in this issue

Growth In Winter

I hope you will agree with me that this edition of the newsletter proves that growth in winter still occurs. So, despite short days, long nights and a pandemic, the school continues to thrive and move forward with purpose. That is a tribute to the energy, resilience and creativity of our whole community and in particular our students and their teachers. As you enjoy some of the highlights of a huge variety of developments at the school, the mimosa is blossoming outside my office window. While probably a product of global warming, let us think of it instead as a symbol. As ever, we can leave the last word to Larkin.

All the best, and enjoy the break, Simon

THE TREES

The trees are coming into leaf Like something almost being said; The recent buds relax and spread, Their greenness is a kind of grief.

Is it that they are born again And we grow old? No, they die too, Their yearly trick of looking new Is written down in rings of grain.

Yet still the unresting castles thresh In fullgrown thickness every May. Last year is dead, they seem to say, Begin afresh, afresh, afresh.

Philip Larkin