October 19, 2018 | Issue no. 111

Head Master's Notices


It is busy in the Music and Drama departments right now. ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’, a compelling, faithful, and nerve-wracking telling of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, is in the midst of a  very successful three-day run, while the Lower School are all practising hard for their Music Competition and House Singing next Tuesday evening.

At the start of the week we welcomed Dr David Starkey, CBE, to Dauntsey’s. He gave a seminar on Henry VII to pupils from our White Horse History Society and then ended the evening with his fascinating and amusing Mercers’ Lecture on Henry VIII and the ‘First Brexit’, to an audience of over 800.

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, our Fourth and Fifth Form German pupils go to Bamberg, whilst there is a Sixth Form Spanish Trip to Barcelona. Lastly, our Upper Sixth geographers will be heading off to explore Iceland.

Tomorrow brings fixtures against Prior Park and then the last few days of this half. I wish you all a very happy and restful half-term break.

 


 

Whole School Notices and Reminders


Mercers' Lectures - Autumn Term 2018

Dr Lucy Worsley, “The undisputed Queen of TV History” – The Guardian
Wednesday 7 November 2018 at 19:30 in the Memorial Hall

Dr Lucy Worsley is the Chief Curator at the Historic Royal Palaces which is responsible for the unoccupied royal palaces of London including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace State Apartments and Hampton Court Palace.

She is passionate about making history engaging to the widest possible audience and is well known as a TV presenter of a number of BBC TV series on historical topics, including most recently, ‘Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley’. She has written a number of books for both adults and children and her latest, a biography of Jane Austen was received with critical acclaim

Please note that we have had to close bookings to the public for the above lecture with Dr Lucy Worsley. We are keeping spaces open for parents and pupils who have not yet booked, so please contact reception at reception@dauntseys.org if you would like to book seats for this lecture.

 


 

School Reports

Half-termly grades will be published on Firefly, the school Intranet (not the School Portal as previously) this half term. You will be emailed next week with instructions on how to reach the reports.

 


 

For Fifth Form Parents: Sixth Form Presentation

Friday 9 November at 19:00 in the Memorial Hall

The Sixth Form Presentation Evening for current Fifth Form pupils and their parents takes place on Friday, 9 November. Please come along to find out more about life in the Sixth Form at Dauntsey’s. You are warmly invited to stay for supper and a glass of wine in the dining hall afterwards. Many thanks. 
Jon Tyler, Deputy Head Academic.

 


 

Third Form Scholarships and Awards for 2019

*Please note* Closing date for entries: Monday 22 October 2018 

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


 


 

Drama Programme - Autumn 2018

The Virtuous Burglar: 19 - 21 November in Annabel’s

A farcical comedy by the Italian actor-playwright, Dario Fo

Our House: 4 – 8 December in the Memorial Hall

The December musical is always a much-anticipated highlight and we hope the energetic choreography and colourful staging of ‘Our House’ will be a popular and feel good choice – for pupils and audience alike.

Book fast in order to secure seats for the Tuesday or Wednesday night performances! 

Seat numbers will be emailed out after half term. If you are paying by cheque, please can payment be sent in as soon as possible with your cheques made payable to 'Dauntsey’s School' and marked for the attention of Rikki Jackson.

The Saturday, Friday and Thursday evening performances are sold out. If you would like to go on to a waiting list please email Rikki Jackson directly at r.jackson@dauntseys.org

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

Jazz Night
Thursday 8 November at 19:30 in the Pavilion

Featuring Harry Brunt and Friends along with the amazing Dance Band and Soloists.
Due to limited seating, tickets are only available for Sixth Form Pupils (not available to other year groups), all parents and staff.
Please do book early to avoid disappointment. £20.00 per ticket (to go on the school bill) available from Mrs D Davey (01380 814546) d.davey@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk

A light meal and a glass of Prosecco will be included in the price of the ticket.

Lower School Music Competition Final and House Singing
Tuesday 23 October at 18:30 in the Memorial Hall.

Further details below in the Lower School Notices.

Chamber Recital
Friday 9 November at 14:00 in the Old Hall

 


 

Careers

Army Liaison Visits for Fourth Form and above

Sian Thomas, our Army Liaison Officer, is visiting Dauntsey’s and would be very pleased to meet pupils who are considering a career in the Army. Please see this link for more information: https://apply.army.mod.uk/

Careers in the Army include combat, engineering, medical, logistics, legal & support, intelligence, IT & communications, human resources & finance, and music and ceremonial.

She can meet you individually or in small groups.

Please e-mail the Careers Dept, either Mr O’Hanlon or Mrs Watson, to make an appointment, or come and see us for more information.

Guest Speaker, Rt Hon Claire Perry, MP
MP for Devizes, and Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth

‘The World of Politics and Current Affairs’ on Friday 16 November at 16:15 to 17:15 in the William Dauntsey Room. More information can be found here.

Pilots Career Live
The First Step Towards Aviation

Friday 2 and Saturday 3 November, 10:00 - 16:30 at the Sofitel Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport
www.pilotcareernews.com/live

This is Europe’s largest independent flight training and aerospace exhibition. (student discounted tickets available from the website.)

  • Visitors will get the answers to questions such as
  • What do airlines look for when recruiting new pilots?
  • How to start a career in aviation and what are the career paths?
  • What apprenticeships are available?
  • University degrees in aerospace: what are the choices?
  • What are the career prospects in aviation?
  • How much does the training cost?

Please contact the Careers Department for more information.


 

DSPA

First Form Coffee Morning
Wednesday 24 October, 10:00 at MIPO's, Planks Farm Shop, SN10 3PU

Please come for coffee and cake, meet other parents and find out what we do at the Dauntsey’s School Parents’ Association. Please don’t worry if you aren’t already signed up, please come along anyway, all are welcome!
Any queries please contact: Lulu Lawson Johnston: lucy@plumuk.com or Michelle Duckworth: duckworthfamily7@gmail.com

Fourth Form Coffee Morning
Tuesday 23 October at 10:30

At Cafe Nero on Marlborough High Street. Please RSVP to Simone at davissimone@hotmail.com

DSPA Helpers List.

We need your help to continue providing drinks and snacks at the various functions. Please sign up if you are able to help at the occasional function.Please sign up here.

DSPA Digital Noticeboard

Sharing opportunities from within the Dauntsey’s family. Have a look at what is on offer here.

 


 

The Filling Station

Feeding the homeless on the streets of Swindon

Around the time of Harvest, for many years, the school has supported The Filling Station, which provides food and helps homeless people living in Swindon. During this year Rev David Johnson has been taking Upper School pupils on Thursday evenings to help give out food.

Please read the attached on how you can help by bringing in supplies to support the work of the charity. Many thanks.


 

Equestrian News

Good luck to all those competing at the NSEA Championships over the weekend.

 

 


 

Design and Technology 'Pop-Up' Shop

On Saturday 8 December, during match tea in the pavilion, the Lower Sixth Design and Technology pupils will be hosting a pop-up shop, where they will be selling products that they have designed and manufactured. All profits will be donated to the school charity.

The pupils would really appreciate some input from parents, staff and pupils in order for them to successfully complete their market research.

If you would like to help, please click on the link to complete their short questionnaire, gathering information on gifts and Christmas shopping trends.


 

Design a School Christmas Card Competition

The school is launching its own range of Christmas Cards to be sold in aid of the school charity, The Jemima Layzell Trust. We are looking for three designs that best show the true spirit of Christmas.

All designs must be on A4 paper, in colour, may be landscape or portrait, and must be original. (May we request no glitter please).

The deadline for designs is Friday 9 November and is open to anyone in the school community. Please give all of your designs to Mrs Hubbard.

 


 

Lower School Notices and Reminders


Manor Matters

We had a very full House last weekend, as many Manorites stayed in to enjoy a trip to Freedog Trampolining Park in Swindon – lots of bouncing fun was had by all of the children and, much to the relief of the Staff, no injuries occurred!  The children then spent an hour in the Outlet Village and came back full of happy tales of a great day out.

This weekend we are looking forward to the ‘Manor Ice-Cream Factory’ on Saturday night and a quieter day on Sunday relaxing in House, doing some baking, and popping into Devizes to stock up on essential shopping.

Rehearsals have been going well for the house song, which we will perform at the Lower School Music Competition next Tuesday, and we do hope that parents will come along to enjoy the evening’s entertainment. 
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

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

 


 

Lower School Music Competition and House Singing

Tuesday 23 October at 18:30 - 20:00

All Lower School pupils will be taking part in the Lower School Music Competition and House Singing event, and we hope that you can all attend. Please find attached full details for this event which promises to be a lively evening of music. 

 


 

The Manor Bonfire Night

Monday 5 November, 18:00 - 20:00

All proceeds to go to our school charity, The Jemima Layzell Trust. Hot food and drinks will be available along with baked goodies for sale. Entry is by donation, families are very welcome – dress up warm!