Welcome to the Senior School

I welcome you all to the Senior School. The final four years of secondary education can be both an immensely rewarding but also a potentially challenging time for our students. It represents a period of transition into young adulthood and an increased level of responsibility and privilege associated with completing the school journey. The Senior School campus aims to reflect the increased level of maturity, trust and independence we ask and expect of each one of our senior students. This applies not only to the learning our students will undertake in the classroom but equally to their consideration of their place in the wider world and their sense of service to others and the environment.   

While the academic program will provide enriching and stimulating learning opportunities in the classroom, our aim in the Senior School is to develop the whole person. Opportunities for involvement fall into the categories of Action, Creativity and Service. We offer a diverse range of co-curricular activities including sports, societies, social functions and service opportunities. Our sincere hope is that our students will leave the Senior School with a broad understanding of and empathy for the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship. I strongly encourage our students to get involved and challenge themselves to explore new opportunities outside their comfort zone. We firmly believe that a sense of belonging to a community and willingness to contribute to something greater than the individual are the keys to enjoying one’s time in the Senior School.

Equally, we recognise the challenges which inevitably accompany the hectic final years of schooling and pathway into adulthood. We seek to equip our students with the tools for self-analysis and self-reflection, which build resilience and other mechanisms to face life’s many hurdles. We promote a culture of ‘continuous improvement’ which helps students reach their potential and also challenges their boundaries and perceived limitations. Our pastoral care system provides students with the support and guidance to do exactly this and the partnership developed between student, parents and tutor is pivotal to success. Through our structured program of Assemblies, Gatherings and Tutor Group activities, we also hope to promote and challenge ideas, stereotypes and assumptions. In doing so, our desire is to raise awareness of issues and encourage students to take action on a range of problems and dilemmas that they will face in the modern world.

While the Senior School experience represents increased independence for students, our aim is to work in partnership with parents to support their child. The student’s tutor should be the first point of contact when issues arise and there is an extended support network including the the senior leadership of the Senior School, tutors and the School Psychologist who can assist with any matters. There will also be opportunities for parents to get together during the year to talk through issues of relevance to young adults.

I look forward to sharing the year ahead with you. I hope it will be an enriching and fulfilling experience for each and every one of us.

Adam Chambers

Head of Years 9 to 12