Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK
This quarter of term has been focused on the mid-year examinations. Results are now being correlated, and a picture is emerging with respect to the work needing to be done in the build-up to the October/November examination cycle. First indications suggest that a good number of academic interventions, made in the earlier part of the year, are bearing fruit. Nevertheless, conversations related to building a solid platform for the rest of the year, including more classroom contact time, coupled with a more rigorous revision plan for the public examination classes, have taken place. Two key interventions for the Michaelmas Term include the introduction of four days of afternoon school, compared with the current arrangement of two days. Secondly, there is a realization, in the boys’ school space, that supervised revision will benefit IGCSE and AS classes. This will take place in the revision period following the end of formal lessons. This will provide candidates with the opportunity to engage with staff more readily and to remain more purposeful and focused; there will be fewer distractions than in the boarding house.
Linked to this move to create more academic space for candidates to succeed in examinations, under the guidance of Mr Tanser, we have revisited the process by which school Prefects are appointed. In essence, timelines have been brought forward. This will enable the new leadership to move into their roles of leading the school at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term. The build-up and appointment of the 2026 Prefects has begun, with the intention of announcing the new leadership at the end of this term. In the first three weeks of next term there will be a handover of responsibilities from this year’s Prefects to their successors. The aim, primarily, is to give the VIth Form more time and space to engage with their own A Level revision programme.
During the course of this term, we have, in school assemblies, begun building a more direct approach to understanding what defines ‘strengths’ in the “Peterhouse Man”. Sometimes referred to as the “hidden curriculum”, it is our endeavour to make this aspect of education more visible and meaningful to the boys.
We appreciate that having strong academic, sporting and cultural pillars are key to a pupil’s school journey, nevertheless, there is more to what builds men of significance. In identifying pillars of strength, four key characteristics form the basis of our conversations with the boys. These four characteristics are Courage, Confidence, Compassion and Character. During the course of this term, we have tackled Courage and Confidence. A number of staff have highlighted examples of courage and confidence in Assembly presentations and they have explained why these attributes form an important part of an
educational journey.
A holistic education is about more than the academic, sporting and cultural endeavours of young men. It should challenge them in spaces where the visible is less obvious and where we push boundaries i building “significance” in a boy’s transition to adulthood. As the year unfolds, we will continue to build on these foundations, exploiting the many opportunities our pupils have in their school journey at Peterhouse. The last three weeks have seen a number of school events. Last weekend (5 July), the Common Entrance Assessments for the 2026 D Block were completed and we are now in the process of finalizing entries for next year. It was good to see so many boys and their parents on the campus last week – the weather even played its part, and we were treated to a warm and windless day, which has been quickly followed by some very cold weather this week. Equally, we hosted the AMG 7’s Festival. This is a unique sporting
festival which brings three winter sporting disciplines (hockey, rugby and soccer) together in a day of great sportsmanship. Special thanks to Mr Barbour and his team who have been responsible for organizing this festival for 19 years alongside our sponsors. We have also held the NIAA Speech and Drama assessments as well as a highlights Concert acknowledging these successes, which took place on 10 July. Preparations for the Falcon game are well underway as we anticipate a large crowd. We look forward to welcoming Falcon and all our Petrean Reunion groups in celebration of good sport and our 70th Anniversary. The remaining three weeks of term hold a very full programme of sports and cultural events, please refer to the weekly updated calendar for details. The Music Department will host a music tribute to “music through the last 70 years” from 23-25 July. It is promising to be an excellent evening of music. I hope that you will support this “Music Through the Ages” concert; more details to follow.
While the end of term beckons there is still much to be done before the close of term in August. I hope this weekend of no sport will give our pupils a chance to recharge their batteries.
With warm regards,
Jon Trafford
Rector