We really have some exceptionally talented young men in the School and I am very proud of what they, with the support of their teachers, have achieved this year. One of the highlights of my week is taking the English Scholarship classes. The boys come to my study and we read and analyse sophisticated poetry and tackle the taxing papers that senior schools set for their academic scholarships. I find the level of the boys taking scholarships in the School very impressive indeed. I have to say that the papers that Eton set for their King’s Scholarship are fiendish and so it was a huge achievement for Trust that he did so well in his papers gaining some outstanding grades on this most difficult and demanding of scholarships. I also cannot remember when we last obtained a golf scholarship but certainly I will be looking out for Troy at the Open in the years to come! As ever I am so proud of the music awards we continue to obtain. Following on from the music competition last week, here is another reminder of the extraordinary quality of the music in this school.

This quality of music could not be achieved without our dedicated group of peripatetic music staff who visit the school week in week out. They are very much part of the fabric of our school and their lessons are often taught on landings and in corridors given the huge number of lessons that occur. One of the advantages of this is that one often hears and sees musicians playing and I am always struck by the care and rigour with which our peris teach. As it happens another advantage of our setup is that the boys are so used to playing in public. This is part of the reason that they are such natural performers. At any rate I wanted to thank publicly our exceptional peris who bring so much to the pupils and to the School.

It is now less than two weeks before the Worcester choir is heading out to Normandy to sing at Bayeux Cathedral and at the Commonwealth Cemetery in the same town. It is a huge honour to have been asked. In the last three years the choirs that have sung there are King’s Cambridge, St John’s Cambridge and Hereford Cathedral, three of the finest choirs in the world. I am certain our boys will acquit themselves well. I also know how very moving it will be. It is perhaps worth reflecting that in order to have fought at D Day someone would now have to be 99 years old. As such, the number of veterans present will be small but we know that some will be there. But for obvious reasons, there will not be many more years where that will be the case. I am certain that our boys will remember the occasion for the rest of their lives.

It was delightful to see so many of you at the fun run this afternoon. Coming after the hugely successful swimming gala earlier in the week, it capped off a superb week of colourful sporting entertainment. Parents were able to obtain a drink from the Pavilion and many were able to see inside it. Already one can see the huge benefits which the building is bringing.

This week I did a large number of tours with prospective parents. What particularly struck me going round the School was the energy displayed by both pupils and staff, and the quality of the manners shown by our pupils. Both of these qualities were picked up by the parents being shown round. I find these tours immensely energising and I am really very proud of our school.

But of course, working in a school, one can never rest on one’s laurels and there is always something or someone to put you in your place! I was in the Nursery this morning. As I appeared, I was greeted in the normal way by a charge of excited pupils – “Mr Murrraay!” Having been shown the royal capes that were going to be worn later in the day at the fun run, I went on a walkabout. I approached one of the pupils and started to ask her a question. “Shoosh!” she said, “I’m talking to my friend!” Such dedication to one’s friends is admirable and it is always good to be reminded that it’s rude to interrupt! Schools are places of learning – for all of us!

Have a happy half term!