A long and busy half term finally comes to an end and I think we will all breathe a sigh of relief when the Cathedral service marks the start of the holiday. For some, alas, the respite is all too short; as they well know, the Upper Sixth face the challenge of mock exams when we return in March. As ever, I urge them to use the break wisely; it is perfectly possible to revise for six hours a day (two in the morning, two in the afternoon and two in the evening) without overdoing it. As they will have been continually reminded by their teachers, the weeks remaining before the exams start are few and it is crucial that they use this break wisely. At least they will approach the break having been buoyed up by a lovely Sixth Form Dinner last Friday; my thanks to the Heads of School and monitor team for their efforts in making the atmosphere warm and the evening successful. 

I begin the half term break by travelling south for the annual OD Dinner in London. It is always a pleasure to see ODs and hear their news; this year we are almost at a tipping point of welcoming as many post-2000 ODs as those who left in the last century. It is good that so many younger ODs are engaging with the Society and I trust that once the dust has settled foe this year's U6, they will be pleased to wear their OD ties or badges at one of the future events.

I hope you all have a peaceful half term break. 

Best wishes Kieran