FROM THE HEADMASTER

As we come to the close of another school year, filled with remarkable achievements and successes, I would like to highlight some of the special occasions and achievements which have occurred along the way.

Reviewing the reports over the past few weeks, I can confidently attest to the diligent efforts and dedication your children have demonstrated throughout the academic year. We are very proud of the achievements of all our leavers who have worked hard to gain entry to a wide range of senior schools. Destinations have included Charterhouse, Churcher’s, Claremont, Cranleigh, Godalming College, King Edward’s Witley, Marlborough, Peter Symonds, the Royal Grammar School, Seaford, Winchester and Wellington. We had a lovely End of GCSE Dinner at the Frensham Pond Hotel and it has been a great privilege to see them grow up into the fine young men and women that they have become. They leave with our very best wishes for future success and happiness.

This year has been exceptional for our sports programme, as highlighted in the Sports pages of this newsletter – do have a look at the accomplishments and team highlights of our talented pupils. Our Sports Days deserve special recognition and, despite the rather warm conditions, the celebration of athletics was truly remarkable, stretching from our youngest St. Edmund’s Nursery pupils up through every year group. The children performed admirably, and we were thrilled to have so many parents, family members, and friends join us. Sports Day is not only about individual challenges but also about fostering team spirit as our pupils compete for the Division and House Trophies. Congratulations to everyone who participated, with a special mention to Crown and Oak for their victories in the Prep and Senior School.

Music and the Performing Arts have been to the fore with the term culminating with the end of year concert‘A Celebration of Music’. This community concert was a memorable occasion that gave children between Forms 3 and 10 and their families the opportunity to display their many talents; a fitting reward for all those thousands of hours of practice and rehearsal.

An ever-increasing number of children are taking up musical instruments, and the school corridors echo each morning, lunchtime and after school to the sound of singing, not least the soundtracks from our musical theatre productions this year: Shrek, Aladdin, The Greatest Showman and Matilda.

Our speech days were a wonderful opportunity to gather as a school community to applaud the remarkable achievements of our students in various fields, including academics, sports, arts, and extracurricular activities. Visiting speakers inspired (or frightened) us as we acclaimed successes, big and small, acknowledged efforts that went into so many endeavours, and celebrated the successful completion of the academic year across the age groups.

There has been a pivotal academic move in the academic year 2022 to 2023 as we are evolving our academic and holistic provision at St. Edmund’s by partnering with the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) in place of common entrance. Please see page 7 for an update.

As we part ways for the holidays, I hope that we will all take the opportunity to rejuvenate and reflect, to spend quality time with family and friends, to explore our passions, and to come back energized and eager to embark on the next chapter. Emma joins me in wishing you all a very happy Summer break and we look forward to seeing you in September.