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The Advent Term is the one that I always think of when I think of Lancing. The arrival of nearly 200 new pupils – and some staff – in September. The Sixth Form who have accomplished feats of physical and emotional growth over the summer; the late summer weather and the splendours of autumn when the site looks at its warmest and most welcoming, and a term which is the academic powerhouse of the year.
This year it was made all the more glorious by seeing pupils return after months away from the place – and their delight in re-gathering. It can hardly be said to have been a normal term, though, and it has needed resilience and adaptability on all fronts.
Lancing pupils and staff have risen to its challenges. For the latter two weeks in August Teme House and Handford House hosted pupils quarantining before term started; some joining us for the first time. The Health Centre and a team of House parents, Matrons and undergraduate assistants ably supported by our catering staff, made sure that people were cared for, kept socially distant, able to enjoy exercise, got to know each other and had quizzes, challenges and tasks. Socially distanced barbecues, high teas and al fresco film evenings enabled people to be together – and apart.
The resumption of term has seen nearly all pupils back on campus but a very small number unable to return – or arrive. Alongside remote teaching and learning there has been remote pastoral care. One new member of the Third Form who joined some weeks into term felt they had already got to know their House, their Housemistress and even the layout of the room awaiting them, through being part of House meetings, chats on Teams with friends-to-be and virtual tours. Tutorials have kept people connected and there has been an ebb and flow of pupils with as few as 20 and as many as 100 (in the run up to the holiday) connected to Lancing but working beyond its walls or in quarantine pre- or post-flights.
Houses remained open over the Exeat weekends and at Half Term we hosted a camp run by Oxford International. Once again catering was superb, with feasts and packed teas and barbecues.
We have seized the opportunity for celebration and the enjoyment of the particular and traditional cycles of the year – from a socially distant Malawi Walk to fi reworks in November and S Nicolas Dinners. That these have happened in House bubbles has cemented relationships, and the strength of the pastoral units of year groups within Houses has been so apparent. So too has the exceptional work and support put in by senior pupils in their care for others. As one Housemaster wrote to me recently, ‘I am staggered by the continuing insights, forbearance and sheer fraternal care being exercised by my House Captains ... I can’t recall such an extraordinarily emotionally intelligent, literate group of senior boys.’ And this sentiment has been echoed on many fronts.
The Advent Term is the one that I always think of when I think of Lancing. The arrival of nearly 200 new pupils – and some staff – in September. The Sixth Form who have accomplished feats of physical and emotional growth over the summer; the late summer weather and the splendours of autumn when the site looks at its warmest and most welcoming, and a term which is the academic powerhouse of the year. Whilst eff orts have been to keep people physically apart (and thus COVID-safe), this flies against every adolescent instinct. We have found other ways of doing things: film nights for a year group in the Theatre; House choirs for socially distanced services in the Chapel; lunch queues down the very well-ventilated (!) cloisters at metred distances; House meetings in venues like the Sports Hall or Great School. It has not been usual but it has been inventive, and the superb management and guidance of Housemasters and Housemistresses and sheer tolerance of pupils to these changes and restrictions have been impressive.
Perhaps due to all that hand-washing and well-ventilated classrooms and Houses, it has been a term of exceptionally low illness rates – but the Health Centre and our counsellors have kept busy supporting pupils emotionally (and doing so online for those who are not in the classroom) and also in their guidance of staff . We have enjoyed the opportunities that have arisen too – to extend PSHE to Parents and access to parent meetings to parents world-wide – and that has been a wonderful by-product of these trying times: our relationships and connections seem stronger and more vital than ever.
As Christmas has drawn nearer, we have used various College spaces (Valleyside and the Pad buildings) to enable people to self-isolate whilst getting and awaiting COVID tests before flying home. We have also worked closely with families and our testing partner organisation in enabling the bureaucratic hoops of a host of different countries and airlines to be successfully jumped through.
A few weeks ago, a wellbeing survey was conducted with all our pupils (and staff ). It showed a school in fi ne fettle – with optimism about the future, a keen sense of belonging, an interest in others, creativity, a knowledge of being valued and a sense of mutual care. In the final 48 hours of term we will see carolling staff going round the Houses; the finery of the Sixth Form Christmas Dinner; a candle-lit Chapel for a Carol Service with choir divided between the Chancel and the organ loft; and a group of pupils looking forward to re-joining families, but also to the conviviality of being back again with each other in the New Year. In the words of a Third Form pupil: ‘Lancing’s not just got playing fields; it’s got beautiful playing fields. It’s not just got Christmas dinners, but amazing Christmas dinners. Lancing’s so extra.’
Extraordinary times: extra-ordinary responses. Lancing has felt very ‘extra’ indeed this Advent Term 2020
Hilary Dugdale, Senior Deputy Head
(Published December 2020)