Headmaster's Bulletin 2014-15 (32)

Our summer Open Evening was blessed with blue skies and high temperatures, whilst it bucketed down last Saturday, after a long stretch of consistently beautiful weather!

Our Open Morning was, however, considerably more popular than the summer event, and I am grateful to all those pupils and parents who supported this very important occasion in our school calendar.

I was very impressed by the two Shells who spoke as part of my speech; such was their poise that it was incredible to think that they only began in the Senior School in September! Prospective parents also commented on our pupils’ natural self-confidence and politeness, as well as their pride in their school. Some of our pupils join us from the Junior School, whilst the majority come from numerous different schools in and around Coventry; we are far more diverse than most independent schools, and we celebrate the inclusive nature of our community. One parent commented on the strong focus on pupils’ all-round development rather than the excessive emphasis on high achievements which they had sensed elsewhere. Our pupils do go on to achieve remarkable things, but their growth of character, underpinned by support, guidance and outstanding co-curricular opportunities are equally important to us.

We aim daily to build a school community characterised by high expectations, tolerance and mutual support, and our pupils’ diverse social, faith and cultural backgrounds enrich all our lives. Whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or without religious belief, we therefore stand united in our abhorrence of barbaric killings in the name of faith. Such horrifically misguided intolerance has no place in this community.