It’s been so lovely to be back. So many of you have taken time to ask after me – I have just been so touched and wanted to thank you all so much. But also it’s been lovely to have seen the pupils again, beaming with enthusiasm and energy. A couple of days ago I saw one of the senior boys bouncing up the street, punching the air. “What are you thinking about?” I asked. “I’m chuffed Sir!” he responded “Completely chuffed!” “Why?” I asked. Because it’s the start of a school day!” Certainly that made me feel chuffed too. Somehow I resisted the impulse to punch the air, thinking that it might be slightly undignified for a headmaster to be quite so visibly elated!

It has been rather an odd week for me. It didn’t occur to me that I wouldn’t be at school this week, especially so early on in the year. But instead of all the life and energy of a vital environment, I have been living a semi-detached life, reading emails, talking to people on the phone, having online meetings and continuing to think about everything without actually physically being there.

One of the great pleasures of my week is to attend Pre-Prep Assembly which occurs every Friday. Most of the assembly is spent celebrating pupils’ work and chosen pupils are given certificates for something they have done particularly well during that week. The variety of achievements is very striking but generally the reaction to them on the part of the pupils is the same – delight! In fact these certificates have such cache that today one of the pupils following the announcement of the recipients of the certificates, asked, in a loud voice: “What about me?” Doubtless a certificate will be forthcoming shortly! I am delighted that the certificates are so sought after!

Pre-Prep and Nursery came to the Cathedral this morning. We were very fortunate to have preaching today an old friend of the School, The Revd Charlie Kerr, Diocesan chaplaincy advisor. He set the place alight with his lively and entertaining sermon.

As I write, I am sitting beside the Solent, the sun gleaming on the sparkling waters. In front of me are boats of every description, sailing boats, tankers, ferries rushing across to the Isle of Wight, the sunniest place in England, and a little old coracle.

We are delighted to be able to announce our Senior School awards for this year. They are as follows:

• Hugo Branderhorst, Music Scholarship, St Edward’s School, Oxford
• Russell Xiao, Music Scholarship, Abingdon School
• Splendour Adeboga, Music Exhibition, Harrow School
• Trust Tiyapairat, Music Exhibition, Eton College
• Troy Buttimer, Golf Scholarship, Harrow School
• Trust Tiyapairat, King’s Scholarship, Eton College

These are a tremendous set of awards at some very serious schools and encompass three different types of scholarships.