<![CDATA[Blog Feed - From the Headmaster - The Pilgrims' School]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk%2Ffrom%2Dthe%2Dheads%2Ddesk Juniper Education Content Management System (CMS) Version: 4.5 (junipereducation.org) Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:50:13 GMT Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:50:13 GMT <![CDATA[ Gratitude and Optimism ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/gratitude-and-optimism It took me rather longer than it probably should have done in life to realise that the phrase ‘a moveable feast’ has a clear and logical derivation from the fact that some religious Feasts are, indeed, moveable.

]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:50:13 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/gratitude-and-optimism <![CDATA[ Half-term food for thought ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/half-term-food-for-thought I have previously written about the fact that one of the very best and most refreshing parts of my job is the sheer variety that any period can contain. A recent pair of events that suitably illustrates the contrasts that I can enjoy was, on the one hand, to be chairing the most recent Parley discussion on AI with some senior school heavyweights and, latterly, on the other hand, to be experiencing the joy, fun and tremendous quality of the Years 3 to 5 drama production of ‘Romeo & Juliet’.

]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:29:39 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/half-term-food-for-thought <![CDATA[ Brilliance ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/blog/?pid=3&nid=5&storyid=1604 A very Happy New Year to everyone, as we regather – in the snow-dust, frost and cold – for a term of promise and potential.  

]]> Fri, 9 Jan 2026 16:55:39 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/blog/?pid=3&nid=5&storyid=1604 <![CDATA[ Of Promenades and Parleys... ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-promenades-and-parleys It’s leading into one of the best times of year here at Pilgrims’, as gears wind up towards the Christmas events and end of term. The Chamber Choir sang wonderfully at the Kingsgate Christmas lights switch-on last night, having done similarly for the city’s lights ceremony last week, and this morning saw some excellent performances in the chill for our Promenade Concert. Very well done to all the boys involved and for the fundraising achieved! 

]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:30:40 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-promenades-and-parleys <![CDATA[ From knowledge to understanding ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/from-knowledge-to-understanding Over the summer holidays...

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:16:02 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/from-knowledge-to-understanding <![CDATA[ Half Term: a chance for a good read ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/half-term-a-chance-for-a-good-read Our Headmaster is encouraging our boys to pick up a good read over the half term break.

]]> Fri, 17 Oct 2025 17:07:02 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/half-term-a-chance-for-a-good-read <![CDATA[ Valuing the skill of mediation ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/valuing-the-skill-of-mediation Unsurprisingly, there has been no shortage of debate in recent months about the influence of AI on education.

]]> Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:35:30 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/valuing-the-skill-of-mediation <![CDATA[ Of Poetry & Pastoral Care ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-poetry-and-pastoral-care This week we mark World Poetry Day, a reminder that poetry is not merely a matter of rhyme and rhythm but, at its best, of a certain human truth. One of the risks of viewing poetry solely through the familiar lens of the Romantics is that it can appear to idealise life, polishing experience into something unnaturally smooth and harmonious.

]]> Wed, 8 Oct 2025 14:56:33 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-poetry-and-pastoral-care <![CDATA[ Of fields & trips ​​​​​​​ ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-fields-and-trips Although The Pilgrims’ Pitches sports updates give them their ‘moment in the sun’, it’s great to be able to start with a quick congratulations to the Firsts football team, who’ve had a great start to their season out on the playing fields, with victories over Walhampton and Westbourne House, alongside a hard-earned draw against Twyford.

]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:20:59 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/of-fields-and-trips <![CDATA[ Certainty and Doubts ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/certainty-and-doubts Well – fully and properly – a very warm welcome back (or welcome!) to everyone in our community, with just over a week gone since the start of term.

]]> Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:37:06 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/certainty-and-doubts <![CDATA[ Taking Pride ​​​​​​​ ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/taking-pride As the final days of term approach - sun hats slightly askew, lost property overflowing with odd socks, and many of us (staff and parents included) running on reserves of willpower and coffee – the concept of ‘pride’ is on my mind.

]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:29:05 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/taking-pride <![CDATA[ Mr Butcher writes: ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/mr-butcher-writes Farewell to our long standing Director of Sport

]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:33:30 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/mr-butcher-writes <![CDATA[ On Change, Continuity, and Community ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/on-change-continuity-and-community Epochs can end in different ways.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:04:33 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/on-change-continuity-and-community <![CDATA[ 'Liminal Spaces' ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/liminal-spaces A couple of short hours ago, the Year 8 boys returned still streaked with Devon mud, tired but buzzing, unloading their bags with the weary pride of the school’s veterans returning from a campaign. Mount Kelly - our well-established Year 8 residential destination - has once again worked its special, boggy magic! 

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:58:23 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/liminal-spaces <![CDATA[ What matters is character ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-matters-is-character This time of year always stirs a curious blend of emotions.

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:56:02 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-matters-is-character <![CDATA[ Performances, Parleys and Planting Radishes ​​​​​​​ ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/performances-parleys-and-planting-radishes Though a short span, this week has brimmed with moments that remind us of what holds significance within a school’s daily life. Just within the walls of our Pilgrims’ Hall, two very different gatherings have unfolded - each speaking, in its own way, to the evolving story of learning and growing. 

]]> Fri, 6 Jun 2025 14:47:43 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/performances-parleys-and-planting-radishes <![CDATA[ On Strengths, Connections and Conversations ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/on-strengths-connections-and-conversations Readers will certainly have noticed the growing trend in the prep school landscape.

]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 16:44:47 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/on-strengths-connections-and-conversations <![CDATA[ Keep going! ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/keep-going Those who create films, stories and media with children as the target audience could crudely be split into two groups:  

]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 16:50:55 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/keep-going <![CDATA[ Why choose a choir school? ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/why-choose-a-choir-school As I write, I find myself two-thirds of the way through the excellent annual Choir Schools’ Association conference, this year being wonderfully hosted by Wells Cathedral School.

]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 16:51:39 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/why-choose-a-choir-school <![CDATA[ New Beginnings ​​​​​​​ ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/new-beginnings It may seem odd to have a little focus upon ‘new beginnings’ at the end of term. However, both Lent and spring offer their perspectives in a way that invites a moment’s thought.  

]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:36:10 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/new-beginnings <![CDATA[ Why Drama Is More Than Just a Play ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/why-drama-is-more-than-just-a-play With the Senior production of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ just around the corner – and the Year 5 and Year 3 production of ‘Omelette!’ not too far behind us – I thought it would be a suitable time to take readers back to their own school days and reflect for a moment on what makes the coming together of a drama production such an important experience for the children involved.

]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:14:49 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/why-drama-is-more-than-just-a-play <![CDATA[ And so the wider benefits of the prominence of music ripple outwards... ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/and-so-the-wider-benefits-of-the-prominence-of-music-ripple-outwards At Pilgrims’ we are used to the prominence of music.

]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:17:06 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/and-so-the-wider-benefits-of-the-prominence-of-music-ripple-outwards <![CDATA[ The future is now, but who holds the keys? ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/the-future-is-now-but-who-holds-the-keys Certain events around the world are throwing this particular question starkly into the foreground. 

]]> Sat, 8 Mar 2025 06:50:01 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/the-future-is-now-but-who-holds-the-keys <![CDATA[ A World Apart – We're in it Together ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-world-apart-were-in-it-together While Mr Butcher is away at the IAPS Heads Conference, Mr Cuyler has kindly stepped into his shoes and provided some thoughts for you to consider this week...

]]> Tue, 4 Mar 2025 07:27:21 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-world-apart-were-in-it-together <![CDATA[ Inquisitiveness is the spark that ignites learning ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/inquisitiveness-is-the-spark-that-ignites-learning Yesterday, we were interviewing for our next Head of TPR: a hugely enjoyable process, not least because it gave a chance to discuss the value of the subject and the skills it can help confer. This included pupils’ ability to ask the most revealing questions.  

]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 18:32:27 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/inquisitiveness-is-the-spark-that-ignites-learning <![CDATA[ Connections ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/connections Partly in preparation for tomorrow's Parley discussion, I was recently reading an article entitled, ‘Skills for the Future’. As well as making reference to a speaker at an educational conference with the suspect job title ‘Applied Futurist’ (whatever one of those is), the article included the following as part of its conclusion: 

]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:27:33 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/connections <![CDATA[ It has been said that the most precious thing you can give someone is your attention ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/it-has-been-said-that-the-most-precious-thing-you-can-give-someone-is-your-attention But we are in a world where we increasingly understand that attention and the ability to hold it are under attack from every angle. I have written a number of times about the importance of language and of word choice. With the decline of attention, I genuinely think that this is an area under some considerable threat.  

]]> Thu, 6 Feb 2025 10:16:31 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/it-has-been-said-that-the-most-precious-thing-you-can-give-someone-is-your-attention <![CDATA[ Building Community ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/building-community A happy Exeat to everyone! At this time of year, I always feel that this one is particularly welcome… 

Last week, I wrote in part about the importance of strong community and of that being created through strong human (and humane) relationships

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:25:30 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/building-community <![CDATA[ 'It takes a village to raise a child'. ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-child On Wednesday, I took the short walk down to the church of The Hospital of St Cross...

]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:34:08 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-child <![CDATA[ A new year, A new term ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-new-year-a-new-term First and foremost, a very Happy New Year to everyone!

]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:05:43 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-new-year-a-new-term <![CDATA[ Happy Christmas! ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/happy-christmas At the start of our last full week of term before the holidays, I used assembly to remind the boys to consider (just ahead of Christmas jumper day) a key point of reflection regarding where we are with Christmas. It is a rather well-trodden path of thought for those of us of an older generation, but we must remember that for our young boys these messages are often fresh, vital and formative in how they influence the world they inhabit. 

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:16:11 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/happy-christmas <![CDATA[ Exams are important, but they don’t show everything! ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/exams-are-important-but-they-dont-show-everything Many of you will have noticed that we’re taking what we hope is a more engaging approach to our social media of late. (And for this I must extend huge thanks to Mrs Short and Mr Reynolds who have been instrumental in this.)

]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:25:51 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/exams-are-important-but-they-dont-show-everything <![CDATA[ Nurturing our boys ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/nurturing-our-boys It seems that there is an annual ‘day’ to mark pretty much everything. One of the several frustrating effects of this phenomenon is that it creates a type of ‘mental wallpaper’: there are so many of them that they fade into the background in one’s mind.

]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:07:10 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/nurturing-our-boys <![CDATA[ Remembrance ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/remembrance There has been a crisper bite in the air these last 48 hours, and those of us around Winchester have just witnessed the city Christmas lights come on yesterday evening (and very well done to the Chamber Choir, who put on a fantastic performance at the event!)… but before our minds turn too decidedly towards the festive season, it’s worth us reflecting on two consecutive events in the last week that are always highlights in the Pilgrims’ calendar; or in the case of one, high lights in the Pilgrims’ calendar.  

]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:34:54 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/remembrance <![CDATA[ Being present ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/being-present It had been rather a while since I’d managed to do something truly ‘cultural’, and inordinately longer since I’d been to Paris. However, on a long weekend in half term, whilst hopping between a number of venues in the city, I found myself at the Musée d’Orsay.

]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:28:46 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/being-present <![CDATA[ A Tale of Two Kitties ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-tale-of-two-kitties This week has seen A Tale of Two Kitties continuing. It has been the best of times, it has been the worst of times. (Actually, it hasn’t been the worst of times: that was simply a cheap excuse to get the reference in.)

]]> Fri, 29 Nov 2024 09:25:22 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-tale-of-two-kitties <![CDATA[ Old friendships ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/old-friendships There is something very special about our oldest friendships.  

]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:40:33 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/old-friendships <![CDATA[ As curious as a kitten... ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/as-curious-as-a-kitten This week, I’ve been having kittens. Not metaphorically, you understand, but literally.

]]> Fri, 4 Oct 2024 17:00:40 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/as-curious-as-a-kitten <![CDATA[ Kindness in our values-based notion of Heart ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/kindness-in-our-values-based-notion-of-heart In re-writing the essence of this week’s assembly, I thought, as a history teacher, I would start off above by having a bit of fun deliberately invoking the style of historian Simon Schama: 

]]> Tue, 1 Oct 2024 08:52:47 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/kindness-in-our-values-based-notion-of-heart <![CDATA[ What a tremendously positive start to term it has been! ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-a-tremendously-positive-start-to-term-it-has-been We began with news that, of the (already impressive) 46 boys who took a LAMDA exam in the Summer Term, over 90% had achieved a Distinction.

]]> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:20:57 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-a-tremendously-positive-start-to-term-it-has-been <![CDATA[ Adding extra value ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/adding-extra-value There are many things in our lives that are just ‘there’, without necessarily being consciously connected to. Some of them are surprisingly important in how we manage situations and in decisions we make. For many, personal values can fall into this category of being crucial but potentially unexamined, (particularly if having a faith is not at play). And the same can be true of wider communities and organisations and their shared values. Yet, when other factors are stripped away, our values are what we hold at our core and what we fall back on when some direction or steerage is required. 

]]> Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:36:25 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/adding-extra-value <![CDATA[ School Photograph Day ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/school-photograph-day Ahh, school photograph day. 

]]> Fri, 21 Jun 2024 18:14:50 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/school-photograph-day <![CDATA[ Building shared experiences ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/building-shared-experiences Perhaps the defining feature of this time of year is the spirit of celebration that abounds. We celebrate the end of exams, we celebrate numerous personal achievements, and we celebrate the upcoming end of term and the prospect of an enormously well-deserved summer break for all the community to enjoy time with their families. 

]]> Fri, 21 Jun 2024 08:14:33 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/building-shared-experiences <![CDATA[ Year 8s celebrate end of exams ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/from-the-headmaster-1 With Common Entrance for 8C, final preparations for internal exams for Y5, 6 and 7, and the Year 4 D&T trip to Paulton’s Park, the first week after half term has been jolly busy and productive. Indeed, this half of term is crammed full of exciting trips for various Year groups and a great deal more – do keep your eyes closely on the calendar! 

]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:33:21 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/from-the-headmaster-1 <![CDATA[ The Sailboat of Needs concept ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/the-sailboat-of-needs-concept In Monday’s assembly, after some diversions and interludes along the way, we completed our journey through the ‘sailboat of needs’ concept referred to on several occasions earlier in the year.

]]> Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:08:41 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/the-sailboat-of-needs-concept <![CDATA[ A sense of perspective ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-sense-of-perspective Although four days of busy Pilgrims’ life already gives a sense of distance, I do hope everyone had a restful and refreshing Bank Holiday last weekend. As ever, there has been much afoot, and how good for it to be enhanced by the weather. (Though next week is not looking promising!) 

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 09:49:30 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/a-sense-of-perspective <![CDATA[ Silence ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/silence When was the last time you experienced silence? Have a good old think. No, not then. Think a bit more. No, that doesn’t really count either. I mean proper silence… The sort of silence that actually makes you stop in your tracks because it has crept up on you, in a manoeuvre of aural stealth, and then ‘bang!’… or rather,  ‘                     !’… it strikes you between the ears. And you stop. And you listen intently to the chance to hear – well – nothing. 

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 09:55:44 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/silence <![CDATA[ Confidence with humility ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/confidence-with-humility Take a look through many a prep school’s website or marketing literature and you are likely to find use of the word ‘confidence’ and the aim to develop it within pupils. At Pilgrims’ our particular take is ‘confidence with humility’. Developing the right sort of confidence is hugely important, a valid ambition and ultimately central in children reaching their full potential. Now, ‘confidence’ is a topic I have written on before in the newsletter. Previously, it was in the context of performing an instrumental solo in a ‘low-risk’, small-environment concert, making some errors, but picking oneself up, dusting oneself off, and carrying on. 

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 10:02:07 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/confidence-with-humility <![CDATA[ What does leadership look like? ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-does-leadership-look-like There was a fantastic hour last Saturday morning that chimed with so many things that I have become a huge advocate of in the last decade or so of my career. In the most recent of our Wellbeing Matters sessions, Mark Herbert (an ex independent school teacher, pastor, and now co-founder of ‘Salt and Light’ leadership coaching) came to talk to parents about developing leadership in our pupils.  

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 10:16:18 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-does-leadership-look-like <![CDATA[ What do you stand for? ]]> https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-do-you-stand-for In this day and age – with the posturing, virtue signalling and the easy politicising of public discourse on mass messaging and communication platforms – this question is perhaps being asked, if only implicitly, more than ever before.  However, I would argue that the degree to which it is truly connected with and given proper thought is likely to be far less than ever before. In some part, this is because opportunities to be undistracted enough to search one’s mind, memory and morals are at risk of dwindling entirely.  

]]> Mon, 13 May 2024 10:39:37 GMT https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/what-do-you-stand-for