Head’s Welcome

Dunbar parents will already have received information about the two events happening next Wednesday - the Pantomime trip in the afternoon and the Disco in the evening, but we also have the exciting trip to the Williams F1 HQ for the Year 8 pupils next Tuesday, and Dunbar will be hosting the first course of this Friday’s ‘Come Dine With Me’ - the mocktails.

Dunbar pupils also have the opportunity to take part in ‘Secret Santa’, with the presents to be unwrapped at the end of term. All the children are welcome to take part in this, and will receive the information on which of their fellow pupils they will be getting a present for on Friday. Secret Santa presents should cost no more than £5. Please remember that we are a nut-free school, so please be careful with boxes of chocolates.

Thank you also to all the parents who were able to join us for our Dinner on Saturday. It was a lovely evening, and I was delighted with both the food and the venue.

Friday 13 December will be a Christmas Jumper day, so dust off those yuletide woollies, and we will raise a little money for charity whilst brightening the College at the same time.

One more small reminder - all planned absences, including medical and dental appointments, should be requested via the ‘absence request’ form on the Parent Portal, where they will be considered by a member of the SMT. Illnesses and absences on the day should still come direct to the Dunbar House team as usual, and the best email address for this is dunbarhousestaff@pangbourne.com which can be seen by Georgina, Jehan and me.

Best wishes as always, Ian

Dr Ian Hart

The boys have been very industrious these past few weeks with Trial Exams and internal assessments. It is really important that they all reflect honestly on their results and make best use of the teachers to maximise their improvement in the Summer. I have been really impressed with how they have coped with the workload and expectations. 

It has been good to see a number of the Harbinger boys involved in sports fixtures these past couple of weeks, some really good performances representing the College - well done!

Preparations are going well for Divisional Come Dine With Me this Friday, thank you to everyone who has volunteered to take part.

The end of term is fast approaching - please remember that at Christmas ‘everything must go’ from the Division ready for a deep clean of the boarding house. The boys have been informed and will hopefully start to get things organised over the next few weeks.

The last few days are always good fun with activities such as Div Ergo, Div Rugby and Christmas Congers taking place. It is Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 13 December, along with Christmas lunch. On Monday, before the College Disco, we will have a Pride Games competition organised by Ed. Term ends on Tuesday 17 December, after the Carol Service. Please note that Years 9 and 10 finish earlier in the day. Year 11 and Sixth Form have a later Carol Service.

Finally - Save the date ! - this year’s Harbinger Dinner (open to parents of all year groups and students in the U6) will be held on Saturday 7 June 2025 at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.

Andrew Sumner

The boys have all been very busy and studious these past two weeks with exams and assessments. As they start to receive the results the all important thing is to identify where improvements can be made and this is something that I have been getting all the boys to focus on.

The end of term is fast approaching us. There is quite a lot going on for the boys, we have Christmas Jumper day and Christmas Congers  on Friday 13 December, and Divisional Rugby on Saturday 14 December On the evening of Monday 16 December, we have the end of term house parties followed by end of term disco for all of the boys, which finishes at 22:00. 

Just a reminder that as we enter the final weeks, we will be getting pupils to start to pack belongings and take them away as the house will be deep cleaned over the Christmas period. Full borders will be able to store items as a trunk leaver with Mary.

Lastly, save the date for the Hesperus Divisional Dinner which is open to parents in all years in the house, as well as the current Upper Sixth pupils. It will take place on Saturday 8 February. This year the dinner will be held at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.

Tom Cheney

The Christmas spirit has arrived in Illawarra, transforming the windows with snowflakes and adorning the Christmas tree with sparkling baubles. I am looking forward to seeing how the girls will collaborate to create Christmas-themed petite fours for Friday's Divisional ‘Come Dine With Me’ competition' As always, I am confident that they will work together to produce some high-quality treats.

I would like to congratulate Year 11 and Upper Sixth on completing their trial exams. This is a time for reflection on the effectiveness of their revision and to develop strategies for improvement. The Christmas period will be an excellent opportunity not only to catch up on important revisions but also for the girls to relax and spend time with their families.

A quick reminder that as we approach the final weeks, pupils will start packing their belongings and taking them home. Jackie will also be on board to assist, as the house is scheduled for a deep clean during the Christmas break. The final days of term are always full of fun, featuring activities like Div Hockey and Christmas Congers. Don’t forget, Friday 13 December is Christmas Jumper Day, accompanied by Christmas lunch. Term concludes on Tuesday 17 December following the Carol Service. Please note that Years 9 and 10 will finish earlier in the day, while Year 11 and the Sixth Form will attend a later Carol Service.

Looking ahead, save the date! This year’s Illawarra Dinner, open to parents of all year groups and Upper Sixth students, will take place on Saturday 1 March at Goring and Streatley Golf Club.

Rosie Jewell

It has been a busy few weeks with Trial Exams and internal assessments. I’ve been mightily impressed with the effort on show. Clearly the aim of the game is to show continuous improvement, so it is important that lessons are quickly learned in preparation for the next round. Away from lessons, sport and other activities have been full on and, again, there has been significant representation by the boys in Q - well done.

The end of term is approaching quickly - please remember that at Christmas ‘everything must go’ from the Division. The boys have been told and will hopefully start to get things organised over the next few weeks.

The last few days are always good fun with activities such as Div Rugby and Christmas Congers taking place. It is Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 13 December, along with Christmas lunch. Term ends on Tuesday 17 December, after the Carol Service. Please note that Years 9 and 10 finish earlier in the day. Year 11 and Sixth Form have a later Carol Service.

Finally - a date for your diary - this year’s Macquarie Divisional Dinner (open to parents of all year groups and students in the Upper Sixth) will be held on Saturday 17 May 2025.

David Metcalfe

I have been impressed with how well the boys have applied themselves recently during the Trial Exams, and already the hard work for these has paid off for quite a few. Although these are important, the aim now is to reflect on them and go again at the start of the Lent Term. Hopefully providing the best foundations they can for the Summer.

The end of term is fast approaching. There is quite a lot going on for the boys, we have Christmas Jumper day and Christmas Congers  on Friday 13 December and then Divisional Rugby on Saturday 14 December. On Monday 16 December we will have our PJ party of fancy dress indoor football, followed by the College disco. Plenty for the boys to get themselves into the festive mood if they haven’t already.

Then finally, fast approaching is the Port Jackson Dinner which is taking place on Friday 21 January 2025. This is open to all parents and is a wonderful occasion to celebrate everything that is Port Jackson. The Upper Sixth pupils are also invited to attend this event.

Steve Thompson

By the time you read this we will be well into the ‘Come Dine with Me’ experience.  Presents are being wrapped, the elf toy factory is well underway and hopefully the festive cheesecake will be a hit.  Christmas is approaching fast. Next Friday 13 December, we have Christmas Jumper day and Christmas dinner.  There are a few charity events as well if the girls want to buy candy canes or sponsor a head shave. Div Hockey is on Saturday 14 December and we should have all the girls who do hockey as their sport present to take part.

Rooms need to be completely emptied over Christmas except for the trunk leavers rooms so please encourage your daughters to start taking things home.

Looking ahead, save the date! This year’s St George Dinner, open to parents of all year groups and Upper Sixth students, will take place on Friday 2 May at Goring and Streatley Golf Club. I hope that lots of you will be there to celebrate the end of the year.

Jenny Jones