Friday 18 October 2024

Head’s Welcome

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first Half-Term as Head here at Pangbourne and have taken great pleasure in seeing the College in action. Thank you to all the parents and guardians who have taken the time to meet with me and talk about the College and I hope that the publication of our Five Year Education Strategy clearly sets out for you the direction of travel. Schools are fundamentally human institutions and the quality of a school cannot outstrip the quality of human interaction. I have therefore tried to spend as much of my time as possible around the campus, getting into lessons, watching as many different activities as possible, (and there are a lot at Pangbourne), and seeing the strength of the relationships between students and staff. As I have said previously, the students are the College's greatest asset and I am hopeful for the future knowing that our young people will be going out into the world with the strong values-led beliefs that Pangbourne instils. 

Addition of an afternoon break

You may be aware that the Chief Cadet Captains of the College (Kit & Grace) announced to the community on Monday about a tweak to the College day through the admission of a 15 minute break at 2:45pm. This change has been led by Kit and Grace and is in response to student feedback.  The aim of this break is to provide a space in the afternoon for a cookie and a breather before returning to lessons and sport. As I am sure you are aware, we cannot alter the entire architecture of the day this academic year but we will keep the whole thing under review as we look towards 2025/26. I think it is also worth revisiting one of the underlying principles for the current model. Under the leadership of Michael Gove between 2014-16 the GCSE and A Level specs were redesigned. The GCSEs had content pulled down from the A Levels, and the A Levels had content pulled down from Undergraduate courses. Therefore both sets of senior national exams expanded in scope and scale. A similar thing has just happened with the GCSE MFL exam specification. As a result, these new exams needed not only more time to be delivered effectively but also new ways of imparting the content and many schools reviewed and amended their timetables in 2016/17 in order to secure this. Anything else would put students and teachers under undue pressure. Therefore, any review and refinement of the College day for 2025 onwards will not jeopardise the amount of time students need to be in lessons and teachers need to enable students to make sense of and apply the more demanding content. 

Remembrance Sunday 

The students and staff have been working hard to ensure that our Remembrance Sunday parade does justice to and honours those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today. In order that this message is heard across the community all students from Years 9 - Upper Sixth will be in the Chapel for the service on Sunday. This is because the College is here to serve our students and to help impart in them the values and ideals we hold dear as citizens of a liberal democracy and as a College with a Christian ethos. Thus they are the key witnesses to the service. All Year 9-U6 students will be seated by division, which will hopefully make entering the Chapel easier. This is not a ticketed event as we feel that sets the wrong tone but we will struggle to seat every visitor in the Chapel, so please do accept our apologies for this. As with previous years we will be livestreaming the service to both the Mess Hall and the Sixth Form Café once the Chapel is full, but it is vital that our students participate in this collective act of remembrance. Drinks and refreshments will be available in both the Café  and the Mess Hall. We are very keen that all families can engage and participate in the event but the Chapel has a finite number of seats.

Boarding model

I am mindful that last academic year a commitment was made to hold a meeting in September 2024 about the College's future boarding model. Due to the unexpected timings of Labour's VAT policy some plans have shifted slightly. We will now be holding this meeting in the second half of term. Full details will follow in a Parent Newsletter in November.

College's Festive Lights

On an early festive and joyful note - this year, we will be introducing an official turning on of the College's Christmas lights, led by Dunbar's Head Girl and Boy. This will take place on Thursday 7 November 2024 at 17:20, just in time for the PPA Christmas Market.

PPA Christmas Market

Finally, thank you very much to the PPA who have been working hard organising the Christmas Market on Saturday 9 November. It will be a fantastic opportunity for the College community to come together for some early festive fun.

Best wishes

Oliver Knight

Oliver Knight, Head, with Patience and Nester visiting Pangbourne from St George's College, Harare.

COLLEGE NEWS THIS WEEK

MIA IS SELECTED FOR THE ENGLAND U21 HOCKEY TEAM!

The College is proud to announce that Sixth Form pupil, Mia Moore, has been selected for the England U21 Hockey Squad. This incredible achievement is the result of her hard work, dedication, and outstanding talent, both on and off the pitch. Mia will represent England in upcoming international fixtures, a significant milestone in her flourishing hockey career. In addition to being selected for England, Mia is currently playing for Reading Hockey Club’s 1st XI team, competing in the top league of women’s hockey in England. This experience has further developed Mia’s game, giving her exposure to high-level competition and enhancing her skills against some of the best players in the UK.

At Pangbourne, Mia has also demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, having played for the 1st XI Hockey Team since Year 10. As Captain, she has been instrumental in the team’s development, consistently supporting and guiding her peers, helping to foster a strong and cohesive unit both on and off the pitch.

Speaking about the selection, Pangbourne College’s Director of Hockey, Louise Tremlett, said: “We are immensely proud of Mia for this fantastic achievement. Being called up to represent England at the U21 level is a testament to her dedication, discipline, and love for the game. Mia has been an integral part of Pangbourne hockey, and it has been a privilege to watch her journey develop into something truly special. We wish Mia every success in the upcoming England U21 fixtures and are confident this is just the beginning of an exciting career.”

Adding to this, Director of Sport, Sam Hewick, commented: "We are so proud of Mia and her achievements, which I’m sure there will be more to come. She is a brilliant role model to all of the younger pupils at the College and we will be following her progress closely."

Mia’s success exemplifies Pangbourne College’s core flag values of industry, selflessness , and integrity. We look forward to seeing her continue to thrive, both in her academic life and sporting career, and wish her every success in her upcoming England U21 matches.

On 13 October, we held our second College Sunday of the academic year. It was a pleasure to welcome Detective Superintendent Lis Knight from Thames Valley Police as our Guest of Honour.

Lis Knight joined West Midlands Police in 1996 after studying Archaeology at Liverpool University. After working in some of the most deprived areas of the country within CID and in the homicide unit, Lis was promoted and transferred to Thames Valley Police as a Sergeant. Here she undertook roles within Domestic Abuse, CID, Intelligence and Neighbourhood Policing before taking up the role of Local Area Commander for South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse as a Superintendent.

She currently works as a Detective Superintendent as Head of Specialist Operations, leading on the investigation of serious and organised crime across Thames Valley, including surveillance and covert policing. Lis was selected to represent her country when playing rugby for the British Police Women’s Rugby Team, touring across Europe on a number of occasions.

She gained a master’s degree with distinction in Police Leadership and Management whilst juggling flexible working, two young children and a husband running his own business. Lis is a strong advocate for women in Policing having chaired Thames Valley Women’s Network for over ten years and is currently leading on the arrangements for the National Senior Women in Policing Conference to be held in the Examination Halls in Oxford in December 2024.

In recognition of her work for women in policing, Lis was invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the King’s first Garden Party upon his Coronation in May last year.

ANOTHER FANTASTIC COLLEGE SUNDAY

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 19 October - Sunday 20 October
Rowing: Head of Charles Regatta trip to USA

CCF Parachuting

Sunday 27 October
Y11 - Sixth Form Politics Trip to Washington DC departs

Thursday 7 November, 08:45-16:00
Sport Scholarship Assessment Year 9 2025
Devitt House

Thursday 7 November, 17:20
Turning on of the College's Christmas Lights by Dunbar Head Girl and Boy
Devitt Tower

Saturday 9 November, 10:00-15:00
PPA Christmas Market
Drake Hall

Sunday 10 November 09:00-12:00
College Sunday with Service of Remembrance
Chapel

Monday 11 November 10:50-11:05
College Act of Remembrance
Chapel

Thursday 14 November 16:30
ENO ‘Rigoletto’ - Music Exam Students and Scholars Trip

Sunday 17 November 11:00 - 16:00
Senior College Production Rehearsal
Drake Hall

Monday 18 November All day
Year 11 Trial Exams begin
Drama Scholarship Assessment Year 9 2025

Tuesday 18 November All day
Music Scholarship Assessment Year 9 2025

Thursday 21 November 10:45 - 15:30
Science Live A Level

Thursday 21 November 19:00
Informal Concert for Years 7-10

Friday 22 November 16:45
Overnight Leave
Boarding

Friday 22 November 16:45 - 20:00
Year 9 Parents’ and Guardians’ Meeting

NOTICES

  • We had great attendance for the first Andrew Simpson society meeting this week. It was a pleasure to welcome guest speaker, Fin Rossiter, who delivered an engaging talk about his journey through professional rugby and the struggles he had with his mental health. It was a brutally honest account that highlighted the need to ask for help with some excellent messages delivered to the boys. The boys asked thoughtful and probing questions.

    If any boys would like to attend the next meeting, please contact Mr Skidmore.

  • In addition to the College Sunday arrangements for 10 November, the Marching Band has been invited, once again, to lead a parade through Pangbourne village in the afternoon in support of The Royal British Legion.

    All members of the Marching Band will be required to stay in College for lunch on that Sunday before mustering at the Police Station in Pangbourne at 14:10 (transport to the village from school will be provided).

    The Band will lead a Parade through the village prior to a wreath laying ceremony and service at St James the Less Church - if you wish to attend the Parade you are most welcome. Please inform Mr Thornhill if you would like to pick up your son/daughter from the village on completion of the Parade.

    Transport will be provided back to the College at approximately 16:00.

  • On Tuesday 15 October, we had the pleasure of welcoming Patience and Nester from St George's College, Harare, in Zimbabwe. As HMC members they also share the same educational values and commitment to quality, innovation and excellence in education and their visit allowed them to learn more about Pangbourne College.

    Witnessing our approach to peer group learning and its successful impact on pupils in terms of building confidence, retaining information and improving communication and collaborative skills really impressed them. It was an approach to learning they were keen to adopt back at St George's College in Harare.

  • I would like to invite you to attend an online Sports Nutrition Webinar on Thursday 28 November from 19:30 - 20:30. 

    This will be delivered by Katy Gordon-Smith, who is a Registered Nutritionist and Nutritional Therapist. She has worked for a number of leading brands in the UK, and has a wealth of experience working with young people. 

    The intention of this webinar is to give an overview of how nutrition can support sporting performance. Katy is also a working parent of two young children, so will also be giving some practical tips on how to optimise a nutritious diet in a busy household. 

    Please complete this form if you are interested in attending, and I will pass the joining details to all of those who sign up. 

    Please get in touch with Sam Hewick if you have any questions. 

  • Remembrance Sunday 

    I am keen to ensure that our Remembrance Sunday parade sets the right tone and honours those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.  One slight amendment to the plans for the day is that all students will be in the Chapel for the service on Remembrance Sunday. This is because the College is here to serve our students and to help impart in them the values and ideals we hold dear as citizens of a liberal democracy.  Thus they are the key witnesses to the service.  We will be livestreaming the service to both the Mess Hall and the Sixth Form Café for parents and visitors once the Chapel is full, but it is vital that all College students participate in our collective act of remembrance. 

    Proposed timings for Remembrance College Sunday

    08:45

    Choir rehearsal in Chapel begins (all pupils and students in be in their No.1 uniform)

    09:00

    Café open for the sale of drinks and pastries
    All pupils in Year 9 to Upper Sixth to be in their divisions

    For safety reasons, there will be no vehicular access to the Parade Ground after 09:00.

    09:15

    Chapel open for parents to be seated (no tickets are required)

    09:25

    All pupils, plus Choir, to be seated in Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel for Service.

    09:45

    Remembrance Sunday Service begins
    Our preacher will be The Right Reverend Rupert Shelley
    The Service to be livestreamed to the Sixth Form Café and Mess Hall

    10:00

    Marching Band members not in the Choir to report to the Music School

    10:30

    Service ends
    Coffee and tea available for parents and families at four gazebos around the Parade Ground from 10:15

    10:35

    All parents and guests to be in position around the Parade Ground for the start of the Parade
    Year 9 to Upper Sixth to have formed up in their divisions by Mess Hall The Marching Band, and The Guard to be also in position by this time.

    10:45

    Parade begins

    10:59

    Act of Remembrance including National Silence at 11:00, followed by Parade.

    11:30

    Parade ends

    12:30

    Lunch for pupils remaining at school and for those in the Marching Band 

    14:00

    Parade in the village of Pangbourne led by our Marching Band
    The parade steps off from the Police Station at 14:30. All parents are welcome.
    NB Access to the village during this time will be limited.

    Parking on Remembrance Sunday

    We are expecting a large number of visitors so parking will be to the left of the mini-roundabout of the College Drive, as well as alongside the road to White’s Playing Field. Please follow the directions of the parking marshals and allow up to 15 minutes to park and walk up to the Parade Ground. There will be limited parking for blue badge holders at the Café car park.

  • On 9 November we will be holding our annual Christmas Market.  One of our most popular stalls is the Tombola and we also hold a raffle and a draw for a wheelbarrow of wine, and this is where we need your help. 

    If you have any unwanted gifts sitting at the back of a cupboard or any of those items that seemed like a good idea when you purchased them but have never made it out of the box then we can help you to rehome them.  

    We would be very grateful for any donations, which can be dropped off in your Division for collection by the PPA.  Your support means a lot to us and enables us to raise funds for College projects and to support disadvantaged young people in our local community.

    Also if you would be interested in volunteering your time to help on the day or at future events please contact us at ppa@pangbourne.com, we would love to hear from you

    We look forward to seeing you at the market!

Years 9 -11

SIXTH FORM

  • Please see the A Levels Trials Timetable for November 2024 below:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/14f6p3m6x1hKVus-KjJUiWcJ2Vk1ihzn-/view?usp=sharing

  • Please see A Level/ BTEC Trials Information below:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/12T5WDTnX8e6jmM15PhcQpw6ZqKgLGizscmQ3MVHbe5M/edit?usp=sharing

  • The transition from GCSEs to Sixth Form is a huge leap and it is not uncommon for students to initially struggle to grapple with the demands of their new courses.

    Key tips to be successful include:

    1. Ensuring that all notes are filed and organised after each lesson - invest in dividers!

    2. Writing notes out again is not enough at this level of study. Consolidating class notes, using mind maps, flashcards, blurting, teaching someone else etc is important.

    3. Doing past exam questions and familiarisation with mark schemes is important. This ensures that knowledge gained in lessons is applied correctly.

    4. RAG (red, amber, green) rating topics areas regularly to identify areas of strength and weakness is important so as to not stay in the ‘comfort zone’.

    5. Using independent study periods effectively and planning around all prep and coursework deadlines.

    6. Reading widely - around the subject - helps to develop an interest but can help with answering exam questions.

    7. For coursework based subjects - following all instructions and planning ahead is important.

    8. Asking for help!

  • The Upper Sixth were introduced to the UNIFROG platform in General Studies and now are able to log in to their accounts. They were shown how to research opportunities for degree apprenticeships but also for online talks on writing personal statements for different subjects and industries.

    Used by nearly 4,000 schools and colleges, we are excited about using UNIFROG to be able to offer our pupils greater support in relation to making good decisions about their future.

  • As we continue to build our Careers Programme to be able to provide the best advice and guidance to our Sixth Formers, please do have a look at the following opportunities that are currently available:

    These links will also be shared with the pupils. We look forward to sharing more opportunities over the academic year.

    • UCAS deadline: Friday 8 November (internal deadline)

    • Apprenticeship Event: Thursday 28 November 17:00 - 19:00

    • Upper Sixth trials: Monday 25 - Friday 29 November

  • It is highly recommended that our students ‘read around their subject’. The Pangbourne Reading Canon has been compiled based on teacher recommendations so there is something for everyone!

    View the Reading Canon >

DIVISIONAL UPDATES

Divisional updates will be fortnightly. Next update on Friday 8 November.

SPORT

Girls’ Hockey England Plate Competition

1st XI vs Tormead School

1st XI travelled to Surrey Sports Park on Monday to play Tormead School in Round 2 of the England Hockey Plate competition. With Tormead putting a lot of pressure on our defensive line, Imi made some excellent saves with Posey saving one off the line. Mia opened the scoring making the most of a counter attack. This was then followed by some great attacking play in the wide channels with Molly scoring the second goal. Just before half time, Tormead scored a goal with a well drilled short corner routine. The girls went into half time up 2–1. With spirits high the girls started the second half with great speed and pace playing, putting pressure on the Tormead defence. Great attacking play from Flo and Grace led to a brilliant deflection on the back post from Tabi, who then scored a second goal to win the game 4-1. The girls now progress to round 3 where they await their opponents.

Girls’ U18 Berkshire Indoor Hockey Finals

On Wednesday, the U18 indoor team travelled to Wellington College to play in the Berkshire Indoor Hockey Finals. The girls got off to a flying start winning 3-2 and 5-0 against Reading Blue Coat and Leighton Park. They then faced the toughest game of the day against the hosts, Wellington College. The girls were feeling good going into the game and played excellent hockey with a great defensive structure, winning the game 3-2. This resulted in the girls qualifying for the South Central U18 Tournament in November.

U15 A Team at Lord Wandsworth College Super 7s Tournament

The U15A girls travels to Lord Wandsworth College for their annual Super 7s tournament. This is a 7-a-side game with an adaptation on the rules of hockey. This allowed the girls a chance to switch around and learn the principles of different positions on the field of play. The team started strong beating LWC Tigers 3-0, they then lost 3-0 in the next match but bounced back in the following matches winning all of them with brilliant attacking hockey. This resulted in Pangbourne scoring the most goals in the tournament, becoming overall winners on the day!