As someone who doesn’t often get noted for sartorial elegance, I was pleased I was pleased and flattered that the boys (and some parents) noticed my hat when on gate duty this week. “Nice hat Mr Baker”, “Suits you Mr Baker” and “Very Peaky Blinders Mr Baker” were the order of the day, and I was pleased to see I wasn’t alone in sporting headwear in what has certainly been the coldest week of the term so far. One of my father-in-law’s many mantras is “Never leave home without a hat in your pocket” which is probably more appropriate growing up in North Yorkshire as he did, rather than the more clement aura of a South Bucks climate, but it was good advice heeded as it was pretty sharp out there this week. Unofficial ‘Beacon Bravery Points’ are awarded by me to anyone in shorts in cold weather, but they are null and void if boys are not wearing coats or even blazers in this weather, so please do send your boys in with appropriate outer garments – thank you.
I’ve worked here for over three years now and The Beacon still never ceases to amaze me in terms of what can be achieved in a Prep school environment. Next week’s Year 8 performance of ‘Emil and the Detectives’ is as ambitious a production as I have ever seen and with construction, lighting, projection, sound and, of course, our talented and ever enthusiastic Year 8 boys, those attending are in for a real treat of the senses. These boys are used to putting on a show of course, having done many performances over the years, but as Zenelle said to me this week “we like the Year 8 boys to go out on something a bit special – they deserve it”. This is more than ‘a bit’ special and will be an early Christmas present for anyone in the audience – hold onto your hats!