Sifting through a new set of photographs of Harrodians at work and play, Mr Hooke is delighted by the sense of optimism and renewal that they reveal.
After an enforced absence of over a year, we invited our trusty, regular snapper Matt Dunkinson back to the school for a photographic shoot just before half term. He spent eight hours capturing Harrodian staff and pupils on an ordinary October day. The result is well over 250 photos picturing pupils working, studying and taking part in clubs and activities in our science labs, auditorium, theatre, libraries and classrooms; exercising and playing in our swimming pool and on our pitches and playing fields; and relaxing and socialising in our dining hall, playgrounds and gardens and all the spaces in between.
These are vivid snapshots of a school reclaiming its mojo and relishing the precious opportunity to renew all the ingredients that make Harrodian such a special place in which to work and grow.
James Hooke, Harrodian Headmaster
Matt is a master of his craft and, as usual, there are many pictures that highlight the unusual beauty of our site in all its autumn glory. But, with the memory of lockdown still lingering in my mind, what especially strikes me is the warmth, the spirit of togetherness and community and the sheer sense of fun that shine out of these pictures of Harrodians going about their normal daily lives. These are vivid snapshots of a school reclaiming its mojo and relishing the precious opportunity to renew all the ingredients that make Harrodian such a special place in which to work and grow.
Our Media Team is already busy weaving these pictures into the website and will let you know when they are available to view as dedicated galleries in our Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior/Sixth Form sections (as they soon will be).
In the meantime, I have chosen a few of my own favourite pictures to whet your appetite. I hope you find them as uplifting as I do.
15s Prefects in the Pre-Prep
The 15s weekly visits to Pre-Prep are back in full swing. This photograph pictures 15s prefect, Nell, taking part in a Reception play session in the very classroom where, 12 years ago, she set out on her own Harrodian journey . 'Being back in Reception sometimes makes me feel a bit nostalgic,' she says. 'But I really enjoy working with the Pre-Prep children.'
Netball and Football training
My own experience of coaching netball dates back to Harrodian's early days in the 1990s. Now the task of cultivating our talent is in the expert hands of a team led by our Head of Netball, Ms Fletcher, and standards continue to rise fast. Our younger groups are doing especially well with our under 9s team winning one tournament this season and coming third in another. I'm also delighted by the performance of our Under 18s football team, below. You might expect a squad made up of 15s, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students who, thanks to Covid, had rarely played together before September, might struggle to gel. But (Head of Football) Mr Soleimani's success in building a squad with real team spirit has been rewarded with excellent results that have steadily improved as the season has progressed.
Physics Experiment
These pictures of Mr Whelan demonstrating to an 11s class how a Coke can can be crushed by atmospheric pressure reminded me of my own fascination with Bunsen burners and test tubes when I first encountered them in the science labs as a boy at Hampton Grammar School. Mr Whelan has the essential combination of expert knowledge and a dash of showmanship that can make science so engaging.
Sitting Soft
The soft seating in our corridors and communal areas has always been one of Harrodian's distinguishing features so it was sad when restrictions turned sofas like this one in the cafe, above, into a lockdown, 'No-Go' area. Now Sixth Formers and Prep pupils alike, above and below, are seizing the chance to relax, sit soft and chat or work together again.
Keep on Moving
This picture of Harrodian's expert, senior dance group – the Dance Troupe – at practice, reminds me that our hugely popular annual Dance Show takes place this coming Tuesday. Once again, Ms Melanie Edwards will be supervising and running the show as she has with spectacular success for the past 18 years. You can find the details here
Taking a break
Whether you choose to spend twenty minutes playing a quiet game of chess in the Senior Library, chatting in the courtyard or curling up on a bench with a book, there's always a corner of Harrodian where you can do your thing at break time.
Club Culture
Harrodian pupils have never enjoyed a wider range of co- and extra-curricular activities and clubs than they do in 2021, from the old favourites of drama, dance, sport and music such as senior choir, above, and fencing below, through to more esoteric pursuits ranging from rocks and minerals to football history. 
Hidden Heroes
Among the many Harrodian teachers who go about their work with quiet dedication, these two stalwarts caught my eye. Maths teacher Mr Warren Rodricks, above, recently convened a special meeting for our parents where he patiently explained the principles of Maths Mastery, also setting out why the programme is especially suited to mixed-ability teaching. Geraldine Lloyd, below, is a member of our brilliant Learning Support department led by Sarah Codacci. Tucked away on the top floor of the main building, Learning Support has a relatively low profile in the school but the one-to-one approach the team uses both to build the confidence of individuals of all ages, and to help them achieve academic success is invaluable.
Having fun
Whatever the location – classroom, courtyard or garden – I'm delighted that so many of these pictures radiate spontaneity, friendship and fun. Long may the laughter continue!
