Summer's End: Autumn's Promise

It feels odd to speak of endings when in reality the Summer is just about to begin!. That said, today marked the end of long warm days in School. As has always been the case, the whole of the School gathered in the Quad for House Trophies and prizes and waited with bated breath for the announcement of the Times Shield Winner. A new, very welcome and thrilling addition to the announcement is the introduction of a confetti cannon loaded with the colours of the winning house. The cannon is kept "under guard " for 48 hours, and the only two people who know which house has won are sworn to secrecy!  It makes for a wonderful end to what has felt like a year of reconnecting and building the community. Skinner won this year, the first time in many years indeed!  

It has been a busy year for us here too and here are some brief highlights and trailers

The Launch of the New Old Hitchean Platform

This dedicated online space marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Designed from the ground up to bring the Hitchean Tribe back together, this platform is your gateway to:

Reconnecting with long-lost classmates and former teachers.

Networking across diverse industries to mentor younger generations or find new professional avenues.

Sharing memories, historic photographs, and life updates.

This isn’t just a website change; it’s a living, breathing network built to ensure that “ a Hitchin Boy is a Hitchin Boy, for life” and that “you know a Hitchin Man when you’ve met a Hitchin Man”. If you haven't already, take a moment to set up your profile and explore and connect.

Celebrating Excellence: An 'Exceptional' Ofsted Rating

We met an Old Hitchean this week whose first question was “it’s still the best school in the area right?”  The answer comes from Ofsted who conducted a rigorous inspection of the School in the Autum and awarded us the very rare grade of “Exceptional” across four areas.

The inspectors explicitly commended the school's relentless drive to "bend the arc of pupils' lives towards success," noting that our students don't just succeed—they excel. They highlighted our exceptionally positive school culture, an ethos that every single Old Hitchean helped build during their time here.

Looking Ahead: Autumn Term Events

The coming months are packed with opportunities for the Tribe to gather in person, look back, and look forward together. Mark your calendars for these flagship events:

Young Old Hitcheans Drinks

Early September

A casual weekend daytime event for OHs between the ages of 18 and 30. A chance to raise a glass to the new platform and catch up with familiar faces

Old Hitcheans Welcome Back Drinks

Late September

A casual evening to raise a glass to the new platform and catch up with familiar faces for those who left more than 20 years ago.

Annual Alumni Sports Fixtures

Mid October

Dust off your boots! The annual alumni vs. current student showdowns across rugby and hockey.

Autumn Old Hitcheans' Dinner

Late November

Our prestigious annual gathering celebrating our proud tradition, history, and the future of the school.

Get Involved: We want this new chapter to be shaped by you. Whether you want to attend an event, share a story for our next newsletter, or offer career mentoring via our new platform, your presence matters.

Here’s to a spectacular Summer and to bringing the Old Hitchean Tribe closer than ever before.

Welcome home!