Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 27th May 2022
Dear Parents,
There’s only really one thing I can write about this week: Tuesday’s phenomenal whole-school concert in the Sheldonian. Judging by the fact that we seemed pretty much to fill the place, the vast majority of you must have been there to see the boys perform. One of the many great things about being right in the middle of an historic city like Oxford, is that we are a short walk away from some iconic venues, so we can make pretty easy use of them. There can’t be that many people in the world who get to say that they made their Sheldonian debut at the age of five or six.
It was due to the vision, talent and dedication of so many people that Tuesday’s concert was able to go ahead. We are, of course, used to school concerts. We have rather a lot of them throughout the year. But this was a special concert because it brought together everyone in the school, performing at the same time, and alongside a good number of professionals – to whom, of course, many thanks. To have that educational and creative journey encapsulated on one stage at one time was fantastic, and I dare to say it is also probably pretty unique.
That it could have happened at all, let alone at such a high standard, was due to the tireless work of some key people. There are many I could name, but there are two to whom I should pay tribute here. Isobel Rose contributed an enormous amount to the production, seemingly effortlessly helping to knit together the different year groups, instruments, and singers. And Tom Neal, as you will already have noticed, took up the rather cursory brief of a ‘triennial concert in the Sheldonian’ and turned it into something very special. His vision for a totally inclusive concert, reaching very high standards, was triumphantly on display on Tuesday evening. It could never have happened without his inspiration, talent, and commitment to excellence.
We looked ahead the other day (as you do in the middle of preparing for a concert) to the next one, and the one after that. With a little bit of tweaking to land on the right date, before long we’ll be back at the Sheldonian to celebrate the school’s 650th birthday. Now there’s a thought; we’d better get practising.
Have a great half term,
Matt Jenkinson
We have had a very enjoyable charity week, raising money for Surfers Against Sewage, raising awareness of the problems surrounding single-use plastics. In addition to our usual playground games and sales, and the staff vs pupils basketball match, special note should go to Mr Mainstone and Benedict F who, together, completed a total of 250 ‘burpees’ as part of our fundraising. Thanks, too, to Mrs Showell-Rogers and the charity committee for coordinating the week, and to all pupils and families who have donated so generously.
I am delighted to announce next year’s Year 8 leadership roles: Alexander C (Head Boy), Josh C and Gary Z (Deputy Head Boys); Max B, Dan C, George W (Spooner House Captains); Rishaan C, Edward M, Ashwin S, Didrik T-W (Wykeham House Captains); Tolly D, Isaac T, Benji W (Huxley House Captains); Max J, Finn L, Will T (Reynolds House Captains).
We marked the upcoming Platinum Jubilee with a special lunch today, echoing the street parties that took place to celebrate the coronation. Pre-Prep’s QED Day focused on the 1950s and life in Britain during Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.
This week we have very much enjoyed hosting Susie and Rojina Silwal from Nalang Model Academy, our partner school in Nepal. They joined us in assembly in Monday and spent the whole day in school today, with lots of local visits in between. This evening they will be experiencing evensong in New College Chapel. It has been a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and compare our different set-ups, and I would like to thank Miss Rose and the Yearley Trust for facilitating their visit.
From Miss Krebs: As part of the eco committee's action plan this year we want to improve biodiversity in the school grounds. You will probably have noticed the fantastic bug hotel that was completed earlier in the year. We are currently trying to improve the diversity of plants in the front garden to encourage more insects and other animals to visit. We are looking for donations of any unwanted medium to large plant pots (non-plastic) and any plants that might no longer be needed from your gardens. A mixture of deciduous and evergreen plants would be great to ensure the space looks inviting year-round. Do please bring any donations to the office for the attention of Miss Krebs, or hand them to us at the gate in the mornings. Many thanks in advance!
Leavers’ evening: please note that this event, for our current Year 8s, will take place on Friday 10 June and end at 19.30. The boys can bring in their ‘smart casual’ clothes and change in to them at the end of school, before the evening begins at 17.00.
From Mr Bishop: The half term break has crept up on us quickly! Over the course of the past few weeks, though, the boys have all worked extremely hard and we are very proud of the progress they’ve made on the cricket pitch, the tennis courts and the athletics track. In the pre-prep this week I was particularly pleased with Year 1 and their work on sprinting techniques. We managed to improve the running style and speed of the boys in preparation for sports day. On the tennis courts I had the pleasure of overseeing the initial stages of a very intriguing U13 doubles competition. I was really impressed with the shots being played and even more pleased to see the boys implementing the tactics they’d been shown. I feel that Tolly D and Edward M both deserve a special mention thanks to their improved performances.
The cricket fixtures this week were against Bruern Abbey and we had four fantastic matches. I have never seen four matches finish so close, with the winning margin of all four games combined being only 11 runs. The U11 B team narrowly lost by five runs having been in touch all the way through the game but in the end a few too many “extras” cost us. The boys voted for Toby C as player of the match thanks to his consistent bowling, solid batting and again, outstanding fielding! Mentions also go to Peter K and Jack D for their most valuable performances. My Young tells me that the U11 A team game was a thriller and after just one over of Xander S the Bruern team were three wickets down. In such devastating form Xander was rested until later in the innings where he could clean up the tail. It was another brilliant display of seam bowling from one so young. A three-run win was just reward for a hard day’s play, with each and every boy playing their part in securing a tight victory. Jacob W deserves a special mention thanks to his batting which was controlled and measured; very well-done boys.
I had the pleasure this week of looking after the U13 A team away at Bruern and this game lived up to all expectations. The opening pair of Patrick S and Timon B were in fine form with both bowlers firing down almost impossible yorkers ball after ball. The respite didn’t come as Harry D and Ashwin S came on next, Harry with his hostile pace and Ashwin with his almost unplayable spin! The Bruern batters had not seen accuracy like this before and were shocked to find out he’s only in Year 7 and they’d have to play him again next year! Didrik was brought into the attack next with his deceptive swing bowling. He again slowed the scoring rate along with Rishaan, who completed our attack with some brilliant medium-pace off cutters and this new-found way of bowling paid off with a couple of brilliant wickets. The ten wickets were shared around the bowlers inside nineteen overs including two great run outs. Gary behind the stumps was in great form, keeping our bye count to a minimum with his hot-footed approach to wicket keeping. In the field Carter, Leo and Paddy seemed to relish in the role of “cricket chat” coordinators. All three were again brilliant in the field, Paddy in particular with his bullet throws from the boundary.
With the bat, we started very brightly but the pace attack of our hosts soon had our top order back in the hutch, all stuck on eight runs each! Some varied pace had us chipping the ball back up to mid-on and indeed the bowler! The game settled as Timon and Rishaan dug in and offered solid resistance. They saw off the strike bowlers and started to score a little more freely. Towards the end of the innings our rate had slowed and with only six balls left we still needed ten for the win! Benedict batted brilliantly in those final few overs and faced some of the most hostile bowling of the day. With one ball left we still needed four but a wide and a bye meant two off the last would mean an unlikely win. Benedict leant into the final ball and set off for the two with Rishaan. However, a run out and short run meant for a confusing end to the match, but once the dust had settled we had lost by one run. This did not feel like defeat though as every player had given his all and the result although disappointing was not the main focus of the day. Team work, team spirit and hard competitive sport won the day. Thank you 1st XI for a brilliant afternoon.
And now some words from Mr Morrison and his U13 B team extravaganza: Cricket is a game of numbers and rivalries. Some numbers become edged into folklore, such as Don Bradman’s 334 or Stuart Broad’s 8/15 in the Ashes at Trentbridge. Some rivalries transcend the game itself, such as England vs Australia or New College School vs Bruern Abbey. Numbers from Wednesday’s fixture could indeed be added to the pantheon of those in the NCS record books: Albie’s 25 runs, Henry E’s 2/16 or Jasper’s 3 wickets and 22* with the bat. But a more adept number would be 10: 10 players who took the field and worked marvellously as a team. Shivi saving numerous runs with his fine work on the boundary line, a classic caught and bowled by Finn, a Kian masterclass at mid-wicket, a luscious left arm bowled by Max B, and a brilliant run-a-ball 20 by Dan C. Upon winning the toss, brave Ben T decided to bowl first on a dry wicket in fine conditions and supported his team with vigour (and in a hat that some may suggest should be very much confined to the ‘white ball’ game). Benji showed himself to perhaps be the answer to England’s dilemma over who should wear the gloves next week against New Zealand; he caught 2 edges behind the stumps (one down the leg-side!) and held firm in a last man partnership. Jasper hit the final runs of the day to secure a one-wicket win. The game was on a knife edge throughout and Bruern Abbey were most generous in their congratulations and both teams excelled in their levels of sportsmanship. A brilliant block fixture across all teams.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, 28 May 2022
Start of Half Term
Monday, 6 June 2022
Return from Half-Term
Years 5 – 8 Assessment Week
Wednesday, 8 June 2022
9.00 Chapel (pre-prep and Years 3-4). Speaker: The Chaplain
12.00 U11A County Cup Cricket, MCS
14.15 U11 B-D Cricket vs CCCS, away
14.15 U13 A&B Cricket vs d'Overbroeck's, home
Thursday, 9 June 2022
13.30 U8 A-C Cricket vs Summer Fields, away
Friday, 10 June 2022
14.00 Yr 5&6 Cricket House Matches, Field
17.00 Leavers' Evening (until 19.30)
Saturday, 11 June 2022
10.00 Composers' Workshop, School Hall (final Music Academy of 2021-22)
12.30 Composers' Concert, School Hall
16.30 New College Choir Chorister Open Day
Monday, 13 June 2022
14.00 Yr 7&8 Cricket House Matches, Field
16.00 U11A Tennis vs MCS, venue TBC
17.30 Junior Recital (Years 3, 4, 5), Sports Hall
Tuesday, 14 June 2022
14.00 ABRSM Theory Exam
14.00 U9 A-C Cricket vs Summer Fields, home
Wednesday, 15 June 2022
School Nurse Visit (Risk taking behaviour workshop) Year 8 - 10:10 - 11:50 Year 7 14:00 - 15:30
9.00 Chapel. Speaker: Mrs Jessica Williams, NCS Governor and Headmistress of OHS Junior
8.15 School Council Meeting, library
14.00 U13 A&B Cricket vs Winchester House, home
14.15 U11 A&B Cricket vs Cokethorpe, away
17.30 Senior Recital (Years 6 & 7 only)
Thursday, 16 June 2022
14.00 Pre-Prep Instrumental Concert
2.00 Yr 3&4 Cricket House Matches, Field
Friday, 17 June 2022
French Day, Years 5-6
10.00 Open Art Studio (until 17.00), Art Room
10.00 Open Morning (until 12.00)
14.00 Yr 5&6 Cricket House Matches, Field
Saturday, 18 June 2022
Wykeham Day
12.00 Foundation Stone ceremony, NCS
13.00 Cricket matches, Field
14.00 School Fête, Field (ends 16.00)
18.00 Evensong
19.00 Pre-dinner drinks and canapes, College Gardens (sign-up only)
19.30 Wykeham Day Dinner, College Hall (sign-up only)
Sunday, 19 June 2022
University term ends
17.45 Last Evensong, New College Chapel