(The full version of St. Mary's Messenger can be found in the password-protected area of the website)

Dear Parents, Children and Friends,

What a week this has been! We knew it would be busy and there has been the wonderful chaos of trying to fit five days into four. Nothing is impossible if the spirit is willing. Especially in a week like this!

Amongst all the fun, first of all I have to mention the Lower School Production. My thanks to all the teachers who gave up time to give the children the opportunity to put on a show that is light-years ahead of any other of its kind that I have ever watched. Having just watched both the shows, the first night had the excitement but the second had the determination. Sitting at the back for the second night, I got to see how hard the seagulls and the clouds worked, how much they enjoyed their part in the show. It was great! And when, on the way back to her seat, one seagull took the time to smile and wave at me, there couldn’t have been a happier Headmaster. The look of well-justified satisfaction on the cast’s faces last night summed it up – good job, well done.

When I think back to the plays that I was in, back in the days of the old Queen, we never got close to that sheer quality of performance. For young boys and girls to come up with 90 minutes of brilliant, show-stopping acting, singing and dancing, it’s just superb. They make me so proud of all of them and I hope that they treasure the memories and that they take jolly good care of any DVDs they have of the show because their own grandchildren will want to see this show one day. Teachers, boys and girls, we salute you, congratulations!

I would like to thank those ladies of the Development Committee who arranged the delightful Easter Egg Hunt that saw so many earnest children scampering around the site, looking for clues which led to a scrumptious reward. They are also behind the Easter Parade, which is taking place this year as part of the final assembly. That particular assembly is going to be something special with a whole host of eggs, cards, bonnets to be judged, then the more serious business of the usual termly prizes to be given out.

This term we are introducing new prizes to add to the House Point certificates. For each form there will be a Form Contribution Prize, awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution in numerous activities such as music, drama, art and sport. There will also be a Form Community Prize, awarded to an individual from each form who is responsible, kind, willing, helpful and friendly to others. We feel that recognition of these aspects of a child’s education are very important and I shall enjoy very much shaking the hand of each and every winner of these prestigious new awards.

The end of term is always a joyous occasion for pupils and teachers alike but it can mean having to say goodbye to people as their paths diverge from ours. Vicki Ranyard is leaving after seven years here as an assistant, taking up a five-day a week post at Hackthorn Primary school.  We all wish you well Vicki.

As you know, Mrs Lloyd is leaving today, after what amounts to a lifetime at St. Mary’s. 1973 seems a long time ago, doesn’t it? We have parents who remember Mrs Lloyd looking after them, there are hundreds and hundreds of children who have benefited from her kindness, but all good things must come to an end and this is her final day. It is typical of her kindness that she is donating a special new award for each of the years of Lower School. The Lloyd Cup will be awarded each term to one person from each year who goes the extra mile, does that little bit more and has earned the glory. It will be awarded this term, as Mrs Lloyd departs and next in the Summer Term 2009, it’s a lovely thought and we are very grateful for it.

On behalf of all those hundreds of happy-smiley or grumpy-heel-dragging children since she started in 1066 and on behalf of everyone in St. Mary’s, I would like to thank Sue for all she has done and acknowledge the hard work, professionalism, dedication, kindness and love that she has shown over those years. You’ve wiped a lot of noses, you’ve wiped a lot of tears and you’ve given heart to a lot of children.  You are going to be missed by so many, do please enjoy your travels, put your feet up and all of that, but do come back and see us as often as you can, you know that you have honorary life membership of St. Mary’s. Thank you and au revoir!

Andy Salmond Smith