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
Friday, 8 February 2013
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
Friday, 25 January 2013
25th January 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
I always spend part of every day in the boarding house. I enjoy the company of these young people many of whom are a long way from home. They bring an important diversity to the school and they also allow the Abbott’s House to continue as a living building, more than just a school.
David and Prito Perry lead a dedicated team who care for the boarders and ensure their safety. This week’s inspection report will be published for all to see in about 6 weeks’ time and will report on regulatory compliance rather than make judgments of quality. I know that the boarders made our visitors welcome and were proud to talk about their school. There are always things that we can do better and inspections help us improve. So we look forward to their comments.
I see all the boarders at breakfast and I am flattered always by the friendly greeting I receive and from here comes my theme for next week. On Monday, I will ask all the pupils as they walk around during their busy school week to make a special effort always to remember to acknowledge one another, the adult community and visitors. A friendly greeting suggests mutual respect and it lies for me at the heart of good manners. I will repeat one of my favorite mantras at assembly: “Good manners cost you nothing and last you a life time.” The school have heard me say this before but good messages bear repetition. And, however charming your children are, we all benefit from being reminded to hold fast that which is good.
I can relax better this weekend because my Monday assembly is now planned. Inspired by the boarders, in particular, this week, I will talk about one of the several pillars that underpin the value system of the school and make it such a rewarding place to work.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
I always spend part of every day in the boarding house. I enjoy the company of these young people many of whom are a long way from home. They bring an important diversity to the school and they also allow the Abbott’s House to continue as a living building, more than just a school.
David and Prito Perry lead a dedicated team who care for the boarders and ensure their safety. This week’s inspection report will be published for all to see in about 6 weeks’ time and will report on regulatory compliance rather than make judgments of quality. I know that the boarders made our visitors welcome and were proud to talk about their school. There are always things that we can do better and inspections help us improve. So we look forward to their comments.
I see all the boarders at breakfast and I am flattered always by the friendly greeting I receive and from here comes my theme for next week. On Monday, I will ask all the pupils as they walk around during their busy school week to make a special effort always to remember to acknowledge one another, the adult community and visitors. A friendly greeting suggests mutual respect and it lies for me at the heart of good manners. I will repeat one of my favorite mantras at assembly: “Good manners cost you nothing and last you a life time.” The school have heard me say this before but good messages bear repetition. And, however charming your children are, we all benefit from being reminded to hold fast that which is good.
I can relax better this weekend because my Monday assembly is now planned. Inspired by the boarders, in particular, this week, I will talk about one of the several pillars that underpin the value system of the school and make it such a rewarding place to work.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 18 January 2013
18th January 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
Once again, I am delighted to announce that one of our pupils has received yet another offer to study at Oxbridge. Dani Edmunds was thrilled to hear from Oxford University and to receive an offer to study Biological Sciences. Three offers from a class of 31 is a record for the school but I would add that there are plenty of other pupils who have received offers this year to study at this country’s leading universities. Equally, I would like to emphasise that we take great pride in all of our pupils’ achievements, whether academic or otherwise. We have a broad ability range at the school but assume that all children are talented and we share with you the task of helping to develop that talent, in whatever field it may lie.
James Young in Yr 10 has, for instance, just been selected for the Sussex Rugby squad and this reflects, as with all high achievements, hundreds of hours of dedicated work and determination.
Likewise, from Yr 9, Isobel Richardson has passed Grade 8 on the cello with Distinction. This means that Isobel is playing at top A Level standard already. She also achieved a Distinction in Recorder at Grade 6.
All three of these pupils mentioned above surely prove the old adage that high achievements are nearly always 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration! We know that the “Beatles” practised at great length and had endless performances before they became famous.
I take great pride in the fact that so many of your children are determined, hardworking and successful young people and it is a privilege to share in their triumphs when they come.
Next week form Tuesday to Thursday, we have inspectors looking at boarding in the school and all boarding parents are encouraged to reply to the questionnaire that has been sent to you.
I hope you all have some fun in the snow this weekend.
Best wishes,
Roger Clark
Once again, I am delighted to announce that one of our pupils has received yet another offer to study at Oxbridge. Dani Edmunds was thrilled to hear from Oxford University and to receive an offer to study Biological Sciences. Three offers from a class of 31 is a record for the school but I would add that there are plenty of other pupils who have received offers this year to study at this country’s leading universities. Equally, I would like to emphasise that we take great pride in all of our pupils’ achievements, whether academic or otherwise. We have a broad ability range at the school but assume that all children are talented and we share with you the task of helping to develop that talent, in whatever field it may lie.
James Young in Yr 10 has, for instance, just been selected for the Sussex Rugby squad and this reflects, as with all high achievements, hundreds of hours of dedicated work and determination.
Likewise, from Yr 9, Isobel Richardson has passed Grade 8 on the cello with Distinction. This means that Isobel is playing at top A Level standard already. She also achieved a Distinction in Recorder at Grade 6.
All three of these pupils mentioned above surely prove the old adage that high achievements are nearly always 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration! We know that the “Beatles” practised at great length and had endless performances before they became famous.
I take great pride in the fact that so many of your children are determined, hardworking and successful young people and it is a privilege to share in their triumphs when they come.
Next week form Tuesday to Thursday, we have inspectors looking at boarding in the school and all boarding parents are encouraged to reply to the questionnaire that has been sent to you.
I hope you all have some fun in the snow this weekend.
Best wishes,
Roger Clark
Friday, 11 January 2013
11th January 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
What better way to start the new school year than to hear that we had two pupils with offers at Cambridge University for October 2013? Max Maher has an unconditional offer to read English at Robinson College and Lily Lindon has a conditional offer also to read English at Magdalene College. We are all delighted, none more so than the English department.
On top of this we are also very pleased to be in top 50 co-educational, day and boarding schools in the country based on the Times and Daily Telegraph’s league table of schools with the highest percentage of A and A* grades at A Level.
Mr Payton is e-mailing you all separately to tell you about a much improved method of booking appointments for parents’ evenings and he also will be asking you to confirm your most current e-mail contact details.
We are building a new maintenance workshop on part of the imprint of the Abbey church and this has given rise to some sensitive planning considerations and , after some delays, this will soon be accomplished and completion of the new girls’ changing rooms will follow in short order. In addition, the pupils are helping in the planning of a major refurbishment of the Sixth Form area in preparation for the new school year in September.
The holidays also produced some interesting archeology on our site. English Heritage were very busy over Christmas following the discovery of some footings of the old Abbey infirmary, which have lain unnoticed for nearly 500 years by the walled garden.
So, the new term is under way and I hope that you will, as always, feel free to contact me with any concerns, that you may have, whilst also saying to you that positive feedback is also most welcome. We need to know what we are doing right and wrong in order to keep on improving!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
What better way to start the new school year than to hear that we had two pupils with offers at Cambridge University for October 2013? Max Maher has an unconditional offer to read English at Robinson College and Lily Lindon has a conditional offer also to read English at Magdalene College. We are all delighted, none more so than the English department.
On top of this we are also very pleased to be in top 50 co-educational, day and boarding schools in the country based on the Times and Daily Telegraph’s league table of schools with the highest percentage of A and A* grades at A Level.
Mr Payton is e-mailing you all separately to tell you about a much improved method of booking appointments for parents’ evenings and he also will be asking you to confirm your most current e-mail contact details.
We are building a new maintenance workshop on part of the imprint of the Abbey church and this has given rise to some sensitive planning considerations and , after some delays, this will soon be accomplished and completion of the new girls’ changing rooms will follow in short order. In addition, the pupils are helping in the planning of a major refurbishment of the Sixth Form area in preparation for the new school year in September.
The holidays also produced some interesting archeology on our site. English Heritage were very busy over Christmas following the discovery of some footings of the old Abbey infirmary, which have lain unnoticed for nearly 500 years by the walled garden.
So, the new term is under way and I hope that you will, as always, feel free to contact me with any concerns, that you may have, whilst also saying to you that positive feedback is also most welcome. We need to know what we are doing right and wrong in order to keep on improving!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 23 November 2012
23rd November 2012 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
This has been a week with two very significant events, which will affect the future of the school.
Firstly there will be a very exciting announcement made at the end of next week about my successor. But we must all wait patiently!
Secondly, as you can read elsewhere, Battle Abbey School was selected as a leading centre for educational excellence in the use of digital technology to improve pupils’ learning. As one of only six schools nationwide, we will have access to and be part of digital educational resources and research in 19 other European countries. I cannot tell you quite how honoured I feel on behalf of the school that this immense achievement has been won by a small independent school. Dr Eric Demoncheaux has led this project, very ably abetted by Tony Payton, Phil Usher, John Norbury and Damian Baldry and a host of other staff. Eric has always kept an eye on the scientific and digital revolution which goes on in the big, wide world and in the world-wide web. Once again, I
commend our excellent staff to you. I feel privileged to work alongside so many very high calibre colleagues.
The Abbot’s Hall is, in so many ways, the epicentre of the school and this beautiful building reverted briefly to its spiritual origins as we celebrated Evensong last Sunday with the whole boarding community, the full choir and some fifty parents. This room - and the services we hold in it - will always be one of my abiding memories of life at school. The Hall is warm, welcoming and the echoes of its past reverberate around it, if you stop and are still enough to listen and hear. With the Christmas tree in place, it has a very special atmosphere every year and we look forward to “Carols round the Fire”, which has long been a favourite evening for many generations of pupils, staff, parents and governors and is very often their first Christmas event. I hope parents will want to join us on Tuesday 4th December at 7pm. It was the first event that I attended after I had been appointed to the Headship of the school some 15 years ago and it is an evening which is very special for me and for many others. You are all welcome.
With my best wishes
Roger Clark
This has been a week with two very significant events, which will affect the future of the school.
Firstly there will be a very exciting announcement made at the end of next week about my successor. But we must all wait patiently!
Secondly, as you can read elsewhere, Battle Abbey School was selected as a leading centre for educational excellence in the use of digital technology to improve pupils’ learning. As one of only six schools nationwide, we will have access to and be part of digital educational resources and research in 19 other European countries. I cannot tell you quite how honoured I feel on behalf of the school that this immense achievement has been won by a small independent school. Dr Eric Demoncheaux has led this project, very ably abetted by Tony Payton, Phil Usher, John Norbury and Damian Baldry and a host of other staff. Eric has always kept an eye on the scientific and digital revolution which goes on in the big, wide world and in the world-wide web. Once again, I
commend our excellent staff to you. I feel privileged to work alongside so many very high calibre colleagues.
The Abbot’s Hall is, in so many ways, the epicentre of the school and this beautiful building reverted briefly to its spiritual origins as we celebrated Evensong last Sunday with the whole boarding community, the full choir and some fifty parents. This room - and the services we hold in it - will always be one of my abiding memories of life at school. The Hall is warm, welcoming and the echoes of its past reverberate around it, if you stop and are still enough to listen and hear. With the Christmas tree in place, it has a very special atmosphere every year and we look forward to “Carols round the Fire”, which has long been a favourite evening for many generations of pupils, staff, parents and governors and is very often their first Christmas event. I hope parents will want to join us on Tuesday 4th December at 7pm. It was the first event that I attended after I had been appointed to the Headship of the school some 15 years ago and it is an evening which is very special for me and for many others. You are all welcome.
With my best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 16 November 2012
16th November 2012 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
Evensong on Sunday 6pm – it is advertised separately but please do come along, if you would like to.
Scholars’ Concert – the very best of Battle Abbey School music was on display this Tuesday. Twenty of our finest musicians played, sang and entertained us. One guest thought that there could be very few schools in the South East of England who could match the depth of talent. This statement is probably impossible to prove but I, for one, was bursting with pride, as I often am, because of the achievements of our pupils and teachers.
Sixth Form Open Evening – there was a very good turn out and a larger than usual number of visitors from outside of the school. We talked, among much else, of the possibility of starting new A Level subjects. At the moment, out of Politics, Philosophy and Photography, the latter two seem the most popular. I also informed students and parents that a significant upgrade to the Sixth Form area would take place in time for September. However, above all, I talked about the excitement of study at this level and the sea change that our pupils encounter after GCSE. The Sixth Form experience at BAS is very special – the icing on the cake for our pupils and staff!
FOBAS Quiz Night – a sell-out! Former parent and quizmaster of longstanding, Alan Covall, will again remind all those present of the two disastrous years when the Headmaster joined a hapless and unsuspecting team and how the Headmaster had to come and receive the wooden spoon on behalf of the team. For many years I have hidden shamefaced behind the bar on the night of the quiz not daring to attach myself and my unenviable reputation to any group but tonight I’m making a come-back. I think that my team is called the “Likely Losers”.
“The Boyfriend” – this term’s senior musical. You will have seen the advertisements. Do come along and enjoy some high quality, live theatre.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Evensong on Sunday 6pm – it is advertised separately but please do come along, if you would like to.
Scholars’ Concert – the very best of Battle Abbey School music was on display this Tuesday. Twenty of our finest musicians played, sang and entertained us. One guest thought that there could be very few schools in the South East of England who could match the depth of talent. This statement is probably impossible to prove but I, for one, was bursting with pride, as I often am, because of the achievements of our pupils and teachers.
Sixth Form Open Evening – there was a very good turn out and a larger than usual number of visitors from outside of the school. We talked, among much else, of the possibility of starting new A Level subjects. At the moment, out of Politics, Philosophy and Photography, the latter two seem the most popular. I also informed students and parents that a significant upgrade to the Sixth Form area would take place in time for September. However, above all, I talked about the excitement of study at this level and the sea change that our pupils encounter after GCSE. The Sixth Form experience at BAS is very special – the icing on the cake for our pupils and staff!
FOBAS Quiz Night – a sell-out! Former parent and quizmaster of longstanding, Alan Covall, will again remind all those present of the two disastrous years when the Headmaster joined a hapless and unsuspecting team and how the Headmaster had to come and receive the wooden spoon on behalf of the team. For many years I have hidden shamefaced behind the bar on the night of the quiz not daring to attach myself and my unenviable reputation to any group but tonight I’m making a come-back. I think that my team is called the “Likely Losers”.
“The Boyfriend” – this term’s senior musical. You will have seen the advertisements. Do come along and enjoy some high quality, live theatre.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
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