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As we reach the end of the first half of the autumn term, it is a pleasure to reflect on what has been a busy, productive and thoroughly enjoyable start to the new academic year at Scarborough College.
The past few days have provided a particularly fitting opportunity to reflect on all that makes our community so special. Our Presentation Assembly celebrated pupils’ hard work and academic achievements, while our Harvest Festival reminded us of the importance of kindness, generosity and looking beyond ourselves.
It was wonderful to recognise pupils not only for their academic success but also for the positive contributions they make to College life, whether through being excellent role models, looking out for others or demonstrating kindness in their everyday actions. The generosity shown through the many food donations collected for our local charity, The Rainbow Centre, was equally heartening. These moments remind us how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring and supportive community.
One of the great pleasures of the start of a new academic year is welcoming new faces to the College, and this September has been no exception.
Our new Year 7 pupils have settled in exceptionally well, finding their feet both in the classroom and beyond. It has been lovely to see them embracing the opportunities available to them, developing their Yorkshire Grit, and becoming increasingly confident members of the Senior School.
Our new Year 12 students have also made a fantastic start, getting to grips with the demands of the IB Diploma Programme and BTEC Sport. Sixth Form is an exciting stage of a young person’s education, bringing greater independence, new challenges and opportunities to discover their strengths. I am immensely proud of how our newest Sixth Formers have approached this next chapter.
We also have some exciting developments planned for our Sixth Form provision, which we look forward to sharing at our Sixth Form Information Evening on Wednesday 11 November, from 6pm to 8pm. These developments build on our commitment to providing a distinctive education that prepares young people for the next stage of their lives. Thanks to the innovation and vision of our new Head of Upper School and Deputy Head (IB), Elizabeth Murphy, there is plenty to look forward to.
Alongside our new pupils, we have welcomed several new colleagues to the teaching team. These include Miss Claire Lester, our new Head of Art, and Mr Calum Braidwood-Smith, our new Head of History and Politics. We are also delighted to welcome Miss Katie Birch to our sports coaching team. As a current Scotland international hockey player, Katie brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will be invaluable to our pupils.
There are more new faces to introduce, and we look forward to sharing their stories with you over the coming weeks.
October’s Open Day was another highlight of the term. We welcomed a record number of families to the College, giving us a wonderful opportunity to meet prospective pupils and parents, answer their questions and share what makes a Scarborough College education distinctive.
It was a real pleasure to see the College so vibrant, with classrooms full of activity and pupils proudly showing their school. My thanks go to all our colleagues who made visitors feel so welcome, and particularly to the pupils who volunteered their time to help on the day. Their confidence and willingness to share their experiences are among the best ways to show prospective families what life here is really like.
This week, I travelled to London to attend the Independent Schools of the Year awards. Scarborough College has now been named a finalist for the sixth consecutive year, which is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone who contributes to the life of our school. Four times we have reached the final to be Boarding School of the Year and 2 times for the North/Scotland category.
Although we were not successful in securing the award this year, we were delighted to be shortlisted alongside so many esteemed schools. Reaching the final for six successive years is something of which our whole community can be proud. We are the only school in the UK to be finalists this often.
An excellent education extends far beyond academic results. The wellbeing of our pupils, and particularly their mental health, remains a priority for us.
This term, we once again took part in the YoungMinds Hello Yellow campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day. It was wonderful to see the conversations taking place across the College, with our pupils playing a leading role in raising awareness and encouraging others to talk openly about mental health.
A particular highlight was the drama sketches performed by our pupils, which explored mental health in a thoughtful and engaging way. Their willingness to tackle important subjects and help their peers feel understood is something to celebrate.
Creating an environment in which young people feel able to speak up, ask for help and look out for one another is an essential part of our pastoral approach. I am grateful to the pupils and colleagues who helped make this initiative such a success.
There has been plenty to celebrate on the sports field this half term, with pupils of all ages representing the College with enthusiasm, determination and pride.
From our youngest pupils taking part in their first competitive fixtures, with the U8 girls playing hockey and the U8 boys competing in tag rugby, to the impressive victory for our First XV at the Merchiston Castle Rugby Festival last weekend, it has been a term full of sporting highlights. Perhaps the most impressive victory was the boys 1st XI hockey away at Repton too. However, I rejoice in knowing every child across five year groups has represented the school.
Of course, victories are always worth celebrating, but what makes me particularly proud is the attitude shown by our players. Across the age groups and sports, our pupils have demonstrated resilience and impeccable sportsmanship. They understand that representing the College is about more than the final score; it is about how we conduct ourselves, how we work together and how we respond to both success and setbacks.
There is much more to come next half term, and I look forward to seeing our teams continue to develop and achieve.
As always, College life has been full of opportunities to learn, explore and contribute beyond the classroom.
In the Prep School, our Macmillan Coffee Morning brought the community together for a worthwhile cause. Elsewhere, pupils have been taking their learning out into the wider world through a range of educational visits. Year 9 Geography pupils explored the landscape at Malham Cove, while our Prep School children enjoyed visits to Murton Park and Sideover Farm.
There have been countless other achievements, activities and memorable moments throughout the term, far too many to include in one report. Taken together, they reflect the energy, ambition and generosity that make our College community so special.
As we head into the half-term break, I would like to thank our pupils, colleagues, parents and wider community for the part each of you plays in making Scarborough College such a vibrant and welcoming place.
It has been a fantastic start to the academic year, with new pupils settling in, new colleagues bringing fresh ideas, academic achievements being recognised, sporting successes being celebrated and our community continuing to support those around us.
I hope everyone enjoys a restful and well-deserved break. We look forward to welcoming our pupils back at the beginning of November, refreshed and ready for another busy and exciting half term.
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