Mr Pavis' Video Newsletter: Friday 11th September

This week's newsletter comes to you from a brand new music department — and what a facility it is. Over the summer our estates team completely transformed the space, and we now have practice rooms and rehearsal rooms running the length of the corridor, a keyboard suite, a main teaching classroom and a permanently arranged ensemble room, with a music garden in development just outside. Thank you to everyone on the estates team who worked so hard to make this happen. The students are already loving it.

And the timing couldn't be better — later in February we have our school musical, The Sound of Music. If you haven't already signed up, please see Miss Pringle straight away to audition or get involved.

This week our Sixth Form leadership team organised and launched the Year 7 clubs programme, ensuring every Year 7 student is now signed up to at least two clubs per week at lunchtime or break. Sport, reading, gaming, playing — there's something for everyone, and it's a brilliant initiative led superbly by our Heads of School and Deputy Heads of School.

Rounding up from last week — the It's a Knockout inter-house competition was a brilliant afternoon. First points are now on the board for the Charles Kingsley Wellbeing Cup, which is awarded at the end of the year. Great to see everyone throwing themselves into it.

Our First XV had a strong start to their season last Friday evening, beating a very strong Barnstaple Colts side 21-12. A fine performance, and a special mention to Harry, who was man of the match on his debut. Well done. Our judoka were also in action at the English Closed Championships last weekend — well done to Willow for your performance there.

This week our sports scholars and ACE Programme students — Athlete Centred Education — were treated to an incredible workshop from John Grierson of SAS: Who Dares Wins, who put them through their paces and gave them a real sense of what it takes to perform at the very top under pressure. A fantastic experience, and one of many workshops in music, drama, theatre and sport to come throughout the term.

This weekend our First XV are away at Millfield, our judoka are in action again, and the Year 10 and below girls netball team face their first game of the season. Good luck to all of you. Boarders are off on their weekend trips and activities as ever.

And finally — if your child hasn't mentioned the assembly on integrity yet, ask them about the jellyfish. Hopefully they'll remember something.