Spring term kicks off

Happy New Year. I do hope that you had a restful and enjoyable Christmas break and that your children have returned to school invigorated for what will be a very busy term.

Although we have been back in school for only three days, it already feels as if we have not been away at all. Everyone came back ready to work and with a focus and optimism that is peculiar to January. I know that Miss Wright, our new Head of the Junior School, was particularly impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that radiated off her pupils as she welcomed them into school every morning this week.

We have certainly not shaken off the winter weather and standing on the touchline on Saturday morning was a bracing experience to say the least. At least I was uplifted by the outstanding performances of our hockey players. Our hockey squads continue their quest to defend our national hockey title over the next three weeks. The U14, U16 and U18 teams have all reached the North Finals of the National Schools' Championships and we wish all three sides well. It would be marvellous to take an Arnold team (or three!) to the National Finals again.

Our Year 11 pupils have already started their internal examinations. Public examinations for the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth start today and run until the start of February. Good luck to these pupils. Having spoken to many pupils over the last few days however I know that they have used the holidays sensibly to prepare for these important examinations, but they must sustain their impetus over the coming few weeks. It is not simply the quantity of work that matters but the quality of the revision. If you would like some advice on helping your child develop exceptional study skills, then please click here and click on the study skills tab.

We received the excellent news during the Christmas holiday that Ben Perkins, one of our 1st XV rugby players, has been selected for the U18 North of England training squad. This is an outstanding achievement and we wish Ben the best of luck at the forthcoming training weekends and in the matches against London & South East and South West.

I do hope that you are all now frequent visitors to Arnold School TV. If you have not yet watched the excerpts from the Senior School Christmas Concert, please click here to view some stunning performances.

I look forward to seeing many of you over the forthcoming term.

Best wishes for 2011.

Jim Keefe, Headmaster

Posted by: J E Keefe
Date: Monday 10/01/2011