Head’s Weekly Update

Join us on Friday 19 June for a relaxed and enjoyable evening of live music performed by Pangbourne pupils. The event will be held on Devitt Lawn with stunning views across the beautiful North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

This family-friendly concert is the perfect way to spend a summer evening: bring a picnic, unwind with friends and family, and enjoy live performances that highlight the musical life of the College. It promises to be a fabulous evening. 

Tickets are £15 per adult (under 18s free). Doors open at 18:00 and performances start at 19:00. To purchase your tickets please click on the link here.

Mr Don Gillthorpe, Director of Music

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The next meeting for the Andrew Simpson Society will be on Monday 8 June at 18:30.

All male member of the College are invited. We are delighted to be welcoming OP Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE who will be speaking about his extremely impressive life story so far. Please see here for more information about our guest speaker.

We hope to see many pupils and staff in attendance on Monday.

Mr Adam Beake, Head of Maths

As we approach the end of the school year, the excitement for the summer break is building. June brings longer days, warmer weather, and for many of our older students, the freedom of post-exam celebrations and summer music festivals. While we want our young people to enjoy their well-deserved break, summer also brings specific risks. This month, we are focusing on vital safety advice regarding open water and festival environments.

The Urgent Reality of Open Water Danger

Recent weeks have brought devastating news across the UK, with national emergency services issuing urgent water safety warnings following more than ten tragic drowning fatalities during the warm spell. Heartbreakingly, many of these victims were teenagers who got into difficulty in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Locally, we must address a specific and growing concern: bridge jumping at Pangbourne Meadows.

With the meadows being a highly popular spot for sunbathing and socialising, large groups of teenagers are regularly spotted jumping from Whitchurch Bridge into the River Thames. What feels like a harmless thrill or a way to cool down carries extreme, life-threatening risks:

• Hidden Hazards: The stretch of river below the bridge contains hidden debris, currents, and remnants from historical structures. Because the riverbed changes and waste floats downstream, jumping "into the unknown" can result in catastrophic impact injuries.

• Cold Water Shock: Even on a scorching hot June day, the deep water of the Thames remains dangerously cold. Jumping in triggers an involuntary gasp reflex, sudden panic, and an immediate loss of swimming ability—even for the strongest swimmers.

What to teach your child: If they see someone in trouble, they should remember Call, Tell, and Throw. Call 999 immediately (ask for the Fire Service for inland water), tell the person to float on their back (Float to Live), and throw a rescue lifeline or buoyancy aid to them.

Pollution Pitfalls: Testing vs. Reality at Pangbourne

You may have seen in the news that Pangbourne Meadow has officially been designated as a national bathing water spot. While this is a positive step that means the Environment Agency will now test the water weekly, designation does not automatically mean the water is always clean or safe.

Local environmental campaigns and MPs have raised serious concerns about water quality in the area. Specifically, the River Pang, which flows directly into the Thames just above the Pangbourne bathing site, is highly vulnerable to pollution. Upstream issues—including untreated sewage discharges and storm overflows from water treatment works—mean that bacteria levels can spike rapidly, particularly after heavy rainfall.

• Check Before They Dip: If your teen plans to paddle or swim at the meadows, please encourage them to check live sewage discharge trackers (such as the Thames Water status map or the Surfers Against Sewage app) before entering the water.

• The "After-Rain" Rule: Avoid the water entirely for at least 48 hours after heavy rain, as agricultural runoff and overflow pollution are at their highest during these times.

Festival Season: Managing the Risks

For many secondary school students, attending their first day-festival or weekend camping event is a rite of passage. While these events are about music and memories, peer pressure and crowded environments require careful preparation. Some suggested actions:

• The "Group Plan" is Non-Negotiable: Before they pass through the gates, ensure your child has an agreed-upon meeting point with their friends in case they lose phone signal or battery. Never leave the main festival site or walk home alone.

• Substance Awareness and Peer Pressure: Festivals can expose young people to alcohol and illegal substances, including highly unpredictable synthetic drugs. Have open, honest conversations about how to say no, and emphasise that they should never accept drinks or substances from strangers.

• The Vulnerability of Exhaustion: Dehydration, lack of sleep, and intense heat make teenagers highly vulnerable. Remind them to pace themselves, drink plenty of water, and look out for their peers.

Keeping the Lines of Communication Open

The most effective way to keep our students safe this summer is to ensure they can talk to you without the fear of getting into trouble. Make sure your child knows that if a situation goes wrong—whether they are at a festival or find themselves peer-pressured near the river—their safety is your absolute priority and they can call you for help no matter what.

Mr Mark Skidmore, Deputy Head Pastoral