Friday 07 February 2025
Head’s Weekly Update
It has been another extremely busy week here and the College has been humming with activity.
Everyone is definitely ready for the Half Term and some down time with family. If I don’t see you beforehand, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and relaxing break when it comes.
Prospective Family Events
Thank you to all the parents who have been recommending Pangbourne. High demand for the 2026 academic year and beyond have necessitated additional prospective family events this term as well as an increase to the number of places available. Pangbourne has the potential to be the best school in the country and we are starting to see a big uplift in interest.
Campus 2030 Phase 1 Consultation Feedback Broadcast
The fundamental purpose of our Campus 2030 Master Plan is to provide current and future Pangbournians with a world-class experience. As I said during Tuesday’s broadcast, we were extremely lucky to secure Sian Jones as she is currently fully booked helping schools as they merge and restructure. Thank you to all parents who either joined live or watched the recording. The broadcast link, consultation summary and key dates can all be found below in NOTICES.
A number of parents have fed back that it was helpful and demonstrated the College’s commitment to a meaningful consultation and the depth of work going on behind the scenes. All of our decision-making is driven by lifting the student experience and enhancing their time at the College. I appreciate there is understandable uncertainty about the transition but learning to both overcome and navigate change is a crucial part of emerging from childhood into adulthood. Humans, and particularly children, are remarkably resilient and adaptable and I am confident that by October Half Term 2025 the College will be providing a far stronger educational experience for our students.
Coffee with the Head
I thoroughly enjoyed the first event this morning (7/2/25) and being held to account over the academic life of the College. As these events have proved very popular we will be limiting space to one representative per family to enable as many families as possible to attend across the spectrum of topics. At the end of the Summer Term I would like to close the loop on these initial meetings by inviting the same groups to reconvene to ensure I have done what I promised.
Advanced Musicians’ Recital
Thursday evening’s event reflected our ambition to make Music the beating heart of the College. The select group of musicians from Sixth Form, Year 10 and 11 performed beautifully with a range of instruments. The Director of Music, Mr Gillthorpe, is even more passionate about Music than I am, and is the driving force behind our desire to become a centre of excellence. I hope you enjoy reading the full event report below.
College Communications
As the primary means for sharing College news and information, I encourage all parents to read to the bottom and review the expandable tabs on the newsletter each week. Previous editions can be accessed in the top navigation under the ‘Newsletters’ tab. Direct communications relating to your child(ren) can be found on My School Portal under the ‘My Child(ren)/School Messages’ tab. If you have any feedback or suggested communications improvements, please email questions@pangbourne.com.
In this newsletter you will find:
Dates for the Diary
College News This Week
Notices
KS3 and KS4 exam information
Sport News
I know I am not allowed to have favourite articles but, as a keen alpinist, I thoroughly recommend reading through Mr Yuille’s post below entitled: High Altitude Trip.
Best wishes
Oliver Knight
COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK
In Monday’s assembly, students and staff watched the highly anticipated ‘Come Dine with Me’ video and the winners were announced. Well done to Harbinger for winning ‘Best Food’, Port Jackson for winning ‘Best Entertainment’, and Illawarra for winning best overall. Watch the full ‘Come Dine with Me’ video on our school YouTube channel.
DIVISIONAL ‘COME DINE WITH ME’ WINNERS!
On Thursday, the Lower Sixth Art set visited the 'Ritual Ecstasy of the Modern' exhibition by Yinka Shonibare at The Base in Newbury. The exhibition consisted of a series of Shonibare's vibrant collaged woodblock prints examining race, class and cultural identities. His work explores the meaning of authenticity and the significance of a multicultural society as the artist draws on his heritage and cultural experiences as a 'Citizen of the World'. As well as having a guided tour of the exhibition and watching a video of the printing process, students were offered the opportunity to visit the resident artists’ studios. All students seized the chance to speak with the artists and ask questions about their creative process. A fun and creative morning for all involved.
LOWER SIXTH ART TRIP TO THE BASE
On Thursday 6 February 2025, the Nancye Harding Recital Hall was filled with music for the annual Advanced Musicians’ Recital. It was fantastic to see such a full and appreciative audience to support the talented musicians who delivered a varied and inspiring programme of solo performances.
The evening showcased a range of musical styles and eras, from musical theatre and jazz to classical piano. The recital opened with Kit (S, 13), who gave a powerful performance of Maria from West Side Story. Verity (SG, 13) followed with a moving rendition of Come away, death by Roger Quilter. Izzy (I, 12) captivated the audience with Close ev’ry door from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, while Camilla (I, 12) delivered a delicate and expressive interpretation of Fair, sweet cruel by Thomas Ford.
Murewa (PJ, 13) impressed with a commanding performance of Prelude No. 2 in C-sharp minor by Gershwin, and James (S, 13) demonstrated great technical skill in Rondo alla Turka from Piano Sonata in A, K.331 by Mozart. Closing the solo performances, Sophia (I, 11) gave an expressive rendition of No Time to Die by Finneas O’Connell.
Framing the solo performances, the Senior Wind and Brass Sinfonia set a lively tone with the Colonel Bogey march by Kenneth J. Alford, and the Jazz Band brought the evening to a rousing conclusion with their energetic renditions of Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder and I’m Still Standing by Elton John.
A huge congratulations to all the musicians for their hard work and dedication, and many thanks to the staff and audience members who made the evening such a resounding success.
ADVANCED MUSICIANS’ RECITAL
Monday 10 February, 19:00
College Production: Opening Night
Drake Hall
Tuesday 11 February, 09:30 - 15:30
Lent Term Sport Team Photos
Chapel
Tuesday 11 February, 13:55 - 14:45
Pangbourne ‘Pudding’ English Competition (Year 7)
Academic
Tuesday 11 February, 19:00
College Production: Middle Night
Drake Hall
Wednesday 12 February, 19:00
College Production: Final Night
Drake Hall
Thursday 13 February, All Day
Team Maths Challenge
Queen Anne’s School, Reading
Thursday 13 February, 11:30 - 12:20
Pangbourne ‘Snack Product’ English Competition (Year 8)
Academic
Friday 14 February, 09:00 - 10:00
’Coffee with The Head’ - Sport & Co-curricular
Head’s Study
Friday 14 February, 16:00
Lower Sixth Parents’ and Guardians’ Meeting
Drake Hall
Monday 24 February, All Day
Year 11 and Upper Sixth Trial Exams Begin (Second Sitting)
Drake Hall
Thursday 27 February, All Day
Lower Sixth Geography Field Trip to London
London
Thursday 27 February, 19:00 - 21:00
Dunbar Inter-watch Competition
NHRH
Saturday 1 March, 19:00 - 22:30
Illawarra Divisional Dinner
Goring and Streatley Golf Club
Sunday 2 March, 12:00 - 16:00
Boarders Trip to Newbury
Boarding
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOTICES
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Further to Tuesday's Campus 2030 Phase 1 Consultation Feedback broadcast on Zoom, please see below links to the recording of the broadcast, along with Sian Jones' Summary Report of the consultation findings and the Campus 2030 Phase 1 Key Dates document.
Recording of Pangbourne Campus 2030 Consultation Feedback broadcast
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We understand how difficult it can be for parents to manage online risks and ensure their children stay safe in the digital world. The internet offers great opportunities for learning and connection, but it also comes with challenges that require awareness and guidance.
To support parents, we recommend these essential steps to help protect children online:
Open Communication – Talk to children about online risks and encourage them to share any concerns.
Parental Controls – Use built-in security settings and parental controls on devices and apps.
Privacy Matters – Teach children to keep personal information private and be mindful of what they share online.
Cyberbullying Awareness – Encourage kindness online and provide support if they experience or witness cyberbullying.
Screen Time Balance – Set healthy limits on screen time and promote offline activities.
If you’re looking for further guidance, these webinars could provide valuable insights and practical tips: Online Safety for Parents
Another useful resource: My Family’s Digital Toolkit
By staying informed and proactive, we can create a safer online space for children.
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Tickets for the College Production are free. Please follow the links below to register for your tickets.
Tickets for Opening Night (10 February 2025)
Tickets for Middle Night (11 February 2025)
Tickets for Final Night (12 February 2025)
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As part of Pangbourne's adventure offering, we are planning a 'High Altitude Trip' in 2026, a week long expedition which will involve climbing a mountain of approximately 4000m and will be open to pupils in Year 10 and above (current Year 9 and above). This is to enhance our adventure curriculum which seeks to "provide exposure to experiences and activities that will develop our young people into confident, responsible adults". At this stage we want to assess levels of interest and are considering two destinations:
1) The Alps which would take place near the start of the summer holidays and would cost circa £2000.
2) Mt Toubkal in Morocco either during the Easter or the summer holidays and would cost much closer to £1000.
We are not asking for any firm commitment at this stage but If you would be interested in either of these options for your child then please fill in the attached form to register your interest. Should you have any further questions, please contact Mr Yuille.
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New to his role as Head of Pangbourne, Mr Knight is keen to meet and chat with as many of our parents as possible about the key topics and special ingredients that make up a Pangbourne education. He hopes that you will welcome this series of events as a useful opportunity to share your valuable views with him and engage in a focused discussion in a small group setting. Mr Knight looks forward to meeting with you at one of his Lent Term coffee mornings.
Please note: Spaces are available on a first come first served basis and are limited to one session per family, to enable as many parents as possible to have the opportunity to meet with Mr Knight. Waitlists are available for all fully booked events.
Please follow the links below to book your space on the upcoming events:
Sport & Co-curricular Provision - Friday 14 February, 09:00 - 10:00
Neurodiversity - Friday 28 February, 09:00 - 10:00
Pastoral Care - Friday 14 March, 09:00 - 10:00
Sixth Form - Friday 28 March, 09:00 - 10:00
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The Pangbourne College Photography Competition invites pupils from Year 7 - Year 13 to showcase their creative photography skills during February Half Term. There will be two age groups with different themes.
Year 7- Year 9’s theme is ‘Wilderness’ and Year 10 - Year 13’s theme is ‘Reflections’.
All students who wish to enter must submit their best photograph to Mr Unsworth by Monday 24 February.
The first prize winners will receive a framed print of their photograph, which will be prominently displayed in their school division and the Head’s Study. There are also prizes for the two runners-up.
Please see these slides for more information and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mr Unsworth.
Good luck to everyone who enters!
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Back by popular demand - Quiz Master Richard Follett will be hosting the Annual PPA Quiz Night on Thursday 6 March.
The event will be a joint fundraiser with all profits being split between the PPA and the Nabugabo Expedition.
Make up your own team (maximum 10 people) or take pot luck on the night and meet new people.
Quiz Entry - £15 per adult
Included in the cost of your ticket is a bowl of tasty chilli (vegetarian option available) there will also be a bar available (card payment only) as well as the opportunity to buy our fantastic Pangbournian Spirit Gin & Rum.
This event is always extremely popular so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment!
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24 February - 27 February - Upper Sixth Trial Exams Part 2 (A Level subjects only)
24 February - 3 March - Year 11 Trial Exams Part 2
4 March - 16:40 - Year 9 Parents' and Guardians' Meeting (focus on GCSE choices) - Drake Hall
13 March - Year 9 GCSE Options Submission Deadline
14 March - 16:40 - Year 11 Parents' and Guardians' Meeting - Drake Hall
18 March - Year 11 Sixth Form Options Submission Deadline
20 March - BTEC Results (January exams)
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Year 7 Pangbourne Pudding Competition
After the success of last year’s Pangbourne Pudding Competition, the English Department is running the competition once more this year. All Year 7 pupils will be making a pudding to celebrate the history and values of the College so, if you are a parent of a Year 7 pupil, they may be asking for your assistance in the kitchen over the next few weeks to practise their puddings. The class heats will take place on Tuesday, 11 February and the Grand Final will be held on Tuesday 25 February, after Half Term.
Year 8 Snack Product Competition
Year 8 pupils will also be making a new snack product and giving a presentation about their creative ideas. The class heats will take place on Thursday 13 February and the Grand Final will be held on Thursday 27 February, after Half Term. Again, please supervise your children in the kitchen, but allow them to create the product independently so the competition remains fair for all.
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Following last June's successful rock climbing trip to the Welsh borders, Pangbourne are planning a similar expedition at the end of June (following external exams). There is a possibility of running a two day trip which would give greater opportunity for building climbing skills as well as broadening experience. If you would like to express interest in your child joining this trip, please fill in this short form.
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The pupils have been having weekly presentations by Heads of Department so that they have an opportunity to ask questions about the different subjects.
They will also have an interview with a senior member of the academic staff and invitations for these will start arriving next week. With such a large number of pupils to speak to, it is important that the pupils attend the scheduled sessions.
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The Year 10 Exams will be in the second and third week of the summer term (w/c 28 April and 5 May). These exams will be followed by a Parents' and Guardians' meeting on 13 May.
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Please see the exam schedule here.
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The pupils will have an interview with a senior member of the academic staff about their Sixth Form choices and invitations for these will start arriving next week.
These interviews will make sure that their subject choices are appropriate for future university and career aspirations. With such a large number of pupils to speak to, it is important that the pupils attend the scheduled sessions.
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The second set of Year 11 Trials will be taking place after Half Term (week commencing 24 February). Information on how to support revision at home can be found in this webinar recording from earlier in the year.
Please click here to access the revision guide for this set of Trial exams.
Years 9 -11
SIXTH FORM
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The second set of Upper Sixth Trials will be taking place after Half Term (week commencing 24 February). Information on how to support revision at home can be found in this webinar recording from earlier in the year. Please note that lessons for subjects not being examined in this set of Trials (all BTEC subjects, Art and Photography) will continue during exam week.
Please see the exam schedule here.
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Study Leave in the summer will commence after Half Term. Lessons will continue and attendance will be expected until 23 May. These lessons will focus on crucial topic revision and examination skills.
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This will be on the 10-14 February.
Lower Sixth have been asked to sign up via their UNIFROG account for a virtual apprenticeship fair, with exposure to over 30 employers in two hours, next Wednesday afternoon.
It will cover key areas such as the application and interview process along with how to 'ace' assessment centres. A recording will be available afterwards to watch.
DIVISIONAL UPDATES
Divisional updates will be fortnightly. Next update on Friday 14 February.
SPORT
Dunbar Rugby & Netball
Wednesday was an incredible day of sport for our Dunbar pupils. From Rugby tackles to netball goals, every pupil showed amazing grit and determination throughout the fixtures. They should be extremely proud of their effort and team spirit!
