Message from Mr Hymer: 7 July 2022
Two events during the last week left a major impression. On Thursday afternoon the Halse Pavilion was full of parents and Year 6 boys to mark the culmination of the boys' Young Enterprise Project. For the last two weeks the boys spent a number of their lessons forming groups, deciding on a company name and then what product they wished to bring to market. The boys produced questionnaires as part of their research before deciding on the food item they wished to manufacture, market and sell.
The Year 6 parents were then invited to the presentation afternoon in the Halse Pavilion. Each company manned a stall where their research and advertising were displayed. The boys also produced adverts both written and filmed to publicise their products. The companies calculated the unit cost of each item and worked out the profit margin based on sales.
The afternoon also gave the boys a great chance to engage with parents as they told them about their products and explained how they brought their item to market.
It was truly a fantastic cross-curricular project with real-life application. The discipline of working as a team, delegating tasks and delivering within a defined time frame tested the boys in so many ways. I am sure parents were equally impressed and proud of their sons' achievements.
Monday's Speech Day was a real pleasure as the school gathered together to mark the year. In such a busy school, it is as much a challenge as to what to include, but also what to leave out. There were some lovely moments: the string quartet reprising their Summer Concert piece from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and the Micro Choir's 'Can You Hear Me'. The afternoon concluded with the whole school singing the sea shanty 'The Wellerman'. This provided the perfect ending with the school singing with such gusto, enjoyment and enthusiasm. The sense of belonging when the school joins as one is a very special moment.
The boys were also very well entertained by our guest speaker, Alan Hinkes describing in slightly worrying detail the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering both to digits and staying alive. It was interesting to hear him reflect over lunch on the mountains of the world he most enjoys visiting - the Lake District. Hopefully some of our Junior School families may be inspired to visit some of these wonderful places on our doorstep.
My final act this term is to thank all the parents for their messages and support over what has been one of the most challenging of years. I would like to thank all the staff for all their efforts. I wish the very best fortune to all the boys moving on to the Senior School or to pastures new. I hope that all boys returning to the Junior School will arrive refreshed and ready in September to start the new academic year.
