Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 17th June 2022
Dear Parents,
As the boys make their way through the school, and certainly as they get towards the top years, we introduce them to the concept of careers. It may seem a little young, but it isn’t too early to get the boys thinking about where their strengths and passions reside, as these will be driving forces in what they decide to do once they are all grown up. Reassuringly, careers education has improved considerably over the past couple of decades. When my generation was first introduced to careers education, we were simply given a computerised survey which seemed to boil down to one question: ‘Do you like being outside?’. If the answer was ‘yes’, then the computer programme advised us to be a builder; if the answer was ‘no’ we were to become a librarian. Reader: I’m neither.
Such computerised surveys still exist, and at different times of the year our older boys still take them, but they are a little more subtle than that: they ask a series of questions to look beyond the silos of academic subjects, or the preconceptions of existing professions (what will the world of work actually look like in ten or twenty years’ time?). They identify, instead, trends in one’s interests and skills, to suggest different career areas, rather than plucking a job out of the air and shrugging in its direction. We aren’t expecting the boys to come up with definitive answers now. That would be ludicrous. When I was in Year 7 or 8 I think I wanted to be an architect or graphic designer. I’m, well, not. But it’s a good time to start asking the right questions.
This week, our careers education was enhanced as we took advantage of the resources just feet away from school. A team from Sir Robert McAlpine – who are building the Gradel Quadrangles – spent two afternoons with our Year 8s, walking them through how such projects begin, are executed and, we hope, finish. While the boys weren’t quite let loose on our new building project, they were introduced to the many different roles that go into it, including design, procurement and construction. They were also given time to devise their own mini constructions, following each ‘real life’ stage, just on a slightly smaller scale. It was great to be able to welcome SRM into school, and for the boys to spend some time with the team behind our new building. The foundation stone for this building will be unveiled in its new place tomorrow, as we begin our Wykeham Day celebrations. I look forward to seeing many of you at some of our events then.
Have a great weekend,
Matt Jenkinson
We have had a wonderful series of recitals this week, bringing our year of musical performances (almost) to a close. Congratulations to all those boys involved, across the school, and I would like to thank all of our music staff, in particular Miss Rose and Mr Neal, for their tireless support in masterminding the events. Thank you, too, to all those families who help with all that practice behind the scenes! Our leavers’ concert on 6 July will showcase the culmination of the boys’ years of musical education at NCS.
Today’s open morning was a lovely occasion when we got to welcome dozens of new families to Savile Road, so they could see the school in action. Our Saturday open mornings are always lovely too, but there’s something about being able to show prospective families the school while it is humming away following its usual operation. I’m a big believer in those families seeing the place it is really like, rather than relying on glossy promotional material. We have that too, but you know what I mean.
The Years 5 and 6 boys clearly had a great time during their French Day today – if we can’t get to France then we’ll bring France to us! There were a number of French-themed activities, some home-made baguettes, and some inventive themed fancy dress. My thanks to Mme Phillips for masterminding the event and to all those colleagues who supported her with supervision and logistics.
This week we had some very inventive entries to our temporary exhibition, The Plastics Gallery, to finish off our Charity Week activities dedicated to raising awareness around plastics consumption. A big thank you to James A, Isaac and Jacob L, Thomas and Ollie B, Andres, Linkai and Jacob M for the beautiful pieces of plastic-inspired pieces of art which ranged from a bubble wrap jacket to an African couple carrying fish and water, all made from recycled plastics. Congratulations to James for winning the prize for most inventive entry for a drum kit and drummer. We raised a total of £550 for Surfers Against Sewage.
Next week, we will be welcoming those families who have already signed up to join us next year. Our induction morning will be on Thursday 23 June; this will include a chance for your sons to ‘go up’ a year for a time, getting to know their new form tutor teams, and indeed any new boys in their classes. Then on Friday our new parents will have their very own induction to the school when we have a reception for them, inducting them into the ways of Mini Cheddars and other airline-style snacks. (And the odd drink.)
You will already hopefully have seen my Parentmail about the Wykeham Day fete tomorrow, taking place on the main school site rather than on field. We feel it is better to err on the side of caution, with some potentially ominous weather on the horizon. At least this way we’ll have more shelter to make use of should conditions worsen. The cricket match will still go ahead on field, but with fewer numbers there we can be more nimble should we need to change plans as the day goes on. Speaking of Wykeham Day, we are very much looking forward to all the events that have been planned. I would like to pay public tribute to Jemma Kilkenny who has been administering what may turn out to be one of the most complex days in the school’s history!
We are very much looking forward to the Years 3 and 4 performance of ‘Oliver!’ next week. Parents are welcome to park on site for the evening performance, at 18.00 on 21 June. No parking, please, before 17.15 as boys will still be leaving their activities and departing the school site. And, as ever, please drive very slowly and be very aware that there are likely to be boys and their families crossing the site before and after the performance.
Congratulations to the choristers who are bringing university term to a close this coming Sunday. The last evensong of term will begin at 17.45 on 19 June. While there are still some chorister commitments over the coming weeks, Sunday will mark the formal end of their university duties after three demanding terms. The boys have performed wonderfully. We are looking forward to hearing them perform again next Monday at the chorister concert in New College.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Wykeham Day
12.00 Foundation Stone ceremony, NCS
13.00 Cricket matches, Field
14.00 School Fête, Field (ends 16.00)
17.45 Evensong
18.30 Pre-dinner drinks and canapes, College Gardens (ticket only)
19.45 Wykeham Day Dinner, College Hall (ticket only)
Sunday, June 19, 2022
University term ends
17.45 Last Evensong, New College Chapel
Monday, June 20, 2022
8.30 Languages Ambassadors to St Michaels (return 10.00)
14.15 U13A Cricket vs CCCS, home
4.00 U13A Tennis vs Cranford House, away
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
TBC U11A IAPS cricket softball vs Ratcliffe College, away
9.00 HPV Vaccinations: Catch up clinic
14.30 U8 A-C Cricket vs MCS, home
14.30 U9 A&B Cricket vs MCS, away
18.00 Years 3 and 4 performance of Oliver!
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
9.00 Chapel. Speaker: Revd Oliver Petter, Vicar of Yarnton, Begbroke and Shipton-on-Cherwell
8.15 Eco Committee Meeting, library
14.00 Years 3 and 4 performance of Oliver!
14.00 U13 A&B Cricket vs Kitebrook, home
14.00 U11 A&B Cricket vs Sibford, away
Thursday, June 23, 2022
9.00 Induction for new pupils
14.00 Yr 3&4 Cricket House Matches, Field
Friday, June 24, 2022
ABRSM exams
Final day of VMT music lessons
10.00 Pre-Prep Sports Day, Field
19.00 Reception for new parents
Monday, June 27, 2022
Activities Week begins
Years 5-8 depart for IOW Little Canada Centre
Year 4 depart for Malvern Hills
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
No School Service
Summer Banquet for Pre-Prep and Year 3
Year 4 return from Malvern Hills
Friday, July 01, 2022
Pre-Prep activities week outing
Year 5 - 8 return from IOW Little Canada Centre