The inspector calls
From the Headmaster’s Desk: 3rd November 2023
Mr Hammond
Headmaster
“Hello, Mr Hammond, this is the Independent Schools Inspectorate.”
The above sentence means one of two things to me:
1. I am off to visit a school with my inspector hat on, which happens a few times a year, or;
2. An inspector is visiting Abercorn with his inspector hat on (the hat is metaphorical in both cases).
This week, we hosted the ISI (and fed them cake) as they carried out our Material Change Inspection, to ratify the move from Abercorn being a Preparatory school to the through school that we now proudly are. Although it will take a number of weeks for us to receive the report, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work in preparing for the inspection, particularly Ms Séguier and Mr Webster. All school activities are team successes and such a visit proves the point.
Although I would not pertain to be a prophet of any kind, I was (sadly) correct about the rugby. England were there, or there abouts, and certainly greater than the sum of their parts, and New Zealand were valiant competitors. South Africa were the better side (just) in the final, as they had been in their last three matches but Mr Constance was not overly convinced and Ms Séguier bereft when France were defeated, but the superior XV usually wins and the best teams make their own luck. However, bear in mind that you would have been given odds of 19,603 to one for South Africa to win their quarter and semi-finals and the final by one point. For context, the Leicester team of 2016 I mentioned in my last missive were priced at 5,000 to one for winning the Premier League and that was considered a moon shot of a bet. Betting is a mug’s game and to be discouraged but odd just prove that impossible is nothing. At least there was the cricket…
One parish notice this week: since September, the old Upper School email address has been retired – part of our strategic development of the Senior School. If your child is in Year 3 and above, please email senior@abercornschool.com to contact the office. If you query is for an individual teacher, please contact them directly. I can always be contacted on head@abercornchool.com.
All the best for a relaxing weekend!
To see how busy a place our wonderful School is and for a more detailed look into all things Abercorn, follow us on social media; Twitter, Instagram and Facebook offer a wide range of updates. My personal thoughts on educational life can be found @hammondteacher.
