Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 12th may 2023
Dear Parents,
I know that every week is rather musical at NCS, but this one has been even more musical than normal. Let’s take Tuesday as just one example. We hosted, through our partnership programme, an afternoon of singing alongside local primary schools over in the antechapel, organised by Izzy Rose and Louise Brown. (You can hear the wonderful results at https://youtu.be/R43YHnKMhTI.) At the same time, four of our senior boys were up at St John the Evangelist, recording with Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Consort as part of their forthcoming fiftieth-anniversary recording. That evening, the choirs of New College, Christ Church and Magdalen came together in our chapel for a joint evensong. Alas, I missed it all because, in a curious example of programming, on that day I was in Worcester at a conference alongside heads of schools similar to NCS, discussing various aspects relating to music in our schools. In the background to all of this, we are working on preparations for our new Creative Learning Centre, which will be based right in the centre of the school, and which will be a fabulous new flexible space for lessons and rehearsals. It will feature a ‘disc wall’ of several albums released by NCS alumni over the years: from Howard Goodall and James Gilchrist to the DJs Sammy Virji and Orlando Higginbottom (aka ‘Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs’). Even when all of this isn’t happening, in any given week there are approximately 160 1:1 music lessons, with 90-95% of our prep pupils – and a good number of our pre-prep ones – playing at least one instrument.
I write rather often about the importance of resisting calls to narrow the curriculum. One of the many dangers of a league table-driven educational culture is that even well-intentioned schools naturally end up allocating time, energy and resources to the narrow criteria by which schools are judged for those league tables. Every so often there are calls to add new, more wholesome, criteria – attempting to quantify ‘happiness’ for example – but because those things aren’t easily measured, they’re not really included. At the same time, when there isn’t sufficient funding in many places to support education beyond core subjects (and a few others around the edges), music is too easily edged out. I am extraordinarily lucky to work in a school in a foundation that values music, in its various manifestations, for all. I couldn’t imagine working somewhere you don’t hear music coming down the corridors, which is lucky as the new Creative Learning Centre will be just the other side of the wall to the Head’s study.
Those of you who watched the coronation celebrations on the weekend will have noticed the centrality of music to the events: instrumentalists, choirs, composers, conductors, new commissions, concerts. But musicians and music can’t just be wheeled out when it is convenient to pomp, ceremony and street parties. Nor should music just be the preserve of the lucky few. If society is going to value music and its educational, social and therapeutic benefits – and this past weekend suggests that it does – then those with the power to do something about it should, well, do something about it. It is not enough to pay lip service and enjoy (exploit?) the extraordinary hard work and talent of musicians when it is convenient. Music should be valued and resourced day-to-day. We’ll keep doing that at NCS because it so clearly contributes to our pupils’ happiness, wellbeing and educational development, and they will carry a love of music throughout their lives. But do I think we’ll see a nationwide revolution in how music is viewed in all schools? I'll leave that question, like the music, hanging in the air
Have a great weekend,
Matt Jenkinson
Thank you to all those parents who attended the NCSPA meeting on Wednesday evening. I would especially like to thank our leaving Year 8 reps – Ann Millar, Nick Thomas and Eleanor Sepanski – who have done so much to support the NCSPA and the school more generally over the years. There are some committee roles open for next academic year, and we would like to encourage as many parents as possible to get involved with the association, which does so much to support the school, helps to organise the wonderful events we all enjoy, and fundraises for ‘little extras’ for the boys. Do please be in touch with office@newcollegeschool.org if you would like to get involved further; you will be warmly welcomed!
Our next open morning is on Friday 16 June 2023, 10.00-12.00. All families are welcome to join us to view the school in action, chat to pupils, staff, and current parents and find out more about an NCS education. Places can be booked via https://www.newcollegeschool.org/open-day-booking. Do please pass on this information to any families you think might be interested in joining our special community, and we would be most grateful if you would consider displaying the poster that has been sent home via your sons’ rucksacks. Keep an eye out for our adverts on social media too, and don’t be shy when it comes to pressing the ‘like’ and ‘share’ buttons. Many thanks.
Good luck to our Town and Gown participants who will be running around the University Parks this Sunday: Eddie, Nathanael, Arjun, Herbie, Max A-B, Jack, Charlie S, Josh C, Carlo, George M, Curtis, Aloysius, Jacob W, Isaac W, Andres, Samuel J, Monty, Finn, Luca, Noah, Alexander C-B, Oscar C-B, Henry T, Yoav, Peter K, Xander S, George C, Isaac L, Ambrose and Hugo. Keep an eye out for some of our teachers too: Izzy Rose, Sarah Lintott, Brett Morrison, Nick Hanson and Stephen Young. And my thanks to Victoria Hayter for rallying the troops, and to Craig Bishop and Pip Usher for their logistical support. There is still time to sponsor the NCS team, raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, at https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/group/3052.
Wykeham Day will very soon be upon us, on Saturday 17 June. This day brings together the whole NCS community, former and current, for a series of special events. We will begin at noon with a short and informal music recital in the hall, with performances from NCS pupils past and present. Then, at 13.00, the old boys vs 1st XI cricket will begin on Field, followed at 14.00 by the school fete, adjacent to the cricket on Field. The fete will end at 16.00, giving attendees time to head back to Holywell Street for a special Wykeham Day evensong in New College chapel at 17.45. For those who have signed up, there will then be drinks in the College gardens, before our very special Wykeham Day dinner in New College hall. Full details can be found at https://www.newcollegeschool.org/wykeham-association and the booking form for the drinks and/or dinner can be found at https://www.newcollegeschool.org/wykeham-day-2023. We look forward to seeing you there!
From Xav Gardner, Chair of the Eco-Committee: Next week, commencing Monday 15 May, we are celebrating National Walk to School Week. It is a great opportunity to improve physical and mental wellbeing, whilst learning what steps we might take towards protecting our natural environment. To take part, I encourage you to walk to NCS with your child, or send them by themselves if they are old enough. Otherwise, consider cycling if safe. Of course, walking is not practical for many people, so please only participate if feasible. Many thanks.
Young Art Oxford will be taking place in the Newman Rooms, St Aldate’s on 12-13 May. On 12 May doors open at 15.00; the opening evening begins at 17.30, and the prizegiving ceremony begins at 18.30; the evening ends at 20.00. Then, on Saturday, the event is open from 10.00 until 17.00. Admission is free on both days and no tickets are required.
On Wednesday the boys in Culture Club were lucky enough to attend a presentation and performance by world-leading tabla player, Zakir Hussain. Performing in the Holywell Music Room as part of the Kyoto Prize Lecture Series, Hussain provided insight into Taal, Rag and Laya structures that form the foundation of North Indian Classical Music. The boys were thrilled to witness his impressive skills as both a drummer, singer and lecturer. As a collaborator with world famous musicians including the London String Quartet, Van Morrison, George Harrison and Earth, Wind & Fire, Culture Club were delighted to see his work and artistry in action.
From Mr Bishop: A collective sigh can be heard from the games department each time we arrive on field and it’s not raining. The past few weeks have been extremely difficult but the boys’ determination to play on and keep working hard has been brilliant. In the past few weeks we have managed to complete some exciting fixtures including the U13 tennis against Cranford House. On slightly damp grass pitches the boys, in their first fixture of the season, gave a fantastic account of themselves with Edward M, Josh C and Max J being our standout players. Mr Young has worked hard with these boys to ensure they’re ready for the MCS games next week. On the cricket pitch the U8 and U9 boys have enjoyed fun and competitive fixtures against Ashfold and Christ Church. In the U8s, the diamond cricket games away at Ashfold were excellent with Mr Swanepoel very excited to report back about Chris N and Harvey M and their exploits with the bat. A much-improved performance this week saw the U8 teams win away at Christ Church thanks to some very strong batting and fielding. The most telling aspect of the afternoon was the accuracy of the NCS bowling; the boys have clearly been working hard and listening to their coaches.
The U9s, not to be out done, also won away at Christ Church this week with the A team in particular putting on a very dominant display. Hugh L took two wickets in his over and the catching was top notch throughout the team. With the bat, we soon overtook the target total of 30 runs on the way to 67 from 8 overs. Good quality, solid hitting from the entire team ensured the win. In the B team game Mr Gardner tells me it was a little more tense thanks to some early NCS wickets but Gianni V saw us home with his strong hitting and fast running between the wickets. The U11 teams have enjoyed mixed fortunes this week with one defeat and one win against MCS. We do have to congratulate Xander S, our captain on another fine week with the ball; some of his deliveries are simply unplayable thanks to his pace. The U13 team came up just short in their IAPS first round game against Cranford House. Batting first we amassed a good competitive total of 87 runs. Didrik (33) and Rishaan (26) did their best to ensure the score was as high as possible. Max B was again excellent with the ball, with support from Dan C and Finn L. On this occasion our guests got to the total with an over to spare and thus ensured their victory. Finally, many congratulations to Benji in Year 8 who has been awarded the Oxford Harlequins U13 Coaches’ Player of the Year for his ‘leadership, being solid, consistent, and an absolute coach’s dream’!
Upcoming Events
Saturday, 13 May 2023
10.00 Mock ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam (IT room)
Monday, 15 May 2023
National Walk to School Week
14.30 U13 Tennis vs MCS, Away
17.30 Junior Recital (Years 3-5), Sports Hall; parking in playground from 17.15
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Year 7 field study trip
14.30 U9 A&B Cricket vs MCS, Home
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
8.15 School Council Meeting, library
9.00 Chapel. Speaker: Mr Daniel Gibbons, Headmaster, Our Lady's Abingdon
14.30 U11 A&B Cricket vs Summer Fields, Home
14.30 U13 A&B Cricket vs Summer Fields, Away
Saturday, 20 May 2023
10.00 ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory exam (IT room)
Monday, 22 May 2023
Charity Week begins
Years 3 & 4 form tests begin
16.00 U11 (5 pairs) Tennis vs MCS, Home
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
14.15 A8 A-C 6-a-side Cricket vs Manor Prep, Home
14.15 A9 A&B 8-a-side Cricket vs Manor Prep, Home
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
9.00 Chapel (Pre-Prep and Years 5-8 only). Speaker: The Revd Lyndon Webb, Associate Chaplain, Merton College
14.30 U11 A&B Cricket vs Bruern Abbey, Home
14.30 U13 A&B Cricket vs Bruern Abbey, Away (2 sites)
14.15 U11 C Cricket vs Manor Prep, Away
17.30 Governors' Meeting, McGregor Matthews Room
Friday, 26 May 2023
Home clothes day
Orders in Years 3-8 issued
Half term break begins at end of school day