Friday 6 November 2026
Head’s Update
MHEG Merger Completed
I am delighted to announce that we have now completed our merger with the Mill Hill Education Group and are now a fully-fledged MHEG school. At a time of considerable change across the independent education sector, highlighted starkly in Dorset last week, joining an established and financially robust charitable education group provides Pangbourne with greater financial resilience, access to shared expertise and resources, and the confidence to plan and invest for the long term. As Antony Spencer, CEO of Mill Hill Education Group, explains:
"We believe that schools flourish when they retain their individual character while benefiting from the collective strength, expertise and resources of a wider group."
There is a note below on Bank Account changes as a result of the merger. Please do read this section carefully.
Christmas Market this Saturday
A final reminder that we have our bumper Christmas Market this Saturday. It looks set to be the biggest and best one yet and I want to extend my thanks to T Roberts and the entire organising committee for all their hard work. I also want to thank all involved in donating such fabulous gifts to the raffle - they are exceptional and it is definitely worth buying a ticket or two. Thank you also to all members of the College team who have helped with the event and to all families who will be coming to support it tomorrow.
Parent Survey
Thank you to all parents who took part in the recent survey and took the time to share their thoughts and ideas. We are meeting with the Parent Ambassadors next week to review the findings and will then feedback the main action points.
Best wishes,
Oliver Knight
Notices (Please click on the + sign to expand for full information)
All Pupils & Parents: Years 7- Upper Sixth
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Join us on tomorrow, Saturday 7 November from 10:00 for our new look Christmas Market.
It’s back and better than ever, featuring even more festive stalls packed with unique gifts, handcrafted crafts and seasonal treats. With plenty of food stalls to enjoy and a fantastic raffle offering prizes worth up to £500, it's the perfect opportunity to get ahead with your Christmas shopping and soak up some festive atmosphere.
All proceeds and funds raised at the Christmas Market support:
- The Transforming Futures Programme: Providing life-changing Sixth Form 100% bursaries to young people who would otherwise be unable to benefit from a Pangbourne College education.
- The Pangbourne College Community Fund: Supporting local educational charities and community projects across the region.
Together, these initiatives empower deserving young people, broaden access and create a lasting social impact across the local community.Accessibility note: For visitors with mobility difficulties, please be aware that access to the Sports Hall is via steps. Drake Hall is fully accessible.
Parking: Free parking - Please follow parking signage
We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday for a wonderful festive day!
Mrs T Roberts - Christmas Market Lead
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The Remembrance Day College Service and Parade will be taking place on Sunday 8 November, please find information about the schedule for the morning here.
There will also be a screen in the Mess Hall showing the Service taking place in Chapel for any visitors who would like to watch.
Just a reminder that all students are expected to have a paper poppy for Remembrance Sunday and for the two minute silence on Wednesday.
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Come along and support our Girls’ 1st XI as they take on St Edward’s at home under the lights on the Jubilee Astro.
Pushback is at 18:00 and refreshments will be available. It promises to be a great occasion, so do come along and cheer the girls on!
Mr Joe Mills - Director of Sport
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Christmas Lights Switch On - Tuesday 1 December
On Tuesday 1 December the College Christmas Lights will be turned on at 16:45. Parents are warmly welcomed to join us for this event from 16:30 onwards. Further details to follow.
Christmas Jumper Day - Thursday 10 December
On Thursday 10 December it will be Christmas Jumper Day and all pupils and staff are welcome to come into school in a Christmas jumper of their choice for a charitable donation of £1. The money will go towards the College Community Fund and Transforming Futures Campaign.
The Christmas jumpers are to be worn with No. 2s uniform and instead of the usual blue jumper.
Carol Service - Friday 11 December
The Christmas Carol Service will be taking place on Friday 11 December at 11:15 - 12:30. The link for parents to attend the Carol Service will be released in next week’s newsletter (Friday 13 November) and will be available on a first come, first served basis and are limited to two tickets per family. All students are expected to attend the Carol Service in the Chapel.
We kindly ask that parents only book tickets if they know they are able to attend to avoid disappointment for other parents.
The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube for any parents unable to attend and the link will be shared closer to the event.
End of Term - Friday 11 December
Buses into the College will operate as normal on the morning of Friday 11 December
The dress code for the last day of Term is No.1 uniform for Year 9 - Upper Sixth and No.2 uniform for Dunbar.
Term will finish straight after the end of the Carol Service at 12:30. Shuttle buses to the station will leave at 12:40. Please note: there will be no other return buses operating at the end of term. Please ensure parents make the necessary arrangements. If there are any issues, please contact bursaryadmin@pangbourne.com before 30 November.
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Tickets are now available to watch our upcoming College Production of The Three Musketeers. You can book your tickets here.
The performances will be taking place at 19:30 in Drake Hall on the following dates:
Tuesday 9 February
Wednesday 10 February 2027
There will be refreshments available before the performance and during the interval. We look forward to welcoming you!
Ms Rebecca Atack - Head of Drama
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2025-26 was a remarkable year for the College and its community. Read the brand new edition of The Pangbournian, celebrating stories from inspirational Old Pangbournians, such as Jess Rowe’s Pacific odyssey, to stories that honour tradition, embrace change and celebrate all of the Pangbournians who inspire us.
The 2026 edition shines a light on the people, stories and shared spirit that make our Pangbournian Community so special.
View The Pangbournian Magazine 2026 here.
Mrs Lucinda Grafton - Director of Development & Community
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Coding for Change Society
The Coding for Change Society has had a busy and productive start to the year. We began by building our own traffic light circuits, then connected them to our laptops and programmed them to run a range of different scenarios, with the Upper Sixth on hand to guide the younger years through the coding. Building on this, we are now using micro:bits to send messages between devices. Rather like Morse code, each letter is converted into a number using a standard code called ASCII, sent as a series of signals and then decoded back into text on the receiving micro:bit. These hands-on projects have shown us how hardware and software work together and we look forward to more ambitious ones as the year progresses.
Taha (Upper Sixth)
The Coding Society has been a good opportunity for me to develop and improve my programming skills. During our sessions, I have been able to practise a range of coding techniques, tackle different challenges and develop my understanding of programming. Each session allows me to build on what I have learnt and identify areas where I can improve. I feel that the society is helping me make good progress and become much more confident and prepared for my GCSE exams.
Anna (Year 11)
Maths Challenge Society
I’ve been loving being part of the Maths Challenge Society. We work through multiple hard maths questions and if we don't know how to do them it’s always interesting learning how. Sometimes we work on our own but sometimes we work in pairs or small groups. It’s good to learn how other people might approach the questions so we can try and understand their methods.
Sophie (Year 9)
In Maths Challenge Society we are beginning to practice for the team rounds. We have previously answered some questions from 2013 and 2012 and made some good progress. Now, we are learning how each of the team Maths Challenge rounds will work and are doing some practice questions with great success. We are all excited for the real competition next year.
Alex (Year 9)
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This week, we received 50 saplings from the National Trust for Dunbar Adventure pupils to plant, creating a new copse alongside our existing Hesperus Woods. We hope this will become a lasting reminder of their time at the College as they continue to learn and care for the forest we operate in.
Development continues with our winter air rifle and axe throwing site as we build a dynamic and interchangeable range for pupils activities in preparation for the NRSA YPS scheme.
Mr Alex Unsworth - Head of Adventure
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With Trial exams looming and the increasing desire of pupils for clinic support, we will be changing around the lunch entry times to allow the Year 11 and Upper Sixth students to get lunch and then attend a clinic from 13:15. Lunch entry times will be as follows from Monday 9 November:
From 12:00 - Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils without a lesson in P5
12:45 - Year 11 (main door), Upper Sixth (Devitt end)
12:55 - Dunbar (main door), Year 9 (Devitt end)
13:05 - Year 10 (main door), Lower Sixth (Devitt end)
Mr Mark Seccombe - Senior Deputy Head (Academic)
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From Monday, pupils will be under 'Arctic Order'. Unbranded black or navy coats can be worn over normal uniform (i.e. No.2, PE kit or suits). If pupils are wearing a coat then they must be wearing the No.2 jumper, suit jacket or hoodie/branded 1/4 zip underneath. Coats should be removed when seated indoors (in lessons, Mess Hall, Chapel etc.)
Pupils wearing coats with excessive branding or colour, or who are not wearing the correct layers underneath can expect to have the coats confiscated until the end of the College Day.
Mr Mark Seccombe - Senior Deputy Head (Academic)
All Parents:
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As part of our merger with Mill Hill Education Group, we will be changing our bank details. The new details are as follows:
Account Name: The Mill Hill School Foundation Pangbourne College Business Current Account
Account Number: 60862653
Sort Code: 60-14-27
Please pay any funds for school fees or other payments into this new account. Our old account will remain open for a short period of time, but will be closed as a normal part of the merger process, so it would be much appreciated if you could start using the new account for payments going forward.
We are aware of various scam emails that circulate pretending to be from a school asking parents to pay into a new bank account, so please call us on the normal school number should you wish to verify any bank details. Thank you.
Mr Jamie Morton - Director of Finance
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Please find the link here for the recording of the parent webinar that was held on Wednesday 4 November, 19:00 - 19:45. Passcode: Yy.T=$^2
This webinar was hosted by Mrs Elly Hayward, Assistant Head Pupil Expertise to explain what the VESPA education mindset is and how we are applying the principles across all key stages of the school. It also outlined how parents can support their child from home with VESPA with particular focus to completing Prep and preparing for exams.
Mrs Amelia Athendriou - PA to Senior Teaching Staff
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The Parent Ambassador Team is excited to share the upcoming dates for our Wreath Making Workshops. Run by a professional wreath maker and former Pangbourne parent, you will be provided with all the materials and guidance you need to go home with a beautiful traditional wreath whilst also supporting the College's Transforming Futures programme. Refreshments included.
The events will be on Tuesday 8 December (evening) and Wednesday 9 December (morning) in the College Cricket Pavillion.
Book your tickets below:
Mrs Fraza-Jane Robins - Year 7 Parent Ambassador
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Join us for the Pangbourne College 110th Anniversary Community Ball on Saturday 5 June 2027 - a landmark celebration bringing together our vibrant College community. Enjoy an unforgettable evening of drinks, dinner and dancing while helping us raise vital funds for the Transforming Futures Bursary Programme and the Pangbourne Community Fund, creating life-changing opportunities for young people.
Tickets are at a cost of £130 and can be purchased as individuals, pairs or tables of ten. Please note - ticket sales close on Thursday 17 December.
Get your tickets here.
Mrs Lucinda Grafton - Director of Development & Community
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Need to keep hungry guests happy before Christmas dinner? Stock up on festive canapés with handmade favourites from COOK like Sensational Sausage Rolls, Duck & Hoisin Puffs and Smoked Salmon Pinwheels, all ready to cook straight from the freezer. Enter today - the draw closes on 30 November!
Visit our Pangbournian Benefits page for more details.
Mrs Lucinda Grafton, Director of Development and Community
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I do hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Half Term break, and it would seem that Autumn has suddenly arrived and the temperature has finally dropped after what felt like an exceptionally hot summer. With the colder temperatures in mind, just a reminder that whilst pupils are welcome to wear hats/coats/scarves into school. Underlayers are also the order of the day, and pupils are welcome to wear additional thermal layers under their uniform/games kit. The navy ‘woolly-pully’ jumper can be worn over the navy shirt for No. 2 uniform, and should be in school for uniform inspections as I will come to shortly. I have also purchased a selection of black socks from TKMaxx available to issue to anyone who has forgotten their dark socks for the princely sum of £1 per pair.
Computer games in Dunbar
Whilst the occasional use of laptops for gaming can be an enjoyable and sociable activity, I am keen to ensure that this does not become problematic and I have therefore decided (in consultation with several of my senior colleagues) that games such as Minecraft etc, may only be played during the lunchtime break on Fridays and only by pupils who have managed to avoid receiving a negative on Classcharts during that week, in order to ensure that it does not impact on their academic work. I spoke to the pupils about this at the start of the week and I hope this will provide an incentive to keep on top of their studies, whilst still allowing limited access to a pastime which a number of the pupils enjoy. Obviously any games played on laptops must be age appropriate, and feel free to discuss this issue with your son or daughter.
Remembrance Sunday
Just for clarity, I thought I would reiterate that Dunbar pupils (other than those in the Marching Band) are not required to attend College Parades (and this includes the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade this weekend). Nevertheless they (and you) are most welcome, and the Remembrance Sunday Parade is always a special event in the College calendar.
Dunbar Pantomime Trip & Disco
I have managed to secure tickets again for this year’s pantomime performance of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on Friday 4 December. The permission form for this event will be circulated nearer the time, but at this stage I just wanted to make everyone aware. The show starts at 13:30, and pupils may be collected either from Newbury Corn Exchange at the end of the performance, from the College when we return or at the end of the day if preferred. Buses will run as normal on that day, so pupils may also stay in school until then or indeed remain in school if they are boarding on that night.
The Dunbar Disco will be taking place on the evening of Wednesday 9 December from 19:00 - 21:00. More details will follow closer to the time.
Lost stamps
On Monday evening, I found a small selection of unusual vintage stamps by the front door of Dunbar and I wonder if they might have been dropped from someone’s wallet at pick-up. They appear to be vintage pre-decimal stamps and may well have some value - either monetary or sentimental - so please contact me if you think they may be yours. I am no philatelist, so they will remain on my desk until claimed.
Dunbar Inspection timings
To help with logistics/polishing, I thought I would let all parents know that the weekly Dunbar Assembly and uniform inspection takes place on a Tuesday afternoon in the ‘Division Activity’ slot which until recently was being used for Div Music rehearsals. During this time we celebrate the achievements of the previous week, look ahead to future events and we also have a senior member of the College as a visiting inspector. The pupils are arranged in their Divisions within the Dunbar dayroom, and each Division is scored out of 10 on the quality of their uniform and shoes. Shoes are expected to be clean and polished, so Monday evening would be the ideal time for your son or daughter to carry out this task. They are also expected to wear their full No.2 uniform for the inspection, including their jumpers, so I would be very grateful for your assistance in ensuring these are with them in College for this day, although this becomes far easier to enforce as the weather gets colder.
I wish everyone a pleasant weekend and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Dr Ian Hart - Head of Junior House (Dunbar)
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The School Immunisation Team will be visiting Pangbourne on Monday 30 November to offer the flu vaccination to all students from Year 7 to Year 11. Please see below further information on the vaccination with a link to the electronic consent form, the Immunisation Team would be grateful if you could complete the form whether giving or refusing consent so they are aware of your preference.
If you have any queries or questions please call the Immunisation Team on the telephone number included in the information below.
Please view the consent form here.
Mrs Sue Smith - Senior Nurse
Year 7 - 9
Year 10 - 11
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As I am sure you are all aware, and from the conversations which I have had with quite a few of you over the past week, we are really on the long, slow, uphill grind of Year 11 at the moment. Courses are still being completed, prep is still being set, Trials 1 are looming, it's now dark when it's time to go home - life can feel pretty overwhelming for many, and that's not just for Year 11 but parents too! Please encourage your child to keep doing things that bring them joy or relaxation - attending a firework display over the weekend, walking the dog, playing sport, baking, lighting a fire and watching TV - whatever it is. Despite the pressure our educational system creates, it is really important that we try to seek balance wherever possible. If it creates any reassurance, past experience tells me that the next few weeks are absolutely the hardest part of the entire year; once the Christmas holidays come everything starts to feel a lot more manageable again. Hopefully this provides everyone with some hope.
Next Wednesday at 19:00, Ms Kaur and I will be delivering a webinar aimed entirely at Year 11 parents which is about Sixth Form choices. This will last for about 30 minutes and run through the various options available to our students - A Levels vs BTECs. Running alongside this, on Wednesday morning between 08:00-09:00, we will have a drop-in informal session in the cafe, where Ms Kaur, Mrs Hayward and I will all be available to answer any questions which you may have about Careers, Future Pathways and Sixth Form. This drop in session will be repeated on Friday 20th November between 16:00-17:00, in the Sixth Form Centre. Please see the separate notice about this and sign up to let us know you if you are able to join us.
As ever, please do stay in touch and communicate with your child's tutor if you have any concerns.
Mrs Abbie Stephenson - Head of KS4
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We are very keen to provide support to our Year 11 pupils regarding their plans for their future post GCSE. We want to ensure that your child is well equipped for their choice of Sixth form programme of study as well as looking beyond Pangbourne to ensure they are set up well for the future. In the last few weeks, all pupils in Year 11 have had a careers and future pathways interview with one of our senior members of staff. You should have received an email summarising the key points from the meeting with your child (please contact elly.hayward@pangbourne.com if you have not received this). We would now like to invite you to come in person and talk to senior members of staff informally as well as the option to make an appointment to talk at the Parents meeting on Wednesday 2 December. We will be holding some drop in coffee sessions on the following dates and times:
Morning:
Wednesday 11 November 08:00 - 09:00 (cafe)
Afternoon:
Friday 20 November 16:45 - 17:30 (Sixth Form Centre)
We would love to answer any questions you may have and to discuss your child's plans further so that we can ensure we are supporting them through this process. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Please register your interest in attending via the Google form here.
Mrs Abbie Stephenson - Head of Key Stage 4, Mrs Elly Hayward - Assistant Head, Pupil Expertise and Ms Indy Kaur - Head of Sixth Form
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This webinar will take place from 19:00 - 19:45 on Wednesday 11 November. You will hear from Ms Kaur (Head of Sixth Form) and Mrs Stephenson (Head of Key Stage 4) who will talk you through the process of selecting Sixth Form subjects - the timelines involved as well as the difference between A Levels and BTECS and how doing a combination of both can be a great option for many of our students. They will also talk about additional qualifications for example the EPQ and Core Maths.
You can join the webinar here.
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I hope that Year 10 have had a restful Half Term. We shall be working hard with them over the course of this term to ensure the three core revision techniques (flashcards, quizzing and past paper practice) are all cemented as systems in their revision armoury, so that by the time they leave for the Christmas holidays they have some good systems in place in preparation for their assessments in January. These were techniques we discussed in the revision strategies webinar before Half Term, please see here for the webinar link, if you want to know more. Passcode: C3e62=ye
Mrs Abbie Stephenson - Head of KS4
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We are keen to begin conversations with our Year 10 students and parents regarding their Future Pathways into Sixth form here at Pangbourne College. During this Half Term, senior members of staff will be meeting with Year 10 students 1:1 to discuss their future pathway at Pangbourne. In addition to our Year 10 Parents Introduction to Sixth Form event on Tuesday 16 March, we would like to extend an invitation to parents to discover what Pangbourne Sixth Form has to offer.
We will be available on the below dates to answer any questions you may have and to discuss your child's plans further so that we can ensure we are supporting them through this process. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Morning:
Wednesday 18 November 08:00 - 09:00 (Café)
Afternoon:
Friday 20 November 16:45 - 17:30 (Sixth Form Centre)Please register your interest in attending by using the Google form here.
Mrs Abbie Stephenson - Head of Key Stage 4, Mrs Elly Hayward - Assistant Head, Pupil Expertise and Ms Indy Kaur - Head of Sixth Form
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The School Immunisation Team will be visiting Pangbourne on Monday 30 November to offer the flu vaccination to all students from Year 7 to Year 11. Please click below for further information on the vaccination and also includes a link to the electronic consent form. The Immunisation Team would be grateful if you could complete the form whether giving or refusing consent so they are aware of your preference.
If you have any queries or questions please call the Immunisation Team on the telephone number included in the information below.
Please view the consent form here.
Mrs Sue Smith - Senior Nurse
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We are organising a CCF Range Day at Ash Ranges, Pirbright, for senior cadets in Years 11-13. This will provide an opportunity for cadets to undertake live firing under the supervision of qualified staff and complete the 2 - 4* shooting syllabus.
Transport will be provided from Pangbourne College to the ranges and back, with cadets returning to the College in the evening.
Cadets will need to bring a packed lunch, sufficient drinks and snacks for the day. Please ensure that no food containing nuts is brought.
Further details, including timings and equipment requirements, will be provided to those attending.
Parents wishing to register their child's attendance should complete the form using the link below.
The registration form will close on Saturday 14 November. Unfortunately, we will be unable to accept late registrations due to the administrative and safety requirements associated with live firing.
Use the link here to sign up.
Mr Matt Heaven - Contingent Commander CCF
Sixth Form
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Please see here for the revision guidance and Trials timetable (w/c 23 November). There is no study leave this week: all students expected at College as normal. BTEC lessons will continue as normal with A Level lessons collapsed. Students will be using their time to revise and access support from teachers. All co-curricular activities will be running as normal and all students will be expected to attend.
Ms Indy Kaur - Head of Sixth Form
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Newdays Pharmacy will be offering a private flu vaccination service for all Sixth Form students on Monday 16 November.
Please note that the recommended nasal spray flu vaccine for under-18s is only available through the NHS school immunisation programme and cannot be provided privately. Newdays Pharmacy can instead offer an injectable, inactivated flu vaccine as an alternative.
The cost is £20 for the standard egg-based vaccine or £28.50 for an egg-free, cell-based vaccine. This charge can be paid directly by credit card on the day or by adding to the school bill.
Parents should be aware of the difference between the two vaccine types when deciding whether to proceed with private vaccination. Any preferences should be communicated to the Health CentrePlease could you return the consent form to the Health Centre by Friday 13 November and indicate how you would like to pay for the vaccine. The Health Centre email is: hc@pangbourne.com
Please see the consent form here.
Mrs Sue Smith - Senior Nurse
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We are organising a CCF Range Day at Ash Ranges, Pirbright, for senior cadets in Years 11–13. This will provide an opportunity for cadets to undertake live firing under the supervision of qualified staff and complete the 2 - 4* shooting syllabus.
Transport will be provided from Pangbourne College to the ranges and back, with cadets returning to the College in the evening.
Cadets will need to bring a packed lunch, sufficient drinks and snacks for the day. Please ensure that no food containing nuts is brought.
Further details, including timings and equipment requirements, will be provided to those attending.
Parents wishing to register their child's attendance should complete the form using the link below.
The registration form will close on Saturday 14 November. Unfortunately, we will be unable to accept late registrations due to the administrative and safety requirements associated with live firing.
Use the link here to sign up.
Mr Matt Heaven - Contingent Commander CCF
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Please view the letter here with more information regarding the proposed trip to Uganda in July 2027.
Mr James Capel - Head of Geography
Saturday 7 November, 10:00 - 15:00
Community Christmas Market
Community
Sunday 8 November, 08:30 - 12:00
Remembrance Sunday Service & College Parade
Community
Sunday 8 November, 14:00 - 15:00
College Marching Band in Village for Remembrance Parade
Marching Band, Community
Wednesday 11 November, 08:00 - 09:00
Year 11 Parents Careers and Future Pathways Interview Follow Up
Parents, Year 11, Cafe
Wednesday 11 November, 19:00 - 19:45
Wednesday Webinar for Parents: The Sixth Form Choices Process
Parents, Year 11, Academic
Thursday 12 November, All Day
A Level Chemistry Live
Sixth Form, London, Academic, Trips
Saturday 14 November, 08:30 - 13:30
Year 7 2027 & Year 9 2029 Assessment and Activities Day
External, Admissions
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK
History Trip to Berlin
Our pupils are now back from an incredible four days exploring Berlin, discovering its rich history and experiencing its vibrant culture.
Some of the highlights included visiting the German Bundestag and its iconic glass dome, exploring landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe as well as learning about life in former East Germany at the DDR Museum.
They also travelled to Sachsenhausen Memorial for a thought-provoking visit, explored the Berlin Wall and East Side Gallery, and heard an excellent talk about the famous Honecker-Brezhnev kiss mural.
Beyond history, they enjoyed a visit to Berlin Zoo, an exciting ice hockey match between Eisbären Berlin and Red Bull München, and the spectacular Berlin Festival of Lights, which illuminated the city's landmarks with incredible projections.
Mr Anthony Hammond - Head of KS3 and History Teacher
Archive Room Opening
Pangbourne College has officially unveiled its new dedicated Archive Suite, celebrating its rich heritage with the opening of the Lionel Stephens Archive and the Harry Sykes Room. Situated on the second floor of Devitt House, the custom-designed suite was created by transforming two former Harbinger cabins into a modern, welcoming space dedicated to preserving and sharing the College’s unique history.
The opening ceremony brought together a distinguished group of guests with deep ties to Pangbourne’s past. Among those attending were the daughters of former Headmasters Peter Points and Anthony Hudson, alongside Dee Wright, a veteran of the Falklands conflict and a cherished regular guest at the annual Falklands Memorial Service. Special guests of honour included Lionel Stephens’ son, Nick Stephens and his wife, Anni.
The event commenced in The Lewis Room, where visitors had the opportunity to view a curated selection of notable items from the collection. Guests then proceeded upstairs to Devitt House for the official opening.
Nick Stephens had the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the new archive rooms. In his address, he shared that his father would have been thrilled to see that the excellent work he began to care for and preserve the College’s past is continuing with such care and passion.
The upgraded suite represents a major step forward in the preservation of the College’s historical assets. The new facilities provide a safe environment to properly care for delicate documents, photographs, and artifacts. Equally importantly, the space improves accessibility for members of the Pangbournian Community, researchers, and visitors exploring their family connections to the school.
Pangbourne takes immense pride in its history and traditions. With these dedicated archive rooms now open, the College looks forward to showcasing its fascinating past and helping future generations connect with the remarkable individuals who have passed through its doors.
Mrs Sue Carpenter - Senior Development Officer
Cadets Step Up to the Challenge on JCIC
Twelve senior cadets from Pangbourne and Denefield gave up their weekend and the first few days of their half-term holiday to take part in the four-day Junior Cadet Instructor Cadre (JCIC), held from 17 to 20 October.
Held across Pangbourne College and Bramley Training Area, the residential course provided senior cadets with the theory behind delivering lessons and the practical skills and confidence to instruct junior cadets in the future.
Throughout the four days, the cadets developed their instructional techniques before putting them into practice. To gain the qualification, each cadet had to deliver both theory and practical lessons to their peers, demonstrating that they could plan, explain and teach effectively.
It was a demanding few days and the cadets worked incredibly hard. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow as the course progressed and to watch them support and encourage one another.
All 12 cadets successfully passed the qualification.
A brilliant achievement and one they should all be very proud of. We certainly are.
Major Matt Heaven - Contingent Commander
Adelaide Turns One
This week, Adelaide celebrated turning one. The boarders celebrated with Domino’s pizza and a caterpillar cake. It’s been a fantastic first year for Adelaide with so much more to come. This is just the beginning.
Mr Ed Williams - Head of Adelaide
Academic Trip: Professor Alice Roberts ‘From Cells to Civilisation’
On Tuesday night, we went to see a lecture by Professor Alice Roberts, From Cells to Civilisation. I found the lecture really interesting and engaging, particularly as it covered topics we have not studied so far this year. My favourite part of the lecture was when Professor Roberts displayed a timeline showing artistic reconstructions of all of the Homo genus species up until the Homo Sapiens. It was a fascinating evening and my fellow Year 9 pupils and I greatly enjoyed and appreciated the experience.
Alexa - Year 9 Academic Scholar
SPORT
Henley Half Marathon
Well done to Maisie (Lower Sixth) and Mr Quentin for completing the Henley Half Marathon during Half Term. It was a beautifully sunny day for it. Massive congratulations to Maisie for winning the U18 category.
Nationals Schools Shooting Competition
Finley had a fantastic day at the National Schools Shooting Competition in Half Term. Competing in the South East 10m Intermediate Sporter section, Finley finished 2nd in the qualifier before going on to secure bronze in the finals that afternoon. This brilliant result also means he has qualified for the National Championships in February next year. A great performance, securing a place at Nationals. Well done, Finley.
Mr Joe Mills - Director of Sport
Girls’ Hockey: Lord Wandsworth College Super 7s Tournament
The U15 girls’ finished the Half Term in excellent form, winning four of their five matches at the Lord Wandsworth College tournament.
We got off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 win against Christ’s Hospital, followed by another strong victory over St Mary’s Ascot. A further 3-0 win against Bedales School made it three wins from three, with the girls playing some excellent attacking hockey.
Our toughest test came against the hosts, Lord Wandsworth College. Despite creating numerous chances and putting their defence under considerable pressure, we couldn't find an equaliser after conceding an early goal. We bounced back brilliantly in our final match against Gordon’s School, securing a 3-2 victory thanks to goals from Genny (2) and Amelia.
There were plenty of individual highlights. Sabrina was outstanding in goal, Thea and Izzy P were solid in defence, and Darcey, Alice, Eva and Chloe all made valuable contributions. Izzy B and Amelia also enjoyed excellent tournaments, contributing some great goals.
Player of the Tournament – Genny
Genny was exceptional throughout the day, combining an outstanding work rate with determination, enthusiasm and some fantastic goals. She was a constant threat going forward and worked tirelessly for the team. A thoroughly deserved award!
Overall, a brilliant team performance and a great way to finish the half term. Well done to the whole team!
Mr Otis Williams - Hockey Coach
Girls’ Hockey U16A vs Bradfield College and Wellington College
The girls’ played their first indoor fixtures of the season away against both Bradfield College and Wellington College. The girls started well despite having only had two training sessions. We had a clear shape and attacked well down the right hand side. Caitlin eliminated players with ease on the right hand side and created opportunities for us to take the lead. We impressed early and Bradfield were shocked. They grew into the game and came back strong, putting pressure on our defence. By half time the scores were level. We worked hard to create options on the left side using the board which worked well, and we were rewarded with early goals in the second half. We came out on top winning 6-3.
Our next game was against Wellington. We saw Wellington play Bradfield and they looked very strong. We identified their key player and set up accordingly. We did a brilliant job and started the game well to create a great opportunity on the left side of the D. Sadly we couldn't apply the final touch. The game carried on with few opportunities for either side. Wellington went ahead breaking through our defence just before half time. In the second half we fought back and had more opportunities but struggled to find the final pass. The game finished 2-1 to Wellington but the team did a brilliant job.
This means we qualified for the regionals in November.
Mr William Main - Hockey Coach
Boys’ 1st XV Rugby vs Claires Court School
The opening 20 minutes of the match were a tense affair, with both teams creating early chances before Claires Court drew first blood off the tee. Pangbourne quickly mounted a period of sustained pressure, crossing for a well worked try. The battle continued to be a close encounter after the break, with both sides showcasing sharp attacking plays and clinical finishes. However, Claires Court found their extra gear when it mattered most in the closing stages. Crossing the line twice, late in the second half, they sealed a hard fought win to advance to the next round of the National Vase competition.
Mr Ben Sainsbury - Director of Rugby
Pangbourne Equestrian qualify for Nationals again!
Lizzie S put in a good performance in the 70cm class, narrowly missing out on qualification placing 5th - only the top four qualify. Lola H completed a good round of jumping in her first attempt.
The equestrian team of Lizzie S, Pippa P, Izzy S and Sofia J delivered four superb clear rounds, very close to the optimum time at Rectory Farm to take the win and qualify for the Arena Eventing Championships at Hickstead next May. Lizzie placed 3rd individually (qualified), closely followed by Izzy and Sofia who both finished within the top ten. Lola H, rode well and is our reserve rider for the Championships.
Sofia continued her good form to take a podium finish in the 90cm despite Mother Nature throwing the elements at her. This again has earned her another place at the Arena Eventing Championships at Hickstead next May.
Mrs Stacey Donnison - Director of Riding
Divisional Updates
Harbinger
After a productive yet fun Half Term, Harbinger is back into the swing of things. During the first week back there has been a heavy focus on Parade in preparation for Remembrance Sunday. Harbinger have been doing extra Parade practice and shoe musters to help get ready for the day.
This week also marks the beginning of preparations for upcoming Trial exams so students will be hard at work in the coming weeks.
Harvey and Clara - Chief Cadet Captains of Harbinger
Hesperus
We hope everyone has had a lovely and relaxing October Half Term. We’re so excited to have everyone back in College to get stuck into another busy and exciting Half Term for Hesperus.
There is plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks, with lots of opportunities to get involved, support one another and show our Hesperus spirit. We have some exciting sporting events coming up, including Div Hockey and Rugby, as well as Div Rowing. These events are a fantastic opportunity to represent the College, support our teams and show what being part of Hesperus is all about.
As always, we encourage everyone to get involved, support their friends and make the most of the opportunities ahead. Whether you’re competing, cheering from the sidelines or taking part in house activities, every contribution makes a difference.
Alex and Phoebe - Chief Cadet Captains of Hesperus
Illawarra
It has been an action-packed week in Illawara. Leading our celebrations this week is a huge congratulations to Maisie Stephenson, who completed the Reading half marathon! Her consistent dedication and enthusiasm for sports has been fantastic to see, setting a great example for her peers.
The common room has been buzzing with friendly competition and focus throughout the week. Tactical showdowns have taken centre stage, ranging from intense, serious games of chess to animated Connect 4 matches that keep everyone entertained during break.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the Division has turned its attention to preparation for the Remembrance parade. Full shoe musters have been underway at lunch, ensuring that every member steps out looking sharp as we mark this important occasion.
Finn and Amelia - Chief Cadet Captains of Illawarra
Macquarie
It has been lovely to see everyone back in Division after the two week Half Term break. It sounds as though there has been a real mixture of activities over the holiday. Some enjoyed a more restful break, while others certainly made the most of the time. It has been great to hear stories from CCF camp, the Bronze DofE expedition and what sounds like a fantastic trip to Berlin. There have also been tales of family holidays, as well as many pupils getting stuck into revision ahead of the upcoming Trial exams.
Much of this week has been dedicated to preparations for Remembrance Sunday. This is an incredibly important occasion in the school calendar, and one on which we want Macquarie to look particularly smart and represent the Division and College with pride. It is therefore more important than ever that uniforms are immaculate. We would ask everyone to take this seriously, checking their uniform carefully and making sure they arrive on Sunday morning looking smart and well groomed.
Finally, over Half Term, our Divisional study rooms have had a makeover. They are looking smart and refreshed, providing a welcoming space for students to settle down, focus and get some work done, as well as enjoy a little downtime outside lessons.
A busy and positive start to the second half of term. There is lots to look forward to over the coming weeks and we are excited to see what the rest of the term brings.
Grace and George - Chief Cadet Captains of Macquarie
Heads of Divisions and Email Addresses:
Harbinger: Mrs Candice Greenly - harbinger@pangbourne.com
Hesperus: Mrs Laura Besley-Piggott - hesperus@pangbourne.com
Illawarra: Mrs Dona Poitrat Rachmaninoff - illawarra@pangbourne.com
Macquarie: Mrs Steph Kingsland - macquarie@pangbourne.com
Dunbar: Dr Ian Hart - dunbar@pangbourne.com
Boarding Updates
The next boarding update will be on Friday 13 November.
Heads of Boarding Houses and Email Addresses:
Adelaide (boys) - Mr Ed Williams - adelaide@pangbourne.com
Port Jackson (boys) - Mr Paul Radford - portjackson@pangbourne.com
St George - Mrs Debbie Atkins - stgeorge@pangbourne.com