Independent Schools Show

The schools show was a great success. Friday was quiet but picked up a little in the afternoon. We were then very generously invited to a champagne reception hosted by the organisers.

Saturday morning felt much busier. I then gave a talk on the benefits of boarding just before lunch which I hope went down well. At least there were far more people in the audience than last year!

The afternoon was very busy at our stand. The show ended at 4.30pm and we still had several families coming up to talk to us about Sunningdale. 

Every year we debate whether or not we will be going back the following year. We certainly shall but I do think that there are one or two things they could do to improve the show. I think it needs to be a real advertisement for the sector as a whole and not simply a recruitment exercise. If that is to be the case they need somehow to attract all the major players. Several very well known schools were notable by their absences. I am thinking of Eton, Radley, Rugby, Sherborne, Winchester and all the major central London schools. I think it would be much more popular if they were all there as it would add weight to it. Some of the top schools (such as Harrow, Stowe, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Bradfield and others) were there but it needs more of them. I also think that we should not expect the visiting parents to pay for entry. The exhibitors should cover the cost.

Anyway, just a thought..........

Our stand at the Independent Schools Show

Football results & Trafalgar Day

Sadly, the matches yesterday did not go as planned. It was disappointing as the 1st XI were as good as they were and just really under-performed. I think there is a lack of confidence in the side at the moment and we need to sort this out before we run out of matches.

Today is Trafalgar Day and we are all off to Trafalgar Park. We are going to learn about the battle itself, the history of the house and I believe there will be a falconry demonstration as well. I t should be great fun.

Long Leave

Long Leave (our half term) is coming up at the end of this week. I think we are all looking forward to it but it is terrifying how quickly it has come. The start of term seems like yesterday. I suppose it is because we have been so busy that it has flown by. 

Many schools now have a ten day or even two week half term. I don't see us doing that. The boys are working very well this term and the momentum is building nicely. I would not want to have a two week break and have to start all over again. In my opinion it is far better to have a longer break at Christmas. Christmas is always so busy and the extra time after New Year makes all the difference.

Football v. Cothill

I am very excited about football against Cothill today. I have a good feeling about the 1st XI. They have improved a great deal this term and a win is on the cards! Let's see.

Sunningdale / Summer Fields Meeting

Big day today. 70 headmasters from the top boys' prep and public
schools are coming to Sunningdale for a meeting. As well as hearing
four excellent speakers, there will be plenty of opportunity for all
present to discuss key issues affecting the sector.

It is also a chance for Sunningdale to show how we are doing and to
make sure that we put on a good event.

Great Football Win

Yesterday afternoon an U12 team took on Bishopsgate whose top year was away so no 1st XI game was possible. This was a chance for us to look at next year's top team so the match was eagerly awaited.

A poor first half saw us concede two goals despite having most of the possession. There was a lack of commitment and urgency and we gave the ball away far too easily. A late penalty reduced the deficit just before half time. 

After a stern half time talk, the attitude was completely different in the second half and two early goals put us ahead. A third followed and the game looked safe. Bishopsgate did not give up, though, and in the last ten minutes we were under great pressure from some excellent attacks.

It was a good lesson in what it takes to win and I hope that this will show in this weekend's key games against Woodcote House.