And so we reach the end of another school year. As ever, we have raced to the finish-line in a helter-skelter, frantic fashion, with a huge amount crammed in. Please don’t forget to look on Flickr for photos of many of the recent events.
 
Two highlights, however, were the school performances of Mary Poppins in the Senior School and Rock Bottom in the Prep. Both were quite outstanding, not only in the exuberance, enthusiasm and excellence of those involved (both on stage and behind the scenes) but also in terms of the sheer number of pupils involved. Every Year 5 & Year 6 pupil in the Prep and 113 pupils in the Senior School. Many congratulations to them but also to the staff involved, whose tireless commitment and professionalism successfully brought to life two ambitious and large-scale productions.
 
Away from school, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) have been lucky enough to undergo a survival weekend at Copehill Down village on Salisbury Plain, as well as a four-day annual camp in Hampshire. The scope and range of the activities in which they participated was vast and the cadets are fortunate indeed to be part of such a well-resourced, well led and staffed cadet force. It offers them a tremendous opportunity to develop their leadership, their teamwork and their resilience. I would encourage all pupils to consider joining the CCF.
 
As a school, and one that has been here for 312 years, we very much value our important place and role in the local community. Our relationship with that community is one of mutual support and benefit and it’s important that the pupils understand that and also the need to develop their sense of service. Last week’s Community Action Day was perhaps the most visible, though far from the only, example of this in the school calendar. Every one of our pupils was involved and activities included performing at local care homes, a charity spinathon and clearing up and improving such areas as the War Memorial, the Obelisk, the Lake Pleasure Grounds and the Minster Church. I was delighted to receive a letter from the Town Council thanking the School; I quote:
 
“It is a shining example of citizenship and the Town is grateful. I hope you all appreciate the vital role you play in looking after our town.”
 
I would also encourage you to read ‘Chance of a Lifetime’ below. It is Upper Sixth pupil Alexandra Sarban’s humbling and inspiring account of her two years at Warminster on an HMC Scholarship. She has been fabulous and a great ambassador for her country. Her moving words capture the power of education. Also below is an introduction to next year’s Head Boy and Head Girl, Freya and Finn. Two more impressive people.
 
Last weekend, we enjoyed great weather and also an entertainment marathon, the high points of which were the Sixth Form Ball and the WSPA Ball in the marquee outside St Boniface House. Both were a great success and I am particularly grateful to the WSPA Committee who organised such a wonderful evening. Thank you also to all those of you who attended. It was a lot of fun.
 
Lastly, a farewell and thank you from me. I am proud of the introduction of Heads-Up a few years ago and this is Edition No51! Thank you for all of your support for me and for the School over the past six years. I am very grateful. My successor, Matt Williams, is the subject of ‘Spotlight’ below and I am sure you will make him and his family as welcome as you made us.
 
As I told the pupils this morning in Final Assembly, it has been a pleasure and privilege to be the Headmaster of this school and I have enjoyed almost every minute of being alongside them on their journey through school and through the turbulent waters of growing up. I also said this to them:
 
“I shall always be proud of you, of what you have done and of what many of you will go on to do, but I do expect you to live up to the line we hear annually on Speech Day in the Service of Commemoration: “much will be required of those to whom much is given”. You must live up to the faith that has been placed in you, the sacrifices that have been made for you and the gifts and opportunities that have been bestowed upon you. Serve others and as her mother tells Cinderella in the Disney film, “Have courage and be kind.” A great motto for life.  Think about who you want to be not what you want to do and remember what Tash Eeles, our guest of honour on Speech Day, said in this church last year:

“Speak up and tell the stories of those whose voice is not as strong as yours. When you see something that you don’t think is right, say something. Each of you is one of only 600,000 pupils attending an independent school in the UK. To put that in context, there are 75 million children in the world who do not attend school at all. So just take a moment to think about your position and your privilege and contemplate the multitude of positive ways you can use this. Use your voice to make a difference in the world and affect change, if anyone can stand by those who are silenced, then its each and every one of you.”
 
Lastly, a few key diary dates:
 
IB Results Day                    Saturday 6 July
A Level Results Day           Thursday 15 August
GCSE Results Day               Thursday 22 August

Start of term in September
We are running a phased return in September, details of which are below:

• All new boarders are expected back from 2pm on Tuesday 3rd September.
• All Year 7 and Lower Sixth pupils, plus new pupils in to other year groups to report to the Thomas Arnold Hall at 8.30am on Wednesday 4th September.
• All boarders are expected back from 2pm on Wednesday 4th September.
• All pupils to be in tutor bases from 8.35am on Thursday 5th September.

Mark Mortimer
@markd_mortimer