Last year, Ashfold beat our First XV with ease. This year it was very different, and it was a great pleasure for me to see our boys not only win but to play really sophisticated Rugby. The ball was being passed brilliantly around the pitch and the tackling and running was something to behold. On numerous occasions the ball was grounded beyond their tryline by one of our triumphant players. It is always wonderful to see CCCS triumph; all such victories arise from the enthusiasm with which people play the game. Such an approach breeds success - but I am delighted that so many of our pupils, whatever their ability, seem to enjoy the game. Ultimately, that’s the point. If your son is in a match, do consider coming to watch him and his teammates; there are some truly wonderful games being played at the moment.

This weekend is one of my favourites, it is the weekend when the boys of Worcester and Pembroke Choirs resume their services. Our three choirs are thriving – around half of the Prep School boys sing in the choirs, and the service that they provide to the chapels of the colleges is profound. We have so many singers in the School; if your son is not in one of the choirs do please consider whether he might like to join one. The benefits are very significant, of course, including a musical education beyond compare, as well as inculcating the ability to concentrate for extended periods, which is a gift for life. Choristers also have a wonderful sense of performance and know how to present themselves publicly. As much as anything they will come to know intimately some of the most wonderful music composed. When I taught English at St Edward’s, I often noticed that it was former choristers who were the best at understanding how to read poetry both to themselves and to others – a wonderful thing to be able to do. May I also wish our Form 5 Cathedral boys all the very best as they are made up this weekend into full choristers – a very significant moment.

A few weeks ago I took a group of boys over to Christ Church to have a look at some of the things that inspired Lewis Carroll to write Alice in Wonderland, such as the tree in which the Cheshire Cat appears and the old Norman doorway which featured in ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’. We were in the Great Hall when one of the Hall supervisors discovered what we were doing. “You do know about the Alice carvings on the Hall chairs, don’t you?” I thought I knew most things about Alice, but I knew nothing about the chairs. The kind supervisor started pulling out chairs and showed us that on a large number there are beautiful carvings of characters from the stories, including the Cheshire Cat himself. There is so much to discover here in Oxford – there are no limits to this city’s charms. Talking of what the City has to offer, I am delighted that our Tom Tower trip is now full – I look forward to seeing you there.

Stop Press! This week I was able to read three stories to the Nursery pupils who have clearly developed into a three-story group of pupils. I have to confess that I put everything into the reading of the story – voices, pauses, facial gestures - and this time they listened with great attention throughout. I suspect that four stories might be pushing it at this stage. But let's see!

I was delighted to see one of the younger boys coming down Brewer Street towards me recently. Mostly he hails me with warmth and enthusiasm: “Hello Mr Murray!” As he got close, I waited for his greeting but, at the last moment, he stopped and noticed a puddle. He put his foot into the puddle and concentrated hard upon the small sheet of mucky water, ignoring me completely. “Hello!” I said, hopefully. “Puddle” said the boy with authority. His father laughed and noted wryly: “ It’s not every day that one is upstaged by a puddle.”