25th November - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

 

As the end of term approaches, the very busy life of the school is especially emphasised. I look forward to seeing parents at a variety of events, starting next week with the senior production of "The Sea", followed by Carols round the Fire and the Christmas end of term Carol Service. There are other exciting Christmas events at the Prep School as well of course, which I am very much looking forward to.

 

The academic programme remains in full swing. Our first batch of Oxbridge candidates are off for interview very soon. Year 11 pupils are to be treated to a very important, formal "Mock" examination at the very start of next term and work that they do now and in the holidays will help us all get the best picture of their present academic status.

The Sixth Form Christmas dinner, in all its Hollywood splendour, will be enjoyed by over 80 pupils and staff this Saturday and I am very grateful to those pupils who have organised this annual event so very well.

 

On the last Monday of term, Year 10 under the dedicated leadership of Mr Malewicz and Mr Mercer are putting on a Modern Nativity. We look forward to this interpretation of the Christmas Story, which will be introduced by one of our Governors, the Revd George Pitcher. I am really pleased with the very positive way in which our form teachers use their form time each week to supplement and broaden the pupils’ curriculum.

 

With my very best wishes

 
Roger Clark

18th November - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

Last Friday, the school observed the two minute silence as part of a service of remembrance led as usual by Mike Ansar-Carver. The adults and children shared a truly reverential experience. Mr A-C always brings a moving, historical dimension to this most important service and skilfully takes us out of our everyday lives and makes us concentrate for a while on those who have died in the service of their country and the many others who have suffered in war. He mentioned among much else the very few "grateful villages", where there was no loss of life in the first World War (only one village in the whole of Sussex, East Wittering) but used the local village of Wadhurst to illustrate the norm, where over 600 from a population of 2,000 in 1914 did not return.

On Monday I chose to speak to the school on the theme of forgiveness and some of the themes expressed in the Sermon on the Mount - "Blessed are the Peacemakers". Let us hope and pray that the generation of young people leaving school in the next few years will eventually make a better job of guarding the planet and tolerating each other than their predecessors have done. I also hope very much that some of the lessons your children are learning here will make a small contribution to that. I think that we could all rejoice, if that were the case.
 
Best wishes, as always, Roger Clark

11th November - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

In the middle of an exceptionally busy week, the school and time stood still in the Abbot’s Hall, as Mr Ansar-Carver conducted his annual Remembrance Day service. This is always a very moving occasion and, after the service, pupils attached their poppies to the Honours Board in the Abbot’s private chapel, next to my office, as they always do. Thirty-three former pupils of Glengorse and
Hydenye Prep School, which merged with our school twenty years ago are remembered there.

The Scholars’ Concert this week was an equally moving occasion in different ways but also held in the majestic Abbot’s Hall. I try never to forget how fortunate we are to work in the historic buildings and the wonderful grounds of the old Abbey.

Year 7 and 8 were pleased to go to London this week to experience the delights of “The Railway Children” and our Sixth Form performing artists were also enlarging their exposure to live theatre.

Our inspectors have looked at us very thoroughly in the last few days and we look forward with cautious optimism to receiving the final report, which may not be until after Christmas.

Do come along next week to the Junior Showcase on Monday at 6pm in the Performing Arts Centre or to the FOBAS Quiz night in the library on Friday. You will be very welcome.

Best wishes, as always,

Roger Clark 

4th November - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

There are five major achievements to report on from half-term. Two individuals have brought distinction on themselves as a result of long months of training and dedication. Zofia Malewicz has become European silver medallist for kick-boxing, not in the veterans’ class but in the full women’s competition. Oliver Slacke has become the national body building champion also against very strong opposition. These inspirational achievements send excellent messages to our students that hard work and determination can pay high dividends.

On the academic front we were delighted to welcome sixth formers from all over the South to our annual 1066 History Conference and I am extremely grateful to Mike Carver for the academic distinction, that this very high powered conference brings to the school.

Kevin Anderson led a large group of Year 8 pupils to Dorset for a week of bonding and adventure and Aaron Eckhoff with Charlotte Bryant took this year’s seven Duke of Edinburgh aspiring Gold medalists on an extremely tough hike and camping expedition in the Peak District. The gentle, sunny weather of the summer, which I experienced when I was in this beautiful countryside in June had become aggressive, horizontal hail and high winds and, like a headache, when it is over, the team returned triumphal and relieved.

 
This week we have been delighted to welcome our entry and scholarship candidates for 2012. Early signs are that they are an extremely able group. Seven different Prep Schools were represented for entry to Year 9.

We also were delighted to have 8 talented youngsters competing for the Joanna Lumley scholarship for entry to the Sixth Form "A Servant to Two Masters" running currently in the West End and at Battle Abbey School enjoyed its first performance on Thursday and was a spectacular success. There will be three other productions this term for different age groups in the school. In addition, the annual Scholars’ Concert, which showcases the very best of BAS music takes place next Tuesday. All are welcome. It will be an excellent evening. At the end of term there is also Carols Round the Fire. Thus the Performing Arts department is once again in full swing and I have to record my pride in all that they achieve and take on.

A recent parental visitor to the school said that they had approached R.A.D.A. from overseas to ask them to recommend 4 good schools for the Performing Arts to suit their talented daughter. Battle Abbey School was one of those 4. Thus they came to visit us.

Do come along to one or other of the productions or concerts in the next few weeks. I am confident that you will enjoy your visit.

Best wishes

Roger Clark