Friday 17 April 2026
Head’s Weekly Update
Best wishes,
Oliver Knight
All Pupils & Parents: Years 7- Upper Sixth
Notices (Please click on the + sign to expand for full information)
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To celebrate the unique Pangbournian Community the inaugural Pangbournian Day will be on Sunday 19 April 2026. The event will celebrate 30 years of co-education at Pangbourne and we are delighted to be welcoming Old Pangbournian and Paralympic Rowing Gold Medalist, Frankie Allen MBE, as Inspecting Officer. The 1st XI vs Old Pangbournians cricket match will be played on Big Side in the afternoon and you are welcome to bring picnics to eat on Big Side, if you so wish.
Lunch in Mess Hall and OP tours will be available to book after the Parade - pre-booking by Friday 10 April is required. Please book here.
Mrs Lucinda Grafton, Director of Development & Community
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Please view the document here that includes more information and the timings of the day.
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In the interests of safety for all pupils, staff and visitors, please can all drivers please observe the speed limit of 10mph on the Parade Ground. The maximum speed limit on campus is 20mph.
As more of the Sixth Form reach 17 years of age, please can we also reiterate that no learner drivers should be driving up to Parade Ground or the Sixth Form Café (i.e. they shouldn't turn right at the mini roundabout).Thanks for your cooperation.
Mr Neil Walne, Bursar
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The winners for this Half Term’s competition are Starboard Watch who amassed 30 points, narrowly beating runners-up Port on 28. Congratulations to Starboard Watch and their Watch Captain Elizabeth, who now win a prize of their choosing at the start of next term. They have selected a 'movie night' (i.e. a movie afternoon!) complete with snacks.
Dr Ian Hart, Head of Dunbar (Junior House)
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As you may be aware, the College is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 25 April, and it would be lovely if one or two current Year 7 or 8 parents were able to join me in Dunbar for the morning to help greet and talk to the visiting prospective pupils and their families. No prior experience required, and if you feel this is something you would like to do then please contact Dr Hart on dunbar@pangbourne.com to let him know. The timings would be from approximately 10:00 to 13:00, but this is flexible if you have other commitments at that time. Thank you.
Dr Ian Hart, Head of Dunbar (Junior House)
Year 7 - 8 (Dunbar)
Year 9 - 11
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Mrs Abbie Stephenson, Head of KS4
Sixth Form
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It has been a very busy Lent Term for the Sixth Form - with coursework, Divisional competitions, sports wins (and losses!), the school production, trips, music recitals etc. so they all deserve to rest and recuperate.
Lower Sixth: Congratulations to those who were recently promoted and I look forward to supporting them on their journey as they make the transition into their roles.
Those doing their EPQ, Core Maths and Geography exams are encouraged to use this Easter break wisely to prepare for their exams.
With trials week commencing 15 June students are encouraged to start planning their revision over the break.
Upper Sixth: I have been really proud of how the year group has responded to revision advice, their BTEC results and the feedback from the parents’ evening earlier this week. As we now enter the final weeks towards the summer exams, a consistent routine over Easter is encouraged. All students should have a revision plan with access to resources online. Students are encouraged to sign up for the revision clinics over Easter here.
Student Finance applications are now open, please view here.
I look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday 15 April.
Ms Indy Kaur, Head of Sixth Form
Friday 27 March, 16:45
End of Term
Whole School
Saturday 28 March - Saturday 4 April
CCF Easter Camp
Longmoor Camp, Adventure, CCF
Tuesday 14 April, 19:00
Boarders Return
Boarding
Wednesday 15 April, 08:00
Start of Summer Term
Boarding
Wednesday 15 April, 17:15 - 20:00
Marching Band Rehearsal Evening
Music, NHRH
Friday 17 April, 19:00 - 22:30
Macquarie Parents Divisional Dinner
Goring & Streatley Golf Club, Community
Sunday 19 April, All Day
Pangbournian Day & College Parade
Boarding
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK
Year 8 Survivor Challenge
A huge well done to our Year 8 pupils who took on the Survivor Challenge last Friday. They really got stuck in: from learning how to skin rabbits to taking part in team challenges and spending time outdoors away from screens.
They also experienced local wildlife and made the most of being out in nature which was great to see. The biggest challenge of all was sleeping under a canopy in 0°C, and every single one of them made it through the night. A brilliant experience and some amazing memories made that will stay with them for life.
Mr Tom Poynter, Assistant Head Co-Curricular
Academic Scholars’ Dinner
Scholars from Year 8 to Year 13 gathered for an inspiring evening at the Academic Scholars’ Dinner which celebrated achievement, curiosity, and a shared love of learning. The event highlighted both academic success and the rich programme of enrichment activities which includes a diverse lunchtime lecture series exploring topics from the beaver trade in Canada to the nature of money and leadership from Aristotle to today.
A standout moment was a thought-provoking talk by entrepreneur Steve Etherton, who encouraged students to embrace being beginners, step beyond comfort zones, and develop the human qualities that remain vital in an age of AI. Drawing on his work with JUMO, DEEP, and Emergent, he reflected on human performance under uncertainty and the importance of adaptability.
The evening was filled with warmth, conversation and connection, as scholars across year groups came together over dinner and a lively quiz. It concluded with an inspiring speech from Senior Scholars Ida and Faith, who encouraged everyone to embrace every opportunity. Overall, the event celebrated not just achievement, but intellectual ambition, community, and the joy of learning.
The Wintech Junior Sculling Head
On Monday, five Pangbourne College Boat Club (PCBC) crews represented the College at this National time trial attended by school and club crews from across the UK.
The JM15 coxed quad of Zach, George, Fergus, Leo and Otto put in a determined performance despite a lack of water time and placed 25th of 64 crews. A solid start to a season that will see them only get faster.
The JW15 girls placed 34th of 64 in the equivalent event. This crew of Louisa, Tamsin, Gracie, Bunny and Sophie will have wanted to place higher, again a lack of water time showed.
The senior girls placed 24th of 39 in JW18 quads. Our results reflect a current position that determined PCBC athletes wish to improve upon for the regatta season. We now have a serviceable river and an Easter training camp should see students able to turn good winter land training into effective water miles and speed.
Mr Ed Green, Director of Rowing
SPORT
Success at the Hickstead Trials
The equestrian team enjoyed and delivered a fantastic array of results at the weekend. Pip P made her arena eventing debut in the 70cm, placing 6th closely followed by team mate Alice C in 7th. Izzy S placed 7th in the 80cm class. Olivia C, Sophie, Connie and Izzy took the win in the 90cm with Connie placing 5th individually. The team of Olivia, Connie and Sophie then went on to win the 1m Eventers Challenge with Sophie taking the top spot individually with fellow team members Olivia and Connie placing 4th and 6th respectively. A total of two team qualifications and two individual qualifications for the Hickstead Eventers Challenge Championships in May.
Sunday continued with lovely rounds from Izzy and Pip, Pip placing 5th in the 80cm class, narrowly missing out on individual qualification. Olivia (off the back of Saturday's successes) competed in the Hickstead Elite Qualifiers at Coombelands on Sunday to take 5th place amongst top competition.
Boys’ U18A Football Fixture vs Cokethorpe
Wednesday afternoon produced our most convincing victory of the season on Big Side. In an afternoon where several weeks of hard work all came together, our boys managed to create several key moments and convert many of them. In total we managed to convert 5 chances into goals and defended with great resilience ensuring we kept a clean sheet at the other end. Final score 5-0.
Mr James Purdue, Head of Football
Boys’ U18A Football Fixture vs St Edward’s
It was a case of saving the best until last for the 1st XI team as we played St Edward’s away on Saturday. After a strong start to the game, early pressure was rewarded with two fantastic goals as we sailed into a 2-0 lead. St Edward’s rallied well and put us under significant pressure which led to two goals before the break and a deadlock at half time, 2-2. The response from everyone involved was fantastic and we regained the lead before adding to our tally in the later stages of the game. Final score 4-2 and a fantastic end to a very pleasing week.
Mr James Purdue, Head of Football
Girls’ 1st XI Football at Lord Wandsworth College Football Tournament
The girls’ 1st XI ended their season in spectacular fashion, soaking up the sunshine and delivering a masterclass in resilient football. After clinical group-stage victories over Shiplake and Bradfield, the girls secured a second-place finish, setting up a tense Pangbourne derby against our own 2nd XI. in a nail-biting encounter, the 1st XI edged the win 1–0 thanks to a stunning long-range strike from Flora M.
The semi-final brought a rematch against Bradfield, where Pangbourne dominated play but were repeatedly denied by a series of incredible saves from a top-tier goalkeeper. Despite creating three massive chances, the game remained deadlocked and was cruelly decided by the lottery of a penalty shootout, which saw the girls narrowly miss out on the final.
Mr Frankie Rogan, Football Coach
Girls’ 2nd XI Football vs Lord Wandsworth College
The 2nd XI travelled to Lord Wandsworth this weekend to take part in their second tournament this season. After winning their first game vs Marlborough the girls were in high spirits. We were ready to take on our next game, Wellington. Wellington were a strong competition and sadly we lost this game. The quarter finals… with a long wait to find out who we were playing, it was the lucky Pangbourne 1st XI. The girls were ready to go and prove their worth. With a tough fight and the girls not giving up once the final result was 0-1 to Pangbourne 1st XI. This was an incredible game that the girls fought hard in. The girls played fantastically through the whole tournament.
I will miss coaching this fantastic group of students and cannot wait for next season. Thank you to all the parents for their support and to the girls for their excellent work ethic all season.
Miss Izzy Peacock, Football Coach
Girls’ U15A Football vs St Edward’s
What a remarkable finish to the season this proved to be. Arriving at Teddies to a very busy site, with multiple matches taking place, we expected a stern test in the final match. Having lost 0 - 9 earlier in the season, the girls were determined to turn things around and this they did in emphatic fashion with some key players returning to the team. Having dominated the opening minutes it was only 7’ into the match when Ori, our technically gifted central midfielder opened the scoring. This was followed up shortly afterwards by a strike from our Captain, Chloe, to make the score 2 - 0, and already the match looked secure. Four more goals were scored before half-time, a hat-trick from Amelia, and one from Genny.
In the second half we made some adjustments in an attempt to manage the game and avoid an unnecessarily large score, however despite our best intentions the goals continued to flow. Ori scored again almost immediately after kick-off, and there was then a relatively quiet patch, with Teddies enjoying a little more possession and making a few chances, before a flurry of goals late on from Genny, Amelia, Chloe and a final well-deserved strike from Annabel, who had been playing despite feeling unwell.
The game therefore finished 11 - 0 to Pangbourne, meaning a 20-goal turnaround had been secured since the start of the season against this team. The girls played attractive and effective football throughout, and it has been a pleasure to see the level of their development this season.
Dr Ian Hart, Football Coach
Boys’ U14A Football vs Wellington College
A hastily assembled side due to players not showing up showed remarkable spirit despite their defeat in a fiercely contested match this weekend. With players meeting for the first time just before kick-off, expectations were modest. However, what the team lacked in familiarity, they made up for in determination and work rate. From the first whistle, they pressed together, communicated constantly, and showed a willingness to fight for possession.
There were plenty of chances created through sheer effort rather than polished play, and defensively the team stood strong, throwing bodies on the line and covering for one another. It was clear that, not knowing each other very well, they quickly developed a sense of unity on the pitch.
In defeat, the team earned respect - proving that teamwork isn’t always built over time, but sometimes forged in effort, attitude, and resilience.
Mr Werner Nel, Football Coach
Boys’ U14B Football vs Wellington College
This one was definitely a game of two halves. Pangbourne put on a spirited display in the first half and were unfortunate to be trailing 2-0 at the break. The second half was a completely different game altogether, as Pangborne lost their shape and conceded 3 goals in quick succession right at the start of the half. Credit to Bear for reducing the score on his third attempt on target after a couple of efforts hit the post. Final score 1-7.
Mr Fabrice Vie, Football Coach
DIVISIONAL UPDATES
The next boarding update will be on Friday 24 April.
BOARDING UPDATES
Boarding House Email Addresses
stgeorge@pangbourne.com
portjackson@pangbourne.com
adelaide@pangbourne.com