Today on Facebook and on our website we publish the examination results for the Cambridge Assessments (CAIE) for International GCSE and A Level Examinations. These results are, as any informed observer will note, highly impressive.
Any reading of this week’s articles for section leaders shows the breadth of school life and how vibrant schools are as places of learning and nurture. So much goes on within them from keeping the youngest safe at one end to seeing them safely on their way to their destination universities at the other.
The safety of children in school is of paramount importance. It is one of the hallmarks of a good school and provides an environment in which children can study more effectively. Recent figures from the Nord Anglia Education Annual Parents’ Satisfaction Survey stated that 95% felt their child was happy and 97% declared them to feel safe. We are very pleased with those headline figures, but we are never complacent.
I would like to welcome you back to this new year and new term. It is wonderful to see all of our returning students and over 30 new students too enjoying the teaching and learning opportunities available to them. As I have wandered through each building in this first week, I have seen plenty of evidence of both: authoritative and informative teaching; purposeful and busy classroom environments; engaged and happy students, glad to be back in friendly stimulating environments. It is a joy to see.
On the Primary side, the Winter Arts Festival has also impressed. A collection of art, dance and music (collective and individual) showed the strides these youngsters have made. Many of the paintings are stunning. Dance being new on the curriculum has certainly caught the imagination too, and the children are enjoying the teamwork that comes from singing together in harmony.
A very warm welcome back for you and your children after a wet and hot summer to this new term and academic year. I hope you are all rested and eager, as we are, for what is in store.
The first few days have seen three Orientation Days successfully completed, helping our record number of new students and parents feel supported, informed and more ready for the term ahead.
We are looking forward to sharing these with you very soon. The headline figures will be placed on the 'What People Say...' section of the website and elsewhere on Facebook as well as through a personalised letter from me
With the recent death of the boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, anyone familiar with this colourful character and exciting sportsman will have his well-known phrases circulating in their memories.
I try to wander around the school as much as possible to meet students, to see classes and events, to support staff and hear from them what issues are on their minds. I seldom feel like I do it enough.