St Edward's Chronicle October 2016

2 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Taking Stock

What should we look out for this academic year? New £7m Music School The new Music School will be utterly brilliant. It will give us a real home for music at Teddies and will enable the Department to expand its repertoire. We will be able to offer more specialisation in instrument groups and will have an elegant new Recital Room in which to showcase our pupils’ talents. It’s a great statement about the importance of music: for the first time in decades, we will have all the space we need to grow and thrive. The NorthWall:

In September, the Warden celebrated five years at Teddies. To mark the occasion, we quizzed him on achievements to date, changes and future plans.

House Culture As part of the academic drive, we have worked hard on House culture. For our pupils to succeed, they need to have the right approach to all aspects of their life at School. Getting the right balance in House between the necessary down time and productive academic endeavour is essential and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made in this area. Pastoral Pastoral care is always high on our agenda. We receive excellent feedback on our pastoral arrangements from all quarters – but of course we can never be complacent. Housemasters, Housemistresses,

Watch the latest Dance video on the website www.stedwards oxford.org

for the School The North Wall celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. At the heart of what

is becoming a ‘cultural quarter’ on South Parade, The North Wall brings drama and creativity into the heart of the School. Our pupils have truly been able to flourish in the performing arts, not only because they

have excellent facilities in which to develop their own skills, but also because they have access to a professional theatre. Lucy Maycock’s dazzling programming brings the very best performers, writers and directors into the

Read about the life of a Matron on pages 22-24

How has St Edward’s changed since you became Warden? Academic Without question, the biggest change has been in the classroom. When I arrived, there were far too many pupils sitting in rows occasionally

Assistant HMs and Matrons all now undertake training programmes in, for example, adolescent mental health,

pupils’ day-to-day lives. Just a few weeks ago, Iqbal Khan, who recently directed Macbeth at the Globe and will shortly direct Antony and Cleopatra at the Royal

the science of the teenage brain and internet security. The role that matrons play as pastoral leaders is increasingly emphasised. Furthermore, Beth Steer has been

Read the interview

raising their hands. Classrooms at Teddies are now, in the main, dynamic and interactive. Pupils are expected to get involved, to have views – and to work with each other to share ideas and find solutions, just as they will have to when they enter the workplace. I’m very pleased

with Matthew Albrighton and Dr Lucinda Gallagher on pages 20-21 to find out more

appointed to the new role of Head of Pupil Wellbeing; Beth’s previous roles in PSHE

and as Head of the Peer Listening Programme have been amalgamated to give her a recognised platform for this important area of school life. IB Growth I’m very pleased with the growth of the IB. It is now an established part of school culture and we’re close to having equal numbers on A Level and IB courses. Both qualifications have something to offer and I’m delighted that we have been able to make a success of the Diploma – many schools have tried to run it alongside A Level only to abandon it after a few years.

with the change in academic atmosphere - there’s a real buzz; staff discuss pedagogical matters and their engagement is reflected in the classroom and in pupils’ attitudes. Boarding Our fifth girls’ House, Jubilee, opened in 2013. Setting new standards in boarding house design, Jubilee furthers our mission to create the perfect balance of boys and girls at the School. Currently 60% / 40% boys/girls, we are working towards 50/50. We look forward to celebrating 20 years of full co-education at Teddies next year.

Beth Steer, Head of Pupil Wellbeing