Headmaster's Newsletter Friday 25 October 2024
Dear Parents,
Last week I wrote about some of the NCS alumni who have had a significant impact over the centuries. This week, we were reminded about the joy of welcoming back some of our most recent alumni, when Fraser Mackenzie spoke to the boys in chapel. Fraser is still at senior school – just – and he is the most recent in a line of young-old-boys who have returned to NCS within just a few years of them leaving at the end of Year 8. I’m pleased to be able to say that, when I invite these recent alumni back, there is never any hesitation about accepting the invitation. NCS boys spend nine years here, from Reception to Year 8 – the longest they will spend at any educational institution (aside from a long PhD one day, I guess). These formative years are clearly very valuable to them. They learn a huge amount, obviously, but they also develop their characters, hone their values, explore their interests, and forge life-long friendships. Being given the opportunity to meditate on their NCS days with their successors is, I’m pleased to say, an attractive prospect.
These young-old-boys also have alarmingly good memories about some of the things that happened during their time at NCS – quite often things that might seem minor to adults who teach generation after generation, but which mean a lot to children who experience these things just once. These can be funny moments in a random lesson on a Thursday morning in the middle of Hilary 20XX, or a guest speaker or workshop, a match or tournament, a school trip, anything. They are also alarmingly good at remembering things that I’ve said in an attempt to be funny, but which go out of my mind almost as quickly as they appear. Which is a salutary lesson for us all, of course, that even seemingly minor passing things can have a major impact on the boys. If I think back to my own schooldays, I’m not sure I can remember huge swathes of the lessons, but I can remember quite a lot of comments from my teachers. Some of them make me wince as I recall them. I vividly remember one teacher giving my class an impromptu ‘sermon’ on the theme ‘You Will Not Win’. (The same teacher threatened to get his Judo-champion girlfriend to beat up some of my classmates; let’s hope he thought he was being funny.) One or two other comments are probably best not shared in writing – ask me at the gate. Voices from the past re-echo around our minds throughout our lives, so it’s incumbent on us grown-ups to do what we can to make sure they are positive voices. Which is not to suggest we are all perfect; even the best, most cheerful, teacher in the world has their grumpier moments. October weather doesn’t help. But we can try.
All of which is to say that it was great to welcome Fraser back on Wednesday, to hear his reminiscences, what NCS meant (and still means) to him, and what he is now doing to build on his prep school foundations. Young-old-boys often mention that things aren’t ever quite the same again once they’ve left NCS at the end of Year 8, and Fraser reiterated this on Wednesday. This is partly the result of going out into the big wide world, of engaging with the tedium of public exams, being a teenager in a twenty-first century adolescent maelstrom that none of us would envy, growing up towards the realities of adult responsibilities. But it’s also a reflection on the importance of their formative years here, and what a privilege it is to be part of those years.
Have a great half-term!
Matt Jenkinson
Following my newsletter last week about old old boys, a parent kindly got in touch to point out that there is a notable NCS alum who predates John Case (previously thought to be the earliest known alum of note). James Fenn (c.1540-84) attended NCS in the 1540s before studying at Corpus Christi. Refusing to swear allegiance to Elizabeth I due to his Catholicism, Fenn was tried and convicted of conspiracy and sedition, before being executed at Tyburn. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI in December 1929. Do let me know if there is anyone else out there who should be added to the school’s notable alumni list! https://www.newcollegeschool.org/wykeham-association
And while we’re in a historical mood, it was great to see so many NCS families in College on Sunday evening for the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of the birth of our founder, William of Wykeham. And then, on Wednesday, to see those who were able to join the prep school boys for the triennial Inspection of the City Walls (read more about the tradition at https://morrisoxford.co.uk/non-licet/?utm_source=Morris+Oxford&utm_campaign=e3f3f82cca-non-licet-+24-10-24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3277eafd71-e3f3f82cca-206003229). A prospective parent asked me the other day if I’m an historian. I asked if she asked because I was wearing a brown corduroy jacket. It was apparently because I was getting a bit enthusiastic about the civil war defences on the NCS site. It’s nice to have so much history about the place.
Thank you to all those who supported our charity events and cake sales this term for Kick Start Art (www.kickstartart.org). We were all impressed by how enthusiastic the pupils were about this charity. This enthusiasm was reflected again in the pupils' artworks (final submissions for the art competition are due on Wednesday, 6 November 2024). As always, the baking took centre stage, and the creative flair shown was most spectacular. Thank you to all those who assisted at home by shopping for ingredients, overseeing preparation, reminding pupils of appropriate hygiene protocols, and supervising the kitchen clean-up. A fun dodgeball match between the teachers and the Year 8 pupils was narrowly won by the boys. As a result of all these fundraising efforts this week, the boys raised £905. The winners of the cake competition will be announced when we return from half-term. Many thanks to Brett Morrison and the charity committee for all of their efforts.
It was difficult not to notice at drop-off yesterday that Thursday was our QED Day in pre-prep, on the theme of dinosaurs. The boys came in dressed in appropriate attire and enjoyed a series of dinosaur-themed activities throughout the day. My thanks to all of my colleagues in pre-prep for their extra efforts, and especially Caroline Hitchings who masterminded the day.
Next Generation Soccer Schools will be running Christmas sessions at NCS, from Monday 16 December to Friday 20 December. Sessions will run from 9.30 to 16.00 and are open to pupils of NCS in Years 3-8 and their siblings. With places limited, don’t miss your chance to secure a spot for just £45 per day. Led by Stephen Potts, along with other FA/UEFA-qualified coaches, the children will enjoy top-notch training, skill development, and plenty of holiday cheer. To register or for more information, please use the link below. You are also able to pay via the gov.uk tax free childcare accounts or childcare vouchers. https://campscui.active.com/orgs/NextGenerationSoccerSchool?season=3559242. Please note that Next General Soccer School uses NCS facilities but is an independent company run entirely separately from the school’s operations.
For those NCS parents in the process of choosing the right 13+ school for their sons, Matt Smith, the author of the Attain Independent Schools' Guide 2025 (rrp £9.99), has very generously allowed NCS parents access to the book for free. The guide empowers parents to find the right school for their child, cutting through the marketing spin and erroneous league tables. It distils 25 years of experience for parents considering an independent senior school for their child. The book has been widely-praised by Heads from across the country, describing it as 'a terrific resource', 'sage, sensible and savvy' and 'the book that parents have been waiting for'. The Attain Guide 'helps parents cut through the branding, shiny PR and glitz' and is 'really well written, entirely from the perspective of supporting parents.' Just enter the discount code NEWCOLLEGE2025 to read the ebook free-of-charge at https://attain.guide
Upcoming Events
Sunday, 3 November 2024
13.30 Years 7-8, The Tempest rehearsal, NCS (ends 16.00)
Monday, 4 November 2024
10.00 Year 2 Trip to Ashmolean 10.00-11.45a.m
14.00 Years 7-8, The Tempest rehearsal, chapel (ends 15.45)
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
14 U8 A-C Football vs Summer Fields, Home
14.30 U9 A-C Football vs Summer Fields, Away
Wednesday, 6 November 2024
9.00 Remembrance Day Service, Chapel. Speaker: Mr Jim Mainstone, former Commissioned Officer & Marine Intelligence Specialist
14.00 U13 A&D Football vs Summer Fields, Home
14.00 U13 B&C Football vs Summer Fields, Away
15.45 Years 7-8, The Tempest rehearsal, chapel (ends 16.45)
Sunday, 10 November 2024
9.00 Year 8 Only, The Tempest rehearsal, chapel (ends 11.30)
Monday, 11 November 2024
National Anti-Bullying Week begins
Switch Off Fortnight begins
9.00 Reception Vision Screening
14.00 Year 7 Only, The Tempest rehearsal, chapel (ends 15.00)
18:00 Pre-Prep Chorister Information Evening (Virtual)
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
14.30 U9 A&B Football vs Sibford, Away
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
8.15 School Council Meeting, Creative Learning Centre
9.00 Chapel. Speaker: Mr Alex Ansdell, actor and former NCS pupil
14.00 U13 House Cross Country, Uni Parks
14.30 U11 A-D Football vs Sibford and St John Priory, Home
18.00 The Tempest performance, Years 7-8, chapel (please enter via the Song Room)
Thursday, 14 November 2024
14.00 U8&9 House Cross Country, Uni Parks
18.00 The Tempest performance, Years 7-8, chapel (please enter via the Song Room)
Friday, 15 November 2024
14.00 U11 House Cross Country, Uni Parks