As a Head the start of the autumn term combines a whole range of conflicting emotions. That 'on the edge of the abyss' feeling as you wait for the arrival of all of the staff, especially those who were appointed months ago in the spring or summer; will they all show? That first Staff Meeting of the year where you tread the thinnest of fine lines between getting the messages across and yet avoiding information overload. The adrenaline rush of suddenly encountering (and addressing) hundreds of young people, many of whom are unfamiliar faces. The feeling of trepidation as the timetable and rooming arrangements steadily unwind through the first week and the inevitable fire fighting from time to time as occasional undiscovered glitches emerge into the light. The sheer pleasure of seeing, hearing and engaging with the enormous reservoir of youth and vitality that is Bishop's, after the lull of the summer break.
Though thankfully we have not had to contend with the spectre of RAAC that has haunted so many schools this September, term has still been full on in most respects. Recruitment into our Sixth Form remains at record levels, with both boys and girls attracted by the powerful combination of strong academic outcomes and an enviable co-curricular programme. This year we have taken in over 80 new students into Year 12, of whom 70 are girls. The Year 7 intake is full at 160, the Sixth Form now numbers almost 400 and there are nearly 1,200 students on site through each day. It has been so refreshing to see the practices for our musicians and sportsmen and women start already and numbers enrolling for the Duke of Edinburgh Award also look to be at record levels too. The playgrounds are bustling, the astro turfs are a hive of frenetic activity and the library is full of young readers. The school year is really under way.
At the same time as the new batch of migrants sweep in to find their niche, our Year 13 leavers are preparing for their next adventure. It was lovely to see some of them in August around results time, but back then their next big leap lacked immediacy. In a couple of weeks' time I hope that many will pay a fleeting visit for our Prize Giving before heading off for metropolitan centres across the UK, Europe and even the United States, exporting their experiences of Wilshire rurality across the globe. That world is much bigger and more accessible than in the early twentieth century, but the concept remains unchanged - Bishop's as a launch pad, propelling young people to reach their potential and realise their dreams. John Wordsworth would be very pleased and proud to see his school in such vigorous form.
SDS
