Thursday, 9^th February 2012

The children will be dressing up as a character from one of Charles Dickens’ novels. On their back, they should have pinned the name of their character and at least one fact about the character or a description of what happens to them.

Children will bring in £1 – the money raised will go to this term’s charity, Honey Pot.

At 1715 until 1815 in the Front Hall, the school council are hoping to raise even more money by selling small cakes.

Pre-Prep Play Area

The children in our Nursery and Kindergarten classes are really enjoying their new Early Years’ Outdoor Area which allows them to choose and move freely, and safely, between the classroom and the outside. The classroom doors open on to this fantastic new facility at 9.30 each morning and remain open throughout the day allowing the children to individually decide whether to stay in the classroom or to go outside.

With its fantastic sun and shade structure and a whole host of exciting areas and materials to interest and attract the children, the Outdoor Area is now playing an important part in the children’s development and learning progress. Activities are now child-led and staff report that the children are learning to make choices for themselves as well as developing new skills and behavious patterns.

Taking over a month to construct and costing over £25,000, the Outdoor Area contains a sandpit, herb & lavender sensory garden, digging area, building blocks, water tray and a tree bench, plus plenty of space in which to run around.

“This is a truly fantastic facility and so important for the children’s development,” said Ms Richardson, acting head of Early Years. “We have seen a real improvement in  their concentration, communication and confidence and it is lovely to see freeflow working so well and bringing such benefits.”

We are delighted to announce that following the forthcoming retirement of Mr Phillips in June next year, Mr Titus Mills will be our new Headmaster.

Currently headmaster of The Paragon School in Bath, Mr Mills, 41, was unanimously selected by our Board of Governors from over 45 applicants and has been described as ‘charismatic, enthusiastic and with real presence’.

During his five years at The Paragon School, Mr Mills has increased pupil numbers and achieved an ‘Outstanding’ OfSted Inspection report. A recent report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded The Paragon the highest grades in all aspects of school life. It is extremely rare for a school to achieve top marks in every category.

Educated at Pilgrim’s, Eton, where he captained the football 1st XI, and the University of East Anglia, (Art History). Mr Mills has worked in state and independent schools in the UK, Italy and Uganda. He is married to Jemima and they have three sons: Malachi (10), Raffi (8) and Cassius (3). The family anticipates moving to Lymington during the summer, though Mr and Mrs Mills will be visiting Hordle Walhampton to meet pupils, parents, staff and future colleagues over the next few months.

Neil McGrigor, chairman of Governors, said: “The calibre of applicants for this important position was outstanding and the Board faced a difficult decision in selecting the best candidate. However, Titus’ success is a reflection of his achievements, vision and approach and we are delighted to be welcoming him and Jemima to Hordle Walhampton from September.

“Over the last 17 years, Henry and Jackie Phillips have done an outstanding job in creating such a successful, vibrant, happy and remarkable school and we are certain that Titus and Jemima will ensure that Hordle Walhampton continues to grow and to thrive.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Mills said: “It is a tremendous honour to have been appointed the forthcoming Headmaster of Hordle Walhampton School. Jemima and I are excited at the prospect of taking over leadership from Henry and Jackie Phillips who have done such an excellent job. We want to maintain the many traditions and strengths of Hordle Walhampton, while also bringing in new ideas and a renewed vision for the years ahead. As a family, with three young boys in tow, we can’t wait to put roots down in this gem of a school.”

Miss Stoyle, Mrs Lack, Mrs Cowell, Mrs Searle and Mrs Melanaphy have all discovered/rediscovered the thrills (and spills) of riding and are currently, with the help of Miss Blachford and Mrs Glennie, working hard on their co-ordination and balance.

Our horses and ponies are being remarkably supportive and patient, as the saddle-sore-six practice in either the arena or whilst out hacking through the school’s woods. Their overall aim is to compete for the newly-introduced ‘Mistletoe Cup’ which will be held during the last week of term and to which the children will be invited as spectators.

When asked about her latest recruits to riding, Miss Blachford said: “There’s no doubt they’re a game and enthusiastic bunch who seem to improve with encouragement, practice ….. and the promise of a glass of wine in the evening.”

Exciting encounters with a fox, an owl and even a snake ensued, though sadly no sign of the elusive Gruffalo until the team reached Forest School where, to their amazement, they discovered a large and very chocolate-y cake obviously left by the creature.

After eating the evidence, the explorers enthusiastically continued with their search eventually coming across the Guffalo sitting comfortably on the Wishing Chair apparently unaware of either his own notoritity or the efforts of his young trackers.

Found! …. just in time before returning to school for lunch.

Year One Water Experiment

There’s been a lot of water splashing around outside of Pre-Prep lately…. but all necessary for the very best of scientific research.

As part of their science curriculum, the children in Year One have been rigorously testing a variety of materials in order to establish whether or not they are waterproof.

With great concentration, a very large watering can and a lot of enjoyment, our young researchers poured copious amounts of water on a number of different objects before examining them carefully to see which of the fabrics had withstood the deluge. As well as being a lot of fun, the experiment helped the children to understand and appreciate how important it is for their coats and boots to be waterproof – particularly for Forest School.

Beginning with crop circles, the children explored what could, and could not, be proved. Encouraged to look at the reliability of available evidence, they rapidly concluded that these were not communications from aliens but simply an elaborate hoax. A heated discussion on whether there could be alternative life in the universe then divided Gateway members’ opinions; some arguing that we are alone whilst others felt it likely that some form of life, be it basic or intelligent, must exist.

Evidence for and against the existance of ancient creatures, such as Big Foot, was also addressed. Cryptoid pictures were examined and rejected as genuine, Gateway members concluding that in such cases further tangible proof would be required even though much of the evidence appeared, on first glance, to be convincing.

The Gateway sessions, be they practical work, visiting guest lecturers, debates or alien-evaluation, continue to address and explore the ‘big’ subjects. Fascinating!

 * Open to all in the Prep school, ‘Gateway’ is a series of activities, lectures and events that is designed to broaden horizons and increase understanding of the composites that give the world its shape.

As part of HW’s ongoing dedication to be innovative and motivational, the children in Year Two now have access to iPad 2′s which they are already using alongside the existing curriculum.

There is documentational evidence that the use of iPads in a classroom environment can be very beneficial to a child’s learning and if the enthusiasm with which our young i-users welcomed and engaged with this new technology is anything to go by, this is fantasic opportunity that will enrich all their subject areas.

Together, HW’s Pre-Prep and ITC staff have identified and selected a wealth of different apps to support learning and thinking skills as well as extending and assessing the children’s understanding. In Maths, for example, the children have already enjoyed accessing the Maths Mania app which supports their learning of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

In subjects such as Literacy, the iPads’ still & video camera and the recording features will allow the children to bring their stories alive, giving voice and animation to their characters. Google Earth wil help them locate different places around the world, whilst apps such as My-WorldFN will bring the French language to life.

Whether in pairs, small groups or individually, the new iPads offer HW children a wealth of new learning opportunities – though they just see it as a great deal of fun.

Negotiating traffic and the ‘wibbly-wobbly’ bridge (the Millennium Bridge, for readers who prefer the correct terminology) which provided a welcome break for those who by this time had aching muscles, our cyclists were exhorted to produce a final flurry of speed in order to arrive within the allocated time-scale before any additional payments became due. This they achieved admirably and all later commented, once they had regained their breath, on how impressed they were with the efficiency and the simplicity of the system.

No more cries of “Taxi!” for Hordle Walhampton travellers to London. From now on it’s pedal-power all the way.

With ladders to climb, obstacles to overcome, challenges to tackle and an exciting rope slide, the Course really is something very special.
As well as being a fun outdoor activity, the Course also teaches teamwork, balance, creative and lateral thinking, leadership and so much more.

We have this fabulous new facility thanks to the generosity of the Duncan family and the HWPA and we all (that’s the staff as well as the children) can’t wait to have a go just as soon as the formal training has been completed.

TWO…..The parents of our Year Two children very kindly presented the Pre-Prep department with a camera nesting box. This will allow the Pre-Prep children to witness the magic of birds nesting and chicks hatching without disturbing our feathery mothers and fathers as they bring up their fledglings.

THREE…..The cast of Year Three’s production of ‘Button Box’ gave an overflowing Performing Arts Centre a night to remember. Hula dances, chocolates, rappers and First World War trenches may seem an unlikely combination but in the hands of our talented cast and crew the production was seamless, fun and a joy to behold.

Meg started at HW aged four, beginning formal piano lessons, initially with Mrs Cheminais and later Mr Aveyard. In 2004 she achieved her Grade 5 with distinction and the following year Meg gained a place at Chetham’s School of Music, one of the country’s foremost music schools, where the students study hard and practise in excess of four hours each day.

At the age of only 14, Meg achieved distinction in her Grade 8 examination and is currently taking her ABRSM Performance Diploma this year. She is also one of only seven students from Chetham’s to take part in the ‘Commonwealth Resounds! 2011′.

Meg’s dedication and talent were manifested throughout her accomplished performance at HW in which she played classical pieces and miscellaneous show tunes, preceding each with a short but informative introduction. The recital was both inspiring and entertaining and we look forward to following Meg’s musical career.

Swimming: There was also a great deal of personal achievement for HW swimmers at our annual junior gala, despite the event being held so early in the ‘swimming season’. Though there was little time to prepare, the children aquitted themselves very well and demonstrated a good standard of skill in the pool. There were a number of 1st places in the individual races and though we began well in the relay races, we were sadly unable to sustain the momentum.

Screaming: The children in the Reception forms set off for a day at Moors Valley where they spent their time collecting natural dyes in the meadow, identifying different trees, building woodland ‘pictures’ and then having the ‘scariest’ ride on the steam train where they screamed loudly through the tunnels which apparently, according to everyone, made it “the best day ever!”.

Mr McGrigor, Ms Gandee, ladies and gentlemen. Whilst it is very good to welcome you to Founders’ Day, I am a little on edge having recently received a note from a former friend. He wished me luck but went on to say that my speech always reminds him of the peace and love of God: that’s the peace of God which passeth all understanding and the love of God that endureth forever. I will do my best to keep things simple and short.

Our guest of honour this morning is Ms Jane Gandee, who is reaching the end of her first year as Headmistress of Saint Swithun’s, the all-girls school in Winchester. I have noted that more and more of you are looking for truly weekly boarding schools and St Swithun’s is just that. Ms Gandee, only the ninth Headmistress in the school’s 125 year history, is a linguist and a keen sportswoman, having represented Cambridge at athletics and cross-country as well as captaining the universities women’s football team. On the website Rate My Teacher she receives top marks for easiness, helpfulness and clarity. By all accounts Ms Gandee has had a busy, happy and successful year and I look forward to hearing what she has to say once she has presented the prizes.

At the time of the merger between Hordle House and Walhampton when several, from both schools, were concerned about what they saw as traditions being lost. I tried to make it clear that Hordle Walhampton should not be seen as a ‘museum of childhood’ and I’m delighted that this morning, some 13 years later, whilst I can report on, academic, sporting and artistic success as in previous years there is also much to which we can look forward, thanks to the dedication of all at HW. I am certainly not like the Headmaster who, when asked how many worked at his school, replied, ‘About half of them.’

In the classroom we have celebrated scholarships for James Cockayne at Winchester, Sophie Shakespeare at Marlborough and Freya Thorpe at Bryanston, with near misses for Joel Biffin, Eliza Cudmore and Francesca Blest at Canford, Wellington and Bryanston respectively. William Compton passed into Winchester, Lizzie Lander to Parkstone Grammar, Tom Leon into Hilton College in South Africa and we had 100% success at King Edward VI and Hampshire Collegiate School as well as all our Common Entrance candidates passing to Bryanston, Canford, Clayesmore, Harrow, King’s Bruton, Radley and Sherborne at 13+ and Charlotte Bassett at 11+ to St Swithun’s.

I think that you will agree that this is an impressive range of schools more, I am delighted to say, that at 13+, 69% of all grades awarded were A or B, many of them coming in the sciences. We are sorry to be losing David Horton at the end of this term as he follows his wife, Kerry, and daughter Annie, to Ballard. David, who ran the Clockhouse, has knocked the physics and chemistry into shape. He has revolutionised report writing and dragged us slowly into the 21st century. He has many talents, not least musical as demonstrated by his guitar playing this morning, and I’d like to thank him for all he has done in his time at HW, wishing him and his family well in the future.

It is always invidious to mention individuals but I was particularly pleased that Yuri Gunton who arrived in September without a word, or very few, of English secured a genuine and respectable pass to Bryanston. He certainly worked hard but was guided and encouraged throughout by Marilyn Lock, in particular, but all those who taught him and other members of the learning support unit. Of their number, we soon say goodbye and thank you to Gill Regan. Gill has recently been helping in the Pre-Prep and I know there are many children in the younger classes who have reason to be grateful for all she has done for them. The LSU is one of the jewels in our academic crown as it copes with a wide range of learning difficulties, liaising with parents and colleagues to ensure that our pupils make the best possible progress. The introduction of Gateway has given children the opportunity to discover more about the school in which they work, the role of the local mayor, archaeology, oceanography and learning about learning itself. It is to be hoped, and I believe it to be true, that HW pupils are interesting, interested and resourceful.

One such had to face a particularly stiff test recently when she was asked to answer three questions in an interview for entry into her senior school. Which two days of the week start with the letter T? How many seconds are there in a year? What was the name of the swagman in Waltzing Matilda? ‘Which two days of the week start with the letter T?’ Sensing a trick, our pupil replied, ‘Today and tomorrow.’ ‘Fair enough’ thought the examiner ‘But the next two questions are more challenging. How many seconds are there in a year?’ Again there was little hesitation before the answer, ‘Twelve’. This time the examiner demanded an explanation. ‘Easy,’ said our young lady, ‘Second of January, second of February, second of March, etc giving a total of 12’. The examiner put down his pen, scratched his head, wandered around a bit before agreeing that the answer could stand but that the response to the third question had to be spot on. ‘So’ he said menacingly, ‘Can you tell me the name of the jolly swagman in Waltzing Matilda?’ ‘Well,’ said our pupil, ‘I took quite a time thinking about this, but the answer is Andy’. Staggered the examiner asked for an explanation. ‘Simple. Andy sat, Andy watched Andy waited till his billy boiled.’ You won’t be surprised to hear that our young lady was offered a place and I bet you are all humming Waltzing Matilda.

This year, mathematicians have proved themselves more than adept in both the primary and junior nationwide challenges. Hundreds of thousands of children take part but only the top few are presented with awards. In total we received seven gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze certificates; pride of place going to Michael Allport, who was the Best in the School for those in Years Five and Six and he also won a gold award in the competition for those in Years Seven and Eight. Michael is in Year Five.

Of course, teaching and learning isn’t simply undertaken in the classroom. For example, Mike Stanley’s historians have enjoyed amongst many other excursions and visitors, Egyptians, Tudors, the Battle of Hastings re-enacted on the front lawn, HMS Victory, HMS Torbay (thanks to parent Commander Nick Wheeler) and a talk on crime and punishment by parent and ancestor of a former convict, Jeff Walters. Other historians showed their mettle when six successfully passed into round two of the prestigious Townsend-Warner history prize: 900 entrants throughout the country. Five of those six are in Year Seven and thus able to take part next year. We should not have been surprised as one of them, Henry Beal, came 13th of 300 in the SATIPS Challenge, a general knowledge competition run nationally. Henry was joined by Georgie Austin and Jack Jowett in our Youth Speaks team which was runner up in the district competition, having won the first round held at HW. The English Department also promoted an enthralling Conflict in Literature day to highlight the themes in the set book Noughts and Crosses, and many took part in the Out Loud reading and speaking competition. Only recently they joined forces with musicians to produce Rock’n Write.

Music has played a large part with an increasing number of visits to other schools for orchestral and choral days as well as visits by musicians to HW. A ‘Composer of the Month’ has been introduced (in June we are learning about and listening to Hildegard von Bingen) and we now enjoy regular performances in Chapel, some members of the Chapel Choir have taken the first steps in the Voice for Life programme run by the Royal School of Church Music and a small group of enthusiastic musicians has devolved into the Clefs, identifying potential scholars early. We have had success at the New Milton Music Festival, the Spring Serenade was enjoyed by many and for the first time in several years we had a pupil, Joel Biffin, playing the Last Post in the Remembrance Service: Joel also led Rutherford to success in the Inter-House competition. Sue Watkiss, who moves to Dumpton as Director of Music at the end of this term has left a musical legacy for which we will always be grateful. We wish her well.

Artists have continued to impress with their ever-changing displays around the school, the piece of work from the Artist of the Month has always been challenging and thought provoking; the work produced by HW pupils more than stood comparison with that on display in the SATIPS Art Exhibition, held for the second time in the PAC. Kevin Nicholls really knows his stuff and is prepared to share it as the oversubscribed trip to St Ives and the workshops for parents and pupils, the latter even spending two or three days in the holidays at school, demonstrates.

On stage we enjoyed a colourful and enthusiastic Cinderella Rockefeller and a glowering Scottish play this year and we eagerly await Buttons from Year Three and, with rather more trepidation, Wacky Soap from those in Year Eight. The list of those who take LAMDA exams is lengthy to say the least and almost completely filled with asterisks denoting merits or distinctions.

Many of those artists, actors and musicians also appear regularly on the games field and whilst the icing on the cake was a number of sports scholarships, Monty Cairnes to Hampshire Collegiate, Harry Corbett to Clayesmore, Alexander and Maxim McGrigor to Radley, Mattea Pauc to Hampshire Collegiate and Rufus Wright going one better by being awarded a scholarship at both Hampshire Collegiate and Lord Wandsworth College, I am equally impressed by the number of teams we’ve fielded and the breadth of sports in which we compete. At the risk of simply listing a range of successes I would just like to mention the senior boys who only lost one game of football and were unbeaten in the rugby season, not conceding a try: they were again runners-up at the Boundary Oak Sevens (at which captain Maxim McGrigor was voted Player of the Tournament) and made their debut at Rosslyn Park. The U9s lost only one of their 10 rugby matches. In hockey, the U11 girls won a tournament at West Hill Park, the U10 girls were unbeaten and the U13 boys were runners up, also at West Hill Park.

For those not enthused by team sports there was still a great deal to enjoy. Recently some U11 sailors took part in the IAPS competition, we entered a golf tournament at Milton Abbey, tennis players take on Ballard before the end of term, swimmers have impressed and the marksmen retained the Sawyer Cup, a fitting tribute to Tim Farquhar who leaves us after five successful years hidden in the rifle range.

Last year I complained that the equestrian department was encouraging us to play polo yet only providing one stick. I am delighted to say that this year they have been better equipped and the first staff polo-crosse match took place, irritating many of us who were excluded as deemed unfit, too incompetent or a danger to the ponies. Eve Blatchford and Cassie Glennie have produced an enormous amount of enjoyment for those who ride with a plethora of internal competitions including fancy dress and dressage to music but they have also ensured that serious riders are able to strut their stuff. Entries into competitions at Sparsholt and the Sandroyd Tetrathlon were much enjoyed as was our debut at the Royal Windsor Horse Show although Eve’s initial report talked endlessly of seeing the Mounted Houseguards go past and please could we have uniforms like theirs? I was not in the least surprised that the annual review of the stables by the New Forest District Council announced that we had passed with flying colours but I was delighted that the inspector also added a personal note to the effect that we were blessed to have two such inspirational teachers.

This week’s Mercury devotes an entire page to the recent exploits of our athletes and I would like to add my congratulations not only to Thomas Sykes who won the best athlete trophy in the U10 category at the Junior Wessex and to Honey Lander, Edward Phillips and Jasper Toor who will be representing the Wessex area in the National Championships but also to the many members of staff who under the direction of Tim Norris, ensure that the day runs like clockwork and is much enjoyed by the thousand + people who attend.

Runners are not simply confined to the track and cross country teams also attracted interest this year. The U11 girls at Moyles Court were winners and individually India Shakespeare and Hattie Rogers were second and third respectively: the U13 girls came second in their event. The Perry Dalziel meeting, held at HW and organised superbly by Nigel Reed, attracts some 300 runners and congratulations go to Ines Mitchell, Tom Sykes, Andrew Crawford and Jasper Toor on winning their individual races. This was the meeting in which we attracted national press as the winners of the previous three years, The Orchard School, had received a hoax phone call to say that rain had cancelled the fixture.

It is said that there is no such thing as bad publicity and Jane Kerr has worked extraordinarily hard to make sure that we are featured regularly and in all sorts of publications. Our adverts in the local paper based on wordplay or book titles, have attracted much comment and interest and I know Jane is working hard to ensure we have a new Parents’ Handbook available for the new academic year.

The best form of advertising / marketing is word of mouth and I was very proud to receive a comment to the effect that our Year Four group was one of the best behaved and politest school parties on their recent trip to Hampton Court. You, our parents, play a vital role in this and I am so grateful when you put your head above the parapet and offer your services to the school. The Liaison Committee has met three times and has advised on topics such as send-ups, school uniform, matches and teams, cycle proficiency and communication in general. On the last point I am delighted that we are almost ready to take the second step in becoming almost paperless by introducing a parents’ portal in which you will find, password protected, your child’s grades, reports and relevant mailings from the school. In addition whilst the website will contain large group photographs, it is intended to include, within the portal, a great selection of more personal pictures of events at the school. We say goodbye from the PLC this term to Wendy Howard Allen, Julie Payne and Belinda Walters who have been a tower of strength over the years. I would like to think that they have enjoyed their time on the committee but I suspect they will be pleased not to have to discuss any longer, the thorny issues of the front courtyard, back drive, thoughtless parking and driving without due consideration. You should all be warned that the bursar, Danny Boswell, intends to reintroduce his speeding gun, although after a previous experience he is a little reticent.

It was one morning earlier this year and he pulled over a car that was palpably exceeding the 10 mph limit in the grounds. The driver explained himself by saying that he had set the cruise control deliberately and that it must be the fault of the speed gun. His wife interrupted saying, ‘Now don’t be silly dear, you know that this car doesn’t have cruise control.’ The driver told his wife to keep her mouth shut just as the bursar noticed that he wasn’t wearing a seat belt and started a lecture on the example he should be setting his children. ‘Ah’ said the father, ‘I did have it on but I took it off when you stopped the car in case I had to get out.’ His wife jumped in again. ‘Now come on dear you know very well you didn’t have your seatbelt on. You never wear your seatbelt when you’re driving.’ By now the Bursar was becoming decidedly uneasy, especially as the driver turned to his wife and screamed, ‘Will you please shut up?’ Absolutely certain he knew where his sympathies lay, he asked the woman, ‘Does your husband always talk to you like this?’ To which she replied, ‘Only when he’s been drinking.’

The HWPA has, under the Chairmanship of Dom Sykes, been in full swing with last night’s ball testament to their sense of style and organisational abilities. Bonfire Night, the Quiz, the Fair and, this year, Gerard Basset (OBE in the Birthday Honours List this year, for which many congratulations), enthralled us at a wine tasting event as only the world champion sommelier could. I’d like to reiterate my public thanks to all members of the committee.

I have already mentioned several parents who have helped us but I would like to say a general thank you to those who support the weekly chapel services, whether on a Friday or a Wednesday. Thanks to you we have given substantial donations to the Gambian School Trust and Salvation Army, we have collected shoeboxes for the Rotary club to distribute and this year we are supporting Clic Sargent, a charity devoted to looking after children with cancer. Chapel has seen a memorable confirmation service and for the first time we held a week of remembrance rather than celebrate 11th November arbitrarily: it was a great success and something we shall be repeating next term. The prayer group has met regularly and I do urge you to join us, at least once, to see what it’s all about. Our charitable aim before Christmas was to collect for the basics bank, a local organisation that needs cash and donations of food etc to help those locally who have fallen on hard times. We have continued to do this throughout the year and have added collecting boxes for empty pens and unwanted clothes. These initiatives raise money for the school’s charity as well as helping those in need and I commend them to you.

The clothes bank is part of our eco-environmental project and I hope you spent some time reading of all we do in the recent green Mercury. Gathering eco-pluses is now as important as behaving well and working hard in terms of the House competition and I’m delighted to say that David Hill’s initiative is resulting in money saved and a growing awareness of what needs to be done by each and every one of us. The governors recently received a letter from the committee of eco-warriors, comprising children and adults, urging them to consider investing in solar panels, which they plan to do.

Practising what he preaches, I have heard that Mr Hill has had all the windows in his house fitted with expensive double panel energy efficient replacements. He recently received a call from the contractor who installed them, complaining that the work had been completed last June and he still hadn’t paid for them. Mr Hill, whose eye for detail and the main chance is legendary, explained that the fast talking salesmen who had convinced him of the benefits, had told him that in 12 months these windows would pay for themselves and, as it was now a year later …

It is not only those in the Prep School that take these matters seriously, a variety of initiatives for use in the dining room has come from the Pre-Prep, which has flourished again this year under the beady eye of Beth Morris. Those in the Department have had a full and busy year, nativity plays, dance weeks, visits and visitors have occupied the children whilst the adults have had a round of professional development allowing them to increase their knowledge and expertise in areas as diverse as the Forest school, aspergers, bereavement and food handling. I’d like to thank Amy Taylor this morning for having held the musical fort, so to speak, during Abi Hutchinson’s maternity leave: the enjoyment of those singing today, and at the recent concert, says it all. We are very sorry that at the end of this term Denise Tudor, currently running one of the nursery classes, retires after 21 years. Denise has given a great start to generations of children and thoroughly deserves the plaudits that have already flown her way as well as those still to come.

Of course Mrs Morris also wears the boarding hat at HW and since Founders’ Day last year the boarding and pastoral facilities have been inspected by Ofsted. They found that the very minor recommendations made in 2007 have been put right and this time judged most areas as outstanding or excellent: these included the accommodation for boarders, the excellent relationships with staff and the standard of pupil behaviour. The three improvements that were recommended were put in place in a matter of weeks. This year boarders have enjoyed such delights as a Masterchef competition, a visit to a teddy bear fair, Thruxton motor racing circuit and for those in Year Eight, a Valentine supper. I really do believe that boarding gives every child the opportunity to taste life in a community and the benefits from that are enormous. Even if you totally committed to a senior day school, I recommend at least a term boarding at HW, where staff will know your child well and he or she will have friends with whom to work and play. The commitment of those who look after the boarders is exceptional and I’d like to take this opportunity to offer them, houseparents, duty staff and matrons, a public pat on the back.

My colleagues have not had the easiest of years with many of them suffering personal difficulties: I am most grateful to them for maintaining such high standards in the face of adversity. As a school we were very sorry to hear of the death of Andrew Robinson, Walhampton’s final headmaster, whose good humour, expertise and Faith put so much into place from which we benefit today. His funeral in Derbyshire filled to overflowing his parish church and the memorial service held at HW attracted a further 400. We were all devastated to hear of the fatal accident that cost the life of George Matchett, a gap student at HW in 2009. George impressed young and old with his good humour, ever-changing hair and his unfailing, ‘awesome’ whenever asked to undertake any task, however mundane. It was moving to read the many tributes from former pupils on his Facebook page and to be able to send a full and heartfelt book of condolence to his parents.

On a happier note, Danny Boswell was married to Kerry this time last year and we were delighted to celebrate the birth of Olivia in April (I’ve done the maths, it’s all right). Emma Hale became Mrs Searle and Teresa Sanford (responsible for the wonderful floral displays in the Front Hall, amongst many other things) became Mrs Ansell.

Every year I am taken to task by someone, for having forgotten to mention A or B, who is understandably distraught. Last year it was the turn of the governors to feel ignored so I would like sincerely to say what a good job they do. Unpaid they give freely of their time and expertise and are steering the school through these sticky financial waters so that the future looks bright. They put a rein on many of my excesses and ensure that the pupils want for nothing in our quest for higher academic standards and first-class extra curricular provision.

The chairman though can be somewhat of a maverick with regard to developing the site as details of a recent phone call will demonstrate. We had inevitably been discussing the back drive and the number of cars along it. ‘Neil, here. I want you to build a new Ark.’ ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that…a new Ark? Like Noah’s?’ ‘Yes but this time I want it to be eye-catching, pupil pulling, put it in the marketing budget: not just two decks, I want 20.’ ’20?’ ‘Yup, 20 one on top of the other.’ Pause. ‘And filled with animals?’ ‘Yes, well sort of ….The top deck should be a library of fiction but the rest I want filled carpet to ceiling with fish.’ ‘Fish?’ ‘Yes but more specifically carp.’ ‘So, let me get this straight, you want us to build a new 20 deck ark, a library on the top deck but the rest filled from top to bottom with carp? You’re the Chairman but can I ask why?’ ‘I thought it would stop the Parents’ Liaison Committee and others moaning if we had a multi-storey carp ark’.

 Other aspects of the school that I have failed to mention this morning include the wonderful work that is done by Shelagh Nicholls and Alison Sheppard in the kitchen, all the extras that are thrust upon them going hand in hand apparently effortlessly with everything else they do. Paul Morris and Neil Crosby who keep the school looking as good as it does, ensuring the maintenance is up-to-date is no easy matter, Helen Curtis who keeps the school clean and Suzanne Wright and the office staff who keep it full, all deserve more than this cursory acknowledgement. The School Council, members of the food committees, those who have given Burrard lectures this year (Tim Farquhar, Andy Reed and Adrian Taylor) and the many that have taken part in the superb leavers’ programme, the new adventure centre that has been much enjoyed, the work that went into keeping us open whilst all around shut their doors at the first flurry of snow, our Royal Wedding celebrations (and the disappointingly cancelled Carol Service) and the revitalised Cubs and Beavers packs should all have received greater recognition. This last has been part of the activities programme which grows every year: archives, the Senate and journalism are just three that have recently joined the throng.. David Whately-Smith who has run this superb extra curricular programme for many years, takes a backseat from September and I would like to thank him for what he has done to boost this unique aspect of the school.

Many children, otherwise not mentioned this morning, deserve public recognition for what they have done out of school and for the reflected glory in which we bask. Amongst others, Ella Clark appeared in Aladdin at the Mayflower Theatre, Sebastian Wright in Fidelio at Covent Garden, Grace Marrs fenced in the British Youth Championships, Ben Sykes scored 111 for the New Forest U12s against Southeast Hampshire and Theo Seely would have won a race at the Isle of Wight scurry, if he had headed in the right direction.

It was good to see Ed and Minna Dubois on TV recently as they launched the Dubois Child Cancer Fund. It was particularly good to note that Minna was wearing her school uniform as indeed were Monty and Harley Cairnes as they hoovered and served breakfast in a recent edition of ‘Three In A Bed’.

As I finish, I realise that I have failed to thank Clive Smith-Langridge for all his work in ensuring that today is going to go smoothly and for a myriad of things over the year. I suspect that the school would survive without his efforts, but I’m not sure that I would. And of course there is Jackie who has again offered her unfailing support throughout the past twelve months. Each Founders’ Day she says that really I don’t need to thank her so this year I’m going to put that to the test.

It is on days like this that I often wonder why I became Headmaster but it was only recently that a brave nine-year-old asked me how I became one. I explained that first I attended school, then university before getting a teaching qualification. I found my first teaching job and after a year or two moved to a school where I was given a bit more responsibility. It took another move before I became a member of the Senior Management Team and finally I got the opportunity of becoming a Headmaster. ‘Is that what you want to be and why you asked?’ ‘No’ the brave young man replied. ‘The other day I heard Daddy ask Mummy, ‘how on earth did that man become a Headmaster’ .

 If you have been, thank you for listening.

Writing, in the form of song lyrics,  also loomed large in the recent Rock’n Write, an event run jointly by the English and Music departments in conjunction with Jenny Deacon from Rock Choir (currently the subject of a television programme). The event was extremely successful and certainly inspiring as Jenny created a great atmosphere as well as capturing the enthusiasm of all age groups.

Significant savings of both money and carbon dioxide emissions have been made from a number of projects undertaken, many of which were reported in our special ‘eco edition’ of The Mercury newsletter.

HW is already rated as Bronze in the Eco-School scheme and we are working hard towards Silver and Gold.

It was quite a different sort of battle on the high seas for Hattie Rogers and her South Zone team in the Optimist class event at the RYA’s Eric Twiname Championships on Rutland Water last weekend. Hattie finished 4th, and with her team mates Millie Boyle being first and Vita Heathcote 2nd, a south zone win was secured leading to second place overall in the Championships. Well done, Hattie.

Meanwhile, during the same weekend 26 more of our HW sailors set off for the Salterns Sailing Club where all were delighted to succeed in their various training courses, achieving RYA Stage 1 up to and including RYA Stage 3.

Grace Marrs’ skill at fencing took her to the British Youth Championship where she took part in the foils final and achieved an overall finishing position of 12th which was a great result, particularly as the majority of competitors were in Year Eight. Grace’s success has put her in contention for the British Fencing National Academy and the National Youth Team, which is tremendous. On guard, Grace!

Meanwhile, William Mitchell and his pony, Merrie, were joining in the New Forest’s celebrations to commemorate a century of point-to-point racing in the area. An inauspicious start in the first part of his race didn’t appear to bode well for William until Merrie decided that he could and would do better. A burst of speed saw the pair overtaking nine other competitors and crossing the finish line in first place. Of course William is full of praise for Merrie but has also attributed his win to “Mrs Glennie’s go-faster tack cleaning and Miss Blachford’s race training”. Whichever and whoever it was (and our money’s on Merrie) William now has a very beautiful trophy and the Best Novice prize as well.

Gerard Basset: In 1985, Gerald Basset gained his first wine qualification (the French Professional Certificate of Sommelier) in Lyon.  Since then he has obtained the Master Sommelier Examination in 1989 in London, The Master of Wine in 1998 in London, gaining in the process the Bollinger Cup, as the best wine taster of the examination and the Bordeaux Wine MBA in 2007 (gaining best student and best thesis); making Gerard currently the only person in the world to hold simultaneously these three major wine qualifications. 

Gerard has also won a string of National and International Sommelier Competitions; amongst others, the UK Sommelier of the Year 1989 and 1992, the Best Sommelier for French Wines in the UK 1998 and 1992, the Best International Sommelier for French wines 1992 in Paris, the Best Sommelier of Europe 1996 in Reims.  Previously, Gerard finished three times second in the Best Sommelier of the World (taking place every three years), but more importantly, in April 2010 in Santiago de Chile, Gerard achieved his long held dream and won the Best Sommelier in the World 2010.