Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 14th september 2018
Dear Parents,
I have always maintained that one of the special features of the British prep school system is the spread of ages from 4-13 by means of which younger and older children can relate to each other. The younger children learn from what we trust are good role models and the older children develop a sense of leadership and responsibility in looking out for their younger counterparts. And we hope that that sense of responsibility grows incrementally as children progress through the School: it’s good to see Year 2 pupils already stepping up to buddying our new Reception pupils. Our adjustments to the house points scheme this year to link in with the pastoral strands of the Pre-Senior Bacclaureate has been especially helpful in focusing pupils on what makes for good learners and responsible citizens. We can give tangible rewards for instances of collaboration, or evidence of reviewing and improving work, or independence of thought/action. In sum, we want to enable pupils to learn to make sensible choices so that by the time they come face-to-face with the wider world – or indeed the wider virtual world of the internet and social media – they will be discerning and independent-minded young people. They certainly need to be able to be smart enough to separate the good from the bad, the real news from the fake news, the quick -fix from the enduring.
Collaboration and good judgment were much in evidence, I’ve been told, on Years 3 & 4’s visit to Wittenham Clumps this week. They enjoyed a sunny day of teamwork and it was clearly a great way to introduce the step-up to the Prep School for Year 3, guided by old hands in Year 4. My thanks to boys and colleagues for making it such a happy and successful day.
Sport. The first football games of the new school year have taken place this week and it was a chance for our U11 boys from Years 5&6 to shine. We had four teams out playing vs Cokethorpe School with the ‘C’& ‘D’ teams away and the ‘A’ & ‘B teams playing at home. All four games were keenly contested and Mr Rose tells me that the ‘C’ team had a particularly good game in securing a 2-2 draw despite going behind twice! Albie Kilkenny was voted man of the match thanks to his tireless running and goal scoring capabilities. In the ‘D’ team, special mention should go to Adam Ellis, Ben Tate and Enoch Wang who all ran their hearts out. Unfortunately, they needed a little more help and the team eventually lost 5-0. But well done on the effort thus far. In the ‘B’ team, Paddy Cryan and Hugh Vine were outstanding and between them were instrumental in all three of our goals. A great second half saw NCS 3-1 winners against a very physical Cokethorpe team. We were really impressed with the quality of NCS passing and good team work to overcome such a team. A great first win! The ‘A’ team also faced what seemed to be giants from Cokethorpe: despite going 2-0 down in the second half they never gave up. Mr Bradley was particularly impressed with their fight and determination and this was rewarded with two late goals and a well-deserved 2-2 draw. These results are extremely encouraging for early season fixtures and bode well for the remainder of the term. Congratulations to all. Congratulations, too, to Ioan Glyn-Jones on an excellent sailing result in the National Schools Sailing Association Regatta over the summer. Ioan was selected to represent Oxfordshire in the rookie fleet and came 5th overall with more than 20 teams competing. Well done on a great achievement!
Although the University Term has not yet started, the Choristers have already notched up not only singing at a New College Gaude, but also have received plaudits for their singing at events at Corpus Christi College and St Catherine’s College. They have set a high standard which augurs well for the rest of the year, which includes a tour to the US at Easter. Well done on being such good ambassadors for School and College!
Upcoming parents’ start of year meetings/drinks. Years 3 & 4, Tuesday 18th September, 6.00pm. The evening will start in their classrooms at 6.00pm with Mrs Atkinson and Mrs Williams, proceeding to drinks at 6.30pm in the Sports Hall and a chance to meet with me and senior leadership colleagues. Pre-Prep, Wednesday 19th September, 6.00pm. The evening will start in classrooms with Mrs Cox, Mrs Bibby, Mrs Hitchings, Miss Bishop, Miss Cannell and Mrs Calatayud at 6.00pm and will proceed to drinks in the Sports Hall and again a chance to meet me, senior colleagues and specialist subject teachers. Years 5 & 6, Monday, 24th September, Sports Hall, 6.30pm. Our ‘Future Destinations’ evening when form tutors and representatives from senior schools are available for discussion. Parents are welcome to bring sons to this evening: their say in future schools is vital!
A reminder that the Eco Stationery shop is open each Wednesday lunchtime, 12.00 – 12.20. The shop is run by boys involved in the Eco Committee. If your son is interested in purchasing any item, please send him along with a small amount of money to make purchases.
NCS Choral Society rehearsals start on Monday evening, 17th September, in the Sports Hall, 7.30-9.00pm. Please contact the Director of Music, Mr Tom Neal, for further details thomas.neal@newcollegeschool.org
Portrait photographs will be taken of the boys next Friday, 21st September. You will be able to order copies later in the term. Ideal Christmas presents for relatives!
A reminder that Harvest Festival is on Wednesday 26th September at 10.00am in New College Chapel. The boys will be encouraged to bring in non-perishable produce for distribution to local food banks, whilst perishable home-grown produce will be arranged for sale to NCS families after school on 26th September to raise money to support food banks. Please do ask your son to give some thought as to what he might bring in and how this might support people in Oxford in need.
The Pre- Prep Parents ‘Bring and Share’ Supper is 7.30pm for 8.00pm on Friday 28th September in the Sports Hall. All pre-prep parents warmly welcome. If you would like to participate, please RSVP to ncspa@newcollegeschool.org
Open Morning for prospective parents in on Saturday 29th September at 10.00am. Posters advertising the morning have been sent home with boys this week. Please display them at work, home, in your neighbourhood as is possible. All boys in the School are welcome to volunteer as guides, if they so wish. Saturday Morning Music pupils attend the morning as usual to act as guides and continue with their music. Parent help with teas/coffees and in talking to visitors will also be most welcome. Please let the NCSPA and/or the School Office know if you would be able to help. ncspa@newcollegeschool.org office@newcollegeschool.org
The NCS Parents’ Association AGM is on Monday, 1st October at 8.00pm in the Sports Hall. Please do come along to hear about events planned for the year and do speak to your class reps if you have any issues you would like to raise. The current Chair, Daisy East, has signalled her intention to step down by the AGM. So, I do hope there is a parent who would be willing to take on this role. It really isn’t impossibly onerous! Do contact Daisy on ncspa@newcollegeschool.org if you’d like to find out a little bit more about what it might involve.
The NCSPA Quiz Night is on Saturday 5th October at 7.30pm. Professors Chris Timmel & Stuart Mackenzie have kindly agreed to be our inimitable quizmasters again and there will be a delicious curry supper. Tickets will on sale in the School Office next week. So, do put the date in your diary and be in touch with form reps to arrange year group tables. It’s all enormous fun. The teachers’ table is already shaping up to be a formidable force. (We hope!)
With good wishes to all NCS families,
Robert Gullifer
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday, 18 September 2018
10.30 U9 Football House Matches, Field
8.50 Gamelan Trip, Year 6, Faculty of Music
18.00 Years 3 & 4 start-of-year parents’ meeting/drinks, Classrooms and Sports Hall
Wednesday, 19 September 2018
10.00 School Service, New College Chapel. Speaker: Mr Daniel Harkin, Cox and Salvesen Junior Fellow, New College. Coffee in the Undercroft afterwards for parents and visitors
12.30 School Council Meeting, French Room
14.30 U13 A Football v Summerfields, Home
14.30 U13 B&C Football v Summerfields, Away
18.00 Pre-Prep start-of-year parents’ meeting/drinks,Classrooms and Sports Hall
Thursday, 20 September 2018
15.45 U11 A,B,C&D Football vs MCS, Away
Friday, 21 September 2018
9.00 Portrait Photos, Sports Hall
14.00 U9 A,B,C&D Football vs MCS, Away
Saturday, 22 September 2018
No choristers at Saturday Morning Music School
18.00 NC Choir : Gaude Evensong
Monday, 24 September 2018
14.00 U13 A&B Football vs D’Overbroeck’s, Home
8.50 Tudor Music Workshop, Year 4, Faculty of Music
18.30 Year 5 & 6 Future Destinations meeting, Sports Hall
Tuesday, 25 September 2018
14.15 U11 A Football vs Bruern Abbey, Home
14.15 U11 B Football vs Bruern Abbey, Away
16.00 NC Choir: Rehearsal and Concert for 'The Divine Office' Festival
Wednesday, 26 September 2018
10.00 Harvest Festival, New College Chapel. Speaker: The Revd Dr Erica Longfellow, School and College Chaplain. Coffee in the Undercroft afterwards for parents and visitors
European Day of Languages
Thursday, 27 September 2018
14.00 U11 Football House Matches, Field
14.30 Choristers to Winchester College Founder's Obit
Friday, 28 September 2018
13.00 U9 A Football Festival, Home
19.30 Pre-Prep ‘Bring and Share’ Supper
Saturday, 29 September 2018
10.00 Open Morning