Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 20th april 2018
Dear Parents,
What a great start we’ve had to the term with such glorious sunny weather! A contrast to the sombre grey of most of the holidays. Nonetheless, I hope everyone has had a chance to have a good break and enjoy some good family time, the virtues of which, I note, have been extolled in the educational press recently by two Heads whose views I respect, both observing that this is the wellspring of a child’s health and happiness and of their overall success at school. Tim Hands, Head of our linked foundation at Winchester, writes “What parents crave on behalf of young people is recognition. But what young people want – and they want it overwhelmingly – is love…Love your child at home – reasonably and sensibly – and they will never feel too upset by the inevitable ups and downs of school.” The Head of Bute House Prep School in London, Helen Lowe, has written about parents naturally wanting their child to fulfil their potential. For many this means that their children will work hard, do their best and be “supported wholeheartedly” at home. She writes that “parents need to be reassured that supporting their child at home and spending time with them is far more powerful than any session with a tutor. There is plenty of research about the power of simple things, such as discussion and shared meal times.” These are indeed simple things for which I’m sure we all try to make time, but it’s probably worth never taking them for granted in our busy lives and as the lives of our children become busier and more complex.
As genuine Trinity Term weather does seem to be upon us, please could you ensure boys have a sunhat and sunscreen in school, securely named please. This is particularly important for Field, but equally in the playground at school. Boys should make sure they do not share sunscreen to avoid any allergy problems. Equally please make sure your son has some sort of waterproof coat for those unexpected downpours.
Staff Appointments this term. Following Mr Richard Poyser’s appointment to D’Overbroeck’s from the start of this term, Miss Sarah Llewellyn-Jones (Assistant Director of Music) will be Acting Director of Music for Trinity Term, with assistance from Mr Rory Moules, Graduate Organ Scholar of The Queen’s College. Ms Cecilia Osmond joins us to take the 8S Maths class. We wish them all well in these roles. We also welcome Mr David Bustin who joins the Maintenance Department in succession to Mr Chris Woodward who retired at the end of last term.
Both Mr Woodward and Mr Poyser have particularly asked me to pass on their great appreciation of parents’ generosity towards them in marking their departure from NCS. They will, of course, always be part of the wider community of NCS and we hope very much to see them at future events and wish them well in their new ventures.
A reminder that Saturday Morning Music School starts tomorrow promptly at 9.45am.
Parents of choristers and boys who learn musical instruments are warmly invited to meet the Organist and Visiting Instrumental Teachers next Wednesday 25th April from 6.00pm in the Sports Hall to discuss your son’s progress. Please sign up on the appointments lists in the School Office or phone or email the Office (01865 285560 office@newcollegeschool.org) to ask for a slot.
The NCSPA Committee Meeting is on Monday 30th April at 6.00pm in my study. Do let class reps know of items for the agenda and if you can help out at any of our summer events, many of which are coming up in the next few weeks. Your support and interest are much appreciated.
Any sisters who are in Year 2 and who love to sing are invited to attend a Frideswide Voices' "Be a Chorister for an Evening" taster session on Monday 30th April at Magdalen College, Oxford. Auditions for membership from September 2018 will take place on Saturday 12th May. Further information about the choir is available at www.frideswidevoices.co.uk
With good wishes to all NCS families,
Robert Gullifer
Forthcoming Events
Friday, 20 April 2018
18.15 First Evensong
Sunday, 22 April 2018
Start of University Term
Eton Academic Scholarship begins
Monday, 23 April 2018
Winchester Election begins
U12 IAPS Regional Hockey Finals
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
8.50 Yr 5 synagogue visit (return 11.15)
13.00 U7-11 Cross Country vs Sibford, away
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
10.00 School Service, New College Chapel
Speaker: The Revd Susan Bridge, Assistant College and School Chaplain
12.00 School Council meeting
12.30 Year 3 Workshop at Natural History Museum
18.00 Parents’ Evening with Visiting Music Teachers and Organist/Assistant Organist, Sports Hall
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Junior Maths Challenge, p.m. (Year 7 and 8)
Friday, 27 April 2018
13.45 Yr 7 PSHCEE: How to revise for exams, led by the Headmaster
Sunday, 29 April
10.00 Hockey vs Old Boys, Iffley Road Astro
Monday, 30 April 2018
19.00 NCSPA Committee Meeting, HM Study
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
9.30 Year 4 trip to Ashmolean Museum: Roman Britain
10.00 School Service, New College Chapel
Speaker: Ms Dinti Batstone, Trustee of the Fawcett Society
Year 8 talk on Suffragette Movement by Ms Lyndsey Jenkins
Thursday, 3 May 2018
16.15 Under 9 Chess Fixture vs. CCCS @ home
Friday, 4 May 2018
14.15 U9 A Cricket vs MCS, home
14.15 U9 B&C Cricket vs MCS, away
Saturday, 5 May 2018
18.00 Three Choirs' Evensong in honour of Prof. Stephen Darlington, Christ Church Cathedral
Monday, 7 May 2018
Bank and School Holiday