A whirlwind of an end of term with Nativities, concerts, Christmas Fair, Beacon’s Got Talent, Christmas lunch, a visit from Santa, a visit from the Grinch…you name it, the end of The Beacon Autumn Term had it all. Thank you for your fulsome support this term, and in particular to Faye (Oscar and Bertie, Years 5 and 2) and Jas (Reuben, Year 2) for coordinating last Saturday’s BPS Fair and all our various community events this term – The Beacon’s very own Christmas Elves. Another hugely successful term on Amersham Road, and, whilst one might expect the boys to be slowing down a little after such a busy term, it seems that they have been extra energised of late, particularly if the rousing rendition of ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ and ‘Feliz Navidad’ at Final Assembly this afternoon is anything to go by.
As a Common Room, we are immensely proud of all that the boys have achieved this term, both in and out of the classroom; they are a pleasure to work with and their aspiration and ambition knows no bounds. I often refer to them as our ‘Brilliant Beacon Boys’, not just for the alliterative quality of the phrase but because it is collectively completely authentic. And no better example this year with our 39 applicants to Berkhamsted School at 11+ and 13+. The outcome? All 39 offered places including 11 separate scholarship awards. Add to that all boys passing through the ISEB to the next stage of assessment to 13+ independent school and our usual exceptional performance to grammar schools earlier this term, this truly has been a vintage year, even by the standards of our Brilliant Boys. My sincere thanks to my colleagues whose dedication, creativity and professionalism makes the school what it is today. Yes we have unrivalled facilities, a thoroughly supportive parent body, lovely children to teach, Head is a nice guy etc…but the capability, energy and attitude from our Beacon people is like nowhere else I have worked – Team Beacon really is as good as it gets in our sector.
The Bakers are not going away and will be at home this Christmas. Patrick is back from university tomorrow, and the big news is that he passed his driving test last week. The best Christmas present I ever received was in 1991, when the only present under the tree with my name on it was a tiny, rectangular box. Trying to hide my disappointment as surely the bigger the present the better it is, I opened it to discover a Toyota key, a key that would open and start my grandpa’s Toyota Starlet. I can still remember the thrill and excitement from the realisation that I now had my own car; it really was a dream come true. Now, with both of our boys passed (and with the extortionate cost of naming one’s children on your insurance) I’ve suggested to Brigid that we should reimagine that moment from 1991, be amazing parents and buy the boys their first car for Christmas. She though, can’t empathise, and sees no reason to ‘”clog up the drive”…I will keep working on my persuasive skills…
Thank you for your support and friendship this year. The Common Room and I are forever thankful for the trust you put in us for the academic and social development of your sons; you are great people to work with and very much part of us here. Have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2026 – it is going to be another momentous year at The Beacon!