Summer has arrived!

I can't tell you the difference it makes having some sun! Sunningdale is a wonderful place to be when the sun shines, the rhododendrons are out and we get to play cricket, athletics and tennis without freezing!

The last ten days have been fantastic. The cricket teams having been playing really well, including four wins out of six against Woodcote. The  athletes also managed to win against Hall Grove and Bishopsgate although yesterday's match against Hall Grove was a bit tough. We have our first tennis match this afternoon.

Yesterday evening saw the first round of the house debating competition. It was such as success and the motions, very well selected by Mr Verey, certainly provoked some interesting questions which were well handled by all sides. 

Dorm Challenge

Further developments to the dorm challenge!

Team Matron!

This a great idea from the matrons that has really got the boys
working hard to have the tidiest dorm!

Prep Schools taking pupils up to 16

There is a very interesting article in the Times today about prep schools taking pupils up to 16 instead of them leaving to go on to senior school at 13. Over the last few years a number of parents have suggested to me, probably not being too serious, that we should consider doing the same thing. 

It is a very interesting argument. The Times article indicates that the reason parents are keen on this is so that their children can be shielded from negative influences at senior schools, that they can be wrapped in cotton wool. The article mentions nothing about the quality of education or the range of opportunities on offer. In my experience, when boys come to the end of their time at Sunningdale, they are ready to move on. They need a new challenge, they need to broaden their horizons and they need to meet new people. I can see that it may be lovely and cosy for them to remain in a school which they know well and with people they feel comfortable with but is that really what is best for them?

The History of the World

Radley

I had a very good day at Radley yesterday. It really is a lovely
place. We had a very good Oxford Group meeting and the lunch which
gave us a chance to meet lots of the Social tutors.

Parents Meeting

We had a very positive parents meeting yesterday. It is always such a
help to discuss things with the parents so that we are singing from
the same hymn sheet.

Revision Talk to CE candidates

This morning the Common Entrance candidates were all guided through
how to revise and which techniques they could use. Let's hope it
works!

BSA Conference

I am currently at the Boarding Schools Association conference in Bristol. Although I do not enjoy being away from school, it is good to talk to other Headmasters of boarding schools who share the same sorts of issues. There are also some excellent speakers. Yesterday Libby Purves spoke very well indeed about boarding from a parents perspective and John Timpson of Timpson's the shoe menders was also very interesting.