With term ending on 24^th June and the final exams taking place just under a week later, it is time to reflect on what has been an extremely busy term at Concord.

The term began with the opening of the new library and the newly refurbished classrooms to complete the Jubilee Block, which is now the academic centre of the school. The library has been a focus for revision and private study as the students on 'study leave' prepared for their exams.

As well studying, the students were involved in many activities outside the classroom throughout the term, including the unforgettable production of Les Miserables; the sporting events of the Interhouse trophy competition; the Charity Club annual Talent Show; the Young Enterprise group winning an award for the second year in a row; over 40 Lower School students gaining distinctions in their ESB exams; and members of the Outreach society collecting their V Awards for completing 50 or 100 hours of volunteering from the Mayor of Shrewsbury.

The Leavers of 2010 were treated to a Graduation Ball which was a glamorous and enchanting event. The Lower School Dinner was a delightful evening, which celebrated the achievements of those in Form 3, Form 4 and Form 5. Form 4 students spent a wet but exhilarating time at Bala on their residential Outdoor Education trip. The 6.1 students had the benefit of the Pre-UCAS programme after their AS levels and also a memorable Outdoor Education trip to Standon Bowers to learn new skills including rock climbing, mountain biking and caving (see the group pictured at the centre below).

Subject prizes were awarded to the 6.1 students for those who have shone in their academic studies this year. Prizes were awarded to Valerie Khoo (English), Esther Choi (Maths & Biology), Jasper Koid (Further Maths & Physics), Ju-Lia Gan & Carey Wong (Chemistry), Nicole Goa (Physics), Tiffany Tse (Economics), Charles Powell (Music), Helen Kang & Susan Geng (History), Bowie Cheung (Geography), Chaiki Tampubolon (Accounting), Patricia Vlad (Spanish), Natalie Tang (Law), Songlin Zhang (Art) and Veriko Shoniya (Photography).

The public examinations are always the focus for the second part of the Summer Term and with the pressure of university offers to fulfil, the 6.2 students worked extremely hard in order to achieve all that they require in their A levels. It will now seem a very long time to wait for them until the results are published in August but in the meantime, we wish them a relaxing summer break.

The end of term brought many farewells and this year Concord said goodbye to six members of staff. Five members of staff are retiring: Lennie Pitney, Pat Brown, Alf Ellis, Peter Harris and Malcolm Lewis who between them they have nearly 120 years of service at Concord (see separate story). We also say goodbye to Dr Alan Herbert who has taught physics at Concord for the last two years and has helped with many extra-curricular activities, including Form 3 robotics, the primary school liaison rocket project and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. He will be missed by Concord, but has been tempted back to work on a new project at his former company. We wish all the staff that are leaving the very best in the future.