Dear Parents
I have just had the pleasant duty of reading in depth the reports of nearly half our pupils. I am reminded as always what a privilege it is to be involved with the education of your children. The vast majority of pupils are doing well, engaged in a good variety of activities and, for me, perhaps most importantly, they are very decent human beings. It is their smiling faces, their kindness to one another and their easy charm, which takes much of the stress out of my job.
Another feature of Battle Abbey School life was on display last evening at the Valentines Disco. At one moment, a line of Yr 5 and 6 girls were dancing some practised steps which were really quite well synchronised and as I briefly admired their talent, I noticed another group, this time of 18 year olds, dancing right beside them and thought that this speaks volumes for the ethos of our school. The family of pupils was relaxing and enjoying dancing together.
Many of our pupils are approaching the all-important exam season and I hope that as well as relaxing many parents will be encouraging their children to get on with some revision this half-term and could I also bring to parents’ attention the many opportunities after half-term that exist for public exam candidates to take part in extra revision sessions after school.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 15 February 2013
Friday, 8 February 2013
8th February 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents,
The Icelandic Expedition team returned safe and sound from their ascent of Snowdon last Saturday. They had to turn back right at the top because of treacherous ice but what an experience and what a cold place to be camping out!
Another busy seven days have passed and there is a very busy weekend in prospect for many of our pupils.
The Bronze and Gold Duke of Edinburgh groups are have a training weekend, lugging their packs around East Sussex and camping out.
I was delighted to hear yesterday of the success of Zach Lecheminant, who has gained a place at the prestigious American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, a world-renowned conservatory and college located in New York and then this morning Bethany James gained a place at the London Academy of Contemporary Dance. 2,000 dancers, from all over the world, auditioned for 50 places.
Many congratulations to Zach and Bethany!
Representatives from Royal Holloway University will be speaking to our Yr12s today at the beginning of their programme of preparation for university application. How quickly they move on from GCSEs to thinking about what degree course they will study.
The public speaking team of Lucy Webb, Phoebe Crane and Isobel Haskell (pictured below) performed very well yesterday evening at Vinehall in the local Youth Speaks 2013 competition. Their argument was that some parents needed to do better and take more responsibility for their children’s education and behaviour. They felt that all parents should attend compulsory, good parenting classes. An interesting concept!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
The Icelandic Expedition team returned safe and sound from their ascent of Snowdon last Saturday. They had to turn back right at the top because of treacherous ice but what an experience and what a cold place to be camping out!
Another busy seven days have passed and there is a very busy weekend in prospect for many of our pupils.
The Bronze and Gold Duke of Edinburgh groups are have a training weekend, lugging their packs around East Sussex and camping out.
I was delighted to hear yesterday of the success of Zach Lecheminant, who has gained a place at the prestigious American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, a world-renowned conservatory and college located in New York and then this morning Bethany James gained a place at the London Academy of Contemporary Dance. 2,000 dancers, from all over the world, auditioned for 50 places.
Many congratulations to Zach and Bethany!
Representatives from Royal Holloway University will be speaking to our Yr12s today at the beginning of their programme of preparation for university application. How quickly they move on from GCSEs to thinking about what degree course they will study.
The public speaking team of Lucy Webb, Phoebe Crane and Isobel Haskell (pictured below) performed very well yesterday evening at Vinehall in the local Youth Speaks 2013 competition. Their argument was that some parents needed to do better and take more responsibility for their children’s education and behaviour. They felt that all parents should attend compulsory, good parenting classes. An interesting concept!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 1 February 2013
1st February 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
I have just watched ten intrepid teenagers set off for Snowdonia. They will be training all weekend in preparation for their Icelandic adventure in the Summer. Miss Bryant will be leading the expedition with her brother who is an outdoor adventure specialist. I think that there will be some bleary eyes in assembly on Monday morning. But “you cannot discover new oceans unless you lose sight of the shore”.
As educators, we should all have this in mind for our young people. They must grow up adventurous and questioning.
They must dare to take on new challenges, to make mistakes and get things wrong to make progress. They must learn to fall over, because they are trying new things, and then get up again. I hope that our pupils do not fall over too often in Snowdonia but I admire their sense of adventure and commend the teachers who give our youngsters so many opportunities to be physically or, indeed intellectually adventurous.
I will finish with a prayer attributed to Sir Francis Drake:
“Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.”
Best wishes
Roger Clark
I have just watched ten intrepid teenagers set off for Snowdonia. They will be training all weekend in preparation for their Icelandic adventure in the Summer. Miss Bryant will be leading the expedition with her brother who is an outdoor adventure specialist. I think that there will be some bleary eyes in assembly on Monday morning. But “you cannot discover new oceans unless you lose sight of the shore”.
As educators, we should all have this in mind for our young people. They must grow up adventurous and questioning.
They must dare to take on new challenges, to make mistakes and get things wrong to make progress. They must learn to fall over, because they are trying new things, and then get up again. I hope that our pupils do not fall over too often in Snowdonia but I admire their sense of adventure and commend the teachers who give our youngsters so many opportunities to be physically or, indeed intellectually adventurous.
I will finish with a prayer attributed to Sir Francis Drake:
“Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.”
Best wishes
Roger Clark
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