Head’s blog
And so we begin the last term of the academic year. Our Year 11 pupils will be starting their GCSE examinations in just over a week and we wish them the very best. They will have many opportunities to showcase all the learning, skills and knowledge they have acquired over the last two terms and beyond.
The Summer Term is a time to celebrate all that we value and cherish dearly at The Mount, Mill Hill International, and that is largely about being part of a community. There is so much to look forward to where we come together. The first quite special event in the Summer Term is the Newcastle drill. For the uninitiated, this is when each Boarding House competes against each other in an annual contest which involves marching and a general inspection of the ‘squad’. The hotly contested competition shows boarding pupils’ sense of team work at its best; pupils prepare tirelessly for the event and can be seen practising their drills on the Quad of an evening.
During the term, pupils prepare for the annual Summer Fayre, this year held on Saturday 16th June. Pupils create their own stalls with the idea of fundraising for the United World Schools Charity which helps builds schools in Cambodia. Over the last few years we have been blessed with glorious sunshine and the event a resounding success. Everyone is warmly invited – so do bring friends and relatives for those who can attend.
Following the GCSE examination period, our Year 11s have much to look forward to. A committee of dedicated pupils are busily organising the Leavers’ Ball to be held on June 23rd. It will be a beautiful occasion to celebrate their year(s) at The Mount, Mill Hill International and wish them well in their next step on their educational journey, whether at Mill Hill School or elsewhere.
Staff have planned an exciting programme of academic lessons, activities, excursions and workshops for the working weeks following their exams. The Post-GCSE programme aims to be engaging and intellectually stimulating for all pupils regardless of academic areas of interest, broadening the experience of all Year 11 pupils and helping them to prepare for the Sixth Form as well as gain invaluable life skills.
In addition to the Post-GCSE programme, The Mount, Mill Hill International will be launching its first Work Experience Week in the penultimate week of term where our Year 11 pupils will gain invaluable experience of the world of work. They will have the chance to participate in a working environment and develop employability skills, providing a definite advantage in the future.
In the final week of the Summer Term our pupils will take part in the Activities Week, the Residential Trip to Paris or continue the Post-GCSE Programme. The end of the School Year culminates in the Prizegiving where we reward pupils for their efforts and achievements, and look back over the year to celebrate the amazing journey of our international pupils since they arrived at The Mount, Mill Hill International.
What a stimulating Summer Term!