Foundation Office

Foundation Office & Lancing Society

Perched on this extraordinary hill, squeezed in between the South Downs, it is hardly surprising that Lancing has its own peculiar micro-climate. Today I have seen large snowflakes falling gently on primroses and minutes later blue skies and fierce sunshine heralding the end of March and the promise of a summer to come. We are going to be relying on some sunshine for next term as we have a number of special occasions in the calendar – the Dedication of the New Porch and Celebration of the Completion of the Chapel, an Over 60s Lunch, a Property Business Network, a Founder’s Day, an Associations’ Dinner, an Oldest OLs Day, a Cricketer Cup match between the OLs and the Old Tonbridgians, a University Ambassadors’ event and a Leavers’ Ball to name but a few ... This Lent Term has been no less busy; our programme of Head Master’s Lectures (see page 50) has continued apace and is providing a fascinating platform for OLs to return to the Lancing community and to talk about their extraordinary careers. I am often struck by their disarming honesty and their desire to make a difference in society; it’s impressive and I feel – as an OL – proud to be part of such an inspiring and original network.

I am going to take this opportunity to say a most sincere thank you to my esteemed colleague, Sarah Swales, who has worked beside me in the Foundation Office for the last 12 years. We will all miss Sarah’s endearing natural ability to combine absolute professionalism with a sense of humour and a razor-sharp insight. I know Sarah is known fondly to many of you as she has been an absolute keystone in this department, and you will want to join me in thanking her for all her hard work (particularly in collating all the material for The Quad!) and for devoting so much time to Lancing.

My best wishes, as ever, from the College,

CATHERINE REEVE Foundation Director

Lancing Parents unite

The St Nicolas Association (current parents) and The Lancing Association (parents of OLs) have agreed unanimously to merge under the new name of The Lancing Parents Association with effect from April 2022.

The last few years have given us time to reflect on the workings of our two parent associations. We decided to do this in response to significant changes in the way in which past parents interact with the College and their expectations of us. We know from our survey in 2021 about the motivations and engagement of our Lancing Society members; the primary reason for being in the Lancing community is to stay in touch with the College and to hear the latest news. A secondary priority is to attend events. For example, we have seen an extensive engagement in the online Head Master’s Lectures in the last two years.

After consultation with both parent associations and the Head Master, it has been agreed to merge the two associations into one. A single parent association is normal practice in the vast majority of schools and helps to streamline our resources more effectively. It was felt that a re-structure would strengthen the parent voice within the community by bringing two important groups together. Current (and new) parents will also benefit from the knowledge and insights of other parents who have a longer involvement with the College.

We plan to mark this special occasion early in the summer term to recognise the success and history of the two associations and to celebrate appropriately their union in 2022. We are delighted that our parents are an integral part of the Lancing community and pleased that many continue to retain a common interest and fondness for the school over a lifetime.