valete, discipuli

September is a mixed month for teachers. The end of the summer holidays inevitably is a challenge as one tries to summon enthusiasm for being directed by the sound of hourly bells, and the certainty that a favoured class or student really has now left and moved on to university. On the other hand, there are new classes, new opportunities and the chance to celebrate the achievements of those who have recently moved on to the next stage in their education.

Rather than dwelling on the sadness of farewell (I'm a bit of a softy, really), I want to pick out some of the successes that go with this point in the academic year.

Five of our just-finished-upper-6ths have gone on to university to read Classics! This is our first group to complete the Classical Civilisation A level, so for just over a third of them to carry the subject on to university is enormously satisfying. Ed has gone to Durham, Olivia to Winchester, Kate to Kent, and Chloe and Martha both to Nottingham - good luck, and stay in touch!

At GCSE our results were excellent - again! There are so many aspects I could mention, so to select just a couple: both Emilia and Emily achieved full marks on the language paper; Jasper, Annabel, Ruth, Edward, and Archie beat their indicators by two grades to achieve A*s; and Jack beat his indicator by three grades to come away with a well-deserved A*. I'm especially pleased that several of them (and five from the list above) have carried on with their exploration of the Classical world by opting for Classical Civilisation A level.