Head Master's Notices

It has been a simply sensational start to the summer term. Laughter, noise and fun have returned to the site, with the sunshine and warmer weather contributing to an incredibly positive and uplifting first week.

This week we welcomed Roger Black MBE to the school to officially open the athletics track. Roger was able to spend time with the Sixth Form, sharing his journey to becoming a professional athlete and competing at the Olympics. His message was particularly apt for pupils as we enter the exam season - always try your hardest and give your best.  And, if things don’t go as you had planned, don’t worry about adjusting your course, as you never know where this new path may take you.

We are starting to see shoots of normal life returning and are thrilled that at long last we have our external sports fixtures back up and running. This weekend sees tennis fixtures against Marlborough College and Godolphin and cricket fixtures against Warminster and Clayesmore.  Whilst we are sadly not able to allow spectators at this point (more details on this below), it is certainly a very positive step in the right direction. 

Excitement is also building for our December musical, Legally Blonde, with auditions continuing next week. Speech Day, Prize Giving and the Summer Ball will all go ahead, as long as the ‘road map’ continues to be followed.

Enjoy the weekend and I do hope to be able to start seeing you at some point later in the term.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

Calendar of Events

The Summer Term 2021 calendar is now live and can be accessed on the right hand link of the Calendar page here.

Please note, however, that the calendar is subject to change.

Summer 2021 GCE & GCSE Grade Assessments

​

Fifth Form & Upper Sixth Pupils and Parents – Summer 2021 GCE & GCSE Grade Assessments 

Please see the Guidance for Students and Parents from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) which is here for your information. It outlines the timelines, process for grading and appeals process. Full details will be made available over the summer term including the school’s policy for assessing grades.

All students have now received their timetables and also been invited to a briefing from Mr Tyler but if you have any queries please feel free to contact Mr Blumsom at examsmanager@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk or 01380 814677.

Clubs and Activities Summer 2021

​The new timetable for the Clubs and Activities on offer during the Summer Term can be found here.  This can also be found on the website and Firefly.

Sports Notice

​

After just over a year we are really looking forward to our first external sports fixtures this Saturday. The National Governing Bodies and the Government have confirmed that fixtures in Cricket and Tennis can take place, although Athletics in schools is still not yet permitted. In order for these Cricket and Tennis fixtures to take place safely a set of protocols has been put in place, a copy of which is attached. Our opposition schools have done the same and it is essential that these are adhered to if this return to competitive fixtures is to be successful.

The key points are below - 

• Unfortunately at this stage, no spectators are allowed.
• This week all the schools that we are playing are happy that pupils can be collected directly from the school if required, but parents are not allowed to get out of their car either at Dauntsey's or at the away venue.
• In future weeks if certain schools do not allow collection at their school we will ensure that this information is clearly displayed on the team sheet and therefore it would be necessary for all pupils to return to Dauntsey’s on the bus. Pupils can of course return to Dauntsey's on the team bus from all fixtures and then be collected from here.
• All team sheets will be on Firefly by 11.00am on a Friday and both the finish and the return times will be clearly published for each fixture.
• We will continue to update the School Calendar on the website each week in order to ensure that the details regarding fixtures are correct.
• On certain Saturdays we will continue to have some Internal School fixtures.

I am once again very grateful for your support and I really hope it is not long before we can welcome you all back to support Dauntsey's sport.

Marcus Olsen, Head of Sports

Fifth Form Post GCSE Life Skill Programmes

​

The choices for this year’s Post GCSE Life Skills programmes were emailed to pupils and parents of the Fifth Form last week.  In addition, pupils should have received information about the NPLQ lifeguarding qualification from the Swimming Pool team which happens in the same week.

These programmes have been hugely popular and successful in the past and will take place in the week commencing 7 June 2021, which is after all assessments have been completed.

Full information on the programmes, and the form for submission of options is on the intranet here:

https://dauntseys.fireflycloud.net/adventure-education/programmes/post-gcse-programmes

The deadline for applications for the Post GCSE programmes is 1700 on Monday 26 April 2021. After that date there may be places on programmes but we cannot guarantee it.

If you have any further questions about the Post GCSE programmes, please email Mr Moore (s.moore@dauntseys.org).

If you have any further questions about the NPLQ lifeguarding qualifications, please email Shannon Cooke (s.cooke2@dauntseys.org).

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Forum

​Friday 30 April 2021 at 18:30

As part of your child’s education at Dauntsey’s, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive programme of PSHE that gives our pupils the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.

We would like to invite you to a Parent Information Evening on Friday 30 April at 6:30pm via Teams, to find out more about the statutory changes, view the materials and resources being used in lessons and discover how best you can support your child in discussing these topics at home. Here is the link for the Teams Meeting.

Anais Seager, Head of Complementary Curriculum

Jolie Brise Summer Cruise Programme

​

Jolie Brise’s Summer Cruise Programme for the Senior School pupils is launching.  There will be an email going out to all the pupils and parents with the details and booking forms.  Please make sure you don’t miss this!

Toby Marris, Head of Sailing

Teen Tips: Wellbeing Hub

Nurtures pupil's mental health and wellbeing.

Developed by child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing experts, the Wellbeing Hub is an interactive online portal, designed to help you guide your child as they grow up. 

Instructions on how to register and links for accessing the Wellbeing Hub are detailed here on Firefly.

This Week In The Hub - Please remember to register before you access any of the below

Podcast with Family Recovery Coach, Lucy Tomkins
Lucy shares her knowledge and expertise on the issues caused by addictive behaviour, and the risk factors associated with addiction. Alicia and Lucy discuss the impact of genetics on addiction, as well as other contributing factors such as social environment, mental illness, and childhood trauma.

Access the Podcast here

Inspiring Futures Podcast
This week in Inspiring Futures, we talk to Mouse McCrone about her role as a child and adolescent yoga teacher
Access Inspiring Futures Podcasts here

Register via the Hub Homepage

DSPA

DSPA Noticeboard

In these times it is more important than ever for everyone to keep in touch. If you would like to sign up, in order to network & keep in touch with year groups, then the year group reps would love to hear from you.

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 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

Please follow us on Twitter here @DauntseyDspa where we will keep you updated with news. We hope to host some Zoom events until we can meet again and will share details here. We would really love you to share any photos of past DSPA events with us and tag us with the hashtag #dspafun 

Lower School Notices and Reminders

Manor Matters

Once again it is fantastic to have The Manor full of pupils. It is especially nice to welcome back the many overseas pupils who were unable to return in person last term. There is a buzz in the air and a lot of hope that this term will see a turning point in our journey towards normality.

The return of external sports fixtures is an extremely welcome step and there was much excitement as teams were announced this week. I have been reminded of how lucky we are to live in such wonderful grounds and the pupils have been making good use of them, playing tennis, football and cricket on Poppies in the longer evenings.

Pupils were able to see the fruits of Mr and Mrs Reynolds hard work over the holidays as they joined them for the inaugural veg patch club. Strawberries, rhubarb, sweet peas and wildflowers were amongst the first plants/seeds to go in. Thank you to those parents and friends who have already donated gardening equipment. We are still on the lookout for more and I appreciate that cars were quite full on your last visit.

This weekend sees lots of fun in the sunshine, including Zorb racing and a bungee run challenge. There have been requests for the water slide and trips to the veg patch. Long may the sunshine continue!

Peter Guille, House Master.

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

Immunisations

On Wednesday 28 April, First Form pupils will be receiving their HPV immunisations.

A consent link for the HPV immunisation has been sent out by email for all Second Form pupils, which will take place in May. 

Any queries contact medicalcentre@dauntseys.org

Third Form Project Prize - Last Call!

Entries to be submitted by Tuesday 18 May

This year's theme is PROGRESS

Being almost the end of the Spring Term, it is again time to launch the Third Form Project Prize. This is an opportunity for individuals to showcase their skills outside of the classroom in a discipline of their choice. The closing date for entries is May 18th, but pupils who want to take part need to register with Mrs Hunter by the end of this term. We hope to see as wide a range of entries as last year, and those of an equally high standard.

For more information please read the attached document and take a look at the power point here.

First prize is a choice of an iPad or Apple watch and, of course, the trophy. 

Any questions to c.hunter@dauntsey's.wilts.sch.uk

And Finally...

A thought for the week from the Headmaster...

"Which is more important," asked Big Panda, "the journey or the destination?"
"The company." said Tiny Dragon.

© James Thornbury