Head Master's Weekly Notes - 28th November 2014

It was shocking to learn of the untimely passing of a young cricketer this week who died as a result of the injuries sustained when he was struck by a ball while batting for South Australia against New South Wales. The tragic incident will have implications for cricket the world over and our thoughts and prayers are with Philip Hughes’ family and friends. With England playing the One Day International (ODI) series in Sri Lanka and the test series about to commence next week between Australia and India, the cricketing world will be pausing for a moment to reflect on this week’s horrible accident - spare a thought too for Sean Abbott, the bowler who delivered the bouncer that hit Hughes.

And whilst England were doing everything they could to overcome Sri Lanka in the 1^st of seven ODI matches, Government funding, collaboration with the private sector and the importance of state boarding schools were the topics of debate and discussion at last weekend’s SBSA Conference at Holyport and Eton College. Politicians, government officials and educationalists led a very useful conference which, I am sure, will help further shape the educational landscape as we see it. State boarding schools are the jewel in the state sector’s crown and the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP was not surprised that state boarding schools prove so popular with parents and pupils. As Aristotle said “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit’. And I believe we provide an excellent all-round education for our students – from our Key Stage 3 students producing sculpture with celebrated artist Peter Rush to numerous sporting fixtures – rugby, hockey and table tennis - all this week. Let’s not forget the annual Inter House Cross Country event next Friday – a test of resilience, stamina and character.

It is the most wonderful time of the year - with Christmas decorations nearly up, the Choir in fine form, preparations for the block sporting fixture against Warminster (rugby and hockey) next Saturday, Carol service proof reads and Christmas trees adorned with baubles in various places around the school, the festive spirit has certainly arrived at Sexey’s - and it’s still only November! Thank you to all parents who have contributed gifts for the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party next week (Weds 3 Dec). That very evening, the Christmas Concert will be taking place at 7pm in the Main Hall and it would be lovely to see you all there to see in the festive season – it will prove to be a most wonderful occasion! This weekend will see our Mo Bros shave off their cultivated upper lips after growing and nurturing them for a month and today students, including Mo Girls sported fake moustaches in support of the campaign to raise awareness about men’s health issues – testicular cancer, prostate cancer and mental health.  I am still trying to grow one…

The boarders are off to Cardiff for Christmas Shopping tomorrow and by my reckoning, there are only 26 shopping days left to Christmas and only a day to the 2ODI in Colombo…