Dear Friends
The first half term of the academic year is always a whirlwind of activity – and this one has been no exception! From the opening days of term with the whole-school Malawi Walk, to the recruitment and training of a new batch of Peer Supporters to the start of the Drama calendar with Curtain Raisers and the formation of new teams across the range of sports, Autumn is really our Spring – the new growth of talents and the stepping up to new responsibilities. This is most clearly seen in the commissioning of a new Prefect group and the appointment of the Heads of School but across the school as a whole House Captains and Heads of House exercise their leadership also, those who have joined the Third Form have truly found their feet and Year Group Councils and the School Council are deploying and hearing pupil voice and harnessing pupil ideas an initiatives.
It has been a time of other beginnings too . Our Pre- Sixth Form programme is very positively underway with our initial group of students enjoying an immersive experience in terms of their pastoral and co-curricular lives alongside a bespoke curriculum which prepares them for a smaller group of GCSEs in one year, with a significant focus on language skills.
Our Home and Away Exeat programme is now in its second year, and our participating students enjoyed a James Bond themed weekend in September and will enjoy Christmas in the Capital in the November Exeat.
The Admissions team is busy this term also with a range of Open Events (our next one on 14 November) and visits to Hong Kong, Montenegro, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Romania, Dubai and Turkey.
This term always feels like the powerhouse of the academic year and half term provides a much-needed respite for all before the excitements of the run up to Christmas – a magical season in the College’s calendar.
With all best wishes and I hope to see you on my travels or to welcome you to Lancing in the weeks and months ahead,
Hilary Dugdale
Director of Admissions
