Head Master's Notices

Lucy Worsley’s Mercers’ Lecture on Wednesday night, on the Empire of the Tsars, was an eloquent and fascinating insight into Russian rule at the time of revolution. Once again, the Memorial Hall was packed for a memorable evening.

Our Remembrance Day Service takes place at 10.45 on Sunday and the speaker is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns, GCB, KCVO, CBE. All members of the congregation are invited for coffee and drinks in the Pavilion immediately after the service and parents currently serving in the Armed Forces are warmly invited to wear uniform, if they so wish.

I look forward to seeing Fifth Form parents at the Sixth Form presentation this evening. It takes place in the Memorial Hall and supper will be served in the dining hall afterwards for everyone.

Tomorrow we have a reception for parents of Second and Third Form pupils in the Pavilion at 12:00 and, looking ahead to next week, we have our First Form Parents' Evening on Friday.

Finally, well done to our sports teams who have recorded some excellent results this week, and good luck for the fixtures against Wellington College and Bishop Wordsworth’s School tomorrow.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

Mercers' Lectures - Spring Term 2018

Frank Gardner OBE – BBC Security Correspondent
Tuesday 5 February 2019 at 19: 30 in the Memorial Hall

Frank Gardner is the BBC’s security correspondent reporting for TV and radio on issues of both domestic and international importance. A fluent Arabist with a degree in Arabic and Islamic studies from Exeter University, Frank spent nine years as an investment banker before switching to journalism and becoming the BBC’s Middle East correspondent based in Cairo.

In 2004, while reporting in Saudi Arabia, he was shot and left partly paralysed in an attack by al-Qaeda terrorists. Now dependent on a wheelchair, he has relearned to ski using a bob ski and is currently President of the Ski Club of Great Britain.

Please make sure that you have reserved your seats online here.

For Fifth Form Parents: Sixth Form Presentation

This evening at at 19:00 in the Memorial Hall

A Reminder that 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.

Internet Safety and Age Restriction Guidance

We feel that it is important to share with you the current guidelines on what age restrictions are in place across the most popular social media services, why they exist and what the advice is for parents and young people. Please read the advice from Childnet International 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 during the course of next week as we are going paperless this year. As the process of emailing is likely to be quite time consuming please be patient. However if you have not received an email with your seat numbers by November 22, please contact Rikki Jackson directly.

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

Service of Remembrance and Memorial Concert Remembrance Service
Sunday 11 November

All of Senior Choir, Female Voices Choir and the Choral Clerks are performing and need to meet in the Memorial Hall at 09:30 to rehearse. The service will commence at 10:45.

All those in the choirs will be fed after the service

Memorial Concert: Senior choir, Female Voices and Choral Clerks - please note the new venue - Dauntsey's School Memorial Hall.

All members of Senior Choir, DFV and Clerks meet in the Memorial Hall at 13:30 along with the senior orchestra, Dauntsey's Choral Society and other visiting choirs for a rehearsal of the piece "In Memoriam".

The performance starts at 15:00 

Remembrance Concert
Thursday 15 November at 19:30 in the Memorial Hall

Performed by Musicians of Dauntsey's School

Rehearsal Schedule for the Remembrance Concert: all in the Memorial Hall

Tuesday 13 November:
18:00 - 19:00  Full Rehearsal – Senior Choir, Orchestra, Concert Band

Thursday 15 November:
13:50 - Junior Orchestra
14:30 - Choral Clerks
16:10 - Show Choir, Senior Choir, and Trumpeters
16:40 - Dauntsey’s Female Voices
17:00 - Orchestra and Concert Band
17:20 - Concert Band
17:40 - Orchestra
18:10 - Senior Choir
18:30 - Chamber Orchestra
19:30 - Concert

Music Recital
Pre ABRSM Examinations
Friday 16 November at 14:00 in the Farmer Room

Careers

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.

Interested in Studying in a University Abroad?
David Hawkins
Thursday 22 November at 13:50 in the William Dauntsey Room

Upper School pupils and parents are all invited to listen to David Hawkins give a presentation and Q&A on studying abroad. Using his wealth of experience, he works with schools and students making university application to the United States, Europe and further afield.  He helps students gain admission to the world’s most selective universities, as well as those looking for the best fit in their university applications. In addition to the name brand universities, David supports students to research the type of university experience they need in order to be successful in the next stage of their education, wherever in the world these universities may be.

https://www.hawkinsglobaleducation.com/who-we-are/

Among other topics, he will go through the process of international applications, both in the US and other international universities, explain about different course structures eg US course semesters and major/minor subjects and the admissions tests (SAT), talk about the process of applying for scholarships, and shed some light on the ‘tiers’ of American Universities.

If you are considering studying abroad, even if it’s not for several years, this is strongly recommended as a very good introduction. Please can you let us know if you intend to join us.

DSPA

DSPA Travel Scholarship Presentations.

On Wednesday 14 November, from 18:30 in the William Dauntsey Room, the DSPA Travel Scholarship presentations will be taking place. If your child is interested in a gap year when the time comes then this should be of great interest. Open to all.

Remembrance Concert
Thursday 15 November 

The DSPA will be running a bar at this event, so please do support us.

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.

Bath and England Rugby Player to Visit Dauntsey's

Wednesday 14 November

Semesa Rokoduguni (Roko) – Bath and England Rugby Player is visiting Dauntsey's on Wednesday 14 November.

Currently the plan is for him to coach our Lower School pupils from 15:00 - 15:45 and then some of the Senior players from 16:15 - 16:45 (or until it gets dark). There will be time for autographs and photographs, and it will all take place on the 1^st XV Pitch.

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.

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.

Lower School Notices and Reminders

Manor Matters

The Manor was filled with the happy chatter of our 80 boarders on Sunday night as they returned, refreshed and relaxed, after their half-term holiday. We spent Sunday evening preparing pumpkins for the Bonfire & Fireworks Night and some super (and rather scary) creations were carved!

On Monday evening we held our annual Bonfire & Fireworks Night – our youngest Manorite, William, was given the honour of lighting the huge Bonfire and then many delicious hotdogs, cakes and cookies were devoured as we watched a spectacular firework display. It was super to see so many families, staff and Upper School pupils enjoying the event alongside the Manor pupils, and the impressive sum of £777.78 was raised for this year’s school charity, the Jemima Layzell Trust. 

This half of term sees the return of our ‘Friends on Friday’ programme; the Manorites are able to invite a day pupil to stay the night with us on a Friday night and it is lovely to be able to welcome some of the day pupils to The Manor.  We look forward to seeing some new faces this evening!
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

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

First Form Parents' Evening

Friday 16 November, 18:30 - 20:30 in the Memorial Hall

A reminder that the First Form Parents’ Meeting takes place next week, on Friday 16 November from 18:30 - 20:30 in the Memorial Hall. I hope you can make it and please do see me if I can help with anything. Many thanks. 
Jon Tyler, Deputy Head (Academic)

Lower School Ski Trip Reminder

Please can all parents of pupils going on the Lower School Ski Trip please send in their paperwork for the trip by Friday 16 November.

Please contact Mr T Butterworth at t.butterworth@dauntseys.org with any queries.