Ensign - Life at Pangbourne issue 1 2023

The start of the Michaelmas Term and academic year was overshadowed by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Whilst devastating, it was an opportunity to pay our respects as a College community and to reinforce our values and commitment to character and leadership development by reflecting on her example of selfless service.

Three students and a member of staff were invited to take part in the State Funeral, a great honour for them and the College.

It was good to enjoy a term at last without needing to think about Covid. The transition to ‘normal’ continues to require some adaptation – were we really as busy before the pandemic? But pupils and staff threw themselves into the opportunities wholeheartedly, as the pages which follow demonstrate.

Certainly, we enjoyed singing more. It was excellent to be able to hold the Divisional Music Competition in September, always a tribal occasion but also one in which the appreciation pupils have for each other was much in evidence. The College Choir took part in the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral in October, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal. And we were able to end the term with two Carol Services, both involving our choirs, the Brass Ensemble and the Fanfare Team. Each of these events was the first for three years, so it was a momentous term for College music.

These and other community events were strongly supported by parents. Our three College Sundays saw large numbers of parents and guests watching the parades, with many attending the Chapel services beforehand. Remembrance Sunday was especially powerful, with more than a thousand observing the two minutes’ silence together in the cold sunshine. On a lighter note, the Pangbourne Parents’ Association ran a successful Caribbean Ball and a Christmas Bazaar.

Come Dine With Me, in November, showed the strength and warmth of the spirit in each of the boarding houses as each prepared a course of a seven-course dinner for a brave group of judges. Any anxiety on the latter’s part was misplaced, as I can testify that every course was excellent!

Academically, we made a crisp start thanks to a wholeschool focus on punctuality, helping pupils to establish good routines. Teaching began in three new subjects which were added to our Sixth Form curriculum. Our focus on extending the most able continued as we work towards accreditation by the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE).

Pastorally, we relaunched AS Tracking, which was difficult to implement during the pandemic, to enable more vulnerable pupils to be identified and supported.

Our first workshop on mental health for heads of prep schools took place and will be repeated.

On the sports front, it was a successful term with high rates of participation at all levels. Plenty of character and skill has been evident. The girls’ hockey 1st XI has reached the semi finals of the England Hockey Girls Schools Tier 3 competition, in what is an outstanding season for the squad. In rugby, the boys’ U15 XV reached the final of the Berkshire County Cup. Our riders continued to perform well, becoming Reserve National Champions in the National Schools Equestrian Championships 90cm class.

Our Key Stage 3 pupils all had the opportunity to perform on stage in their plays ‘Shrek’, ‘The Day the Universe Smiled on Nutting’, ‘Our Day Out’ and ‘It Snows’, performing creditably. Rehearsals are underway for the main College production in February, ‘Chicago’.

I could say much more, Pangbourne is such a busy place! I hope you enjoy gaining a flavour from this edition of Ensign.

Thomas Garnier Head

ACADEMIC REVIEW

By Mr Mark Seccombe, Deputy Head Academic

There are two fundamental aspects of my role at Pangbourne College. One is to make sure that the teaching and learning is of the highest possible standard and the other is to ensure that the curriculum that we offer is relevant, challenging, and engaging. This academic year has seen a number of changes to our curriculum and I would like to highlight three of them in this article.

Theory of Learning

Many schools and colleges across the country provide sessions for pupils on how to revise and other similar skills. Often these are driven by practical things; filling in boxes in a revision reschedule, creating flashcards, and so on. They are, generally, focused on pupils in exam years or in the period leading up to an exam. We can do better than this.

Our Theory of Learning course, which runs throughout Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), aims to ensure that pupils understand how they learn. We introduce pupils to a model which shows them processes and how this relates to their behaviours in the classroom and during prep tasks. We emphasise that effective revision is an ongoing process and that reactivating prior knowledge strengthens the memory trace, enabling easier access to that knowledge when it needs to be applied.

Academic Challenge

Our vision of challenging the most able goes for a personalised approach, where an exciting environment and thinking hard leads to new discoveries.

Our Academic Scholars now complete a carousel of courses, each carefully designed to broaden their horizons. This has been complemented by co-curricular opportunities, including academic guest lecturers to throw our pupils into a new realm of discovery related to their favourite subject.

To tie things together, Pangbourne College is now in the process of a NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) accreditation. This is a rigorous process which would provide the College with an award that shows that we promote excellence in our academic studies, not just for the most able. The ultimate aim is to use this, along with the other excellent work set out by our staff, to promote academics across the entire school and to add to our already strong culture of celebrating the achievements made by many of our pupils.

New Subjects

We have also broadened our already wide range of choices at Sixth Form. As part of the Sociology A Level, our students developed their ‘sociological imagination’ through wider reading, documentaries, and class discussions. They examined the role and function of the education system looking at the work, for example, of Marxists and feminists. Our students also took a critical look at the inequalities that persist in the education system and relevant research. In class, they discussed institutional racism and looked at cases like that of Child Q and the role of adultification bias. Issues around cultural and material deprivation on academic achievement were also examined.

We have also added to our suite of BTEC courses with the Extended Certificate in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. This continues our approach of offering alternative routes of progression within subject areas and students can now choose between

the A Level in Business and the BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Where the A Level focuses on management theories and approaches to run larger businesses, the BTEC develops skills needed to start a business. This includes a study of entrepreneurship itself within the context of well-known businesses, such as Innocent Smoothies, Hotel Chocolat, and Starling Bank. The course also involves the creation of a marketing plan, as well as an understanding of personal and business finance.

Another example of this ‘dual track’ within a department has seen the introduction of the A Level in Design and Technology. More details of this course can be found in the Design Technology section of this issue. We are always looking to improve our curriculum and I hope to be able to write about further innovations in future issues of Ensign.

Awards

Distinction Prizes

(for merits):

Y7 Matthew Bowden, Ruby Dharwar and Joseph Henry

Y8 Ralf Tompkins

Y9 Grace Jeffers, Jodie Hamilton and Eva Skidmore

Y10 Zoe Hudson and Faith Merry

Y11 Bolu Adebowale, Harry Biggs and Anna Bryant

L6 Eva Griffin, Jolie Hartland, Thomasin Munro, Ben Pritchard and Olly Rogers

U6 Grace Hessian

Academic Improvement prizes

(for largest increase in effort grades across the term):

Y7 Tamsin Rowntree and Jonty Willis

Y8 David Burnand and Cameron Gill

Y9 Finn Willis and James Hall

Y10 Sam Aslet and Yasin Afridi

Y11 Leo Ogier and Mia Moore

L6 Alice Dutton and Ben Sexton

U6 Alex Clark and Freddy Barnes

Academic Colours awarded to:

Bonnie Jackson, Upper Sixth, Illawarra

Harriet Papworth, Upper Sixth, Illawarra

Julia Yuille, Upper Sixth, Illawarra

SPORT

Boys’ Rugby

In terms of results, this has been one of the best seasons in recent years. The number of pupils playing rugby is also the highest we have had for several years. The U14As have had a strong season, beating some strong schools on our circuit and getting to the County Cup semi finals. The U14A, B and Cs all secured wins versus Dauntsey’s, which I think is a first in a long time for an age group side. The U15As have also had a strong season. After a slow start, they have steadily improved and will now play at least two games after Christmas; the final of the postponed County Cup and the next round of the Natwest Bowl. The U15B and Cs have had a tough season but have shown good commitment to the College by turning up each week, with the C team securing a memorable win versus Reading Blue Coat.

The U16s steadily improved across the term and both the As and Bs finished strongly in the second half of the season. With a highlight of mine being the B team reversing the close loss to the Oratory School in the first half of the season, with a resounding win in the second. Another highlight was the As winning a closely fought game with Lord Wandsworth.

The 1st XV and 2nd XV playing numbers have been the highest in recent years, with us being close to being able to field a 3rd XV. Each week we have had over 22 players for the 2nd XV, including several weeks where we have named 28 players in the 2nd XV squad - this is on top of the 20 players we named for the 1st XV. This means that quite often we are changing almost the whole team at halftime for the 2nds, which represents a

true squad effort. It was particularly good to see them securing two wins versus The Oratory.

The 1st XV have had a tough season, typified by some unfortunate luck at times, some close losses, but some excellent victories. But they have been resilient in their defence and dogged in attack, with some good wins versus St George’s, Aylesbury and Cokethorpe. Hopefully a rearranged night game after Christmas will bring another excellent opportunity to show Team Pangbourne at its finest.

Sport By Mr Sam Hewick, Director of Sport

What a busy term! We almost got through it with no hitches, but the weather and cancellations of night games scuppered us towards the end.

Girls’ Hockey

As ever, this has been a super busy season for the girls’ hockey club, with multiple cup fixtures, tournaments and block fixtures. There have been some huge highlights; the 3rd XI’s great wins versus St Edward’s and Gordon’s, the 2nd XI having a winning season, the resilience shown by the U14As across the season to keep improving and the U15As battling for some well-earned performances. Dunbar have made lots of progress this term, and have really improved as a team. They have had some notable results including the

A team recording a resounding win against Downe House and the B team beating Bloxham. However, I think we must highlight the 1st XI. Led by captain Mollie Jourdain, this has been the best season they have ever had. Of the 16 games played, they won 14, scored 52 goals and conceded 24. After Christmas, the girls take on Great Marlow School in the semi-final of the National Plate competition. What has impressed me the most is the way they have played with smiles on their faces throughout the challenges and successes of the last season.

The Dunbar football teams have had a good season and have made lots of progress with their technical and tactical ability. For many this is their first experience of Pangbourne sport and they have shown good spirit and sportsmanship. There have been some notable performances across the teams including some excellent games against Thorngrove, St Andrew’s and Horris Hill.

At Pangbourne, sport is a vehicle for practising the values, character and skills that can make us all successful and I hope all pupils will continue to maximise these opportunities as they go through the College.

Dunbar Football Divisional Sport

Unfortunately, divisional sport was scuppered by the weather this term, so the divisional sport cups were not awarded.

I would like to thank those members of staff who are leaving us this term and acknowledge their contributions to sport across their time; Mr Hawthorn, Miss Buckland, Mr Waite-Roberts, and Mr Moore. Finally, a few thank yous; to the matrons for washing the dirty kit (sometimes at very short notice); to the catering staff for all their hard work in food preparation; to the grounds staff for their work preparing the pitches; to all of the teachers and coaches for their work across this term, and finally to all of our pupils, for the regular commitment, the effort in training, and the attitude during matches - well done!

Rowing

by Mr Charles Waite-Roberts, Director of Rowing

The Michaelmas Term is the bedrock of the Summer racing season and with that comes the hard Winter miles and inter-squad competition.

The beginning of the term saw the Senior Squad return to training with the season kicking off with a baseline 2km test. This test is the Olympic distance and the standard test that every rower dreads as they come off the back of a relaxing Summer. Along with the testing, a few new faces had arrived and a strong Senior Squad had been assembled for the upcoming first event of the term. Wycliffe Small Boats Head was held on the first overnight leave weekend of the year and saw positive results and a handful of second places.

With the opportunity to race over long distances in small boats, the head races this term are always

process-based so that the athletes can focus on how they race rather than the outcome of the race. With that, the Reading Small Boats Head was upon the Boat Club the following weekend with a win in the WJ16 1x Band 2 and WJ16 1x Band 3 category coming from Flora Populorum and Rubi Maleham. Harrison Green placed a credible second in the J18 1x category.

Over the Half Term break, the training continued with at home programmes where the students continued to push themselves. This led into a private match with Emanuel School on the tideway where four crews raced on the Championship course from the Chiswick Eyot

to Putney Rowing Club. This was a 3.2km event where the Girls 4+ placed 3rd on Gold Medal Time (GMT). The event proved to be useful for the upcoming events that are annually held on the Tideway.

On the same weekend, Harrison Green was racing at the U19 GB Rowing Trials in Boston, Lincolnshire. Over the 5km course, Harrison placed 63rd out of 119 competitors. This result led him to be paired up with a student from Bryanston School for a training day at Caversham where he trained alongside the top U19 pairs in the country. The next step in the trials process is a 5km time trial in his pair at Boston, Lincolnshire.

For the final few weeks of term, the rain poured down and the river came up. This meant the cancellation of the Burway Head race but an opportunity to train as a full Boat Club pushing each other on the land.

Leading into the end of the term, the Boat Club held Christmas VIII’s with a mix of squads, where the Father Christmas’ VIII beat Christmas Tree VIII by a canvas on the line. Sadly, the Turkey VIII had a technical fault and had to pull out on the final race of the day.

Equestrian

There was no shortage of success for the Equestrian team this term. Our newest and some of our youngest riders are becoming more established in their canter work whilst our Grassroots and Senior teams are striving to win at both County and National level competitions.

The team kicked off the term by winning National Qualifiers at the first two competitions they entered. Team captain Imogen Benson was joined by Thomasin Munro and Isla Farrow in taking the win in a challenging 1m Showjumping class at Hartpury and just one week later, the team of Thomasin, Isla Farrow and Olivia Carter took a convincing win in the hotly contested 90cm Showjumping class at Rectory Farm. Both wins secured Pangbourne their place at the NSEA National Championships 2022.

The National Championships are one of the Equestrian calendar highlights and this year did not disappoint. Our teams had trained hard and after their recent run of success they were rightly confident and focused with an eye on the prize. A top ten finish in the 90cm Jumping With Style only exaggerated this as they rode a nail biting finish in the 90cm Showjumping Final to marginally miss out on the overall win. Even so, Reserve National Champions is still an achievement to be proud of!

In between competitions and training, our riders attended the annual Riding Dinner at Bucklebury Equestrian. As always, the team spirit was second to none and there were some very worthy prizewinners.

Continuing their good form, the team went on to take a whopping five Berkshire County Titles at the Showjumping Qualifiers at the Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA).

Finally, a Christmas Show at Bucklebury Equestrian was a fun-filled way to bring the term to a close with team members making their debut and many taking wins in each of the novelty classes.

1st Team Colours

1st team colours are awarded to pupils who have made a sustained and significant impact on the 1st team in their sport. They will have attended almost all practices and shown a high level of commitment. In the Michaelmas Term, 1st team colours were awarded as follows:

• Euan Mackenzie

• Freddy Barnes

• Aki Fournier

• Harry Baker

• Josh Bywater

• Eddie Lightfoot

• Ed Wildern

• Ben Greenwood

• Ross Lubbe

• Dan Jones

• Oscar Brown

• Max Lagerborg

• Molly Lee

• Ellen Williams

• Mia Fergusson

• Alice Dutton

• Clover Merry

• Lottie Parke

Full School Colours

Full school colours are awarded to pupils who have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to school sport, normally over a two-year period for the 1st team. Pupils will have been great role models for the school on and off the sports field. This term, full school colours were awarded as follows:

Rugby

• Ben Parkinson

• Louis Fahey

• Isaac Nelsen

Girls’ Hockey

• Mia Moore

• Mollie Jourdain

• Imi Benson

Well done to Mia!

On rare occasions, we give full school colours to individuals who achieve high representative honours in their sport before they reach the Upper Sixth. This term, we are delighted to give Year 11 pupil, Mia Moore, full school colours for hockey. Last year she was selected for England U16s a year earlier than usual, which is in itself an exceptional achievement. However, she has also been selected for England U18s, two years earlier than usual. She has achieved these accolades alongside playing Premier Division Hockey for Reading Women’s 1st team, whilst balancing academics in the classroom and being an accomplished musician. Many congratulations to Mia!

ACTIVITIES & CHALLENGES

By Mr Richard Follett, Deputy Head Co-Curriculum

As before, the aim is to provide a range of largely nonteam game options to provide a contrast to the bulk of the co-curricular week, which tends to see pupils playing their main sports for the term four times each week. It is especially pleasing not only to see pupils across the age groups really challenging themselves to try something very different, but when they inspire others to join them having developed a new skill.

Whilst the emphasis at the top end of the College is on making independent choices to provide a balance through the week, in Years 7-10 every encouragement is given to the pupils to step out of their comfort zones and have some new experiences which we hope will be taken further, both through the College and beyond in future years.

The Michaelmas Term started with a new record; more than 50 activities were offered throughout the week for our pupils to enjoy, including a number of new ones to tempt the pupils into trying something different.

This approach has taken a firm hold this term, with a proportion of the higher year groups opting to further their studies in preparation for the looming exam periods, although a significant number enjoy the great variety of activities on offer. From the increasingly popular Student Voice journalism activity to classic car restoration, along with traditional ventures such as music, drama and art, there is plenty for the creative minds to get stuck into.

Further down the College, rocket building has taken a ‘leap into the unknown’, not only with increasingly complex rocket designs being built, but also the group now has the added dimension of an on-board camera to film each launch and watch back from a ‘coneseye view’. Other pupils in Years 10 and 11 who enjoy being outdoors have completed Duke of Edinburgh volunteering, which along with other projects has helped landscape the borders of the new driveway ready for next spring.

ACTIVITIES & CHALLENGES

Meanwhile riders, trail runners and orienteers have continued in large numbers to canter and leap around their respective challenging courses either at the Bucklebury Equestrian Centre, or closer to home around our beautiful grounds. Clay pigeon shooting continued up to Half Term, with two teams of those who take the weekly lessons competing at the Marlborough Sporting Clay competition. Shooting will return, along with the improved daylight hours, after Half Term in February.

One new activity which has proved especially popular in Dunbar this term is the launch of a Bushcraft Club.

Led by Pangbourne’s answer to Bear Grylls and Ray

Mears, namely Mr Poynter and Mr Allison, the group have developed a range of skills to ensure survival in the harshest of Berkshire landscapes. Little did they realise that preparation for Arctic survival would have been of particular use with the especially cold end to the term we experienced.

We look towards the new year and new term with some further additions to the activities offering. Aerial Silks (often seen in shows such as Cirque du Soleil) is being offered for the first time, as are sociology and debating clubs. As ever, our pupils are spoilt for choice in the best possible way.

Dunbar Bushcraft Award Programme

By Mr Tom Poynter

The award programme intends to deliver a platform for outdoor adventure and learning through the practice of wilderness survival. It is targeted at Year 7 and 8 who do not have access to the CCF or Duke of Edinburgh scheme until Year 9 and might not have a chance to be involved with Cub Scouts outside of school.

The award programme aims to cultivate environmental concern, a sense of adventure, and the opportunity to enjoy the challenges and rewards of life and decisionmaking in the outdoors. With a focus on closeness with our local environment and respect for the land, the pupils work through a programme of skills at College based around wilderness survival.

The award programme is designed to be progressive and sees pupils building on skills from one week to the next. Individual sessions include fire lighting, shelter building, wilderness cookery and food, navigation and first aid. As pupils accumulate knowledge and gain an independence in the outdoors, they are assessed in a survival exercise at the end of the course. They are rewarded with a certificate of completion.

CREATIVE ARTS

DT By Mr Craig Wiles, Head of DT

It has been another busy term in the Design and Technology department. This year we have embarked on the successful implementation of an A Level Product Design course which has started with great enthusiasm.

Students have been learning how to use the newly installed CNC Router as part of the course and have produced a range of ‘flat-pack’ furniture items on it, alongside a range of other more technical, theorybased lessons. The BTEC students have relished the opportunity to be led by Mrs Jewell, who returned to the department at the start of this year. These pupils have been working hard on an assessed unit, with a wonderful array of designs coming to life in prototype form which will be presented at the end of the year.

Our switch to the Eduqas GCSE in Design and Technology has opened up the opportunity to navigate the course at a faster pace, and the pupils are currently in the midst of finalising their design proposals in

anticipation of a full return to practical assessments starting in January.

As a result of support from the wonderful PPA (Pangbourne Parents’ Association), a growing number of pupils in Year 10 have involved themselves in the Greenpower Electric Racing Car project. They have made a fantastic start, and are beginning to learn skills and techniques that will serve them well for their future.

This project is a wonderful opportunity for students to pursue a STEM based co-curricular activity, and truly represents the cross curricular nature of Design and Technology. Mr Sumner has provided his input on multiple occasions already this term, providing a useful engineering insight for the pupils.

Art

By Mr Iain Young, Head of Art

The Michaelmas Term is always a busy one in the Art Department. With coursework becoming a priority for GCSE and A Level students, all efforts are focused upon getting sketchbooks complete for the deadline at the start of the Christmas holidays.

I am glad to report that all our exam students brought their work to a successful and timely conclusion, and in the process showed just how creative they could be. With projects ranging from encapsulated landscapes to chromophilia, the love of colour, there was no lack of breadth in their interests and each student found something unique to explore.

After lots of preparation, several Year 9 pupils started their Bronze Arts Awards this term. Choosing new skills to learn, they have been experimenting with cameras, oil paint and many other media that they have chosen to learn more about.

Year 10 pupils got their GCSE studies off to a flying start with a visit to Tate Modern. Seeking out the work of artists to support their projects, many found challenging and interesting new sources of influence to work from. The photographers in particular were inspired by the industrial architect of the building and produced some fabulous images of dramatic spiralling staircases and dizzying drops in the turbine hall.

By the end of a long and busy term everyone was ready for a break. In the process of meeting all the important deadlines, some super work was created and great foundations laid for the Lent Term.

CREATIVE ARTS

Music

By Mr Chris McDade, Director of Music

The Michaelmas Term has provided so many opportunities for the College’s musicians to shine and now that we are back in the swing of ‘normality’, it has been good to see so many cherished events return to the calendar.

Senior Div Music Competition

After a lay-off of three years, it was tremendous to be able to welcome back this major inter-Divisional competition this year. With a division song theme of the 1980s (what a great decade to re-start the competition with!), the first three weeks of the term saw some concentrated rehearsal schedules in place.

CREATIVE ARTS

All the divisions performed superbly on the evening and what was particularly rewarding was to witness the way in which the pupils performed in their divisions but also the way in which they supported each other –a competition that truly embodied the Pangbourne spirit. We were delighted to welcome as our Adjudicator Mr Alex Tester, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular) and Director of Music at St Edward’s, Oxford who navigated the minefield of delivering the results in a most constructive, amusing and memorable way!

Div Music Winners

Many congratulations to the following divisions on their successes on the night: Instrumental Cup Macquarie Divisional Song St George Overall winners St George

Michaelmas Monday Music Events

We held two concerts last term as part of the new Michaelmas Monday Music evenings. With a range of soloists and ensembles, this has been the perfect platform upon which both our experienced and less experienced soloists have been able to show off their talents. Both events were well supported by enthusiastic audiences.

Instrumental Tuition

As ever, our pupils have continued to learn a vast array of instruments and many are working hard in preparation for practical exams later this year. We have presented many certificates to those achieving graded exams, including several grade 7 and 8 successes recently. Many congratulations to them and also a huge ‘thank you’ to the Visiting Music Staff who week-in-week-out prepare our pupils for these practical assessments.

Trips and Visits

As part of the Music Enrichment programme, A Level and GCSE Music students, along with other Senior Music Scholars, and invited Year 9 pupils, recently attended a ‘A Classical Christmas’ concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cadogan Hall, London. The programme was a very inviting mix of traditional and lesser known Christmas musical fayre and the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

CREATIVE ARTS

By

of

It started with a theatre trip to the Oxford Playhouse to see ‘Spike’. This was a look into the early life and career of Spike Milligan whilst he was writing ‘The Goons’ radio shows for the BBC. The production only had a small cast and was very physical, so the cast multiroled. This allowed our GCSE Year 10 and 11 pupils an excellent insight into fluid and different scene changes, as well as having the joy of returning to see live theatre as a College.

Drama

Ms Rebecca Atack, Head

Drama

Drama’s Michaelmas Term has been busy and productive, which is just how we like it!

September also saw the annual auditions for this year’s College production, ‘Chicago’ with Imogen Kingsland and Annabelle Usher taking the lead roles of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. They are ably assisted by Joe Machin as Billy Flynn and Kit Hayes-Newington as Amos Hart. This is a rigorous show with a punishing rehearsal schedule; pupils are rehearsing three times a week, once for singing, once for acting and the third rehearsal for choreography. Rehearsals are going well and we look forward to seeing you on 7, 8 & 9 February 2023. It looks to be a ‘killer’ of a show!

We have just enjoyed our Years 7, 8 & 9 Christmas productions which always herald the end of term. This year Miss Bland’s Year 7 & 8 classes split the mighty script of ‘Shrek’ with the Year 7’s kicking the show off. Due to absence, William Peters did a sterling job of playing the title role for both his class and the Year 7 class. He even braved being painted green – such dedication to the cause! My Year 7 & 8 classes were in Nutting again where the universe smiled on them. A lovely ensemble play which had the pupils floating in outer space, jumping like kangaroos and even giggling like a hamster who had just had a bath!

In January we have a theatre company coming into the College to perform Steven Berkoff’s ‘Metamorphosis’ to our Year 10 GCSE pupils and Scholars. In February we will have the ‘Chicago’ production and in March we will be returning to the Oxford Playhouse to see ‘Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead’. There is so much to look forward to in the New Year!

BOARDING

By Mr Tom Cheney, Assistant Head Boarding

The Michaelmas Term has been a busy and exciting time for boarders.

Come Dine With Me

The highlight of the term for the boarders was the annual ‘Come Dine With Me’ competition. Dunbar kicked off the evening by inviting the judges to don hats and scarves. The reason soon became apparent as they were led outside to sit by the firepit and enjoy some chatter whilst the pupils served up two mocktails of warm apple punch and a winter spice cocktail. The sparklers were a great touch.

The next course was canapés served up in Port Jackson. Whilst the bruschetta faced some criticism for its soggy bottom, the entertainment in the form of a full wedding and reception was very highly rated. The starters were served by a very professional group of waiters in Harbinger. Serving up a range of starters

from around the world, the judges were very impressed with the homemade sushi. They were entertained with a quiz on flags of the world and it transpires that Mr Skidmore has an encyclopaedic knowledge of flags!

Next up was the fish course served in the undersea world of Illawarra. All of the judges agreed that the scallops and homemade ravioli were divine. They were treated to some beautiful singing from the girls, along with a ‘Fresh Prince’ rap, rewritten especially for the occasion.

The meat course was served in Hesperus which became an American hunting lodge for the night. The judges were invited to ‘shoot’ their dinner (a pupil dressed as a moose) which was served up with some excellent mashed potato. The bucking bronco performance was quite a hit.

BOARDING

The judges, feeling rather full by now, headed over to ‘Club Q’ in Macquarie for their dessert, which was Baked Alaska. The Gunroom had been converted to a nightclub, complete with DJ decks and lighting. The dessert was ‘baked’ in front of the judges, and served in very generous portions. Dr Hennah and Mrs Hayward were invited to take part in a dance off, judged by Mrs Greenwood. Dr Hennah performed an amazing routine, complete with breakdancing, so was judged to be the clear winner. Finally, the judges made their way to St George to complete their gastronomic experience with petit fours. The Gunroom had been set-up as a club lounge, with a wonderfully relaxing ambience, aided by the beautiful singing voices of the St George girls. A film of the evening was shown to the pupils in the Head’s Assembly two weeks later, and the winning division was announced: Illawarra. The event was an enormous success. We were really impressed with the amount of work that went into the food and entertainment, and especially pleased to see so many day pupils involved, alongside our boarders. We always enjoy Come Dine With Me and can’t wait to see what the pupils come up with for next year!

This term, the boarders have also been on a variety of trips, from escape rooms to bowling, to visiting the City of Bath for the day, plus a visit to the Winchester Christmas markets. The catering team pulled out the stops for themed dinners, and we recently enjoyed a local Jamaican food van for our Jamaican food evening.

By Dr Ian Hart, Housemaster, Dunbar

work

preparing the division for the new and returning pupils

place throughout the Summer, and this term was no exception. Unlike the Senior divisions, Dunbar appoints a Head Boy and Head Girl each term, and I felt it was high-time we celebrated the names of these current and ex-pupils with an Honours Board in the entrance of the division.

This was completed over the Summer, and after a minor typographic error was spotted by Mrs Dr Hart, the board was up and ready in the entrance of Dunbar. Since then a number of ex-Head Boys and Girls have been down to admire it - either purposefully or accidentally whilst taking a tour or paying a visit.

We love welcoming visitors to Dunbar and we have had many opportunities this term. The College Open Morning this year combined both the Senior and Dunbar events, and glorious sunshine allowed us to show it off to maximum effect. Thank you to the parents who joined me on the day to chat with our visitors and tell them all about the wonderful things we do in Dunbar.

The Parents’ Dinner involved nearly 70 parents, and we had so many attending we had to move from our usual venue of the beautiful Old Library into the more capacious Mess Hall. However, it is not just parents and prospective parents who were invited to join us - we also held three Dunbar ‘Experience Days’ for prospective pupils during October, and these were tremendously positive and successful.

As always the

of

takes

We were also able to host some VIP guests when we were allocated the ‘mocktails’ course as part of the annual ‘Come Dine With Me’ competition. Our visitors were wrapped up with hats, scarves and gloves, and treated to a warm apple punch and a winter spice cocktail whilst sitting around a roaring outdoor fire-pit. We try to embrace a full and holistic approach to education at the College, and this term saw many examples of this in action. The Dunbar Christmas productions saw all the pupils in Years 7 and 8 take part in four small plays based on the movie ‘Shrek’, and Steve Morley’s ‘Nutting’ plays. We also put out three boys’ and three girls’ teams in football and hockey respectively, and all pupils are given the opportunity to represent the College. However, sport in the College does not just involve competition against other schools, and one of my own highlights of the term was the Inter-Watch Ergo competition which took place in the final week of term. Pupils competed in their Watches (Aft, Forward, Port and Starboard) and had to work as an effective relay team to row 10,500 metres (approximately ¼ of a Marathon) as quickly as possible.

DUNBAR

The results were shown on a big screen in Drake Hall, and the atmosphere was fantastic throughout the intense competition.

The final week of term was a blur of activity. The Pantomime trip to see ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at the Newbury Corn Exchange was a treat (Oh no it wasn’t! Oh yes it WAS!) and was closely followed by the Boarders’ trip to Cosmo restaurant in Reading. Dunbar held their own disco again this year and the dayroom was transformed into a dancefloor with some fantastic decorations and lights courtesy of our two visiting DJ’s. We finished the term with a beautiful Carol Service, which for the first time was shared with the Year 9 and Year 10 pupils and parents.

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