From the HeadmasterWisbech Grammar School

North Brink, Wisbech, Cambs. PE13 1JX

01945 583631Headmaster@WisbechGrammar.com

WisbechGrammar.com

An HMC Independent School founded in 1379

A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England. Company number: 4234021Registered Office: North Brink, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. PE13 1JX. Registered charity number: 1087799

Wisbech Grammar School

25 September 2014

CNS/TG

Dear Parents / Guardians

The Michaelmas term is now into its fourth week and I overheard a comment by a parent at the hockey and rugby last weekend that ‘it was half way to half term already’...or will be by the end of this week. It is a long term from September to December; there is simply so much to achieve and complete over the coming 10-11 weeks. It is a well known adage amongst educational establishments that for those pupils sitting exams, over 50% of the teaching and delivery of new material takes place in this first term.

The School itself has made an impressive start to the term. Last week Dr Mann, Mrs Cooper and the remainder of the 1st Form Form Tutors donned their outdoor pursuit kit and embarked upon the amazing Manor Adventure week. On Thursday, I also dipped my toe into this now legendary experience of high ropes, assault courses, abseiling, rifle shooting, underground maze (there is more to this list) and found some tired, rather dirty but very happy pupils engaged in activities that although many had tried before, had not experienced before in such a great action-packed format. I would just like to thank Dr Mann, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Ogston, Mr Harrison and Mr Williams for their time, dynamism, enthusiasm and patience. Without them the trip would not work or have created so many great memories. I fully understand now what staff and countless pupils are talking about when they speak of Dr Mann and his epic contributions to the disco dancing/Strictly Come Dancing fraternity of Wisbech Grammar School.

Back at School, we have welcomed seven new staff to the common room, all of whom have settled very well. We have had two highly successful parents’ evenings, one focussing on life in the 4th Form and the second on the L6th. This week heralds the Open Evening for potential new 6th Formers, hotly followed by our Open Morning on Saturday 27 September for prospective new 1st formers in September 2015. Registrations and interest in both events have been encouraging at this early stage of the academic year: this simply illustrates the high regard the school is held in locally. Examination results this year were impressive and in line with expectations; they underscore our position within the locality as being a top performer.

There are a number of areas that I have started to address in my short time as Headmaster. It is clear that both pupils and parents are passionate about their School and how it moves forward. It will not have escaped anyone’s notice that the new Refectory is still some way from completion. We are now pressing forward apace and there is a greater sense of urgency to ensure that before half term the building is water-tight, so we can claw back some of the over-run when the internal work commences. This will be a top class facility and I aim to ensure that alongside the building it can offer a rejuvenation of our catering provision.

Whilst this project continues we have decided to move parent teas, post sports matches, into the pavilion. We are going to open up the space entirely for the purpose for which the building was originally designed and, once the council have approved the licence, (most likely January 2015), we will aim to offer a bar service on Saturdays to cater for those parents who have children at both Magdalene House and the Senior School and are here from 11am until late afternoon. Should you require a beer or a glass of wine, we will be able to provide this little bit of extra hospitality for you. We will continue to offer teas, coffees and freshly made sandwiches and cakes throughout the day as we have been doing since the start of term.

In tandem with the physical improvement of the site it would be remiss not to comment on how magnificent the playing fields currently look. Richard Bedford (Head Groundsman) and his team have done a marvellous job to ensure that the transition from Harecroft Road to Wisbech Grammar School sports fields ‘being all on one site’ has been fantastic. In support of Richard, his team and the Director of Sport I would ask that parents and pupils please use the bins provided for any litter and that supporters note that the School site is one which is dog-free.

The difficulties regarding car parking and access via the Hudson Leisure Centre are currently being investigated and our aim is to find a mutually acceptable resolution to these issues in the near future. There is no simple solution and I can assure you that I am looking at parking provision as well as access arrangements for drop off and pick up.

I am also pleased to announce that with immediate effect I am reopening the School Shop. Shirley Davies, the Admissions Secretary will oversee the shop itself and operate it on an appointment only system. Should you have school uniform you wish to purchase or donate please contact her directly by calling 01945 583 631, or via email: Admissions@WisbechGrammar.com

Information technology and the provision of it at Wisbech Grammar School and Magdalene House are about to take a big leap forward. The IT team, under the guidance of the Bursar and Jon Drewett, are nearing the completion of a major infrastructural upgrade that will come on line in January 2015. This upgrade will lead to greater clarity of our external communications. We will be in touch about how we can move the School forward to ensure you have access to the information you need.

On the sports front, the 1st XV started the season brightly by winning the pre-season tournament at Hampshire Collegiate School. The U14 and U15 XVs have had mixed starts to the season but the standard and commitment has been encouraging. Our girls’ hockey teams have also started the season well, winning the majority of games. It was great to watch all the home fixtures over past few weeks with such positive support. With fixtures appearing thick and fast over the coming weeks, I would encourage you to keep track of them via the sports website app.

At the end of the first weekend of term 27 pupils completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Award expedition in fantastic conditions under the watchful eye of Mr Garfoot. This was then ably supported by a whole school assembly which outlined the importance of this extra-curricular activity. Throughout the ever changing educational landscape that pupil and teacher now inhabit, the steadfast reliability and universal appeal of this Award holds as much weight as it ever did, if not more. I would echo Mr Garfoot and encourage all pupils to take part in what is a highly fulfilling and internationally recognised scheme.

Lastly, and on a personal note, my family and I have certainly settled into life in Wisbech. I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff, pupils, parents and Governors for making our transition from Dorset so straightforward and welcoming. It is great to be part of such a diverse town – although, if I am honest, I haven’t quite managed to fully come to terms with the ‘trolley escalator’ in Tesco’s, but I look forward to the fact there is a latte available at the end of it!

Chris Staley BA MBAHeadmaster