Dear Parents,
I have just made it to my desk after witnessing a very exciting afternoon of sport. The senior girls’ hockey squad played a 6-a-side match against Uplands – and over four quarters emerged with a 10-9 win. It was a fantastic effort and, as their coach, I was immensely proud of what they achieved especially as some of the girls hadn’t picked up a stick in nearly a year.
This bodes really well for the season ahead and I am looking forward to taking them to more matches in the coming months. Congratulations must also be extended to Mr Mercer and his football teams who have made excellent starts to the term – with a win / loss ratio of 4:1 in our favour so far.
Also on the sporting front – I hugely enjoyed my visit to the Prep School for the charity ‘Race for Life’ in aid of Cancer Research. It was a lovely family occasion and dozens of children were faced with the daunting challenge of running round as many laps of the Prep fields as possible within the hour. I was there with my 2 year old son Henry and was hugely impressed when he managed to complete 7 laps unaided – 3 more than me!
The FOBAS Cheese and Wine Evening was an equally special occasion and I was grateful to have been able to meet with a good number of new parents. I am greatly indebted to FOBAS for their wholehearted support of the school and for their efforts in bringing parents, staff and pupils together.
Finally, I hope that you managed to receive a copy of the 2013 Battle Abbey School magazine and I would like to take this opportunity to thank both James Dennett and Jo Simpson for producing such a fantastic publication that gives a real insight into the many aspects of the school and its very talented students.
Best wishes
David Clark
Friday, 27 September 2013
Friday, 13 September 2013
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
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
Friday, 5 July 2013
5th July 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
I was presented with a copy of “The Four Quartets” by my English teacher on the day I left school and I have always loved this great work by T S Eliot. There are several references to beginnings and ends.
“In my end is my beginning” and so here I am about to finish but also about to begin again. The next chapter is not retirement but a new life, at the moment full of uncertainty, but one which I am determined I will fill with productive activity. My memories of Battle Abbey are etched deep within me and I will miss it very much but it is time to go.
I have been privileged to work with some wonderfully talented children and adults and some very supportive parents. I thank them all.
As I come to leave, the school is in good financial health and we have some stunning pupils who will allow us to shine in the future and some dedicated teachers and an able and energetic new Headmaster. Our very talented Governors, led by Ian Mercer, who knows the school inside out, have some exciting plans which have been hatched with David Clark, the Bursar and I.
I look forward to hearing of the future successes of the school.
And so with a tear drop over my shoulder, it is time to sign off.
Wishing you all every future health and happiness.
Roger
I was presented with a copy of “The Four Quartets” by my English teacher on the day I left school and I have always loved this great work by T S Eliot. There are several references to beginnings and ends.
“In my end is my beginning” and so here I am about to finish but also about to begin again. The next chapter is not retirement but a new life, at the moment full of uncertainty, but one which I am determined I will fill with productive activity. My memories of Battle Abbey are etched deep within me and I will miss it very much but it is time to go.
I have been privileged to work with some wonderfully talented children and adults and some very supportive parents. I thank them all.
As I come to leave, the school is in good financial health and we have some stunning pupils who will allow us to shine in the future and some dedicated teachers and an able and energetic new Headmaster. Our very talented Governors, led by Ian Mercer, who knows the school inside out, have some exciting plans which have been hatched with David Clark, the Bursar and I.
I look forward to hearing of the future successes of the school.
And so with a tear drop over my shoulder, it is time to sign off.
Wishing you all every future health and happiness.
Roger
Friday, 28 June 2013
28th June 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents,
My tears nearly flowed yesterday afternoon at the Prep School. It is hard some days to remember that I am leaving, because life is extremely busy just at the moment, but I was in Bexhill for my weekly formal meeting with Maria Maslin when I was suddenly confronted by all the staff and children of the Prep and Nursery, waiting for me in the Assembly Hall. “Surprise, surprise” – I was quite overwhelmed and then they sat me at the front with balloons on my seat and they sang and acted and danced and recited just for me and slowly I became more and more aware of what I would be leaving behind and I started to feel very emotional. Each form or Key Stage had something for me. Year 6 had composed a poem in my honour and as usual the children performed their pieces with great discipline but aboundant smiles. Much of the performance was orchestrated by Faye Neave, the very talented music teacher at the Prep School but who was also a pupil in the Lower Sixth at the school in my first year as Head, 15 years ago and we talked afterwards about those early days at the school. “Do you remember when…..?”
Maria Maslin has to take much of the blame for this extravagant deception but I have of course forgiven her! At the end I was presented with an apple tree, an Egremont Russett, and it was such a brilliant present. Firstly because when I left the headship of my last school I was presented with a flowering cherry tree which has grown strongly in the Headmaster’s garden here in Battle and will be bequeathed to my successor – so I need a tree to remind me of BAS. Secondly, the intention for my new garden is that it should be productive as well as ornamental so a fruit bearing tree is particularly appropriate. It will be a very special reminder to me of my many, many happy visits to the Prep School and of all the wonderful work that has been carried out there over the last 15 years.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
My tears nearly flowed yesterday afternoon at the Prep School. It is hard some days to remember that I am leaving, because life is extremely busy just at the moment, but I was in Bexhill for my weekly formal meeting with Maria Maslin when I was suddenly confronted by all the staff and children of the Prep and Nursery, waiting for me in the Assembly Hall. “Surprise, surprise” – I was quite overwhelmed and then they sat me at the front with balloons on my seat and they sang and acted and danced and recited just for me and slowly I became more and more aware of what I would be leaving behind and I started to feel very emotional. Each form or Key Stage had something for me. Year 6 had composed a poem in my honour and as usual the children performed their pieces with great discipline but aboundant smiles. Much of the performance was orchestrated by Faye Neave, the very talented music teacher at the Prep School but who was also a pupil in the Lower Sixth at the school in my first year as Head, 15 years ago and we talked afterwards about those early days at the school. “Do you remember when…..?”
Maria Maslin has to take much of the blame for this extravagant deception but I have of course forgiven her! At the end I was presented with an apple tree, an Egremont Russett, and it was such a brilliant present. Firstly because when I left the headship of my last school I was presented with a flowering cherry tree which has grown strongly in the Headmaster’s garden here in Battle and will be bequeathed to my successor – so I need a tree to remind me of BAS. Secondly, the intention for my new garden is that it should be productive as well as ornamental so a fruit bearing tree is particularly appropriate. It will be a very special reminder to me of my many, many happy visits to the Prep School and of all the wonderful work that has been carried out there over the last 15 years.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 21 June 2013
21st June 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
“Exciting, talented, enthusiastic, dynamic, committed” – not adjectives that I am anticipating to describe my performance in the Dads v Lads match this Sunday but those I would use to describe the performance of “Joseph” last night. There was a cast of 31 Year 9 and below – many of whom are new to the school this year. Jessica Condon, also brand new this year, directed with great skill, ably abetted by Judith Colman in her first full-time year in the school as Choral Director. They in turn were supported by John Langridge and Tony Payton with the music and by Linda Hopkins.
A major production requires hours and hours of rehearsal and massive input from all sorts of people. Thus the team was supported by costume makers and drama technicians and make-up ladies and set designers, by the office staff and by the many parents who supported the weekend rehearsals and provided the parental taxi service to enable their children to participate.
BUT IT WAS ALL WORTHWHILE. It was wonderful to be there.
I spent a delightful hour yesterday showing my 13 month old grandson the school. I suspect my memory of that event will be deeper than his. William seemed much more interested in his rice cake than in what I was telling him about the history of the Abbott’s Hall!
Everything at the moment seems to be a series of lasts. Tonight will be the last school production and I have had my last FOBAS meeting, my last Full Court meeting, my last parents’ evening and many more. Two weeks and a day until Speech Day and many farewells and lots and lots of thanks to all the wonderful people I have been privileged to know and work with. Fortunately there is so much going on that I will have precious little time to reflect on the meaning of it all.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
“Exciting, talented, enthusiastic, dynamic, committed” – not adjectives that I am anticipating to describe my performance in the Dads v Lads match this Sunday but those I would use to describe the performance of “Joseph” last night. There was a cast of 31 Year 9 and below – many of whom are new to the school this year. Jessica Condon, also brand new this year, directed with great skill, ably abetted by Judith Colman in her first full-time year in the school as Choral Director. They in turn were supported by John Langridge and Tony Payton with the music and by Linda Hopkins.
A major production requires hours and hours of rehearsal and massive input from all sorts of people. Thus the team was supported by costume makers and drama technicians and make-up ladies and set designers, by the office staff and by the many parents who supported the weekend rehearsals and provided the parental taxi service to enable their children to participate.
BUT IT WAS ALL WORTHWHILE. It was wonderful to be there.
I spent a delightful hour yesterday showing my 13 month old grandson the school. I suspect my memory of that event will be deeper than his. William seemed much more interested in his rice cake than in what I was telling him about the history of the Abbott’s Hall!
Everything at the moment seems to be a series of lasts. Tonight will be the last school production and I have had my last FOBAS meeting, my last Full Court meeting, my last parents’ evening and many more. Two weeks and a day until Speech Day and many farewells and lots and lots of thanks to all the wonderful people I have been privileged to know and work with. Fortunately there is so much going on that I will have precious little time to reflect on the meaning of it all.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 14 June 2013
14th June 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
What’s the old adage: “Dance like nobody’s watching”? Well, nobody’s watching when I dance and, if they are and they are kind people, they tend to feel instantly sorry for me. This was not so last night when Charlotte Bryant and Jane Coleman staged a truly magnificent Dance Show. Such improvement in one year is a massive tribute to Charlotte’s leadership and the dedication of the pupils. Like everything else in life high standards are rarely achieved without hours of hard work underlying them. It also lead me to appreciate once again the ephemeral quality of performance. If you were not there last night the moment has passed for ever and all the training and work was celebrated in an hour and a half of unrestrained enthusiasm, of energetic but disciplined, graceful, passionate performance. I was “blown away”! The variety and extensive repertoire were so impressive. Thanks to Jane Coleman the costumes were beautiful and there was a particularly enchanting interpretation of the “Nutcracker” when ballet pupils of all ages combined to stage a very convincing dance/drama. The Prep School dancers were not least among those who deserve mention. I have praise for all the dancers and in particular for Bethany Hill, the Dance Captain, who has given so much of herself to promote Dance at BAS. She certainly led from the front and showed how it should be done.
Dance, Drama and Music are not like Art where it is much easier to record and display your work. Performance is in the here and now and without video recording it is simply a memory, while talking about Art you are all invited to view the A Level Art and Textiles exhibition above and behind Costa in the High Street for the next seven days during opening hours. If you missed the Dance Show, be amazed by the creative force of our Fine Artists. Some of the work on display is equal to the very best Art and Textiles coming out of our schools nationally.
I will see many of you tomorrow at the hog roast counter, which is just one of many attractions of the Family Day.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
What’s the old adage: “Dance like nobody’s watching”? Well, nobody’s watching when I dance and, if they are and they are kind people, they tend to feel instantly sorry for me. This was not so last night when Charlotte Bryant and Jane Coleman staged a truly magnificent Dance Show. Such improvement in one year is a massive tribute to Charlotte’s leadership and the dedication of the pupils. Like everything else in life high standards are rarely achieved without hours of hard work underlying them. It also lead me to appreciate once again the ephemeral quality of performance. If you were not there last night the moment has passed for ever and all the training and work was celebrated in an hour and a half of unrestrained enthusiasm, of energetic but disciplined, graceful, passionate performance. I was “blown away”! The variety and extensive repertoire were so impressive. Thanks to Jane Coleman the costumes were beautiful and there was a particularly enchanting interpretation of the “Nutcracker” when ballet pupils of all ages combined to stage a very convincing dance/drama. The Prep School dancers were not least among those who deserve mention. I have praise for all the dancers and in particular for Bethany Hill, the Dance Captain, who has given so much of herself to promote Dance at BAS. She certainly led from the front and showed how it should be done.
Dance, Drama and Music are not like Art where it is much easier to record and display your work. Performance is in the here and now and without video recording it is simply a memory, while talking about Art you are all invited to view the A Level Art and Textiles exhibition above and behind Costa in the High Street for the next seven days during opening hours. If you missed the Dance Show, be amazed by the creative force of our Fine Artists. Some of the work on display is equal to the very best Art and Textiles coming out of our schools nationally.
I will see many of you tomorrow at the hog roast counter, which is just one of many attractions of the Family Day.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
Friday, 7 June 2013
7th June 2013 - Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
It must be nearly 30 years ago that I gave up playing regular cricket and I have probably played no more than five times in the intervening years and only once in the early part of this century. Thus it was with trepidation that I approached the Dads v Lads net practice last evening and found myself wearing a protective helmet for the first time in my life when I was batting. This morning having exercised unfamiliar muscles in bowling I ache in places I had forgotten that I had places. David Young has captained the Dads v Lads team for several years now and has kindly allowed me to play in the “big match” in a few weeks’ time. So more net practice next week and onwards and upwards!
This week I attended my last ever FOBAS meeting and I wanted to write in praise of the excellent work that FOBAS do on behalf of the school. As a committee, there is hardly room for the 16 members to crowd around my big office table and these wonderful parents have never been more active in giving up hours and hours of time to help run events and raise money for the school. Without FOBAS the school would be very much a lesser place and their contribution has always been significant during my 15 years here. The Summer Ball is of course one of the major events of the FOBAS year and this has involved so many parents over a long time and again I would really like to express my public gratitude to all those parents who have supported the school and continue to do so.
Finally, I find myself removed from the front page so that we can draw attention to the FAMILY DAY, next Saturday. Yes there is such a thing as a free lunch, so bring your family and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and some fun post prandial activities all at no cost. This is the day in the year when the family of the school comes together. I hope to see you there.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
It must be nearly 30 years ago that I gave up playing regular cricket and I have probably played no more than five times in the intervening years and only once in the early part of this century. Thus it was with trepidation that I approached the Dads v Lads net practice last evening and found myself wearing a protective helmet for the first time in my life when I was batting. This morning having exercised unfamiliar muscles in bowling I ache in places I had forgotten that I had places. David Young has captained the Dads v Lads team for several years now and has kindly allowed me to play in the “big match” in a few weeks’ time. So more net practice next week and onwards and upwards!
This week I attended my last ever FOBAS meeting and I wanted to write in praise of the excellent work that FOBAS do on behalf of the school. As a committee, there is hardly room for the 16 members to crowd around my big office table and these wonderful parents have never been more active in giving up hours and hours of time to help run events and raise money for the school. Without FOBAS the school would be very much a lesser place and their contribution has always been significant during my 15 years here. The Summer Ball is of course one of the major events of the FOBAS year and this has involved so many parents over a long time and again I would really like to express my public gratitude to all those parents who have supported the school and continue to do so.
Finally, I find myself removed from the front page so that we can draw attention to the FAMILY DAY, next Saturday. Yes there is such a thing as a free lunch, so bring your family and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and some fun post prandial activities all at no cost. This is the day in the year when the family of the school comes together. I hope to see you there.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
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