexeysSchool) for all the latest news and goings on at the school.
Next Friday sees the annual Parent Staff Association (PSA) Quiz taking place in the Main Hall and I recommend that you organise a team for Cranium Cruncher (registration closes next Monday (7/10) at 4pm) as soon as possible. I hear that it is fiendishly ruthless and that the competition is stiff. The Headmaster’s Team will be there, which may well include the new Deputy Head…
Regards
Irfan H Latif JP
Head Master
No comments:
Post a Comment