Who said there were no perks in education? This year by joining the European Comenius Project, I have had the pleasure of making two working trips to Europe, one to Gifhorn in Germany and the other to Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic.

About a year ago, Jim Flewker, who is Head of Modern Languages and our web-site genius, and I went to Gifhorn for the formal signing of the Comenius Project which extended the existing student work experience arrangements to include joint projects in History, Geography, Art and Business Studies. This is a triangular agreement and includes Mlada Boleslav, a Czech Commercial School. Why? Because of cars, Gifhorn is the next town to the Volkswagen factory and Mlada Boleslav is the Skoda town and Skoda is now owned by VW.

Links are now beginning to bring real benefits for our sixth form work experience as our latest visit to the Czech Republic provided links into local businesses, the schools and, via the Skoda Academy, places at the Skoda plant. (Thanks to VW, Skoda now have the most advanced car production plant in Europe). Curriculum links are also flourishing and bring the subject to life through pupil to pupil contact and the exchange of ideas and information. The best news is that Comenius is mostly funded by the European Union - yes, in Euros.

The solid and. I hope, dependable business of education still continues to serve the children from Brigg and surrounding areas very well. Examination success has continued with 3rd place in the North Lincs GCSE tables in 1998; that makes two first places and a third place in the last four years. The only slightly weaker performance was in 1996, the year we were Ofsted inspected, when perhaps too much energy was diverted into satisfying the demands of Ofsted.

The A level and GNVQ results were up on 1997 and three subject areas had 100% pass rates. Most students seeking , a university course were placed with only a small reduction in applications due to the imposition of tuition charges.

Enrolment into the school in Year 7 (at 11+ or 1st year) has remained very strong. We took in 191 in September 1998 but have had to reduce the intake for 1999, pending the further development of the Boarding Block - Headmaster's House into classrooms. It would be foolish to allow overcrowding to affect the quality ofeducation we can provide.

At Sixth Form level we enrolled almost exactly our planned entry which was good for staff planning and course management. The total numbers remain strong and we are expanding courses with the development of Sports Science and Technology.

Across the school there have been many memorable events but space precludes all of them getting a mention. There have been foreign exchanges and work experience, geography projects with New Zealand, business studies visit to the European Parliament, choir concerts in Spain, ski trip to Italy, field courses to North Yorkshire and the Lake District, art exhibitions, visits and participation in Brigg Live Arts Week, RE, science and theatre trips and Careers Conferences, great sporting success and charity work both in the community and for international appeals.

There has been a steady trickle of visits from Briggensians wishing to see their old school again and relive some of the 'good old days'. I am always delighted to show Briggensians around so why not make 1999 or 2000 the year to return and visit your old school. If a visit is difficult then why not write or e-mail us with your news and progress.

Staff changes continue as we all get older or move on. It is hard to come to terms with the realisation that I am now the longest serving member of staff and will complete 36 years in July 1999.

Mr Mike Jefferson after a year trying to regain his health has regrettably taken early retirement. He was Director of Brigg Sixth Form for 16 years and dedicated to his students; many would not have been as successful without his guidance. It was Mike who introduced many 'new' ideas which are now established practice - we owe him a great debt of gratitude - he will be missed.

Mrs Svlvia Barber - Office, IT and Business Studies after 16 years at SJN took up a new challenge at South Axholme School.

Miss Sam Thomas - Modern Languages - followed her heart and moved to Leeds, teaching in Halifax. She plans to get married in August 1999.

Mr Roger Goodman - Technology - moved out of teaching.

Mr Tonv O'Brien and Mrs Gabi O'Brien - Modern Languages - have both moved out of school work into Higher Education and Tony will complete his PhD at Hull University.

There have been a number of appointments, direct replacements and also increases in staffing to support the demand for pupil places. The school now has 970 pupils and students.