Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 7th october 2016
Dear Parents,
There’s no doubt we live in changing times where old certainties cannot be taken for granted. That's probably a truth which resonates throughout the history of humanity but, of course, how we respond to and embrace change is crucial. I read an account this week of a respected educationalist’s keynote speech to leaders of the petro-chemical industry in the Gulf. “There the price of a barrel of oil hovers around $50, where once it was over $100. The leaders of the Gulf nations need the wealthy oil companies to help their economies diversify. They look with envy at the way research-led science parks, bustling with innovators, have spun off from major UK universities thereby creating considerable wealth for the nation. The point is that as well as diversifying their economies they need to invest further in education. And they all are – with education at the heart of their 2030 and 2040 visions of sustainable societies ‘beyond oil’. Sustainability is the mantra.”
And so, we all might ask in these changing times: “What is education for?” It certainly isn’t just about passing exams, important at some junctures though this is. But, in my view, it has everything to do with sustaining a civilised society. Above all, we need to teach our pupils to be adaptable, and to make the most of new challenges, take risks and learn from mistakes. Speaking at the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference this week, Dr Lucy, Director of Admissions at Cambridge, said a "cult of perfectionism" among new students at Cambridge was a significant challenge."We are recruiting all these fabulously talented young people who then find it very hard to fail at anything because they are used to this culture of perfectionism." And isn’t one of the most important aspects of education also to enable children to develop self-awareness, a good moral compass and the confidence and judgment to make the right decisions? Interestingly, the new Warden’s declaration, recited at his installation earlier this week, concluded with an affirmation that he would “diligently help in offering sound counsel, acts of kindness and goodwill and all such assistance as lies within my power” (a translation from the original Latin). Those are surely the enduring touchstones for education in changing times. As I looked round this week at the altruism and good judgment of NCS boys as they contributed in the classroom, the playground, on the sports field, in their music, on the eco committee or school council, those sentiments are as valid today as they were in 1379.
We enjoyed celebrating National Poetry Day yesterday. Mrs Hess led our assembly and reminded us of the particular power of poetry and the life-long benefits of learning it by heart. Many boys showed an impressive awareness of the opening lines of some famous poems. At lunchtime in the Library, 33 boys participated in a ‘Poetry Slam’ and all year groups from Year 3 to 8S were represented. The standard of poetry read aloud improves each year and there were many memorable performances. Several teachers supported the activity, but particular mention should go to Mr McCleery's rendering (from memory) of Ode to a Haggis.
Great fun in pre-prep this week as the Fire Brigade arrived to give a talk about fire safety and their rescue work. The boys got to climb into the cab, wear a fireman’s helmet and, best of all, soak the playground with fire hoses! It seems to me vital that children get to know the work of the emergency services in this benign way in case they are ever in a situation of needing help.
It’s always a delight to welcome one of our former parents to demonstrate Tudor instruments and to share her infectious enthusiasm for them with Year 4. As ever, the boys’ intelligent curiosity was abundantly evident and, I trust, has opened up yet another avenue of interest for them.
Good luck to boys, parents and staff taking part in Sunday’s Oxford Half Marathon Schools’ Challenge. I’m sure everyone will have a successful and enjoyable time. Do come and watch if you’re in the area, but be aware that roads in central Oxford close from 8.00am.
The first Evensong of University Term is tonight in New College Chapel at 6.15pm. NCS families are always welcome to College services which are at 6.15pm Monday – Saturday (but no service on Wednesdays) and 6.00pm on Sundays. We wish the Year 5 choristers well as they are admitted as full choristers this Sunday.
All NCS parents are warmly welcome to join the NCS Choral Society which meets on Monday evenings in the Sports Hall at 7.30pm. The first rehearsal this term will be next Monday 10th October. No auditions needed, just an enthusiasm for singing. This term we shall be preparing for a Christmas Concert with the School’s Chamber Choir on Saturday 17th December. Please be in touch with Mr Poyser richard.poyser@newcollegeschool.org 01865 285563 if you would like further details or to register your interest. Or simply turn up to the first rehearsal.
All boys and teachers new to NCS this term will be formally admitted to the School (in Latin!) by the Warden of New College, Mr Miles Young, at our Beginning of Year Service in New College Chapel next Wednesday (12th October) at 10.00am. New College Choristers will lead the service. Parents, relatives and friends are warmly welcome: please put this very special occasion in your calendars. There will be coffee/tea after the service for visitors in the Undercroft.
A reminder that Year 7 Parents’ Evening is also next Wednesday 6.00pm – 8.00pm in the Sports Hall. All those who teach Year 7 will be present, including Mr Lenik as 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.
The School Open Morning is on Saturday 15th October 10.30am – 12.30pm, followed by a Chorister Open Day from 12.30 – 3.30pm in College. Please see if you can display posters and flyers in your locality and encourage friends and colleagues who may be interested to visit us. There’s no need to book and families may join us for all or any part of the day.
New Building Plans. I am delighted to let parents know that the Governing Body of the College has approved the outline of a scheme to develop the School and College buildings on the Savile Road/Mansfield Road site to provide us with a brand-new Pre-Prep Department, a new dining hall, refurbished kitchens and an exciting new assembly hall/theatre as well as re-landscaped playgrounds and outdoor learning facilities. In the same building project, the College will benefit from much-needed new student rooms and a lecture theatre/concert hall, which will also be available for community use.
It is an ambitious and attractive scheme enabled by a single donation from an Old Member of the College, an act of exceptional generosity to College and School. The appointed architects, David Kohn, have been working on the designs, which, while still subject to some finessing, are now ready to go to consultation. One aspect of this consultation is to seek the views of the wider College community, parents, staff and boys, as well as of our neighbours. The first phase of this consultation will be on Wednesday 19th October and Thursday 20th October, open from 3.00 – 7.00pm in New College, Holywell Buildings, Lecture Room 6, (please ask at the Porters’ Lodge for directions) where a full exhibition of the designs will be displayed. All members of the NCS community are most warmly invited to visit the exhibition, where I know your views and ideas will be much valued. A second public exhibition is likely to follow in the New Year ahead of a detailed planning application being submitted in the spring.
With good wishes to all NCS families,
Robert Gullifer
Forthcoming Events
Sun 9
Start of University Term
Chorister Surplicing, 6.00pm. Tea beforehand at 4.00pm
Mon 10
MCS 13+ Sports Scholarship Assessment
U8 & U9 Rugby vs Chandlings, Away, 4.00pm
Old Boys’ Committee Meeting 6.15pm HM Study
Wed 12
Beginning of Year Service, New College Chapel, 10.00am
Speaker: The Warden
Coffee in the Undercroft afterwards for parents and visitors
U9 A&B Rugby vs St Hughes, Away, 12.00pm
Yr 7 Parents' Evening, Sports Hall, 6.00 p.m.
Fri 14
U9 A Rugby vs Cokethorpe, Home, 2.00pm
U9 B&C Tag Rugby vs Cokethorpe, Home, 2.00pm
Sat 15
Open Morning 10.30am -12.30pm; Chorister Open Day & Evensong 12.30 – 3.30pm
Abingdon pre-test (Year 7 for September 2018 entry)
Mon 17
Charity Week
Visit and assembly by teachers from Artevelde University College, Ghent
Pre-prep reviews start
Wed 19
School Service 10.00 am – New College Chapel
Speaker: The Revd Dr Erica Longfellow, School and College Chaplain
Coffee in the Undercroft afterwards for parents and visitors
New Building Plans Exhibition, New College, 3.00 - 7.00pm
‘Orders’ issued
U13 A&B Rugby vs CCCS, Away, 2.30pm
Senior Concerts (Years 6,7 & 8), School Hall, 5.15pm and 6.30 p.m.
Refreshments beforehand in HM Study at 5.00pm and 6.15pm
Thurs 20
New Building Plans Exhibition, New College, 3.00 - 7.00pm
Fri 21
Home Clothes Day
U9 A Rugby vs Windmill, Home, 2.15pm
U9 B Tag Rugby vs Windmill, Home, 2.15pm
Sat 22
Start of Half-Term