I’m writing from a gloriously sunny Lancing College where daffodils line the drive, bluebells are out in abundance, the field next to Handford House is host to new lambs and the peregrines are making a racket around the Chapel. Spring is upon us!
Its promise has been richly fulfilled this term, as you’ll read in the following stories. The past fortnight has seen two superb concerts (the Lent Concert and the Chamber Music Concert) both featuring a wealth of ensemble and solo performances, and original compositions by pupils as well as pupils taking up the conducting baton.
It’s also been a term of sporting triumphs, including for the mighty U16 boys’ football, who have made it to the final of the ESFA U16 Schools’ Cup, and some stirring victories for the girls’ Netball Club. The Brighton half-marathon was a gloriously Lancing occasion with many pupil and staff runners (including the Head Master) and a real sense of camaraderie.
Drama has seen the pupil-written and directed Bancroft Plays and collaboration with the Library in the celebration of World Book Day and those in the Sixth Form have been seizing opportunities for extension and enrichment via Med Soc (which helps drive our extraordinary success in medical, veterinary and dental applications); the annual Travel Awards (and this year has seen a stellar set of proposals) and have gained excellent and exciting University offers.
The school has also been working with staff and pupils to consider how best to use AI; how to ensure that ‘the struggle is not stolen’ and that our pupils are being prepared to think richly and deeply. We’ve hosted a range of Prep School events, including a superb French Poetry competition and we have been delighted to award a grand total of 43 Scholarships, Exhibitions and Head Master’s Awards to 39 Year 8 children across 14 different schools. Next year’s Third Form promises to be an excellent cohort.
As we end the second term of this packed year, the school feels in excellent heart, and the recent parent survey underscores the confidence with which new pupils settle and the warmth of welcome extended to them. I wish you and your families a very happy Easter holiday and a time of rest, refreshment and renewal.
Hilary Dugdale
Director of Admissions
