Well, we have reached the chequered flag at the end of another epic year of bespoke, nurturing and ambitious education for everyone. If our beloved HSW were a starship, I believe we found the warp-drive button this year.

 Regular readers will know that I am guilty of obsessing over our culture – the way we do things around here, the way we lift our inclusive values from the page and live them. There is a reason for this preoccupation. As an educationalist, our curriculum is so very important to me – the breadth of subjects we teach, the knowledge we deliver and the skills we develop – but it is our culture of kindness and collaboration that, in the end, influences how this curriculum is absorbed and utilised. After all, it is not only what we know that counts, it is what we can do with what we know, and that is inextricably linked to how we feel. If our culture is inclusive, our students feel a sense of belonging, ready to grasp every opportunity that comes their way and make the most of it – and goodness haven’t they done that this year! Every activity, every challenge and every lesson has been embraced and grasped with confidence and courage.

I could not feel more proud of the community we have established here. I would like to pay tribute to: all my hard-working colleagues for the care and attention they have offered every day; to my leadership team for their unfailing dedication and service; to you, our dear parents and guardians for your continued support; to our wonderful PTA volunteers for their time and efforts this year; and most of all to our beloved and remarkable children whose unbridled passion for life teaches and nourishes us all. They learn from us, but my goodness we learn from them, don’t we; such is the privilege of working here.

May I wish everyone a joyous and restorative summer break. See you on the gate in September, and we go again.