Dear Parents

This has been a term with many exceptional, positive moments and, without the disruption of snow of past years, we have managed to have a full programme of lessons sports, music and activities right to the final morning on Saturday. It has also been a term of adjusting to changes, and then careful monitoring of the service we provide as well as fine-tuning the new 'shape of the day' - a promised outcome of the outstanding Inspection Report by ISI. The pupils and staff new to the School this term have all settled in brilliantly, and I congratulate the whole school on how they have all embraced the new routines. I look forward to seeing the impact on our academic results and general progress as the year goes by.

One recent academic highlight would have to be the 170 Special Recommendations handed out at the third set of Monthly Assessments. A record, in spite of teachers being instructed by Anna Wood (Director of Learning) to set the bar higher for the effort grades this year. Many of the Upper Sixth who have applied to University through UCAS are sitting on three or more offers, and these are highly motivational for each one of them. The January 'trials' are also coming early next term (day two!) for all Years 11, 12 and 13 and they will need to be fully prepared to hit the ground running.

Music and drama have again produced some magical moments. The background teaching and coaching in daily lessons, and the preparation for music exams and Speech and Drama awards all go on every week. The progress and confidence which is then displayed in fabulous drama performances like Romeo and Juliet or the amazing four 'sell out' nights of West Side Story, are all built on their strong foundations. The Music and Drama Departments encourage everyone to participate and I will not forget the Singing and Speaking competition before half term, or the quality of the huge choir and readers in the two Evenings of Music and Words for Christmas or the Carol Service. Several musicians also 'showcased' their talents, which makes me already excited about the competitions and the Spring Concert coming up next term.

This is always a long and demanding term for sport, with rugby and hockey both having very competitive fixture lists. As a relatively small school, I am delighted by the enthusiasm for sport from so many pupils. The senior rugby teams (1st, 2nd, U16) have had outstanding results, with the younger teams struggling against big opponents. The girls' hockey teams have all had some success, especially at the younger age groups (U12 - U14s). What pleases me most, however, is the love of playing, shown so clearly in the highly entertaining and thrilling house matches. This again is exciting for the future. Alongside these sports I have watched squash, badminton, basketball and seen some tremendous cross country running, with our junior girls reaching the national finals in Southend last weekend.   Next term I look forward to seeing everyone running in Scarrig, alongside teams playing netball, boys' hockey, swimming, squash, 7s rugby and much more.

The performing arts and sport are vital parts of the extra-curricular life for many pupils at Giggleswick. Others though find their confidence growing by being in the CCF and attending a night exercise or joining the charity committee which has been so effective in raising funds to support disaster areas like the Philippines, or to assist local churches in Africa through the work of Tear Fund. We have seen evenings of poetry, a new book club, the start of the Kit Car project, and a broad lecture series for the Sixth Form. For others, Oxygen and O2 are weekly highlights as they explore their faith. It is never dull at Giggleswick and the Red Book diary for the Easter term is already extremely full. Please do read the notices in the following e-bulletin which will help you plan ahead.

Successful schools however are always changing and evolving, so I would draw your attention to the visit of Mark Turnbull on 24 January.  Mark will endeavour to come up again during the year but his current role as Deputy Head is demanding and the journey from Eastbourne is not straight forward. I also need to inform the parents of Morrison House that, at the end of the year, Steve Robertson will be standing down as Housemaster after 12 excellent years of service, wonderfully supported by his wife Carol. I will be looking to make a new appointment before the end of next term.

With the French exchange trip having departed and with all the skiers off in the Aosta valley, it is not a restful start of the holiday for some. A time for refreshment, relaxation and reading is however required. I recommend the 2013 Chronicle to you, edited for the last time by Katie.  I would also urge you to study end of term reports carefully.  If they can be re-read in January and tied into new New Year resolutions, so much the better.

Katie and I wish you all a Happy Christmas, and a peaceful New Year. I sincerely thank you for all your support for Giggleswick, your children and all the staff here. 2014 will be a year for challenge and change for us all, but may we all remember the message of the angels and the 'good news' of Christ's birth, now and forever.

Yours sincerely

Headmaster