News

Headmaster’s Notes: The cycles of life

18th March 22

As I write these notes whilst enjoying a stunning view of Gray’s Wood from the Headmaster’s study, I am reminded that the leaves children witnessed gently falling to its forest floor throughout the beginning of this academic year now help to sustain the new life that is beginning to awaken there this spring. Despite the…

Headmaster’s Notes: Celebrating the real architects

11th March 22

In between the inspiring trips, music recitals, public speaking competitions, academic lessons, sports matches, book fairs and tea-time music concerts this week, we took time to mark International Women’s Day and chart progress made since women got the vote around a century ago – but recognising that there is still much work to do. It…

Headmaster’s News: In defence of innovation

18th February 22

We learned this week that we are increasing the presence of our Armed Forces and tanks in Estonia as part of NATO’s response to current strategic escalations. Away from these unwelcome tensions, Estonia is familiar to educationalists for more sanguine reasons and we can learn much from its success. According to the Organisation for Economic…

Headmaster’s Notes: A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities

28th January 22

Our House meetings this week were full of hopes and dreams. With this heartfelt focus on what is to come, what a joy it was to hear the aspirations of our children; our future generation with so much to look forward to. And how eloquently House leaders led insightful discourse as to what this might…

Headmaster’s Notes: Making a success of old age

21st January 22

This week the world’s oldest man, Saturnino de la Fuente García from Spain, died at the age of 112 and 341 days. We learned that he enjoyed a quiet life with his wife Antonina, whom he married in 1933. Mr García is survived by his seven daughters, 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Standing at just 4.92…

Headmaster’s Notes: Seeing the future through a different lens

14th January 22

It has been very special to see the happy faces of both new and returning pupils and staff this week. Already the children have been relishing being back in the Prince’s Mead environment, making the most of all that is on offer to them; classrooms have been awash with exciting academic lessons, rugby and hockey…

Headmaster’s Notes: A Christmas with meaning

10th December 21

The run up to Christmas within a prep school is full of sounds. There are the sounds of singing and parties, of children laughing, or sitting quietly enjoying being together – sounds that bring hope, or celebration, or joy. Prince’s Mead is no exception. Our capacity congregation at Winchester Cathedral last week was a demonstration if ever needed,…

Headmaster’s Notes: Language leaves us Spellbound

26th November 21

There is no point in pretending that English spelling is easy. But then neither is algebra, nor playing the trumpet, nor mastering tactics on the sports field. But the rewards are curiously similar: precision, communication and aesthetic satisfaction; all of which were encouraged in our Prince’s Mead annual ‘Spelling Bee’ final this week. Through healthy…

HeadMaster’s Notes: Every child is born with a talent

19th November 21

It was great to see so many of you at the Bonfire and Fireworks evening last weekend and a real privilege to come together as a community. Thank you to all those who worked so hard together, ensuring that the event ran so smoothly, especially to the PMA and our Estates team. I am also…