Dear OFS Community,
Between Sunday and Monday morning, 251 pupils from Yr4 to Yr8 left Orley Farm with 34 teachers to start their respective adventures on our 2025 Orley Farm Expedition Week.
Their departure leaves a huge hole in the school, but it is so rewarding for everyone involved. I fear that in an age where we need to build more resilient and adventurous outlooks, our increasingly risk-averse society makes this harder and harder to offer. However, Orley Farm remains unique by being absolutely committed to these extraordinary individual outcomes and I would suggest that in the distant future, these weeks will remain a core part of their memories.
Back at school, our Yr3 pupils suddenly found themselves the seniors of the site — and they rose eagerly to the challenge of filling the silence left behind! They’ve had all manner of wonderful experiences over the week that culminated in team-building exercises this afternoon. Great work Yr3, I think you’re ready for your first residential experience next year!
Yr2 are starting to prepare to make the mighty move into Middle School and having seen the way that they are taking on responsibilities, they certainly appear ready to make the very most of the next gear change. There was a cracking steel band workshop that combined with the temperatures, took us to the beaches of the Caribbean!
I was writing reports this afternoon and could hear some beautiful singing – creeping backstage, I stole a few moments! I can’t wait until next week for the final performance as it’s already looking and sounding amazing.
In passing through St. George’s Hall, I caught a glimpse of the Reception rehearsals — what a journey they’ve made since September. We’re all eagerly anticipating next week’s Pre-Prep productions, here is a teaser from their dress rehearsal...
At the other end of this journey, we welcomed each of our incoming Reception classes to Orley for the first time. It was lovely meeting so many new families and I want to thank the OFA team for joining our welcome and highlighting upcoming events to bring everyone into the Orley community. It certainly adds to the emotional swirl as we prepare to say good-bye to our graduating families whilst welcoming a whole new generation!
And speaking of emotions — it was heartwarming to see our Expedition Teams return, clearly travel-weary but full of stories, their faces lighting up at the sight of familiar faces and the promise of their own beds. I hope this evening is full of tales of adventure and wonder, as families reconnect and share in the joy of those unforgettable experiences.
As I said in a recent email to parents, the Calvey household orders a takeaway tonight and then listens to stories from the week. We share what we found hard, and how we coped; we share what made us laugh, we share what maybe made us cry? We ask for the high points, the greatest achievements and the lessons that we learnt about ourselves and others.
Headmaster's Commendation
This week ought to have contained real challenge for everyone. We will not always get our way, in fact, as I look at the wider world perhaps we have been living on borrowed time with the Western World fostering a certain entitlement. I know that I will go home this weekend, grateful for time with my family as we come together after being apart!
Tim Calvey