The Quad – Summer 2025

In this Issue

SUMMER 2025

Lancing

West Sussex BN15 0RW

T +44 (0) 1273 452 213 info@lancing.org.uk

Lancing Prep Hove

The Droveway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6LU

T 01273 503 452 hove@lancing.org.uk

Lancing Prep Worthing

Broadwater Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8HU

T 01903 201 123 worthing@lancing.org.uk Foundation Office

Lancing College, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0RW

T +44 (0) 1273 465 709 foundation@lancing.org.uk

BN15 0RW

Welcome

You have heard from me many times over the last 11 years and it gives me great pleasure that – as ever – you will find this edition of The Quad packed with the rich flavours of a deliciously full term.

Like the world, the school is not a static place. It is governed by the eternal law of mutability; even within familiar patterns everything is subject to change. The student of September is not the student of June. Growth, discovery, doubt, loss, courage, learning — all of these elements wash over and through the school year like weather over a landscape.

Students live their own cycles of becoming and each season matters. Schools as a whole follow these cycles too and that applies to Head Masters just as much as to anyone else. The Founder’s Day programme included a photograph of the Chapel and there is a copy below. Taken from the landing in the Old Farmhouse in the late spring, it is the view that has greeted me each day as I walk up to the College.

The Chapel is always there. Only on the very mistiest days is it hidden and even then there is often a numinous glow shining out through the vapour. And as I look at this place I always have two thoughts. The first is about responsibility. It can feel weighty. Summarised (and sometimes I say this with a smile, and sometimes it is from the heart) it comes to this: please don’t fall down on my watch! Well, the place seems – thank goodness – still to be here.

Since I started at Lancing the school has been in the Chapel collectively for our services and assemblies over 750 times. This space is the heart of where we come together. Education, we must remember, is not about filling or completing a building, even this amazing place. It is not merely about filling minds. It is about building people — and more than that, building a people, a community, a shared future.

And that takes me to the second of those thoughts as I look up to the Chapel first thing each morning (and I have to say that this has been the absolutely dominant mode throughout my time here): what an extraordinary privilege and joy it has been to lead the remarkable place that is Lancing College. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this wonderful school. Long – long – may Lancing flourish.

DOMINIC OLIVER Head Master

THE HISTORY OF Dominic Oliver

A brief photographic retrospective of Dominic Oliver’s 11 years as Head Master of Lancing College, interspersed with statistics covering his entire tenure.

630,000 LESSONS

Over 1,000 musical performances

2015

50 FOUNDATIONERS funded by £6.5 million in raised or pledged donations

36,000 sports fixtures

2016 2017

23,000 TREES PLANTED

2.5 MILLION MEALS incl. 836,550 sausages stretching 42 miles!

6,000 MALAWI WALKERS 80,000 MILES WALKED 11 MALAWI WALKS ALMOST £150,000 RAISED

270,000 classifications 5,000 A Levels 12,000 GCSEs

Valete

A number of staff members leave us this summer, with our sincere thanks and best wishes.

Our cohort of Sports Assistants have made a tremendous contribution to the life of the College. We wish Kirsten Barrett, Ciaran Higgins and Joanna Towndrow every success in the next step of their career.

Francesca Shannon and Constance Starns joined us as Graduate Assistants in the Music Department in September 2024. We wish them well as they move to Wycombe Abbey and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

William Blencowe joined us this year as Graduate Teacher in Economics and Business Studies. He leaves us to return to a career in Finance.

Laura Thomas and Chrissie Wild, the latter as Head of Dept, both joined the Art Department in September 2024 and have brought particular expertise and pizazz in Ceramics and Photography respectively. We wish them both well as they and their families head on overseas adventures this summer.

Mark Walsh originally joined Lancing College in September 2013 as Head of Chemistry before leaving for a stint at Bradfield in 2018. He returned in January 2023 and quickly reestablished himself as a dedicated and authoritative colleague. He leaves us for Shiplake College.

Tim Grant joined us in 2021 as a Teacher of English and was swiftly promoted in 2022 to become our new Head of Sixth Form – a role in which he has shepherded a host of Sixth Formers to their next steps and been a guiding light in launching our Super Curriculum. Expert, effective, and wryly good-humoured, he will be missed by us all as he goes to new adventures in Hong Kong.

Helen Robinson joined Lancing College in September 2005; a punctilious Chemistry teacher, a generous contributor to the co-curricular, a dedicated Assistant HMM and Tutor and an expert Head of Overseas University Applications – we wish Helen a long and happy retirement.

Karen Lindfield joined Lancing College in October 1997 initially as an Art Technician and then a teacher. She became an absolutely essential part of the Art Department. She has a deep and instinctive understanding of young people (and not so young people) and real wisdom. Thank you, Karen, for your nearly 30-year dedication to Lancing.

Karen Ford joined Lancing College in 2011, initially as Shop Manager. She soon expanded her empire to the Café and for the past 8 years she has been Commercial and Retail Manager and helped the Bursar to quadruple the school’s lettings surpluses. She is very popular with pupils and staff alike and her customer service and problem-solving skills are second to none – she has a myriad of entertaining stories to tell about our summer and Easter visitors!

Kirsten, Ciaran, Joanna, Francesca, Constance, William, Laura, Chrissie, Tim, Mark, Helen, Karen and Karen – thank you, and farewell.

Heading Off

There is always a hint of sadness when bidding farewell to our Upper Sixth leavers each year. We’re sorry to see them go, but excited for the future that lies ahead. Our four Heads of School are each asked to write a message to their peers, as a foreword to the Leavers’ Book, which we’re pleased to share with you here ...

Our time at Lancing has been amazing – full of excitement, growth, and unforgettable moments – and now it’s time for this chapter to close. We’ve all come such a long way and achieved things we can truly be proud of. Saying goodbye isn’t easy, but I hope the memories we’ve made here stay with us for a long time. Thank you for being part of something so special over these last five years. I’m wishing every single one of you the very best wherever life takes you next – and I hope whenever you think of Lancing, it brings a smile.

Paddy Joyce

It is hard to believe that our time here has come to an end. From starting in the online world of COVID, to leaving now as the young adults we are today, I will be forever grateful for all the memories we have made and experiences we have shared. We have all played such a key role in each other’s Lancing story, and long may these friendships continue. I’m incredibly grateful to the wider Lancing community for its ongoing support and enthusiasm for our education, I have loved being a part of this special place and I look forward to giving back as an OL so that future students can enjoy Lancing just as much as I have. This isn’t goodbye but simply see you later.

Nerea Kries-Margaroli

Time flies when you enjoy what you do, and it wouldn’t be a lie if I said that these years at Lancing have passed by in a blink of an eye. Our year group has evolved, with people leaving and new faces joining, but the Lancing spirit has left an impact on all who have been a part of this community. Forming solid friendships, discovering own interests and confidence, as well as learning useful lessons – I consider it a privilege to have spent these four years in the walls of Lancing College, being subtly shaped by its values and culture every day. Growing up together has been an invaluable experience, and I hope to see many leavers at the numerous OL occasions yet to come. All the best in future endeavours!

Sofiia Shepetiuk

Just like that our time at school has come to an end. Although there have been ups and downs, I can certainly say all of us will look back at our time at Lancing with fond memories. I have loved every moment here, and all of you have made it so special and for that amongst many other things I want to say thank you. As we look beyond Lancing, it is going to be so strange not coming to a place a lot of us have called home for five years. I hope that everyone over the coming years can build on their time at Lancing and that we achieve all our ambitions in life.

Fin Sutcliffe

Dorset House School Welcome to the Family!

We are delighted to share that from September 2025, Dorset House Prep School will formally join the Lancing College family of schools.

At the heart of this new partnership between Lancing College and Dorset House are a shared ethos and values: supporting and inspiring children to achieve their best through excellent teaching and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Our schools provide an environment that is safe, that prioritises the development of emotional and social growth, and where opportunities to explore, lead, and grow abound. With wellknown and stunning architecture and grounds, Dorset House and Lancing College also share a deep appreciation of the natural world and a shared commitment to caring for the beautiful and historic spaces that we are fortunate to call home.

The addition of Dorset House strengthens our prep school network, sitting alongside Lancing Prep Hove and Lancing Prep Worthing, to form a unique group of three schools spreading along the coast from Brighton to Chichester and northwards into the South Downs. Dorset House provides an exceptional day and boarding education from Reception to Year 8 and is one of the oldest and most highly regarded prep schools in the country.

Each prep school will remain independent with its own identity, preparing young children for a wide range of senior schools and at the same time collaborate for the benefit of all. Where families choose to transfer to Lancing College in Year 9, there will be a new pathway enabling greater opportunities to focus on learning and leadership.

Importantly, with Dorset House as part of Lancing College, it opens up a new boarding pathway to Lancing College, offering families the chance to join the Lancing journey from an earlier stage – with new options for boarding from Year 5 in the warm and nurturing environment of Dorset House.

This next chapter builds on years of close connection between the two schools. Dorset House is already a destination school, and pupils visit the College for science, music, drama events and scholarship days, and we are excited to strengthen those ties as we move forward together.

I am delighted that the Lancing College family of schools will be joined by Dorset House. Our shared values and commitment to the care, inspiration, and individual all-round development of young children from prep school through to young adults in senior school is inspiring. This partnership will offer a wider range of families across Sussex and beyond a new and exciting choice for their children’s education.

Martin Slumbers, Chair, Lancing College

This is a very exciting time for Dorset House as we join the Lancing College family of schools. This well considered partnership will enable further growth and development for Dorset House ensuring the longterm success of the school and maintain its place as one of the outstanding prep schools in the country.

Mike Higham, Chair, Dorset House

Introducing the New Head of Dorset House: Sarah Sutherland-Booth

As Dorset House looks to the future, we are also pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Sutherland-Booth as the school’s next Head. She will take up her post in January 2026.

Sarah brings a wealth of experience to the role. Currently Senior Deputy Head at Windlesham House School, she has held a number of senior positions during her time there, including Head of Day Pupils, Head of Pre-Prep, and Curriculum Co-ordinator. She is also an experienced Independent Schools Inspector (ISI) and an Apple Distinguished Educator.

Sarah’s educational leadership has been shaped in the South East, giving her a strong understanding of the independent schools’ landscape across Sussex, Surrey and London. She brings with her a deep passion for holistic education, and a clear commitment to academic ambition, pastoral care, and innovation.

I am thrilled to be joining Dorset House as its new Head. From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt the warmth and energy that make this school so special. The pride that the children have in their school shines through, and it’s clear that the staff team not only care deeply about what they do, but genuinely love being part of the Dorset House family. To be given the honour of leading a school with such a rich history, and a strong sense of care and tradition is a privilege and an exciting prospect. Being part of the wider Lancing family brings additional exciting opportunities too. Together, we’ll continue to grow, evolve and thrive, guided by our shared values and a commitment to outstanding pastoral care, an abundance of extra-curricular opportunities and academic ambition.

Sarah Sutherland-Booth

Founder’s Day 2025

Founder’s Day is one of the most cherished events in the Lancing calendar. It’s a time for pupils, families, and staff to come together in celebration of our founder, Nathaniel Woodard, and to mark the close of another successful academic year. It is a day of joy, reflection, and gratitude: a moment to applaud our pupils’ achievements and look ahead to the future with confidence and pride.

This year’s event took place on Saturday 24 May and, although the weather kept us on our toes, the sun made several welcome appearances throughout the day as the campus came alive with activity. The Shearwood Pavilion played host to live music performed from its balcony by talented pupils and staff, who provided a perfect soundtrack to the multitude of events happening below.

Among the many attractions, pupils and staff alike soared above the Chapel on a giant swing ride, taking in stunning views of the South Downs. The ever-popular bumper cars and Ferris wheel were also a welcome addition to the festivities.

This year’s afternoon tea was a particular highlight, inspired by Shakespeare and chosen by the Head Master,

Dominic Oliver, for his final Founder’s Day. The Catering team, led by Hannah Bond, embraced the theme, delivering a creative and delicious spread for the masses of visitors.

Alongside this, Polly the vintage food truck made an appearance, as well as The Pizza Oven, which served up fresh fare to keep the crowds going throughout the day.

As always, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped bring the day to life – our staff, our pupils, and our Lancing families. Founder’s Day is a celebration of community, and this year’s event was a fitting tribute to all that we’ve accomplished over this past academic year.

Music at Founder’s Day

In order to celebrate Dominic Oliver’s tenure as Head Master of Lancing College, the Governing Body commissioned one of the country’s leading choral composers, David Bednall, to compose a new piece of music. Taking Emily Dickinson’s beautiful poem Hope is the thing with feathers, David Bednall’s rhapsodic work for choir and organ also includes a solo violin part, performed by Upper Sixth Former Grace Shearing, as well as a refrain sung by the entire school community. The new piece received its first performance at the Thanksgiving Service in Lancing College Chapel on Founder’s Day 24 May 2025.

Emilie Harlow directed this year’s Founder’s Day Ensemble made up of our wind, brass and percussionists from the

Walker Organ loft with fanfares and flourishes to bookend the prizegiving ceremony.

Music from the Shearwood Pavilion once again featured the Concert Band conducted by Fifth Former Enoch Lo playing Chariots of Fire to inspire the athletics! Other musical highlights included a superb rock band made up of Tom Cotton, Matildle Ghirardi, Harrison McDermott and Siobhan Ogden; Isaac Hussey accordion solo; A Cappella Club and a rousing set from the Big Band brought the afternoon to a close. Alexander Mason, Director of Music

Head Master’s Lecture

Dr Malcolm Johnston

On Wednesday 14 May, Dr

Malcolm Johnston, Professor of Radiology and

Medical

Education at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, visited Lancing College to give a fascinating Head Master’s Lecture entitled Music and the Brain.

Dr Johnston, also a violinist, pianist and conductor, impressed the keen audience by demonstrating his scientific understanding of music. He discussed Western classical music traditions, world music from other cultures and even Guns N’ Roses, using musical examples to support his research. Malcolm himself played snippets on the piano, Alexander Mason played an improvised piece on the organ and Eva AlShimmeri played a spell-binding performance of the second movement of Henri Casadesus’ Viola Concerto in C minor in the Style of J C Bach

Dr Johnston also expertly conducted the Lancing College Choir for their performances which included If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis and Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner. Ancient research from Pythagoras explains that musical intervals can be mathematically defined by using the ratios of a length of string to find the corresponding pitches (which is why the octave and the perfect fifth are the most commonly used intervals in this musical tradition).

Dr Johnston used modern brain imaging techniques to demonstrate to the audience what happens to our brain when we listen to different pieces of music. He showed which parts of our brain ‘light up’ when we listen to music with different levels of familiarity, showing MRI images of his own brain from recent research. Dr Johnston used his cutting-edge research to complete a well-rounded, detailed analysis of how Western

classical music has developed over time and why the 12-note chromatic scale is the basis of this tradition. Anything outside of these recognisable notes (such as microtones) sounds unusual to those brought up with this genre of music, as opposed to those from other communities who use a wider variety of frequencies. Our brains activate areas associated with auditory processing (the motor cortex and basal ganglia) when we listen to music which explains our innate desire to dance, tap our feet or nod our heads. These areas are also responsible for the way that music makes us feel. Using a live poll, Dr Johnston demonstrated that the emotional context (happy or sad) that a piece of music inspired within the audience was mostly uniform. This showed that music has decipherable elements such as tonality, rhythm, harmony and timbre that influence our emotional perception, even when a piece is completely new to the listener.

The choir closed the lecture with a spine-tingling performance of Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem, which further demonstrated the psychological power of music.

The structure of this lecture/recital combined two, seemingly opposing studies in an effective and seamless manner and Dr Johnston proved that both Science and Music are intrinsically linked.

Constance Starns, Graduate Music Assistant

Our Links with Malawi

2025 marks the 43rd year of Lancing’s connection with Malawi.

Since our very first visit in the early 1980s, Lancing College has fostered a long-standing partnership with Malawi, supporting a range of initiatives that include our ongoing work with Open Arms Malawi. Our involvement has not only helped provide vital care and education for vulnerable children and families, but has also offered Lancing pupils transformative experiences that broaden their worldview and aim to inspire a lifelong commitment to helping those in need. The first visit to Open Arms Malawi took place during the College’s 10th expedition to the country in 2002, led by Mr Matt Smith, who continues to lead our expeditions today. In 2012, our support expanded further when the College began fundraising for the education of Aubrey, Wilson, Norman and Moses from Rose’s House. These young boys have since become part of the extended Lancing community, and we are very proud to continue supporting them on their journey.

Recently, Harry Simpson (Head’s 2019–2024) – below left – took on a fundraising challenge in support of Open Arms Malawi, completing a half marathon and raising an outstanding £810. Despite a few training setbacks due to injury, he completed the race in a time of 1 hour and 55 minutes – well done Harry! In a message to Mr Smith, Harry expressed his appreciation for the encouragement and generosity of staff members including Mr Harman, Miss Airey, and Mr Bird, whose support made a meaningful difference to his efforts.

We are also thrilled to share news from our collaboration with another longstanding partner, Care in Action.

We are delighted and very proud that the first two Malawian students sponsored through our partnership with the charity have recently graduated. Promise (below right) is now a fully qualified nurse, whilst Veronica (below centre) has graduated with a BSc in Forestry and Environmental Management. Their education fees and supplies have been met by funds raised by the pupils, parents and staff of the Lancing College community on the annual sponsored Malawi Walk. We extend our warmest congratulations to them both and wish them every success as they begin their professional careers.

Dear Jasmine, Lancing College and Care in Action,

I, Promise Matope, would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything you have done for me. I am a full nurse because of your help and I can’t take this for granted. I am a product of Care in Action / Lancing College and for this am grateful and will always be grateful. I pray this project continues so others can benefit like I did.

Promise Matope, Registered Nurse

Lancing College remains deeply committed to our work in Malawi. These stories of partnership, perseverance and progress reflect the values at the heart of our community: compassion, service, and a belief in the power of education to change lives.

To make a donation to support our ongoing work in Malawi, please scan the QR code:

Swimming Pool

What’s Next?

Following the recent announcement regarding the temporary closure of our Swimming Pool – expected to last up to seven months for essential maintenance and upgrades – many have been asking: what’s the plan?

A New Era for Our Pool

The good news is that this project will significantly extend the life of our pool for many years to come. Even better, the renovation will include more aesthetic and functional improvements than initially anticipated. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026 to a revitalised and upgraded swimming facility!

Continuing Swimming for Pupils

As a school committed to delivering high-quality swimming experiences for our pupils, we are actively planning for the continuity of our senior swim programme during the closure. We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from local schools and community pools offering their assistance. Final arrangements are being made, and we will update everyone as soon as next term’s swim plan is confirmed.

Lancing College Swimming Club: Still in Motion

For nearly six years, the Lancing College Swimming Club has nurtured young athletes from both our Senior and Prep schools – alongside non-pupils – through a shared pathway to competitive swimming success. With our swimmers aiming for strong performances at this year’s national competitions, maintaining consistent training is essential. We are making arrangements to continue club sessions at nearby pools, ensuring that development and competition schedules proceed uninterrupted.

Public and School Swimming Lessons

For our valued community members who attend lessons through the Lancing College Swim School or have children attending sessions we put on throughout the year for local schools in the area, we recognise the temporary disruption this closure will cause. Unfortunately, relocating these lessons during the closure is not feasible, as most pools already operate their own swim schools, which can present logistical challenges and conflicts of interest. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to resuming lessons with renewed energy and facilities once we reopen.

Looking Ahead

There’s no doubt the upcoming improvements are crucial – not just to the pool’s infrastructure, but to the overall experience we offer to pupils, families, staff and the wider community. The upgraded facility will allow us to expand both our school swimming programme and the Lancing Swim School and Club, further strengthening our commitment to community engagement and excellence in aquatics.

Many have expressed their sadness at the temporary closure, but also shared kind words about the beauty and uniqueness of our pool and its surroundings. Rest assured, this is not the end, but an exciting new beginning. When the pool reopens, it will be in better condition than ever, ready to serve generations of swimmers to come.

Karen Woolliscroft, Head of Swimming

House Debating Competition: May the best Teme win

After watching last year’s thrilling House Debating Competition, I was inspired to participate this year. I was joined by Lucien Sorgendal and Oscar Belgeonne for our first debate representing Teme House, which proved to be a challenging start.

We were arguing for a four-day school week, which proved popular among the audience for some reason, and Gibbs’ put up a strong defence, but ultimately we were able to secure our first victory.

Nerves were high as it was everyone’s first encounter with debating, and we discovered where our strengths and weaknesses were. After our first victory, we realised that we might have a chance of winning and changed gears and started chasing our next triumph. Our next opponents were the formidable Saints’ House. For this debate I was joined by Christian Scott, who was also debating for the first time, and the experienced Hilmi Mohammed who participated last year.

It was a lively and cutthroat debate, with Saints’ proposing an age limit for national office holders. There was a lot of back and forth about the merits and abilities of our seniors, but Teme was able to win the floor vote, as well as the judges’ vote and move forward to the final of the competition. None of us thought we would be in the chairs for the final, and the pressure was on, as Teme had never made it this far before and the whole House was yearning for that first victory. With mocks coming up, a DT project to submit and a debate to prepare, it was undoubtedly the most intense week I have experienced at the College.

For our final debate I was joined once again by Oscar and Hilmi. After days of preparation, it was the final fateful Thursday

night in the Sanderson Room, opposing the motion: This House would abolish the monarchy. The room was packed with an audience expecting greatness, but could we deliver? Watching Handford, two-time runners up and more motivated than ever, deliver their opening arguments, I sat listening attentively, as the realisation of the herculean task ahead set in. A beaming Mr Atkinson watched as we each delivered our speeches, and picked apart each other’s arguments, seeking to gain an advantage. Once we were done, I breathed a sigh of relief; it was over, but had it been enough?

The judges disappeared into conclave while we sat nervously waiting. After what felt like an interminable length of time, they reappeared. The Head Master took the floor and we all held our collective breath, until we heard the momentous words: ‘the winner is Teme’. A jubilant wave of excitement swept our Housemaster’s face. For the first time, the House Debating shield would find a home in the Teme House trophy cabinet.

House Debating was an excellent experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed trying something new. Collaborating with others in my House helped strengthen my teamwork and collaboration skills. The competition presented an interesting intellectual challenge and, despite the nerves, I found it incredibly worthwhile.

Sebastian Khan Hummel,

Upper Sixth

It IS Rocket Science!

Back in early September, I began an incredible journey with five other students: Rio Lai, Mingli Jin, Eddie Atkins, Ronit Suchak and Amaan Iqbal. Together, we participated in the UK CanSat competition, run by the European Space Agency.

We formed a team called Lancing SkyLink.

The entire idea of the competition was to build a fully functional satellite the size of a drinks can, which would be launched into the atmosphere to complete scientific missions. We were up against over 300 teams from across the country.

Our overall mission was to turn our CanSat into a probe that could map atmospheric conditions over a wide area similar to the conditions on another planet or in extreme environments. The key part was transmitting that data live through two-way communication, both between the satellite and the ground, and potentially with other satellites, hence the name Lancing SkyLink.

We decided that our primary mission would be to measure pressure, altitude, temperature and light intensity and store that data on an onboard SD card just in case the transmission failed. We also set out multiple secondary missions: to get live video from the satellite, to send the atmospheric data live to our ground station, and to be able to send commands back to the satellite such as triggering a buzzer so we could find it after it landed and deploying stabilising fins to keep the camera footage steady.

After months of working through many different designs, breadboarding circuits, pages upon pages of coding, and staying up way too late on many occasions, we had our first successful regional launch on 4 March (featured in the Lent issue of The Quad). After that launch, we went through the data and made several improvements. We tested and improved the antenna system, added a fallback system (that automatically triggered the fins and buzzer if the signal was lost), and we included a light sensor (LDR) to log brightness levels during descent. We also added RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) data to get a clearer picture of the transmission quality during flight.

Not long after the regional launches, we found out that our team had been selected to attend the national final, which meant we were now in the top nine teams in the country.

On 30 April, we arrived early in the morning at an ex-military airfield just outside York. The launch was set for midday, so we used the morning to double-check all of our systems and do some last-minute soldering. At 12pm, we headed down to the launch site and started streaming our video feed, along with

our live commentary, on Twitch. Once the CanSat launched, we received a decent stream of data up to about 50 metres before we lost connection. The rocket carried the satellite more than 300 metres into the air, and the parachute and fins deployed exactly as planned when it got released from the rocket. The satellite came down at around 15 m/s, but luckily our carbon fibre casing absorbed the impact perfectly.

We recovered the satellite and brought it back to base camp to check the SD card data. To our surprise, everything on board had worked almost exactly as intended. Even though we’d lost transmission mid-flight, our automatic fallback system had successfully triggered both the fins and the buzzer. The only real issue was with the video feed. It looked like another team’s device had interfered on the same frequency, which affected the quality. Still, we were really pleased with how it all went. That evening, we stayed up finishing our PowerPoint, ready to present it the next day.

On 1 May, we spent most of the day back at the STEM centre preparing for our final presentation. Part of the judging criteria was how well we could explain our project to a panel of

experts, alongside some of the other finalists. Our presentation actually went really well. We also had the chance to watch some of the other teams’ work, which was super impressive. Later that afternoon, the winners were announced. While we didn’t come first, we were honestly just proud of what we’d achieved and how far we’d come. That evening we drove home, arriving back at around 11pm – just in time to sleep a few hours before most of us had A Level mocks the next day. Looking back, the whole project taught me so much –not just about programming, electronics and engineering, but also about teamwork, presenting under pressure, time management, and how to adapt when things don’t go as planned. The CanSat journey was hands down one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I think I clocked up well over 100 hours on it in total. From building our first breadboard in Mr Collins’ lab to watching our CanSat shoot into the sky at the national final, every part of it was unforgettable. I’m honestly really grateful I got to be part of it, and I’m excited to see where all these skills take us next.

Isaac Leigh, Lower Sixth

The Importance of Languages at Lancing

Knowledge and the ability to speak a foreign language are powers which open many doors and make you a unique learner. Whether for academic, professional, or personal reasons, learning a new language offers profound and lasting benefits.

A Gateway to Cognitive Excellence

Scientific research has consistently shown that learning a foreign language enhances cognitive function. Students who study Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) often exhibit improved memory, sharper problem-solving skills, and heightened critical thinking abilities. Language learners develop enhanced concentration and the ability to multitask effectively. They are better at switching between competing tasks and monitoring changes in their environment, which results in increased mental agility. Moreover, bilingual and multilingual individuals display greater creativity and flexibility—qualities that are invaluable in both academic and real-world settings.

A Bridge to Cultural Understanding

Language is the most direct and intimate connection to another culture. Being able to communicate in a different language provides insight into the traditions, values, religions, and arts of the people who speak it. This cultural awareness fosters empathy, tolerance, and a deeper appreciation for diversity. Children who study foreign languages have been shown to express more positive attitudes and openness toward other cultures—an essential quality in our global society.

Personal and Academic Enrichment

Learning a foreign language also enhances a student’s understanding of their own language. It promotes a deeper awareness of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, leading to improved literacy and communication skills in their native tongue. This metalinguistic awareness can have a positive impact on reading comprehension and writing ability.

A Competitive Edge in the Global Job Market

In the professional realm, multilingual individuals often have a significant edge. As companies expand across borders, the demand for employees who can speak multiple languages continues to grow. Fluency in a foreign language makes a candidate more attractive to employers and opens the door to international career opportunities. Whether in business, diplomacy, tourism, or humanitarian work, language skills can be the key to advancement and success.

Exploring the World Beyond the Tourist Bubble

Travellers who speak the local language can move beyond the surface of a destination, engaging with local people and experiencing the culture more authentically. Instead of remaining within the confines of the “tourist bubble,” language learners can connect with others on a human level, gaining insights and forming meaningful relationships that would otherwise be out of reach.

Opportunities for Study and Work Abroad

Fluency in a second language unlocks numerous opportunities for studying or working abroad. Many universities and institutions offer programmes and scholarships specifically for bilingual or multilingual students. These experiences not only enrich one’s education and career but also broaden horizons and foster global citizenship.

Sergei Drozdov, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Celebrating 7 Years of Language Learning at the College

This year marks a special milestone as we celebrate seven years of Prep School language teaching here at the College. We are especially proud to recognise our very first cohort of Upper Sixth students – Nerea Kries-Margaroli, Isabelle Klosowski, and Bragnae Nannig Wallace – who began their Spanish journey with us back in Year 7 at our Hove and Worthing Prep Schools. Their enthusiasm for the Spanish language has been unwavering, even during the challenges of remote learning throughout the COVID pandemic. Their dedication and passion have been truly inspiring. We are thrilled that all three have chosen to pursue Spanish at A Level, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to grow in their language studies beyond the College.

gracias y enhorabuena!

When at prep school, I always looked forward to coming up to Lancing College for our weekly Spanish lessons! Spanish was a new language for me but quickly became one of my favourite subjects, particularly because of the kindness and enthusiasm of the teachers!

Isabelle Klosowski, Upper Sixth

Ms Maria Maza Amodeo (Spanish Assistant), Ms Simone Macke-Wilson (German Assistant)

Mr Sergei Drozdov (Head of Department; German, Russian, Spanish), Ms Linda Carniel (French Assistant)

Ms Maria Espiga (Head of Spanish; Spanish), Mr Chris Pownall (Teacher of French, Russian)

Ms Charlotte Stockel (Teacher of German; EAL), Ms Delia Alarcon (Teacher of Spanish),

Mr Kada Faida (Teacher of French, Spanish) Ms Xiaojuan Huang (Teacher of Chinese),

Ms Laura Fryer (Assistant Head of Languages; Head of French; French, Spanish)

Modern Languages taught at the College French, German and Spanish are taught as part of the curriculum; Mandarin and Russian are offered as co-curricular options ab initio for students with little or no experience of the language. We have a fantastic team of dedicated language specialists in the department, representing seven different nationalities: English, German, Russian, Spanish, French, Mexican and Chinese!

Deutschland in Lancing? Ja, bitte!

On Tuesday 25 March, the Megarry Room was transformed into a vibrant celebration of German culture. The room was adorned with the striking colours of the German flag and various German artifacts, creating an authentic and festive atmosphere.

Around 50 German students across all year groups got into the spirit by dressing in the colours of the German flag, as did Herr Drozdov, who was head to toe in red, black and yellow. Frau Stockel and Frau Macke-Wilson, dressed in traditional German Dirndl dresses, brought an extra touch of festivity.

The culinary offerings featured a delectable selection of traditional German foods. Students tucked into a variety of sausages, tangy Sauerkraut, Schnitzel and for dessert, Apfelstrudel and the leckere Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. The food was a great way to experience German culture through its cuisine, and nobody went home hungry!

Adding to the fun, a German quiz tested the students’ general knowledge, sparking friendly competition and learning. There was singing and dancing, with everyone joining in the lively polonaise, a traditional dance (just like the ‘conga’) that brought smiles and laughter all around. To round off the evening, the students were challenged to recreate the viral tongue-twister hit Barbaras Rhabarberbar that took over Tik Tok last year.

Herr Drozdov, Frau Stockel and Frau Macke-Wilson hoped that this evening would inspire students to enjoy all things German outside of the normal classroom setting. Judging by the pupils’ feedback, it certainly seems to have reached that goal!

The Deutsches Fest was an exciting opportunity for everyone. I loved the food and it made me feel like I was truly in Germany!

Xander Graham, Fourth Form

The Geography Games

This year’s Geography Department competition was to design a board game that teaches some Geography as you play it. We had a large number of fantastically creative entries from across the College and the prep schools. I am pleased to announce the winners. Three games were highly commended:

Climate Change Cluedo by Grace Crowther (Third Form): this was a new version of the popular problem-solving challenge – was it Greta Thunberg in Antarctica with the plastic bottle?

But the overall winner was Geopoly by Isla Kerney-Hayes (Third Form): This beautifully made game saw a twist on monopoly – with the stops being different countries grouped by levels of wealth, as well as ‘fairtrade’, wonders of the world and ‘oil tax’ stops as well as Chance and Community Chest cards. All information cards and pieces were wellresearched and handmade.

The Country Game by Ben Bauer (Third Form): roll the dice to move around the board answering geographical questions at each stop.

Mountain Geography game by Seth Harvey (Third Form): roll the dice to ascend a mountain – but watch out for the hazards along the way. Who will get to the top first?

Lancing Geographer

The Lancing Geographer is a journal of original articles produced by Sixth Form students at Lancing College. Each year a dedicated team of volunteer editors from the Lower Sixth Geography A Level classes put the issue together.

Starting in January with a summer publication date, they plan, write, commission and edit a range of original articles from themselves and their peers.

This year’s edition has articles about the complex religious geographies of Nigeria, challenges of mountaineering on K2, different media coverage of two concurrent natural disasters, the challenges of living on a paradise island and the geographies of the Gothic genre. It also contains two interviews, one with a student who used the College travel award money to finance a learning trip to France and another with a student who visited Nigeria’s Makoko settlement to see if her experience matched what is said in the textbook.

There are also some articles based on recent A Level projects from students in the Upper Sixth. These include beach sediment analysis in Shoreham-by-Sea, and a comparison of two tourism sites in Japan.

The high quality of the annual publication shows the dedication and enthusiasm of Lancing’s Sixth Form students. They choose to go beyond the taught course and explore geography that really interests them. The Lancing Geographer is a testament to their endeavours, and the team of editors was well deserving of their Head Master’s commendation.

Dr Richard Bustin, Head of Geography

Meaningful Work Encounters: A Key Part of the My Future Careers Programme

Research published by the Careers and Enterprise Company highlights the significant impact that both the number and quality of employer encounters have on student outcomes.

These interactions have been shown to enhance decisionmaking, employability skills, and academic performance. The research also emphasises the importance of authenticity –students are more likely to benefit when speakers are relatable, and the interaction is perceived as meaningful and engaging. This aligns closely with the Gatsby Good Careers Framework, which identifies ‘Encounters with employers and employees’ as a key benchmark for a high-quality careers programme.

Third Form Careers Fair

This was the second year of running this event in the format of a structured milk-round. Eighteen career professionals set up in the Sanderson room with tables (and props).

The event was ‘structured’ in that students had undertaken preparation for the Fair, completing a selfassessment and initial career ideas workbook. This enabled them to focus on different guests in the Sanderson Room and to have meaningful conversations. The workbook and guest profiles were shared with parents to facilitate discussions at home. After the event 76% reported that they had spoken to 5–10 experts.

Alongside the Fair, students spent time in the morning looking at CVs and understanding the career journeys of past students in a session entitled Where are they now Following the Fair, pupils completed their workbooks identifying their favourite expert and considering actions they might do next; increasing volunteering, getting involved in specific activities at school and doing research into careers that interested them.

At Lancing, this approach is central to our My Future Programme. We are enormously grateful to the 42 OLs and parents who have generously contributed their time and expertise this term. Beyond our Careers Fairs, pupils also benefit from subject-based insights, academic clubs, trips, visits to employers, and inspiring talks from visiting professionals – all helping to bring career pathways to life.

The Marketing and PR representative answered all my questions in great detail.”

“The investment banker was fascinating – everything was explained so clearly.”

“Speaking with people from a variety of careers really opened my eyes to different job paths.”

“Cybersecurity caught my attention – I’d never heard of that career before, and he stops hackers!”

“The media and journalism talk was intriguing, especially learning about the many aspects of the role.”

“The property lawyer’s projects were especially interesting to hear about.”

“The medicine panel showed how many unique jobs exist in the medical field.”

“The doctor made Biology and Chemistry come alive, and her detailed insights made me even more curious.”

Fourth Form Careers Week

This event was developed to enable students to have dedicated time with expert guests as they prepare to visit universities over the summer and commence their UCAS preparation.

Detailed biographies were provided, and students chose three experts to meet on a one to one/three basis. Students found these conversations really valuable and, in many instances, these also included wider employability advice.

During Careers Week every member of the Fourth Form receives one lesson per subject dedicated to careers relating to that subject. Over the course of the week/ fortnight students receive presentations across Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics (RPE) plus their three or four optional subjects.

Lower Sixth Speedy Careers

I am very interested in doing an apprenticeship degree and he helped me immensely in how they work and how to find one.“

“They talked very passionately and knowledgably on the subject that they studied and really opened my eyes on many different things that I should consider.“

“He proved that experience is really important, and he managed to work his way up the ranks.“

“Gave helpful advice on LinkedIn which I know will be useful in the future.”

“I really liked the way he explained his profession and I could see his passion for it.“

“He answered all my questions with enthusiasm. His career seemed really interesting, and I might consider doing something similar. “

“They gave me really good advice. In terms of life at university, what I want to study (what makes good portfolio etc).”

“Easy to talk to, answered all my questions, was interested in what I want to do.”

“Great life advice as well as career and university advice.”

CERN Physics Trip 2025

In May 2025, ten of the Lower Sixth Physics students went to CERN in Geneva with Mr Collins and Miss Hopkinson. The trip was action packed, fun and has had an incredibly profound impact on us all.

On 27 May, we took an early flight to Geneva. As someone who has never been to Switzerland, I was completely struck by the stunning landscape. The city is surrounded by great mountains, including the famous Mont Blanc which was still snowcapped. After we arrived, we walked around Lake Geneva and arrived at Du Rhone Chocolatier. We were given a presentation about the intricate process of making chocolate, followed by numerous samples from the shop ranging from luxury hot chocolate to eating cocoa beans. The day concluded with an intense game of bowling and pizza, which, much to Mr Collins’ dismay, I won!

Wednesday – for me – was my favourite day: the day we visited CERN. We set off early from our accommodation and arrived at the CERN visitor centre. At the centre there were numerous interactive displays, such as my personal favourite, building your own star, and also the opportunity to become an electron undergoing diffraction. We then attended the proton express talk, where we witnessed incredible experiments such as a train defying gravity through the use of cryogenic liquids. We also saw how magnetic fields can powerfully affect

the images on old TV, creating completely black parts in an image, which I thought was incredibly cool! After a tasty lunch of burger and chips in the Big Bang Café, we headed to our tour of CERN. We first travelled across the Swiss-French border to reach the testing centre. Our tour guide explained to us how the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) worked and showed us models of the strong magnets that bend and direct the beam of protons around the 27km track. One fact that has stuck in my mind is that the protons travel incredibly fast, going around the circular track up to 11,000 times a second! It was fascinating to see some scientists working at CERN, who were receiving figures from the LHC in real time. The day concluded with a fun evening at the Edelweiss restaurant, listening to the accordion whilst indulging in cheese fondue. It was a privilege to be able to see the CERN facility! Thank you to our tour guide who made the experience so rewarding.

On our final day at Geneva we visited the Red Cross Museum, learning more about how this incredibly important organisation reconnects loved ones in times of war. It was very moving to see letters written by those at war to their

loved ones, which the Red Cross had helped to send to their families. We also saw images and artefacts from the Holocaust, and discovered how these precious items shaped the lives of those living in concentration camps. I found it incredibly interesting, as a musician myself, to learn how music was a prominent feature in the camps, helping to create a sense of community and, perhaps, a glimmer of hope and release in the most awful of circumstances. My favourite part of the museum was the team game in which, as a CERN 2025 group, we worked collaboratively to save as many people as possible from a flood on an island. On our final attempt we managed to save everyone, which I think beats last year’s record! After a delicious Italian meal we took a boat cruise around Lake Geneva, admiring the views of this beautiful city.

I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to go to Geneva; it has inspired me to look into future careers involving particle physics. Thank you to all my friends and teachers who made this trip an unforgettable experience.

Harriet Brookfield Lower Sixth

Go Westminster

On 9 June, the Lower Sixth Politics students had the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament.

We began our trip by coming across fitness coach Joe Wicks at Victoria Tower Gardens, and a few students were able to get snaps with him. We were then given a guided tour of the building, entering at Westminster Hall, exploring Central Lobby and sitting in the viewing gallery of both the Commons and the Lords. We learned about the deep-rooted history of the Westminster Parliament, the traditions of British democracy and the evolution of how government was run from the Tudor times to present day. We saw a variety of politicians during our tour, including Michael Gove, Kemi Badenoch and some students were even fortunate enough to meet Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey!

A highlight of our visit was sitting in and listening to live debates from both Houses. In the House of Commons, MPs asked questions about Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Angela Rayner being the most senior figure present. In the House of Lords, the Peers discussed the current

conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It was intriguing listening to different arguments or viewpoints of MPs and Peers during the debates.

Our day ended with a policy-making workshop and a visit from the school’s constituency MP Tom Rutland. Mr Rutland took in various questions from us, spanning from queries about Labour policies to Mr Rutland’s journey of becoming a politician.

This experience was enlightening because it made politics feel more real and relevant. We returned to school with a greater understanding of how the government runs and a greater appreciation of the history of this country.

‘The experience gave everybody a tremendous opportunity to see both chambers in action, and that included politicians from Angela Rayner, Michael Gove, Kemi Badenoch to speaking to Ed Davey,’ said Mr. Drummond.

James Carroll, Lower Sixth

Historians head into Battle

In support of their Anglo-Norman studies, on a sunny afternoon in the penultimate week of term, the Lower Sixth Medievalists visited Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings and subsequent abbey.

The Abbey rose to prominence during the eleventh century, founded by William I to atone for the bloodshed caused by the clash between the Norman and Saxon armies in October 1066. We walked the battlefield, explored the Abbey ruins and found the ‘Harold stone’ marking the place where King Harold is believed to have been slain in the Battle of Hastings and where the original altar was placed.

Deborah Sellers, Teacher of History

Cricket & Netball 2025 Tour to Barbados

The 2025 Lancing Cricket Club Tour to Barbados took place during the first week of the Easter break.

A development squad of 15 cricketers ranging from Third Form to Upper Sixth Formers travelled to the sunny Caribbean seas for a week of cricket against a mixture of club and school sides, interspersed with a day where we joined the College netball team on a catamaran trip around the island coastline and swam with turtles, rays and a plethora of other smaller sea life. All the games were played in excellent spirits and every member of the squad acquitted themselves with honour. As a neutral observer it was amazing to watch how each and every member of the squad grew during the week and adapted to the very alien conditions on offer compared to the wet green conditions typical of the UK in April. This was in no small part due to the challenging and disciplined approach of the Lancing

Director of Cricket Mr Raj Maru who demanded and got the best out of each player. Of the five games the team won three, narrowly lost one and were convincingly beaten in the first of two T20 games against Jofra Archer’s former school side. Although this was a development squad no fewer than nine of the team have already represented the College First XI boys’ or girls’ team. This was a wonderful tour with so many happy memories including the times spent with players, coaches and spectators from the local teams.

Thank you Mr Maru for organising it for us!

Dr Adrian Robinson, Gibbs’ Housemaster

Barbados 2025 – what a trip to remember! From the moment we landed, it was clear we were going to have a great time!

Against all odds – including one injury on day one, and more than a few of us suffering from the heat - we came out on top, winning all four of our matches.

Each morning began with training sessions that were, in one word: “intense”. Well ... at least at the start. Let’s just say they got a little bit shorter each day from the heat, and by the end, we were mostly just playing volleyball or going in the sea. Still, they got us training!

On court we all tried different positions and got to experience a variety of netball courts, which were quite different from what we were used to in the UK. It was so much fun, especially, as a bonus; we got sweets and crisps for motivation at half time. Along the way we met some of the kindest people – one club even gifted us all souvenirs.

And of course, how could we not mention the man who witnessed our evening bus concerts: our amazing driver, Julian. Thank you for putting up with us!

The catamaran trip was a highlight – some of us even got to see stingrays and turtles.

Dinner each evening gave us the chance to try new places and foods ... but we all agree, please don’t ever make us do karaoke again!

Lastly, and most importantly, a huge thank you to Ms Edwards and Miss Bierton. You made this trip one to remember. From organising the matches to making sure we were always happy and smiling – we are so grateful.

Barbados 2025, a standout memory.

Amelia Gilchrist, Fifth Form

Pre-season Tennis in Cyprus

On Friday 28 March, a group of 22 students and four staff members departed the College at 04:00, heading to Gatwick Airport for a flight to Paphos, Cyprus. This marked the beginning of a five-day pre-season tennis tour.

The students, ranging from Third Form to Upper Sixth, included both seasoned team players and those newer to the game. Accompanying us were three LTA qualified coaches, all of whom have previously worked with students at Lancing as part of our Serviceline tennis team.

Upon arriving in Paphos, we were collected by two minibuses that transported us to our accommodation at the five-star Aphrodite Hills Resort. We were immediately impressed by our luxurious apartments and private swimming pool, all located next door to one another. After unpacking and enjoying lunch at the golf clubhouse, we changed and prepared for our first training session from 17.00–19.00. The students were divided into two groups, each assigned a coach for the week.

Every morning, we gathered for breakfast at the golf clubhouse, overlooking the pitching green and driving range. Alongside pastries, fruit, and meat platters, we had a choice of full English breakfast, Cypriot cooked breakfast, pancakes, healthy yogurt and granola bowls, or omelettes, which set us up perfectly for the day ahead. By 09.30, we were on court for group fitness before tennis and continued until about 12.30 when we broke for lunch.

Afternoons provided a few hours for rest and relaxation, often involving a quick dip in the pool or a visit to the ice cream parlour. We resumed training at 14.30, focusing on tactical drills and match play for another two hours. By 17.00, we were free to stay on the courts at the tennis academy, book a padel court, swim in the apartment pool, or even practice at the driving range next to the tennis academy.

We dined at different restaurants each evening. Highlights included Anoi, an American-style sports bar with the best burgers and calamari, Zimi Trattoria, an Italian restaurant that treated our group to a tasting menu featuring an assortment of salads, pizzas, fresh pasta, and traditional homemade Italian dishes, and another favourite was Fig & Olive in the main hotel, offering a buffet-style dinner and dessert which did not disappoint.

On our penultimate day of training, we were split into two teams for a Davis Cup/Billie Jean King Cup-style tournament: Team Bullen vs Team Sunderland. Everyone played multiple singles and doubles matches, with each point contributing to their team’s score. This was a fantastic opportunity to play

competitive matches and support one another. In the evening, after dinner, the coaches held a prizegiving ceremony, announcing Team Sunderland as the winners and awarding several individual prizes to players.

On our final day before flying back to London, we squeezed in a final two hours of training before showering and preparing to depart the resort at 12.30.

Overall, the trip was a resounding success. The standard of tennis improved day by day, and the work ethic of players was top-notch throughout. We thoroughly look forward to returning to Cyprus and Aphrodite Hills in 2027 for our fifth biennial tour.

Siobhan Airey, Head of Tennis

This Easter, I had the incredible opportunity to train at the Aphrodite Hill resort in Cyprus to enhance my tennis skills. Thanks to the expert coaching and a thrilling tournament between Team Bullen and Team Sunderland, we all had the chance to refine our abilities while enjoying the company of tennis players from all year groups. It was an unforgettable experience, creating lasting memories before the end of my time at Lancing.

Hayley Tsao, Upper Sixth

What happens in Vegas ...

A key aim of geography education at Lancing College is to broaden the horizon of students by exposing them to unique places around the world.

Each year an international field trip is offered to those studying geography, and recent years have seen trips to Iceland and Morocco. This year the Geography Department led a trip to the South West of the USA, with an opportunity to study geological wonders, assess the sustainability of major cities, understand the perspective of indigenous native Americans and learn about the plight of homeless communities. Travelling through three States – Nevada, Utah and Arizona – students had the chance to experience authentic USA.

The adventure began in Las Vegas, and saw the team visit Lake Mead, formed by the building of the Hoover Dam. In the visitor centre students spoke with the rangers who explained how the Colorado river was dammed to create a water supply for Las Vegas but with the challenges of climate change and population increases in the city, water levels have been dropping over recent decades creating real challenges for water sustainability. In the afternoon, students travelled part of the famous Route 66 before arriving in Flagstaff.

The next day, pupils explored one of the natural wonders of the world: The Grand Canyon. Carved out by the Colorado river, the team walked in the hot morning sun along a section of the southern rim. Here we learnt about the nature of the geology, stages in its formation and likely future of the landscape. The team were pleased to escape the heat in the hottest part of the day by watching an IMAX theatre show about the discovery and history of the Canyon.

The following day saw the team visiting another site of awesome natural beauty. Horseshoe bend has been carved out by the Colorado River and is a picturesque meander set deep into a canyon. Our journey continued, essentially following the Colorado River further inland and in the afternoon we came across the other large dam on the river: the Glen Canyon Dam, holding back Lake Powell. The visitor centre had an interactive museum which told the story of the Dam and its importance for hydroelectric power generation and water supply for the region.

I didn’t realise that level of structure of the Grand Canyon could be formed by water and freeze/thaw weathering on such a massive scale.

Ben Bauer, Third Form

I found it interesting to get an insight into the sustainability of the Venetian Hotel. It was an honour to meet the Head of Sustainability, and I learnt a lot about real world geography.

Christian Watkins, Lower Sixth

I really enjoyed visiting places that I had only ever heard about online, like the Grand Canyon.

Joshua Hu, Fourth Form

Sunset over Bryce Canyon was unforgettable, and the following day’s hike among its towering rock formations –complete with curious chipmunks – offered a memorable lesson in erosional and weathering processes.

The next stop was Zion National Park, and yet another spectacular landscape. Here the mountains towered tall and students enjoyed a shady walk in one of the many valleys. They even cooled off by paddling in the Virgin River.

Returning to Las Vegas, a visit to the Springs Preserve and the spectacular Sphere show, Postcard from Earth, brought geography to life through technology and storytelling.

However it was the visit to Shine a Light, a homeless support charity working in the city’s flood tunnels, that made the deepest impression. Meeting former homeless people, hearing their stories, and walking a short section of the tunnels was a powerful and eye-opening experience. The students were able to donate some money to the charity; they also have an Amazon wish list for those wanting to contribute further.

All spoke of their desire to continue to support the homeless charity, and to get involved with similar charities closer to home. We were one of the first school groups to visit the tunnels with Shine a Light and education is a key aim of the charity, so we felt particularly special to be one of their pioneer school groups.

The final afternoon included a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour of The Venetian Hotel, where students saw how water and waste are managed in one of the world’s most extravagant resorts – a stark contrast to the tunnels below the Strip.

The trip was a huge success, and all students were able to explore the physical geography of awesome landscapes, the human geographies of city management in a desert and the challenges that continue to face indigenous and homeless communities.

Dr Richard Bustin, Head of Geography

I enjoyed walking in Bryce Canyon because it showed what a masterpiece nature can create. I gained knowledge of the place and how it formed.

Destiny Magbagbeoluwa, Fifth Form

Everything was eye opening and new! Seeing the homeless people was insightful. It made me realise the struggles that people have in their day-to-day life – the people in charge of the charity are making a real difference.

Paris Ukonu, Fourth Form

En España Mediterranean Memories

We kicked off the trip on Sunday with a visit to the breathtaking towns of Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Ronda amazed us with its stunning views and rich history.

We had the opportunity to visit the Plaza de Toros de Ronda (the Bullring of Málaga) and learn about the tradition of bullfighting in the city. Setenil, famous for its houses built into the rock, felt like stepping into another world, and we all loved exploring its unique charm while learning about its history and culture.

Our Monday morning began with classes that helped all the students deepen their knowledge of Andalusian history and culture. In the afternoon, we relaxed on the beach, some using more sunscreen than others! Later, we toured the beautiful centre of Málaga, where we admired a blend of Spanish and Muslim architecture and visited cultural landmarks such as the

Málaga Cathedral, as well as local favourites like El Pimpi Bar, beloved by both residents and tourists.

We visited the Alcazaba after classes on Tuesday, a majestic Muslim fortress offering breathtaking views over the city. In the afternoon, students enjoyed a fun treasure hunt that encouraged them to speak with local people and learn more about the city of Málaga.

After another morning of classes on Wednesday, we returned to the beach before heading to the port of Málaga for the highlight of the trip, a boat ride across the Mediterranean at sunset.

Jimena Muñoz Hormigo, Lower Sixth

Qui diligit Deum

The Summer Term has several distinctive features and one of these is the round of exit interviews with the Upper Sixth leavers. We have a series of ‘feedback’ questions to ask, among which is the question

‘Is there something that you think Lancing is especially good at?’

This is marketing gold! Every school wants to be able to offer a USP, or distinctive feature that will appeal to potential new pupils and their families. Whilst it is interesting and important for us to ask this question reflectively, it is often external observers – visitors and other school professionals – who are more able to see an institution in a wider context and see the wood for the trees.

We often make much of the Chapel building being the largest school chapel in the world, but perhaps we too easily take for granted what goes inside it. The excellence of our choir is celebrated by BBC Radio Three, who return again in the Advent Term for a worldwide broadcast. Recently, a visiting organist reminded us that the organs in the Chapel are of national significance. Two visiting chaplains in the Summer Term spoke of the impression that the beauty of holiness at our Whole School Eucharist had made on them. Our Easter celebrations saw another 19 people publicly affirm their Christian faith at Confirmation. This is not what people are experiencing in other schools.

And yet, is this some sort of niche interest, some sort of historical accident, tribalism or quaint tradition? I’d suggest not. This is transformative. Yes, we take it for granted because it happens every week. But, something of real significance is happening to us and our community. We are being shaped and formed by something greater than ourselves. We experience a glimpse of heaven, an invitation as a community to welcome the Holy Spirit into our life. And in so doing, we grow into the fullness of what it means to be human, to be made in the image of God.

This is the Lancing USP, which lies at the heart of the strength of our community; a community which, like that Pentecost community described in Acts, rejoices in its diversity and emphasises belonging and personal flourishing. Again and again, it is these attributes that draw people to Lancing. Maybe not all are aware of the role that the life of the Chapel and Christian ethos will have in nurturing them before coming here, but few would deny it on leaving.

Fr Justin Pottinger, Chaplain

Scouts make a Splash

On Wednesday 11 June the Minerva Explorers embarked on an unforgettable overnighter filled with adventure and teamwork. The destination? The serene waters of Piddinghoe Lake, where an exciting afternoon awaited under the expert guidance of Brighton Watersports.

With the sun shining and spirits high, the Explorers dove into a variety of activities including paddleboarding, kayaking, and tackling the giant XL paddleboards. Under the watchful eye of their instructors, they rose to every challenge — constructing rafts from kayaks, sprinting across floating platforms, and fearlessly launching themselves into the lake with jumps, dives, and even somersaults.

After a thrilling afternoon on the water, the group gathered lakeside for a well-earned BBQ. The smell of grilled food and the sound of laughter filled the air as everyone relaxed and shared stories from the day. As evening fell, the Explorers returned to camp where the night continued with music, songs, and of course, the classic campfire treat – s’mores. Bea and

Imogen led the way, sparking a joyful singalong that echoed under a beautiful moonlit sky.

The next morning brought more opportunities for bonding and fun, with team-building games and challenges that kept the energy high. With the weather still on their side, the Explorers packed up camp and set off on a short hike back to the College — tired but full of memories.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated staff at Brighton Watersports and the College team who made this experience possible. Their time and effort helped create lasting memories for our Explorers.

Next stop: Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland — our next big adventure awaits!

Andy

Cooper, Scout Leader

Scout Leader Helps Spark Global Campfire Event

This June, Scout groups across the world gathered around campfires as part of Flamboree – a heartwarming initiative that celebrates one of the most cherished traditions in scouting. Spearheaded by Lancing College’s very own Scout Leader Andy Cooper and a fellow leader from Worthing, the Flamboree brings together communities near and far to enjoy

the simple joys of campfire life, from cooking and storytelling to songs and s’mores.

Locally, the Minerva Explorers hosted an unforgettable evening under the stars, joined by the Spitfires from Henfield and the Worthing Young Leader Team. The night was filled with laughter, music, hot chocolate, and plenty of marshmallows!

Explorer Scouts in Switzerland A Journey of Adventure and Friendship

Our journey began on a Friday, full of excitement and anticipation, as we departed College and set off on the long road to Switzerland.

After a smooth crossing through the Eurotunnel, we settled in for the long drive, winding our way through Europe towards the heart of the Alps. We arrived at Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) just before midnight. Despite the late hour, we quickly pitched our tents and collapsed into our sleeping bags, exhausted but thrilled to finally be there.

The next morning greeted us with a breathtaking view –sunlight spilling over the mountain peaks, casting golden hues across the valley. It was a moment that made the long journey worthwhile. Saturday was a gentle introduction to Swiss life. With breakfast provided by KISC, we had no need to shop, so we focused on setting up camp properly. Later, we hiked to the stunning Oeschinensee lake, where we swam in its cool, clear waters and raced down the toboggan runs. A bit of shopping in town and a relaxed dinner back at camp rounded off the day. Sunday brought a taste of international Scouting spirit. Although the KISC volunteer team – affectionately known as the Pinkies – were still in training, Andy stepped up to lead a morning of international games and activities. We weren’t sure if anyone else would join, but soon Scouts from Denmark and Sweden arrived, and the field came alive with laughter

and camaraderie. We played games under the sun, eventually moving indoors for a hilarious round of ‘This is a tick, this is a tock, a what?’ The day also saw the rise of a camp favourite: the clothes peg game. Scouts stealthily clipped wooden pegs onto each other without being noticed, sparking laughter and surprise. What began as a bit of fun among our group quickly spread across the campsite, with Scouts from other countries eagerly joining in.

That evening’s campfire, shared with Camp Alpine, was a roaring success – literally. Their fire was enormous, and their skits gave us a glimpse into their week. Our own performance was warmly received, and we were even asked to host another fire later in the week.

Monday marked the start of our high-adventure activities. We headed to Interlaken for white water rafting – a first for many of us. The instructors were fantastic, making the experience both safe and exhilarating. Launching ourselves off the raft into the lake at the end was a highlight. Unfortunately, afternoon storms rolled in, forcing the closure of the high ropes course we had planned to visit. But spirits remained high.

Tuesday was a slower-paced day, perfect for recovery. We hiked to Blausee, a lake so clear you could see straight to the bottom. The sun was back, and the peaceful walk gave us time to reflect and recharge.

By Wednesday, we were ready for more thrills. We returned to the high ropes course and tackled 14 different routes through the trees, including a nerve-wracking 20-metre speed abseil. That afternoon, we gave back to KISC by helping prepare the wood compound for the season’s chopping and storage. A light rain shower cooled us down and added a refreshing touch to the hard work.

Thursday took us to Adelboden for another adrenaline rush. Zip wires criss-crossed the river, offering breathtaking views and heart-pounding excitement. The bravest among us took on the bridge jump – a speed abseil off the side of a road bridge that was as terrifying as it was unforgettable.

Friday was our final full day at KISC, and we made the most of it. After beginning the camp clean-up, we headed out for one last adventure: mountain tubing. Sliding down a ski jump landing zone in rubber rings at speeds up to 75km/h had us all screaming and laughing. That evening, we joined over 500 Scouts for the international campfire. It was a magical night. Our Scouts performed Cecil, and Andy led the Mango Song, with the entire crowd joining in. The sense of unity and joy was overwhelming.

Saturday marked the beginning of our journey home, but not before one last stop. We visited Luxembourg City, where we were treated to a private tour and a delicious dinner at the home of one of our Scout’s parents. It was a warm and generous send-off. On Sunday, we completed the final leg of our journey, returning home tired but full of stories and memories.

While the high-adrenaline activities were unforgettable, the true heart of the trip lay in the friendships we formed. Singing a Swedish duck song, sharing stories around the fire, and laughing with Scouts from across Europe reminded us of the global fellowship that Scouting represents. This trip wasn’t just about adventure – it was about connection, growth, and the spirit of Scouting that unites us all.

Andy Cooper, Scout Leader

Combined Cadet Force

This term’s CCF exercise took full advantage

of Lancing’s diverse

terrain and expansive grounds – an ideal setting for fieldcraft training.

Cadets participated in a dynamic carousel of activities, including laser warfare, first aid, section attacks, and ambush scenarios. These exercises were the culmination of months of dedicated preparation and skill at arms training. Despite the heat, spirits remained high, and the cadets embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. The convenience of warm showers and a comfortable bed just a short walk away certainly added

to the experience! This exercise also marked a significant milestone: Major East’s (below) final exercise after more than 20 years of unwavering service. By our count, that’s 70 overnight exercises, 100 ambushes, and 300 section attacks during his time with Lancing CCF – a truly remarkable legacy (and a lot of running!).

Laura Fryer, CCF Adjutant

CCF staff: Alistair Coakes, Jez East and Laura Fryer

On Wednesday afternoon after the Roedean cadets had arrived we started by doing parade and then we split off into our separate sections to complete the carousel of activities. Platoon A (the first three sections) started with an ambush rehearsal while Platoon B completed one of the three carousel activities. Platoon B then moved on to ambush rehearsal while Platoon A did the carousel. After dinner, Platoon A put the ambush rehearsal to use. Once they had defeated the enemy, we swapped again so that Platoon B could experience an ambush. Then the Lancing pupils headed back to Houses or back home while the Roedean pupils camped out in bashers.

In the morning, we rotated between section attacks and the last activity in the carousel. Once all the activities were completed, we moved onto cleaning the weapons and picking up the blank rounds from Ladywell Valley.

Laser warfare helped us develop skills such as quick thinking, camouflage, aim and teamwork, whereas first aid prepared us for situations we may face in the future. Break contact simulated an attack on the enemy where you had to retreat to safety after realising you were outnumbered.

This CCF overnighter taught us valuable skills for the future.

Ellen Sydenham and Skye Lewis, Lower Sixth

House Round-Up

The Summer Term has been a joyful, high-energy finale to the year across the Houses, marked by celebration, camaraderie, and no shortage of spirited competition.

We’ve had some great weather this term, and Houses took full advantage, hosting BBQs and bringing together pupils of all year groups. Entertainment included garden games, music and inflatables!

As Lower Sixth pupil Isaac Leigh put it, ‘The BBQ wasn’t just about the food ... it was about creating an atmosphere where we could all relax, talk to people we might not usually get the chance to talk with, and just enjoy being part of the House community.’

The Upper Sixth Leavers’ Dinners in each House were a fitting send-off, filled with fond memories, chatting, and for some, a nostalgic round of baby photo guessing.

Head’s Housemistress Mrs Eleanor Kaye reflected, ‘I have had a thoroughly enjoyable first year in Head’s, and I am so proud of all the boys’ achievements. I cannot wait to see what next year has to hold.’

Creative Evenings and House Night In

From painting coasters to crafting memories, the Handford girls embraced their creative sides during House Night In – a lovely pause in a busy term that encouraged reflection and artistic flair.

Sporting Spirit

House sport has been in full swing, with pupils across all years taking part in cricket, athletics, tennis and football. Friendly rivalry and team spirit were on full display, whether on the track, the field or the court.

Celebration Season

House BBQs, garden parties and awards evenings have brought the Houses together for shared celebration. Saints’ Garden Party offered a relaxed and sociable afternoon; Manor’s Got Talent and Field’s Factor showcased dazzling performances.

Looking Ahead

As we say goodbye to our Upper Sixth, we also welcomed the next generation of pupils through ‘new pupil’ induction events. The Houses are ready and waiting to greet them properly in September – and we can’t wait to see what next year brings.

The BBQ wasn’t just about the food ... it was about creating an atmosphere where we could all relax, talk to people we might not usually get the chance to talk with, and just enjoy being part of the House community.

Talent Show

House BBQ

Garden Party

House Football

Isaac Leigh, Lower Sixth

Junior Concert

On 21 May, we heard an array of Third and Fourth Form musicians perform in an impressive and entertaining concert. Sinfonia, directed by Miss Emilie Harlow, opened the concert with three musical items well-known to all.

The Galop from William Tell and Risk Everything for a Dream was followed by a musical medley from Disney’s infamous The Lion King which brought great joy to the audience. The concert then continued with solo items for a range of instruments and genres to suit all.

Misery Business by Paramore was a highlight of the evening. The band gave an enjoyable and energetic performance with strong vocals from Tatiana Hamilton and guitar and drums from Alan Mo, William Swales and Ethan Fyfe. The transition to a calming feel was produced by two acoustic solo guitarists – Francis Ridgewell and Thomas Ridgewell – who both performed with great technical control.

Isla Kerney-Haynes gave a committed performance of Faure’s Sicilienne with a clear tone and exceptional breath control on the flute. A flowing saxophone solo by Freddie Way perfectly captured the character of the Waltz and transported the audience into a dancing mood with Valse Vanite. He performed with technical flair and ease. To complete the woodwind and brass performances, Xander Graham gave a vibrant performance on the trumpet producing a rich sound playing Aria

Third Form multi-musician Beatrice de Courcy-White sang Bellini’s Vaga Luna with ease and a strong upper register, demonstrating quality beyond her years. This led onto another vocal solo by Tatiana, having performed earlier in the concert with the band. She had the opportunity to sing as a soloist and showed character and a strong sense of feeling with the song She Used to be Mine from the musical Waitress

Three violin performances followed – with all three Fourth Form violinists playing with a clear tone and secure intonation. Winston Chu gave a compelling performance of Fritz Kreisler’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli. Another resonant violin solo followed with Liana Antwi playing Reigan with accurate intonation.

A highlight of the evening was Clarissa Cheng playing Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne for violin and piano. This was a confident performance, attacking the double stops with commitment and playing with a sense of flair.

To finish off the evening, a variation of music for piano was presented by talented Fourth Form pianists who all demonstrated great technical skill. With items by Liszt and Beethoven, Jude Gabriel and Candace Wu both gave captivating performances. Samuel Bencat followed on, playing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee with impressive dexterity.

The penultimate performance from Alex Giannopoulos was unique and engaging, demonstrating his compositional skill and ability to improvise creating a range of versatile sounds. Mika Chen closed the concert with great flair as she showcased her musical ability with Chopin’s Mazurka Op.17 No.4. This varied and enjoyable concert was not one to be missed. All performances demonstrated the immense talent amongst the younger pupils at Lancing College and the important part music plays in school life.

Francesca Shannon, Graduate Music Assistant

On

An Evening of Song

Tuesday 24 June, Lancing College hosted An Evening of Song. The enchanting evening showcased the variety of vocal talent within the school, ranging from Choral Singing to German

The concert began with the second performance of Jude Gabriel’s composition Sanctus, the world debut of which was in the Lancing College Chapel the previous week. This joyful piece was performed by the Evening of Song Singers which demonstrated their proficiency as performers and as creative composers. This was followed by Izzy Moss and Maria Njoya who sung a sonorous rendition of Domine Deus from Mozart’s Mass in C minor. Inigo Abbott Barrington and Grace Haworth sung a duet of Panis Angelicus with a rich, rounded tone that captivated the audience. The next item on the programme – Strike the Viol by Purcell – was performed by Freddie Way whose youthful, silvery tone resounded with a beautiful ease which evoked the sound of a viol. Maria Njoya performed her first solo of the evening Vocalise by Rachmaninoff, without any words, this lyrical piece showed Maria’s glittering tone and vocal agility with moments of pure rapture from the audience.

Isaac Hussey continued the high standard of singing with Ständchen by Schubert, which he performed with an accomplished poise, his excellent German elegantly portrayed the plaintive story in a tender way. Maria returned to the stage to perform Die Nachtigall by Berg with sparkling vibrato, filling Great School with vibrant vocal colours. Grace Haworth performed My Heart is Like a Singing Bird by Parry, her clear vocal tone projected beautifully. To open the operatic aria section of this diverse programme, Lili Rashbrook performed Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio from The Marriage of Figaro, her stunning vocal tone and vocal control portrayed this piece with a lively energy which depicted Cherubino’s youthful infatuations. Eddie Atkins completed the first half of the programme with Deh, vieni alla finestra from Don Giovanni, his

Lieder, Operatic Arias and Musical Theatre.

mature tone and excellent Italian pronunciation highlighted the moral deception and manipulation that is characteristic of the protagonist.

Tom Cotton opened the second half with another aria from The Marriage of Figaro – Bravo, Signor Padrone – which was performed with remarkable vocal warmth and power that portrayed the surprise and irritation of Figaro. Gabriel CardyBrown performed The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, which he characterised with an intensity and clarity of diction that was perfect for the role of the ostracised Phantom. Beatrice de Courcy-White performed Just You Wait from My Fair Lady with a light soprano voice, paired with comedic acting and an accent that brought chuckles from the audience. Grace Haworth impressed the audience with another side to her voice in a duet from Miss Saigon, alongside her singing teacher Natalie Clifton-Griffith, her lower range showed the versatility of her voice, communicating the pain and loneliness of Kim. Izzy Moss and Lili Rashbrook performed Sull’aria from The Marriage of Figaro with vocal clarity and excellent ensemble skills which brought this well-known duet to life.

Tom Cotton, Isaac Hussey, Izzy Moss and Sophia Williamson teamed up to perform Ave Verum by Mozart with a resonant blend of superb choral singing. The Evening of Song Singers returned to the stage to complete the evening with By Thee With Bliss by Haydn, the solo voices of Maria Njoya and Tom Cotton soared above the ensemble. This delightful piece brought the evening to a close and left the audience with a feeling of calm and respite, ready for a relaxing summer break. Constance Starns, Graduate Music Assistant

Lancing Rocks!

On Thursday 26 June the sun broke through the morning’s cloud and drizzle just in time for the annual outdoor rock concert.

Pupils, staff, and parents gathered by the Chapel Lawn to hear energetic performances from the bands, bringing the spirit of Glastonbury to Lancing.

The concert opened with a performance of Come Together with soulful vocals by Lolly Ormrod, technically impressive drumming by Dylan Baldwin, and a commanding bass riff played by Beatrice de Courcy-White. The second band gave a heartfelt performance of Clairo’s Sofia with Lili Rashbrook and Ollie Chia singing in harmony with excellent intonation.

The mood then shifted with two acoustic numbers. Tom Cotton gave a captivating vocal performance in Skinny Love, using well-controlled falsetto to reflect the tenderness of the lyrics, supported by Henry Beveridge on bass. Matilde Ghirardi and Harrison McDermott then joined together with a moving performance of Landslide, with Matilde replicating the tenderness and depth of Stevie Nicks’ vocals.

Bringing the energy levels back up, Alan Mo, Tatiana Hamilton, Ethan Fyfe and Will Swales gave an energetic performance of Misery Business, with Tatiana Hamilton replicating the power and versatility of Hayley Williams’ vocals. The next band, with John Henry, Imogen Watts,

Honor Cheesman and Tatiana Hamilton as lead vocalists, took to the stage with three performances of classic rock numbers

– Teenage Kicks, Bohemian Like You, and Somebody Told Me – continuing to energise the crowd. Imogen Watts then performed an acoustic number, accompanying herself on the guitar, captivating the audience with her expressive vocals.

Ollie Chia then returned to the mic, supported by Andrew Fyfe on guitar, Zachariah Ayorinde on piano, Alex Lawrence on drums and Daniel Ignacio on bass giving spirited and polished performances of Prey and Mardy Bum before the highly anticipated return of the staff band, Extra Duties. The concert came to an electrifying end with the well-established band comprised of Tom Cotton, Harrison McDermott, Siobhan Ogden and Matilde Ghirardi performing Alive and Hysteria

The concert brought the term to a thrilling end, and thanks go to Barry Worley for running the Rock Music Workshops throughout the year and preparing these performances with such care.

Emilie Harlow, Head of Academic Music and Assistant Director of Music

Don’t Stop the Music

Alexander Mason reviews the rest of the Summer Term’s music events ... Westminster Abbey

At the very end of the Lent Term on Monday 31 March the Choir travelled to London to sing Evensong at Westminster Abbey, our second London visit this year having sung at St Paul’s in September. After a rehearsal in neighbouring St Margaret’s Church within the Abbey precincts, the Choir had the opportunity to look around and soak up all the history. The Choir was in very fine voice and sang music by Philip Radcliffe, Adrian Batten and William Byrd. In Batten’s Fourth Service we enjoyed hearing some of our outstanding pupil soloists; Maria Njoya, Izzy Moss, Freddie Way, Isaac Hussey and Tom Cotton. The Abbey’s Director of Music Andrew Nethsingha came to speak to the Choir after the service to say how much he’d enjoyed their singing. Praise indeed! The return journey to Lancing included the now traditional McDonald’s stop!

Cambridge Visit

On the first Friday of the Summer Term we welcomed The Schola Cantorum of King’s College School Cambridge to visit the school to sing a combined evensong with our Choir. The Schola Cantorum is the Girls’ Choir of King’s and numbered 25 outstanding young singers. The combined Choirs made a glorious sound together with uplifting music including Noble’s canticles in B minor and S S Wesley’s splendid anthem Blessed be the God and Father

Handel’s Messiah

On Friday 2 May the College Singers and Lancing Choir gathered for a performance of Handel’s Messiah accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra. Alongside the musicians in the Orchestra made up of our VMTs were two current pupils Grace Shearing (violin) and Eva Al-Shimmeri. It was also a pleasure to welcome back Kevin Ng (Teme 2019–2023) on percussion, who is currently studying at the Guildhall in London. The 80-strong chorus were on magnificent form navigating the semi-quaver runs in For unto us a child is born with great skill and bringing out the pathos in the only a cappella moment Since by Man Came Death

The arias and recitatives were sung by six terrific soloists: Mr Roy Rashbrook, current parent and member of St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, and former Head of School Benjamin Irvine-Capel (Gibbs’ 2018–2023), currently a choral scholar at Exeter Cathedral and studying International Relations at Exeter University. Four of the soloists were current pupils: Maria Njoya, Lili Rashbrook, Izzy Moss and Tom Cotton. For their exceptional musicianship and singing they were each awarded a Head Master’s Commendation.

It was a memorable evening and wonderful to hear the Hallelujah chorus resound in the Chapel.

Organ Recitals

We have enjoyed two Summer Organ Recitals this June, the first given by Director of Music Alexander Mason and the second by international organ recitalist David Briggs.

Alexander Mason’s programme included works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Buxtehude, Vierne and J S Bach’s mighty Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 548 The Wedge. An improvisation on themes including the flying theme from E.T. concluded the recital!

For our second recital we were delighted to welcome David Briggs from New York for his third visit to Lancing.

David Briggs is an internationally renowned organist and is currently Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. He performs more than 50 concerts a year at such venues as Notre-Dame, Paris; Kimmel Center, Philadelphia; Berlin Philharmonie, Germany; Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; and King’s College, Cambridge.

His programme included organ works by J S Bach and Dupré, orchestral transcriptions of symphonic repertoire by Ravel, Dukas and Schumann and also concluded with a spectacular twenty-minute improvisation on (once again!) the flying theme from E.T.!

The highlight was The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas, a work loved by millions through its use in Disney’s Fantasia! David found orchestral colours on the Walker organ the likes of which we had never heard.

Lord of the Flies

When I heard that the Lancing theatre was showing an immersive performance of Lord of the Flies, I was excited and intrigued to know what the experience was going to be like and how it would be achieved in our theatre: I was not disappointed.

The intense and vivid imagery created by the superb acting and engulfing set was enough to make me believe I was really in and amongst the confused, lost and barbaric children. The constant changing of the actors’ positions on stage and the alternating use of set – from the shabby and run down shelter to the roaring fire of the survivors – were utilised masterfully to create an emotional rollercoaster laced with tension, passion and innocence. Moreover, the fact that the audience was placed in and amongst the action created a surreal and claustrophobic experience that left you feeling like a third-party viewer on the crumbling world of these children.

The incredible acting of the Fourth Formers enhanced the experience, with each actor embodying their character and

portraying their individual traits in an expert and naturalistic way. This made the plot easy to understand and utterly enchanting to watch due to the clashing and attraction of personalities that destroyed and formed friendships, which ultimately led to murder. This truly was a theatrical experience like no other I have had inside or outside the College. The masterful directing of Mr Beeby, expert use of lighting and sound from Mr Chandler, and the undeniable talent of all the members of the cast created an atmosphere and mood that left me pondering about the story of those lost children for days after.

Monty Tipton, Fifth Form

Dance Show 2025

The Lancing College Dance Show made a triumphant return this year, bringing together pupils across year groups and styles in a vibrant celebration of movement, storytelling, and self-expression. some by pupils themselves, and all performed with extraordinary commitment.

For many pupils, this was their first time performing as dancers on the Lancing stage – and if these performances are anything to go by, we cannot wait to see what they do next!

Held in the College Theatre, the show featured an impressive array of styles, from ballet and jazz to contemporary and lyrical, highlighting the depth of talent and the collaborative spirit within the Lancing Dance community. Each piece was choreographed with care,

The show was not only a testament to the hard work and creativity of the pupils, but also to the thriving culture of the Performing Arts at Lancing. As the curtain falls on another successful production, the College community is already looking forward to what the next year in dance will bring.

Being in my first Dance Show at Lancing College was an enchanting and exciting experience and it’s definitely one to remember. Preparation for this show started back in September, when I joined the Jazz class and we started learning, choreographing and rehearsing moves that would be incorporated into our final dance. My favourite part of the Dance Show was the atmosphere it brought. I met so many wonderful, captivating people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Being under the blinding lights and in the presence of the audience was intimidating but it was exhilarating. Everyone’s dance styles are so unique and intriguing that I was in awe watching them from backstage. I greatly valued this opportunity, and I am excited to see what happens next year.

Skye

Lewis, Lower Sixth

My experience taking part in the Dance Show was memorable and I had so much fun. I was involved in three dances; each one was so different from the other. Jazz was to the Friends theme I’ll Be There for You and it was such a fun and lively piece (although it gave us a good workout). Another one was Stargazing which we choreographed as a class. I loved this piece because it was so different and had such a mixture of different styles. My favourite of the three was contemporary. My duet with Bella was about women’s rights and I felt Connie had done so brilliantly with the choreography. My favourite dance was Piper’s solo as she told such a story with her physicality and acting skills. I have loved dance classes this term and seeing such an impressive show made me even more grateful to be involved in Dance at Lancing. Whether it was the grace of the ballerinas, the power of Take an Angel by the Wings or the liveliness of the prep school’s dances, it truly was a special show.

Stella Campbell, Fourth Form

Art Exhibition

Buttons, helmets, steering wheels, body parts, blood, portraits, pebbles, pot noodles and more ...

What are we talking about? This year’s Art and Photography Exhibition held in the Reeve Art Centre, a vibrant celebration of creativity, technical skill, and individual voice.

As ever, the diversity of work on display was remarkable. From bold, experimental compositions to more subtle, reflective pieces, students explored a wide variety of media, techniques, and formats. Many embraced both traditional methods and contemporary digital processes, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the Art School environment.

What truly stood out was the personal nature of the work – each piece offering a glimpse into the artist’s unique perspective. The exhibition was a testament to the commitment and imagination of our students, and to the collaborative energy that fuels the creative process here at Lancing and we are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

The Lancing Sports Dinner

Lancing College’s annual Sports Dinner is a highlight of the school calendar It’s an evening to reflect on achievements, honour exceptional talent, and celebrate the spirit of sport across all year groups and disciplines.

This year’s (black tie!) event was no exception, bringing together pupils, staff, and families in a celebration of everything that makes Lancing sport exceptional.

This year’s guest speaker was Lise Wortley, founder of Woman with Altitude, a unique project that retraces the journeys of trailblazing but overlooked female adventurers. Remarkably, she completes these expeditions dressed and equipped with items from the era, offering insights into the realities faced by women explorers of the past. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, The Telegraph, and on the podcast A Life More Wild. Lise spoke about resilience, rediscovery, and how adventure remains a space for empowerment and self-belief.

A huge thank you to Lise for her inspiring words!

A Year in Sport

In her address, Director of Sport, Kelly Edwards, reflected on a year of remarkable breadth and achievement at Lancing. She spoke about the continued evolution of the College’s sports offering, not just through traditional fixtures and competitions, but in its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Activities such as climbing, golf, squash, sailing, badminton, and dance are thriving, and rugby has made a popular return.

This year saw strong participation across all sports, with notable successes including:

The 1st XI girls’ hockey team’s impressive campaign in the National Cup

Seven Senior boys’ football teams competing, with memorable victories over Brighton College, St Dunstan’s, and Tonbridge

The basketball team remaining undefeated all season

Swimming performances peaking with a 4th-place finish in the Schools Super Swimming League

The Senior boys’ hockey team reaching the South of England Finals

Tennis triumphs for both boys’ and girls’ teams in the Independent Schools Sussex League

Cricket talent shining through, especially with Fin Sutcliffe taking 5 wickets for just 7 runs against PGS

Over 300 runners participating in the League Run, with two new school records set by Theo Scoular-Fleming and Bibi Webb

An unforgettable Brighton Half Marathon effort involving a brilliant team of pupils and staff

Dance workshops with industry professionals and a thriving performing arts programme leading into Guys and Dolls auditions.

The year also saw an exciting range of sports tours, from netball and cricket in Barbados to tennis in Cyprus, and the ever-popular ski trip to the Italian Alps.

Sport at Lancing is more than just traditional games; it’s about diversity and inclusivity in our programme. Our goal is to adapt and evolve to provide the best possible experience for everyone.

Looking Ahead

Sport at Lancing is defined not only by success but by its community, the camaraderie, the commitment, and the constant drive for growth. The 2025 Sports Dinner was a fitting celebration of all these values, honouring not just wins and records, but the joy of participation.

Kelly Edwards, Director of Sport

2025 Award Winners

The Richard Pitney Award

Fin Sutcliffe, Grace Shearing

The Standing Start Award

Pranav Anu, Emma Saunders

The Sporting Excellence Award

Nelly Guest

Team of the Year

2nd XI Girls Hockey

The Miller Cup Award Cal Nicholls

The Taylor Salver Award Nerea Kries-Margaroli

Sports Caps

Nerea Kries-Margaroli, Max Webb, Charlie Fry, Fin Sutcliffe, Cal Nicholls

Sports Personality Award

Charlie Fry and Fin Sutcliffe

The Pat Martyn-Smith Legacy Award Mimi Weber, Max Webb

The Coach of the Year Award

David Harvey

(tied)

Athletics Round-Up

Highlights from a summer term of Athletics including the Sussex Independent Schools Diamond League, Sussex Schools Championships, and a record-breaking Founder’s Day.

Lancing College proudly competed in the Sussex Independent Schools Diamond League throughout the summer, bringing a strong squad of athletes to each of the five fixtures. The dedication and hard work of the students were evident as they consistently set Season Bests and, in many cases, Personal Bests.

The athletes’ performances were a testament to their commitment and the excellent coaching they received. Congratulations to all the athletes for their outstanding achievements and for representing Lancing with such distinction!

Following their success in the Sussex Independent Schools Diamond League, six Lancing College students represented West Sussex South at the Sussex Schools Championships on 14 June.

The athletes showcased exceptional performances across various track and field events, achieving multiple personal bests and qualifying for the Inter Counties Championships.

Notable Performances:

Luca Bidinger: 1st place in Senior Boys’ High Jump (1.63m), overcoming a recent hip injury.

Emily Meyer: 2nd place in Senior Girls’ Triple Jump (10.41m PB).

Olivia Milchan: 2nd place in Senior Girls’ 300m (43.92s PB), qualifying for Inter Counties.

Bibi Webb: 2nd place in Senior Girls’ 1500m (4:52.51), qualifying for Inter Counties.

Theo Scoular-Fleming: 4th place in Senior Boys’ 800m (2:02.02).

Ena Tedjame-Mortty: 4th place in Senior Boys’ 100m (12.31s PB).

These achievements highlight the athletes’ dedication and Lancing College’s reputation for athletic excellence. Bibi Webb and Olivia Milchan both qualified to represent Sussex at the Inter Counties Championships – The Cunliffe Cup, where Olivia ran in a super high standard 300m race, registering a PB (Low 43 seconds).

Martin Footman, Head of Athletic Development

Records tumble on Founder’s Day

On 24 May 2025, Lancing College celebrated Founder’s Day with an exhilarating athletics event that showcased the incredible talents and dedication of our students. The day was filled with remarkable performances, breaking several school records – no less than 16 – whilst setting new benchmarks for future athletes.

Shot Put – Boys:

11.65m by David Okonkwo (Lower Sixth)

13.21m by Magnum Hudkins (Fourth Form)

Shot Put – Girls:

8.64m by Millie Drew (Upper Sixth)

8.10m by Lily Stevens (Fourth Form)

400m – Senior Boys:

55.1 by Luca Cucinotta (Fifth Form)

100m – Junior Girls:

12.31 by Molly Brown (Fourth Form)

100m – Senior Girls:

13.44 by Sienna Rishman (Lower Sixth)

200m – Junior Girls:

29.56 by Olivia Milchan (Third Form)

200m – Senior Boys:

24.72 by Freddie Brown (Upper Sixth)

200m – Senior Girls: 29.99 by Lottie Freyman (Fifth Form)

800m – Junior Boys: 2:24 by Jack Ryan (Fourth Form)

800m – Junior Girls: 2:29.51 by Bibi Webb (Fourth Form)

800m – Senior Girls: 2:43 by Ella Tidbury (Upper Sixth)

1500m – Senior Boys: 4:22 by Theo Scoular-Fleming (Lower Sixth)

1500m – Junior Boys: 4:59 by Jack Ryan (Fourth Form)

1500m – Junior Girls: 5:18 by Bibi Webb (Fourth Form)

Cricket News

Weeks without rain, the outfields parched, only one block fixture postponed to rain.

There were some memorable and successful matches for the Boys’ U15 side, which saw them win the Division 2 Blackshaw Bowl group by winning all their matches. There is real optimism for this group of players to take the next step into Senior cricket next season.

The U14s however had a challenging start to the season, but started to find some momentum in the last half of term. Initially they found it difficult to adjust to the longer pitch lengths and bigger ball; however there is real talent in this year group which saw four boys promoted to the U15s to play a big part in their success.

Mixed results for the Seniors in the first half of term with exam pressures, and a very young side consisting of mainly U16 players and only one Lower Sixth Former. But by managing both their academic and sport programmes well they turned the season around in the second part of the term with some positive results, especially a win over the Sussex Martlets in the cricket week. This was their first win over the Martlets in 15 years. A fantastic 161 partnership for the 4th wicket between Cal Nicholls (57) and Marley Rishman (116 not out) which was a truly majestic innings.

Building on the momentum of girls’ cricket at Lancing, the 2025 season enjoyed some of the most glorious weather in recent memory. Even with the additional pressure of early exams, it has been most heartening to see the steadfastness of many players who have managed to balance their various commitments and uphold their place in the cricket community.

There was another first for Lancing, with the College fielding the first ever all-Female Staff XI, who played the Senior Girls’ XI to bring the curtain down on another fabulous season. Girls’ cricket at Lancing continues to blossom.

The future of Lancing cricket is in good hands and the development of rebuilding strong squads after the COVID period is looking very good.

We are really looking forward to seeing our new Peter Robinson Scholar Freddie Brookfield starting in September, with real anticipation for who might also emerge from the new Third Form.

We wish all our leavers success in the future with their cricket and look forward to seeing them playing for the Lancing Rovers (OLs) next season.

Raj Maru, Director of

Cricket

Tennis at Lancing A Year of Growth, Competition, and Success

Tennis continues to be one of Lancing College’s most successful and vibrant sports. With year-round training and over 80 students participating in private lessons, the programme has gone from strength to strength.

The season began in the Advent Term with the U16 boys’ and girls’ teams competing in the regional stages of the LTA Youth Schools Tournament against a strong Sevenoaks side, after finishing top of their league the previous summer. This was followed by an exciting international fixture: a friendly U17 mixed match against Harrow International School Bengaluru, who were touring the UK. Lancing delivered a dominant performance, securing victories in both singles and doubles, thanks to standout performances from Coco Mole, Christian Watkins, and Ben Atkins.

In November and December, our senior teams took part in the group stages of the LTA Year 11–13 League, facing Seaford, Sackville, Rikkyo, and Cardinal Newman. The teams performed superbly, securing back-to-back wins and showcasing their depth and determination.

After the Christmas break, pre-season training resumed in full swing on Tuesday and Friday afternoons with our 1st team boys’ and girls’ eagerly awaiting the release of the LTA National Aberdare and Glanville Cup draw. Despite the delay, both the boys’ and girls’ 1st IV progressed through to the quarter finals before narrowly falling short to strong Bede’s and Collyer’s teams. Our players displayed admirable resilience and produced some outstanding individual performances, with Jacob Turner and Coco Mole remaining undefeated in their singles matches.

The Summer Term began with Lancing co-hosting the annual U18 and U16 Independent Schools Sussex League Tournament.

Our U16 boys, captained by Logan Bridgman and supported by Ben Atkins, Jacob Turner, and Shimon Milchan, retained their title from 2024, defeating a competitive Bede’s side in the final. The U18 boys won the Plate event, while the U18 girls finished as runners-up – an encouraging start to the summer season.

The following weekend, our grass courts came alive as 60 students from the Third, Fourth, and Lower Sixth Forms competed in the 2nd Annual LTA Play Your Way to Wimbledon tournament. With 14 & Under Singles and 18 & Under Doubles events, the competition was fierce and the sportsmanship exemplary. Congratulations to our winners – Ben Atkins, Gianmarco Stemphlet, Hattie Pope, Chloe Watson, Bertie Faulkner, and Olivia Milchan – who advanced to the county and area finals in June.

In addition to weekly Saturday block fixtures, our top Third and Fourth Form players competed in the LTA Year 9 & 10 Youth Schools League. Entered in both Division 1 and 2, the league provided valuable match experience. The Junior girls finished second in their Division 1 league, while the boys topped their Division 2 league and will advance to the knockout stages in September.

At the U15 Sussex County Schools Tournament hosted by Bede’s, both our boys’ and girls’ teams reached the finals. Special mentions go to Ben Atkins and Jacob Turner, who remained undefeated in doubles throughout the day.

The Summer Term has seen 12 competitive teams consistently represent Lancing in block fixtures at the weekends. Highlights include dominant wins across the board against Worth School and Brighton College. When turning to statistics, the Senior Boys’ 2nd VI maintained a flawless record this year, achieving a 100% win rate with victories over Hurst, Worth, Brighton, and Seaford. Their consistency and teamwork were standout features of the season, superbly led by their captain, Paddy Joyce.

Recognised for their commitment to the sport, work ethic, and leadership, the following Sixth Form students were honoured at this year’s Sports Dinner for their contributions to tennis: Julian Nikolay (Boys’ 1st VI), Paddy Joyce (Boys’ 2nd VI), Beau Fountain (Boys’ 3rd VI), Hattie Pope (Girls’ 1st VI), Ottoline Gee (Girls’ 2nd VI), and Nicola Ko (Girls’ 3rd VI), with George Harris and Alex Kaye receiving their full colours in Tennis.

The College also proudly hosted our annual U11 and U13 Prep Schools’ Tournament, welcoming over 80 young players from across the county to compete on 16 of our tennis courts. It was a stunning day of sunshine, enthusiastic crowds, and fantastic tennis on display from the next generation of talent.

and successfully.

As the term draws to a close, attention turns to some of the most anticipated events of the year: the Junior and Senior House Tennis Tournaments and the Manor Cup Mixed Doubles. These events are a celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and the joy of competition.

Congratulations to all our winners and to everyone who has contributed to the tennis programme in 2024–25. We look forward to another exciting year ahead!

A huge thank you goes to our Lower Sixth Sports Leaders, whose invaluable support helped ensure the event ran smoothly

Siobhan Airey, Head of Tennis

The

Lancing Prep Hove

summer term at LPH is always a game of two halves, with an unnatural silence during exams, followed by exuberant and noisy activity as we celebrate the summer!

During the Easter holidays the school ski trip returned to Bormio in Italy. It was a wonderful experience with fabulous weather and great snow conditions. Whether beginners or more seasoned skiers, everyone learnt and improved, with confidence high by the end of the week and lots of new skills acquired. Evenings were packed with quizzes, team games, and lots of laughter. We managed to also enjoy a night at a real Italian pizzeria, have a go at curling and sing our hearts out at karaoke!

After the hush of exam week, the school returned to its customary hustle and bustle. The children from Years 5 to 8 were looking forward to their

residential trips. Most were, as ever, adventure-based with Year 7 combining outdoor education with improving their French language skills in Morzine in the French Alps and Year 8 heading off to Wales for a week of kayaking, mountain biking and walking. Back at school, Years 3 and 4 had a wonderful time going to play beach volleyball followed by a picnic, a visit to Wakehurst Place and pizza making at school! Their activities ended with their very own overnight camp on our school field, with a hearty breakfast the following morning.

Our hard-working PTA put on a super summer party event, which was very well supported by our LPH families. It was

a wonderful opportunity for our school community to gather together for an evening of fun, music and refreshments. My thanks go to them for all they do to contribute to the life of the school.

We enjoyed a week of musical concerts from the Pre-Prep up to Year 8 and it was wonderful to see our youngest musicians take centre stage for the very first time, as well as to admire the fantastic progress that the older children have made. For Year 8, it would be the last time we heard them play. Every concert was well-attended by appreciative parents who clapped and cheered the children’s performances. Year 6 also put on a very successful

drama evening, where they showcased the scenes they had been working on at school. The final show of the year was the Year 8 Revue, with a special cabaretstyle programme of acts, performed while parents enjoyed some delicious local cheeses and cured meats. Year 8 had worked hard to produce the evening of entertainment themselves and it was a veritable triumph of teamwork and talent!

The final day of term fast approached and the Prep children made the journey up to Lancing College Chapel for prize giving. In my address, I acknowledged that it hasn’t been the easiest of years for independent schools but LPH

continues to thrive, not only in the strength of our pupils’ achievements but, just as importantly, in the warmth of its heart. Then it was time to say farewell to our Year 8 pupils, who now, fully fledged, leave the nestbox of LPH to spread their wings at their senior schools. We will miss them, we always do, but we know they leave us brimming with the confidence to move on and flourish in the next phase of their school lives. We hope that they will, in years to come, reflect upon their time at LPH with the happiest of memories.

KIRSTY KEEP Head Mistress

Lancing Prep Worthing

This marks my 11th Summer Term at LPW and I can honestly say it has been the most action-packed and joy-filled of them all. As I reflect on the many memorable moments we have shared, it’s almost impossible to believe they all took place within a single term.

In May, we welcomed four school inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) and monitored by Ofsted. The inspection took place over four days and during their visit, they observed many lessons, met with pupils and staff and analysed pupil, parent and staff anonymous surveys. We are overjoyed that their report reflects the excellence of Lancing Prep Worthing and the superb nature of our care and work with pupils, both within and beyond the classroom. We are delighted that the inspectors recognised so many aspects of life at our school that we are immensely proud of too.

We were also thrilled to learn that we are a Finalist for The Debrett’s Education Award for Outstanding Pastoral Care,

that we received a Highly Commended Award for Best Learning Support in the Muddy Stilettos Best School Awards and that we have been shortlisted for Small Independent School of the Year 2025 Alongside this, our Head of Wellbeing, Mrs Emily Brown, has been recognised by the National Pearson Teaching Awards for her outstanding pastoral work in our school.

Our production of Aladdin The Musical was a truly magical highlight this term. It was a vibrant, joyful celebration of creativity, teamwork and dedication. Our young performers dazzled with powerful vocals, convincing characterisation and a flair for storytelling that belied their years. What was most impressive, however, was the sense of community and camaraderie that underpinned the entire process. A school production is

never just about the performance — it’s about pupils pushing beyond their comfort zones, supporting one another and learning the power of resilience, responsibility and teamwork. These are life lessons that will stay with them far longer than any line or lyric.

Across year groups, our children have had plenty of opportunities to step out into the wider world, encountering new ideas, environments and experiences that have brought their learning to life in remarkable ways. Our Reception class began their adventures with a visit to the beautiful Arundel Wetlands. Surrounded by nature, the children explored the habitats of local wildlife and deepened their understanding of the natural world. Year 1 took a wonderfully local journey to Beach House Gardens, where they discovered the inspiring

Bugcycle Community Garden. There, they learned about sustainability, biodiversity and how even the smallest garden can become a home for nature. Year 2 enjoyed a day of discovery at Drusillas Park, where education and adventure went hand in hand. From meerkats to monkeys, our pupils had the chance to observe animals up close and learn more about their habitats and behaviours. The excitement was infectious and the conversations back at school were full of wonder and questions. Year 3 stepped back in time with a visit to Preston Manor, exploring the grandeur and intricacies of Victorian life. For our older pupils, a group embarked on a truly special cultural experience with a trip to Paris. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, boulangeries to boat rides on the Seine, it was a trip filled with awe, laughter and learning. We firmly believe that education is not confined to the four walls of a classroom. These trips provided new perspectives, unforgettable memories and countless opportunities to ask questions, make connections and grow in understanding. Sports and fixtures have continued to have a central place in the life of our school. A particular highlight was the Bannister Mile, an LPW tradition. This year we welcomed professional trainers to have fun with the children whilst they completed a warm-up activity and the

Mayor of Worthing and the Town Crier to introduce the races and to cheer pupils, parents and staff on in the fun run and competitive race. The entire afternoon was commentated by Richard Reynolds, who usually does this task for Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. It was a special afternoon and much money was raised for our House charities.

Sports Day was another standout event. It was a day of colour, competition and community spirit. Our House teams the Saxons, Britons, Celts and Normans rallied together with pride and sportsmanship.

Our pupils have had the chance to get involved in a fantastic variety of other sports alongside the more traditional ones, including NFL flag football, gymnastics, handball, basketball, tennis and table tennis. Slinfold Golf & Country Club hosted an exciting taster session to introduce pupils to golf, building anticipation for their new club launching here in September. It’s been a great way for them to try something new, stay active and discover new talents along the way.

Careers Week was bigger and better this year with the entire school community getting involved. Our pupils engaged in a wide range of activities designed to broaden their horizons, spark curiosity and encourage them to think about their future pathways with

confidence and ambition. From guest speakers representing a diverse range of industries to interactive workshops and hands-on experiences, the week offered something for everyone. It was particularly heartening to see our pupils asking thoughtful questions, showing enthusiasm and beginning to make important connections between their learning and the world beyond school.

As always, I have run out of words, yet still have so many wonderful things that I would like to share about what our special community has been up to this term. However, it is time for a welldeserved rest this summer and we shall be back in September ready to go again!

FRANCESCA MILLING Head

It’s been a busy summer at Little Lancing

With a wealth of opportunities to learn through play, the children have thrived at Little Lancing and our success continues, with the nursery busier than ever.

Back in the spring, the children were entranced by the visit from Sherwood Farm, who set up on our Forest School field. They brought along a donkey, a pig, a goat, rabbits, chicks, guinea pigs and a super-friendly dog. The whole nursery came to visit, one room at a time, and the stars of the show were two very young lambs, just two and three weeks old respectively! The farmer complimented the older children on their excellent behaviour in the animal pens and the children thoroughly enjoyed stroking and grooming the animals.

Forest School has gone from strength to strength for the Pre-school children who have made seed bombs and nests to celebrate the start of summer.

They moved on to creating musical instruments, flags and mobiles, using natural resources they gathered from the Forest School field. They went out to forage for pebbles which they brought back and decorated to represent animals and insects.

Gardening week was a great success, with all the children planting seeds in pots. They were very excited to see their seedlings sprout. We celebrated Bee Day with lots of learning about how important bees are to the environment and they went on to make their own bee models. We have registered with the Eco-Schools Early Years initiative and will be working towards gaining our Green Flag accreditation.

The younger children have explored textures through sensory play and have been out and about in the nursery buggies, with walks along the new path down to the riverbank, as well as visiting the Lancing College fields. The nursery garden has been a lovely environment for play, with welcome shade on sunnier days, although of course we have kept the children safe from the heat of the day!

Cooking school has been a real hit with the Pre-school children this term, they have made fruit kebabs, vegetable wraps and have mastered using a blender to create their own fruit smoothies! They were proud to take home the items they had made to show their parents, although they drank the smoothies at nursery.

A number of our nursery assistants have been busy having their own babies; we are looking forward to welcoming back staff from maternity leave and we are also wishing those going off on maternity leave all the very best.

For our oldest children, it’s been their final term at Little Lancing before they set off on the next stage of their early years learning journey. They have followed our school readiness programme, designed to help them gain confidence and a little more independence so that the transition to their new schools is as smooth as possible. They’ve worked on the simple basics of numeracy and literacy, and have taken to this learning with great enthusiasm. We have had visits here at

To mark their departure, we held a very special Leavers’ Tea Party in the grounds of Lancing College Chapel, with a wonderful children’s entertainer, fun games and tea in the shade of the lower cloister. We ended the afternoon with the presentation of their leaving gifts. We will be a little sad to see them go, as many have been with us since they were babies, but we know they leave us with happy memories and a good start for their life at primary school.

In September, many of our current children will move up to their next rooms and we will have a fresh intake of little ones to welcome into our baby rooms. We cannot wait to meet them!

JOVITA OPIO Nursery Manager

nursery from their Reception teachers and school visits for them to meet their new classmates.

Chapel News

Last term’s Quad outlined the range of conservation works which arise from the Architect’s 2024 Quinquennial Inspection.

This summer, Vitruvius, our brave and brilliant rope-access team, will replace finials on the south pinnacles, repair lead flashings and slates on the high roof and continue repointing exposed stonework with lime mortar. Some of this sounds mundane but it is all given added glamour by the traditional skills of masonry and working on the end of a rope or on a cherry-picker 30 metres above the ground. The ideal solution to long-term conservation is regular phases of rope-access work and minimal contracts involving scaffolding.

Since the Quinquennial, however, a detailed survey of the high apse windows has been carried out by drone. This technology delivers remarkable images, but close-up, tactile

investigation is still essential to ensure safe use of the Chapel. That requires a scaffold for the interior and, in the interests of economy, carrying out the repairs at once. All this involves complex planning and the golden rule is to make as much use of the scaffold installation as possible. So, we are now contemplating one major contract at the east end, including the apse, the south tower and its copper spire.

The gifts of the Friends and of our tourist visitors, make the regular work possible but major contracts involve concentrated capital expenditure. Again, we are immensely fortunate to have received spectacularly generous legacies at just the right moment, which make it possible to get on with the job.

LEGACIES

When the Chapel was first proposed, someone said to the Founder, ‘but you trust entirely to luck to execute the work.’ Nathaniel Woodard replied, ‘I do but I call it by another name.’ And, from the start, ‘Providence’ has played a crucial role in the story of the Chapel. And there is nothing more providential than a substantial legacy. As Secretary of the Friends over many years, I have been overwhelmed by the commitment shown by OLs to the building which embodies the spirit of Lancing. It is the nature of legacies to appear out of the blue and from the most unexpected sources. And they have often come at just the right moment to complete a project or resolve a problem of maintenance. Indeed, it is true that without the astonishingly generous bequests which have been received

by the Friends in their 80 years of fundraising, Lancing Chapel would not only still be unfinished, but it would also be totally unsafe to use or even visit. It costs at least £600 a day just to keep the Chapel open and usable. The equivalent will always be the case and there are often substantial additional costs. Your legacy to the Friends (whether you are a member or not) would help to preserve and enhance the Chapel for future generations and justify the Founder’s confident faith. To explore different ways of leaving a legacy gift to the Friends, please contact Catherine Reeve, clr@lancing.org.uk

FRIENDS

OF LANCING CHAPEL ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Saturday 27 September 2025

The Friends’ committee is very pleased to extend an invitation to the Annual Festival to anyone on the College mailing list who would like to attend. There is no charge and no need to be a Friend but it is hoped that guests will feel inclined to make a donation and even become a member of the charity.

The Festival takes place in Chapel and starts with Choral Evensong given by the College Choir. The preacher this year is the Rt Revd Jonathan Meyrick, the Provost and newly elected Chairman. The service will be followed by a very brief AGM, after which there will be an illustrated talk by stonemason and author Andrew Ziminski. Based in Frome, Andrew has worked on historic buildings ranging from a megalithic burial chamber and an Anglo-Saxon shrine to Salisbury Cathedral and many important parish churches. He has written two popular books: The Stonemason (2020) and Church Going (2024) and copies will be available on the day.

Jeremy Tomlinson, Hon Secretary of the Friends of Lancing Chapel SCAN THE QR CODE TO

As always, the Festival will end with an appetising afternoon tea. Please do come if you can.

Foundation Office & Lancing Society

You will see that this edition of The Quad is packed full of news about OLs both young and old.

It is truly marvellous to see the longevity achieved by so many alongside the under 30s who are launching exciting careers; each generation brings a new energy to the Lancing community and a confirmation that there is a common bond between the ages. This sense of belonging to a place and a community has been important to so many of us over the years. Bishop Trevor Huddleston, one of our most renowned OLs, used to remind Lancing pupils on his visits here about his early (this was the 1950s) ideas regarding mindfulness and the power of a world community. His words are still so relevant today and have passed from one OL generation to another, reminding us all that education really is a legacy.

The coming academic year will see us celebrate 50 years of co-education at Lancing, welcome our 50th Foundationer into the programme and a third prep school, Dorset House, into the Lancing family from 1 September 2025. Do read the memoir of Philip Womack (Sanderson’s 1995–2000) on p.83 about his time at Dorset House and his move to Lancing afterwards, it is the stuff of dreams.

Now in my 20th year working here I have come across many OLs,

parents and staff who keep a love and attachment for Lancing throughout their lives and which is handed down from one family to the next. The College is in fine fettle thanks to the leadership in the last 11 years of Dominic Oliver and we are all grateful for his dedication and commitment to making Lancing such a success in his tenure. You will not be surprised to hear that we have set ourselves ambitious plans for the coming years and to achieve this we shall undoubtedly need the help of all of you who care about Lancing.

The Summer Term is inevitably one of farewells, particularly for our Upper Sixth students as they reflect on their final days here and of course, they are joined this year by our Head Master. I wish all our 2025 leavers every success in their life after Lancing. Each year I watch with fascination the transition of our pupils to the world beyond and to becoming OLs. I still find it hard to believe that two decades have passed for the 2006 leavers, my first cohort of OLs and who now have successful careers all over the world. The Leavers’ Ball did not exist when I left Lancing as a pupil in 1979; we had our own parties though! In 2025 it has become an important

part of the farewell process, as it brings everyone together for one final poignant moment. I too will be having a ‘moment’ at the end of the coming Advent Term as I will be retiring from my role as Foundation Director. I feel privileged to have had this time amongst the Lancing community and shared with you so many extraordinary occasions. I do hope to have the opportunity to bid a personal fond farewell to a good number of you in the coming months.

My warmest wishes from Lancing, as always,

Director

CATHERINE REEVE Foundation

Foundationer Focus

From the very beginning of his time at Lancing, Head Master, Dominic Oliver has spearheaded and nurtured our bursary campaign, Lancing Foundationers: Bursaries that Change Lives.

Since its inception through to the official launch in 2017, and now as we prepare to welcome our 50th Foundationer in September 2025, his unwavering commitment has driven this transformative initiative. Here, we reflect on some highlights of this extraordinary programme – one that has not only changed

lives within our own community but has also inspired similar initiatives at schools across the country.

We are delighted that the Foundationers Campaign has just received the Education Choices Bursary Support Award 2025.

Wishing our newest OL Foundationers the best of luck for the future

To learn more about the Foundationers Campaign, please visit the website:

EYLA Summer Camp in 2024

Foundation Council in 2017

Bursary Ambassadors in 2018

Upper Sixth Foundationers in 2022

We wish both Claire and Ogechi the very best as they leave Lancing to start university in September.

Legacies at Lancing

Legacies have played, and continue to play, an important role in our history.

Gifts left to Lancing over the years have made the College what it is today, creating life-changing opportunities for pupils and enriching the environment in which they learn. Whether it is funding our Foundationer Programme for young people in challenging social or financial circumstances, helping to provide for a new initiative, or taking on a project of the largest scale, such as the Chapel completion, legacies are shaping the lives and experiences of today’s and tomorrow’s OLs.

Those of us lucky enough to have experienced a Lancing education know that it is like no other. Remembering Lancing in your Will represents a testament of loyalty and commitment to our future. It is a way to commemorate your time at the College whilst ensuring that Lancing has the resources to thrive and adapt to different challenges that will inevitably come its way.

We hope you might perhaps reflect how your life was influenced by Lancing and by the generosity of previous generations of the school’s benefactors. We understand that

providing for your loved ones must be your priority, and once this is done, we ask you to consider making a bequest to Lancing.

The 1848 Legacy Society was created in 2006, in recognition of our Founder’s vision and foresight, to allow the Head Master and staff to thank all those who have made provision for, or are considering leaving a legacy to the College. 1848 Society members are invited back to Lancing regularly to hear from the Head Master about the longer-term vision for the College including key strategic areas. On receipt of a bequest the legator’s name is inscribed on a board in Great School to reflect the College’s gratitude. The honours board hangs amongst all the portraits of Lancing’s previous Head Masters and is a lasting tribute to our benefactors and their generosity.

To explore the different ways to leave a legacy gift to Lancing, please contact Catherine Reeve: clr@lancing.org.uk

Lancing Parents Association

The Lancing Parents Association (LPA) is a friendly community that brings parents together through social activities and exciting events.

With support from the Foundation office, our dynamic organising committee focuses on delivering events that are both enjoyable and meaningful. The LPA are always delighted to welcome volunteers who want to get involved with events and warmly invites new members to join the committee.

The LPA will be on hand to meet parents at the upcoming Malawi Walk on Saturday 6 September 2025 — please be sure to stop by the LPA stand to say hello and connect with the committee! Event planning for the new academic year is in progress, and we look forward to sharing updates with you soon.

For new parents, we are hosting tea & coffee mornings on Sunday 14 September at 9.00am in the War Memorial Cloister, and on Saturday 27 September at 8.00am in the Shearwood Pavilion.

The next committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 10 September at 7.00pm in the Megarry Room at Lancing College. The LPA AGM will be held on Wednesday 10 October at 7.30 pm. All welcome!

To get in touch, please email lpa@lancing.org.uk

OL Visits

OL Club President Nigel Wheeler (Olds 1963–1968) visited Lancing on the occasion of his 75th birthday accompanied by John Trotter (Olds 1964–1969), John Garratt (Teme 1964–1968), Peter Spall (1963–1968), Mickey Fenton (1963–1968), and Neil Grainger (Gibbs’ 1964–1969)

Go Team: Kiril Boiko (Teme 2022–2024), Eric Mironescu (Teme 2022–2024) and Sam Jenkins (Teme 2022–2024)

Canon Shimmyo (Handford 2021–2023) stopped by to see her portrait in the Dining Hall. She has just completed her second year at the Royal Veterinary College.

Associations’ Dinner

The

annual Associations’ Dinner took place on Monday 12 May, bringing together members of the Lancing community to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions made by our volunteer committees.

Representatives from the OL Club, Friends of Lancing Chapel, the Lancing Parents Association (LPA), Lancing Prep Hove PTA and Lancing Prep Worthing PTA were warmly welcomed to the College in recognition of their support and continued commitment to school life.

The evening began with a relaxed drinks reception, highlighted by a special appearance from Polly, the College’s ever-popular vintage Peugeot food truck, which was stationed on the Chapel lawn. Guests enjoyed the picturesque surroundings before heading to the Megarry Room for a delicious 3-course meal prepared by Lancing’s talented catering team.

During his speech, Head Master, Dominic Oliver expressed the College’s heartfelt gratitude to all those who give their time

and energy to support Lancing. Special thanks were given to Neal Peckham, Secretary of The OL Club, and Alex Hicks, Treasurer of the Lancing Parents Association, both of whom are stepping down from their officer roles this year.

Nigel Bennett, Chair of The OL Club, offered his own words of appreciation for Dominic Oliver, who is concluding his tenure as Head Master at the end of this academic year. His leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on the Lancing community.

The Associations’ Dinner is an annual tradition that highlights the strength and generosity of the wider Lancing family. We remain deeply grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and look forward to coming together once again in 2026 to celebrate the vital role they play in shaping life at Lancing.

2025 Leavers’ Ball

Bidding a fond farewell to our 2025 Upper Sixth Leavers ...

Message from the Chair

The Summer Term holds a special place in the hearts of many OLs, bringing back memories of warmer and longer days, and the excitement of the holidays ahead. It was lovely to see so many of you over the past few months. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the Over 60s Lunch, where we were delighted to welcome our very first female speaker, Sue Holt – long overdue and greatly appreciated.

We also enjoyed an excellent evening at the AGM and Summer Drinks Party, with representation from OLs across the generations. To read about the latest achievements of our OL Sports Teams, please see the following pages. Wishing you all a very happy and restful summer.

Congratulations ...

NIGEL BENNETT Chair, The OL Club Olds 1972–1977

Congratulations to OLs Lauren Gardner (Sankey’s 2011–2016) and George Greenacre (Second’s 2012–2017) who were married in Tuscany, near Siena, surrounded by 120 of their friends and family including a number of OLs

2025 OL Club AGM and Summer Drinks

The OL Club’s Annual General Meeting and Summer Party took place on 15 May at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge.

The event welcomed OLs spanning eight decades, a testament to the Club’s remarkable, multi-generational camaraderie.

After a lively AGM, OLs gathered in the elegant Britannia Bar and enjoyed views of Hyde Park from the Deck whilst catching up with their school friends and peers.

The OL Club organises a diverse calendar of events throughout the year and the College remains deeply grateful for the dedication and support of The OL Club Committee: Nigel Wheeler (Olds 1963–1968), Nigel Bennett (Olds 1972–

1977), Rosie Scott (Manor 2002–2007), Luke Davies (Gibbs’ 2011–2016), Matthew Butti (Head’s 2006–2008), Paige Taylor (Handford 2015–2017), Frankie Tudball (School 2013–2018), and Michael Brainerd (Head’s 2008–2010) with special mention to Neal Peckham (Field’s 1970–1975) who stepped down at the AGM as Club Secretary. We also welcome Favour Nebeolisa (Field’s 2017–2019) who has joined the committee this year.

Over 60s Spring Luncheon 2025

On Thursday 8 May we had the pleasure of welcoming our Over 60s OL Community to a Spring Luncheon at the Athenaeum Club in London.

This sell-out event was particularly special, marking a new milestone with the attendance of seven of our pioneering girls – those who joined Lancing for their A Levels – a record number for an Over 60s gathering.

The afternoon began with a delightful drinks reception, where guests enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and forming new bonds. This was followed by a delicious lunch served in the elegant Garden Room, which provided a perfect backdrop for relaxed conversation and camaraderie.

A standout moment of the event was a talk by our first female guest speaker, Sue Holt (Second’s 1975–1977). Sue took us on a joyful journey through her time at Lancing, sharing cherished memories and reflecting on the confidence the College instilled in her. Her vivid recollections resonated deeply with all present, offering a moving reminder that the spirit of Lancing endures, no matter how many years have passed.

Vintage OLs Afternoon Tea

We were delighted to welcome more than 70 of our esteemed OLs back to Lancing on Saturday 10 May for a truly memorable reunion.

Our guests represented three decades, the 40s, the 50s and the 60s, aged from 75–93, still showing remarkable energy and that wonderful Lancing spirit.

The day began with a Eucharist service in the Chapel, where old friends reunited in its familiar tranquillity. Following the service, the Head Master, Dominic Oliver, warmly welcomed all guests, setting the tone for a day of celebration and reflection.

Guests then gathered for a delightful High Tea, enjoying a selection of delicious treats.

The atmosphere in the Megarry Room was buzzing with laughter and conversation, as memories of school days came flooding back. It was the perfect opportunity to reminisce— sharing stories, recalling members of the Common Room, and cherishing friendships that have endured through the years.

Camilla Harris (Field’s 2006-2011) will be playing the role of Musetta in La Bohème at Glyndebourne in autumn 2025. This spring, she also played the role of a Flower Maiden in Wagner’s Parsifal in June, also at Glyndebourne.

It was a wonderful surprise to bump into Taha Wiheba (Head’s 2007–2012) on a recent trip to Harvard and to catch up on all his news. Impressively, he is now a Program Fellow on the Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict, researching into a range of areas related to public international law, the United Nations and armed conflict. I sense Harvard Square has never been graced by such a moment of high end Lancing reminiscence and anecdotage!

Dr Damian Kerney (Common Room; Head’s 1984–1989)

John Goodall’s (Head’s 1956–1960) new memoir The Infallible Fortune Teller was published on 25 June 2025. It is a remarkable story of love, passion and good fortune set in prerevolution Iran, a country of cosmopolitan glamour that could not be further from the Iran of today.

‘Many, if not most of us, have had reason to believe at one time or another that our lives - our destinies - are controlled and pre-determined by some supernatural power. On the other hand, many of us are sceptical and may consider psychics and fortune tellers to be members of a profession not to be taken seriously. If you are sceptical as I used to be, this true story will surely make you think again.’

John Goodall

Clive Phillips (Field’s 1971–1976) recently travelled from his home in Australia to London to talk about his new book, Towards an Ethical Approach to Animals: A Life Learning about Animal Welfare published by SpringerLink, which includes a chapter on his time at Lancing. Clive is an adjunct professor, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Australia, and a visiting professor, Estonia University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science.

Under the leadership of Nicholas Taylor (Field’s 1965–1959), a group of OLs joined forces to fund the gravestone repair of beloved master Patrick ‘Tiger’ Halsey (Common Room 1928–1968; Field’s Housemaster 1936–1968). The gravestone is located at Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire.

Photo © Gerard Collett

From Dorset House to Lancing College

I started boarding at Dorset House Preparatory School when just reaching my tenth birthday, in 1991. My first dorm was in the rafters of the ancient manor house, which, despite having belonged to Harold Godwin’s sister, disappointingly had no ghosts.

The school’s setting was magical: the views across the Arun valley river (lost on us as children; cherished as adults); the endless summer evenings playing cricket or messing about in the woods; the frosty mornings when our knees – we were not allowed to wear trousers – turned blue with cold, and hot chocolate in the evening. There was an amphitheatre, nested beneath the manor house, where sometimes I would sit and pretend to be a Roman.

The teachers were friendly, funny and kind. I remember our Maths teacher shaving his hair into a green mohican (for charity, not style). We were also given responsibilities, as unit leaders (mine were Vanguard and Fusiliers), prefects and dorm leaders. The emphasis was always on helping those younger or weaker than you, and also on excelling. My final year there was heaven. Because I’d taken a scholarship to Lancing College in the Lent Term, I had the Summer Term off for projects and enrichment. We set up a school newspaper; wrote a play in French; made computer programs. And I read, and read, and read, and wrote, and wrote, and wrote.

There were many links with Lancing: a stream of boys went on to the school. I’m not sure, thinking back, why I chose Lancing over the other schools we’d looked at (Tonbridge, Epsom, Winchester etc.) There was its setting, by the Adur, which felt comfortably enough like the Arun, and the familiar presence of the Downs. There was the Chapel, which, even now, never fails to leave me breathless. And of course there was the amphitheatre where, in my Sixth Form years, I would take books that I was studying (and books that I wasn’t), and read in the peace, still half-pretending to be a Roman.

Both schools found their way into my novels: Dorset House is the setting for my first, The Other Book, and a version of Lancing College appears in Wildlord

Music was vital at Dorset House – we nearly all played two instruments. And at Lancing my music blossomed, not only in the choir, but also on the piano and flute, in various bands, and chamber concerts. I’d loved being in plays at Dorset House, and it was a seamless move into the Lancing Theatre, with its inventive stagings (I’ll never forget a hilarious production of Ionescu’s Rhinoceros) and a level of directorial professionalism that I rarely encountered afterwards. I went from being fourth soldier (or similar) in Julius Caesar, to a spindly, yellowstockinged Malvolio in Twelfth Night. I played the role of the aged servant, very badly, in Christopher Hampton’s The White Chameleon. Hampton (Second’s 1959–1963) himself attended. How did I do? Afterwards, he rather generously said, ‘you moved very well.’

My Dorset House teachers stretched us intellectually: we were doing quadratic equations and the gerund in our final term. At Lancing, I found a wealth of knowledge and passion among the Lancing masters and mistresses: sharp minds, hilarious wit, vast knowledge and inimitable mannerisms. I’m grateful to every one of them, and to Dorset House too. There couldn’t be a better connection. I’m sure that it will prosper. And I hope that pupils will always sit in the amphitheatres at both schools, and dream.

A memoir by Philip Womack (Sanderson’s 1995–2000)

Philip Womack: At Dorset House as a pupil, and more recently ...

A summary of the OLGS tournaments played this spring/summer:

Halford Hewitt

The Lancing OL Scratch Golf Team competed in the Halford Hewitt once again this year with high hopes, fielding what we believed to be the strongest and youngest side in recent memory. Unfortunately, despite our optimism, we were narrowly defeated in the first round by Cranleigh — our first opening-round loss in several years. In a tightly contested match, four of the games went down to the 18th hole, a testament to how fine the margins can be in this competition. We moved into the Plate at Princes, where a youthful team of six performed admirably. We progressed smoothly past Shrewsbury in the first round, but our run came to an end in round two at the hands of Stonyhurst. Special mention must go to Charlie Gilkenkrantz (Second’s 2016–2021) and Tom Scade (Gibbs’ 2018–2023) for some particularly impressive golf throughout the week.

Grafton Morrish

Like the Halford Hewitt the Grafton Morrish is a scratch foursome’s competition for former independent school pupils. Despite fielding the strong team of Tom Scade and Charlie Gilgenkrantz, Eric Brünjes (Teme 1998–2003) and Jack Cheesman (Head’s 2014–2019) and Harry Brünjes (Head’s 1996–2021) with Rufus Dennis (Sankey’s 1999–2004), Lancing were not able to repeat 2024’s success of reaching the Finals this year at a very tough Southern qualifier held at Knole Park in early May. We look forward to next year.

OL Spring Meeting

The end of May saw a low turnout for the OL Spring Meeting at Bognor Regis Golf Club, which was a shame as the course was in good condition and the catering up to its usual high standard. Despite bemoaning his bad form Nigel Munn (Field’s 1979–1984) once again prevailed in the Stableford singles competition, his 35 points pipping runner up Ian Martin (Olds 1979–1984) by a couple.

Royal Wimbledon Putting Competition

Royal Wimbledon Golf Club hosts an independent school putting competition each year for the Gordon Thorburn trophy, involving four nights of qualifying in the first week of June followed by a final for the top 8 schools the week following. The Lancing team gathered on a wet Tuesday evening for a curtailed qualifier as two of the eight schools in our group had failed to enter teams and a third mysteriously departed after one round of the putting green. Our team of Chris Pettie (Head’s 1992–1997), Ollie John (Second’s 2013–2018), Ralph Brünjes (Gibbs’ 2001–2006) and Rufus Dennis just missed out on qualifying for the Final finishing a creditable third of the remaining five schools.

Mellin, Burles, Millard

At the end of June, West Hill Golf Club hosts the Mellin (over 55s), Burles (over 65s) and Millard (over 75s) trophies played for by the 16 schools forming the second wave of joiners of the Halford Hewitt competition back in the 1920’s. The Lancing Mellin team saw the successful debuts of Martin Slumbers (Field’s 1973–1978) and Paul Finnet (Sanderson’s 1978–1983) who both won their opening matches with partners Justin Higgo (Head’s 1982–1987) and Peter Oakes (Olds 1973–1978) against a strong Forest side who subsequently went on to win the Plate. In the afternoon second round, last year’s winners Haileybury proved two strong winning by 2 1/2 to 1/2 but it was good to see the over 55 team that also included Simon Longfield (Gibbs’ 1979–1984) and Simon Higgo (Head’s 19811986), under the stewardship of non-playing skipper Nigel Munn, once more competitive with the best. Also putting in a strong performance were our over 65s team of David Cox (Second’s 1968–1972), David Reid (Field’s 1966–1971), Peter Oakes and captain Rob Walker (Second’s 1971–1975), who were knocked out of the Burles in the first round, halving one and narrowly losing the other match in the morning, and then not being able to progress in the Plate after losing out on the first extra hole.

Upcoming Fixtures

7 July – Match vs Old Radleians at New Zealand Golf Club. Report to follow in the next issue.   3 September – OLGS Autumn Guest meeting at West Sussex Golf Club. Contact charliemackendrick@gmail.com for more information.

Charles MacKendrick (Teme 1978–1983)

Fives

The season kicked off with The EFA Centenary Dinner at Lords, where Richard Black (Second’s 1961–1966) deservedly received a Lifetime achievement award.

All of us who play for the OLs owe Richard an enormous debt of gratitude, for all his enthusiasm, hard work and perseverance to promote and encourage us to play, what Richard calls, ‘this lovely game’.

Aside from that the 2024/25 season was one of transition for the OLs and Fives at Lancing.

At Lancing, Matt Davis (School 2011–2016) has enthusiastically taken on the coaching role and has breathed new life into the midweek Fives club. While Fives continues to be a niche sport at the school, the passion and dedication of those involved remain strong. Despite having just two courts, there is a growing sense of momentum, and efforts are ongoing to encourage more pupils to discover and enjoy the game.

The informal OL Fives club has for many years been kept going by Richard Black and Nigel Cox (Field’s 1958–1963). With Richard’s stepping down from most matters Fives, things are

being organised by Matthew Beard (Sanderson’s 1976–1980), Ed Habershon (School 2012–2017), Ashley Lumbard (Manor 2002–2007) and hopefully in the future Alex Abrahams (Head’ 2011–2014).

Ed Habershon has taken on the job of being match manager for the Westway Summer Super leagues and at the time of writing the team has a 100% record!

On court Alex Abrahams and Ashley Lumbard continue to be our star players, with Alex rising up the rankings and Ashley being runner up again in the Ladies Kinnaird Cup.

The OL pool of players is a small one when compared to other clubs, but nevertheless you will find that OLs who play the game, play it in exactly the right way and in the right spirit, albeit their trophy cabinets are generally gathering dust.

Should anyone read this wish to start playing again or take up Eton Fives, please contact me, Matthew Beard by email at matthew.beardsehls1962@gmail.com or phone 07946 113 368. Matthew Beard (Sanderson’s 1976–1980)

LOBFC

The Lancing Old Boys Football Club had a tempestuous end to their season but ultimately came out of it celebrating. After being overcome easily by the school side, the LOBs needed to put in much stronger performances to stay up in their division. After a run of improved performances, the LOBs found themselves needing to win their final two games to avoid relegation.

We began the penultimate game well and after a cagey 80 minutes, Luke Haddow (Gibbs’ 2013-2018) won a penalty for the side. Frankie Tudball (School 2013–2018) put the ball in the back of the net from the spot and the game ended 1-0. The win however was strongly attributed to the impact of recent leavers George Hockey (School 2020–2025), Magnus Daum (School 2022–2025), Charlie Fry (Second’s 2020–2025) and Alex Bilton (Teme 2020–2025) who catapulted us to victory. We still had work to do however and needed to win our final Bilgame to stay in the division. Within minutes, Henry Shepherd (Teme 2018–2023) opened the scoring and doubled it soon after in the first half. From then we cruised to victory, protecting our goal and keeping the ball vigilantly. Our status was sealed for the season with huge performances from Jamie Chester (School 2018–2023), Oskar Berelowitz (Head’s 2011–2014) and Dan Clifford (Second’s 2013–2018) – who arrived on a flight to London the same morning – however it was an all-round team performance that led us to victory. After a long and tumultuous season this meant the LOBs stayed up.

A special thank you to Ryan Wood (Head’s 2004–2009), Steven Crosby (School 2006–2009), Hector Mendoza (Gibbs’ 2012–2017) and Will Honychurch (Gibbs’ 2014–2019) and all other LOBs for their hard work on and off the pitch this campaign, and to our diligent committee for their immense support for the club, which was paramount to us staying up.

Over the summer we will be getting prepared for the upcoming season with some pre-season friendlies. And soon enough (the first week of September) the next season will commence. If you are keen to get involved, please email me at 13tudballf@gmail.com

Frankie Tudball (School 2013–2018)

Left to right: JB Garway Templeman, George Linfield, Alex Abrahams, Richard Black, Matthew Beard, Ed Habershon at the EFA End of Season drinks May 2025

Cricket

For those who may have missed the news, a depleted Rovers side faced a strong Charterhouse Friars team in the first round of this year’s Cricketer Cup at the start of June. Two impressive centuries from the opposition took the game beyond reach, and despite the Rovers’ best efforts, they ultimately fell short, losing by 197 runs.

More recently the Rovers made the trip to ‘HQ’ to play the 1st XI in a 30 over match on the penultimate day of term, and for some the penultimate day of their life at Lancing. Once the blustery drizzle had blown through, the College did well to restrict the Rovers to just 123 all out and were well on course for a fine victory until I think they suddenly remembered they had some partying to do, and a ‘Roversesque’ collapse saw the match tied when victory was well within their grasp.

Current skipper Max Webb (Second’s 2020–2025) was presented with the Rovers Trophy for his contribution and captaincy over the years, he also accepted the Peter Robinson Trophy, retained as the current holders. We’ll try again next year. With almost half the side leaving Lancing it was a good opportunity to sell the Rovers and to get them on board.

Looking ahead, Rovers Week takes place from 8–11 July with fixtures against The Authors XI, Old Cranleighans (A), Brighton Brunswick and the Sussex Martlets. With two of the aforementioned leavers already signed up for the week, the future looks very promising indeed. The match report will follow in the next issue.

In other news, Mason Crane (Head’s 2010–2015) has been bowling exceptionally well for Glamorgan in the T20 and currently sits third in the table of leading wicket takers at the time of press.

Alice Capsey (Manor 2017–2020) also looks to be back into some form, scoring 125 and 89* for Surrey, averaging 30 and taking four wickets for England in the recent one-day series against the West Indies.

For more details on the two matches above, and for all Rovers content please head to lancingrovers.co.uk #UTR

Many thanks to Hayward & Green for their generous sponsorship, allowing us, amongst other things, to subsidise new kit, which I think looks rather smart, even though I did design it myself.

Tim Mackenzie (Olds 1981–1986), President

Jim Anthony Hill Dudley (Wallace) (Lord Dudley) (Sanderson’s 1944–1947)

Jim was born in Worcestershire in 1930. He attended Lancing during the war when the school was moved to Ludlow. He would often recall his fond memories of the school, as his previous schools were not the happiest days of his life.

Jim had a keen interest in motor cars and bikes from a young age. He realised that to afford one, he would have to settle for a “doer-upper.” From the age of 17 when he acquired his first project, a dilapidated heap of a machine that most would reject, he was hooked.

Jim took part in many of the vintage London to Brighton runs on his trusty 1915 Douglas motorcycle and continued to ride well into his 70s.

Having completed an engineering apprenticeship, he and his brother set up business together running a garage in Worcester. Jim eventually bought his brother out and continued to own the garage for a few more years before selling up and setting out for pastures new. He found he enjoyed helping youngsters and as such took a position in Droitwich High School as a lab technician. This lasted a short while as he was disillusioned with teaching methods at the time. He moved to Bredon public school, where he remained until his retirement, helping some of the less able children to achieve more by learning from his engineering and mechanical experience.

Jim was happily married for 62 years to Nicola, and was father to two boys, Jeremy and Nicholas. He was fiercely proud of his family and particularly enjoyed time spent with them, especially his four grandchildren, Dominic, Charlotte, Hugo, and Madeleine. After a long and fruitful life, Jim left us on 20 June 2024.

Jeremy Wallace (eldest son)

Stephen S Gray (Olds 1969–1973)

On the bleak Sundays of that first Lent Term, with no programme other than meals and chapel, Steve and I would wander down to the aerodrome at Shoreham, a place quite desolate except for a vending machine which for 6d would give us a comforting hot chocolate. Thus, started off our friendship spanning 56 years.

Neither a scholar nor a fêted sportsman, bold enthusiasm secured him a regular place for 3rd XI football and cricket, and, single handed he assembled a first ever Lancing College hockey team, with an inaugural match vs Seaford College. In Biology Sixth Form he completed an impressive project contributing to a nationwide database of moths, cataloguing local species with a light trap on the 16-acre field, and dedicating much of his free time. This would seem at odds with Steve’s trademark awful jokes, high spirited messing around, and loud unguarded laughter, which made him comfortably accessible to everyone and anyone. Socially, his following went beyond Olds House, and so gregarious was he, it was impossible to know everything he was up to.

After leaving school, he moved to London to work in property, while studying part-time at the University of Reading. His career changed direction, and he turned to sales and marketing, eventually joining Penhaligon’s where he was director for some years. He made his biggest mark as global sales lead for the luxury brand Clive Christian, growing its markets throughout the Middle East and Far East, in the US and in Russia. He became extremely knowledgeable in his field and became a valued mentor to many protégés.

Steve treasured his memories of Lancing and kept many friendships alive after leaving. A regular at OL functions, he got much joy from reconnecting with old acquaintances and

making new ones. Those of you who met him would recall the ease and enthusiasm with which he would engage socially. He was great to have around, and his bonhomie was infectious. He was the most loving, supportive, and devoted father and husband. Affectionate and warm by nature, it was with family he felt most complete.

I was fortunate to share time with him during his last years. He was irrepressibly happy simply with the experience of each day and grateful for the enduring friendship. During the dark days of his mercifully short illness, he remained lucid and philosophical, and all the while grateful for the life he lived.

Nick Scriven (Olds 1968–1973)

John Brodie Helder (Gibbs’ 1955–1960)

John Helder, born in 1941 in Wallington, Surrey, was the only son among five children. He joined Lancing and Gibbs’ House in 1955, where he met his lifelong friend and best man, Sir Michael Darrington, who recalled: ‘We met in the Reverend Henry Thorold’s study over 70 years ago. John loved singing and was a stalwart of the choir. He was practical, kind, and loyal—we were best men at each other’s weddings and remained close friends throughout life. Farewell dear friend and thank you for the fun times.’

After Lancing, John worked in petrochemicals, then at John Comfort & Co., supplying silk ties and waistcoats to Harrods and Liberty. The company earned a Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in his tenure; he later served as a civil servant at RB of Kingston.

A devoted member of Sutton & Epsom RFC, John proudly played for all 11 senior sides in one season, later volunteering in various roles including Head of House and Grounds, and Club Bookkeeper. In retirement, he founded Club & Country Colours, supplying ties to rugby clubs across the UK.

Despite serious illness and an above knee leg amputation in 2018, John remained determined, re-learning to walk with a prosthetic limb and drive again. He was a gifted cook and cherished family time with his wife Jane, children Nicola, Melissa, Rory, and his seven grandchildren.

His great friend Charles said: ‘John truly listened. He knew and understood people. He leaves behind so much more than he takes. One of the very best.’

John will be missed hugely and remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.

Melissa France (nee Helder) (daughter)

Sir Richard L V Isham (Head’s 1973–1977)

Without doubt Richard was the best possible friend and housemate for my five years at Lancing. The College was a very different place in the 1970s. Pupils had to be selfsufficient in so many ways but in particular for all extracurricular activities.

There was a highly talented staffroom but so many of the teaching staff were focused on what happened in the classroom and their own particular interests. Donald Bancroft was writing and abridging for the BBC, Dr George Shaw was researching and writing books in a range of areas, the Classics department were at the forefront of the Cambridge Latin Project – a new O-level course and the Maths department was introducing the SMP project and on goes the list. This meant that each afternoon and all weekend most of the pupils had to create their own entertainments.

Students ran most of the sporting activities with Team Captains writing to other schools for fixtures. Interhouse rivalries were intense, and house practices were frequent, serious, and ignored any age differences of the players. Richard would support everything and everyone and was responsible in part at least for creating what at the time was referred to as the ‘holiday camp atmosphere’ of Lancing. He had House Colours for everything but particularly enjoyed and mastered football, tennis, running and swimming. Unusually for the time (there was no exam pressure) his support was conditional on ‘two hours of work’ or similar before the fun could start.

However, Richard’s strongest characteristic was his empathy and friendship with everybody. He made lifelong friends in Head’s but again unusually for the time, he moved freely between the Houses. Sanderson’s and Olds were home of the top dogs (Ken Shearwood was Housemaster of Sanderson’s and he ensured all potential 1st XI football players were in his

House), but Richard charmed all. He even made friends with the staff. I remember him, at 14, mentoring Ted Maidment about future career movements (he went on to be Headmaster at Shrewsbury) as well as advising Ted on his singing style despite no musical knowledge. Richard was always kind and encouraging and everyone trusted his opinion – a very modest man who always brought out the best in people. We send our condolences to all his family.

Christopher Foster (Head’s 1973–1977; Common Room 1991–2019)

William ‘Peter’ Johnston Scales (Teme 1948–1952)

In 1962 Peter’s fiancée, Angela, and my girlfriend, later my wife, worked together at Downe House School. I met Peter who was nearly 6 years older than me when we all went out together for dinner. He lived for most of his married life in the Cotswolds.

He was in the choir at Lancing. Thereafter, he would, anywhere and anytime, sing in his tenor/baritone voice. He founded the Southrop Choir, and as a patient in hospital, he sang Christmas carols engaging both staff and patients.

He used his accountancy skills in volunteering as treasurer for the Southrop PCC and the Donkey Breed Society. After the death of his beloved donkey Webster, in 2007, he and Angela, founded Webster Walks which has raised thousands of pounds. The money was then donated to groups, clubs or individuals who use their donkeys for therapeutic work with children and young adults. They also started the Southrop and Eastleach Riding for the Disabled Association Driving Group, engaging in donkey carriage driving. He acted as footman to his driver, daughter Kate. The care for donkeys extended to his beloved Isles of Scilly, where the Scales frequently holidayed and celebrated anniversaries. His love of history came to the fore when he edited, and caused to be published in 2014, A Home Front Diary 1914–1918 which chronicled the wartime diaries of his great aunt Lillie Scales. Extracts from the eulogy delivered at his memorial service.

Roger Bale (Gibbs’ 1954–1957)

Peter Nichols (Field’s 1953–1958)

Peter Douglas Lane Nichols died on 14 February 2025 in France, where he had lived for over 60 years. Son of D A D L Nichols and brother of J G L Nichols (Field’s 1956–1961). Peter went on to Magdalene College, Cambridge after Lancing to read Law and History. He was one of the first students to do Voluntary Services Overseas and was posted to Sarawak amongst the Dayaks. He was a professor at Toulouse University. He leaves behind four children and ten grandchildren.

Jennie Keeler (Peter’s sister)

Stephen Richard Williams (Teme 1969–1973)

Stephen, aged 68, passed away peacefully on 7 April 2025, surrounded by his family, after a short-lived battle against Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. He was a devoted husband to Lynn, father to Nicholas, Timothy and Lucy, and grandfather to Angus and William, Rory and Jack, and Fionn.

Stephen started out at Broadwater Manor School (now LPW) before moving to Lancing where he was House Captain of Teme in his final year. He had a very enjoyable and successful time at Lancing, establishing lasting friendships, and remembered the College fondly over the many years that followed.

Following Lancing, Stephen went on to attend Bristol University before moving to London to work for Pearl Assurance. He continued to work in London for the next decade or so, before moving up to the Midlands in 1993 to work for Williams de Broe as a pension fund analyst, following which he worked for Brewin Dolphin up until his retirement.

Family was always at the centre of everything that Stephen did, and both he and Lynn took great pride in all that their children achieved, excelling at both their studies and at sport, through school and to graduation from their respective universities.

Stephen gave a huge amount of time to his local community, being a member of many local societies, and was president of his local tennis and squash club up until last year.

In his later years, he was a dedicated grandfather to his five grandchildren, and we all spent a truly memorable final holiday together in the Vendee in France last summer.

Stephen lived a rich and full life, always on a quest to enhance his knowledge in whatever area he chose and left this world with no regrets.

A true gentleman, who lived a life of principle and tradition, and who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Nick Williams (son)

We also remember the following OLs:

Telford Shute

1982–1987 May 2025

George Drewett Olds 1956–1960 May 2025

Stephen Williams Teme 1969–1973 April 2025

Ian Toombs

William Inman

Peter Roberts

Second’s 1955–1960 April 2025

Head’s 1957-1961 April 2025

Head’s 1955-1959 March 2025

David Landon Olds 1949-1954 March 2025

John Parsons Olds 1937–1941 September 2024

Wherever possible, full obituaries are published on The OL Club website www.oldlancingclub.com or in the next edition of The Quad

Forthcoming Events for OLs and Parents 2025

We are looking forward to welcoming OLs, parents and guests to our programme of events over the next few months. The most up-to-date event information can be found on the website.

For further information about any of these events, please contact the Foundation Office: events@lancing.org.uk

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