22nd March 2013 - Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents

As we rush towards the end of term, it is good to reflect on the achievements of your children, especially in the short second half of this term. I could very reasonably start by congratulating Maria Maslin, the staff and pupils of the Prep School on all that they have achieved, because the pupils have been showered with gold medals at the Hastings Festival and in the regional round of the national swimming competition.

Moving to the Senior School, I asked various groups to stand up in assembly this week. I wanted to see who had been involved in the marvellous production of the "Crucible", in the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh training weekend, in the Kickboxing workshop, in helping at the Wedding Fayre, in the end of term music concert, as a guide on Open Day. Nearly the whole school stood up. I knew that all of them had also been involved in academic work – we take that for granted but it was comforting to see just how many of our pupils were also gainfully employed elsewhere.

Both the "Crucible" and the Concert were a great triumph. The pupils never fail to surprise and delight me with their talent and energy. There were some extraordinary performances from soloists, small groups and from four choirs, including, to everyone’s delight, the Prep School choir. There was a guest appearance from Tony Payton, whose repartee and facial expressions had everyone in stitches, whilst playing the piano accordion with great skill, accompanied by one of the school’s budding rock stars, Harry Osborne. Another memorable performance was from Rocky Bullin who played a piece by Scriabin with enormous sensitivity and notably with only one hand.

As at the Prep School, many of our pupils have been involved in the Hastings Festival and there have been many successes. Isobel Richardson probably claims the title for most "decorated" performer with seven first places and various other second and third places. It was no small triumph either for our Girls’ Choir to win the competition in the under 25 class!

We had such fun at lunchtime yesterday, hunting for Easter eggs. Polly Sapsford and Dr Demoncheaux organised a whole school Easter Egg hunt and, as a result of much careful planning, great excitement was to be seen on the top terrace and in the secret garden/outdoor theatre and almost everyone found at least one egg and so we were all winners!

I would like to finish by thanking not just the children but also the staff here who do so much to support the success of the pupils. I am proud to lead such a strong team!

I hope the holidays provide you with much family happiness and that you have a very happy Easter.

With my very best wishes

Roger Clark

 

 

15th February 2013 - Message from the Headmaster

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

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

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

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

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

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