Headteacher Weekly Bulletin 30.11.18

A very quick good afternoon and goodbye, I’m afraid.

I’m in the middle of a manic day and have to shoot off very promptly this afternoon.

I’ve just about dried out from a very wet and cold Tuesday afternoon at Chester Rugby Club with the Year 7 team in a mini Cheshire schools tournament.  We weren’t at our fluid best in the conditions and finished with just one victory and three defeats. I’m not the most sympathetic in these circumstances and suggested the boys suck it up, forget about the lack of feeling in their extremities, as it was the same for the other schools after all, act a little less WA14/15 and just get stuck in!  My Churchillian address fell on deaf ears unfortunately.  To be fair to the boys, they gave a good account of themselves in the main and particular credit to the indomitable, weather-proof human dynamo that was Dominic Gibson.

On the same night, the Year 8 rugby team lost narrowly (7 tries to 6) against Sale Grammar in the Trafford league, in what was very much an improved and very commendable performance.

I have yet to see any other sports reports / results except for Mr Riley’s Year 7 and 8 girls’ football team who had a great cup win on Monday.  By all accounts, Mr Riley’s side-line antics were something to behold.  Well done, ladies. 

Sports fixtures were somewhat limited this week as most of the PE department were away on a GCSE outdoor pursuits trip for three days.  Thanks to Mr Tomlinson for taking the Year 8 rugby team on this occasion.

That’s a seamless link to last Sunday’s Christmas Fair, as Mr T’s daughter, Ella (pictured below with Father Christmas), won the ‘guess the number of sweets in the jar’.  Most annoying as I had my eye on those Refreshers, Love Hearts etc (sweets over chocolate any day of the week).  Bursting with honesty and integrity as I am, on Monday I did of course hand over the jar of sweets the 6th formers running that game asked me to keep safe for little Miss Tomlinson, as Sir and his family had gone home!  I had to overcome my natural instincts in doing so. 

Thank you to all of you who came along to either help out or just experience the Christmas Fair; it was another lovely morning and once again raised around £2,000 for school funds.  We will spend the money wisely on our students in due course.  I hope you will join us for another Christmas celebration, our Carol Service, at Christ Church on Monday 17th December.  If you are at a loose end tomorrow, one of our choirs, Sing, is performing before the Lantern Parade in Altrincham at midday.  Lead by former student, vocalist and TV personality Rob King, they will be doing a 20-minute slot.  Come and have a listen.

Well done to the Year 13s who have now finished their first mocks; I hope they get chance to chill out a little over the weekend.  Good luck to the Year 11s who begin their mocks for 8 days on Monday. 

I really must dash so apologies for my brevity today.  Enjoy reading the offerings of my colleagues and a have a lovely weekend.  The rugby autumn internationals have finished so Utd v Arsenal, Fury v Wilder, Christmas tree shopping and other seasonal activities will doubtless fill the gap.

S Beeley