Headmaster’s Notes: Appreciating the Power of Nature

It was terrific to launch the Prince’s Mead Australian Wildlife Bushfire Emergency Appeal this morning. We will have witnessed the devastating images caught be the world’s media these last few weeks and the crisis is still ongoing with many of our friends and families being directly affected. More than 10 million hectares have been burnt, and this number continues to climb; we learnt at this morning’s Prayers that this is the equivalent of 40% of the entire UK. We are proud to be doing our bit to support those whose lives and homes have been affected and the estimated 1.25 billion animals that have been affected. You will find in this week’s newsletter some helpful guidance around this. Please do, of course, purchase some raffle tickets in Reception in support of this emergency appeal with a fantastic offering of Australian wine for the winners.

It was a privilege to welcome through our doors Ms Jane Gandee, Headmistress of St Swithun’s, this week to share with her our exciting developments at Prince’s Mead. I also took the time to visit Dr Anne Cotton, the new Head at The Portsmouth Grammar School. Next week I welcome Mr Neal Parker, the new Head at King Edward VI. In all my ongoing interaction with senior school Heads, I continue to be heartened by the breadth of choice around us but, more importantly, the immense regard with which they hold our finest ambassadors – our pupils.

Thank you to our Estates Team for clearing up the debris from Storm Brendan this week. In between the gusts, there has been a great deal to celebrate on the sporting front, and we look forward to many more achievements over these next few weeks. I hear the forecast is much improved for this weekend too.

Mr Peter Thacker