Head Master's Notices

I am really sorry that we have had to close the School on Friday and Saturday and look forward to resuming normal service on Monday.  I would also like to thank the boarding house staff and tutors, catering, grounds, maintenance and facilities teams, who have been working so hard to keep everyone entertained, safe, well-fed, warm and happy.  Sunday evening's Candlemas Service in All Saints' Church has also been cancelled, while a decision on the Scottish Reels Evening, for Romania, will be taken at some point tomorrow morning.  All matches have been cancelled tomorrow afternoon.

Looking ahead, our Mercers' Lecture series resumes on Tuesday, with Frank Gardner visiting.

Have a safe and warm weekend.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

Mercers' Lectures - Spring Term 2019

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

*Please note* As you may know, bookings closed on this lecture some time ago due to significant demand. Please can we therefore advise all Dauntsey's parents and pupils who have already secured seats / given names to House Staff to arrive promptly to secure a seat, and to please not bring any additional guests to the lecture. Many thanks.

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.

Alison Mitchell – Award-winning sports broadcaster
Thursday 7 March 2019

Alison Mitchell is a leading sports commentator and the first woman to commentate regularly on the BBC’s Test Match Special. She has now toured to every Test playing nation in order to cover the England team. She has a breadth of sports broadcasting experience having covered cricket World Cups, the Ashes, Wimbledon, the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, the World Snooker Championships, the Open golf, international hockey and artistic gymnastics.

As well as cricket, Alison has commentated on and presented live from Wimbledon and the Australian Open tennis, the Open golf, international hockey and artistic gymnastics.

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

Summer Term 2019

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
Thursday 25 April 2019

We will be opening the bookings for this lecture after half term. We expect it to be very popular so please ensure you book early to avoid disappointment. 
Many thanks, Jo Sagers, Registrar

Drama Programme - Spring 2019

We have four productions in the pipeline this term which offers a large variety for everyone to get involved with, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Delta: 12 - 14 February in Annabel's

A new play written and directed by our Technical Manager, Mr Herring

The Pillowman: 6 - 8 March in Annabel’s

A play by the Irish, Oscar and Olivier winning playwright Martin McDonagh

Dance Showcase: 11 - 12 March in the Memorial Hall

A celebration of Dance at Dauntsey's

Danny, Champion of the World: 19 - 22 March in the Memorial Hall

The Lower School will conclude the term with a production of Roald Dahl's much-loved story. Friday night is now sold out. If you would like to go on a waiting list please contact Rikki Jackson.

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

Music Department Parents’ Evening

Thursday 7 February at 19:00 in the Memorial Hall

Reminder to pupils to book your appointment with the Instrumental Teachers, if you haven't already.

Gilliat Prize (for singing)

Heats: Friday 8 February at 13:30 / 16:20

Pupils are required to sign up in the music corridor

Final Competition (Parents welcome to attend): Tuesday 12 February at 19:30 in the Old Hall

Careers

The World of Performing Arts
Friday 8th February 2019 in the Pavilion
Fifth Form and above

During an afternoon event on Friday 8 February, we intend to assemble a variety of professionals from the world of the Performing Arts and will put on a number of presentations, workshops, a career carousel and networking. We anticipate the event running from 12:00 - 16:00, and it will be broken into several parts, so we can accommodate flexibility of timing for our pupils and guests. We would like to convey to the pupils not only the skill, commitment and opportunities they will need if they wish to become a performer themselves, but also how many other options there are in that world. As we know there will be various pupils coming along who would not consider themselves naturally drawn to the performing arts in terms of being an artist themselves, and we want them to realise that if their work skills involve business, IT, design, tech, budgeting, marketing, events, art, personnel, planning, teaching etc that they should understand that those skills can fit well with many fascinating jobs within an environment they might have not previously considered.

More details to follow!
James O’Hanlon and Carrie Watson, Careers

Gap Year Fair 2019
Wednesday 13 February 2019, Memorial Hall, 12:30 - 14:30
Fourth Form and above, parents welcome

We are very keen for all upper school pupils to consider taking a year out, if it is carefully thought out, researched and planned, as it can be a fantastic opportunity for growth, development, and confidence-building for the pupil, a time to learn new skills, open their mind and think about the wider world, challenge themselves and have an adventure. It can be used to gain work experience, improve their CV and employability skills, or just pursue a hobby, skill or sport to a higher level. Not only do we want them to consider what they could gain from a gap year, but also how they could use the very long summer after A’Levels and university holidays to their best advantage, so, we will also offer insight into opportunities for summer learning, volunteering and working programmes.

Our biennial Fair 2019 will have have at least 15 exhibitors from the worlds of: travel, the arts, volunteering, skills, cookery, skiing, languages, internships, marine science, teaching, history of art, business and media training, conservation etc.

Pupils and parents are most welcome to drop in to speak to any of our many exhibitors to find out more about the opportunities available.

James O’Hanlon and Carrie Watson, Careers

Post Dauntsey's Planning for Lower Sixth Pupils & Parents 
Saturday 2 March, 11:00 - 12:30 in the Memorial Hall

The Careers department will outline options open to pupils for when they leave Dauntsey's. This will include how to identify which route is most appropriate and the selection processes involved.

24 Hour Runathon: Please support our runners and donate!

14 - 15 February

Our annual Runathon will start at 10:45 on Thursday 14 February, continue throughout the day, into the night, and finish at 10:45 on Friday 15 February.

Runners can run the course alone or in pairs and we aim to have at least one pupil running at any time on a 1km loop around the school grounds. Last year, we raised over £1000 altogether, so this year we hope to run further and raise even more money!

In the spirit of community and camaraderie, we hope that our pupils enjoy the event and that our supporters donate generously to our School charity, The Jemima Layzell Trust, via our Just Giving Webpage here.

Lower Sixth Form Parents' Evening

Friday 8 February, 18:30 - 20:30

The Lower Sixth Form Parents’ Meeting takes place on Friday 8 February 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. Jon Tyler, Deputy Head (Academic)

DSPA

Lower & Upper Sixth parent BYO Supper and Drinks
Saturday 9 February, 19:30 - 22:30 in the Pavilion 

While our children are dancing the night away at the Valentine's Ball and we are on taxi duty, why not come and join us for a BYO Supper and drinks in the Pavilion.
Lower Sixth Parents: to bring main courses and a drink option; soft included.
Upper Sixth Parents: to bring puddings and a drink option; soft included.
RSVP - Tory Nelson  - tory.nelson@yahoo.co.uk

Fourth Form Coffee Morning at Mipo (Plank's)
Tuesday 12 February from 10:00

RSVP to Simone Wilmot Davis at davissimone@hotmail.com

First Form Tea and Cake Morning
Friday 15 February at 11:00 in the Pavilion

The DSPA warmly invites you to a tea and cake morning. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with other parents and find out more about what the DSPA has planned.

If you could bring along cake and buns it would be greatly appreciated.  Any queries please email Michelle Duckworth (duckworthfamily7@gmail.com) or Lulu Lawson-Johnson (lucy@plumuk.com).  Hope to see you there.

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.

Reels for Romania
Saturday February 2, at 18:45 in the Memorial Hall

The event still taking place is currently snow dependent - an update on this will come tomorrow morning (Saturday). Many thanks for your understanding.

Autumn Term Sports Team Pictures

Sports team pictures from the Autumn Term are now available to view and order on the Intranet here.

Lower School Notices and Reminders

Manor Matters

All of the Manorites returned after their Exeat weekend full of happy chatter and ready for the new week. The recent cold temperatures have precluded much use of our wonderful grounds, but this week’s Lower Sixth Prefects have been fantastic at running activities for the pupils, ranging from a (very noisy!) game of Twister, to some (even noisier!) cookie baking.

When heading to bed last night, the question on everyone’s lips was, ‘Will it be a snow day tomorrow?’. The squeals of excitement could be heard throughout the House as our younger boarders woke this morning to see a deep covering of snow. Our snow day has kicked off to a great start with a snowman building competition; sledge races are planned for later in the day and we shall also be baking cookies to enjoy with hot chocolate this afternoon. A film night will hopefully end a happy day and I’m sure that the Manorites will sleep VERY soundly tonight!
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

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

Lower School Parent/Pupil Clay Pigeon Shooting Trip

We apologise, but this event has had to be cancelled due to snow. Many thanks for your understanding.

A notice to all Third Form Parents: Moonrakers Camp Forms

Please could you ensure that you return your son or daughters' Outward Bound Moonrakers Camp form to Mrs Sarah Budd at Dauntsey’s: s.budd@dauntseys.org

If you need a spare copy you can find it on the Intranet here

Lower School Ski Trip Information Evening

Thursday 7 February, 18:00 in the Pavilion

For any parents of those pupils going on this year’s trip, you are welcome to attend an information evening about the trip. There will be a chance to meet staff travelling on the trip, hear details of the itinerary, watch a video of previous trips, and try on rental ski clothing (should you require).

Tea and coffee will be served, and the event will last no more than one hour.

If you cannot make it on February 7, don’t worry. All details will be sent out electronically a few weeks’ prior to travel.  

Pupils should head to the Pavilion at 17:30 to meet their parents. Boarders on the trip may attend and transport back to the Manor will be arranged if required.

Lower School Valentines Disco

Tuesday 12 February, 18:30 - 20:30 in the Memorial Hall

In aid of the Nightingales Children’s Project, a group of Lower Sixth pupils are hosting a Valentine’s Disco for Lower School pupils on Tuesday 12 February in the Memorial Hall. Day pupils can remain at School after the end of prep at 17:20 (when they can change and have supper) and the evening will finish at 20:30.

The cost per pupil for the evening will be £5 (including food with a non-alcoholic glass of punch on arrival). There will also be a tuck shop selling soft drinks and snacks as well as a number of activities for the children to participate in.

We hope to see your son/daughter there, for what promises to be an enjoyable evening.

Please find attached booking form to return to house staff. Many thanks

Dauntsey's Spring Hockey Camp

8 - 10 April 2019

Please see attached flyer for details about a Spring Hockey Camp at Dauntsey's from 8 - 10 April. To book your spot, please visit our booking page here.