From The Headmaster

SDC NEWS

From the Headmaster

Dear Dunstonians,

I am conscious that my first formal communication to you through the Dunstonian Notes is written in the most unusual of times. As you may well be aware, since March the College has been operating remotely. Although the doors of St Dunstan’s are gradually creaking open again – Junior School and some Senior School students have begun to return – our way of life is still far from normal. Two-metre distancing with 3 year olds is no easy task! Our language has changed to one of bubbles, markings and PPE, rather than the usual end of term celebrations, collectively marked as they are now by the St Dunstan’s Festival. A year like no other, but perhaps now, as we enter the summer, we see signs of a return to some form of normality. Certainly it is our hope that the school will fully resume in September. It is my firm view that you can only keep young people cooped up for so long before they will vote with their feet. And if that is the case, better to have them in school, I would say!

All this being said, we have been fortunate to have weathered the Covid storm with customary resolve. I heard somebody say the other day that they had ‘had a good pandemic’, which, horrific as the sentiment undoubtedly is, can thankfully be said of St Dunstan’s. Proactive and early planning for remote learning meant that we have been able to present the very best of ourselves throughout the phase of national lockdown. Students have received a rich diet of curricular and cocurricular stimulation. Interactive lessons and independent study have become a new routine for students and teachers, and we celebrated as a community with virtual VE Day and Commemoration Day services. Let us all be thankful for the wonders of technology! Whilst our communication has been highly regarded throughout this crisis, I do also think the College is fortunate to be in the position it is in. After a number of years forging a clarity of direction for the school, we now have a parent and student body who understand the vision for the College, can see the buildings going up which will underpin its future, and can see the exciting landscape being painted by the different sort of education we are offering in this part of London.

And so to the future. A new look to the Dunstonian Notes, and I am most grateful to Isabelle and to Bob for creating something that maintains the historic integrity of the publication whilst at the same time injecting it with a fresh and engaging feel. Our community is more important than ever. We are embarking on the most significant and challenging redevelopment of our College since its foundation in 1888. A £30 million redevelopment, that sees the fundamental transformation of both College sites. We do this from a position of strength; to capitalise on a growing market and growing popularity. We also do it to remain true to the wishes of our founding Governing Body that the College should be ‘ahead of its present time’. State-of-theart STEM facilities, a new Junior School, Sixth Form Centre, Plaza, Sports Centre and Performing Arts Centre – this is not a list or project for the faint hearted! And as such, we want you to be a part of it. To feel proud of what your school is seeking to do and to achieve in the coming years. Once the pandemic passes, I would love to host you back at the school to show you more of the exciting trajectory we are now firmly on and I hope you feel moved to visit and see this for yourselves.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading these notes, from across our community and alumni network. My thanks to all those who have spent many hours pulling it together, and in whatever state of lockdown your find yourself within, I trust that the Dunstonian spirit will see you through it. Albam Exorna!