Head Master's Weekly Notes - 27 January 2017

The January Blues should hopefully be over soon, but there has been a couple of nasty bugs doing the rounds. As a result staff absence has been particularly high at the moment, with many students also being unwell. The school is doing its utmost to ensure a subject-specialised teacher is covering teacher absence but, as some of the notifications from staff are being received by the school last-minute, this isn’t always possible. In these instances, lessons are covered by other members of teaching staff, and even when staff are unwell, they try hard to ensure work is set for their classes and that the lesson time is used productively (I have enjoyed teaching ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to Y9 and ‘Percentages’ to Y8 this week). We ask that you please bear with us whilst we are managing this challenge and also that you do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If your child is a boarder and they fall ill, it would be very much appreciated if you could arrange to collect them as soon as possible because the strain on the Health Centre is apparent. Sister Rosemary has had a baptism of fire this week and I thank her and other colleagues who have stepped in to support and I hope that over the exeat, staff and students will have the time to recuperate and will be back in school on Monday fighting fit.

My congratulations to the Y11 students who sat their Core Exams this week and conducted themselves with great maturity – I hope they found them challenging and rewarding and will learn from any mistakes they may have made. The results of these exams will be out in due course. It was refreshing too this week to hear the newly elected MYP for South Somerset, our very own Lower Sixth Former Katie Leeming speak at assembly about her hopes and aspirations as she embarks on her political career where she will debate issues in Parliament such as education, health, policing and Brexit, amongst others in this uncertain political world. I just hope that the next generation of leaders learn from the past, hold on to our cherished values and pave the way for a brighter future. Choose Education - which will be put to the test at tonight's PSA Quiz.

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 13 January 2017

Welcome back to the start of a new Lent term and although the weather was due to turn this week, its ‘another day of Sun’ here at Sexey’s (the ‘Sun’ reference will become apparent in the days to come!), albeit there is quite a nip in the air. I trust that you all had a restful holiday (seems like such a long time ago) and are now settled into the rhythms and routines of the New Year. Over the festive period, the School was delighted to learn that Sixth Former Katherine Leeming was appointed to the UK Youth Parliament representing South Somerset after a hard fought campaign – a tremendous achievement and we wish her well as she speaks for the youth of today on issues such as education, the health service, Brexit and the current political turmoil we are experiencing. The Sexey’s Ski Trip to Kitzbuhel last term went well too and the skiers had a great time with many improving their skiing (and language) skills – preparations are already underway for next December’s trip. Do watch out for further details as I am sure places will be snapped up very quickly indeed.

The Lent term is packed (I wouldn’t have it any other way!) with plenty of activities in and around school – from sport, drama, music, art, charity fund raising and PSA events. Well done to the 6^th form who sat their Trial Exams this week (A-level Art and Photography exams continue next week) in preparation for public exams in the summer; university offers are also coming in thick and fast too. The drama department is busy rehearsing for Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ which takes place next month – do please come along and support the students’ efforts. And the Spring Concert will also be taking place this term – if you missed the Christmas Concert last term, you had better get your ticket for this one as I expect it will be standing room only…again! For a list of this season’s sporting fixtures (Football, Netball and Rugby 7s) please do check the schoolsports.com website which is easily accessed through the school’s website. Fixtures start in earnest next week against the likes of Sherborne, Beechen Cliff, BSfG and Warminster with the U18 Badminton Team play in the County Finals on Monday - if you can come down for the Home matches it would be wonderful to see you cheering on from the side lines.

The new term is already in full swing and it proves to be a very exciting and busy one – I look forward to seeing many of you at the numerous events that will be happening at School over the coming weeks and months (the much anticipated PSA Quiz is next Friday – more details below). Yesterday, a Year 7 pupil came and sat with a colleague and I at lunch and spoke about their holiday and their future aspirations. I was so impressed with how polite and articulate they were – brimming with excitement about school and the opportunities it offers; it was heartening to see how our students are developing, both in character and confidence and I hope that what we do, day in and day out, makes a difference. Thank you in advance for your continued support and loyalty and I wish you a very successful and prosperous 2017 – let’s hope for more days of Sun!