Today we welcomed some Chemistry students from Imperial College, who came to demonstrate their (very expensive!) Spectroscope to Year 11 and the Lower Sixth. Some pupils from our next-door neighbours Queens' School joined in as well - the first, I hope, of many collaborations.

A lovely Spring day gave me the chance to enjoy the magnolia planted to commemorate one of our Founders, Rosemary Rapaport. With school exams now looming, this should cheer everyone up.

Another great event in a busy week - the annual Choral Concert at St Albans Cathedral. As ever, the students rose magnificently to the occasion, and produced some wonderful singing while also raising money for the Cathedral Music Trust and Ian Rennie Grove House Hospice. (I was so busy rushing from hospitality to singing and back again that I totally forgot to take any photos, so here is a 'stock' photo of the cathedral.) 

After a gruelling night and day's work, the opera came together brilliantly. It was a genuinely moving experience, as well as an astonishing practical achievement. Many congratulations to everyone who took part.

Video courtesy of Mr P Fellas.

Term started today, with a feeling of Spring in the air and a sense of anticipation for the term ahead. The sounds of a first rehearsal for the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto wafting through the front hall told me that work is already under way. Well done, Sinfonia!

It's always pleasing to see the students doing something for a good cause, and yesterday the U6th organised a concert in aid of Oxfam International Women's Day. A mixture of serious and fun items finished with our folk band Hafla performing (pictured below). Well done to everyone involved. It was even more impressive as several of those involved were on stage an hour later in the school play - which, by the way, was a roaring success. Term ends tomorrow - have a good break, everyone.

Our school play, Gogol's comedy The Government Inspector, is in the final stages of rehearsal. Mr Elliott invited me to visit last night's run-through in costume, and I really enjoyed it. There are some wonderfully funny comic performances, and it looks terrific on stage. Do come and see it on Tuesday and Wednesday next week if you can.