Friday 1 May 2026
Head’s Weekly Update
Best wishes,
Oliver Knight
All Pupils & Parents: Years 7- Upper Sixth
Notices (Please click on the + sign to expand for full information)
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On Tuesday 5 May, we are delighted to launch our very first Pangbourne Giving Day. This special 30-hour fundraising event brings our Community together in celebration of 30 years of co-education at Pangbourne and we are inviting parents, families and friends to show their support.
This year’s Giving Day supports two important causes: Transforming Futures and the Pangbourne College Community Fund. Your generosity fuels life-changing opportunities - opening doors for students, while also supporting valuable local community initiatives. Every contribution, large or small, helps create opportunity and lasting impact.
Join us for the Colour Run!
Parents and families are warmly invited to attend the 100% Colour Run on Tuesday afternoon (full timings to follow in next week’s newsletter). Come along to support your Division in what promises to be the ultimate Division showdown!There will be refreshments and a range of stalls on site throughout the event, helping to raise further funds on the day. Pupils will also be taking part in a non-uniform day for a £1 donation, adding to the excitement and school spirit.
Back your Division, get involved, and show your support – every step and every donation counts. You will also be able to track your Division’s progress and see how much has been raised in real time.
All donations (including £1 for non-uniform) in the lead-up to Giving Day can be made here.
This is the Pangbournian spirit in action: compassion, opportunity, impact. Every gift takes us one step closer to our target.
Please support Giving Day on 5 May and help make this inaugural event a huge success.
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The next concert on Monday 11 May 2026 at 19:30, welcomes the acclaimed all-female vocal ensemble Papagena with their programme Tomorrow is today, drawn from their fourth album of the same name. The concert explores themes of beauty, love, and the passing of time, with music ranging from early composers such as Hildegard of Bingen and Claudio Monteverdi to modern and contemporary figures including Kate Bush, Caroline Shaw, and James MacMillan.
Tickets are available to purchase online (reserved seating) and details can be found by visiting the music pages of the College website (www.pangbourne.com/music).
Whilst these are public concerts, Pangbourne pupils and families can get half price tickets using the code PANGBOURNE50 at checkout. We hope many members of the Pangbourne community will be able to join us to help make these inaugural concerts a great success.
Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music
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Item description
Year 9 - 11
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I am pleased to say that the Geography fieldwork was successful last week.
I thought it might be helpful to have a reminder of the key dates for this term:
25 April: Open Morning 9:30 - 13:00
15 - 23 June: Year 10 exams
24 June: Dolphin Watersports Day
1 July: Parents' and Guardians’ Evening
Year 10 are working on revision techniques and strategies with their tutors throughout this Half Term, with the idea of helping them to get prepared for their exams. The key strategies are flashcards, quizzing and practice questions (only when they have done the first two!). We had a webinar on revision strategies at the start of the year which you can request access to the recording of here. I will convey to Year 10 that the more they do now the better they'll feel this time next year! It would be great if you could please reinforce these messages at home!
Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4
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Well done to all students for successfully completing their MFL speaking, Art and Photography exams this week, as well as the PE moderation. It has been a busy week, but I am so impressed by how well-prepared everyone has been and I was delighted that they have all just got on with things calmly. A great start!
Next week is our last 'normal' teaching week of the year, with no exams impacting lessons at all. Students should be sure to use every classroom and clinic opportunity that they can.
I have met with the Year 11 party committee this week and all are enthusiastic about helping to organise their 'start-of-study-leave/halfway-through-exams' celebration on the afternoon of Friday 22 May. They are currently canvassing the opinions of their peers about exactly what they would like - more information will follow soon!
Please do keep on quizzing them!
Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4
Sixth Form
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Lower Sixth Trials Week - w/c 15 June
Taking Responsibility Week - w/c 22 June
Lower Sixth Parents’ & Guardians’ Meeting - Friday 26 June
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Dear Fellow Upper Sixth Parents,
The last term's school fees have been paid, the weather is improving and the summer party scene is looming! Hoorah!
The long awaited Leavers' Ball invitation will be with you very shortly, but to get you in the mood, the Black Tie evening will start at 19:30 with complimentary drinks, followed by a delicious three course meal in Drake Hall - which will have been transformed into an unrecognisable space, to fit with this year’s theme of 'A Starry Night'.
There will be a card-only bar selling wine, beer and a wide range of non-alcoholic alternatives. After the meal, we can then dance the night away until the evening ends at 23:30.
Tickets will go on sale shortly, but just to remind you, all students do need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or an appointed responsible adult for the evening.
The budget for the Leavers' Ball is solely made up of the money raised from ticket sales (no profits made!) and it is our intention to make this year's party a memorable and fitting occasion for all of us to celebrate our children's time at Pangbourne.
Mrs Nicola Merry (Faith Merry’s mum)
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With exams now underway please ensure that students are well rested and prepared when they come in. We are doing our best to provide them with the space and support that they need both in and out of lessons.
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A reminder that students need to have chosen their firm and insurance choices by Wednesday 6 May.
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For those students going to university in September 2026, the Student Finance is now open. Please see here.
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Lower Sixth students had a session delivered by Polly Ingestre of MRFG Consulting aka CV Lady UK this week. She has offered to assist students with their CVs at a special rate of £50. If you would like to take up this opportunity please contact her at info@mrfgconsulting.com. Students are also receiving support from their tutors and in the Sixth Form with their CVs.
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An excellent opportunity to find out more about PWC. The event is being held in Reading on Thursday 14 May from 17:30 - 19:00. To register, sign up using the link here.
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For those students interested in a career in STEM, this is an opportunity on Tuesday 26 May (10:00 - 15:00) to learn more about AWE’s apprenticeship opportunities. To register, sign up using the link here.
Saturday 25 April, 09:30 - 13:00
Whole School Open Morning
Whole School
Saturday 25 April, 09:30 - 13:00
Whole School Open Morning
Whole School
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK
Geography Field Trip
Open Morning
CCF Skill at Arms Day
On Sunday our cadets took part in Skill at Arms day which saw 16 Cadets and 4 staff, including cadets from our partner school, Denefield School Reading. Pupils spent the day under instruction from CCF Skill at Arms Instructors, being taught the skills and drills to use the cadet weapon system safely and correctly ready for their first field exercise in two weeks.
Tennis Fixtures vs Bloxham
Mr Frankie Rogan, Head of Tennis
SPORT
Boys’ 2nd XI vs Cranford Cricket Match
On Tuesday afternoon the Pangbourne College Cricket 2nd XI played Cranford School in a T20 match on Bigside. Cranford batted first and scored 123 for 8 after their 20 overs. Pangbourne bowled consistently well, in particular Louis Baring, George Hale, Russel Frears and Captain Denny Wasmuth until an unfortunate fielding injury ended his spell. The whole team fielded exceptionally, taking all catches offered by the opposition, well done to Phoebe Stebbings for keeping wicket. George Hale and Henry Swatton opened the batting and put on a solid opening 40 runs, supported by the rest of the team Henry finished on 46 not out to help win the game with an over to spare. It should be noted that Henry would have scored 50 had the square leg umpire not fielded a certain boundary trying to get out of the way.
Mr Andrew Sumner, Cricket Coach
DIVISIONAL UPDATES
Divisional Dinners
Hesperus - Friday 5 June at Goring and Streatley Golf Club. Please book your tickets here.
Harbinger - Saturday 6 June
Illawarra - date TBC
The next Divisional update will be Friday 8 May.
BOARDING UPDATES
Port Jackson
It has been a wonderfully positive and uplifting time in Port Jackson, with a real sense of energy, warmth, and connection continuing to grow across the House.
A particular highlight has been an exceptional Parade Sunday. The boys represented their respective Divisions with great pride, demonstrating not only smart presentation but also a strong sense of unity and spirit. It was especially lovely to see the Port Jackson boys looking so smart and carrying themselves with such confidence and purpose—something that made me incredibly proud and truly reflects what makes Port Jackson such a special place to be.
We have also been delighted to continue strengthening our relationships with our students from China. It has been a real pleasure to see friendships forming so naturally, with more interaction, shared experiences, and a genuine interest in one another’s cultures. These connections are such an important part of boarding life, and it is heartening to see how much the boys are gaining from being part of such a diverse and supportive community.
A big highlight for many has been welcoming Jackie and Bertie into the House. The boys have absolutely loved having them around; they have brought so much warmth, laughter, and comfort to everyday life. It already feels as though they have always been part of Port Jackson, and they are very much cherished members of the House.
Looking ahead, there is plenty to be excited about. We have a range of upcoming weekend trips planned, offering something for everyone—from outdoor adventures to cultural visits and relaxed social outings. All boarders will have the opportunity to sign up, and we warmly encourage the boys to get involved, try something new, and make the most of these opportunities.
Finally, with the bank holiday weekend approaching, there is a real sense of anticipation in the House. It promises to be a happy and memorable time, with opportunities to relax, recharge, and continue building the strong friendships that make life in Port Jackson so special.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Mr Paul Radford, Head of Port Jackson
Adelaide
St George
Boarding House Email Addresses
stgeorge@pangbourne.com
portjackson@pangbourne.com
adelaide@pangbourne.com