April Fools’ Day, 2011

Dear Parents

Term ended yesterday on a very positive note with excellent reviews in Headmaster’s Assembly, including presentations from some of our academic departments who have hosted field trips and been successful in national competitions. Mr Illingworth, our Director of Studies, emphasised the need for those taking part in public examinations next term to make effective use of the Easter holiday to engage in focussed revision. All pupils in our fifth and sixth forms have been set “holiday work” and as always we are grateful to parents who support their children in what can often be a challenging time for them. We return to college on Wednesday 27th April and we will want to launch the summer term at a brisk pace, as exams start virtually right away. You will also see from the calendar included with your child’s report that both Friday, April 29th [the royal wedding day] and Monday, May 2nd [my birthday] are normal working school days. We have scheduled two exeats later in the term.

Many of you will have your own highlights from this action-packed term but I would just wish to refer to three events. Mrs Dodd’s outstanding production of Hairspray starring Holly Phelps and Ed Slark was considered by many to be her best production to date. It certainly was first class and played to Dulverton-filled audiences on three consecutive evenings. Thank you to all those parents who supported this event and in making it such an overwhelming success.

Our sixth form ball, organised by our prefects’ social team was also well attended by parents and by nearly everyone in the sixth form. The Alice in Wonderland theme stimulated the creativity of this year group who indulged us with wonderful decorations and very imaginative table placements. An enormous amount of time and effort goes into organising such an event and once again we were very grateful to the support we received from individual parents and the RCPA. Special mention must go to Miss Bell’s cup cakes and the support and direction provided by our Park Houseparents.

Our girls’ 1st XII Lacrosse victory in the National Small Schools’ Final at Oakham School was undoubtedly the highlight of a fantastic season for this team in particular, and our girls in general. Holly Phelps [again] scored the “golden goal” in a fiercely fought final which had already gone to extra time. It was a wonderful moment rounding off an excellent season. Captained superbly by Yasmin Lester-Powell, Lacrosse has come such a long way at Rendcomb over the last seven years and credit must be given to Mrs Coups, ably supported by the rest of the Lacrosse coaches.

Looking to next term, you will see that Mr David Tyler, Old Rendcombian and Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, will be our guest speaker at our Founder’s Day celebrations. You should also find with your mailing some raffle tickets with some excellent prizes to be sold in support of Friends of Rendcomb, our internal group which supports scholarships and bursaries for some of our pupils. On the theme of charitable fundraising, I have been enormously impressed by our pupils’ generosity this term in supporting charities as diverse as the tsunami in Japan to Fairtrade activities.

Some of you will be aware that Mr Raby has been absent this term and has decided to stand down as Director of Music. We thank Mr Raby for the excellent work he has carried out during his time with us and wish him all the best for the future. Mr Mclachlan will continue to remain as Acting Director of Music next term, teaching in particular our public examination classes. We will be advertising in the national educational press for a new Director of Music very early next term.

With our golf team captained by Tom Pearson demanding my coaching skills at Lilleybrook golf course later on this morning and the sun shining as we go into April, may I take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a wonderful Easter break?

With warm best wishes,