Dear Parents
I was extremely grateful to those of you who supported the Colfe’s Careers Convention last night. Old Colfeians and parents collectively provided insight into a wide range of options for the future, including Medicine, Law, Finance, Architecture, Science, Media and Local Government. This underscores our commitment to preparing our pupils for life beyond university. Within that context I was delighted to hear recently that more than 80% of our current U6th students have now received offers from at least one Russell group university. My thanks to Mrs Cardnell, Head of Higher Education and Careers, for all that she continues to do to support our pupils in their various aspirations.
The Design Technology show on Thursday of last week was an opportunity for GCSE and 6th form pupils to display their work to pupils and parents. The pupils were encouraged to explain their work to parents and visitors, including the creative process which lies behind the completed artefacts. There is currently much excitement in the department about the planned purchase of a 3D printer and I was delighted to hear that Mrs Matthews, our head of department, has been appointed to act as an ambassador for the Arkwright Foundation which spearheads the promotion of product design in schools nationally.
Other academic achievements of the last two weeks have included that of three sixth formers who have passed the prestigious Goethe-Zertifikat B1 examination, an independent and demanding German exam which serves as official proof of language proficiency by the German Government. Congratulations to Harry Graham (who scored 100% on the oral component), Samveer Parris and Alex Winter. Other 6th Form linguists are currently being examined in the equivalent French DELF (Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise) examination whilst Prep School pupils in Year 4 have been concentrating on Spanish language and culture this term including, inter alia, a hugely popular Flamenco workshop. Even pre-prep pupils have been actively engaged in languages this week, with an after school French club run by our senior school French language assistant.
Sixth Form biologists have also excelled in the National Biology Olympiad which attracted more than 5000 applicants nationwide. Sam Winter won a gold award which places him in the top 6% of the cohort. Other awards were won by Rachel Potter, Jessica Farrow and, in the L6th, by Daniel Graham, Eleonore Ocana and Oliver Vij.
Sporting highlights of note have included the following:
· U12 netball team have won the Bromley Schools Tournament for the second year running, retaining their unbeaten record.
· U13 rugby sevens team who took 2nd place in the Kent Tournament.
· Brendan McMillan and Joe Kennard (Year 11) who represented Kent in an international British Schools team which won a convincing victory over a European team recruited from France Belgium and the Netherlands.
· Prep School sailor Barnaby Marchant, Year 6, who was presented with his Intermediate Racing certificate in assembly.
· Georgia Noone, year 9, who was one of just seven young horse riders chosen from the whole of Kent, Essex, Surrey and Sussex to try out for the coveted Rider Development Pathway.
· Olivia McAuliffe and Rosie Carey in Year 4 who were awarded badges in swimming proficiency after they succeeded in swimming for one mile (64 lengths)
· Tobi Ogunjimi who took the silver medal in the 60m event at the Kent Indoor Championships missing out on a gold medal by just 0.01 of a second.
Girls’ cricket is already under way in preparation for next term and we wish our prep school swimmers well for their forthcoming involvement in the Kent Primary Schools Gala at Medway Park.
Meanwhile Prep school musicians Ella and Louis Richardson swept the board in the Bromley Music Festival, winning a handful of medals and the prestigious Stratford Junior Trophy for Piano (Ella) and a cup for winning the preliminary Double bass class and an award for most promising guitarist (Louis). Last week’s platform concert featured a wonderful range of musical talent and we look forward to the Spring Concert next Tuesday which will be the major music event of the term.
Most of you will know that PAFA Chair Dawn Bennett is already well-advanced with her plans for the PAFA Ball next term. Tickets remain available and details are available on the school website. Parents should also know that Dawn will be stepping down from the Chair at the end of this academic year. There will be many opportunities between now and the end of next term to thank her for all that she has done for the school during her highly successful period of office. Looking to the future, I would be like to hear from any of you who would be interested in getting more involved with PAFA next year. Please feel free to contact me direct on head@colfes.com
With best wishes for the last week and a half of term,
Yours sincerely
Richard Russell
Headmaster