Life is full of challenges, and we should expect no less. Often, it is through managing these challenges in life that we learn the most.

The start of the academic year brings significant changes and new challenges, especially for students beginning new courses or a new school. To help the Year 12 students embrace these changes, and to face the new challenges head on, our induction programme included a variety of engaging activities.

Although large numbers of the Year 12 students were old friends, having come through the Senior School, there are a significant number of new students joining from other schools in the UK and across the world. To help the students settle in, the first day of term was spent in tutor groups, getting to know each other and getting to know their new tutor. After the usual admin and issuing of iPads, timetables and the like, everyone decamped to our Latham Road sports’ ground for a picnic lunch and a tutor group challenge - to launch an egg as far as possible by constructing a trebuchet - and then to catch it unbroken! The first challenge (launch) was better met than the second challenge (an unbroken catch). Irrespective of the success or otherwise of the designs and catching ability of the groups, the students’ ably demonstrated their inventiveness, collaboration and sense of humour.

The second day of term was spent at Go Ape in Thetford Forest. There were three activities, a set of team challenges, a set of puzzles and the high ropes course in the trees.

The aim of the day was to give students, both old and new, the chance to mix with others from different groups, get to know each other, work together, solve problems, engage in friendly competition and to challenge themselves on the high ropes course.

Starting A Level studies can be daunting as it is a step into the unknown, no matter how prepared you are and how well you know your subjects. Spending time together, making new friends, reacquainting with old ones, engaging with physical and mental challenges, trying something new, encouraging others and being encouraged, all help to build the tools and whet the appetite for the future. The students are now well settled into their new routine, enjoying the confidence that comes from successfully navigating their GCSEs and getting stuck into the challenges of A Levels.