Now that we have been back at school for a couple of weeks, the Leighton Park community has begun to settle back intoi the familiar routines of life on the Park. It has been a very purposeful and enjoyable start to the school year. For the first time this year I am experiencing life as a Leighton Park parent. What an interesting and valuable perspective! I have been thrilled to see how the new Year 7 students have embraced life. I was on the Thames with them dragon boating and raft building last Friday. The development of new friendships and familiarity was an important feature of the day, but so too was the learning opportunity which such activities presented to work together to accomplish a goal. During this week, the aspiring thespians in the school auditioned for parts in the next production, "Our Country's Good". The excitement of pulling that team together has been a lovely experience for the drama department, and this was expressed movingly in the meeting for worship which we held on Thursday. Another team which is finding real strength and purpose is the teaching staff. They have risen to the challenge of raising expectations superbly. I have been delighted with the togetherness shown by staff, and their willingness to share best practice for the development of the education we provide for our children here. There has been hard work from teachers and children alike, but there is always a smile on our face - no more so than at the Friday morning Collect at which it was announced that the sport of Quidditch will begin recruiting during the coming term. (Yes - really!). There has been a super start, and there is so much to look forward to. The school continues to live adventurously in everything, and have enormous fun, too.