Honor Virtutis Praemium

Standing in the pouring rain and howling wind while watching our hockey and rugby teams out on the fields on Saturday morning, I couldn't fail but be impressed by their commitment, camaraderie and drive. These are the qualities that a team must exhibit in order to win matches and the reasons why our U14 hockey team went on to become Northern Champions this week. This determined side will now progress to the National Finals in March and we wish the girls well as they fight to retain our national title. I hope that the U16 and U18 teams will be able to join them; they will be battling over the next few weeks for their own places at the Finals. Good luck to all three teams and their dedicated coaches; they have the support of the Arnold family. To watch a montage of photos and videos from the North Finals please click here.

I relish the time I spend in our Kindergarten and Junior School, not least because of the candid and spirited welcome that the children give me. This week my school keys were almost lost forever when I forgot that I had given them to some Kindergarten children to play with, and I will long remember the interrogation I received from Reception pupils over the reasons behind the pattern on my tie... It is amazing how five year olds can leave you lost for words!

Our older pupils often leave me open-mouthed in admiration, and Monday was one such occasion. Robert Brocklehurst had received his 'decision letter' from Cambridge University, following his application to read Natural Sciences at Emmanuel College and, when I saw him in school, the huge smile on his face told me all I needed to know. He was the last of five students from his year group to receive offers from Oxford or Cambridge University. The other Cambridge offer was received by Kimberly Millard for Natural Sciences and the Oxford offers were received by historian Catherine Lusher, linguist Emily Jeffery and classicist Lauren Au who, like Robert, also received a prestigious choral scholarship. Their teachers and I are very proud of these pupils, who competed against some formidable competition for their offers, and we look forward to supporting their efforts, and those of their hard-working peers in Year 13, with some inspirational teaching as they all strive to attain the grades needed to secure their university places. Andy Mitchell, from Radio Wave, interviewed these five pupils this week and you can listen to the interview here.

What these Oxbridge colleges, in common with many other universities and employers, recognise in our pupils is not just a high level of scholarly achievement, but the remarkable contribution that our young people make to life at school in terms of their extra-curricular commitment and the team building and decision making skills that they have developed through our extra-curricular programme. Our outstanding extra-curricular provision is what allows Arnold pupils to shine and show that they can achieve; not only academically but as leaders in other specialities. It is why I focus so often in these blogs on our pupils' challenges and accomplishments outside the classroom and it is what differentiates us from other schools. Arnold boys and girls seem to delight and surprise me on a daily basis so I am gratified, but not at all surprised, when they weave their magic at university interviews and beyond.

Posted by: J E Keefe
Date: Monday 17/01/2011