Last night was a very special evening for our school as we welcomed a record number of prospective parents, carers and their children through our doors for our Open Evening. There was a wonderful atmosphere throughout the school, and I felt incredibly proud as I walked around and saw our community at its very best.

One of the highlights for me was hearing from two of our fantastic Year 10 learners, Nell and Oliver, who spoke so confidently and warmly about their journeys through the school so far. There is something particularly powerful about families hearing directly from our young people about their experiences, the opportunities they have had and the people who have supported them along the way. Nell and Oliver represented the school superbly, and I was enormously proud of them both.

I was equally proud of the many young people who chose to give up their evening to support us. Our departments were full of learners working alongside their teachers, talking enthusiastically to visiting families and showcasing their subjects, while others acted as guides, helping families find their way around what was a very busy school! To every young person who played a part: thank you. You were wonderful ambassadors for our school, and the warmth, confidence and pride you showed said more about our community than any presentation or prospectus ever could.

This year's Open Evening also felt particularly poignant. It was the final time in our school's history that an Open Evening will take place in our current building. Standing in the hall last night, looking out at so many families at the very beginning of an important decision about their child's future, I found myself wondering just how many young people's journeys have begun in that same hall over the years. How many nervous Year 6 children have sat there beside their parents, wondering what secondary school might hold for them, before going on to become part of the life and history of our school?

We are incredibly excited about the next chapter for our school and the opportunities that our new building will bring. But moving forward does not mean forgetting what we leave behind. Our current building holds so many memories: first days and last days, friendships formed, challenges overcome, achievements celebrated and countless everyday moments that have shaped generations of young people. A school is, of course, so much more than its buildings, but places do become part of our stories, and I know our current home will hold a very special place in the hearts of many.

My sincere thanks go to all of our staff and young people who worked so hard to make last night such a success, and to every family who came to visit us. I hope they left having experienced something of what I am fortunate enough to see every day: a school full of wonderful young people, dedicated staff and a community with a great deal to be proud of.

As we look ahead with real excitement to our new home, evenings like last night also give us an opportunity to pause and appreciate the many memories that have been created in this one.