Dear Parents
I went on a very stimulating course in London this week. Eight retiring heads were being advised on the skills needed to mentor newly appointed heads. It reminded me of the first course on headship that I attended 25 years ago in Oxford. Two bits of advice have stayed with me and there is an element of truth to both of them. The first was rather depressing and has only occasionally seemed true in real life. We were told that: “There will soon be so many alligators snapping at your heels that you will forget why you decided to drain the swamp.” Well at Battle Abbey, there has been little sign of a swamp, (although of course we have a “bloody” lake on the battlefield), and there have been very few alligators. The vast majority of people with whom I have had the privilege to work have been genuinely concerned to do the very best for the children or in the children’s case the very best for themselves and the school. But the odd alligator keeps you on your toes!
The second piece of advice was: “let the corridors of your school ring with love and laughter.” What great advice that was and I have tried my hardest to follow it. It doesn’t always work of course but without ideals we would be nowhere. This idea of encouraging “love and laughter” has been an internal driver for me throughout my career and I hope some of it is reflected in our corridors, along with much else.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 17 May 2013
Friday, 10 May 2013
10th May 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
“School food” – two little words but with huge resonance. Despite many of us, who have fond and nostalgic memories of the highly calorific chocolate pudding dripping with chocolate sauce, served when we were at school, other memories are less positive. We, as a nation, are much more conscious today of what we eat and what we feed our children, than was the case forty years ago and in many schools the catering has stepped up to the mark. At the Abbey we are proud of the food that we offer our children. Until recently we have had three first class and widely experienced chefs. Aaron Pawson is in charge of the catering and is assisted by Jim Thompson. Aaron trained in London and worked in a Michelin starred restaurant and in the top restaurant in the Houses of Parliament and Jim was trained to provide food on board ships for hungry sailors for many years, working on the Royal Yacht Britannia and on HMS Invincible, which sailed up the Thames yesterday. Aaron and Jim both watch “Master Chef” and are always looking to change and improve what your children are offered each day.
Our third weekend chef, Michael Little, has just left us but lives locally. Michael is studying for an MA in anthropology and has a particular interest in soil and food. He is chairman of the south east branch of “Slow Food”. In 1986 an Italian called Carlo Petrini came to prominence for campaigning against the fast food chain Macdonald’s, who were seeking to open a store near the Spanish Steps in Rome. He invented the Slow Food movement, which has spread throughout the world and has many objectives. It is in favour of good quality, locally produced food and seeks to harmonise gastronomy and agriculture in an eco-friendly way. One of the movement’s objectives is to teach gardening skills to young people.
Without embracing the movement, I have offered Michael the opportunity to start not a “gardening” club but a “growing food” club at school and we hope to launch with immediate effect to catch the planting season. There is a little known patch of land which belongs to the school on the other side of the ruins and Michael will teach any pupil, who is interested, how to start a garden. He will tend it during the summer holidays and pupils can return to the garden in September.
If any one of you is interested in this project, do you have a spade, folk, trowel or rake unused and un-needed gathering dust in your potting shed? If so and if you would like to donate it to the new club, we should be able to set up with almost no cost. (Just pop them into the office!)
Have a good weekend!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
“School food” – two little words but with huge resonance. Despite many of us, who have fond and nostalgic memories of the highly calorific chocolate pudding dripping with chocolate sauce, served when we were at school, other memories are less positive. We, as a nation, are much more conscious today of what we eat and what we feed our children, than was the case forty years ago and in many schools the catering has stepped up to the mark. At the Abbey we are proud of the food that we offer our children. Until recently we have had three first class and widely experienced chefs. Aaron Pawson is in charge of the catering and is assisted by Jim Thompson. Aaron trained in London and worked in a Michelin starred restaurant and in the top restaurant in the Houses of Parliament and Jim was trained to provide food on board ships for hungry sailors for many years, working on the Royal Yacht Britannia and on HMS Invincible, which sailed up the Thames yesterday. Aaron and Jim both watch “Master Chef” and are always looking to change and improve what your children are offered each day.
Our third weekend chef, Michael Little, has just left us but lives locally. Michael is studying for an MA in anthropology and has a particular interest in soil and food. He is chairman of the south east branch of “Slow Food”. In 1986 an Italian called Carlo Petrini came to prominence for campaigning against the fast food chain Macdonald’s, who were seeking to open a store near the Spanish Steps in Rome. He invented the Slow Food movement, which has spread throughout the world and has many objectives. It is in favour of good quality, locally produced food and seeks to harmonise gastronomy and agriculture in an eco-friendly way. One of the movement’s objectives is to teach gardening skills to young people.
Without embracing the movement, I have offered Michael the opportunity to start not a “gardening” club but a “growing food” club at school and we hope to launch with immediate effect to catch the planting season. There is a little known patch of land which belongs to the school on the other side of the ruins and Michael will teach any pupil, who is interested, how to start a garden. He will tend it during the summer holidays and pupils can return to the garden in September.
If any one of you is interested in this project, do you have a spade, folk, trowel or rake unused and un-needed gathering dust in your potting shed? If so and if you would like to donate it to the new club, we should be able to set up with almost no cost. (Just pop them into the office!)
Have a good weekend!
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 3 May 2013
3rd May 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
Has the spring/summer come at last? Whisper it not in Battle, proclaim it not in the streets of Hastings but there are reasons for cautious optimism and I hope the weather will be clement for the annual school photograph at 9am on Tuesday morning at the end of what, I hope, will be a very happy weekend for you all.
I am inevitably spending some part of this term looking back as I come towards my retirement after 41 years of teaching but I will try not to pontificate too often (or not more than usual!) and I hope that I will avoid sounding like Mr Chips. Indeed of the four members of staff retiring this summer, I am the one who has served the least time, with only 15 years at Battle Abbey School.
Next least senior in years of service is Kevin Anderson who will have completed 18 years at Battle. Kevin writes: ““I will complete 40 years’ teaching in July, and with the joints creaking just a little more these days, it seemed a quite appropriate time to make the decision. I am very lucky to have been involved in so many years of the School’s growth and success.” Kevin is having a sabbatical term as Head of KS3 and will be concentrating his many creative talents into the performing arts. Kevin was briefly Head of Music, when he first joined the school. Angela Valentino and I will pick up the few KS3 problems that occur. I have particularly enjoyed working more closely with Yr9 and Yr7 in the last two years and it reminds me of my 9 very happy years as a Prep School Head before I came to Battle.
Next comes Lyndall Davey who will complete 21 years with the school this summer. She has brought a stability and quality to the English department, which surely accounts for much of its long term success. There are many former pupils who will recognise that their examination success largely depended on the kind, patient, extra support given by Lyndall.
Finally and not least among us is Julia Hinde, who has served the school since February 1985, thus completing over 28 years with the school. Few people in any job can claim that length of loyal service. I have had the privilege of working very closely with Julia for all of my time at the school in her role as Headmaster’s secretary and she has been a wonderful supporter and ally. It has been particularly special for her that recent health problems that have beset her and her husband are now in abeyance.
It is not time to go yet but we are all looking forward to having more time to “smell the roses” and in my case there are three grandsons, recently arrived, to get to know.
However, I am not “demob happy”. The term is far from over and there is much still to do. I am delighted to say that David Clark will be coming to the school for 6 full days this term and I am sharing much of the planning of next year with him already. There are many new excitements round the corner for the school, as it gears up for the next phase of its journey.
And for me, a little later today, I look forward to my favourite moment of every week, spending a double lesson teaching English to the delightful Year 7s. They remind me of why I went into teaching in the first place.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Has the spring/summer come at last? Whisper it not in Battle, proclaim it not in the streets of Hastings but there are reasons for cautious optimism and I hope the weather will be clement for the annual school photograph at 9am on Tuesday morning at the end of what, I hope, will be a very happy weekend for you all.
I am inevitably spending some part of this term looking back as I come towards my retirement after 41 years of teaching but I will try not to pontificate too often (or not more than usual!) and I hope that I will avoid sounding like Mr Chips. Indeed of the four members of staff retiring this summer, I am the one who has served the least time, with only 15 years at Battle Abbey School.
Next least senior in years of service is Kevin Anderson who will have completed 18 years at Battle. Kevin writes: ““I will complete 40 years’ teaching in July, and with the joints creaking just a little more these days, it seemed a quite appropriate time to make the decision. I am very lucky to have been involved in so many years of the School’s growth and success.” Kevin is having a sabbatical term as Head of KS3 and will be concentrating his many creative talents into the performing arts. Kevin was briefly Head of Music, when he first joined the school. Angela Valentino and I will pick up the few KS3 problems that occur. I have particularly enjoyed working more closely with Yr9 and Yr7 in the last two years and it reminds me of my 9 very happy years as a Prep School Head before I came to Battle.
Next comes Lyndall Davey who will complete 21 years with the school this summer. She has brought a stability and quality to the English department, which surely accounts for much of its long term success. There are many former pupils who will recognise that their examination success largely depended on the kind, patient, extra support given by Lyndall.
Finally and not least among us is Julia Hinde, who has served the school since February 1985, thus completing over 28 years with the school. Few people in any job can claim that length of loyal service. I have had the privilege of working very closely with Julia for all of my time at the school in her role as Headmaster’s secretary and she has been a wonderful supporter and ally. It has been particularly special for her that recent health problems that have beset her and her husband are now in abeyance.
It is not time to go yet but we are all looking forward to having more time to “smell the roses” and in my case there are three grandsons, recently arrived, to get to know.
However, I am not “demob happy”. The term is far from over and there is much still to do. I am delighted to say that David Clark will be coming to the school for 6 full days this term and I am sharing much of the planning of next year with him already. There are many new excitements round the corner for the school, as it gears up for the next phase of its journey.
And for me, a little later today, I look forward to my favourite moment of every week, spending a double lesson teaching English to the delightful Year 7s. They remind me of why I went into teaching in the first place.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 26 April 2013
26th April 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
For nearly 15 years I have come to work every day in an 800 year old office, which once was the Abbott’s “Great Chamber”. It is where successive Abbotts worked, slept and planned the future. It would have been much more austere then, with no wifi and no carpet and none of the children’s artwork but it clearly was the centre of operations. There was a time when the Abbotts had the power of life and death over local criminals, who threw themselves on their mercy. The Abbotts of Battle were powerful men in charge of vast estates ranging as far as Devon.
The room I occupy is a quarter of the size of what was once here. It was originally not dissimilar to the present Abbott’s Hall, just up one storey. What stories,( the other sort), this room could tell if buildings could talk!
I have always felt nothing but good Feng Shui in this room, which has served different generations in different ways. It was once a dormitory, where the present Chair of the former pupils’ association(BAFPA) slept. It was also part of the Head of Boarding’s flat and for the last twenty years has been the Headmaster’s office.
There is a small church in Tasmania where they claim to have the stained glass from the original Abbott’s “Great Chamber”, removed during Cromwell’s time, when his men ravished the churches of the country, removing signs of idolatory and smashing stained glass windows. Immediately adjacent to my office is the Abbott’s former private chapel, deconsecrated now, but still revealing traces of the old wall paintings with which it was once adorned. In addition to that, there are traces of the red lines the monks painted on top of the plaster of the Abbey, still there, since the great fire of 1931 did not reach the chapel. All of the stone work in the Abbott’s Hall was, until 1931, completely covered in white plaster.
Abutting my office on the north side is a hollow tower. Did a spiral staircase once offer the Abbott a second means of exit in case anyone knocked on his door, who he did not want to see? Now there’s a thought!
Best wishes,
Roger Clark
For nearly 15 years I have come to work every day in an 800 year old office, which once was the Abbott’s “Great Chamber”. It is where successive Abbotts worked, slept and planned the future. It would have been much more austere then, with no wifi and no carpet and none of the children’s artwork but it clearly was the centre of operations. There was a time when the Abbotts had the power of life and death over local criminals, who threw themselves on their mercy. The Abbotts of Battle were powerful men in charge of vast estates ranging as far as Devon.
The room I occupy is a quarter of the size of what was once here. It was originally not dissimilar to the present Abbott’s Hall, just up one storey. What stories,( the other sort), this room could tell if buildings could talk!
I have always felt nothing but good Feng Shui in this room, which has served different generations in different ways. It was once a dormitory, where the present Chair of the former pupils’ association(BAFPA) slept. It was also part of the Head of Boarding’s flat and for the last twenty years has been the Headmaster’s office.
There is a small church in Tasmania where they claim to have the stained glass from the original Abbott’s “Great Chamber”, removed during Cromwell’s time, when his men ravished the churches of the country, removing signs of idolatory and smashing stained glass windows. Immediately adjacent to my office is the Abbott’s former private chapel, deconsecrated now, but still revealing traces of the old wall paintings with which it was once adorned. In addition to that, there are traces of the red lines the monks painted on top of the plaster of the Abbey, still there, since the great fire of 1931 did not reach the chapel. All of the stone work in the Abbott’s Hall was, until 1931, completely covered in white plaster.
Abutting my office on the north side is a hollow tower. Did a spiral staircase once offer the Abbott a second means of exit in case anyone knocked on his door, who he did not want to see? Now there’s a thought!
Best wishes,
Roger Clark
Friday, 19 April 2013
19th April 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
I wondered what it would be like to stand on the starting line for the last time after 24 years and 72 new terms as a Headmaster but I am not sure that I have had the time to take it in. I can certainly not see the finishing line nor am I rushing towards it. Schools are very busy places and the hustle and bustle of every day is all consuming. And the young people’s lives go on and they continue to bring their youth, commitment, energy and laughter into school each day and they enliven us all.
I continue to work closely with the “new Mr Clark” and I am delighted that he will be able to spend several whole days at school in the latter part of this term. I am also more and more certain that the governors have chosen wisely.
I am grateful to Martina Johnson, to Rob Mercer and to Mr Lenaghan for accompanying the trip to Barcelona with 30 of our pupils and equally to Aaron Eckhoff, Charlotte Bryant and Steven Flutter for accompanying the ski trip. I have heard nothing but good about these trips and I want to record my gratitude since without the teachers preparedness to give up their time in the holidays such trips would never take place. Mrs Johnson is also leading a trip to Cologne during half-term and to Munich at the end of term.
No sooner were Mr Eckhoff and Miss Bryant back from skiing, than they were off to Dartmoor with the Silver D of E group, who, I am told, covered themselves in glory, while being soaked, exhausted but finally triumphal at the end of their four day hike.
During the holidays the maintenance team were very busy and several of the Sixth Form rooms have had a significant “make-over” in preparation for next year. The “new” Sixth Form suite of rooms will be completed by September.
For over half the school there will be very important examinations and so for many weeks of this term the academic side of life will take its highest priority.
So we are off and I hope that the sun shines on us all both actually and metaphorically.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
I wondered what it would be like to stand on the starting line for the last time after 24 years and 72 new terms as a Headmaster but I am not sure that I have had the time to take it in. I can certainly not see the finishing line nor am I rushing towards it. Schools are very busy places and the hustle and bustle of every day is all consuming. And the young people’s lives go on and they continue to bring their youth, commitment, energy and laughter into school each day and they enliven us all.
I continue to work closely with the “new Mr Clark” and I am delighted that he will be able to spend several whole days at school in the latter part of this term. I am also more and more certain that the governors have chosen wisely.
I am grateful to Martina Johnson, to Rob Mercer and to Mr Lenaghan for accompanying the trip to Barcelona with 30 of our pupils and equally to Aaron Eckhoff, Charlotte Bryant and Steven Flutter for accompanying the ski trip. I have heard nothing but good about these trips and I want to record my gratitude since without the teachers preparedness to give up their time in the holidays such trips would never take place. Mrs Johnson is also leading a trip to Cologne during half-term and to Munich at the end of term.
No sooner were Mr Eckhoff and Miss Bryant back from skiing, than they were off to Dartmoor with the Silver D of E group, who, I am told, covered themselves in glory, while being soaked, exhausted but finally triumphal at the end of their four day hike.
During the holidays the maintenance team were very busy and several of the Sixth Form rooms have had a significant “make-over” in preparation for next year. The “new” Sixth Form suite of rooms will be completed by September.
For over half the school there will be very important examinations and so for many weeks of this term the academic side of life will take its highest priority.
So we are off and I hope that the sun shines on us all both actually and metaphorically.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Monday, 25 March 2013
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
Friday, 15 February 2013
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
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
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