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December 2010 Dear Parents/Guardians, Winter has arrived early in Wiltshire and the heady late summer days of September seem but a distant memory. It is hard to believe that fourteen academic weeks have passed and the end of term is upon us. The forty boys in house, both old timers and new additions, have bonded well and it has, on most occasions, been a pleasure to be their Housemaster. We have continued to develop the fabric of the house and the inception of the new work room in September has served to strengthen the academic focus I am keen to foster in St Denys. It has in the last few weeks been used by the IB and A-Level art students who are working on their respective coursework portfolios. I have been delighted to see the boys so involved in both school and house life. To list all of their achievements would be too numerous an exercise but particular highlights include: · Harry Kelly’s and Nils Lorentsen’s performance in the HMC foursomes golf competition · Bryan Chan’s trombone performance during Warminster Entertains and at the recent Christmas Concert · Ashley McMahon comparing the Brazil presentation at Curriculum Enrichment Day · Tai Troung’s commitment and perseverance in his application to read Economics at Pembroke College, Oxford · The boys enthusiasm with regards to the St Denys entry to the Minster Christmas Tree Festival (the decorations included school ties, pool balls, Mrs Mace’s birthday brownies and one of the staple foods of house, a pot noodle!) Although academic work plays a major role in house life a number of social activities have served to strengthen the St Denys ‘spirit’: · The Friday night rugby on Sky Sports at Mr Mace’s house proved as popular as ever, with Morrisons pizza stock being somewhat decimated · The joint St Boniface/St Denys trip to watch Bath A vs Gloucester A at the Recreation Ground- this was kindly organised by Mr Bonnell · St Denys Entertains- the sixth form boys hosted a sophisticated social evening for the Stratton girls where a range of traditional party games strengthened relations between the houses! · The end of term boarding Christmas meal followed by disco and karaoke These activities look to complement the firm academic ethos I am seeking to instil in the house. All the boys are engaged, to a greater or lesser extent, in public examinations this year and clearly important weeks and months lie ahead for them. I would urge them to take advantage of the academic staff that are on duty during the week to seek clarification and guidance with regards to their work, especially during designated prep time. To that end Mr Andrew Lewis (Governor and former Headmaster of the Prep School) will be visiting the house every Tuesday evening during prep time next term to offer a Maths Clinic. This will be open to those in the boarding community who wish to gain additional support with their studies. Please do contact me with regards to this and any other academic matter you feel pertinent to your son. If I cannot deal with it directly your concern is easily passed on to the relevant party. In short building a stronger academic ethos is a key theme for the months ahead. The smooth day to day running of the house is in no small part down to the commitment and hard work of the house tutors, cleaning staff and maintenance team. My thanks goes to all involved especially the residential tutors Mr Labuer, Mr Culnane and Mr & Mrs Sustek who put in many hours well beyond those stated on the duty rota. Particular thanks must go to Mr Knapman who took over from Mrs Boustead in September as House Matron. Mr Knapman is on the front line during the day and deals with a wide range of issues in a calm, effective and patient manner. It would simply not be possible to do my job without his continued commitment to the role. I can only thank him on behalf of all the boys for everything he has done for St Denys this term. Last but by no means least a special thanks to my wife Beki whose support allows me to undertake, in my opinion, the most rewarding job in education to the very best of my ability. Her patience, tolerance and understanding is second to none. Finally may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and relaxing Christmas holiday and I very much look forward to welcoming your son back in January fully recharged for the term ahead. Yours sincerely, Jonathan Mace Housemaster St Denys
July 2010 Dear Parents, As my first year as Housemaster of St Denys draws to a close it is somewhat difficult to sum up my feelings of the last 12 months. As many of you will be aware I fell seriously ill in February and have only, in the last few weeks, returned to full time teaching. Although incredibly grateful to all the doctors and nurses who cared for me during that time it is frustrating not to have ‘fully’ completed what has been a successful and dynamic year for St Denys and the boys. The physical fabric of the house has undergone significant changes over the year with the centrepiece change being that of the communal kitchen area. For those of you who have seen the facility you will no doubt agree that it has completely revitalised what was otherwise a redundant space. Brian Carr (Estates Bursar) and his team cannot be thanked enough for the first class job they completed. Improvements will continue to be made over the summer holidays and into next year. Physical improvements aside it is the boys that make St Denys. I am very proud of their range of achievements throughout the year and the variety of activities they have been engaged in. Although too numerous to list highlights have included: · Bryan Chan’s continued commitment to the school Jazz Band, particularly performances at Speech Day and the recent WSA ball. · Ashley McMahon’s enthusiastic involvement in the CCF (even returning post GCSE exams to participate). · The Champions League Summer BBQ, expertly cooked by William and Tai · Christmas Karaoke, especially the stand out performance from Hieu Ha · The expert ‘turf’ knowledge of Dane Baker at the house race night (only plastic chips and Haribo exchanged hands!) · William Serrano’s appointment as a School Prefect (and Head of House) I am very keen to develop yet further the boys extracurricular involvement in school and House life over the forthcoming academic year. This is particularly the case with regards to cultural activities, an area that I will be targeting as of September. This is not to say academic achievement will not be the No 1 priority but is important that the boys realise that in a school such as ours they must seek to grasp every opportunity that presents itself. The process of learning is not solely confined to the classroom. This time of year is the time that we say goodbye and this year St Denys loses two members of the house team who have been invaluable to myself and the boys during my first year at the helm. Mr Stephen Shields joined the teaching staff at the beginning of the academic year to teach Economics and Business Studies and subsequently moved into St Denys in January as residential house tutor. On behalf of myself and the boys I would like to thank him for all his efforts over the last 2 terms and we wish him all the best as he takes up his new post at Worth School. Mrs Hazel Boustead, House Matron, has been a member of the Warminster School community for over a decade and in St Denys for the last two years. She has been a great support to me during my first year with her advice, guidance and first rate organisational skills. The successful bill of health given to the house by the OFSTED team is in no small part down to her. The boys and I cannot thank her enough. I wish her a long, successful and thoroughly well deserved retirement. Thanks must also go to all the staff involved in the day to day running of St Denys from the academic tutors to the domestic and maintenance staff. Without them my job would simply not be possible. With two key members of staff leaving changes will be afoot in September. Mr Geoff Knapman will take on the role of House Matron, with Mr James Culnane (Head of Hockey) becoming resident house tutor. The house will be open for ‘business’ from 2pm on Tuesday 7th September. Tea and cake will be served in the recently refurbished common room between 3pm – 4pm and this will provide you with an opportunity to meet with myself and other house staff. Finally may I take this opportunity to wish you and your son a restful, peaceful and relaxing summer break. I look forward to welcoming back all the boys who are returning in September. Yours sincerely, Jonathan Mace Housemaster St Denys
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