The week that opened with a bang and closed with a storm, will be most prominently remembered for the incredible array of costumes that marked the launch of an ongoing engagement with Numbots and Times Tables Rockstars on Monday. Whilst typhoon related class suspensions drew the school week to a premature close, attendance at an International Schools Fair hosted by friends at The Standard tomorrow now seems assured.

Following a first round of academic committee meetings, Wednesday will see the opening of a new parent workshop schedule. Reading Coordinator, Sam Taborn, will be presenting Five Ways to Foster a Love of Reading. If you would like to join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion, please register here.

I also look forward to welcoming Year 6 to the Auditorium stage for the first of a flurry of student led assemblies, productions and performances this term.

Following the initiation of a Performance Management Cycle designed to stimulate growth among an ambitious academic team, the presentation of a Digital Citizenship Acceptable Use Agreement provided the opportunity to explore the opportunities and risks presented by our ever more entwined relationship with technology. Attention has since switched towards the development of materials that will support the delivery of information sessions to parents keen to learn more about the January opening of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway.

Next week will see the schoolwide launch of Times Tables Rockstars. Countering the inevitable furore, a series of Operational Plan meetings and an engagement with the Education Committee at the British Chamber will precede attendance at an International Schools Fair hosted by friends at The Standard. I also look forward to concluding a trio of assemblies on the theme of friendship and the upcoming arrival of class-led presentations.

The flurry of early engagements that characterise the start of a new school year at Shrewsbury always heighten the feelings of connection, commitment and ambition members of the community share. How fitting therefore to conclude the week with an assembly on the theme of friendship and the acknowledgement of a collection of students that have had a particularly positive impact upon the lives of those around them during our first five days.

Next week will see the initiation of a Performance Management cycle that underlines an institutional commitment to growth and improvement. Meetings will see subject and phase leaders directly engaged on the evolution of our Strategic Plan and the realignment of our long-term objectives. I also look forward to hosting a first campus tour and to joining the presentation of our Digital Citizenship Acceptable Use Agreement alongside a keen group of parents, mindful of the growing influence technology has upon the lives and minds of the young people we are privileged to work alongside.

With five fulfilling days of orientation and induction behind us, we are now on the cusp of a new academic year and brimming with ambition for all that lies ahead. Before the full return of students on Monday 19th August, we greatly look forward to hosting an informal gathering of families on campus tomorrow.

Messaging to staff has centred upon the roots of our success: an unerring attention to detail, an enthusiasm for well informed change, the embracing of professional critique, the conscious implementation of a high-autonomy, high-responsibility work culture and a close-knit collegiality.

Next week will see relationships reignited and routines revived, a coffee morning with parents, the regathering of the Senior Leadership Team and a first meeting with the School Management Committee. We'll conclude with the first of a trio of assemblies on friendship.

Fresh from an afternoon with our newest recruits, they head into the weekend having journeyed (both physically and metaphorically) around all things Shrewsbury for the very first time. A social engagement tomorrow morning will set them up well for a deeper dive next week: a review of our policy compendium and an introduction to our digital infrastructure awaits, before the return of the wider team, the engagement of Oracy Charity Voice21 and the welcoming of students and families onto campus for a special orientation morning.

A new school year is almost upon us. With it arrives renewed ambition, our high expectations a sign of commitment to the evident potential of the students we are fortunate enough to work alongside.

Back on campus following a refreshing summer break, much of my early endeavour has revolved around reconnection with members of the operational team and the reviewal of materials set to guide the induction and orientation of colleagues prior to the return of students on Monday 19th August.

Among the priorities featured, an introduction to the distinctions and similarities between the two pathways now available to prospective parents will star: the refinement of a sector leading bilingual option acting only to further strengthen the distinctiveness of our offering, as the only premium level provider of primary education in the region.

Next week, we journey towards the arrival of a new group of teachers and the journeying through a series of early engagements that will ready them for an introduction to the wider school team. Both socially as professionally oriented, an appreciation for the early complexities facing those new to the region will greatly support their settling and readiness for the embracing of opportunities to follow.

With an extended trip outside of the region now at an end, I greatly look forward to reconnecting with colleagues in person next week, the dawn of August soon upon us.

As the summer concludes, thinking will turn swiftly to the arrival and regrouping of staff teams, professional development priorities, the orientation of student groups and that much-anticipated first school day. We start on Monday 19th August.

With the update of staff handbooks and the promotion of admission for the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway dominating engagements with colleagues, I write at the end of a second week outside of the region from Seminyak, Bali.

Next week will see us out on the East coast prior to a return to Hong Kong. Reengagement with our operational team will centre upon preparation for the arrival of a group of colleagues keen to hit the ground running, the start of a new school year now on the horizon.

Having recently launched a founding admissions cycle for the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, a sector defining programme featuring a unique daily blend of study in both Chinese and English, I find myself at the end of a first few days outside of the region in Ubud, Bali.

With plans to travel around this beautiful island with our two boys, it won't be long before we're off: onward and East. More adventures lay ahead, along with plenty of time in the pool.

A week on from the conclusion of the academic year and the crowning of Anise as House Champions and I find myself back in the office alongside members of the Operational team. With admission for our new Hanqing Bilingual Pathway due to open next week, we look set for a busy summer period.

Soon to leave the region for a family break, I'll be back in good time for the arrival of a talented new group of teachers, all keen to make their mark. In the meantime, I'll remain closely connected with life on campus and the continued growth of our community.

The heralding of an exceptional graduating cohort and the crowning of Anise House brought an enriching and exuberant academic year to a triumphant conclusion.

Cheered out amidst a fever of purple and yellow, The Class of 2024 will be fondly remembered for their wit, their wisdom and their warmth. Their new schools will be lucky to have them, as were we.

Summer will bring the opportunity to recuperate and reenergise. Focus will soon be drawn to a series of early engagements with the latest additions to our teaching team and the opening of admission for a sector defining bilingual pathway that will supports the development of native or near-native level Chinese and international standard English.

Following a rousing Summer Concert, I am able to reflect upon a productive penultimate week prior to the formal acknowledgement of an exceptional graduating cohort and the closing of another extraordinary year.

I am also thrilled to be able to share more information about the development and launch of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway (HQP), with enrolment for January 2025 soon to open.

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Underpinned by the academic rigour of the Early Years and Foundation Stage framework and the English National Curriculum, at the heart of the HQP lies a culturally rich curriculum that supports the development of native or near-native level Chinese and international standard English. The language of instruction evenly split, students will study Chinese Mathematics and enjoy fluid contact with an exceptional teaching team throughout the course of each school day.

Perhaps the most significant illustration of the ambition held within our Strategic Plan, Together We Flourish, the emergence of the HQP represents an exciting new phase in the journey of our school.

Next week, our 200th Senior Leadership Team meeting since foundation, a lunch meeting with a group of relocation agents, delivery of class placement notification the Annual General Meeting of the Shrewsbury Parents Association and the crowning of our new House Champions.

The relative calm of the summer break will soon be upon us, plans for the orientation and induction of new colleagues already in place.