The Headmaster writes…
Fifteen weeks of a highly successful term are now at an end, concluding with our very special carol service at Bampton Church. A huge amount has been achieved over the last three months and it is quite revealing to ponder on a simple, statistical analysis of the term: roughly 17,000 lessons have been taught, 35,000 meals served, 210 matches played, 16 parents’ meetings held, 2,000 flexi-boarding nights slept, hundreds of exam papers completed, dozens of AB music exams taken and over 7,000 credits and gold awards distributed. Then there were the ten school trips, the Harvest and Remembrance services, the Pre-Prep’s ‘Nativity Tableau’, the Autumn Fair, the new parents’ drinks, ‘Take Footsteps’ and ‘Bushcraft Survival’ courses, the St Hugh’s hockey, rugby, cross country and netball tournaments, School Council meetings, tea concerts, Boarders’ events and trips, our Reading Competition, Languages Day, Science Day, the inter school quiz competitions, Leviathan, the FOSH Halloween event, house matches and house cross country and, of course, the staff and children’s Christmas entertainment! Such statistics don’t tell the whole story and are just an indication of the high level of industry at St Hugh’s. Of course, the consequence of this breathless range of activity is tired children (and parents) in need of a good rest. I hope that you have the opportunity to relax and spend precious time with your family over the next few weeks. A very happy Christmas to you all.

The Headmaster writes…
It seems unbelievable that we have already reached half-term and the last few weeks seem to have flown by, no doubt helped by the recent Indian summer.  We are delighted to have welcomed many new families to St Hugh’s and I am so pleased that the new children have all settled in well.   We like to feel that being such a warm, friendly, supportive environment makes St Hugh’s a place where those joining are made to feel part of the family straight away and it is a feature of the school which, without exception, prospective parents always remark upon. In addition to the new boys and girls who joined us, we have also welcomed several excellent new members of staff: Mrs Sally Russell is our new Head of Pre-Prep, Mr Robin Cleaver is a new Maths teacher and Mrs Julie Robinson is teaching drama.  In addition to this, we have four dynamic new GAP students, three of whom are former St Hugh’s pupils: Harry Copson (ex Abingdon), Philippe Edwards (ex Radley), George Sandbach (ex Cheltenham; as well as Rebecca Taylor (ex Moreton Hall).  I hope you and your families have a good break and I look forward to seeing you all again in November.

The Headmaster writes…
The summer holidays are now upon us and so ends an outstanding year for St Hugh's. Speech Day provides the occasion for us to mark formally the contribution of those leaving us, and to celebrate the many whole school successes we have enjoyed. Successes that include the eleven scholarships being awarded to a range of first rate schools; the best ever Common Entrance grades achieved and the continuation of our 100% success rate in this exam.  I am enormously proud of the children's achievements.   As usual, we continue to feed a very wide range of schools and the list this year numbers fifteen overall: Abingdon, Bloxham, Bromsgrove, Cheltenham College, Eton, Headington, Magdalen College, Malvern, Marlborough, Radley, Stowe, St Helen's & St Katharine's, St Edward's Oxford, Tudor Hall and Winchester.

The Headmaster writes…
One of the many pleasures of being a headmaster is morning assembly and at the time of writing, I have just returned from a wonderful one taken by a Year 5 form who were exploring the theme of the week: ‘Carpe Diem’.  As you are probably aware, each week we explore a different theme, published in the school calendar, which covers a wide range of different values and moral issues which are a vital part of the education we provide. From Reception to Year 8, each form takes an assembly at least once a year so that everyone has a chance to make a presentation in front of their peers and become involved with us in delivering the so-called ‘hidden curriculum’.  The subject of ‘Carpe Diem’ seemed particularly appropriate last Monday morning when the sun shone and all around was evidence of the richness of spring and the fast approaching summer.

The Headmaster writes…
It was only a year ago that the media were informing us that we were on the brink of the most serious pandemic for decades and that the likelihood of a catastrophic national outbreak was extremely high. However, swine flu, whilst virulent in isolated patches, simply did not have the impact predicted and quite soon the extensive measures to contain its spread were scaled back. Indeed, relatively speaking, the bugs, colds and viruses recently plaguing this school and most others nationwide have been significantly more widespread. However, despite the recent medical ailments which many of our children have suffered, St Hugh's is in tremendously good health and we have enjoyed a remarkably successful term. The last fifteen weeks have been incredibly busy and fulfilling and this newsletter gives a flavour of what has been happening over the second half. One of the expectations (and true pleasures) of being Headmaster is that I spend time in all parts of the school, observing the teachers and children in action. I can honestly say that wherever I am, I see very high standards of achievement, first class teaching and a warm, purposeful and engaging atmosphere. Someone once said that one has a real 'sense of belonging' at St Hugh's in that everyone matters and each individual is valued for who they are.

The Headmaster writes…
We are delighted to have welcomed many new families to St Hugh’s and I am so pleased that the new children have all settled in well.  For the first time in our history, we have been joined by three year olds in the new Cottage Nursery and it has been lovely to see how well they have integrated into our community.  Being such a warm, friendly, supportive environment makes St Hugh’s a place where those joining are made to feel part of the family straight away and it is a feature of the school which, without exception, prospective parents always remark upon.

The Headmaster writes…
The summer holidays are now upon us and so ends an outstanding year for St Hugh's. Speech Day provides the occasion for us to mark formally the contribution of those leaving us, and to celebrate the many whole school successes we have enjoyed. Successes that include the thirteen scholarships being awarded to a range of first rate schools; the best ever Common Entrance grades achieved and the continuation of our 100% success rate in this exam; and perhaps most significantly of all, the outstanding inspection report which was published recently - a copy of which we have already sent you. I am enormously proud of the children's achievements.

The Headmaster writes…
Just over a week ago we heard that yet another of our scholarship candidates had been successful; with Sasha Jennings being awarded a top academic scholarship – the Douglas Bader Award – to St Edward’s, Oxford. This brings the total of scholarships awarded this year to thirteen (to eight different schools) which, considering this is nearly 45% of the year group, is a wonderful achievement and we are extremely proud of all of these girls and boys. It is the turn of the Common Entrance candidates after half-term and we look forward to reporting on their success in due course.

The Headmaster writes…
Just ten days ago a team of inspectors completed their five day inspection of St Hugh's during which over fifty lessons were observed, hundreds of exercise books scrutinised, responses to pupil and parent questionnaires analysed, many interviews with pupils undertaken and rigorous checks of all procedures carried out to ensure we comply with all regulatory requirements. The inspectors systematically examined all areas of our educational activity and will report their findings in writing in a few weeks time. The inspection was conducted by ISI (Independent Schools' Inspectorate) which is the OFSTED-accredited agency which inspects all independent schools. The process is painstaking, comprehensive and thorough.

The Headmaster writes…
I first came across the poem below many years ago, as a scruffy, photocopied piece of paper stuck to the door of a friend's fridge. I can only vaguely remember when I saw it but I do remember that it was before we had children and, consequently, it seemed to hold little relevance for me. When I ‘rediscovered’ the poem, years later, its poignant message held much greater meaning for me and I now have it stuck to a board in my study. You may well be familiar with this poem, and its relevance will, of course, differ according to our own personal situations. If you don't already know it, I commend it to you.

The Headmaster writes…
We would probably all agree that there is no age or stage when our children don’t cause us to be anxious or concerned. They are, after all, our children forever and even when they may no longer be dependent in a financial sense (in time...) they remain dependent in an emotional sense and they will always need our love and support. Mature adults have different needs to babies, toddlers and young children and although those needs may be less time-consuming, they are often demanding of our emotions.