December 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As I sit writing this letter during the fourteenth week of the term it dawns on me once again that 40% of the academic year has nearly passed (in fact it’s an even greater percentage for those students sitting their IB exams in early May). Much water has passed under the bridge in that time, a bridge that was covered in late summer sunshine and ends with short, cold December days.

There have been significant changes to the boarding structure at Warminster School this academic year and the direct impact on St Denys was the inclusion of Year 9 boys. I am delighted to report that the term has been an excellent one and the younger boys have only added to the energy and enthusiasm of the St Denys community. The success of the term is evident in the range of achievements by the boys. The list below, although far from exhaustive, will give you a flavour of the diversity of participation over the last fourteen weeks:

· Ashley McMahon’s participation in the Exmoor challenge weekend

· Johnny Chan working towards his Grade 6 piano exam

· Martin Gevorkyan captaining the 1^st XV in a memorable victory against Prior Park College (22-6). Dane Baker and Murray Tabeart have also been integral members of the squad

· Toby Swannell’s training for the Ten Tors Challenge

· Preparation for the school performance of the ‘Mikado’ next term by Felix Buhla, Ben Higgens, Ryan Lee and Ollie Pitts

· Felix Buhla and Ashley McMahon’s leading roles in the school’s production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

· Murray Tabeart’s participation in the National Youth Prom at the Royal Albert Hall

· Murray was also involved, along with Alvin Chan, Robin Docherty and Rob Higgens in the end of term Christmas concert

· Ryan Lee’s Macbeth dagger speech at the Shakespeare by Heart Competition in Bristol

· Harry Kelly and Nils Lorentsen’s participation in the HMC Foursomes golf competition

· Florian Montag, Dane Baker, Frankie Leung, Josh Brebner, Nils Lorentsen, Sam Wong and Mark Nguyen who have all played for the football 1^st X1 this term in the County Cup

The boys have also participated in whole House activities including:

· A trip to a Bath Academy rugby match with St Boniface, kindly organised by Mr Bonnell

· A House entry into the Minster Christmas Tree Festival

· Next term will see the inaugural St Denys vs St Boniface paintball match

The boys’ involvement in the wider aspects of school life and the opportunities presented to them at Warminster School is at the heart of the educational experience offered by the school. I am a firm believer that these commitments and experiences only enhance the educational outcome. In my letter at the end of last term I stressed how I would be keeping an even closer eye on the boys’ academic performance both during prep time and in the wider school context through reports and grade cards.

During my final House assembly with the boys I awarded the following prep prizes:

Outstanding approach to prep (Y9-Y11): Amedeo Grelli

Best 6^th Form independent learner during prep (Y12-Y13): Florian Montag

There can be no doubting the importance of completing prep in a measured manner and ensuring it is completed to the best of the individual boy’s ability. Along with wider involvement in school life there is a clear correlation between the quality of work during the allotted prep time and overall educational achievement.

Mr Knapman, the House Matron, also awards a weekly ‘Matron’s Prize’ for the boy in House who has been most organised and cooperative during the working week. The winners in each half of term are treated to a takeaway. The recipients during the second half of this term have been Jamie Williams, Josh Brebner, Ben Higgens, Rob Higgens, Harry Kelly and Jonathan Scott.

The running of the House on a daily and weekly basis is very much a team effort and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following:

· Nils Lorentsen, Ashley McMahon and Frankie Leung in their roles as Head and Deputy Heads of House respectively. They have been an invaluable ear on the ground and I have been especially impressed with how they have ensured that all boys have felt secure and comfortable in the House environment.

· The tutors and residential staff who ensure the smooth running of the House. Particular thanks to the latter - Mr Culnane, Mr and Mrs Sustek and Mrs Mace for all of their efforts and, on some occasions, during very unsociable hours of the day.

· The maintenance and domestic staff for their continued support to St Denys. No problem is ever too big for them to deal with.

· Mr Knapman, the House Matron who day in, day out, mans the office in his calm and assured way. His support and advice to both me and the boys has been nothing short of first class.

The boys’ entry to the Minster Christmas Tree Festival sums up the community we are trying to create in St Denys. The tree was decorated with well-known book covers, a dictionary and exercise books but at the same time littered with items relating to the social and extra curricular side of House and school life. At the core was academic life but it was totally incomplete without strong social cohesion and a raft of wider and yet still educationally enhancing experiences.

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and all the very best for the New Year ahead. I look forward to welcoming the boys back to St Denys on January 9^th.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Mace

Housemaster

St Denys