Head's Newsletter 29 September 2017

One of the most impressive things about Tiffin is that some of those same boys singing on Sunday, were playing rugby on Saturday for the School against Wallington. It was a pleasure to be at the away ground to watch the teams on this occasion, although we are hoping for some more wins as the season progresses. Other boys have been involved in the cross country fixtures and you can also read about these in this edition of the newsletter. Early this morning a large group of Year 8 students set off on the Classics trip to Pompeii. We hope they have an excellent journey and look forward to hearing all about the trip when they return. The boys seem to be settling very well into the new term and I hope that parents have appreciated the opportunity to meet with their son’s Form Tutor and Head of Year at the Open Forums held so far. Next week is a very different week with the boys having a short break: Monday is an Inset Day and Tuesday is 11+ day, so the boys are not required in School on either day, except for those sixth formers who are helping on Tuesday. Thursday is also a shortened day for all years except Year 11, as this is our Sixth Form Open Evening for new students to Tiffin, preceded by the Open Afternoon for our Year 11. We look forward to seeing all Year 11 parents with their sons on Thursday afternoon, for what is a most important event as they consider their transition beyond GCSE.

Dear Parents It was certainly a magical moment to be at the Barbican on Sunday 17 th September to witness our choir being conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. In front of a packed concert hall, the boys, joined by the Tiffin Girls’ choir and the Tiffin Children's Chorus, performed magnificently. Sir Simon Rattle's return to the UK as the musical director of the LSO was very well publicised and it was certainly a great privilege for the boys to appear alongside the London Symphony Orchestra in the ‘This is Rattle’ inaugural concert. At the end of the concert, Tiffin’s Director of the Choir, James Day, (2 nd from left below), was invited onto the stage to take the bow with Sir Simon.

What is remarkable is that a number of the members of the choir were unable to sing with Sir Simon Rattle as they were already engaged singing at the Royal Opera House in a superb performance of La bohème . Both occasions received excellent write- ups in the British and European press!

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday 2 October Tuesday 3 October Thursday 5 October

Professional Development Day; no boys in school

11+; no boys in school, except prefects

Sixth Form Open Afternoon and Evening; school closes 1 pm

23—27 October

Half –term

Monday 6 November

Y13 Parents’ Consultation; school finishes at 2.40 pm