Many thanks for all of the very kind wishes for my birthday this week. I am extremely fortunate in that I share my birthday with my daughter, Lydia (the best birthday present that anyone could wish for!), which means that the day usually focuses on her, rather than me. Although the years are racing by, I am still eight years younger than Wilfred Rhodes was when he played his last test match for England, and seven years younger than Neil McBain when he played in the 1947 FA Cup, so all is not quite lost yet.
Seeing someone celebrate their 13th birthday is incredibly exciting, to see all of that potential, and all those opportunities ahead, and I hope that this is what school is really about - sparking interests and enthusiasms, and helping young people to grow in their aspirations. One of the best things about Felsted is that this is not a school that determines those ambitions, or tries to develop a particular kind of person; we will support each individual's strengths.
I must celebrate the success of some of our students in sport this week. On Monday, our U19 girls won through to their national quarter final, followed on Tuesday by the U15 girls, who did the same with a win down at Worth. Then, on Wednesday the 1st XV rugby beat Manchester Grammar to progress to the semi final of the national cup (to be played on Saturday 4th March, at Allianz Park). There is no doubt that these successes give everyone at Felsted a real lift, and we look forward to hearing the draws for the next stage of the Hockey.
Finally, please do come along to support the concert on Sunday evening at 7.30pm. This takes place in the Grignon Hall. Also, please do come to the Carol Service on Thursday 15th December, 7.30pm. Houses are serving mince pies and drinks from 6.30pm.
With birthdays in mind, this gives me an excuse to give you a link to one of my favourite songs from the brilliant Matilda - I hope you enjoy this, and get to eat sweets every day -click here to listen.
CJ Townsend
Headmaster