Headmaster’s Newsletter Summer 2013
Dear Parents,
We live in strange times: the temperature is approaching 80 degrees outside and yet it is
only 9.30 a.m.; a British player has won Wimbledon; the England Cricket team has won the
first Ashes test and the British Lions won a series! It has been another uplifting term and I
only hope that I will not wake to find that I have been dreaming! Dreams often contain
fantasies, but I am confident that it is not a delusion to say that the boys have performed
superbly in achieving their places in their senior schools, frequently with superb CE marks. I
hope that the two beautiful sports days are not figments of an addled brain and we will not
wake tomorrow to hear those fearful words: “We will have to use the reserve sports day.”
I think I speak for the whole community here if I say that I must make the departure of three
esteemed colleagues the true starting point of this newsletter. We say farewell to Chris and
Jill Howard and to Richard Burdett who have all shown profound commitment to St.
Anthony’s. They have heard a number of moving tributes from colleagues, parents and
pupils throughout the term and responded with the graceful reticence and modesty which
characterised their work here. Chris has been a loyal servant of the school for 36 years. Jill
has worked here for 15 years and Richard for 9 years. The staff farewell lunch was awash
with fond memories of what they have given and I want to thank them on your behalf for
representing what is so special about St. Anthony’s. We wish Chris and Jill happiness for
their retirement and Richard good luck for leading his new department.
Headmaster’s Newsletter Summer 2013
This year has been one of significant change; next year, will not be one of treading water.
The move of Year Four to the Senior House has been a great success as has been the
second Reception form. Last summer, we announced the move and the rebuild with some
trepidation, but we do not think it complacent if we say it has exceeded our expectations.
Year Four have an enriched curriculum and the teaching and administrative spaces have
proved much more fit for purpose. The quest to enhance the facilities continues; while there
is no major building project over the summer, there will be significant refurbishment in the
Senior and Junior Houses over the vacation. We have two beautiful and distinctive and
quirky buildings and I am lucky that the governors respond so positively to our dreams of
how we can make them even better as working and teaching spaces.
The cultural life of the school continues to stun me. The end-of-year performances were
breath-taking in terms of their daring, wit and inclusivity. Whether it was the fun of Bugsy
Malone, the ambitious singing of the Year Four Jazz Jonah and the Whale, the simple joy of
the Reception, or the quirky and moving recitations of Year 6, the boys seem to stretch
themselves while supporting each other to the delight of each audience. We had a
particularly special GAW at which the Year 8 showed their films. I am always moved by the
Year 8 Leaving Mass and then reduced to fits of laughter by the subsequent buffet where the
boys show the films they have made in their post CE phase. The films were often brilliant,
imaginative and very witty. I know the boys will want me to thank Crispin for all the work that
goes into setting up the filmmaking week. I was really proud of the way Anish and Dominic
spoke so well at that event. The Year 8 also visited the WW1 Battlefields under Brendan’s
guidance and a good number conveyed how moved they had been. We congratulated Mgr.
Rowland for his 38 years as a priest and his unstinting service to St. Anthony’s. Once again,
he touched us with his heartfelt homily, within which he recollected ministering to the soldiers
facing the terrifying perils of the Falklands War and how at such moments the enduring
truths about love of family and friends come to the fore. Equally affecting was the lovely First
Communion Mass. We owe so much to Karl, Joe and Mary for the preparation which makes
these acts of worship so rejuvenating.
The summer weather has made the school trips even more memorable. Year Four had a
great time at Mill on the Brue; Year 6 bonded well on their PGL trip and the numerous other
visits, including those to the Zoo, Chessington World of Adventure and the London
Aquarium, rounded off the term with great joie de vivre.
Headmaster’s Newsletter Summer 2013
The charity events have been very successful. The Cabaret Evening was revelatory with
parents, pupils, peripatetic music staff and our teaching staff making The Voice seem trivial
in comparison. Tina Turner came out of retirement for an evening. Wasi, Jessica, Jilly, Chris,
Karl and Crispin were superb and I think those present had a unique insight into the depths
of talent within the community here and the great tradition continuing. In addition, we had the
beautiful classical piano evening with Professor Helen Reid; she inspired the boys in her
master classes and then treated us to a moving and often witty performance in the evening.
www.stanthonysprep.org.uk/News/Helen-Reid-Masterclass During the Charity Barbecue, we
were fortunate to have Janice Miller present. She spoke of the work done by CWS/Kidasha
(where she is CEO) and this inspired more giving as we heard of the plight of so many
children. www.cwsuk.org We sadly say farewell to some stalwart members of the charity
group this year. I want to thank Antoinette, Susan, Sarah and Sue for their fantastic
contributions to so many events. Many thanks too to Catherine, Natasha and Yvonne for
guiding the charity ship so helpfully this year.
The heart of any school is in the teaching and pastoral relationships; I mentioned above the
retirement and movement of long-serving staff. We also say farewell to other deeply
respected colleagues. Kate was sadly only with us for this year in Reception; her unflappable
calm, warmth and love of her pupils were palpable to all who met her. We wish her well and
hope one day we can tempt her back! Lizzie has been a remarkable member of the SEN
team. It is unusual for one person to have such an impact in such a short time. We felt
enormously privileged to have her wisdom, albeit briefly.
The only thing which can temper the sadness of colleagues of such calibre leaving is when
providence gifts us with excellent new staff. We have been blessed! Paul Burns will already
be known to some of you. Paul was teaching in the Maths department at South Hampstead
High School and we luckily secured his services this term. As well as being a Maths teacher,
he is also a county hockey player. Richard is replaced by Law Chinodzama who joins us
from The King Fahad Academy. Law is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe and, as
well as being a keen geographer, is a sprinter of some distinction. Sally is on maternity leave
from the beginning of September. We have been very lucky to secure three excellent new
science teachers to hold the fort: Sophie Pratt is a graduate in Biochemistry from Oxford;
Headmaster’s Newsletter Summer 2013
Katie Hunter graduated at Exeter University in Biology and joins us after teaching at Queen’s
Gate School. The third member of our science trinity is Rachel Gallimore. Rachel is a
graduate of The Royal Veterinary College and teaches at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.
(Chris Howard, who was Head of Science himself for ten years, has kindly offered to be
acting Head of Science during the period while Sally is on maternity leave. He has already,
with Sally, helped induct these new colleagues. (Nobody escapes that easily Chris!))
Paul Cheetham, who is currently Head of Willington School in Wimbledon, joins us as the
newly titled Deputy Head Pastoral (Years 4-8). This post subsumes the Head of Senior
House post. Simon Detre is Senior Deputy Head and will relinquish the Head of Year Four
role and focus primarily on academic provision throughout the school. Paul is a graduate of
Loughborough where he specialised in Sports Science and English. Paul was Head of Sport
at Westminster Under School and set up the Prep department at Aldenham. In addition to
this rich background, he claims to have run a marathon in 2 hours 54 minutes!
In the Junior House Reception Department, we will be joined by Daisy Beckett and Sophie
Haines. Daisy is a graduate of Edinburgh University where she specialised in History of Art;
Sophie is a graduate of The Royal Holloway College, where she specialised in Drama and
Theatre Studies. Louise Scott will stay with us for at least another year and will teach in Year
Three. Our new SENCO is Liz Collman. Liz is a graduate of the University of Queensland
and has been a key member of the SEN team at Abingdon House.
We send Lenka and Anthony our best wishes for the birth of their second child, which is
imminent. We also wish Richard and Sally much joy as they prepare for parenthood. We also
congratulate Kate and Jake on the birth of their second daughter, Elvie.
Time is strange. Can another year have passed so quickly? Can those Year 8s really be
leaving? Can our Reception boys really have learned to be so articulate about why you must
let them watch CBeebies? The strange alchemy of schools is that mysterious equilibrium of
continuity and replenishment; of taking leave and welcoming. There is inevitable sadness in
our goodbyes and anticipated joys in our welcomes. One thing is certain, September will be
interesting.
Have a wonderful holiday and let’s continue to dream about the Ashes.