The Principal's newsletter webpage can be accessed here

(to read these letters in full, click through the link at the top of The Lerpoolians Homepage, then click on Principal’s newsletters in right-hand column)

‘A number of our gifted Y11 linguists have applied and been accepted to take part in a year-long masterclass series run by Trinity College Cambridge.’

‘We are piloting some small and safe versions of the day boarding programme with a limited number of Year 11 pupils. We anticipate that in the months ahead, we can continue to run pilots, and hopefully invite slightly more pupils to participate. The day boarding programme, once the cloud of Covid lifts, will include activities and additional academic work and support and will eventually be open to any pupil from Year 6 up. Day boarders will get this support, enjoy exercise and activity, and round the day off with a delicious dinner in the dining room. I harbour high hopes that this programme, supported by a corporate sponsor, will enable even more of our pupils to reach their goals and will raise aspiration across the school.’

‘Remembrance Sunday became Remembrance Day. I was hugely impressed by the efforts of all the CCF officers, and their cadets who proceeded with an honour guard and ceremony which was live-streamed into every classroom at 11 am thanks to the LC Filming Team led by Omar K (Y9 Howard’s) and Luke P (Y8 Butler’s). The cadets were focused and performed their roles with care and dignity. The absence of the chapel service, parents, OLs and other visitors reminded us all again of what we are missing this year in school life, but the spirit of the CCF and its cohesion was still clear for all to see.’

‘Spare a thought for our sixth formers who are beginning to receive offers, and interviews for medicine and Oxbridge courses. These are now all conducted in a sort of super-secure zoom room. The intimidating but also thrilling experience of travelling to Cambridge or Oxford, sleeping in College, entering panelled rooms where academics try to find out if you know how to argue about the acceleration of a car from first principles, has been replaced with a flat-screen on which appear the faces of interviewers. As I wrote above, the sooner this is in the rear-view mirror, the better.’

‘Another busy week for Mrs Doran, i/c careers, with a number of virtual talks and masterclasses organised for pupils in the secondary phase. Pupils enjoyed talks on varied topics from the inner workings of the civil service to creating apps for the BBC, to living and working abroad.’