The Headmaster, Ian Wilmshurst, looks back over a memorable Christmas term

The Headmaster, Ian Wilmshurst, looks back over a memorable Christmas term...

The Christmas term always culminates with enjoyable major school events, which for me, starts with the Military Band leading the Town’s Remembrance Day parade, then in December moves on to our Confirmation Service through to the Christmas Fair, the School Play, Christmas Lunch and finally, of course, ending up with the impressive Carol Service in St Mary’s. The Christmas tree on the Memorial Hall Lawn also seems to put us all in the festive mood and I am grateful for all the staff who arrange the House Christmas festivities and also the important sports teams’ dinners.

I was delighted that there were so many new actors on stage in 'Much Ado About Nothing' while Lyon House managed to push House plays to a different, powerful level with the Walsh brothers’ evocative portrayal of the effects of warfare on a soldier’s mental health in 'The Unreturning'.

The sport this term has been exciting. I thought the rugby 1^st XV’s 26-26 draw against Downside was schoolboy rugby at it best. Both teams gave their all and were naturally disappointed not to win, but in time all the players will remember with pride how they represented their schools and the part they played in an excellent match. Our hockey season was excellent, with the girls’ 1^st XI wining all their Saturday fixtures while, for the first time, all indoor hockey teams reached the Regionals. The orchestra was exceptional in the Winter Concert while the Chapel Choir sang Evensong superbly in Salisbury Cathedral - it was an honour to be in the Cathedral with so many parents and Old Brutonians.

Mrs Simper and I meet our school prefects every Friday morning, and in our final meeting of the term we both thanked all the prefects for their enthusiasm, honesty and hard work. Under my headship the 2023-24 school prefects have proved the best prefect group I have worked with. They all contribute to discussions; they can disagree agreeably (even with me!) they are keen to help the younger pupils and continually look at ways to move King’s forward. It has been a pleasure to work with them.

Finally, we say goodbye to two well-respected members of staff. Ben Hawley has been a resident tutor in New House, a PE teacher, but above all, at a relatively young age, he has had the responsibility of running King’s rugby and coaching the 1^st XV. Ben has ensured that King’s rugby has grown from strength to strength under his leadership and the 1^st XV always plays exciting rugby.

Paul Charlton was appointed as the CCF School Staff Instructor (SSI) 26 years ago. Paul has coached rugby, and latterly netball, as well as being integral to our PE teaching, but his legacy will be how he has worked with the CCF staff, and in particular, latterly with Crag Barrow, the current Contingent Commander, to develop an outstanding CCF. Paul has managed to combine military rigour with a keen sense of fun and perspective that teenagers respect. It is fitting that in Paul’s final year as SSI, an OB,  Myles Jenkins, was awarded the Sword of Honour at Sandhurst last April. Paul and Ben leave behind a thriving CCF and rugby programme respectively, and we wish them both the very best for their futures.

I wish all the King’s community a relaxing and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Floreat Brutonia.

Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster

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