David Clark, Headmaster of Battle Abbey School - Blog, 13th Sept 2013.

Dear Parents,

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to you all as we return to School for the academic year 2013-14. It seems like only yesterday that I went through the interview process for the headship of BAS – and yet here we are, already two weeks into the Autumn term and so much that is good has already taken place.

We have been joined by a very impressive group of new pupils from a range of different schools and countries and I would like to wish them well as they settle into the very special rhythms and routines of life at Battle Abbey. Equally, I would like to salute the achievements of our existing students and particularly, to commend those who did so well in their public examinations last Summer.  Furthermore,  several talented new teachers have made their marks already in different aspects of School life and more information about them will be included in future newsletters.

We have experienced a very positive and purposeful start at the School and the student body seems refreshed by its Summer break and ready to take on the challenges ahead. This was evident only last Friday when we held the Activities Fair and there was a fantastic buzz in the Abbot’s Hall and Library as a host of sporting, dramatic, musical and cultural clubs and societies enticed the students to join their ranks. The extra-curricular life of the School is a great strength of BAS and we are working hard to widen the opportunities that are open to students. For example, we are keen to resurrect the Archery Club and some promising tentative steps have been made on that front – watch this space for a progress report.

I am so pleased to have been able to make contact with a large number of parents so soon into my tenure at the school. The new pupil’s tea party was a huge success and I very much appreciated the efforts that parents made to come along to the ‘Meet the Head’ sessions in the Library. If I haven’t been able to meet you yet, please rest assured that I will make every effort to do so in the coming weeks – be that at the front of School for drop off or pick up or at future Parent Consultation Evenings.

Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all those – staff, parents and pupils – who have made my first few weeks so enjoyable and who have offered so much help and support as I get to grips with this exciting challenge.

Best wishes

David Clark