Head Master's Notices

I hope that you all enjoyed the Easter break and am pleased to report that the school trips over this period ran very well indeed.  Berlin, CERN in Switzerland, Courmayeur, Barbados, Malta and the Isle of Man were the destinations, while there was also a busy adventure programme taking in the ‘Trek to the Stones’ and a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Practice Expedition.

Our Devizes to Westminster paddlers were busy over the Easter Weekend itself, as they completed 125 miles and overcame 77 portages. This race is an epic feat of endurance and I congratulate the twenty pupils who took part and their support crews who supported them every inch of the way. Special mention also goes to the three crews who paddled for Devizes Canoe Club, training at all hours and in all conditions, in addition to their school commitments.  The achievement is in simply finishing the race, but all of the crews were very well placed too.

Last night saw the final Mercers’ Lecture of this academic year with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards entertaining a very full Memorial Hall. The message for the audience about following your dreams if they just try hard enough was perfect for this crucial exam term.

This weekend sees tennis and cricket fixtures against Devizes Tennis Club and Clayesmore, while our athletes will be at Marlborough College and at the Yeovil Arena, competing in the Lutra Shield.

I look forward to seeing you over the course of this term.

Whole School Notices and Reminders

Parental Survey 2019

As mentioned in the last Parents' Bulletin, we have commissioned an independent research company, RSAcademics, to undertake a Parental Survey on our behalf. This is an opportunity for you to let us know where there is room for improvement, as well as where we are getting things right. Some of the questions will be benchmarked against other schools which will give us helpful comparisons.

The survey is completely anonymous and will be analysed independently by RSAcademics, and a summary of their findings will be sent to all parents at the end of this term.

We intend to send parents' email addresses to RSAcademics in line with the data processing agreement we hold with them. However, should any parent wish not to take part in the survey please could you email me at j.sagers@dauntseys.org by Tuesday 30 April.

RSAcademics will email the survey to you on Thursday 2 May, please note that they will ask for only one response per family. 

The survey has been designed so that it is quick to answer and should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. We are most grateful for your support.
Jo Sagers, Registrar

DSPA

Head Master's Q&A

The DSPA are hosting the DSPA Head Master's question and answer event in the Pavilion on Wednesday 1 May Starting at 18.30 followed by snacks and drinks.

This event is a great opportunity to ask questions or just listen and learn more about the school. You can either ask the questions directly to Mark Lascelles or send in your questions to be asked anonymously. This is a very informal evening and one that any school related question can be asked. Often our children come home with snippets of information and we would like to know more! Now is your opportunity to learn more.

In order to help us cater or to pose questions please can you complete the form here.

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.

Mercers' Lecture Programme 2019 / 2020

Thank you to all pupils, parents and staff who have supported the Mercers' Lecture programme this year. We are especially grateful to those of you who have introduced us to some of the fantastic speakers we have enjoyed listening to this year.

For the next lecture series we already some speakers confirmed including, a Shepherdess, a Special Forces soldier, an author/historian and an internationally renowned vocal ensemble. If anyone has any similar contacts they are willing to persuade / arm-twist into speaking at the School for the next lecture series please do let me know.
Jo Sagers, Registrar: j.sagers@dauntseys.org

Music School Notices

Leavers' Recital
Thursday 16 May at 19:30

All school leavers are welcome to sign up in the music department.

Careers

Lower Sixth Post Dauntsey's Planning Day 2
Tuesday June 4, 13:00 - 17:00 in the Pavilion

Lower Sixth Post Dauntsey's Planning Day 3
Friday June 7, 09:00 - 16:00 in the Pavilion

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.

Parental UCAS Briefing
Friday June 14 at 18:30, and repeated on Saturday June 15 at 10:30. 

Both sessions will be held in the William Dauntsey room.

Lower Sixth Speed Networking Event
Thursday 20 June at 19:00 in the Pavilion and the Memorial Hall

*Reminder* Fourth Form Parents' Evening

Tonight at 18:30 - 20:30

A Reminder that the Fourth 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)

Fly Fishing at Mill Farm Trout Lakes
Sunday 12 May 2019

The DSPA is hosting a Fly Fishing Day at Mill Farm Trout Lakes for current and prospective parents and pupils on Sunday 12 May 2019.

Please read the attached letter for more information and booking details. Many thanks.

Staff and Parents Monday Night Football

Monday, April 29, 19:30-20:30

There will be football for staff and parents on Monday, April 29 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

The Manor was full of excited chatter on Tuesday evening as the Manorites returned from the Easter holidays with news of what they had been up to. Already, our lower school boarders are taking advantage of the lighter evenings and warmer weather, and many have been enjoying our wonderful grounds and facilities this week; the football pitch is getting regular use (no broken windows…YET!) and the tennis courts are proving to be very popular.

Last night, the whole House went to listen to the Mercers’ Lecture and were enthralled to hear Eddie the Eagle talk – one of the pupils, Teagan, was particularly delighted to be able to meet her hero! This weekend, many of our pupils will be taking part in the Triathlon and everyone else will be going to School to cheer on their friends.
Anne Sampson, House Mistress.

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

First Form Language Options

A Reminder that First Form language options are due in to House staff next Wednesday 1 May please. Many thanks.
Jon Tyler, Deputy Head (Academic)

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.

Third Form Project Prize

Entries to be submitted by Tuesday 7 May

This is an opportunity for Third Form to showcase their Independent learning skills. For more information please read the attached document. First prize is a choice of an iPad or Apple watch and there is a cup to be awarded for ‘Enthusiasm, Independence and Imagination’.