27th January - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

 

I spent much of last weekend in the Boarding House. I was delighted and almost humbled by the determination displayed by the Senior Boarders to make the most of their academic opportunity at our school. A member of the boarding team walks round every half hour to ensure all is well. It was clear that the Upper Sixth and Lower Sixth students were studying very hard and taking sensible short breaks as well. Nearly all of them have faced AS or A level papers this week. Their work ethic is admirable, and will be the reason for their future success. (I am sure that many day parents are witnessing the same levels of application at the moment).

 
It is also the custom in the Boarding House for the senior boarders to tutor the Junior boarders both in academic subjects but also in some cases the acquisition of the English Language – an aspect much admired by our recent Inspectors.
 
At the end of the weekend, Mr Patel had arranged for the boarders to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a special meal and the excellent catering team swung into action. I was honoured to be asked to present all boarders with a small red purse with money in and to wish them happiness and prosperity for the year ahead.
 
It is the Year of the Dragon, the king of the animals. The dragon is not to be feared as in Western mythology but to be respected and seen as the bringer of good fortune.
 

I hope this year brings you all good fortune too, in the widest sense of the word.

 
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
 
Best wishes

Roger Clark Headmaster

20th January - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

Much planning is going into the centenary events for this special year in the school’s history. The calendar of events is being
finalised and members of the various school’s communities are being mobilised.

For instance, Founders’ Day this year will see the return of former pupils from all over the world and we are looking forward to
performances from former pupils in our two special music concerts.
I look forward to sharing more news with you as we draw nearer to the various events and celebrations.

As we look back over one hundred years many interesting things are emerging. We have discovered that Battle Choral Society, aided by Battle Abbey School pupils performed the first ever live
broadcast of Mozart’s Requiem in St. Mary’s church in 1931 on BBC Radio. The then school Director of Music lead Battle Choral Society in the same way as John Langridge today leads our school music and Battle Choral Society. We will be performing extracts from Mozart’s Requiem in our Centenary Concert this term. John, coincidentally, used to be a music producer for BBC Radio.

Back to the present and I am aware that many of our senior pupils have been working very hard for the academic challenges of this term’s examinations and we are, of course, trying to support them in this and will continue to do so in the crucial months ahead.

I am also pleased to report that I am seeing many prospective
parents and pupils, who are seeking places here in September.

Best wishes

Roger Clark Headmaster

13th January 2012 - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents
 
Happy 100th Birthday Battle Abbey School!
 
This is the beginning of the year in which we celebrate 100 years of the school’s existence. It is a year to look back with gratitude on all the pupils and staff who have made up that extraordinary tapestry which is our school. It is also a year in which to look forward to all the excitement of education on this ancient site in an ever-changing world. Gratitude and ambition can go hand-in-hand as we move through the year. We can be proud that we are centenarians and proud of the traditions, values and people who have delivered us safely here. We can be ambitious for the future as we work together to improve. No complacency here!
 
The school has needed to change and adapt to stay strong but we have also needed to maintain core values to stay upright and focused. The sense of family, with all that this implies, which lies at the heart of the school is still a guiding principle and the belief that each individual has it in them to succeed is there too in strong measure.
 
I have the privilege this year to teach both Year 7 and Year 9 and I know that the school’s future will be safe – what a great group of young people they are – disarmingly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (similar to the Upper Sixth Formers too!). Sharing in the development of these young people is what the school exists for, helping them to discover the very best of themselves and sharing in their awe and wonder, as they discover the world and go on to improve it. Sometimes they will need to stumble to grow but we will be there to pick them up and always there to celebrate their success.
  
Enough reflective and speculative romance and back to reality!

I hope the New Year brings you health, happiness and success in equal measure and I look forward to many opportunities to work with you and to meet up.

Best wishes
 
Roger Clark Headmaster