Dear Parents,
Thank you to those parents who supported yesterday evening’s end of term carol service; it was very good to be back in the parish church in Cirencester and I thought that our choir, directed by Mr Raby and our readers, rehearsed by Mrs Dodd were a real credit to the college. This letter is not a review of the Michaelmas Term [that happened in Headmaster’s Assembly yesterday morning and what a joyous occasion it was!], and our Marketing Team are producing a joint senior-junior school newsletter at the start of next term which will refer to some of this term’s events. Instead, I want to use this letter to indicate some of the exciting issues which we have been discussing with prefects, parents and governors.
In 30 years of teaching, I cannot remember a more impressive group of prefects. They have been led superbly by Tom Margesson and Charlie Clements, our Head Boy and Girl. They have strengthened the support which housestaff receive; organised social and charity events; supported chapel and settled in our new chaplain, Rev’d Godfrey Simpson; reviewed through the school council and food committee our provision for food; enabled new, particularly international students, to be inducted into the college and taken up my proposal to present to the governing body. In sum they have been the personification of the Rendcomb senior pupil: confident but not arrogant. And there is more to come on their agenda: strengthening links with the immediate and wider community; working more closely with our fifth form to sell the benefits of sixth form life here and to the junior school to improve retention. There are few schools in the country which could boast such an impressive group of young men and women and they are a real credit to you as their parents.
Similarly, I have been impressed by the early work carried out by the newly reformed RCPA. Many of you will have seen the correspondence from Clare Sinfield, our new chair. As well as organising a very successful Fireworks Evening, Clare intends for the RCPA to be more representative of you as parents. Rendcomb is special in using its parents as a consultative group and we are privileged to have such a committed and talented group of volunteers. It is Clare’s intention which
has my full approval, to introduce parental support groups to enable the activities of my colleagues [eg in The Performing and Creative Arts for example] to work in partnership with like-minded individuals in pursuit of excellence for your children. More details can be found soon on our website and please do continue to visit and contribute to parentzone.
And finally our governors. The governors have been incredibly busy this term not only in finding a successor for my post but also by being more actively involved in the college. The Chairman’s initiative of “governor of the month” has been well received and some governors have had lunch with prefects and have been visiting lessons and joining activities. Moreover, four new guest governors have been appointed and the details of all our governors will appear on our website next term.
On a personal note, I would like to thank those parents who have written or spoken to Liese and I in response to my letter after half-term; it was much appreciated. As some of you may have read in last Saturday’s Daily Telegraph and The Times, I am taking up the headship of Dover College with effect from September 2011. Obviously, I will continue to work for Rendcomb for the rest of the academic year and look forward to working with my successor to ensure a smooth hand-over.
On behalf of the Trustees, Governors and all the staff, may I take this opportunity of wishing you a blessed Christmastide and a happy New Year.
With warm best wishes,