A half-term roundup from the Headmaster...

This was meant to be the term when we returned to normal, post-COVID, but, sadly, we are still having to manage positive cases amongst pupils and staff. Thankfully, we have been able to undertake most school activities, and it is my sincere hope that we will be able to remove all restrictions after Half-Term. We have been fortunate in having Old House available as quarantine accommodation, and I am very grateful to Mr Brice for helping to manage the boarders who have had to stay in Old.

The first large school event we have held since March 2020, was the successful L6^th Form Careers Forum, and I am grateful to all the delegates, many being parents and Old Brutonians, for giving up their time to help support our Lower 6^th. The Sixth Form provision is outstanding at King’s, and I was delighted to promote Dr Corrigan from Assistant Head of 6^th Form to Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning). Our U6^th Form pupils are now receiving exciting university offers with Tom B (New House) excelling in gaining his place to read Law at Christ Church, Oxford while Amelia W (Priory House) secured a place at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA.

It has been very good to resume our House nights, House trips and Sunday School trips, and although it was disappointing not to be able to hold the House singing part of the Inter-House Music Competition, the soloists and ensembles provided an excellent afternoon of music; well done to the eventual winners, Arion House. Our actors also excelled in the COVID-delayed school production of ‘The Crucible’ with outstanding performances in such a powerful play. Our boys’ and girls’ hockey teams have been successful in the Independent Schools Hockey Cup, while we continue to combine high quality play with high levels of participation in our netball. It has been great to see virtually all our junior girls representing the School in netball fixtures this term. Indeed, I think this has been one of the strongest sporting years in my time as Headmaster here with impressive seasons of all team sports, while individual pupils have been selected for regional and national teams.

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Half-Term and look forward to welcoming everyone back to school, with hopefully less COVID, fewer restrictions and maybe even a Headmaster’s Assembly in the Memorial Hall!

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster