Dear Parents,
It has been another busy but memorable end of term at Battle Abbey School. The Senior School play proved a great hit with audiences marvelling at the standard of acting in what was a very challenging and complicated production of ‘A Country Wife’. Soon after that, the school musicians took centre stage and gave us all an uplifting experience at Evensong then a stunning evening of musical talent at the Spring Concert. Prep School students joined the Concert and it was very special to see performers ranging in age from year 3 to year 13. After so much success at the Hastings Musical Festival, this was a fitting way for us all to celebrate the very best of Battle Abbey music.
Sport has also played its part in the end of term activities. Mrs Carey hosted a fantastic Netball Master-class with former England player Tamsin Greenway which saw nearly 70 students joining different training sessions last Saturday. Added to that, I was lucky enough to pop over to Claremont to witness the U16 rugby team defeating their arch rivals in a thrilling and highly competitive encounter. I am proud to report that the boys have now done the double over Claremont – beating them at both football and rugby this season. Individual sporting success was equally notable with Louis Choron of year 7 who won a staggering 11 gold medals at the recent County Swimming Championships.
Our students, and particularly those in exam classes, are working hard at the moment and I am hugely grateful to the many teachers who are offering extra help and support outside of lessons and are also giving time to revision sessions in the school holidays. The Lower Sixth have made a good start towards their UCAS applications and the visit to the University of Surrey has really galvanised the process. The Science Faculty continues to make its mark nationally and Battle Abbey School is one of eight schools in the UK to win a prestigious partnership with CERN and the European Space Agency. Many congratulations to Dr D and all the Science teachers.
I have lost count of the many ways in which our students support the local and wider communities as well as raising money for a raft of good causes. Only last week, we were treated to a rather unique fund raising activity by St. Patrick’s entitled – ‘Water the Flower’ – which saw Mr Flower dressed accordingly and then drenched by eager students brandishing water pistols! I was equally impressed to see students running an appeal for the Bexhill Food Bank whilst also setting up the inaugural Battle Abbey Amnesty International Group.
Before I sign off, I would like to pay tribute to Ian Mercer, our Chair of
Governors who is stepping down as Chairman over the holidays – but will remain a fully committed member of the Full Court. I cannot thank him enough for all the help and advice that he has given to me personally and also for the way in which he supports the School and our students. I have never known a Chairman attend so many events and engage so fully with the whole school community. So I would like to extend our thanks to him and to his wife Vera for all that they have done for us over the last 10 years of his chairmanship.
Finally, I would like to wish the Duke of Edinburgh students all the best for their expedition and also to those taking part in the holiday ski trip.
Happy Easter to you all.
David Clark
