It has been a pleasure to welcome everyone back to school this week and to experience the energy and enthusiasm of a new term. A particular mention must go to our Year 11 and Year 13 students, who have commenced their mock examinations with such a positive and diligent attitude. This is a vital part of their preparation for their GCSEs and A Levels in the summer, offering an invaluable opportunity to identify what is going well and what needs further focus. By using these insights, they can plan their studies effectively over the coming months to achieve their full potential.

This term promises to be exceptionally busy and exciting. Key events on the calendar include learning review meetings, the GCSE Options Evening for Year 9, our much-anticipated senior school musical, numerous sports fixtures, and much more. I encourage you to regularly consult the calendar on the Parent Portal to ensure you are fully informed about all upcoming events.

Today, we bid farewell to Miss Kay as she begins her maternity leave. We extend our very best wishes to her as she embarks on this exciting new chapter. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Mr Stokes to the Art Department, who will be covering Miss Kay’s classes.

In my assembly today, I shared reflections with the students inspired by finally watching Wicked last Saturday. Although I was familiar with its famous songs, like Defying Gravity, seeing the full story brought its powerful themes to life. Wicked reimagines the story of Elphaba, the “Wicked Witch” from The Wizard of Oz, showing her as a brave, intelligent, and compassionate young woman who is misunderstood because she is different. The story challenges us to reconsider judgments and see the world through others’ perspectives. In one pivotal moment, Elphaba sings Defying Gravity as she decides to embrace her true self and stand up for what she believes in, even when it means standing alone. This is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to be authentic and to defy others’ expectations.

I encouraged the students to reflect on times they have felt judged or misunderstood and to consider how they can approach others with curiosity and kindness. By taking time to understand others, we can uncover the full story and build stronger, more supportive connections.

These themes from Wicked align with our core values of courage, curiosity, and kindness. Just as Elphaba’s story teaches us to look beyond first impressions, I challenged our students to view the world with fresh eyes. To be curious about others’ stories and experiences, even when they seem different from our own. To show kindness by suspending judgment and seeking to understand. And most importantly, to have the courage to be themselves authentically, even when it feels challenging. Like Elphaba, each of us has unique gifts to share with the world – and it is through embracing these differences that our community grows stronger.

To read all of this week’s Senior High Notes, please click here.