Today I had the pleasure of announcing the results of the Monitor appointment process. My colleagues and I had scrutinised letters and interviewed candidates and have come up with a Monitor team who we think will serve the school and represent the Foundation through their embodiment of the MARK values. As part of that process Jess and Sophie have been appointed as joint Heads of School, and Ethan is Deputy Head of School. I am looking forward to seeing them thrive as they start their year of office.

They will publicly take over the roles at Speech Day next Friday, along with the six Heads of Houses, and I look forward to seeing you there to join in congratulating them.

It has been another very busy week with the Playground cricket square in constant use, where, for the first time in recent years, not a single match has been lost to bad weather so far. Everything is crossed that the glorious spring weather will continue. 

While Year 11 and Year 13 are now well into their GCSE and A Level exam season, the thoughts of the other pupils also turn towards revision and exams. Although the forthcoming half term break is nominally a holiday, I encourage all pupils to put time aside for revision. There is time to relax and to complete focussed revision in a quiet (silent is best!) environment. No one is expecting hours of mindless work; short focussed periods of revision targeting specific topics and skills is more valuable than hours of reading and highlighting. 

We have a packed weekend with an OD Garden Party in The Grove garden on Saturday, as well as the Tees regatta and cricket fixtures against local rivals Barnard Castle. I wish all the competitors the best of luck. Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing all the pupils back on Monday.