Hello from New Principal Matthew Shoults

As new Principal for Surbiton High School it has been a delight to join the Surbiton community, including you, our former students.

Since my arrival I have been struck by the energy and warmth of the Surbiton environment, and the range of endeavours and activities which our students embrace.  In the last couple of weeks alone I have seen two plays, three concerts, celebrated a number of national sporting successes, helped two Young Enterprise teams prepare for a regional final, been “sponged” for charity and seen numerous educational day trips head off to different destinations; all of this is just a snapshot of the buzz of Surbiton life. 

Amongst all of this activity, our students are also working and planning for their futures, and I am very grateful to all our alumnae who support our current students, whether through mentoring individuals, visiting to provide inspirational words, or providing expertise in other ways.  Earlier this year Olympian rower Lola Anderson encouraged pupils of different ages in their sporting aspirations; but we don’t only welcome back global sports stars, and our students gain so much from hearing from those from different industries and interests.

I am also grateful for those who are able to support the school financially or through your time volunteering.  This financial support enables students to attend our Sixth Form who would otherwise not be able to do so, while giving your time enriches the opportunities we can provide for our students.

As I have suggested, it has been a year with some dazzling sporting successes.  No fewer than six of our football teams won English Schools Football Association national cups, an extraordinary outcome.  All our hockey teams reached at least the quarter finals of the Independent Schools’ competition, with the U15s emerging as winners, while our J16 boat came out first at the Schools Head of the River.  These and many more successes feature in our new edition of our Surbiton Spirt newsletter, which you can reach via Polly Rumbold’s newsletter.

We have also enjoyed great academic successes since January.  14 students gained offers from Oxford or Cambridge, and 32 students have been offered a place at Durham, spanning diverse fields from Biosciences and Classics to Music and PPE. 10 offers have been made to students from US universities including 5 Sports scholarships. Meanwhile, 9 aspiring doctors have received offers to pursue medicine.  The 37 boys who make up our Year 6 cohort have truly excelled, receiving 127 offers from a wide range of leading senior schools, including 31 scholarship offers. This impressive success is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our pupils and staff.

You will see from Polly’s newsletter the range of events coming up in the autumn.  We would be delighted to see you at these gatherings, whether you have been in regular contact or have not set foot in the School since you left.  You will always be welcome, and I hope that we can enrich and deepen our links with our Green and Silver members in the years ahead.