Millfield’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is now being piloted in School. The system allows pupils to receive prep and assignments electronically and access electronic worksheets.

Pupils will be able to check their School e-mail; access School network folders; and use online collaboration tools such as discussion forums all in one place.

The system is currently being piloted by the ICT teaching department with Year 9 pupils. Pupils are being given full training during lessons on how to use the system, and they will soon be using the system in the Mathematics and Chemistry departments.

The trialling of the system will allow us to look at how we may enhance the system before it is rolled out across the whole School. The system is also being piloted at the Preparatory School. Pupils involved will be able to access the system on most web-enabled devices.

If you are a parent of a Year 9 pupil, please do take the opportunity during the half-term break to take a look at the system with your son or daughter.

(Pictured above: U16 Football ESFA match against Taunton Academy)

The new academic year has begun with a high level of energy among our sports pupils on and off the field.

Across just a few days last week we saw a range of ages and abilities take part in the Intermediate House Cross Country, visiting teams from Bromsgrove School and Sherborne playing rugby and hockey, ESFA matches for our footballers, dancers choreographing their own routines for guests at Tea and Dance, hosting Bath RFC for an education day, visiting coaches from Soweto and Australia, scores of parents welcomed for post-match hospitality, and our facilities staging regional netball, show jumping and swimming events! Read more sports news here.

I was very sorry to miss the Music Recital in the Johnson Hall last Monday. In a rare treat, the staff of the Music Department showcased their many talents alongside our string consultant So-Ock Kim. I am very much looking forward to Stephen Sondheim's 'Putting It Together' which promises to be a wonderful show from the Department. Tickets are available from the music office on 01458 444200.

Millfield Drama heads into its busiest season and I find it encouraging to witness the energy and enthusiasm from staff and pupils. Rehearsals for the Senior production 'A Christmas Carol' are well underway, with tickets available after half-term. At the end of September, Year 10 Drama pupils took to the stage of The Tobacco Factory in Bristol for their workshop with the National Youth Theatre in preparation for performing 'Macbeth' in the Shakespeare Schools Festival on the 17th November.  Please contact the The Tobacco Factory for more details. The workshop proved a great way for the pupils to explore their characters using physical exercise. The cast enjoyed working with other young actors and were able to show a small section of what they have rehearsed so far. The advice they received on the day has given them a new impetus as they head towards their performance.

This week Millfield art pupils joined thousands of people across the UK participating in the Big Draw event. Our pupils have produced a series of collaborative drawings on the walls of the Fine Art Centre transforming the foyer into a bestiary of fifty fantastic creatures. Read more

Thursday 6th October was a day of creative chaos and merry mayhem as pupils embraced the spirit of National Poetry Day. Pupils and staff entering the foyer of A Block, home to the English, History, RS and Learning Support departments, were treated to a bold display of ludicrously brief poems by acclaimed comic innovator Tim Key.

The comedy theme continued as Sixth Form pupils of English Literature serenaded staff and pupils on their way out of the dining hall, with limericks. But it wasn’t only the English Department that got involved. Millfield’s 1st Rugby team threw themselves into the scrum by parading around the school grounds, bellowing rugby-related poems. Read More

I was pleased to award two pupils the Millfield Community Award at the end of September. The fantastic efforts of Billy Homan and Will Radford are well known, having been publicised through assemblies and a previous newsletter.  The boys completed a marathon cycle ride of 900 miles from the top of Scotland (Cape Wrath) to the bottom of the Isle of Wight, raising over £20,000 for The Hospice of St Francis . The Millfield Community Award is awarded to pupils who have supported causes that have touched their lives personally.  Many awardees have been selfless in their efforts and they have been driven by their passionate support of the cause.  Many are keen to engage in community orientated action but to see a project of magnitude through to the conclusion is something special. Congratulations boys!

I am very proud that charity and community service events pervade school life here at Millfield.  Pupils and staff make outstanding contributions to a wide range of events that are organised at house, year group and the whole school level. This year’s Charity Committee is chaired by Upper Sixth pupil James Fisher and vice-chaired by Orla McCarthy and Jack Owlett. Over £10,000 has been raised this year for BIBIC  with ‘Showcase’ alone raising in excess of £6000. 

This week sees the start of many Lower Sixth pupils taking part in The Children’s University . The Children's University is a national organisation that provides 7 to 14 year olds with exciting and innovative learning activities outside normal school hours. This initiative enables our pupils to spend time with Year 6 pupils across two primary schools in Bridgwater, acting as ‘role-models’ through leading an activities and games programme.

L-R: Mr Eatough, Lamise Ghalia, Dr Glen O'Hara, Yadu Bhagheria and Bruno Banks 

This first half-term has seen a diverse collection of guest speakers and lectures at the Senior School. The Academic Society has begun with Professor Glen O’Hara (pictured above), winner of the the Eubule Thelwall Prize for History and the Gladstone Prize for History and Politics, who gave the pupils a presentation on Political leadership. It was a topic that affects the lives of all of us despite where we are from or what our political views are and this added to the success of the night.

Old Millfieldian, Tobias Mews (1990-95 Orchards) gave an inspiring lecture to the Upper Sixth today on his experience as an ultra-endurance athlete. Tobias has competed in running races of all distances from 5k to ultra marathon as well as triathlon and challenged his audience to run a marathon in the next five years.

The Lower Sixth Global Perspectives Lecture series, a programme designed to help Lower Sixth pupils with their understanding of global issues, was privileged to host Sir Graham Boyce, a retired British Diplomat, who gave an insightful lecture on British interests and obligations in the Middle East.

Tonight, the Academic Society hosts educational technologist Professor Steve Molyneux, who, whilst holding the Microsoft Chair of Advanced Learning Technologies at the University of Wolverhampton, developed one of the first Virtual Learning Environments.

This year's Year 9 Camps have seen pupils sleep two nights under canvas and partake in activities such as high ropes, mountain biking, bushcraft and canoeing. Pupils have gained great experience into their own characters, stretching themselves both physically and mentally and also allowing them to form friendships they wouldn't naturally have sought in a school setting. By all accounts they also had tremendous amounts of fun!

Please see photos from the second camp here