Head’s blog
I hope you have all had a lovely week. Now we are into February the mornings are getting a little lighter and it feels like we are gently edging towards the spring, despite the cold snap expected over the next few days.
There have been some real highlights this week. On Monday and Wednesday we interviewed and had music auditions for over forty 11+ academic and music exhibition candidates. The standard was fantastic both from external and internal candidates and I was really pleased with all of our Belmont pupils. It was a pleasure just spending time with such thoughtful, bright and engaging boys and girls. Not everyone will be lucky enough to receive an Exhibition but for all those that got this far, they should be very proud of their achievements. For those that don’t make it this time there are even more scholarship opportunities available to the children at 13+.
Yesterday there was a ‘Harry Potter Night’ with the English department rooms and the library packed with children taking part in a range of magical activities. Thank you to Miss Bufton, her department and Mrs Hunt for their time and creativity as well as for dressing up as wizards! A number of children also took part in the SATIPS general knowledge Quiz this week. Thank you to Mr Clement for organising. The papers seemed quite challenging, at least for the teachers, so it does not bode well for the two staff tables at the FOB Quiz Night.
More Academic news- we held interviews yesterday for the Deputy Head (Academic) post. I am delighted to say that Miss Jen Harrison emerged as the strongest candidate and she has accepted the position. Jen is currently in the Acting Deputy Head role and was previously Head of Maths and Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning). Jen also has a broad experience from teaching KS1 in a primary school in Fulham to teaching Maths up to A level at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Foundation in York. She holds a 1st in BSc Maths with Economics from Exeter University. We all wish Jen the best in her new permanent role and look forward to her taking Teaching and Learning onto the next level at Belmont.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
