Mid-term update from the Headmaster

As we approach the mid-term break, this is an opportunity to look back on the extremely busy and fulfilling term we have had so far. The final UCAS picture for the year has yet to be finalised but I can report that, thus far, our 89 Upper Sixth applicants have received 118 offers from Russell Group universities, including four Oxbridge and two for Medicine. This year’s most popular destinations include Leeds (19 offers) Manchester (17 offers) and Nottingham (16 offers). We have also had a 100% hit rate with Colfe’s applications to York, Sheffield and the LSE.

I was delighted to hear that our debating team was victorious in the first round of the MACE competition.  We can now look forward to competing in the second round at Dulwich College after half-term.   Our Historical society continues to develop its very strong programme with a range of prestigious and interesting speakers.  We have continued to excel in sport and our U14 netballers became the best squad in London and the South East after winning all their matches in the Regional stage of the competition.  Tom Chapman is in the England squad for the U18 Six Nations Championship and will take to the field against France this weekend. Prep School sport is also flourishing, with a strong swimming team competing in the IAPS competition this month.  Visiting sporting celebrities have recently included the former top test England cricketer, Derek Underwood.

The major musical production of the year, Sugar, was performed to universal acclaim and full houses in the theatre this week. This was a massive undertaking and a particular triumph for Mrs Vander Gucht in her first year as director of Drama at Colfe’s. The production complemented last term’s Antigone, with the two plays reflecting the variety and versatility of our work in the Performing Arts. Likewise in music, we were once again most impressed with the variety of the programme in last week’s the Platform concert. These events are increasingly popular, particularly with emerging talent.

The half-term week itself will be very busy with our top Maths students travelling to the regional final of the Team Maths Challenge and judo supremo Leornardo Bertocchi will be fighting in a National competition whose points count towards becoming part of the GB squad.