We have had a splendid year academically, in sports and school development projects, entering the new millennium in very good shape.

In the summer examinations there were Five 'A' level Subjects at 100% and an overall improvement on last year's A to E pass rate of a massive +8.5%. This was a record year with 10 subjects exceeding their national pass rates and a staggering overall success rate at pass grades A to E of 92%.

Individual achievements were many but particular congratulations go to:

There were many other excellent results and all students left College in eager anticipation of the next phase of their education and training.

It's not only study, students do enjoy a wide range of activities arranged by the staff, All of our year 12 (Lower Sixth) students took part in work experience in local placements and several students went off to foreign climes - Germany, France and for our second year in the Czech Republic. We are fortunate to have these established links and must thank the Modern Languages Staff for accompanying the students. Mrs Wilson and Mr Grafton took a group of students to Brussels to a session of The European Parliament as guests of Veronica Hardstaff the MEP for this area. It was most interesting for the students to gain insight into how this institution is organised. They also included a trip to Ypres and the new War Museum and to the picturesque, medieval city of Bruges. All of the students found the visit to the Tyne Cott War Cemetery an extremely moving and unforgettable experience.

We had our first formal Leavers' Ball at the Wortley Hotel in Scunthorpe at the end of June. This was a resounding success and although it was sad to say farewell to one of the largest groups of students we have had in the Sixth Form, the atmosphere was exuberant.

Members of the Senior Choir spent their half-term holiday on a concert tour in Lido di Jesolo, Italy. The visit included concerts in Verona, Venice and other nearby towns.

Staff news always seems to centre on those leaving and this year is no different. I would like to pay tribute to John Hastings who has retired through ill health after 24 years service, and to Peter Harrison who had 23 years service as Head of Year and is moving to be Head of History. I wish John better health and both best wishes for the future.

Unfortunately, Mike Jefferson the Director of Sixth Form also took early retirement after a prolonged illness. Many who remember Mike will have benefited from his care and concern. I would like to pay tribute to his dedication and hard work during his 16 years of service and wish him better health for the future. Management for the Sixth Form is now in the capable hands of Nick Grafton as our Director and Margaret Guerrero as Director for the Vale of Ancholme School.

Governors have introduced a 25 years service award for the staff and it may not be a surprise to learn that the first recipients are the Head Teacher, David Brittain with 36 years service and John Allcock with 28 years service.

A concerted effort has been made to develop the site for year 2000 and bring a number of projects to fruition. Internal Redecoration Programmes have continued with the help of the Community Services Agency. The large project to incorporate the Master's House attached to the old Boarding Block has been very successful. This now comprises a wonderful Sixth Form Unit providing lecture rooms, offices and communal facilities for the students. These developments were made possible by obtaining a Government Grant plus a very generous donation from the Foundation Governors. The completion of this project has released other accommodation which will go some way to easing the difficulty caused by increased numbers in the School.

The long awaited works at the Lower School site to improve the vehicular access was completed in the summer holidays. It is hoped that this will ease the parking problem on this site and ensure greater safety for the pupils entering School, either by bus or other means. To provide screening for the car park 500 shrubs have been planted and also 70 trees around the site. We are doing our bit for the environment.

Thanks go to the PTA for their continued support in particular a donation of £2,000 to enable new seats and litter-bins to be provided in the School grounds.

The School's Millennium Project is well advanced. The project will create two Mosaics to be placed in the school buildings, one of which is to be financed by the widow of Jack Cressey White OBE, a distinguished Briggensian. This project is being undertaken by the students under professional guidance, in a similar manner to the project which produced the stained glass windows in the Library.

Application has been made for funding to replace the Upper School Canteen on Colton Street and to bring these facilities on to the Upper School Site by developing the Yarborough Annexe .

There has been much activity on other fronts including obtaining a Security Grant to extend the burglar alarm system and link up the fire alarms. We are about to refurbish a laboratory and give it the high tech look and Internet links. This will then provide a model for other developments across the LEA.

It has been a busy year! I hope to see you at the Briggensians' Dinner.