On a glorious bank holiday week, we enjoyed our final days with year 13 students before their study leave began. As they have done throughout their time in the sixth form, the students threw themselves into the fun wholeheartedly. On the Wednesday, students found their silliest shirts to wear and we had a barbeque, rounders and ice creams on the field. Characteristically, this competitive and enthusiastic year group needed not just the two rounders pitches set up for them, but a third to ensure all could play.

On Thursday, students squeezed themselves into the remnants of their old school uniforms, revealing just how much they had grown over the last two years. Friday of course saw the traditional costume spectacular and the students surpassed expectations. From a terrifying brotherhood of monks to Bananas in Pyjamas, from a whole mount of Greek Gods to some remarkably authentic Crusaders, from impressive homemade superheroes, airline stewards, princesses, gnomes, smurfs, fast food, dinosaurs, fairy tale characters, Abba to our very own bona fide Woody, they provided two hours of fun-filled entertainment to the whole school.

Their final assembly showcased the impressive talents of the year group and they were treated to a tribute from staff thanks to the talented film-making of Erin Cooke and Teilo Coates. This year group has contributed so much to the school community and will be greatly missed. That said, so many of them have been working hard in the study library since their official ‘leaving’ that it doesn’t feel as though they’ve gone just yet.
We wish them every success in their forthcoming exams and beyond.