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Latest News
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Christmas Celebrations
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Excerpts from a Headmaster's In-Tray
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Open Days and Opening Nights
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Invitation to pupils, families and friends
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A week of highs and lows
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"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
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News from cyberspace
Calm, focus and inspiration on muddy fields
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Christmas Celebrations
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Archive News
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Individuals pull together for the team
'In union there is strength' - Aesop -
Laboris gloria Ludi
Getting the balance right -
Arnold's record breaking examination success
Pupils achieve our best ever results -
Celebrating Independence
Fond farewells, England debuts and ghyll scrambling -
UCSF invests £6 million in Arnold's development
An exciting future ahead of us -
Honouring Arnold's traditions
with supper, solemnity... and swing music -
Back to school with a spring in my step
Sunshine brings warmth, hope and happiness
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Individuals pull together for the team
December 16th
Like me, I am certain that the pupils are ready for the Christmas break, not least those who have worked really hard at school work and in sport, music, drama and all the other things that we all get involved in, week in and week out. Bad luck to those who have suffered from the various coughs and colds of the last few weeks. I am pleased to say that these have not spoiled our many end of term events, or prevented any of our teams from enjoying, in many cases, a successful term.
By any measure, this has been one of the most successful terms of recent years. One look at the school website reveals a staggering amount of activity - it is this activity that helps to make the school what it is. Amongst many other things, this term we have had a Village Aid assembly, a moving Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph, a week long visit from the Sharad Pawar Academy, trips to Holland, Belgium and elsewhere, success in the UK Senior Mathematical Challenge, several DoE expeditions, the Battle of the Bands, a lovely Carol Service last Sunday and the Feet First Christmas Appeal that brought about a wonderful response from everyone. Those of you able to get a ticket will also know what a wonderful achievement Oliver! was.
On the sporting front, as ever, things have been hectic. Our girls' hockey has gone particularly well, especially for the U14 team who are through to the regional finals. Postponed because of bad weather, the tournament will take place next term. Congratulations too to the 34 girls that have been selected for their respective Lancashire squads. Much has also gone well for our rugby players and in particular most recently for Ben Perkins of Year 11 who after a very successful trial has been selected for the North of England 16 Group to play in the next round of matches in the new year. In addition, James Aird and Jacob Nickson have been selected to represent Lancashire 15 Group. Our partnership with Fylde RFC has clearly been of benefit to these and other players.
The quality of our musicians has been much in evidence recently. Not only did the choristers perform very well at the two carol services, but their talent was much in evidence in the service of Evensong in the beautiful setting of Blackburn Cathedral and at St John's church last week when they entertained so many. Sadly, the choir did not make it into the final three of the BBC Songs of Praise competition, but we hope you have all voted for them in the Blackpool Gazette Christmas School Choir competition. Tomorrow afternoon the girls leave for the tour to Cologne and we wish them the best of luck as they enjoy another trip abroad. A very musical term was closed with last week's wonderful teatime concert, which was supported by a large audience; well done to all the musicians.
In the final assembly of the term I was able to tell the school that Jenny Bernstein will be the recipient of the Moseley Sixth Form essay-writing prize. Formerly one of Arnold's Governors, and currently Director of Studies for English at Hughes Hall and St. Edmund's College, Cambridge, Dr Moseley's endowment allows us to award a prize each year to the student that produces the best extended essay on any work in European Literature pre-1800. As ever, the competition drew highly commendable entries, making the marking and consultation process a demanding and challenging exercise. However, after considerable deliberation between Mr Morton, Mr Jenkinson, Mr Bridges and Dr Moseley himself, Jenny was declared the winner. She will receive her prize from Dr Moseley in the New Year.
Having read through around 300 reports in the last few days, I have been impressed by the enormous amount that has gone on during a long and very busy term, and by the quality of work produced by the majority. This has been a term of sparkling achievement for many, not least our new pupils in the L6th, Year 7 and at AJS. The support that we get for the many activities we do shows what a great deal the school means to other people. For instance, take last Sunday afternoon when the Memorial Hall was filled with pupils, staff and friends of the school for our annual carol service. This support is very much appreciated.
Term will begin on Monday 5th January at the usual time. In the meantime, please accept my best wishes for a restful and Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.
Kind regards
Barry Hughes
Headmaster