Head Master's Notices

Following the 1st XV rugby team’s dramatic semi-final win at Allianz Park last Saturday, Twickenham beckons. They showed skill, courage and tremendous resilience in an epic performance, while their graciousness in victory and concern for their shattered opponents won them many admirers. They will be taking on Samuel Whitbread Academy on Thursday 21 March and I am pleased that so many pupils want to support them. Further details on the logistics for the day are below.

The highlight of this week has been the wonderful Dance Showcase. It was superbly put together and beautifully performed, showcasing the talent in the school and demonstrating both the strength of our clubs programme and the willingness of our pupils to ‘have-a-go’. My thanks to the pupils involved, who had clearly worked so hard over the last few weeks and months, and to Emily Wilkins, Matthew Herring and the technical team for putting it all together.

And next week, the eagerly awaited Lower School Play, Danny, Champion of the World, arrives, and will be performed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. I wish everyone involved the best of luck.

In other areas, that do not always enjoy the limelight, congratulations to our table tennis team on winning promotion in the Wiltshire league, my thanks to Dr Openshaw for introducing Historical European Martial Arts as a new activity, and well done to our fencers who competed at Crystal Palace yesterday and acquitted themselves excellently.

Tonight brings the Upper Sixth Parents’ Evening and tomorrow fixtures against Bristol Grammar School and KES Bath, as well as the Evans House party in the evening.

Have a good weekend.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

1st XV Rugby Team - Final at Twickenham

As you are hopefully aware, last Saturday the 1st XV Rugby team achieved a tremendous victory in the semi-final of the Under 18 Vase competition and this has taken them through to the final at Twickenham.  The match is scheduled to kick off at 14:00 on Thursday 21 March, and it is our intention to take all those pupils who would like to attend.

We are planning to depart at 11:30, having already served lunch to all those who are going, in order to arrive at the ground by about 13:30.  The game should finish around 15:30, so we hope to depart by about 16:00, returning to School between 18:00 and 18:30. In order to ensure that all the Lower School pupils who are in the play are back at School and have had supper, the performance of ‘Danny, Champion of the World’ will commence at 19:30 (the start time will remain at 19:00 on the other evenings).

There will be no cost to any of the pupils since the tickets are free and the School will pay for the coaches. 

We are awaiting confirmation on final numbers for those pupils that would like to go and will email details of the plan for those who will not be going once we have them.

For any parents planning to make their way to Twickenham to attend the game, which you are warmly invited to do so, please note this is a non-ticketed event. Please go to the main gate where you will be escorted by stewards to a seat. Parking is available and you can book your parking ticket using this link.

Mercers' Lectures - 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.

Due to very high demand we have now closed the bookings to this lecture. Pupils who would like to go can still book a place by speaking to reception. Many thanks.

Drama Programme - Spring 2019

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. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights are now sold out. Please contact Rikki Jackson directly if you would like to watch the production on one of these evenings.

Please find attached details for rehearsals and performances on Sunday and next week.

Seat numbers for 'Danny' have been emailed out to all those who have booked. Please contact Rikki Jackson with any queries.

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

Spring Concert: ‘Stars and Stripes’

Wednesday 27 March at 19:30 in the Memorial Hall
Tickets not required

*Reminder* Upper Sixth Form Parents' Evening

Tonight at 18:30 - 20:30

A Reminder that the Upper Sixth Form Parents’ Meeting takes place this evening 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)

Romania Charity Auction and Dinner

Saturday 23 March, 19:00 - 22:00

Our major fundraising event in support of the forthcoming trip to the Nightingales Children’s Project in Romania is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 23 March 2019 between 19:00 and 22:00. It will take the form of a dinner and an auction.

For this year’s event we will not be selling individual tickets, as in the past, but rather the chance to purchase a table for up to ten people for the very reasonable price of £100. This represents a big saving on recent years so please do pick up the phone, ring around and book yourself a table for what promises to be a fantastic and entertaining evening.

For further information please read the attached. To book a table please contact Chris Tonkiss on c.tonkiss@dauntseys.org. Tables are selling fast - so please be quick.

DSPA

Fifth Form parents Pot Luck Supper

A reminder that the Fifth Form parents Pot Luck Supper is in the Cricket pavilion this evening at 19:30. Come and join us, all welcome. RSVP to debbie@debbiepye.com

Danny, The Champion of the World 

Danny, the Champion of the World runs for 4 nights from Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 March inclusive. The DSPA will be running  a bar and selling snacks both pre-show in the Memorial Hall foyer and then in the dining room at interval.

There will be an audience of about 250 people per night so as always will require helpers.

Please would you be kind enough to fill in the form in this the link if you are happy to help. A reminder, these are fun and not for lengthy periods of time.

Fourth Form Parents' Dinner

We will be getting together for a fun dinner at Pino's in Marlborough on Monday 25 March from 19:30/20:00. 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.

Operaluna Announces James Wilton Dance Show at Dauntsey's

Wednesday, 24 April 2019 at 19:00

Operaluna is delighted to present James Wilton Dance’s performance of The Storm, in the Memorial Hall on 24 April 2019 at 19:00, sponsored by Wansbroughs Solicitors.

Operaluna is a Wiltshire charity that supports and promotes the arts to local young people and is excited to bring one of the UK’s leading choreographers in contemporary dance to a Wiltshire audience. The evening will begin with a short curtain raiser by young pupils from Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama and Dauntsey's School dance department. Tickets are available from Swindon Dance Tel: 01793 601700, www.swindondance.org.uk at £10 adults and £8 pupils and the performance is open to the public.

James Wilton will also coordinate dance workshops before the performance with pupils from 14 years upwards from Dauntsey’s School Dance Department and Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama.

James Wilton is a renowned choreographer in the UK, recognised for blending physical choreography with contemporary dance. The Storm is an entertaining, energetic and thought-provoking production on the topic of mental health and has already received glowing reviews. The performance runs for one hour and twenty minutes and there will be a short interval.

For more information, visit www.operaluna.com

Staff and Parents Monday Night Football

Monday, March 18, 19:30-20:30

There will be football for staff and parents on Monday, March 18 at 19:30 - 20:30 on Astro 2. We hope to see you there. Please contact Ben Thompson if interested on sales@benthompsonevents.co.uk

Lower School Notices and Reminders

Manor Matters

Last weekend, The Manorites enjoyed an ‘ice cream sundae’ evening on Saturday – toppings varied from chocolate to fruit and some wonderful creations were constructed (and devoured)! Following the rather indulgent evening, our Lower School boarders set off full of energy for the ice-skating rink at Swindon on Sunday morning. An exhilarating hour was spent on the ice and I am delighted to report that no injuries were sustained! A quick stop off in Marlborough on the way home allowed the Manorites to stock up on some essential items of shopping.

On Monday and Tuesday evening, many of our pupils took part in the amazing Dance Showcase at School, and a group of us went to watch the fantastic event; in addition to this, others have been busy rehearsing for the performance of ‘Danny, Champion of the World’, and the House will be watching this on Monday evening.

Sister Wilkinson hosted a ‘Breakfast with your Tutor’ on Wednesday morning, and the pupils really enjoyed some special treats with her; in addition our Third Form pupils are preparing for their ‘Treat Night’ on Friday evening – the girls have opted for a ‘Pamper Party’, while the boys will enjoy a film and snacks. 
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

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

Proposed Lower School Expedition to Namibia

It is our aim to take a group of Lower School pupils to Namibia between 19 and 29 August 2020. The planned expedition will involve 8 nights in the Oana Reserve, one the last remaining wilderness areas in Southern Namibia. The participants will contribute to ‘hands on’ ecological restoration involving leopard monitoring, mammal surveys and dam building before embarking on an overnight trek to the Oranje River and summiting the Ol Doniyo peak.

This trip is open to current First and Second Form pupils. Please read the attached letter for additional information, and to find out more about this exciting adventure you are invited to a presentation evening on Wednesday, 15 May at 6.30pm in the William Dauntsey Room. If you and /or your son or daughter would like to attend this presentation please could you kindly confirm this via email to e.conidaris@dauntseys.org by Friday, 10 May.

The proposed itinerary for the trip is attached here.

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

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.

Wild Edge Easter Camp

11 - 13 April 2019

Wild Edge, the company that runs our archery programme at Dauntsey's, are holding an Easter Camp at The Manor for 8 - 13 year olds. Please visit their website for further information http://www.wildedge.co.uk/easter-camp/