Welcome from the Chair of Governors

WELCOME

from the Chair of Governors

The Governing Body of St Dunstan’s Educational Foundation would like to take the opportunity to mark its sincere thanks to the whole community of St Dunstan’s for the grit, creativity and compassion shown over these last 12 months, as we have all navigated our way out of the pandemic and back into the on-site routine.

There have been unparalleled challenges presented to staff, pupils and parents, but the extraordinary efforts that have been invested by our community have ensured that we not only got through it, but that we thrived. Particular mention must of course go to the most ambitious building project undertaken by the Foundation since 1888; to have delivered on this on time and to budget, within the context of a pandemic, is a remarkable achievement and was without doubt a risk worth taking. But my recognition and thanks is for far more than just buildings, it is for finding the strength of character as an organisation to respond so effectively to each and every challenge thrown its way; from the uncertainty of exams, to virtual and then hybrid learning, to bubbles and vaccinations, to the need for increased pastoral intervention and support. An enormous amount has been asked from so many. St Dunstan’s cannot afford to stand still. We stand at an extremely exciting point in our history. Unprecedented demand for places at the school, significantly improved facilities and exciting academic outcomes could all lead to complacency and self-satisfaction which we must avoid. It is with this in mind that at the end of this year the Board and the Executive team of the Foundation met to agree its next phase of strategy for the next 10 years, agreeing our educational, commercial and charitable objectives and desired outcomes, as well as the infrastructural and property masterplan that will underpin them. Hopefully you will be excited by the course on which we are setting. I have no doubt that the Headmaster and others will want to share the details of this with you across the next academic year and to draw upon your support in helping further forge the unique, forward-thinking and ambitious independent school that was in the minds of those founding governors in the late 19th Century. I must of course thank those governors who give so willingly and freely of their time in formulating and supporting the strategic goals of the charity through the various committees that structure our work. We welcomed two new governors to the board this year. Dr Andrew Cairns is currently a research fellow and lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, with particular interests in EDI, STEM and mental health support for students. Ms Rosie Meredith is a current parent at St Dunstan’s and comes with a wealth of experience in the field of philanthropic giving in educational settings. We are sure that these two additions will bring important additional skills complementing the rest of the Board as we set out on our next phase. The other notable change to the governing body is that after a number of years of service to the role of Safeguarding governor, Ms Victoria Alexander steps down and hands over this important baton to Ms Judy Clements. It has been particularly rewarding to see the return of various governor visits to the College in order to keep apprised of current risks and mitigations, to both support and challenge the executive team, and to ensure that governors remain rooted to the community they are positioned to provide stewardship for. The return of the annual St Dunstan’s Festival this year was very welcome; it was particularly moving to see the pupils able to perform in person again after such a protracted period of disruption. I look forward to the coming year and I am very grateful to the whole community of St Dunstan’s for their ongoing belief and trust in the College.

Mr P Durgan

Chair of Governors