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ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Taking Stock
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,
Assistant HMs and Matrons
all now undertake training
programmes in, for example,
adolescent mental health,
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
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.
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:
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
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
In September, the Warden celebrated five years at Teddies.
To mark the occasion, we quizzed him on achievements to
date, changes and future plans.
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
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 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.
Read the
interview
with Matthew
Albrighton and
Dr Lucinda
Gallagher on
pages 20-21 to
find out more
Watch the latest
Dance video on
the website
www.stedwards
oxford.orgRead about
the life of a
Matron on
pages 22-24
Beth Steer, Head of Pupil Wellbeing