Head’s Weekly Update

With the grass outside wet with rain for the first time in some while as I write, it makes me appreciate just how glorious the weather has been recently, and how stunning the campus looks when the sun shines. Hopefully we will maintain some good weather for the upcoming Half Term break, and I do hope that you will enjoy this opportunity for time together again.

When we return after Half Term we will be straight into the end of year exams for both Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, and I wish them the best of luck with their papers. Whilst it is important that the tests are a fair reflection of their progress this year, and they should certainly be preparing adequately for them, I would also stress that the Half Term is a week to rest and recharge, and I would not want pupils at this stage in their school career to feel overly anxious about the exams. I am sure Tutors will have helped them to prepare, and if they (or you) have any concerns about these exams then their Academic Tutor should be best placed to help and support them.

Coming up at the end of the first week back is our Dunbar Family Day on Saturday 7 June. The day will start with a fun and social tennis tournament for all the family, which will begin at around 10:30, so I would recommend arriving at around 10:00. There will be a BBQ available if anyone would like to bring food to cook on the grill and, of course, we also have a hob and oven in the House if anyone needs that. Picnics are also welcome, and I  attach the response form HERE for you to register your interest. Please complete the form even if you will not be able to join us so that I can get an indication of numbers and start planning the tennis tournament. There will be racquets (and balls!) available for anyone to use if they don’t have one, and we will see who will take home the beautiful trophy currently sat on the side in Dunbar, having been won by Isla and Peter last year.

The next announcement is for the Year 8 parents only, and is to flag up that due to an unforeseen clash with a large conference being held at the College on Friday 27 June, I have been asked if we can move the Year 8 Dinner to the day before, meaning it will now take place on Thursday 26 June from 19:00 - 21:00 in the Old Library. As usual the dress code for the dinner is black tie, and is for Year 8 pupils and Dunbar staff only, although parents are most welcome to take photos beforehand, and are always invited through to the Devitt balcony and lawn to take photos at the end of the evening.

Finally I will give a brief reminder about the Falkland Islands Memorial Service (FIMS) which takes place on Sunday 15 June. This is a wonderful event, and a great opportunity for Pangbourne staff and students to honour the ex-service men and women and their families who took part in this conflict over 40 years ago, and who now gather each year here at the College for a service of remembrance. All pupils have been sent an invitation to help serve by our Chaplain (Rev. Jeffers) and I know a number have already signed up.

I wish you all a peaceful and productive Half Term, from my family to yours.

Best wishes,

Ian Hart

As we come to the end of a very busy first half of Summer Term I have been really pleased with the efforts I have seen from the boys. They all seem to be responding well to the challenges that they all face, those with public exams have a well deserved break coming up.

I was with the Year 9 boys in Llangorse from Sunday to Tuesday, Mr Jackson is with them now, walking, climbing and teambuilding - all without mobile phones. Really refreshing on the walks to see and hear them talking to each other - even if it did continue late into the night.

Congratulations to those who represented Harbinger in the Divisional Cricket last week, a really impressive domination of the mini tournament and well deserved winners. Good luck to all those competing at National Schools in the rowing this weekend.

A reminder for everyone that we have Wendy’s celebration picnic on Sunday from 13:00 until 17:00 - bring your own picnic. We also have final sign ups for the Harbinger Dinner at Goring & Streatley Golf Club here. We would also like final numbers if possible for the BBQ on Founders’ Day kindly organised by Anna Badcock - see my separate email sent to you all with the link.

Have a wonderful, restful but productive half term.

Andy Sumner

It has been a good half of term and as the exams have started I have been impressed with the academic rigour that these year groups have shown in preparing for the exams.

It has been very quiet in the division this week without our Year 9s who headed off to Llangorse for a week of adventure and taking themselves out of their comfort zones. I hope that they learn from the experience, developing those all important skills and values that the College leans on - leadership, resilience, industry and kindness.

After Half Term the next five weeks will go in a blink of an eye. It is a busy period with ‘Taking Responsibility Week’ for the Lower Sixth. We then have the Falkland Islands Memorial service which I have encouraged all of the boys to go and volunteer at as it is such an amazing experience and a chance for the pupils to interact with the veterans and their families.

I hope that all of the boys enjoy a restful and relaxing half term.

Tom Cheney

As we move through the term, the sunshine has made a welcome return and exam season is in full swing. While the holidays may be on the horizon, there’s still much to be done, and now is the time for focus and determination. This is the message being shared with the girls in Illawarra, particularly those sitting public exams and they are responding with great maturity and drive.

This week, our Year 9 girls headed to Llangorse a much-anticipated part of their school year that always proves to be both challenging and rewarding. The trip encourages them to step outside their comfort zones, and the early feedback suggests they’ve done just that. I’m confident they’ll return with lasting memories and valuable lessons in resilience, leadership, industry, and kindness, the very values we aim to foster here at the College.

After the Half Term break, the next five weeks will fly by. It’s a busy and exciting period ahead, including ‘Taking Responsibility Week’ for the Lower Sixth. We also look forward to the Falkland Islands Memorial Service, an important event that offers a unique opportunity for our girls to volunteer, engage with veterans and their families, and gain a deeper appreciation of service and community.

I hope all the girls enjoy a restful and refreshing Half Term, ready to return with renewed energy for the weeks ahead.

Rosie Jewell

The sun is shining, the exams are progressing and, before we know it, we will be counting down to the end of term. However, with plenty to be getting on with, this is certainly not the time to be taking our foot off the pedal. This is the message to the boys in Macquarie - especially those in public exams - and they are responding accordingly.

This week saw our Year 9 boys head off to Llangorse. This week, a mainstay in the Year 9 calendar, really pushes them out of their comfort zone but the early reports suggest they have worked hard and had a great time. I hope that they learn from the experience, developing those all important skills and values that the College leans on - leadership, resilience, industry and kindness.

Finally, a massive thank you to all the parents who joined us last Saturday evening at the annual Macquarie Dinner. It was a wonderful, albeit emotional evening, which highlighted the relationships across the division, the students and the parent body. I hope that everyone enjoyed it.

After a busy first half of term, I hope that all the boys enjoy their week off.

David Metcalfe

These last few weeks have flown by, and with Year 9 currently out at Llangorse and the exam groups in public exams, the campus feels quiet, yet purposeful. As I write this report the rowers will be being collected ready for National Schools’ Regatta in Nottingham. Good luck to all the boys involved.

Last weekend saw Divisional Cricket take place under the glorious sun with boys from all the year groups involved in the one Port Jackson team. It was really pleasing to be the only division to fill all numbers, plus some. It showed exactly what the division is about and some of the cricket on show was sublime.

Next half of the term is going to be another busy one, especially looking towards preparations for September. It will give the Lower Sixth an opportunity to lead, and the rest of the division to enjoy the celebrations that come with the lead into Founder’s Day. I wish the boys a well deserved half term.

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