October 18, 2019 | Issue no. 145
Head Master's Notices
I am pleased to report that Open Morning last Saturday was exceptionally well attended with over 600 people – our largest gathering yet! As always, the guides from the Third and Sixth Forms were excellent ambassadors for the School: their enthusiasm, positivity and quiet confidence made a real impression on our visitors.
With half-term looming, our musicians are busy in preparation for the Lower School Music Competition, while the rehearsals for the House Singing are becoming increasingly urgent. Meanwhile, the casts of the December musical, In the Heights, are in school for an all-day rehearsal on Sunday and the show looks great at this stage.
Looking ahead, we have a number of trips taking place over half term: a group of Fifth Form pupils head for the World War One battlefields in France and Belgium, there is a Fourth and Fifth Form trip to Granada and our Upper Sixth geographers will be exploring Iceland.
Tomorrow brings fixtures against Prior Park and then the Mercers’ House party. I wish you all a very happy and restful half-term break.
Whole School Notices and Reminders
Mercers' Lectures - Autumn Term 2019
Ian Robertson, Rugby commentator
Thursday 7 November 2019
Ian Robertson is a former BBC Rugby Commentator and Former Scotland International. He joined the BBC in 1972 and, after covering some of the greatest matches around the world for 47 years, finally hung up his microphone in 2018 and retired.
Some of Ian’s most iconic on-air moments include Scotland winning the Grand Slams in 1984, against France, and in 1990, against England, plus Jonny Wilkinson dropping the World Cup goal in 2003. He has appeared regularly on BBC TV and has been the Rugby Correspondent for The Sunday Times. He has also written 30 books including the autobiographies of Bill Beaumont, Andy Irvine and Gareth Edwards.
Please book online here.
Alison Weir and Siobhan Clarke, Historians, author
Wednesday 20 November 2019
Alison Weir is the biggest-selling female historian in the United Kingdom. She has published twenty-three titles and sold more than 2.7 million books. She has written extensively about the Tudor period, focusing in particular on Henry VIII and the lives of his six wives.
For this event Alison will be joined by fellow historian, Siobhan Clarke, to present a lecture based on their book A Tudor Christmas. Siobhan is a Guide Lecturer for Historic Royal Palaces and her second book, The Tudors was published in 2019 by Carlton Books.
Please book online here.
Ant Middleton, former soldier, adventurer and TV presenter
***New Date*** Thursday 21 November
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
Due to great demand this lecture is fully booked, and we have no additional space on the waiting list. Many thanks for your understanding.
Drama Programme - Autumn 2019
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Living with Lady Macbeth: 19 - 21 November in Annabel’s
A surprising and interesting look at Shakespeare's classic character from a different perspective, by Rob John.
In the Heights: 3 – 7 December in the Memorial Hall
The December musical is always a much-anticipated highlight. From the writer of Hamilton and Disney's Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical tells the story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighbourhood.
We now have an online ticket box office system which allows you to select your seats. You will be sent a digital ticket with confirmation of your seat number, via email.
Attached is a copy of our Drama Programme for the full year which includes more detail on each production.
Tickets for all productions can be booked here
Music School Notices
Lower School Music Soloists’ Competition and House Singing
Tuesday 22 October in the Memorial Hall at 18:30 - 20:00
17:20 Early suppers for all Lower School Pupils
18:00 Registration in house
Barron Prize Final
Tuesday 5 November in the Old Hall at 19:30
ABRSM (Music) Theory Examination
Wednesday 6 November
Chamber Recital
Friday 8 November in the Old Hall at 14:00
Careers
Open Day List for Upper Sixth
We would like to encourage all Upper Sixth pupils to look at the university open day list here.
Attending an Open Day is an excellent way to help your research into university and subject knowledge.
Please note that some of these get booked up quite early so we do recommend registering as soon as possible, and also checking if the universities have relevant lectures (either academic subject or general university applications) which often need specifically booking onto.
DSPA
Lower School Music Competition
Tuesday 22 October
The DSPA will be selling refreshments including wine, beer, soft drinks & snacks before the Lower School Music Competition on Tuesday 22 October. We look forward to seeing you then!
DSPA Noticeboard
Please have a look at our digital noticeboard here. It is our own online community to connect Dauntsey's parents and businesses in order to buy, sell and advertise to each other in one trusted place. If you'd like to place an advert here, please email dspacontact@gmail.com
In The Heights
Ticket sales for the show are going fast, which means there will be lots of drinks to pour. We need your help please!
If you would like to help (short shifts and a great way to meet other parents) please sign up to help with the DSPA bar for In the Heights here
Our online shop will be open for pre orders soon!
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
Please follow us on Twitter here @DauntseyDspa
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
Equestrian News
Good luck to those competing at the NSEA Championships this weekend; representing our Equestrian teams.
Supporting the Filling Station
Please could you help and encourage your son or daughter to bring in tinned food to help us continue to support the work of the Filling Station charity in Swindon. We particularly need: tinned fruit, meat based meals in a tin, rice pudding, corned beef or ham, soup, tins of spaghetti or ravioli.
The read the attached letter for more information.
With many thanks
Rev Johnson
Lower School Notices and Reminders
Manor Matters
Last Sunday we all enjoyed a fantastic trip out to Freedog trampoline park in Swindon – the Manorites (and Mr Kersley) spent a very happy hour bouncing, doing flips…and playing dodgeball while bouncing and doing flips! We returned to the House feeling a little weary, and many enjoyed watching the final hour of ‘Avengers: Endgame’.
This week we were joined by our Upper 6th Prefects for some yoga on Wednesday evening – this fairly rapidly evolved into an enthusiastic ‘Dance Off’ and it was lovely to see the young boarders having so much fun with the older pupils.
Board games, baking and the Bee Movie are on the cards for this weekend, and I am sure that it will be a relaxing time in House for everyone.
Our house song is beginning to sound tuneful and we are all looking forward to the Lower School Music Festival on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, we are hosting a lunch for parents/guardians of Manor pupils, and I hope that many of you will be able to join us from 12noon prior to the half term holiday.
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.
Please do follow us on Twitter @ManorDauntseys to keep up to date.