Headmaster Interviews Heads of School, House and Patrols

Headmaster’s Interview with Heads of School, House and Patrols

You join me one sunny lunchtime on the Red Stairs. Surrounding me (at a respectable distance of course) are this year’s school leaders – the Form 1s who will set the tone for the academic year 2020/21.

In the middle of the photograph are Caroline B and Rory W, the school’s first ever all day Head of School combination; Georgie C and Charles B head of the Girls’ and Boys’ boarding house respectively, standing above them at the top of the stairs; Kit R, Head of Owls, is at the foot of the stairs, next to the Head of Wolves, Faith A.  Robyn M leads the Woodpeckers this year, and last but by no means least is Louisa R, Head of the Lions. 

I sit down with them, girls on the window seat and boys on the stairs, to ask some questions about how they are feeling about the year ahead.

OL: How has it been, coming back to school?

FA: It was a little scary to think about it, but actually it’s all been set up really well.

RM: It’s exactly like it was before, but with more hand sanitiser.

CB: It’s good to be back.

OL: When you think about your role this year, who can you remember having done it well in the past?

KR: I remember Arthur Meynell – he was great at organising events like Patrol sport

GC: Lily Wallace was really approachable – I remember her so well.

RM: All of the Form 1s were really responsible when we started – and they were really tall too!

CB: I remember Ella Thompson – she was very kind and I always looked up to her.

FA: Yes, she made sure that she included us.

OL: So what do you think will make you a successful leader?

FA: I think that the key qualities are kindness, approachability and a sense of humour. A combination of those would lead to respect from the younger ones.

Nobody disagreed.

OL: Can you tell me a bit about your Patrols?

KR: The Owls are really good at music – we've won the Mansfield for the last five years in a row. And we get loads of plus points.

RM: The Woodies are really good at finding sweets. So at Christmas and Easter, we win those competitions. In the other competitions it’s about the taking part and including everyone.

LR: The Lions – where do I start?? We’re great at running, we don’t get many minuses and we have Mr. Curry. It would be good if we could be better at music.

FA: The Wolves are all round amazing – really good at team sports – Mrs Holliday is really competitive – we all know each other really well and we like to win.

OL: Finally, how would you like your leadership team to be remembered five years from now?

LR: Not as a goody-two-shoes

FA: Kind, respected and welcoming

GC: I hope that we can stand out in a positive way

CB: I hope that our buddies will remember that we helped them, despite the bubbles!

RW: I would hope that we would be remembered as having provided role models.

Thank you all very much – and the best of luck to you in your important roles this year.

Mr Olly Langton, Headmaster