Head Master's Weekly Notes - 8th January 2016

Welcome back to the start of a new Lent term and although the weather is due to turn next week, the sun is currently on form, 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 New Year. Over the festive period, the School was delighted to learn that it has been included for a second year running in this year’s Tatler’s ‘Best State Schools in Britain’ Guide – an accolade which we are very proud of (only 21 state schools made the list) and although this further raises the School’s profile and highlights the outstanding work that colleagues are doing at Sexey’s, our feet are firmly on the ground and we will continue to strive for excellence in all areas of school life. Nevertheless, it is a great way to start the New Year knowing that the fine work we are doing here is being acknowledged nationally. Our congratulations also extend to our Old Sexeians - Lt Col Lucy Giles and Anne- Marie Minty. The former has been appointed to lead New College at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst (the first woman college commander in its illustrious history) and to Anne-Marie Minty who worked as the Property Coordinator on JJ Abrams’s iconic Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Sexey-s-School-Bruton-named-country-s-best-state/story-28474431-detail/story.html

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, PSA events and visiting lecturers, including the world famous astronomer, Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell – quite topical since British astronaut, Major Tim Peake blast off into space over the holidays. The music and drama department are busy rehearsing for the School musical production ‘The Return to the Forbidden Planet’ which takes place on the evenings of Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th February – do please come along and support the students’ efforts. 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 King’s College, Taunton and Warminster and if you can come down for the Home matches it would be wonderful to see you cheering on the side line. The football season will also see Mr David Dein, former Vic Chairman of Arsenal, a big supporter of Women’s Football and the architect of the Premier League, speaking to our students at school next month. It will undoubtedly prove to be very informative and engaging talk.

The new term is already in full swing and it proves to be a very exciting 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). Thank you in advance for your continued support and loyalty and I wish you a very successful and prosperous 2016.

Head Master's Notes - 11th December 2015

And so another Michaelmas term comes hurtling to an end and I have always defined the arrival of the end of this term by the completion of reports (and Christmas cards) and this year it has certainly come early … then I remember that the majority of the world does not break up for a week yet, at least, and that I should pipe down a little - it is after all Friday the 11th.



It is always an oddity of schools like ours that the Christmas tree goes up at the end of November, the Christmas lunch occurs in the first week of December (this year the 6th), and by the time the month is half over, I will have attended four carol services, attended three nativities, had the Christmas playlist in Reception on repeat, eaten innumerable mince pies and drunk a fair amount of mulled wine. My 'bah humbug' traits can rise to the surface, just as much as they do as Christmas advertising hits our screens (Sainsbury’s and John Lewis as Mr Richard Kelley referred to in his Christmas Lesson) almost as soon as the previous year stopped (or so it seems). But the festive spirit eventually holds sway as it always does: fuelled by images for example of the Annual House Cross Country, Christmas Lunch, the Christmas Concert, Secret Santa and of course, Feast Night - a Sexey's tradition, where the boarding community put on their best bib and tucker, have a sumptuous meal and then celebrate the end of term in their houses with a disco, air hockey and lashings of hot chocolate! I had the honour of attending Macmillan House’s Masquerade Ball last night, expertly organised by Ms Janie Budd, and it was a magnificent occasion, where even Santa made a guest appearance, which further demonstrates how strong (and fun) the boarding community is at Sexey’s.



A true diehard Scrooge would have been hard pressed to avoid a sense of festive occasion at quite a superb Carol Service this afternoon at St Mary's the Virgin in Bruton and my thanks go to Mr Kelley, the Sexey's Choral Society (Adam Wagstaff’s ‘Once in Royal David City’ solo was stunning) and our readers in particular for leading that. With 650 odd people in attendance, there was literally standing room only – thank you for attending this years’ service and to Fr Justin who soldiered on, despite his sore throat. We also gave valetes to Mr Paul Reddick, who takes up the Headship of Crispin School in the New Year and to Mr and Mrs Hinks who leave Lisbury House after seven years to take up positions in construction and Sherborne Girls’ respectively. Mrs Hinks has actually served the school for over 20 years in various roles and responsibilities and, as you read this, will be on her way to Montgenèvre with the ski trip. We wish them well in their new adventures. The Parent Staff Association (PSA) were in full force in the Main Hall afterwards (and incidentally at the Bruton High Street Christmas Event on Wednesday evening – do they ever stop?) with their fetching aprons bringing festive cheer (and more mince pies) to what has been, in my opinion, a very successful term. In Tuesday's Assembly the School Song was sung with great gusto and passion - a real sense of pride could be felt around the Hall and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my staff (and Governors) for all their commitment, hard work and dedication in ensuring that Sexey’s remains at the top of its game, both pastorally and academically (the Raiseonline Government figures released this week are testimony to that with the school being placed in the top 1% nationally for attainment and progress; last year we were in the top 10%...)  and of course our exceptional examination results this summer -  I am indebted to their professionalism and work ethic; a fine common room and Governing Body on all accounts.



Highlights of the term? There are far too many too list, but I’ll give it a go – the Remembrance Service, the Christmas Concert, Acoustic Night, Sexey’s Choir, Macbeth, Jazz Group, Strings, Sixth Form Assemblies, UCAS success, House Cross Country, Sky Sports, PSA Barn Dance, Lancaster Castle, Y11 Trial exams, Philosophy Conference, Mr Roger Saul, Speech Day, Girls’ Hockey County Finals, Y7 Rugby triumph, the Equestrian Team, Winter Cricket Nets, Wells Literature Festival, Open Evenings, St Mary’s Sunday Services, Hauser & Wirth, Oxbridge interviews (good luck to all our candidates), Ski Trip to France (best of luck to our skiers who have already departed), KDR lunches, Christmas Lunch, Feast Night, Y7 Head Master’s Suppers, The Independent School Show, Macmillan Coffee Morning, Charities Committee, Christmas Carol Service….and I've only just scratched the surface!

After all, in the midst of all that goes on in this fine institution of ours (and I hope my ruminations have kept you up to date with all that goes on at Sexey’s throughout this term), it is the community spirit that really matters and the willingness of students and staff to put themselves out on behalf of others, both within and beyond Sexey’s. In a year that has seen real challenges from the refugee crisis to the Paris attacks, those core values of tolerance, respect and kindness which underpin all that we do, have remained paramount and we have seen them in abundance again this term. At this time of year, as we celebrate the Christian festival that sees the sacrifice of God being ‘pleased as man with man to dwell', it seems a good place to pause, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Head Master's Notes - 4th December 2015

So the Christmas spirit has finally arrived at Sexey’s this week and it certainly feels likes Christmas now, with the Main Hall decorated, the Christmas tree looking splendid and carols playing in school. After all it is December and all we need now is some snow…Wednesday’s traditional Christmas Concert was a wonderful occasion and it was a real pleasure to meet so many friends of the School - Old Sexeians who fondly remembered their time here; residents of Sexey's Hospital and those who served the School. Hearing the old stories over a cup of tea and a mince pie was inspiring and I look forward to seeing them again soon. This year, we were treated to fine performances by the Wind Band, Strings, the Folk Group, Jazz Group and spirited solo performances too – Isabella Birt (Silent Night on the harp), Tom Chapman (Prokofiev’s ‘Troika’ on violin), Adam Wagstaff (Szelenyi’s School Break (only a week to go!) on violin) and Elena Gaffney (Mr Magorium’s Emporium on piano). The festive season is well and truly here!

We have just had an absolutely sumptuous Christmas Lunch by Mr Matt Briatore and his team in the KDR which was preceded by another Sexey's Christmas tradition - the Annual House Cross-Country. The school was awash with students (and a number of colleagues) in their colourful kit and fancy dress running for their Houses and our school partner charity, Macmillan Cancer – from the Sexey’s Express to George Stewart running as Susan Hill’s ‘Woman in Black’ to the ‘Where’s Wally?’ team and the Heads of School, George Tracy and Julia Blackmore running as a Spice Girl and as the balloons from Up – don’t ask! Thankfully the weather was kind to us today (though it was perishing and quite soft underfoot after last night’s downpour) but the atmosphere was very warm (as was the hot chocolate) and at times, electric. The camaraderie and support shown by the students for each other, and for colleagues was truly humbling - the students singing the School Song set the tone for the character building morning. Again, it never ceases to amaze me the sheer talent that is in such abundance here and the fervent pride the students have for their Houses (house hockey and rugby matches will be fiercely contested immediately after the Christmas holidays), let alone their School. And speaking of talent, I would like to wish our nine Oxbridge candidates the very best next week as they travel up to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge having been invited up for interview. They have been preparing feverishly this week and have had tough mock interviews with colleagues who have been putting them through their paces. I am sure this passion for learning both inside and outside of the classroom will continue long into the weekend, when we play our Saturday rugby block fixture against Warminster School and the Equestrian team compete in the NSEA County Qualifier at Kings Sedgemoor. Come along and see for yourself. We are very privileged to be part of this spirited and warm community.

Head Master's Notes - 27th November 2015

I trust you all enjoyed the extended exeat last weekend. Our equestrian team were competing on the Sunday at the Team and Individual Show Jumping event organised by the South & West Wilts Pony Club and Isabelle Wilson, Jess Brewer and Georgia Silcox performed very well indeed. Myself and other colleagues were in Lancaster last weekend at the SBSA (State Boarding School Association) Annual Conference which was held at Royal Lancaster Grammar School, another successful state boarding school, on the edge of The Lake District. It was an excellent conference and we were inspired by the likes of Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and Brian Ashton, the former England Rugby coach – both Old Lancaster Grammar boys – and learnt more about the ongoing work of the sector to provide more boarding places to vulnerable children from the edge of care. The state boarding sector continues to go from strength to strength and the news of a national funding formula for schools announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Spending Review can only support the outstanding work that we are doing as a sector.

Earlier this week I opened my mail in my study and I was surprised to find a Christmas Card in the middle of November! Firstly, I was surprised at the efficiency of the sender and secondly, it alerted me to the fact that we are just four Fridays away from Christmas. Is it me, or does Christmas seem to be arriving earlier every year?  The John Lewis ad (apparently this signals the start of Christmas), the annual battle of the supermarkets, Black Friday, the Sunday supplements teaching you ‘How to cook the perfect Turkey’ and a message from the Estates Manager asking about Christmas trees for the School and the Boarding Houses. So we are officially in the festive season, even though it is still only November - and this week we have seen a veritable feast of opportunities which have included cracking sporting fixtures against Monkton Coombe and Milton Abbey, the Y7s, 9s, 10s and 11s all reaching the County Hockey Finals, the ‘Boarders of the World’ disco last night celebrating diversity and culture in our school community, Sky Sports visit and preparations for Music Week. Of course, the Y11s had their Trial Exams all this week and well done to them on approaching these exams with great maturity and purpose – bodes well for the future. And alongside this, our own Christmas preparations are underway - I noticed the Christmas decorations coming out the school attic, the boarders putting up Christmas trees in their boarding houses; preparations are underway for the Christmas Concert on next Wednesday– do come along and join in the yuletide festivities, the annual Cross Country event next Friday, Christmas Lunch in the KDR, 6th Form Christmas Jumper Charity Day, the Christmas Shopping Evening on Bruton High Street, where the PSA will be in full force, Feast Night and of course, the Christmas Carol Service on the last day of term at St Mary’s, Bruton. This will round off the term and put everyone in the Christmas spirit, though some may already be spreading the Christmas cheer at School…

Head Master's Notes - 20th November 2015

In light of the attacks last weekend I appreciate this week has not been easy for many and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the people of Paris and France during this difficult time. This week’s 6th form assembly was a solemn occasion where we took time to reflect on the atrocities that occurred in Paris last weekend – an attack of the values that we strongly believe in and cherish – tolerance, respect and kindness – and an opportunity to think about our place in the world and the importance of democracy and solidarity.  It’s hard to believe that we are here again a mere 10 months after the Charlie Hebdo attacks. The Deputy Head boy, Alex Amann, read eloquently and after the prayer, Y12 Josiah Berkeley performed a beautiful piano recital while we reflected on the events of the weekend. It was a poignant and respectful moment which highlights all that is special about our 6th form and school. After the assembly, I was impressed at how our students articulated their responses to the attacks (and at last night’s Head Master’s Supper at Walwin House for our Y7 Boarders) and it was encouraging to see young people developing their own opinions – something I am very keen for them to do here at Sexey’s. Do discuss with your children what’s going on in the world, encourage them to read the newspaper, listen to the radio, take an interest in current affairs and the political debate – those conversations around the dining table are vital in developing their intellectual curiosity and helping them to engage with what is going on beyond the safety of our school gates.

Congratulations go to a number of Y12 students who were awarded their silver DoE awards at the assembly and also to one Y13 student, Hannah Petrovic, who was awarded her Gold award (unheard of in DoE circles as this is normally awarded at the end of Y13 and not at the beginning) and again highlights the opportunities and possibilities that are available to our 6th formers here at Sexey’s. The 1st XV also went on to win convincingly against Sherborne School yesterday afternoon (20-12) in a very competitive and tough match and I wish the Equestrian Team the very best as they compete at the South Wilts Show Jumping event over the exeat.

I sincerely hope that the next generation of Sexeians will look closely at the world and use the qualities and skills they have learnt and developed to help build a safer and secure future for us all – education, I believe, is the key.

Head Master's Notes - 13th November 2015

It has been another busy week at Sexey’s, with 6th form assessments, numerous sporting fixtures, boarding activities, BBC Children in Need fundraising, 6th form interviews and preparation for the Y11 Trial exams. We also interviewed for the new Housemaster and Housemistress of Lisbury and I am delighted to announce that Luke and Rebecca Brailey have been appointed to take on this important pastoral role in the school. We wish them and their family the very best as they continue the strong legacy of excellent pastoral care established at Lisbury through the commitment and dedication of Richard and Jenny Hinks, who themselves will be moving on to pastures new. We thank them for all they have done for Sexey’s and for the countless Sexeians who have benefited from their wise counsel, compassion and warmth.

The three Bruton schools, the Brownies, the Scouts, members of the armed forces and the community paraded through town to pay their respects at a moving  Remembrance Day service at St Mary’s on Sunday. It was a time to remember and commemorate those Brutonians, including those from Sexey’s and King’s, who gave their lives during the Great Wars. In total 63 Sexeians lost their lives fighting for our country and the School’s Armistice Day service on Wednesday remembered them, with Air Commodore D A Whittaker OBE MVO present at the service to read the Kohima Prayer. Our buglers, Isaac Mills and David Clackson did the school proud as they played the Last Post and Reveille respectively (not an easy thing to do) as did the Heads of School and Senior prefects who read out the names of the fallen. It was a poignant service and I hope our Sexeians gain and learn much from this and Sunday’s experience - they are the next generation who I hope will work tirelessly to avoid such conflicts from happening again in the future and will endeavour to continue to bring peace in our world. We have much to thank the courageous and selfless acts of these young men (some as young as our Y11s) who gave their lives in fighting the Great Wars and other conflicts so that we could enjoy our freedoms today and tomorrow - we will remember them, always.

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 6th November 2015

Welcome back after a splendid half term break where I hope you had the opportunity to relax and recuperate and spend quality time with family and friends; we are now back into the rhythms and routine of school life and concentrating on the core business of teaching and learning at Sexey’s. With Oxbridge exams and Maths Challenges already taken place, with Sixth Form assessments all next week followed by Y11 Michaelmas Exams in a few weeks’ time, the school is a hive of academic learning, as it should be, and I have been impressed with the conscientious approach taken by our Sexeians – I wish all our students the very best in their academic endeavours.

The Rugby World Cup came to a fitting end over the break with New Zealand winning the coveted Webb Ellis trophy for a record third time and we explored in 6th Form assembly why they are such a potent force – consistency, well-organised, team work, respect for one another, strong work ethic, commitment and dedication  – we can all learn so much from them to help us achieve our own aspirations and goals. With hockey and rugby matches in full flow this week and preparations for tonight’s Y10 performance of ‘Macbeth’ at the Merlin Theatre in Frome, it is as though we haven’t had a half term! However, over the break, two young Sexeians were recognized for their extraordinary talent at the Western Gazette's Gold Star Awards. Cricketing prodigy Ali Layard in Year 8, who won the Inspirational Young Sportsman of the Year Prize was told he would never walk again when he was caught in the propeller of a boat three years ago, badly injuring his legs. But he refused to take no for an answer, and through sheer determination, Ali has become a rising star on the cricket pitch, representing both Devon, Axminster and Sexey’s School and is a real source of inspiration. Y10 Fela Sowande, another prodigious talent was awarded the Young Artistic Achiever of the Year. You may recall that Fela’s extraordinary art work was curated and displayed at Bruton Museum during the summer. We are very proud of both Ali and Fela’s stunning achievements, as we are of all our students and hope that Sexey’s can continue to develop and nurture the talents of tomorrow.