Dear Prep School Heads
I hope you have all enjoyed a restful Half Term and you are feeling refreshed for this most busy and celebratory of half terms.
Recent weeks at Lancing, as you will see below, have been packed with all manner of good things. In the week prior to Half Term Arts Week, which showcases the remarkable creative talent across our community, culminated in Founder’s Day itself, with Prizegiving and Sports Day bringing together the community in celebration of the past year and achievements individual and collective.
We’re now mid-public exam season and we are so proud of the way our Fifth and Upper Sixth Formers are conducting themselves – and the way that they are building on the excellent foundations that were put in place in their Prep Schools.
You will have seen that the College made two significant announcements over the Half Term break, both of which are covered in more detail in this newsletter. The Head Master spent part of the break in Japan, meeting with the partners with whom we hope to establish Lancing’s first overseas school. Our prospective partners are deeply impressed by the College’s academic and pastoral programme.
Equally exciting is our planned investment in sports. Independent schools are navigating challenging times, and it is a mark of our Governors’ confidence in Lancing’s future that they are committing £6.5 million to modernise our sports infrastructure.
In recent weeks, Tennis, Cricket and Athletics have all featured prominently in the weekly Head Master’s Assemblies, and the standard across team and individual sports has been impressive. A particular mention must go to the U16A boys football team, who travelled to compete in the ESFA Schools Cup Final, a remarkable achievement and a testament to their commitment throughout the season.
Scholarly life has been equally active. The annual House Debating Competition was keenly contested, with Handford taking the prize and Teme as runners up. We have also been fortunate to welcome Professor Chris Howe from Corpus Christi College Cambridge as part of our Head Master’s Lecture Series. Two further distinguished speakers join us in this final half of term.
In the closing days of last half term, the Third and Fourth Form production of Arabian Nights involved 34 pupils and played to packed audiences. The Art, Design and Photography exhibitions were outstanding and an audience of three hundred gathered in the Chapel to hear Mozart’s Requiem performed by the Lancing College Choir and Lancing Singers and with all soloists drawn from current pupils – an amazing achievement.
We are looking forward to next academic year and to welcoming Prep School children to a range of events and activities. Please find attached details of the Admissions Calendar for next year, and key events, including Open Days, to which your children will be very welcome.
With all best wishes for the final weeks of term.
Hilary Dugdale
Director of Admissions
