Head’s Weekly Update

I do hope that you all managed to enjoy some time together over the Easter holiday. The weather was fantastic for the most part, and the sunny start to term has meant that cricket and tennis has got off to a flying start.

Talking of sporting activities, we have the College cross-country event on Monday afternoon, the 100% Colour Run. I reminded all the pupils this morning to make sure they have a plain white T-shirt for this, and to avoid wearing any clothes they would be upset to get a little powder paint on!

Parents of Year 8 pupils are hopefully aware of the Camping Trip next week on Thursday/Friday. The permission form for this trip can be found here and if this could be completed as soon as possible I would be very grateful. They will be free to be collected as soon as they return to College on the Friday, but they may of course remain with us until the normal end of the day if early collection is not possible. The exact time of return will depend on how fast each group walks, but from experience the first groups often get back shortly after lunch, although some may not be back until 3 or even 4pm.

On Thursday this week the Year 8 girls had a fantastic opportunity to meet a number of inspiring women involved in careers not traditionally associated with women. The event was held at RAF Benson and was a really useful trip. I am hoping that our Year 7 girls will be able to attend next year.

Best wishes as always,

Dr Ian Hart

The boys seem to have returned in good spirits for the Summer term, the spring break seems to have worked for them. It has been good to hear about their exploits and trips, a number have been involved in DofE, rowing camps and pre-season activities. 

This term goes very quickly and exams start even earlier this year for all year groups. We hope that revision will pay off and they will achieve the results that they deserve, particularly in the public exams.

At the end of last term a number of Harbinger boys were recognised for their academic efforts and Flag awards during the end of term assembly. Huge congratulations to Alex C, Aaron, Cameron, Joseph, Noah and Matthew for your efforts all round and thank you for contributing to Harbinger’s success.

The boys are involved in a lot of co-curricular activities this term, I am looking forward to hearing of their successes representing the school  in rowing, tennis, cricket, horse riding and golf and am looking forward to taking the Year 9s to Llangorse for DofE. We have the annual 100% Colour Run on Monday which is an event in which everyone from the division is required and I am sure we will see great efforts from them.

The link for the Harbinger Divisional Dinner on Saturday 7 June is here. This will be held at Goring & Streatley Golf Club and is for all Harbinger parents and Upper Sixth pupils are also invited. If you have any specific seating requirements then please do email the House team account: harbingerhousestaff@pangbourne.com

Andrew Sumner

Welcome back for the Summer term! Easter seems a distant memory now, however, I hope that the boys enjoyed some down time. I know the GCSE and A Level students will have been balancing working with downtime.

It has been nice talking with the boys about their activities over Easter and hearing from some about their endeavours on their Duke of Edinburgh walks.

The boys are involved in a lot of co-curricular activities this term, I am looking forward to hearing of their successes representing the school  in rowing, tennis, cricket and golf and I hope that all of the Year 9 boys are looking forward to Llangorse for their DofE trip in the last week of this half of term. We have the annual 100% Colour Run on Monday which is an event in which everyone from the division is required and I am sure we will see great efforts from them.

I know that it is not long now till the start of exam season and I have been impressing on the boys the need for focus and this is the time to seek that final support from staff before they begin in just over two weeks.

As ever if you have any questions please do get in touch at hesperushousestaff@pangbourne.com.

Tom Cheney

It only seems like yesterday we were breaking up for the Easter break. It has already been a busy few days, and the tempo does not look like it will drop any time soon. On the horizon, Year 11 and Upper Sixth will be starting their public exams , and I urge them to make the most of the coming weeks; utilising their teachers and any academic clinics where possible to give them the best opportunity when they begin.

Outside of the classroom, tennis is already in full swing with the first fixtures this Saturday after Open Morning. Rowing is beginning to ramp up its training efforts, ready for the season, and cricket will soon be out on the square, soaking up the summer term sun. Elsewhere, Year 9 will be away on their Llangorse trip before the half-term break, alongside a number of other events woven around the timetable.

The summer term is a wonderful time of year, and I look forward to seeing the girls making the most of the excellent facilities we have here at Pangbourne.

We are very much looking forward to the Illawarra Dinner next Saturday 3 May at Goring & Streatley Golf Club, which promises to be a fantastic evening. All parents and Upper Sixth students are welcome, so please do sign up here - we’d love to see as many of you there as possible.

We’re also excited about the 100% Colour Run on Monday, which is always a highlight of the term. It’s a brilliant opportunity for the whole community to come together, and the Illawarra girls are ready to bring the colour and the energy!

Rosie Jewell

Welcome back to the Summer Term. Whilst the sun will start to shine, it will warm up and (before long) we will be staring down at a long summer break, there is a huge amount of work to do before then. 

All year groups have exams this term and public exams start in two weeks time. I know that the boys will be working hard towards these but my message is always the same… “leave nothing to chance!”

Away from the classroom the term is looking to be as busy as ever. Sport, divisional competitions, the Llangorse trip for Year 9 along with a myriad of other events will mean that organisation is key. Please do get in touch if you have any questions about events or timings.

Finally, please sign up for the upcoming Macquarie Dinner on Saturday 17 May at Goring & Streatley Golf Club. There are just a few tickets remaining for what should be a wonderful evening. Tickets can be purchased here.

David Metcalfe

It only seems like yesterday we were breaking up for the Easter break. It has already been a busy few days, and the tempo does not look like it will drop soon. On the horizon Year 11 and Upper Sixth will be starting their public exams and I urge them to make the most of the coming weeks utilizing their teachers and any academic clinics where possible to give them the best opportunity for when they start.

Outside of the classroom, tennis is already in ‘full swing’ with the first fixtures this Saturday after Open Morning. Rowing are starting to ramp up their training efforts ready for the season, and cricket will soon be out on the square taking in the summer term sun. Elsewhere, Year 9 will be out on their Llangorse trip before the half term break, as well as other events working around the timetable.

The summer term is a wonderful term and I look forward to seeing the boys make the most of the facilities we have here at Pangbourne.

Steve Thompson

So the final term of the year has begun and already we are into exams. Art GCSE are completing their final pieces as I write this, BTEC students are preparing for modules and A Level Art is next week. The formal written GCSE and A Level papers start very soon and Year 10s have their exam week next week. Please encourage the girls to keep revising. Little and often is best for most people with a plan for what they want to achieve rather than just sitting for a set amount of time.

The St George Dinner is next Friday 2 May at Goring & Streatley Golf Club. I am looking forward to a lovely evening with about 50 of us in attendance.

Monday is the 100% Colour Run and unless the girls are registered off games I expect to see everyone complete this at a pace that suits them. In recent years, Rubi has posted a very fast time which is amazing but I am also always proud of those who are not runners but ensure they get round and finish in a time that gets the division points. The colour part is optional but great fun and the girls will need a white t-shirt to run in which they don’t mind getting paint on.

Jenny Jones