School Captain Welcome
On behalf of the entire student body, it is my pleasure as School Captain to welcome you to Reading School. Take pride in knowing that you will become part of a community that will turn 900 years old next year, and that you are joining an institution with a rich history and undoubtedly a richer future.
I would like to congratulate you on passing the eleven plus, an excellent achievement you will remember for the rest of your lives and should most certainly be proud of. At Reading School, we pride ourselves on being an academically strong school, achieving exceptional results. However, as important as this is, I would encourage you to consider excellence as not simply grades and scores, but as having a true intellectual curiosity and an inquisitive attitude towards learning. True excellence is not just about results, it is about having a drive and passion to widen your horizons, because however old you get, you never stop learning.
The change from primary school to secondary school may seem like a daunting challenge. I remember being in your shoes six years ago, feeling immensely nervous and completely unprepared. From more schoolwork to greater accountability, there are a huge array of changes you will need to adapt to, some of which may seem challenging at first. However, this is a change that every student at Reading School has made, and with the guidance of all our wonderful teachers and supportive students, you will quickly feel right at home.
Reading School is a huge and diverse community, and within the school you will quickly settle into your Houses: County, East, Laud, School and West. From the tie you will wear, to house competitions, your house is integrated into most aspects of school life. Initially all your lessons will be within your house, and as you progress throughout the school, this changes as your subject choices also change. Yet the relationships and bonds you form within your house will stick with you throughout your time at Reading School. The house system also acts as a connection between year groups, and mentors and prefects from your house will aim to make your life at Reading School full of prosperity and opportunities.
Beyond the realm of subjects and academia lies the extracurricular, of which there is an abundance. Within the school day, you will have lessons known as electives, where you will be able to develop new skills and expose yourself to all kinds of activities, such as bushcraft and canoeing. In the three school terms, we play Rugby, Football and Cricket, however this is a small fraction of the sports we offer at Reading School. From Badminton to Kickboxing, there is always something for everybody to get involved with. There is also a plethora of after school clubs and societies on offer, such as Warhammer, Chess and Robotics.
Your years at Reading School will be some of the best times of your life. That’s not to say you won’t be challenged; you will be intellectually pushed and face many obstacles, but as I approach my final year, I can assure you that you will also look back and be amazed at what you have been able to achieve. I wish you the very best in your first year, and beyond.
Paarth Goswami