Valedictory, end of term and trip to England

It's the end of term at last!


It's been an intense three weeks. Reports, Year 12 Testimonials (a bit like UCAS statements), plus the Year 12 leaving process and final preparations for the HSC, and before that a uni assignment to write,  has meant that I've worked most nights for the last month (writing reports last Sunday morning at 7am was not my idea of weekend fun, either). But the holidays are now here, and Term 4 will be much easier. 


It's been an excellent few days. It was House Competition Day on Wednesday, which means a day of sport (Football, Touch Rugby, Handball and Cross Country... plus Tug of War for the Year 12s). I was one of the two organisers of the day in advance, so with everything else going on I needed that like a hole in the head. but it was a hot sunny day and all went well. Best of all MY HOUSE WON! We've not won it for years, so it was particularly special; the boys were very happy indeed, not least as it means that they get to sit on the balcony is assembly next term (believe me, that's a valued privilege!). On Friday during Mentor Period I took the Year 11 boys on a lap of the school to visit the other Manton House Mentor Group for some gloating team building.


Thursday was Valedictory Day for the Year 12s; the highlight of which is a guard of honour by the whole school - 1000 boys plus staff and year 12 parents - as the boys process from the sports hall to the Chapel. Lots of handshaking, hugging and, from a good number of the boys, tears too. After their last Chapel service we had a lunch (for around 500 boys, Year 12 staff and parents), with speakers, a presentation and a bit of music (an excellent rendition of Let It Be, plus the School Song, which is itself as  story for another time) and at the end of it all, a version of "My Way" by about half a dozen staff whom the Head had roped in.... including me. He had re-written the words; to give you an idea, here was the finale:


If you louse up
Your HSC
Then it's you fault - any fool can see
But if you do well
Then all can tell
You did it our way


Well I guess you just had to be there. In fact nobody was more surprised than the Director of Music about how well it was received; and that was without anyone having any alcohol, too. I realised why I was the only Housemaster up there afterwards; not because the Head had found out I was a closet exhibitionist (hmm an oxymoron?) but all the other Housemasters had been asked in previous years and had flatly refused. 


So I fly this evening to England for 10 days - for a holiday. Yes, a holiday. No rushing around trying to see as many people as possible this time; what's needed is some relaxation, English beer, old pubs, and people who can speak properly. Then it's back here in time to catch the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals to spend some time with my extremely tolerant girlfriend.