Dear students and parents,
We hosted our first ever ĢƵ Model United Nations Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday with over 120 of our students participating. MUN has been running at the school for several years now and teaches our students so many transferable skills, including active listening and questioning, analysis, persuasive and formal writing, public speaking as well as broadening their awareness of topical issues and building up their ability to be globally compassionate citizens. Thank you to our teachers, student chairs and especially Miss Eudes, who has done so much to promote MUN at the school, in making the event such an engaging, fun and successful one.
On Thursday we had the opportunity to celebrate our wonderful Year 13 cohort during their Graduation Ceremony. To be online for the majority of their Sixth Form and retain such a strong work ethic and supportive bond, speaks volumes for this remarkable group of young people. It was lovely to hear so many positive stories and authentic reflections on their journey and see the families celebrate and take such joy in their considerable achievements. It wasn’t the physical, face to face ceremony we all hoped for, but it represented the world we have been inhabiting for a while now and the continued strength of this wonderful community. Thank you to Mr. Jayatilake, Ms. Hemelik, our KS5 mentors, and especially the graduating cohort, including all of those that spoke and performed so wonderfully. A special thank you to Ndeye and Brandon who hosted so well and did so much to not only organise this event but for their tremendous leadership of the student body during the past year.
As we approach the end of this academic year we are also planning for the next. The leadership team will, as you know, be changing, both in terms of personnel and structure. Caroline Drumm will be taking over as Principal, and I know, especially through the many transition meetings we have been having, that the school will benefit greatly from her passion, expertise and ideas in moving the school forward. Caroline will be ably supported by Pauline Gradden, who will be the sole Vice Principal, which will now take on a whole-school role. Pauline has been instrumental in shaping our Secondary School, implementing the structures and supporting our teachers who provide such rich experiences for our students. Pauline will continue to oversee the Secondary School and will be supported by Rohan Jayatilkae who steps up as the Secondary School Deputy Head, working with Cathy Williams and Hilary Knowles in their roles as Assistant Heads. Sally Moulds, will be joining us from Network International School in Myanmar as our Primary School Deputy Head, supported by Matthew Smith and Rianne Wiggers in their roles as Primary Assistant Heads. We have a tremendous team of senior leaders who care passionately about the welfare and learning journey of our young people, and with our wonderful teaching and support staff, I know 2021-2 will be a tremendously successful academic year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Abby Buckland for her tremendous service to the school and especially in her role as Assistant Head in the Primary School during the past two years. Michael Leahy will also be leaving after leading the Primary School on two separate occasions. Michael was everything the school needed during his recent tenure, implementing clear structures, especially in regard to assessment, which will have long lasting positive effects on student progress.
I am also very excited to announce that Alice Wheatley will be taking over the ICT coordinator role from Nick Morgan in the Primary School. In the Secondary School, Ms. Middlebrook, Linda Grieve will be taking over from Amanda Hemelik, as Key Stage 5 Coordinator and Ms. Middlebrook will take over the Key Stage 4 Coordinator position. Ayush Sharma will be our new Head of Maths, taking over from Emma Morgan. Robyn Wynn will be our new Head of Performing Arts, taking over from Claire Cockle. Harriet Marston will be joining us from the UK to lead our MFL department, taking over from Noemie Anjenjo. Linley Portsmouth will also be joining us from the UK and taking over the PE department from Emma Langham. Thank you to all of our departing leaders of learning and pastoral care; you have left a great legacy and provided a great platform for our new leaders to continue and build upon your great work.
Primary parents and students will be receiving their reports today, with Secondary (Year 7-10 and Year 12) parents and students receiving theirs next Thursday. These will provide updates on your child’s progress and will certainly be a cause for celebration: please do not hesitate to get in contact with us should you require any further clarity and/or a further conversation.
Please do ensure you scroll down to find out more about MUN, graduation and some fabulous music from our primary students.
We have two more meetings before the end of the academic year. On Sunday 27th June, we have our AGM, where we will also be outlining our plans for the scheduled start to the new academic year and on Monday 28th June, we have a Parents Information Session on our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scheme. Please use the zoom links below to join the sessions.
Have a lovely weekend.
