Head Master's Notices

I do hope that you had an enjoyable Exeat and Bank Holiday weekend.  This week seems to have been another step towards ‘normal’, with GCSE and A-level Assessments in the Memorial Hall and various other examination venues.  The assessments may well be internal but they still matter and I commend all those who are working so diligently for them. Elsewhere, ‘Legally Blonde’ has been cast, music ensembles are coming back together and preparations for future performances are under way.  External matches have now been played against Godolphin, Clayesmore, Pangbourne, King’s Taunton and Marlborough College, and the girls’ cricket team have been in action twice this week. 

We are also looking forward to the Lower School ‘Wacky Sports Day’ later this afternoon and, after missing so many of the Summer Term activities last year, it is a joy to see these events returning to the calendar.  Given the weather forecast for tomorrow, we have cancelled the internal programme of sport and buses will leave at lunchtime.  We wait to hear regarding the planned fixtures with Cheltenham College.  Please keep an eye out for announcements on our website later today.  

I wish you all a good weekend.

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.

Covid-19 Testing at Home

We ask that pupils test twice a week and they (or their parents) report the results of their tests online (www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result) every time they take a test, even if the result was negative or void.

All test results must also be reported to the School as set out below:

• Pupils should report the results to the School by sending an email to the following address: pupilcovidtesting@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk
• If the test is positive – Please type “Positive COVID test” in the email subject line and press send. Please also cc your House Master / Mistress and Mr McFarland on this email.
• If the test is negative – Please type “Negative COVID test” in the email subject line and press send.
• If the test if void – Please type “Void COVID test” in the email subject line and press send.

If the test is positive the pupil, and the household they are part of, should self-isolate immediately in line with NHS Test and Trace guidance for 10 days. They should also order a confirmatory PCR test. If this PCR test result is negative, then it overrides the result of the lateral flow test conducted at home. In addition, a negative lateral flow test result does not guarantee that pupils are not carrying the virus and so they should continue to follow social distancing and other measures to reduce transmission.

Sports Notice

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Looking ahead to this coming Saturday (May 8) we have cricket fixtures in place for the 3^rd XI, U15As & Bs and the U14As & Bs against Cheltenham College (details on the website).  Once again, I am sorry to say that spectators will not be allowed.

We had also planned an internal programme of sport, however, given the weather forecast, this has now been cancelled and buses will depart at 1.30pm.

Moving forward, and not just looking at this weekend, with the usual unpredictability of the English weather, please could I ask you to ensure that your son/daughter has dry clothes to put on in the event of rain during games sessions in the week. We really want to keep all pupils as active as possible during the week and pupils have an allocated changing room they can use after games if they need to put on dry clothing.

External Cricket Fixtures (details on website)

U15A & B – Away vs Cheltenham College
3^rd XI – Away vs Cheltenham College
U14A & B – Home vs Cheltenham College

Marcus Olsen, Director of Sport
 

Music Notices

​As we gradually emerge from the restrictions of the Pandemic, now would be an excellent time to start learning an instrument with face-to-face tuition. We have an outstanding team of instrumental teachers and all would love to help pupils to develop a lifelong love of making music. If your child is not sure which instrument, why not arrange a trial lesson, or they can speak with one of their music teachers for advice.

If they have gained a part in the show, they should be having singing lessons and be a member of one of the choirs. These experiences will enable them to be on top form for the performances in December.

To sign up for lessons, please complete the form using the link here or visit the parents page on the website.

Over 400 musical instrument lessons are currently scheduled each week on the full range of orchestral instruments, as well as piano, organ, classical guitar, electric guitars and singing.

Drama Notices

​After auditioning for Legally Blonde this past week, our thoughts now turn to the remainder of this year and the gradual return of public audiences at our events once again. In Performing Arts, we have tried to pull together a programme of celebratory events which provide a platform for those pupils who have most keenly felt the loss of live performance. This Summer, 'Celebration Week' will, we hope, be open to all our school community, including parents. We will release further information about how to reserve seats if (and when) we are able to do so, closer to the time. In the meanwhile, please enjoy casting your eye over the upcoming performances we have scheduled for the last week of the academic year which can be found here. 

Dauntsey's Hockey Summer Camp 2021

26 - 29 July

​Again this year we will be running a Summer Hockey Camp which will take place in the last week of July. The camp is split into two different sessions, depending on the age of the child, with each session lasting two days. This camp is open to both Dauntsey's pupils and the wider community.  For further details on the camp and to reserve your place, please click here.

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.

Mental Health Awareness Week

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Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week and we will be acknowledging this in a number of ways detailed below.  There are also a number of free webinars for parents taking place over the course of the week, again, these are detailed below.

We will be holding a poster competition for Lower School pupils, with the winner receiving an Amazon voucher.  As a reminder, the deadline for entries is midday Monday 10 May.  Entries can be dropped off at Miss Coni’s office or emailed in.

There will be a Mental Health Forum for pupils on Wednesday 12 May at Long Break in the Pavilion. This will be an opportunity for pupils to discuss ideas and learn more about maintaining good mental health and how to support others. We will also be viewing some clips of sporting role models talking about mental health and having a go at mindful meditation.

Free Webinars for Parents:

11 May 7pm – Resilience & Recovery – Sian Lloyd
Click here to register

14 May 3.30pm – Mental Health/Mental illness/ Emotional Literacy/ Language of Emotional Communication - Georgie Ford
Click here to register

18 May 3.30pm- Childhood Trauma – Danny Wilsher
Click here to register

25 May 7pm – Transforming Anxiety – Elisha Goldstein
Click here to register

Remember that there are also lots of useful resources available on the TeenTips Wellbeing Hub.

Greg James, Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator

Teen Tips: Wellbeing Hub

Nurturing 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.

Please remember to register before you access any of the below

Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Adolescence
Tina Lond-Caulk is a nutritionist of 20 years standing. She's worked with a number of very high profile medical practises and the world renowned Lanserhof Medical Clinic. She is also the founder of the nationwide Food for Life programme which is an education programme for schools. Alicia and Tina discuss nutrient deficiencies in adolescence, the signs and symptoms, and why they are so common. 

Listen to the podcast here

Inspiring Futures Podcast
This week in Inspiring Futures, we talk to Gabby Tomlinson about her role as a TV Researcher in Comedy & Entertainment.
Access Inspiring Futures Podcasts here

Register via the Hub Homepage

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

The Summer Term rumbles on and the often chilly temperatures have done little to dampen the spirits. More tennis fixtures were played this week with great representation from the Manor. The boys have been kept busy with Cricket and Athletics. The latter seeing Kian clear a PB of 1.7m in the high jump, just 10cm short of the school record!

This weekend we have a falconry display on Sunday morning featuring, amongst others, a Peregrine Falcon and the world's largest type of owl. Bug Hotel building and a 'Eurohoc' tournament will follow in the afternoon.

Next week is Mental Health Awareness week and tutor groups will be discussing this important topic in house. An undisputed key to wellbeing is spending time outside. Clearly, outside space is something we have in abundance here at The Manor and we will be encouraging pupils to consider walking through the woods to school, getting out to the veg patch, building a den in the woods, cricket on Poppies Field, or a simple stroll on the old golf course.

Peter Guille, House Master.

Lower School Exams 2021

Please find attached details of the Lower School Exams together with a copy of the timetables for all three year groups.

Letter - Lower School Exams

First Form Timetable
Second Form Timetable
Third Form Timetable

Eleni Conidaris, Head of Lower School

Immunisations

On Monday 10 May, Second 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.

Any queries contact medicalcentre@dauntseys.org