HEADMASTER: Martin Shevill
Welcome
My two-term stewardship of the school has raced by quickly, and I must say, I’ll be sad to leave at the end of the academic year. I have been warmly welcomed into the Foundation by all colleagues, students and of course, the Old Savs. It was an honour to be asked to take on the role of Headmaster and it will have been an honour to work with so many people with a passion for education both past and present. My contact with the Old Savilians has been closer than many of you may expect given that Alistair McKinlay (OS 1990 and President Old Savilian Club) is a Governor and also the Chair of the QEGS General Purposes Committee and our frequent discussions often drift into chats about the Old Savs. More importantly, I’ve been presented with a tie as in fulfilling this role I become a member. It’s obviously been a strange year but one of the best moments was back in early April, on a sunny spring morning, to see some of the younger boys in their cricket whites out there practising. It somehow felt we were back to normal. Since then cricket, football and athletics have been taking pace daily. We just need to make sure that we are all fully focussed on our learning, particularly important for the Year 11 and Year 13 boys as they complete their final assessments in this second year without public examinations. The bigger news this term has been about the re-introduction of the House System (at the time of writing one competition has already taken place). Bentley, Cave, Freeston and Savile have re-emerged in the Senior Section obviously with continuity from the Juniors.
I am really pleased that this initiative has sparked such enthusiasm, I thought it would but must say I am surprised by the amount. I’m frequently stopped by boys in corridors, in the yard and on the field to say how pleased they are and obviously tell be that ‘Freeston’ or... or... is best. The staff have demonstrated equal enthusiasm. The most serious conversations with staff appear to have been around the House System... ’My dad came to this school and he was in Bentley, I must be in Bentley, and so it goes on. The Houses will have sister houses at the Girls’ School for occasional joint competitions such as debating and we may well have a Foundation champion House as well as an individual school champion House. I'm sure you would join me in wishing all staff who have left during the past academic year all the very best for the future, in either a new role or retirement. My first and last contribution as Headmaster; it’s been a great opportunity and I pass the baton onto Dr Richard Brookes knowing that QEGS continues to flourish.
Martin Shevill Martin Shevill Headmaster
www.qegsonline.org.uk 3
