The nature of a school year, and indeed the success of putting learning under test, inevitably means we will have a lot going on this time of year!  Sports Days, Speech Days, Prize Givings and Activity Weeks all play their part in enabling opportunities for competition, collaboration, risk-taking and leadership. There will be successes for some, failures for others too, though for the vast majority, we hope a real sense and pride in achievement, whatever the results.

The story of the English football team fits this pattern, achieving far beyond expectations and clearly not quite ready to win the World Cup…yet. For all the disappointment visible for England, the bigger football story across the world has been the remarkable rescue of the 12 boys and their coach, where they had been entombed in the Luang caves in Chiang Rai, Thailand.  The incredible skill and expertise of the professional divers had been built up over years, enhanced by an incredible willingness to trust each other to work as a team.  Both examples prove to be an inspiration for our own pupils, a reminder that hard work coupled with meticulous planning provide the gateway to success in life.

Our country’s leading public servant, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, has faced her fair share of challenges recently, and it’s amazing that over her Chequers summit and cabinet resignations, she had time to pen this lovely letter on Sunday 8 July. That is a priceless example of the meticulous attention to detail Theresa has become famous for here in RBWM, sending congratulations to our athletes aged 8 to 16, who could indeed be our future stars.

More are on their way already, with the J16 coxed quad selected to race for Great Britain v France this week. Look out for the names of Toby Stubbs, Alexander Getley, Leo Griffiths and Jake Wincomb, delighted of course at their first taste of international competition, though not quite so pleased with their result, losing by two lengths in Paris. Please turn your eyes towards the Women’s Hockey World Cup taking place later this month at the Olympic stadium in Stratford, where our own Ellie Rayer (1999-2015) will be representing England, first game against India on Sunday 21 July.

To conclude, very many thanks to all  pupils and parents for their wonderful support this year.  In addition, I thank the headteachers and their staff for their amazing work, without which our school could not thrive. We bid farewell to Andy Giles, Head of Sixth Form, to Penny Hawker, Deputy Head Senior Girls, both of whom have been remarkable leaders in office and we wish them well as they move on to new challenges. I look forward to Justin Spanswick moving into executive headship alongside me, and continuing to work with our other heads to ensure that the pupils, parents and families of Claires Court are at the forefront of  what we do.

Have an excellent summer break , I feel sure we all deserve it!