Speech Day: The year that was
The Year That Was… and what a year that was, and I can tell you now that despite never having been a Kipling fan, for the first time his poetry is resonating with me. ‘If you can keep your head whilst all … Continued
Viral activism
You may have seen too this week that the Ofsted report on sexual harassment and abuse in schools was released, and can be read here. This is of course an area being focused on, by absolute necessity, across the board in education … Continued
What have I learnt during my first year?
As the thirteenth Head of Wimbledon High School, having taken up post in September 2020 during the most extraordinary of times, what have I learnt during my first year? Well, and this came as no surprise, as I had been … Continued
‘A school isn’t a building – it’s a shared culture’
What is a school, anyway? The notion of ‘school’ is something everyone understands. No one ever asks me ‘what do you do as a teacher?’ because they themselves had teachers, and themselves went to school. We all know (or think … Continued
Enough is enough – an assembly on gendered violence
How sad I am to have to call this assembly, and I have – unusually – found it very difficult to think of the words for it. But, even when words don’t seem enough, I’m sure you’ll share with me … Continued
The return
What an absolute joy it is to have our Wimbledonians back together. There may have been elements of anxiety, and something of an adjustment period, but the sound of laughter, of feet up and down the stairs, and of live … Continued
Faultlines and foundations
It’s been a week of significant announcements for schools, with the plans for returning to school being unveiled as well as the headlines for Teacher Assessed Grades. It is of course very exciting to have our students returning, all together, … Continued
Strong body, Strong mind
We were delighted with the news that we had triumphed over KCS this week in the Battle of Wimbledon, a challenge to see how far we could all run or cycle in 20 minutes. Not that we’re at all competitive … Continued
Light in the darkness
You’ll have seen the announcement by Boris Johnson this week that schools will be remaining closed until 8th March, at the earliest. It’s difficult not to feel discouraged as we continue to sit, patiently or otherwise, with the challenges and … Continued
The hill we climb
At the inauguration of President Joe Biden this week, the first ever National Youth Poet Laureate for the US, Amanda Gorman, performed her piece ‘The Hill We Climb’ to wide acclaim. She was powerful, articulate and authentic in her expression … Continued