Head’s Weekly Update

Well done to all the Dunbar pupils on completing their exams last week. I was delighted to hear from one of my colleagues that their behaviour throughout the week was excellent, and I hope they will be pleased with their results as they come back this week.

On Saturday 7 June we had the Family Fun Day, and despite the awful weather forecast, we managed to dodge almost all the showers, and were able to complete the tennis tournament, BBQ in the dry, and then use the pool after lunch. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend, and I do hope you enjoyed the day as I certainly did.

Our Trinity Drama students also had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Drama Showcase last Wednesday, and the performances were every bit as impressive as their recent Trinity exam results.

Our Year 7 pupils were able to meet up with their peers-to-be on Tuesday evening at the Year 9 Connect Event. Previously only for the external applicants, extending the invitations to the current Year 7 pupils was an excellent idea, and the evening was a great success by all accounts.

The Dunbar Parents’ Evening is coming up soon on Friday 20 June, and will be the ideal opportunity to touch base academically with your son or daughter’s teachers. I will also be there throughout the afternoon, along with several of the Senior staff team, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

The Falkland Islands Memorial Service is taking place and I know that some of the Dunbar pupils are either volunteering or taking part in the service with the Dunbar Choristers. This is a wonderful and moving event every year, and my sincere admiration goes to all the pupils who will be helping out in one way or another.

Looking further ahead to the Year 8 Dinner on Thursday 26 June, I am conscious that some pupils may need (or want) to leave a little earlier in the afternoon to enable them to get changed and return for 7:00pm. The day will finish as usual at 17:45, so if you think your son or daughter will need to leave before this then please let me know and we can arrange this as appropriate. Note that all Day pupils will be expected to leave and then return for this event, and it will not be possible for any Day Pupils to stay in College between 17:45 - 19:00 as the Year 8 Boarders will themselves be getting ready. Note that the day finishes exactly as normal for the Year 7 pupils. With just over three weeks remaining of the school year, I wish everyone my very best wishes as always.

Best wishes,

Ian Hart

It is hard to believe that we only have 3 weeks left of this year, there is no such thing as a wind down at Pangbourne as we seem to accelerate towards Founders Day. We still have a number of Divisional events with Athletics and Swimming in the final week, there is still plenty to aim for academically from the Year 9, Year 10 and Year 12 groups in our quest for the top performing boys house.

Last week, the Year 12 boys impressed during  their Taking Responsibility week, a chance for them to prepare CVs, gain valuable feedback from mock interviews and help with voluntary service to the local community. I have received thanks from St James this weekend for their efforts.

The Year 9 boys have now completed their end of year Summer exams which will be a relief to many, we will of course be on hand to help with receiving their results next week.

A gentle reminder to all pupils that all belongings need to be cleared from the House by Founder’s Day, use these final weeks to trim down what is kept in Harbinger and avoid the inevitable rush on the final day.

I would like to thank all those who made a great effort to attend Wendy’s celebration picnic. It was lovely to see pupils, parents and HoMs both present and past and catch up. This made it a particularly special day for Wendy and her family. If you would still like to make a contribution to her leaving gift then please use this link.

Thank you also to everyone attending the house dinner last Saturday, your presence made it a particularly poignant and fitting celebration of all that is Harbinger. 

I have a final plea from Anna Badcock to sign up for the Harbinger Founder’s Day BBQ; she will be closing the form on 28 June to finalise orders with the caterers. Thank you to those families who have already signed up. It would be particularly helpful if everyone could please complete the above form even if you are catering for yourselves. We do not want anyone to be left out and go hungry on the final day. 

We have arranged for Polly’s Parlour to sell ice creams on Whites where all the houses will be gathered under gazebos in our House “zones”.

I wish you all a lovely weekend and look forward to seeing you soon.

Andy Sumner

There are just three more weeks left until the end of the academic year. The public exams are coming towards their conclusion and I have been very pleased with the way our exam year groups have conducted themselves. The Year 9’s have been working hard this week, having completed their internal exams today, and will start getting results next week. 

The Lower Sixth had a great week last week during their ‘Taking responsibility’ and, with new divisional days upcoming, there is plenty for them to be involved with. 

Looking ahead to Founders Day, there will be a Hesperus Picnic on Whites and we will have a designated area. In previous years the Lower Sixth Parents have co-ordinated what people can bring to the picnic and I have a link below to the form where this information can be collated. If any parents would like to take a lead in this please do let me know.

Please see the picnic link here.

Please do look at last weeks College Bulletin, which contained more details for Founders day.

For those who are new to the College, here are my top tips for maximum enjoyment on Founders Day:

• It is worth getting here early on the day to find your spot in the Hesperus zone, put up your gazebo or get out your chairs and blankets.

• The event is billed as ‘smart’. Suits aren’t necessary… ripped jeans are probably not what we’re going for!

• The weather… need I say more! Most years we are bathing in glorious sunshine… for those who remember last year… it might be worth packing an umbrella.

Finally, the termly reminder that all the rooms will need to be completely empty at the end of term. Can I please ask that all those in Year 11 and Upper Sixth consider this before they head off after their final exam. It will mean that Founder’s Day can be focused on enjoying the last few hours, as opposed to packing to leave. 

As ever if you do have any questions please do get in touch.

Tom Cheney

Just three weeks to go until the end of the academic year, and I’m caught somewhere between sadness at leaving my wonderful Illawarra girls and excitement for what lies ahead. The public exams are nearly finished, and I’ve been genuinely impressed by how our exam-year girls have conducted themselves. Calm, focused, and fuelled mostly by revision snacks and caffeine, they’ve shown real determination. Year 9’s have also completed their internal exams and will begin receiving their results next week. Best of luck, girls. You’ve earned a breather.

Our Lower Sixth have equally impressed during their ‘Taking Responsibility’ week. With new divisional structures approaching, there’s plenty for them to get stuck into. Some are hoping for promotion, all have an important role to play next year. I know we’ll be leaning on their kindness, leadership and good humour to help set the tone for what’s ahead. No pressure, girls.

As ever, Pangbourne doesn’t do the usual wind-down at the end of term. Instead, we gather speed. There’s a calendar full of divisional events, sports fixtures, socials and transition days as we move towards the close of the year. I’m sure the Illawarra girls will continue to throw themselves into every opportunity with the energy and spirit we’ve come to expect from them. Looking ahead to Founder’s Day, you’ll find full details in last week’s parent bulletin. After the Beat Retreat, we’ll gather for lunch on Whites. This is always a lovely divisional tradition. Illawarra will have its usual picnic zone, and while there’s nothing officially coordinated, the ever-brilliant Tania Bevis has kindly offered to post a message in the parents’ WhatsApp group to help people link up. 

If you’re new to the College, here are my top tips for enjoying Founders Day:

• It’s worth arriving early to claim your spot in the Illawarra zone and set up gazebos, chairs or picnic blankets.

• Lunches can be anything from a classic sandwich-and-crisps combo to a lavish buffet spread. Do whatever suits your style. It’s the company that matters most.

• About the weather. I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will. Some years we are blessed with blazing sunshine. Other years… let’s just say packing an umbrella is a wise move.

• Dress code is smart but relaxed. Summer dresses and chinos tend to set the tone. Think Henley Regatta, not Glastonbury.

This year’s Founder’s Day will be especially poignant for George and I as it will be our last. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at the Illawarra picnic where we’ll have a chance to say some thank-yous and farewells. Emotions may be running high. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

And finally, a gentle reminder that all rooms need to be completely emptied at the end of term. To our Year 11 and Upper Sixth girls, please make sure you’ve cleared your things after your final exam so that Founder’s Day can be a celebration rather than a scramble. Wishing you all a lovely weekend, and thank you, as always, for your continued support and warmth. See you very soon.

Rosie Jewell

There are just three more weeks left until the end of the academic year. The public exams are coming towards their conclusion and I have been thrilled with the way our exam year groups have conducted themselves. The Year 9’s have also completed their internal exams and will start getting results next week - good luck! 

The Lower Sixth also impressed during their ‘Taking responsibility’ week and, with new divisional structures on the horizon, there is plenty for them to get their teeth into. With some of them hoping for promotion, but all of them with an important role to play next year, I hope that the week helped them focus on the skills needed to succeed.

As always, Pangbourne life tends to pick up pace towards the end of terms, rather than subside. We have a raft of divisional events, several more weekends of fixtures, social events and days dedicated to helping the transition towards next year. I’m sure the boys will continue to take on board every opportunity to get involved and learn.

Looking towards Founder’s Day, please find the information for the day on last week’s parent bulletin. Lunch on Whites (after the Beat Retreat Parade) is always a wonderful divisional event. We will have our usual ‘zone’ for Macquarie and, whilst there is nothing centrally coordinated, please do reach out to other parents in your year groups and arrange ‘joint picnics’ if you wish.

For those who are new to the College, here are my top tips for maximum enjoyment at Founders Day:

• It is worth getting here early on the day to find your spot in the Macquarie zone, set up your gazebo or put out your chairs and blankets.

• Lunches range from a classic ‘sandwich and crisps’ affair, all the way through to a full buffet. Go with whatever you feel like - it is the company that is more important.

• The event is billed as ‘smart’. Suits aren’t necessary… ripped jeans are probably not what we’re going for!

• The weather… need I say more! Most years we are bathing in glorious sunshine… for those who remember last year… it might be worth packing an umbrella.

Finally, the termly reminder that all the rooms will need to be completely empty at the end of term. Can I please ask that all those in Year 11 and Upper Sixth consider this before they head off after their final exam. It will mean that Founder’s Day can be focused on enjoying the last few hours, as opposed to packing to leave. 

I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend and I hope to see you all soon.

David Metcalfe

I cannot believe there are only three more weeks left of the academic year. The public exams are coming towards their conclusion and the Upper Sixth and Year 11 boys have done themselves proud. The Year 9’s have completed their internal exams and they will hopefully hear back in the coming weeks. Then finally, the Lower Sixth have gone back into lessons after having spent last week in ‘Taking responsibility’. I do hope the boys enjoyed the week off timetable and have learnt some life skills that they can take forward after Pangbourne.

As we make our way to the final few weeks, there is plenty for the boys to keep themselves busy. With the Lower Sixth  looking towards college positions, the younger years will have a number of opportunities to mix with their new divisions in preparations for September. There will be final PJ sporting events and I am sure there will be plenty of BBQ’s and activities for them to enjoy with one another as a ‘wolf pack’.

Looking towards Founder’s Day, please find see more information in the newsletter that was sent out last week. Please register for the Port Jackson Founders Day Lunch here.

For payment please see my previous email, or if you would like the link again please email me personally.

Then finally, all the rooms will need to be completely empty at the end of term. Can I please ask that all those in Year 11 and Upper Sixth consider this before they head off after their final exam. It will mean that Founder’s Day can be focused on enjoying the last few hours, as opposed to packing to leave. 

I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend and I hope to see you all soon.

Steve Thompson

Another fortnight of mostly glorious weather! The exam years are in full swing having all now done anything between two and ten exams. The Lower Sixth have also completed their Trials. I have been delighted with how the girls are approaching these and the effort they are putting into their revision.

I would encourage those doing GCSEs to ensure they get to as many of the 2 hour pre exam slots after Half Term as they can. Staff have prepared material that they hope will be really helpful for the paper that follows them.

Year 9 have been at Llangorse this week and I have heard lots of positive things about how they are doing there. Some have had to dig deep and display real resilience but this is an attribute that can only really be developed through challenging yourself. I hope they will come back with some great memories and some stories to tell.

I was very proud of the girls who turned out for Divisional Cricket last weekend. It was a very close match with St George winning on the last ball.

After Half Term we only have 5 weeks until the end of term but they will be busy. Taking Responsibility week for the Lower Sixth, Divisional Tennis, Divisional Swimming and Divisional Athletics in the last week of term and lots of practice for Founders’ Day.

On Sunday 15 June is Falkland Island Memorial service and I hope that lots of the girls will volunteer to help out. It is a poignant event and the veterans are always delighted to meet our pupils.

I hope that you all have a lovely Half Term and that the girls return relaxed and refreshed.

Jenny Jones