CALDICOTT NEWSLETTER: CHRISTMAS 2009
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Parents,
I hope that you are all enjoying your sons being back at home for the holidays. Christmas is a wonderful time of year especially when the ground is covered in five inches of snow, as Caldicott is at the moment. We had excellent carol services in the last week in Eton College Chapel and our beautiful little chapel.
This has been a long and successful term despite swine flu decimating the ranks of the boarders last month. I have been very pleased to read some glowing reports about your sons. There has been lots of hard work done this term and the boys are keen to succeed academically. This term the Mark Cards and the Reports have had a new grading system for academic achievement. In the absence of set or form orders, teachers are keen to inform parents how their son is performing within his group. So a D grade is a fair performance – in other words he is making reasonable progress in the set. There were very few A grades for outstanding attainment given. I know that this goes against the grain in this modern world of giving lots of children As for everything, but I hope that Caldicott parents will understand that we are being honest about boys’ attainment and helping the boys to achieve their best in their academic studies.
We have seven new boys starting at the school in January which means that we will have 256 boys. I am delighted that we are full and I want to thank so many current parents for telling their friends about Caldicott. Antonia and I are seeing more prospective parents than ever before and most of them come to us because of your recommendations. We are very grateful for this and it is very much part of the continued strength of the school. The Caldicott community is made up of lots of lovely families and there was a wonderful atmosphere at the Friends’ Christmas Party and earlier in the term at Bonfire Night. Thank you for all your support and we must ensure that the new families joining us in January feel welcomed into the school community.
Antonia and I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
Simon Doggart
TOMORROW (19th DECEMBER)
Please look on the website for information about the concert in All Saints Church in Marlow on Saturday at 6pm. Our Head of Music, James Wild, is the musical director. It is on behalf of the Child Bereavement Charity, which Caldicott and James have supported for several years. As well as guest speakers Christopher Cazenove and Daniel Casey, an a cappella quartet and a gospel choir are performing, as well as the Caldicott Chapel Choir. It sounds like an excellent way to start the Christmas season, and includes mince pies and mulled wine.
FUTURE DATES
LORD OF THE FLIES: As it had to be postponed from last term because of illness, this is now taking place on Tuesday & Wednesday, 26th/27th January. Despite this illness, the boys have continued working right until the final week this term, so it promises to be yet another excellent Caldicott production.
QUIZ NIGHT – FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY: Please see the flyer for information about this popular and fun event. The form must be returned by 22nd January.
OTHER EVENTS NEXT TERM
Saturday 16th January at 1800: Caldicott Choral Society Concert.
Wednesday 20th January at 1830: Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College, is talking to Caldicott parents about ‘The Changing World of Senior Schools.’
More details of these events were given in the previous newsletter, still available on the website (Current Parents/Weekly Newsletters).
PASSWORDS:
The passwords s will change next term, and you will be notified in the next newsletter, in January.
START OF TERM CALENDAR
Sunday, 10th January
- 1815 5th Form & Middle School boarders return
- 1845 6th Form return
- 1930 Chapel (no visitors)
Monday, 11th January
The complete Calendar will be published on the website before Christmas.
The next newsletter will be sent out in January.
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