Page 7 - OM Newsletter 2021-22

Dear Old Malvernians We often talk about the the Malvern Qualities They are are of of of course at the the the heart of of of everything we we we do do Rarely however do do we we we we have have an an opportunity to see them exhibited so clearly and and and at such scale as we we we have have throughout the pandemic Staff and and and pupils alike have shown great resilience turning challenges into opportunities through their collaboration and and ambition independent resourcefulness and kindness Pupils have have missed out on on many many things but I remain deeply impressed that that so many many have have come together to to put on creative events that that boost the the communal spirit – in in many cases
raising thousands of pounds for worthy causes in in the process There is a a a a a a a a positive sense of excitement about about what we can achieve having learned so much about about ourselves in in in the past two years Pupils have hardly missed a a a a a a a a a a a a lesson of learning an an extra-curricular activity or or or an an an opportunity for intellectual extension We have the flexibility and pragmatism of all our staff to thank We must also be grateful for for the the the foresight of of the the the IT IT IT team The IT IT IT skills of of the the the the pupils and staff as as as well as as as the the underlying IT IT IT infrastructure were all in in in in in place to to to ensure that a a a a a a a a a a a move to to to online and blended learning during lockdown was seamless It is testament to to to our Malvern Qualities that we we were also in in in in a a a a a a a a a position to to support local schools in in in getting up up to to speed In this highly unusual year our pupils gained outstanding results (see page 34) As a a a a a a a a a a cohort they needed to to draw on all the the the the Malvern Qualities to to succeed during the the the the two years of their Sixth Form and (I)GCSE courses that were marked by significant periods of online or or hybrid teaching and learning as as well as as uncertainty about how grades would be finally awarded For the the 2022 exam exam cohorts the the IB A level
and and (I)GCSE exam exam boards have made a a a a a a a a a a a variety of content and and assessment changes Despite
the the disruption caused by Covid-19 we will have successfully completed all all the the usual content teaching and revision so that all all our pupils are in in fin in an an excellent position not just for for their final exams but also for for for moving onto the the the the next stage
of of their education be be that with us in in the the the the sixth form at at at degree level
or through a a a a number of of other possible routes As we start the term with our our two UK prep schools schools our our our international schools schools including our our our new school school school in in in in in Switzerland I am reminded that we we now have over over 4 000 000 Malvernians and and well over over 1 000 000 teaching staff spread across the globe We will be launching a a a a a a a a a new school in in in in Tokyo in in in in 2023 – our eighth overseas campus and and the first British-branded IB continuum school in in Japan Finally that we are a a a a a a a a a a a growing and and successful educational family is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a reassuring thought and and contributes to Malvern’s growing global reputation However we we must always remember that personal relationships and moments of individual inspiration make the the real differences to to the the pupils we teach or or tutor Education is and always will be about people Best wishes Keith Metcalfe
Headmaster
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