February 15, 2019 | Issue no. 123
Head Master's Notices
It is hard to believe that we have reached the mid-point of the academic year and that the Upper Sixth will return for their mock examinations after half-term. The next few weeks will pass very quickly though and with Public Examinations having coming forward in the summer term, there is little time to waste.
I am delighted to report that the First Form examinations brought another bumper crop and that we will be full once again next year. This is wonderful news at this stage of the year and I thank all of you for your support.
The Valentine’s Ball passed off very well indeed last week, while this week we have been treated to the riveting ‘Delta’ and a brilliant Gilliat Prize Final, for our top singers
The first half of term has seen some excellent sport, not just for our major games but also in sports as diverse as fencing, shooting, equestrianism and biathlon. There have been some superb results, fine individual efforts and great team work too.
I would like to thank and congratulate the pupils who participated in the 24 hour ‘Runathon’. It was great to see so many involved and raising money for this year’s school charity, the Jemima Layzell Trust. There have been a whole host of fund-raising events and initiatives and I am sure that the final sum raised will be impressive.
I hope that our Upper Sixth historians enjoy Paris and that our Second Formers relish their Arctic Adventure. I also wish our kayakers the best of luck for the Waterside A Race, as they intensify preparations for the Devizes to Westminster over Easter weekend.
I wish you all a very happy half-term break.
Whole School Notices and Reminders
Mercers' Lectures - Spring Term 2019
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
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards is Great Britain’s first Olympic Ski Jumper. He was ranked 55th in the world which qualified him as the only GB applicant for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. With the UK firmly backing the plasterer from Gloucestershire, Eddie competed in the 70m and 90m jump events, but came last in both events.
Although he did not win an Olympic medal, he became famous for his pure determination and ‘have a go’ attitude.
Eddie is a commentator for programmes such as ITV’s ‘The Jump’ and has taken part in TV shows including Sport Relief and the celebrity diving show ‘Splash’ which he won. He returned to ski jumping in 2015 to raise funds for Ski4Cancer, a charity of which he is patron. A film about his life was released in 2016, staring Taron Egerton as Eddie and Hugh Jackman as his trainer.
We anticipate that this will be a popular lecture, and would like all parents to have the first opportunity to reserve their seats. Please make sure that you have booked online here.
Drama Programme - Spring 2019
_-_RGB.png){kind=logo}
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 (See below for dress rehearsal notice)
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
Dance Showcase Dress Rehearsal
Sunday 10 March from 11:00 - 18:00
There will be a dress rehearsal for all pupils involved in the Dance Showcase on Sunday 10 March.
This involves all pupils that attend an extra-curricular dance club including: Contemporary, Street Dance, Tumbling, Ballet, Mini Jazz, GNI and DDC. This also includes all GCSE pupils in the Fourth and Fifth Form. A costume list will be sent around to all parents and pupils, and if there are any queries please contact Emily Wilkins – e.wilkins@dauntseys.org
Music School Notices
Music Recital
Pre ABRSM Examinations
Friday 1 March at 14:00 pm in the Old Hall
Barnardos Choir Of The Year Competition
Monday 4 March
The coach will depart from Dauntsey’s at 09:45.
Lunch will be provided in London.
Dress code: Full concert dress as already arranged.
Our competition time is 16:40 and if you have tickets for the evening, you can also watch us compete.
The concert starts at 18:30 and finishes at 21:30
We aim to be back at Dauntsey’s by approx. 00:30.
If you wish to have your child dropped off at Marlborough on the way home, please can you email Mr Harris - Many thanks.
Rockfest
Monday 4 March at 14:00 for the Lower School, 16:20 for the Upper School in the Memorial Hall
Rehearsals will be on Sunday 3 March
Mid Somerset Festival Competitions
Thursday 7 March: Chamber Music
We are entering our clarinet and saxophone quartets / quintets, the senior string quartet and chamber orchestra. Competitors have been notified.
We leave school straight after lessons to travel to the Bath Citadel (Salvation Army) to compete. Supporters are welcome to join us. The classes start at 18:00 and finish by 20:30.
Friday 15 March: Dance Band
We travel to Hayesfield Girls’ School to compete. Transport will leave after lessons. Our class starts at 17:55.
We will return to Dauntsey’s in time for Upper Sixth pupils to attend Parents’ Evening.
Spring Concert: ‘Stars and Stripes’
Wednesday 27 March at 19:30 in the Memorial Hall
Tickets not required
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.
Work Experience
The Careers department is currently trying to help a number of Fifth and Sixth Form pupils who are seeking Work Experience/Shadowing opportunities. If you, or the company/organisation you work for, are able to offer a placement both the school and the pupil would be incredibly grateful. Placements can be from as little as a day, to a week or more, and are of huge benefit to the individuals concerned. In the past the feedback from the employers has been most encouraging, not least because they too have found the placement very worthwhile. If you would like to know more about the process, to see if it might be something you could assist with, then please contact James O’Hanlon j.ohanlon@dauntseys.org or Carrie Watson c.watson@dauntseys.org in the Careers Department.
Cricket Tour to Barbados
On March 29, the senior boys cricket squad of Dauntsey's School, head to Barbados for a 6 match / 12 day cricket tour.
As part of the tour & trip, the boys will be visiting some local clubs & schools where they will be distributing cricket kit to the young players and helping with some coaching clinics and cricket drills.
To help raise some funds for tour kit and equipment, the squad have pulled together a great selection of auction and raffle prizes.
Please visit the attached link for more information on prizes and how to bid, and thank you for supporting our team.
Summer Examinations and Study Leave
Please see the attached Study Leave Notice, if you have any queries regarding this or any other exam related matter, please feel free to contact Mr Blumsom, the Exams Officer on examsmanager@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk or Mrs Jones on l.jones@dauntseys.wilts.sch.uk
You can call the office on 01380 814677 but please note the office will not be open during the half-term break.
School Shop
Second Hand and Loan Items
The School Shop stocks a reasonable range of second hand items providing a useful resource for parents and pupils. The shop also has a loan stock which pupils may utilise, if they have forgotten items on the day required, such as sports kit. We ask that these ‘loan‘ items are washed and returned within 3 days. Below are a few points to note regarding second hand items:
The following items cannot be accepted for second hand sale, although they can be added to our lending stock or recycled.
- Items displaying the old School crest
- Swimsuits
- Swimming trunks
- Trousers
- Sports socks
Leavers of the School cannot be paid for second hand sales if there are no siblings attending the School.
The School Shop reserves the right to refuse items for second hand sale due to their condition and/or current second hand stock levels.
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Bailey School Shop Manager. Many thanks.
DSPA
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.
Lower School Notices and Reminders
Manor Matters
The Manorites enjoyed a relaxing weekend, with plenty of table-tennis played, films watched, and a lot of pizza eaten! Some of our younger boarders boogied the evening away on Tuesday at the Lower School Party, and several of them came back to The Manor clutching well-earned prizes and sweets.
The lighter evenings mean that many of the children are having fun playing outside on the football pitch and tennis courts – we are very fortunate to have so much wonderful outdoor space and it is great to see the Manorites taking full advantage of our fantastic grounds.
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.
Please do follow us on Twitter @ManorDauntseys to keep up to date.
Third Form Parents' Evening
Friday 1 March, 18:30 - 20:30
The Third Form Parents’ Meeting takes place on Friday 1 March 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)
Lower School Wide Game and BBQ
Tuesday 5 March, 17:30 - 20:00 at the Manor
On Tuesday, 5 March, from 17:30 - 20:00, there will be a Wide Game and BBQ for all Lower School pupils.
A wide game is an outdoor activity, usually between two or more teams which have to achieve specific objectives in order to win the game. This might be simply preventing the other team(s) from finishing or collecting certain items. Wide games are organised within a given geographical area and usually have a theme or storyline which helps set the scene. Apart from having fun, wide games provide an opportunity for the participants to develop teamwork, planning skills, endurance, resourcefulness, initiative, and physical fitness!
Further information can seen here, and if you would like your son and/or daughter to attend this activity please could you kindly confirm this via email to e.conidaris@dauntseys.org by Friday, 1 March. Many thanks.
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