Dear Parents

 

This letter is being written back in London after my break down in Somerset. It was cold, but wonderful weather for walks around the levels. If you have not seen the starlings coming into roost on the Westhay or Shapwick wetlands, then I can only urge you to do so next year. It is estimated that up to four million starlings gather there in the winter and the splendid sight is extraordinary as they arrive at the end of the day. The sound and sight on a sunny winter’s evening is eerie, shades of Hitchcock’s epic, “The Birds”. The sky darkens because of them. The question no one has yet answered for me is ‘where do all the birds go in the day?’ They certainly are not obvious in the vicinity of their roosting site. Once the birds are settled I would recommend a visit to the Railway Inn for a touch of unspoilt Somerset hospitality.

 

The end of term was as busy as ever and I would like to thank the boys for their energy and good sense. Christmas is a time of great excitement and it is possible for the boys to get over exuberant. However, staff in the Upper School were full of praise for the way the boys were able to have fun without being silly or selfish. Open Day, Christmas Lunch and our Community Carol Singing were enjoyable for all. My thanks go to all the boys, but particularly to Year Eight who set a fine example to the younger boys. The tone has been set for the year.

 

It was a delight to visit the Nursery at the end of term and see both the Reception classes’ play and the Nursery children’s nativity. For all of you who have seen your children perform in a nativity play in the past I can assure you that the magic is still there. At this year’s performance by Orange Class I saw baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling bands by Mary using her hands and toes, something I have never seen before. He was then put firmly in his crib with a very sharp blow to his head which would probably have killed him in real life! Thank you, Mrs Robinson, for all your effort and enthusiasm in your first term in charge.

 

The Annexe has settled into their new classrooms. It is difficult to remember the old building now. The final stage of the redevelopment is due to start this term and it will be very exciting when all is completed. As many of you know, Mrs Whitehead has a son, who has been into school and she is now on maternity leave. Miss Partridge has taken over temporarily and the Annexe is in excellent health. The pride the boys show whenever I visit to see their work or attend Assembly is one of the very best tonics available.

 

We ended an era in the Lower School with the departure of Kathryn Wilkins at the end of last term. She was an outstanding leader who introduced many new ideas to enrich the lives of the boys. The annual ‘project’ is the one that is most obvious and I still look at the photographs taken by our Lower School boys with considerable awe. Their vision is untouched by the constraints that adults tend to face and the freshness of their views of buildings and theatres is both eye-catching and thought provoking. Such is the confidence that has been engendered in the boys that we have, in a boys’ school, a weaving club of over 50 and a choir of over 100. From my personal point of view, Mrs Wilkins was a rock and I treasured her support and loyalty.

 

The theme this term is ‘Work hard; play hard’. I thought of having “Keep right on to the end of the road” but felt that was too personal! I want all the boys in this relatively short term to give their all in whatever field they are operating. Their first area for effort is in the formroom and if they can hold their heads high at the end of every day and say they have done their very best, their sense of well being will grow. Around this core, I hope they will do their best in everything else they undertake. It may be in a sports team, the choir, the orchestra, History or Bridge Club. It may be in handing back a book to a boy, helping the Librarians, supporting a boy who is a little down. Whatever it is, if they give of their best, self esteem will grow as will the richness of both the school and society.

 

Our new website has been much admired by both current and prospective parents. David Adkins, our Director of Communications, is keen to continue to develop the site so that it can be as useful as possible for the whole school community. Is there anything that is not currently on the site that you would like to be there? If there is, please contact Mr Adkins direct via his e-mail (dja@dcpslondon.org).

 

The start of the day in the Upper School is important as this is often the only time in the day when form tutors can talk to their boys. It is vital that all boys are present. We register at 8.25am and so all the boys need to be in school by 8.20am at the very latest so they arrive in their formrooms on time.

 

Every term I make the same plea about parking. Can I ask you not to park in any of the empty spaces in the car park before school, except those designated for visitors. These are adjacent to Alleyn Park, opposite No 40. All the other parking slots are needed for staff cars. At 4.00pm we do not allow any access to the school grounds. This is relaxed for the 5.00pm pick up when we operate a drive-in system. We do not want any accidents. Cars must move slowly and drivers must show courtesy and consideration. Please do not block the main drive through the site, but park if you need to. Boys are not allowed to wait on Alleyn Park. For their own safety they have to wait in the area bounded by posts in front of the foyer.

I know some parents ask their boys to wait on the road and they are caught between what you have asked and the school policy and this makes them very uncomfortable. Can I also ask you to be considerate to the residents of Alleyn Park and make sure you do not park over their drives or gateways. My final request is that you do not infringe any of the traffic signs. Double yellow lines are there for a purpose, as is our Crossing Attendant.

 

This is my last term and I have no doubt it will fly by as fast as all the previous ones. I have very mixed emotions about leaving the boys, staff and parents. At times I am very excited about being able to spend around fifteen days at Lord’s this summer, fishing, playing more golf and reading all the books I have hidden from Ann around the house. At others I know I will miss all the fun that life in a Prep School brings. There is an expression in our family which is called ‘doing a George’ when the eyes fill with moisture. I am sure it will happen a few times in the weeks ahead. It is how I am, so please, if it happens in front of you, don’t worry; it is part of me!

 

May I wish you all a year where you are able to enjoy your family and come through the economic situation intact.

 

Yours sincerely,