Saul tried to fit him out with some armour, but David felt uncomfortable in it and refused to accept it. Instead he armed himself with five pebbles selected from the brook, pebbles, of course, which he was to fit into his sling shot and fire at speed into Goliath’s head. Goliath fell, at which point David used Goliath’s own sword to kill and decapitate him. Mr Last told us not to be frightened by our Goliaths, those ghastly and terrifying fears which cast such shadows over our lives. So often these fears seem larger than us or unmanageable but given courage and preparedness, they are, as David proved, capable of being defeated. Having courage is one of the most important virtues and one that allows so much else to happen.

An indeed so much has continued to happen here at school. Today we had the Fun Run which was a marvellous occasion. All our pupils took part, despite the heat. The runners set off from opposite the Pavilion, each year group accompanied by a valiant member of staff (which did not include me!) (I had to watch everyone you understand) They had to start by crawling through a net which was draped upon the floor having been fired at by a crowd of gappers using water pistols. They then disappeared from view into the depths of the Woodland School, enveloped in cow parsley and hanging branches. Re-emerging they ran round the fields until they came to a waiting football which they had to kick as hard as possible towards a goal guarded by a senior pupil. All of this palaver was, of course, entertaining for those watching and, indeed, I hope for those participating, but most importantly, over £1000 was raised for our charity Soundabout – a really pleasing sum.

Soundabout is a wonderful charity which the School supported a few years ago. It was founded by two CCCS parents. It aims to provide musical support for those with severe learning difficulties, people for whom normal communication is difficult. What its founders discovered was that people who have severe communication problems can often appreciate music in a profound way and, indeed, that they gain so much from music and from articulating in performance that it can be completely transformational. Music really is the universal language.

I often use this time of year to remind those people about to take exams about the best use of holidays. I would encourage your children to do a bit of revision most days rather than to imagine that revision should happen on a couple of really intensive days. I would produce a timetable which you adhere to – this enables you to know what you have to do at any one time – and then to carry out what you have planned to do. I would ensure that you have a good balance of work, relaxation and rest. These are all very important elements in a decent revision programme. May I wish all those doing revision and exams this year all the very best.

I have rarely felt more delighted to have seen the arrival of the warm weather. I have never felt so cold in May before. I hope very much that the half term week has a great deal of sun in store and that everyone makes the most of it. As someone whom I met very recently said to me “Children should spend all of their time outside. ” “Why?” I asked. “Because it makes their brains work. ” I strongly suspect that this is true. Maybe we should move all our teaching outdoors therefore. I suspect that would not work but now that we have a very well appointed Woodland School, we might well try it! Happy half term.