I would like to with a note of recognition for all the work that the operational staff do for Felsted. I am looking out of my window at the care being taken over the Front, and the finishing touches being made to the Elwyn's roof. There is always a danger that teaching staff return after the summer, and ask one another how the holiday went, when the catering and domestic teams, the works teams, the groundstaff, the marketing and admissions teams, the finance office, and many others besides are busy through the summer weeks. I really hope that those who have seen the works completed will agree with me that the quality is outstanding, and we particularly look forward to the completion of the Well-Being Centre, and the work that will be supported through that. If you haven't seen the 'Felsted Welcome' video, please see below.
Felsted prides itself on being a very welcoming community, and I hope that everyone who has started new this term will have felt part of this strong community. It is never easy starting somewhere new, but getting involved is so important. A new year also sees new responsibilities, and our new prefect team have made a very good start. They are ambassadors for the school, and we have been working together on the importance of respect and service, rather than focusing on authority. At the beginning of the year, I have also been talking to the pupils about doing something new, taking a risk or two, and being prepared to get things wrong. Making mistakes is crucial to learning, and I was delighted that we sent one of the first ever students to the Dyson Institute in Will Alexander. This involved taking a risk, and turning down a very good University offer, but I am sure that it will be a great adventure for him. I also feel that school should be fun - not all the time, of course, but enough of the time to motivate and enthuse, and to fire the brain up for learning. There is no doubt that young people learn best when they are enthusiastic about a subject, and I hope that all the students and teachers will enjoy their time in the classroom, and outside.
Finally, I think that it is crucial that the students recognise the privilege that they enjoy in being at Felsted. With privilege comes responsibility, and the desire to make a difference, and we have already seen one major event last Sunday, with the Sparkle Sevens. This was a great event, bringing together lots of former pupils, both from Felsted and elsewhere, and even a Felsted staff team, raising funds for the Sparkle Foundation, and the brilliant work that Sarah Brook's charity is doing in Malawi. Another big event is coming up as well, with the whole school Colour Run on Friday 29th September. In order to make this a success, and to support the school charities, we are asking the students to raise some sponsorship money. It promises to be a great event, and we are hopeful that we can raise enough to make a real impact with all of our charities.
I started by thanking the operational staff. I will finish this week by thanking the students and teachers. The start of term has been excellent, with a real buzz around the place. The reformed A Levels and GCSEs are more challenging, but the approach and determination to do well is evident across the site.
Chris Townsend
Headmaster