September 16th - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

So much has happened already this term and it is barely ten days old.

I was thrilled to be there in the boarding house last night when the news came through that one of our Hong Kong boarders, who has been at the school for seven years, had won the emergent artist prize at the Battle Contemporary Arts Festival. (There were, incidentally, only two school-age artists in the whole competition, both from Battle Abbey School.) I was delighted to share with him his moment of triumph and also to hear Mrs Stewart’s excited voice at the end of the telephone. One of the great privileges of being a head teacher is being able to bask in the reflected glory of one’s pupils. David Cheng deserves great credit, as does our inspirational Art department. This award comes hot on the heels of the national awards for textiles won by Alice King and Harriet Pankhurst at the end of last term.

Our pupils have been enriched by two theatre trips to London already, by five inter school matches and by two "bonding days" for Year 9 and 12. Form Captains have been appointed and the new senior prefects are working very well supporting the learning and pastoral life of the younger pupils in the school. We have "Form Bronzes" and

"Subject Bronzes", who are assisting teachers in delivering the best possible programme for our pupils in Year 7 to 11. All the Sixth Form biologists are away to the north Norfolk Coast for a long weekend to sample rivers, rocky shores and study heathland succession ….. and now, tomorrow it is Open Day.

Very sadly, two key part-time members of staff fell ill right at the end of the holidays. We are in close contact with them and every effort is being made to avoid disruption to the pupils’ learning as a result of these unforeseen absences. I am sure that you would join me in sending every good wish for a speedy recovery to Mrs Halls-Bryant and Mrs Lloyd.

The Summer holidays are long gone! Especially for many of the staff here whose term began with the new boarders induction week which began on Bank Holiday Monday. Rak Patel is to be thanked for setting up a very stimulating week for our newest boarding recruits and I would also like to thank Sue Bonell, our extraordinarily hard-

working Bursar and her team of excellent support staff for all they achieved when the school was in summer recession.

As always, I invite your all to remember that we are a partnership. The staff here want to work closely with the parents to develop these wonderful young people – the pupils of Battle Abbey School.

Best regards - Roger Clark