With uniform resilience, the children have settled back chirpily into the rigours of school life – and some have already taken exams and are geared up for more.
Year 6 had a very productive revision week, with staff telling me how pleased they have been with the children’s attitude and approach to their entrance examinations. Of course, we wish the candidates every success, and look optimistically forward to this cohort reaching or even surpassing last year’s high standards of results.
For me, the parent information mornings have been, if not an intoxication, then at least a tonic; a refreshing way for me to meet so many parents at the start of the academic year. It was encouraging to have such a good turn out to these mornings to listen to some excellent and informative presentations by the staff. I am sure that everybody present will have been aware of just how well equipped and committed the staff here at The Blue Coat School are to the education and development of your children.
Incidentally, if you were one of those who was unable to attend, but would like a copy of any of the presentations, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
A questionnaire has gone out this week in which I seek to learn more from parents about their experience of life at Blue Coat. This will guide me in ensuring that we provide the very best education for our children and care for their individual needs. If you have not already done so, please do take time to complete our Parent Questionnaire. Can I also remind you to return your data checking sheets.
Sport kicks off big style next week. I will be evaluating carefully this year what is going well and what needs to be developed, and look forward to meeting many of you on the sidelines.
It is of course unnecessary for me to ask for your support of the various teams. Could I just ask that umpires and referees be allowed to do their difficult jobs without adverse comment, and that in the interests of decorum and as an example to the young participants, we all try to subdue our natural prejudice and partiality?
Personally, I look forward to supporting the games staff with their programmes during this academic year, and would like to see as many children as possible, throughout all year groups, having the chance to represent the School. More information on how sport will evolve during the coming months will be sent out during the year.
On Tuesday 20th September The Bishop of Birmingham will be commissioning me in my role as Headmaster of the School. As I invite the parent body to join the service, I express the hope that God will guide me in my mission here.
Finally, I wish our school officers every success in their new roles:
Head Girl – Maya Ahmed
Head Boy – Hasan Ahmed
Deputy Head Girl – Monique James-Thomas
Deputy Head Boy – Henry Trevis
House Captains
Tanya Leech (St Monica’s)
Lazara Do (St Margaret’s)
Rohan Narayan-Hull (St George’s)
Billy Laight (St Philip’s)
They will shortly be attending a training day at Kingham School to encourage and inspire them. With the US Presidential elections almost upon us, we are bound to consider the possibility of us producing a Hilary – or even a Donald. Then again, you never know: we may have in our midst the next Theresa!
NOEL NEESON | HEADMASTER
