What a difference a week makes! Last Friday, The Beacon Peloton were in their thermals for a chilly bike ride, and seven days later we are basking in almost too warm conditions for Sports Day in Watford. Mr Walker and I have been in the relative cool of the scorers’ hut, but with the pace of the day and the constant inputting and management of the scores it has been a hotbed of data and adjudication; anything but a slowdown at the end of a busy half of term. As the last results come in, we are in a race against the clock to verify the scores and deliver the outcome to the expectant amassed crowds of boys and parents – think Eurovision or the Makerfield by-election, just more dramatic. The real winner on the day, of course, is the festival of sport and sense of competitive spirit amongst all the Houses, expertly organised by Mr Sutcliffe and our Games colleagues; my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in today and for the hundreds of you who turned up to spectate and cheer on the boys.
Ideally, I would now go home to rest. Patrick is back from university, the bike ride is complete and a busy half of term is behind us. I am, however, against the clock again, this time to make it to Luton airport to catch a flight to Ibiza of all places this evening. Some friends of ours are celebrating their 50th birthdays and have chosen a weekend in Ibiza as the venue. Brigid and I are taking books and have downloaded podcasts but I feel that this may be in vain as this might not be the normal Balearic holiday we are used to. In any event, we are back home on Monday and focused on getting Joseph through the last of his A Levels. So far, so good as he has replied “it was fine” to each of the four exams he has sat already, though this could be a generic, non-committal response to prevent any further forensic deep dive into his exam performance from his parents. He has worked hard for these exams and as far as I am concerned, can have no regrets whatever the outcome – proud of that boy.
Where does the time go in a school year? Just half a term to go but what a half with all manner of Beacon events to look forward to. This looks to be the busiest six weeks in my memory so everyone rest up for what will no doubt be a triumphant and action packed end to The Beacon 25-26.
Nick Baker