I can hardly remember the School being busier, and yet everything has gone as well as could have been expected. On Sunday I attended the carol service at Pembroke College. The service began in darkness – literally – except for a single candle shining in the darkness, the shadows of the congregation flickering on the walls. From this single point of light, a wonderfully moving service emerged. There were well-loved and well-known hymns, there were new versions of old favourites, there were heart-stopping solos and above all else, the sound of the boys singing with such accomplishment; within a very short while, the choir has became a really serious musical outfit and it is heart-warming what Mr Wilson and the boys have managed to achieve.

And then on Tuesday I heard Worcester choir sing their carol service. Rarely have I heard a choir singing with such commitment and passion, and it was a privilege to be present in that peerless chapel listening to a well–drilled choir under the inspirational leadership of Mr Lee. Their spirited rendition of “Ding Dong Merrily on High” got me dancing all the way back to School afterwards!

Talking of Evensongs, a remarkable thing happened on Wednesday evening. In the boarding house a group of the Cathedral Choristers got together and organised their own Evensong. Music was chosen, choristers were assembled, a sub-organist was appointed, and the organist chosen. The Form 5 boy who had taken on the role of organist had even asked his mother to obtain a handkerchief to fold into his lapel pocket, a nod towards Mr Holder’s sartorial elegance. Pews were arranged and a congregation assembled. Then an entire Evensong was performed. All this without any adult input and during the boys’ free time. When our pupils opt to put on Evensong in their free time for pleasure, one knows that something special has been achieved. I hope that Mr Holder, at the end of his first term, realises the impact that he has had, and it helps remind one of the profound effect that being in a choir has upon its members.

The informal Christmas Concert was also a triumph. For the first time that I can remember, we had a group of pupils from Pre-Prep perform. They have been part of a recorder and percussion group and it was a real treat to see them play together with some of the senior boys. We had a large group of boys in the double-reeds ensemble, instruments which are extremely rare elsewhere – not here – and then we had the finale, a wonderfully colourful performance of Christmas music including the now traditional Jingle Bells with musicians playing from all parts of the room, including a troupe of players who marched jauntily into the hall playing with gusto as they moved. All in all it was a joyous occasion.

As I write, the School is being transformed into a Light Show venue. Around the small playground, displays illustrating the twelve days of Christmas have been set up, each charming in its inventiveness and colour. I very much hope that all of you will, by the time you read this, have seen the displays. The boys and their form teachers have worked hard to ensure that this most entertaining of Christmas carols is engagingly brought to life. May I thank Mr Harrison, Mr Crooks (head of the PA) and the many other people who have worked so hard to ensure the event's success.

Tomorrow many people will be watching the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris after the devastating fire. The interior, apparently, is immaculate – perhaps the only time when we will be able to see a mediaeval building look as it must have done when it was first seen all those centuries ago, cleansed of the patina and accretions of colour which time adds to such buildings. It will be, for France, a moment of celebration and justified pride at what has been achieved in so short a time. We paid our annual homage to France today when we enjoyed the French play – a drama performed by our Form 8s, this time based on the fairy tale Cinderella. There were some very animated and characterful performances, but what struck me most was the fluency of the French speaking achieved by the boys. For a moment I felt we were on the other side of the channel – quelle joe!