I would like to start by introducing myself as the new Head Boy of Sherfield School. I follow in Thomas Jenkins’ footsteps and I would like to thank him for all his hard work throughout the last year.
I have been at Sherfield since Year 9 and felt welcomed instantly. I am on a tennis partnership with Totally Tennis and train or play every day. I do this alongside my academic studies and I am working towards A Levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
We have had a fantastic year, with many examples of success in a range of different areas of school life. Academic success can be seen in the offers that Year 13 have received from some of the best universities in the country and we are all hoping that the hard work Year 13 put into their A Level exams is rewarded in August when they collect their results.
We saw sporting success in abundance again this year. As in previous years a large team of athletes was sent to the Thames Valley athletics venue for the Independent Schools Association regional meet, where many of our outstanding sportsmen and women put in some fantastic performances which helped them to move onto the national stage.
In similar style, our tennis team involving Liam Hignett, Alex Dawson, Dean Cooper-Kirby and me won the regional draw and moved to the nationals which are held next week in Nottingham. I will never forget Mr. Gibson’s face at match point when the ball fell out and we were declared winners!
Considering our relatively small size, the success the school has achieved in sporting events cannot be accredited simply to the attitude and hard-work of the students. I feel that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. Gibson and his team who have worked so hard to bring out the best in us. We all wish him well and I would like him to know that I am extremely grateful for the guidance he has given to me.
On the subject of thank yous and goodbyes, I would like to take this opportunity to praise the outgoing prefect team and house captains for their hard work. Eleanor and I are fortunate that we are able to pick up where they left off and build on their successes. Their initiatives such as the International Evening have now become an annual fixture.
Looking forwards into next year, I am glad to be working with some excellent House Captains and Prefects. Together we have a vision for introducing an Arts, Sports and Science Festival to showcase more of the wonderful talent in the school and to give everyone the opportunity to try something new. We will run a host of workshops and competitions during the first week of October. Competitions will also run throughout science week and we aim to get every student more involved in science-orientated events.
Eleanor and I write a weekly blog in which we hope to update you on pupil-led events and give you our perspectives on the school and the Sixth Form.
My overriding goal is to create an inclusive, friendly atmosphere where every member of the community is welcomed and where new pupils feel part of something special, just like I did. I feel immensely privileged to have been given this position and am excited about everything that the future holds.