Head Master's Weekly Notes - 17th October

The seventh week of this Michaelmas (Autumn) term is already here and while we prepare for the generous break ahead, it’s an opportune moment to pause for reflection on this very busy half term. This would have naturally occurred today at Speech Day, but due to circumstances out of our control we have had to postpone this event and are looking at rescheduling it next term. However, there has been plenty going on at Sexey’s which highlights all that is outstanding about this fine school - from music concerts, numerous House competitions, sporting fixtures, drama workshops (the Year 8 Macbeth workshop brought this Shakespeare play to life), art visits, Literature Festivals in Bath and Wells, Open Evenings and of course the matter of teaching and learning. It was great to hear the excitement from one of our Y13 students this morning who has already received an offer from university – 3 in total have received offers this week despite only sending off their applications on Tuesday! This bodes well for the future. And of course, the Y11s have their Michaelmas Exams after the half term break (w/c Mon 24 November) and it would be wise for them to use this time productively to prepare for these important examinations but at the same time to have some rest and to recuperate – it’s vital that there is a balance here. 

Whilst the students are relaxing and revising, Mrs Wilkinson will be in China with the Yueyang-Somerset partnership and the British Council to further develop our understanding of the Chinese education system and its intriguing culture. As we now offer Mandarin lessons as an enrichment opportunity after school for our students this relationship is even more important and we look forward to hearing about her research on her return. Keep up to date with her exploits in the Far East on Twitter @SexeysSchool.

The PSA put on a fabulous show last Friday night when we had a record turnout for the PSA Quiz (Cranium Cruncher) in the Main Hall which was expertly compered by our very own Mr Partridge and a team called The Management successfully defended their title. The atmosphere was competitive and the food was excellent and there was plenty of fine cheese too; and speaking of cheese, the French Exchange are having a great time and are immersing themselves in French culture, enjoying going to école and the delectable cuisine. The weather is apparently much better there too…

So as we hurtle towards the end of this busy term, I would like to thank staff and Governors for all their efforts in ensuring that our students receive the best quality teaching and pastoral care – it’s not easy at times but I am grateful for all their hard work, patience and commitment. And also to you too, for all the support you give to our school – by working together we can all bring out the best in our students.

I wish you, and my colleagues, a peaceful, relaxing and well-earned holiday.

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 10th October

Abba, Ikea, Larsson, smörgåsbord and Zlatan Ibrahimović (I have been preparing for the PSA Quiz tonight!) are all Swedish icons which have become part and parcel of the British psychic and it was a pleasure welcoming Mr Tom Strahle from Scandanavia last week. Mr Strahle was instrumental in the success of our recent sports tour to Sweden and spent last week with us at Sexey’s looking at the way we operate as a school and investigating ways we can further collaborate with Sweden both from a sporting and cultural perspective (he is member of the Swedish Sports Council). He was bowled over by the school especially the enthusiasm and energy of our students and we look forward to working with Mr Strahle in further promoting our values and virtues – though he still needs to explain to me how to put together a chest of drawers with an allen key… And values and virtues were at the forefront of our discussions on Thursday when Sexey’s hosted the inaugural Candle Conference organised by our Head of Theology & Philosophy, Mrs Sue Nurse with the eminent theologian Mr Peter Vardy in attendance. Schools from all over the county enjoyed the religious discourse and debate at Sexey’s which fired up imaginations and got our students to think outside of the box, preparing them to have that conversation.

On Tuesday we had our 6th Form Open Evening for prospective students and their parents and with over 160 families in attendance, there was standing room only in the Main Hall. Again, our 6th form were a real credit to their parents and the school and our speakers articulated their thoughts on their experiences with great passion - not an easy task addressing 350 odd people in the Hall, but they did it. We have an outstanding 6th Form (the results at A-level speak for themselves) and a dedicated team who go over and beyond the call of duty. If any of our Y11 parents didn’t get a chance to come in on the evening or would like to visit again, then please do get in touch with Mrs Sam Brownlow, the Admissions Registrar who will be only too happy to organise a private visit for you. Speaking of the 6th form, a reminder that our Lower 6th (Year 12) ‘Meet the Tutor’ event takes place next Wednesday, 15th October at 4pm in the Sixth Form Centre.

And of course, my ruminations would not be complete without mentioning the weather and it really should make up its mind at what it’s doing – do I sport the Sexey’s scarf and carry around my brolly, just in case? But at least last weekend the weather was kind when over 30 of our intrepid explorers gained their DoE Silver qualifying award on expedition to Exmoor and again our students’ attitude and conduct was exemplary. Hockey and rugby matches continued to dominate the Elm and Daisy Fields this week with matches against Dauntsey’s and Milton Abbey and it was wonderful to hear the excitement of a Y13 girl who bounded towards my study this morning to tell me all about how the Senior Hockey Girls’ team  managed to beat Milton Abbey away - a tremendous feat and a memory which will last with that young woman for a long time to come. I hope she can draw on her experience on that astroturf in Dorset and use it as inspiration in her everyday life. Last weekend also saw the U16 Girls’ compete at Millfield in the Netball competition and Amber McCormick representing the Equestrian Team at the NSEA Dressage at Moreton in Dorchester - the full sporting stories and results can be found on our Sports website here.

Next Friday is not only the final week of this Michaelmas half term (is it really, I hear you gasp?), but it is also our Speech Day, which is an important event in the Sexey’s calendar where we celebrate achievement and success and we are delighted to welcome the distinguished journalist and broadcaster, Mrs Mariella Frostrup as our Guest of Honour and Speaker. Mrs Frostrup is the respected media voice on the UK’s arts and culture scene and on social issues and we look forward to seeing her at Sexey's next week. Please do come along and support the school and our students in their various endeavours – you are always welcome.

I look forward to seeing you at the many school events organised over the coming months at Sexey’s and, of course, at tonight’s PSA Quiz (Cranium Cruncher) – let the cerebral battle commence!

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 3rd October

Literature, music, art and a culture of reading means so much in our day and age where technology seems to rule –  ironic as you are probably reading this through your phones and/or mobile devices. But understanding, appreciating and developing a passion for literature are crucial if we want our children to grow up with fervent imaginations and the ability to develop their own opinions.  Hence,  I am proud that the school is involved in community events such as the many Literature festivals in and around the county which brings the books that our students are reading to life. Last Sunday, a group of Sexeians and colleagues attended the Bath Children’s Literature Festival for an audience with Steve Cole, the award-winning author of the bestselling "Astrosaurs" series and the newly commissioned writer of the Young James Bond books. The packed event, which was sponsored by Sexey’s took place at the Mission Theatre in Bath and the energetic and manic Steve Cole talked about what inspires him and how he has learnt to be creative – his imagination certainly runs wild and I can see why he is such a success. The Q & A session preceding the talk with our Sexeians in the Green Room was entertaining and informative and my thanks go to the students for their excellent questions and behaviour. The welcome address was given by our very own Mr Manning who spoke very eloquently and is a big Bond fan – his son is named after a character from a famous work of literature, that is how passionate he is about his subject. Next week we are off to hear Michael Morpurgo and Andrew Motion, the former Poet Laureate, at the Wells Literature Festival – providing our students with valuable opportunities to feed their imagination. Speaking of feeding, we had an entertaining lunch in the Square adjacent to Bath Abbey and were given an impromptu lesson in life saving and CPR by St John’s Ambulance who had a stall there that weekend – carpe diem I say. As ever, our Sexeians behaved impeccably, looked immaculate and were a credit to both you and the School – I am very proud of them; and I have been meeting a number of students over the past few weeks who have been awarded commendations and the like for excellent work, both in and out of the classroom, in my study for the Head Master’s Reception. It’s been rewarding  getting to know them and celebrating their success over a cup of tea during morning break, whilst discussing current affairs and what’s going on in the world.

This week saw Music Week at the School with open rehearsals, free taster lessons and much more. Laurie McMahon kicked off proceedings by performing at the beginning of Assembly and I was really impressed with the high standard of singing – he has developed further and will now certainly give Ed Sheeran a run for his money! Tuesday’s House Music competition showcased the wealth of talent that is abundant here at Sexey’s with Glynn –Jones taking the spoils, and this was followed by last night’s hugely successful Acoustic Night in the Sixth Form Centre where our students, new and old, took to the stage to perform their compositions to the assembled crowd. The performances were both confident and assured, qualities I hope we are developing in our students. My thanks to the Director of Music, Miss Jemma Middleton and her ‘orchestra’ for organising such an impressive week. We have our Sixth Form Open Evening next week (Tuesday 7th 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 it would be great to have another record-breaking Open Evening – do spread the word, either verbally or through social media via our Twitter feed (@SexeysSchool).

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 as soon as possible.  I hear that it is fiendishly ruthless and that the competition is stiff. The Head Master’s Team will be there defending their title and I will certainly be reading up this weekend…

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 26th September

As I walked down to the boarding houses on Wednesday evening I could hear the church bells ringing at St Mary’s, Bruton as the sun was setting – a reassuring yet calming sound. And it’s a sound that you don’t often hear if you live in sprawling city and one that I hope continues to ring in our parishes for years to come. The art of bell ringing (campanology) is an important skill and a language in its own right and I am eager to support our two churches in Bruton and Pitcombe by setting up our own Campanology Society; if there are any students interested, please do give me a ring! And speaking of languages, today saw The European Day of Languages being celebrated at the school and the MFL department put on a variety of activities which engaged and enthused not only the students, but the staff too – from a pop up creperie to quizzes and competitions. Acquiring the grammar and linguistic skills to speak and understand another language is so important as it not only helps communication but also develops a deep cultural understanding which nurtures the values of tolerance, respect and kindness – the very values we as a school promote as part of our ethos – studying languages can only be a good thing.  And these values were demonstrated at the Lower School Opening evening this week which saw record numbers of prospective parents from far and wide come through the Sexey’s School gates. Parents commented on the maturity, enthusiasm and exemplary manners of the pupils  and I hope we left them with a good impression. Thank you for promoting the event amongst your friends and our next Open Evening, which will be for Sixth Form, is on Tuesday the 7th of October.

Not only am I proud of our students achievements in a variety of sporting and cultural pursuits, but also those of our staff on their personal achievements – congratulations to Mrs Hosford who completed the Bristol Half Marathon last weekend in a time of 2 hours 16 minutes raising over £300 along the way for Time is Precious - a local charity supporting children and their families during hospital stays. And speaking of success, our Girls’ Hockey teams have caused a riot this week with the U16s winning 5-1 over Holyrood Academy (having come back being 0-1 down) and the U15s and U14s claiming the spoils at Huish Episcopi yesterday winning 3-1 apiece. The U15s enjoyed their hard fought victory and celebrated by singing the School Song with great gusto after the match – passion and enjoyment. I watched the U16s game on the Daisy Field and amongst that game, the U14 Girls and Senior Girls had hockey practices, whilst the U12 and U13 boys had rugby practices. This was whilst the 1st XV and U15s were playing rugby against Wells Cathedral – tremendous to see so much sport going on after school. The U12 Boys’ rugby team had their first match on Thursday against Wells Cathedral School (normally they would play after half term) and they put up a tremendous performance winning narrowly 12-10 to a strong Wells side – commitment and dedication. Our philosophy is to inspire a lifelong interest in sport, promoting fitness, well-being,  team work and most of all, enjoyment and I hope our Sexeians seize upon and enjoy the numerous opportunities on offer to them.

The Macmillan Coffee Mornings are now a national institution and we hosted one today at Walwin House - Douglas Macmillan, the founder of Macmillan Cancer Support was an Old Sexeian (1894-97) and is the School’s partner charity. We were inundated by people at Walwin this morning raising over £300 and my sincere thanks to all those businesses who supported the event – we  even had proper coffee machines and a barista from Bean Shot Coffee with Nick Law serving cappuccinos, espressos and lattes. Plenty of cakes and scones too by the likes of our Catering Department, At the Chapel, Taylors Bakers, Taste Bruton, Somerset Dairies, Godminster Cheese and The Cole Manor Tea Rooms – working with the local community to help and support others.

There are plenty of activities going on this weekend, from a trip to Bristol, a visit to Bath Guildhall to listen to the author Steve Cole speak at the Children’s Bath Literary Festival, the Equestrian team competing at Stonar School to a Mountain Biking expedition. I am off now to Macmillan House, named after our illustrious Old Sexeian, for more coffee and cake as they host another Macmillan Coffee ‘Morning’ at Sexey’s. After all the cake I have had today, I may well have to join Mr Cowley on his mountain biking expedition. Now where are my cycling shorts…

The exeat seems like such a long time ago!

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 19th September

Having tried to stay up through the wee hours of this morning, but failing miserably, I was delighted and relieved to learn this morning that our four nations will remain part of the United Kingdom. The union which has been in place for over 300 years will continue for generations to come and although almost half of Scotland wanted independence, the whole referendum process has engaged people in politics in a way the UK has not seen before. It has allowed people to have the conversation – people as young as 16 were given the right to vote and this has been a positive move. With turn outs at the ballot boxes of over 90% in some cases, voter apathy will, I am sure, be a thing of the past. And although voters opted for reform rather than revolution, this referendum has unleashed a process of transformation set to extend far beyond Scotland's border and I hope that the nations will continue to work together to bring out the best in each of them. Working closely with our communities on a national and a local level is a positive thing and will bring about benefits that will affect us all and I look forward in continuing to develop our strong relationships with many of the initiatives in our great community – providing opportunities both in and out of the academic arena for our students. It was wonderful to see the Y6s from our local feeder primary schools, Upton Noble and Bruton Primary, visit us yesterday for a day of challenge where they were engaged in activities which ranged from the creative arts, philosophy and food technology. And we had a splendid time at Walwin House last night with our Y7 boarders who came round for supper with my family - they were an absolute delight and we enjoyed their sparkling company.  The prefects on both occasions were a credit to the school and fitting role models for the younger members of our community - working together to bring out the best in each other.

And as we pause for breath this weekend, like many of us did this morning, I hope that you have a peaceful exeat in the United Kingdom.

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 12th September

I have just time to draw breath after a host of events and fixtures this week at Sexey’s – from Girls’ Hockey against Sherborne and Bruton School for Girls, to the Y13 visit to Thomas J Fudge’s to rugby fixtures against Milton Abbey and the Gryphon, Y12 Meet the Tutor evening, The Mahoney Football Trophy competition, the Silver DoE expedition to the Quantocks this weekend, Mandarin Club and the Drama trip to the Theatre Royal in Bath. Has it only been a week? There have also been some other questions this week. Does it really matter if Scotland does become independent? How will it affect us here in the South West? Should we care? Would the previous Head Master of Sexey’s been worried about this potential rift within Great Britain? Why haven’t we been asked whether Scotland should become Independent? This is the story dominating the press and our discussions at school stemming from the whole school assembly we had last Tuesday. I think we should care about this issue and it will affect us, politically, culturally and socially. This union has been the most successful experiment in multiculturalism in history. For over 300 years it has made us wealthier, improved our culture, it has made us better, more tolerant people. And people across the globe marvel at the wonders and riches we have as a nation. It is equally amazing to think of ourselves as a family – Northern Irish, Welsh, English and Scottish – very different in many respects, bickering as families always do but united through wars, through depression and through recession and coming out stronger because we are a family who stick together rather than go it on our own, much like our family at Sexey’s. We have all grown up in a United Kingdom – that is all we know and for the sake of loved ones and friends in Scotland I hope with all my heart that it does not come down to the end of the United Kingdom, the end of Great Britain. At stake is a wonderful union with a successful single market and a shared heritage of artistic, scientific, humanitarian, diplomatic, cultural and military endeavour. If that is lost it will be a historical tragedy. I wait with baited breath for next week’s vote.

 

News from the Sixth Form

 

Congratulations to those Y13 students who have been appointed senior prefects this week in assembly – Jack Wingate and Annabel Buckland as Heads of School, Joe Stewart-Sendell and Ziana Azariah as the Deputy Heads of School with Phoebe Hung as Head of Boarding. The following have also been appointed as Senior Prefects – Laura Rossiter, Emily Harrison, Jess Mascall, Hatty Dukes, Jo Barrington, Eleanor Nurse, Zoe Whitcombe, Ellie Davenport, Amanda Lam, Alannah Travers, Harriet Perkins, Will Annetts Burke, Alex Petre-Mears, Ross Hilborne, Chris Gillanders, James Petrovic, Bob Brooker, Peter Clackson, Aaron Hooper. We wish them well in their endeavours this year as they lead the student body and act as positive role models.

Head Master's Weekly Notes - 5th September

Welcome back to the start of the new Michaelmas Term and a warm welcome to our new parents whose sons and daughters have joined us this September. I hope my weekly ruminations do not clog up your inbox! So where did the summer go? Where did last year go? It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since we moved to Walwin and we as a family have not looked back. The first week is almost over and I hope that our students have settled back quickly into normal school routines and that our new members to the school community (students and staff) are beginning to understand how we at Sexey’s work and operate. It is a delight to see our new Year 7 pupils enjoying all that Sexey’s has to offer both in and out of the classroom and I hope their energy and enthusiasm continues long into the term.  It was wonderful to see the Head Boy, Jack Wingate and his peers sit with our new Y7s at lunch today and talk to them about school life – it was like older brothers and sisters guiding their younger siblings. And that’s what Sexey’s is about –  family. It was great to hear the School Hymn being belted out at assembly (I missed it over the summer!)  and the Head Boy and Head Girl of the Lower School reading with such aplomb about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the ALS ice bucket challenge – do talk to them about it over the weekend and the implications for charitable causes. I have been nominated….

As you can imagine, it has been a  busy week for our students and staff – Leadership Training for our Sixth Form, meeting new students as well as new staff, girls’ hockey practices, rugby practice, various clubs and societies at lunchtime and after school, singing practices, learning how to play Squares, the introduction of ‘Show My Homework’, new boarding tutors in all the boarding houses, pre-season rugby training with the likes of The Oratory, Reading and Christ’s College, Brecon, music rehearsals, drama auditions (The Little Shop of Horrors will be making its debut at Sexey’s shortly) and of course lessons! There is so much going on here and I would like to thank my colleagues for making this happen – I am very lucky indeed to have such a dedicated and committed staff and I wish them well for the coming year.

We have had a very positive start to the term buoyed by the excellent exam results the school has achieved at GCSE and A-level over the summer. The outstanding performance at A-level (62% A*-B) is testimony to the hard work and effort by our Y13s and their teachers and our results give many of our competitors (independent and state) a good run for their money. Over 90% of our Y13s have now entered university, many of which are Russell Group. The AS results are equally encouraging and bode well for the future and the new Y13s know exactly what they need to do in order to enjoy the same success as their predecessors – academic discipline, commitment and dedication are all necessary attitudes which they are adopting in order to move forward and secure those coveted places in industry or university. Of course, there needs to be a balance and enjoying life outside the classroom is equally as important and it was wonderful to hear two Y13s after a hard day at school, enthusing about their hockey practice. The new look PE department is certainly moving things forward.

The stunning performance at GCSE by our Y11s achieving the highest results over a three year period are equally impressive and our results, on all accountability measures including the main measure 5A*-C including English and Maths (76%) by which all schools are compared by, are amongst the best in Somerset and possibly the South West. Our students and staff have worked diligently to achieve these excellent results and I am delighted for them. In amongst the headlines, there are numerous individual successes, students who have pulled themselves up to, and beyond, their fullest potential and it is just as exciting to see a student who might have expected a C achieving an A as it is to see those who achieve straight A*s or As. Many of our Y11s have now moved into the Sexey’s Sixth Form and are already knuckling down to the demands of A-level and also look very professional indeed in their smart dress – they are here to work and to lead by example; this can only be good for the school as we move forward.

Please do take a moment to look at the website which will provide you with a wealth of information and do try and support as many of the events that you can – from concerts to plays, from sporting fixtures to exhibitions. Please book the dates in your diaries and join us when you can - you are all very welcome to these. If there is anything you are not sure about, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at School or with your son’s or daughter’s tutor. We are always here to help. Do also follow us on Twitter (@SexeysSchool) and join in the conversation.

It is great to be back and to see our Sexeians getting stuck into business and I can’t believe that the sun is actually shining.  I do hope that our students have used the holidays to recuperate , relax and reflect and are now ready to take on the many challenges they will face over the coming year. We are here to help them face those challenges, but for now, I wish you and them a pleasant and peaceful weekend. I look forward to another successful year both in and out of the academic arena. If I blink, I might miss it all – I hope not.

Irfan H Latif JP
Head Master