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Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 23rd february 2018

Dear Parents,

There’s no doubt that International Day was the highlight of this week for us all. The Sports Hall was buzzing with activity all day as the boys looked at the wonderful array of artefacts from every continent lent by NCS families, created internationally-inspired story outlines, tried their hand at some calligraphy, made friendship bracelets in national flag colours, and watched film footage of children around the world. Dr Rosalind Temple, French Linguistics Fellow of New College, took up the theme in her address in Chapel when she talked to us about the evolution of languages. And then, what an international feast at the end of the day with all the tasty variety of food the boys had brought in, literally representing the four corners of the earth! The celebrations concluded with a Lion Dance, kindly arranged by the Meecham family for the whole school, and performed by traditional Chinese dancers and musicians. I am most grateful to parents for so many enthusiastic and generous contributions to the success of the day, but above all huge thanks to Mrs Showell-Rogers who initiated and master-minded it all.

International Day

Sport. The first week back after half tem has been a challenging one in terms of struggling to keep warm on the windswept hockey pitches. But, in contrast to the weather, the hockey on offer from the NCS teams has been red hot and scintillating to watch! The U11 squads have been outstanding in their efforts to qualify for the “into hockey” regional cup, having finished runners-up in the county cup on the Friday before half-term. It was an afternoon where we recorded 3 wins and 2 draws from our five games, with Boaz Rossington our man of the tournament in his first go in goal! Following this, the U11 IAPS squad were again at Haileybury College to play in their IAPS south of England regional tournament. This was a hard day with seven games of hockey and nearly 200 miles on the road! However, NCS finished second in their group with once again an unbeaten run. 1 draw and 3 wins meant we faced Kimbolton School in the quarter finals. After regulation time and extra time, the teams were still locked at 0-0. The boys then faced 3 penalty shuffles to decide the game. Xander Quinney pulled off a brilliant save in round three and, thanks to Ben Harkness and Fraser Mackenzie scoring their attempts, we were through to the semi-finals and again qualified for the National Finals in March. Fourth place overall was a fantastic result and the following boys certainly deserve their moment: Ben Harkness, Fraser Mackenzie (Capt), Ethan McMillan, Henry Moore, Walter Moore, Dennis Pym, Xander Quinney, Jack Rothery. Heartiest congratulations!

Not to be out-done, the U13 teams were also in action this week in two pulsating games vs Abingdon School. Having lost last time out in January, the boys were keen to impress, and impress they did. The ‘A’ team managed a 6-1 win with Joseph Conway scoring a brilliant opening goal which showed great individual skill; and the ‘B’ team recorded a 3-1 win with Henry Channon getting on the score sheet as well as putting in a “man of the match” performance from central mid-field. Also, this week we learnt that Benedict Furger has been competing in gymnastics again and has managed to continue his successful run. He won a silver medal in the south of England regional qualifier and will now represent this region in the English Championships in the summer. And Joshua Brown, with the City of Oxford Swimming Club, competed in the Cardiff Invitational Meet last weekend, where the team won the top Visiting Club Trophy and the team relay trophy. Great achievements for both – very well done!

As we celebrate these successes in sport, I include a comment from a Head reflecting on his career, which caught my eye in the newspaper this week. “What I saw at the school I was privileged to lead is what I never saw in my own school days – the liberating power of sport. I saw young people learning new skills, gaining new discipline and self-assurance. Students I had written off as sullenly disaffected demonstrated extraordinary concentration. Young people who had feared competition became confident teachers of younger children. They, in turn, gained new role models.”

Year 8 and Pre-Prep in the Library; reenacting battles in Year 8 History; artwork by Sammy Jarvis; cooperative team building activities in Year 7

Good luck to candidates taking academic scholarships to Senior Schools in the coming weeks. They had some testing mock interviews this week when they all showed their intellectual mettle very well, which is most encouraging. They certainly deserve credit for the hard work they have put in so far, whatever the outcome.

Do join us for next week’s Junior Concerts on Monday at 5.30pm and 6.30pm in the School Hall. Drinks for parents are served beforehand in my study from 5.15pm and 6.15pm respectively.

Year 5 Parents’ Evening is this Wednesday (28th February) 6.00pm – 8.00pm in the Sports Hall. All those who teach these forms will be present, including Mrs Brown as Year 5 form tutor. I shall also be available to discuss any matters arising with parents. There is no need to arrive on the dot of 6.00pm, but I would ask you not to arrive not later than 7.00pm to ensure you can get round to all teachers. I should mention that Mrs Ryder (Art) will be available from 5.30pm and will finish slightly earlier than 8.00pm.

World Book Day is this Thursday (1st March). As is customary here, we invite pupils to come dressed as a character from one of their favourite books: so, I’m sure they will be putting the final touches to this over the weekend. There will be a second-hand children’s book sale in the Sports Hall 3.15-4.15pm. If children could bring in up to 5 children’s books in good condition only, which can be left either in the Office or in the second-hand uniform shed next to the bike racks (code: C4568X) as early in the week as possible. (Again, a bit of weekend sorting/clearout!) There will be an opportunity to sit down in the Sports Hall and read the books and listen to stories during the book sale. Books will cost 50p each and any leftover books will be taken to a local literacy charity who go into primary schools to read 1:1 with children. Tea and coffee will be available for parents. If anyone would like to help out with setting up the books in the afternoon, please email georgina.j.magnotta@gmail.com

Our Annual Poetry Recitation Competition starts to take place during English lessons in the week beginning 12th March. Whilst there is a competitive element to it from Year 3 upwards, the emphasis is on enjoying the process of choosing a poem and committing it to memory so that I hope the chosen poem becomes a life-long companion. (I’m sure many of us can still remember poems we learned at school – there are very many virtues to the discipline). I’m sure a good number of parents/grandparents would enjoy getting involved in choosing and listening to the boys’ chosen pieces. Form tutors/English teachers are already giving boys some pointers in their choices.

College Day is on Wednesday 14th March. Our Chapel service will be addressed by Dr Benjamin Thompson, Fellow and Tutor in Medieval History at Somerville College, who will reflect on the School and College’s foundation. There will be activities in College and neighbouring Oxford and much- anticipated lunch in the College Hall. After the usual Wednesday after-school activities have finished, at 5.30pm there will a College Day concert in the Antechapel given by two of our visiting music teachers: Ms Jean Paterson (violin) and Ms Diana Hinds (piano). Do join us if you can.

Wykeham Day and Summer Fête. Advanced notice for your diaries. This year’s fête will take place on Saturday 23rd June on Field and will form part of Wykeham Day, an occasion for Old Boys and their families to join current pupils and their families and enjoy the School’s hospitality. There will be a concert and a cricket match (including Old Boys) in the morning, followed by a lunch on Field, and then the traditional Summer Fête stalls. The NCSPA are beginning to put plans together. So, do be in touch with your form reps if you can help with this venture.

Library. Please could parents have a good look around for library books at home and encourage boys to return books in a timely fashion, or renew them. There will be no problems with them borrowing further. Currently, there are a number of books that need to be returned or renewed. Many thanks.

Easyfundraising for NCSPA. A reminder that the Parents’ Association can obtain donations via Easyfundraising. With every online purchase you make from participating retailers, a small percentage will be transferred to NCSPA. And I should reassure you there is no mark-up on normal prices. Just go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/newcollegeschoolpa/ and follow the steps to sign up.

With good wishes to all NCS families,

Robert Gullifer

Forthcoming Events

Monday, 26 February 2018

Abingdon Drama Scholarship

MCS Academic Scholarship starts

7.00 1st VII IAPS Hockey, Bishops Stortford, 7-7pm

17.30 Junior Concerts Pt 1 (Yrs 3,4,5), School Hall. Drinks in HM Study at 5.15pm

18.30 Junior Concerts Pt 2 (Yrs 3,4,5), School Hall. Drinks in HM Study at 6.15pm

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

10.00 PSB History Meeting, McGregor Matthews Room, New College

13.00 U11 A&B Football vs Sibford, Away

Radley Academic Scholarship starts

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Radley Academic Scholarship

10.00 School Service, New College Chapel. Speaker: Professor David Parrott, Fellow, Precentor, and Tutor in History, New College. Coffee afterwards in the Undercroft for parents and visitors

12.30 School Council meeting

14.00 1st XI Hockey vs Dragon, Away

14.00 U13 B&C Hockey vs Dragon, St Edward’s Astro

13.45 ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam, Dining Room

Cokethorpe Drama Scholarship

18.00 Year 5 Parents’ Evening, Sports Hall

Thursday, 1 March 2018

World Book Day

14.00 U11 House Cross Country, University Parks

Friday, 2 March 2018

14.00 U9 A,B&C Hockey vs Dragon, Away

Saturday, 3 March 2018

U11 and U13 Rugby VIII, The Oratory School

Monday, 5 March 2018

‘Waste Week’ starts

Abingdon Academic Scholarship starts

14.30 U13 A & B Hockey vs CCCS, St Edward’s Astro

14.00 U11 Prep Challenge Cross Country, St Edward's

17.30 Senior Concerts Pt 1 (Yrs 6,7,8), School Hall. Tea/ Drinks in HM Study at 5.15pm

18.30 Senior Concerts Pt 2 (Yrs 6,7,8), School Hall. Tea/ Drinks in HM Study at 6.15pm

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

10.45 U9 House Cross Country, UniversityParks

14.00 U11 A&B Hockey vs Cokethorpe, Iffley Rd

14.45 U11 C&D Hockey vs Cokethorpe, Iffley Rd

Wednesday, 7 March 2018

10.00 School Service, New College Chapel. Speaker: The Revd Canon Dr Simon Jones, Chaplain of Merton College. Coffee afterwards in the Undercroft for parents and visitors

12.30 Eco Committee Meeting

14.00 U13 A&B Hockey vs Summer Fields, Away

14.00 U13 C&D Hockey vs Summer Fields, Away

14.00 U13 D Hockey vs Hatherop, St Edward's Astro

17.30 Pre-Prep Parents’ Evening, Classrooms & Sports Hall

Thursday, 8 March 2018

13.00 U12 Cross Country vs Oratory, Away

Friday, 9 March 2018

13.00 U8 A&B Hockey vs Brockhurst, Away

14.00 U9 A&B Hockey vs Brockhurst, Iffley Rd

Saturday, 10 March 2018

End of University Term

No Sat am Music School for choristers; NC Choir rehearsal for St John Passion pm

Sunday, 11 March 2018

15.00 New College Choir: St John Passion, New College Chapel

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