No school I worked in previously ever had such fluid communication with parents or the immediate accountability for its Heads.

So with that in mind, can I urge you all to book your tables and come to the ball (Friday June 30th, 6.45 until midnight, details on the website, the calendar and around the school) to celebrate not just the departure of our U6 after many years of, we hope, happy education, but also the excellent way we as a whole community work for the long term happiness and fulfilment of our children.

She explained the irony of having to ask permission to have your children back at the weekend or being made to renounce your lifelong family GP for the school version – no matter how high quality – in the Health Centre.

Do we always get it right for you? What small things do we get wrong? Do we put ourselves enough in your position? I have asked staff, for example, not to give out letters about trips in class as they never get to the boarding parent. They should come through the Courier.

I cannot cure every ill. No head can. But I am always happy to listen. Alternatively, I could just go the whole hog and invite Libby Purves to speak at TS, and she could articulate the boarding parent’s angst…but I suspect it would cost us a few thousand to do so…

Dr John Newton

I do think we should prepare ourselves for a French invasion for a different reason. The Hinckley Point development may yet get the go-ahead, and if so, Somerset may become a little corner of France. We focus a lot on worldwide issues and the impact the new economic powers in the Far East are going to have on us. But let us not forget Europe. It still has its problems – if that there is no doubt – but visits to Madrid, Berlin and planned for Rome this year, plus sky trips and French exchanges, all happening this calendar year are still a wonderful part of our pupils’ education.

In the afternoon we attracted lots of attention as Sarah, Sophie and Jen bought rubber rings and were pushed back and forth in the powerful swash and backwash of the waves. The afternoon finished with a game of rugby on the beach.

The afternoon saw a trip to a viewpoint to take in the vastness of Shenzhen city after which both students and teachers took refreshments in a local upmarket shopping centre.

In the evening further games were played with the Chinese students with all the teachers looking on. All in all it was another fab day!

After another impressive performance of Chinese music from the CUC students we took to the classroom for an introduction to calligraphy and tea making. Lewis, Sophie and Ellamae were judged to be the best calligraphers  whilst the Chinese approach to tea making was  intriguing as there was a need to posses both asbestos fingers and great patience.

The students finished the day with an impromptu game of Rugby; surely this is what a trip like this is all about?

Day 2 – Met up with their students and their host families at ‘Splendid China’ (a theme park showcasing Chinese culture). After a long day in the sun, and many photographs later, we returned to college to take part in a formal presentation including speeches and a variety of musical and dance performances by both sets of students. Not to be outdone by the students, the staff finished the day with a relaxing (debatable!) foot massage.

Their success has been built on hard work. They play together as a team and support each other. They have all invested deeply in their sport in club and county commitments for many years. Their sacrifice of social time to play at the highest levels –for example at long weekends at national indoor tournaments – is an inspiration for us all.

No-one can say that these victories came at no cost. Our 1st XI prove that much hard work and dedication pay off. A lesson for them to take into adult life and a great example to us all.

The long week means we can offer generous out of class support for academic work as well as top drama and music, CCF, and outward bound activities while not clashing with sport for all.

The way we use our term dates ensures we give the maximum in-school time to support our examinees, and also decent chunks of holiday time for rugby tours, expeditions (Ethiopia is now planned for 2013) and ski trips.

It also works pastorally as there are many parents these days concerned about the way their children spend their Saturdays while TS pupils are efficiently filling their CVs and personal statements on UCAS forms with wholesome, productive activity.

For all the busy schedules that we set, it is a fact that other countries are demanding more from their young people while we in the UK are demanding less. It is our intention to produce young people who will be able to compete in 21st century conditions, and thus our approach to the school day, week, term and year.