Head Master's Notices

We have been enjoying glorious late summer weather this week, which has meant some very warm hockey and rugby players, but some very grateful paddlers who have been out on the water trialling for the coveted DW spots.

Tomorrow sees fixtures against Clayesmore and KES Bath, while Jeanne will be busily preparing for their House Party in the evening.

Looking ahead, the first Mercers’ Lecture is on Wednesday 25 September, when Amanda Owen will kick off this year’s programme. I also hope that many of you will be able to join us next Friday for our annual Inter-House Cross-Country Competition and Minor Sports Festival. Parents are very welcome to take part; as long as you don’t embarrass your children! This of course means that I won’t be running…..once again. The Exeat weekend will give everyone plenty of time to recover and I hope that you enjoy the break.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

Mercers' Lectures - Autumn Term 2019

Amanda Owen, shepherdess, writer and photographer
Wednesday 25 September 2019

Amanda Owen is a shepherdess, farmer’s wife, mother to nine children, a passionate photographer and a Sunday Times bestselling author. Amanda and her family live on a remote, 2,000 acre hill farm
in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

Since first coming into the public eye in ITV’s 2011 series The Dales, Amanda began documenting the fascinating story of her farming life, before publishing to bestselling books The Yorkshire Shepherdess and A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess.

In 2018 Amanda and her family featured in a Channel 5 series, Our Yorkshire Farm.

Only a few seats remain, please book online here

Ant Middleton, former soldier, adventurer and TV presenter
Monday 14 October 2019

Ant Middleton is best known for his role as Chief Instructor on Channel 4’s hit TV show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. He has become a much-loved and admired master of survival and endurance on and off-screen, spurred by his formidable career in the UK’s elite forces, including the Marines, 9 Parachute Squadron and SBS.

His book First Man In: Leading From The Front was published by HarperNonFiction and reached No. 1 on The Sunday Times Best Seller List. In 2018 Ant was filmed for a Channel 4 documentary climbing Mount Everest, an adventure which tested him further than ever before

This lecture is now fully booked.

Jo Sagers, Registrar
j.sagers@dauntseys.org
 

Inter-House Cross Country Competition and Minor Sports Festival

Friday 27 September

Please find attached information about this year's Inter-House Cross Country Competition and Minor Sports Festival.

DSPA

Joining the DSPA

The DSPA has two main purposes: to raise money to provide equipment and activities for the pupils, outside of the budgeted curriculum; and to arrange social events for parents to meet and make new friendships. We strongly encourage parents to join the DSPA and become more involved with the Dauntsey's community - Year Representatives will then keep you informed of upcoming events and after joining you will be provided with a contact form for other parents in your child's year group. There is a one off charge of £25 per pupil. 

If you have not yet signed up to join the DSPA then please do so here.
If you are not sure if you have already joined then please contact Pip Wall, Membership Rep at pipsjwall@gmail.com

DSPA Chairman

After 15 years of children at Dauntsey’s, our third son left in July and therefore I have sadly stood down as Chairman of the Dauntsey’s School Parent’s Association – DSPA. I am delighted to advise that Simone Wilmot has taken over the Chair role and looks forward to meeting you all.

I sincerely hope that you have all managed to read the article in the Dauntsey's new In Focus magazine, which gives a lovely overview of all that the DSPA has and does offer.

Wishing you all the very best. Samantha Smith

DSPA Macmillan Morning 
Friday 27 September 

The DSPA is hosting its World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 27 September from 09:30 - 11:00 in the Pavilion

All welcome! Perfect timing to meet up with other parents before the cross country or exeat pick up. Come along for a cup of tea or coffee, great chat with parents and something delicious to eat. Donations gratefully received and all proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. Please donate biscuits or cakes at 09:00 on the 27 September to the Pavilion. Many thanks!

Scholarships and Awards for Sixth Form and Third Form 2020

Closing date for entries: 21 October 2019 

A range of Scholarships and Awards are available for those entering the Third Form and Sixth Form in 2020. These include: Academic Scholarships, Performing Arts Awards, Sports Award, Boarding and Head Master's Awards. Day pupils considering a move to boarding for Sixth Form are encouraged to apply for a Sixth Form Boarding Award.

Those interested in applying for either a Scholarship or Award should first discuss the merits of an application with house staff, and/or relevant department heads.

The closing date for entries for Sixth Form Scholarships and Awards is 21 October. The Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are held on Wednesday 6 November and auditions/assessments for other awards during the week commencing 11 November.

The closing date for entries for Third Form Scholarships and Awards is 21 October. The Third Form Academic Scholarships are held on 20 November and auditions/assessments for other awards during the week commencing 18 November.

Further details and entry forms can be found on the website and the links are below. Entries should be returned to the Admissions office, together with the £100 entry fee.

Information on Third Form Scholarships and link to entry form here.
Information on Sixth Form Scholarships and link to entry form here.

Jo Sagers, Registrar 
j.sagers@dauntseys.org

Music School Notices

Evensong at Mercers Hall, London
Thursday 26 September

Departing at 11:55 
Return at approximately 23:00

Music Recital
Tuesday 1 October

Please sign up in the music department

Lower School Music Soloists’ Competition
Tuesday 22 October at 18:30 in the Memorial Hall

Heats are on 14 & 15 October in the Old Hall at 14:00
Soloists wishing to enter please sign up in your houses and ensure you have given piano music to Mr Biles-Liddell by 1 October

Careers

Careers for Girls in STEM
Thursday 26 September

Sandhurst is hosting an event to highlight CAREERS in STEM. As well as showcasing STEM in HM Armed Forces there will be representatives from a vast array of industries including pharmaceutical, communication, transport, power generation. This event is for girls in the Fourth Form.

University Admissions Tests
Oxford and Cambridge Universities Pre-Interview Admissions Assessments, the BMAT and MAT

A small number of courses at certain Universities require pupils to sit a pre-interview assessment as part of the selection process. Unlike the LNAT and UCAT the majority of these tests are sat at school, this year the test date is 30 October.

Pupils should notify the exams manager Mr Bill Blumsom examsmanager@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk well in advance of the following dates if the wish to register for any of these tests.

Deadlines:

BMAT deadline 11:59pm (UK time) on 1 October (or 27 September for those requesting access arrangements). Some students may have already taken the early sitting of the BMAT on 31 August. The BMAT can only be taken once in an admissions cycle, and therefore these students should not be registered for the October sitting.  

Pre-Interview Admission Assessments including MAT 6.00pm (UK time) on 15 October (or 27 September for those requesting access arrangements)

Information on Cambridge University admissions assessments
Information on Oxford University admissions assessments

For further information about the tests please contact Mr O’Hanlon j.ohanlon@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk

A Physics and Classics Society Lecture: Antikythera Mechanism

Professor Mike Edmunds, Monday 7 October at 19:30 in the Pavilion

Over 100 years ago, divers discovered a hunk of bronze off the Greek island of Antikythera. It was to change our understanding of human history.

The Physics and Classics departments welcome Professor Mike Edmunds, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at Cardiff to discuss his work on the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project

“The Antikythera mechanism is the world's first analogical computer, used by ancient Greeks to chart the movement of the sun, moon and planets, predict lunar and solar eclipses and even signal the next Olympic Games.” The Telegraph, May 2017

The Lecture is free of charge. It would be appreciated if you could email your intention to attend to James Johns, Head of Physics, on j.johns@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk

School Bus Notice

This year we have over 400 pupils using the school transport and as a result a number of buses are full to capacity.

At present there is no spare capacity on the Tisbury, Marlborough B, Hungerford and Andover routes and it is likely that this will remain the case until the Spring Term.

The drivers of these routes have been informed that if a pupil who is not on the bus sheet tries to embark on the bus they will be turned away. Therefore, please contact me should you wish add a pupil to the journey and I will see what I can do, but I am unable to promise that there will be seat.

Many thanks,
Nick Barnes, Assistant Bursar

Equestrian News

Best of luck to our Equestrian Team competing at Stonar ISODE this weekend. 

Lower School Notices and Reminders

Manor Matters

It has been wonderful to see our younger boarders starting to feel ‘at home’ at The Manor, and many are enjoying new friendships; the table-tennis table is once again proving to be very popular, and the table football is the site of many fiercely competitive battles!

Last weekend, the Manorites enjoyed a restful and relaxing time in House. The weather was beautiful on Sunday and, after a gentle start to the day, a group of children went on a lovely walk around the grounds, returning laden down with blackberries. Soon after, the House was filled with the delicious smell of blackberry and apple crumble, which the children helped to make – it was absolutely delicious, and everyone enjoyed sharing it after Supper!

On Wednesday evening, our newly appointed Upper Sixth prefects came to the House and played a (very noisy!) game with the children outside – the Manorites thoroughly enjoyed the activity, although it then took a little longer than usual to calm them all down at bedtime!

This weekend we are heading off to Cribbs Causeway for a shopping trip – many of the pupils are already talking about what ‘essentials’ they may need to buy and I am sure that they will have a super time.
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

Please do follow us on Twitter @ManorDauntseys to keep up to date.

*Reminder* First Form Parents' Reception

Saturday 21 September at 12:00 in the Pavilion

You are warmly invited to the First Form Parent's Reception on Saturday, 21 September. It will take place in the Pavilion from 12:00 - 13:00 and lunch will be served. It is a great opportunity to speak to House staff whilst at the same time being able to meet other parents and establish friendships.

We hope that you can make it and look forward to seeing you there.

European Day of Languages Breakfast

Thursday 26 September

All First Formers will enjoy our annual European Day of Languages Breakfast in the Dining Hall on Thursday 26 September during their short break.