March 17th 2024
On 2nd April we will wave off sixty boys from Years 7 & 8 on a very exciting rugby tour to South Africa. A reminder that the tour is ‘non-selective’ with all the boys from these year groups having the option to be part of the trip. Our tourists will play three fixtures in South Africa, but the centrepiece of their experience will focus on supporting the charity Inspire Children & Youth, who we have been raising funds for over the past year. Last Friday, the School hosted the SA Tour Dinner, which was the final event before the tourists jet off to the southern hemisphere. Thank you to all who very generously supported Inspire at this lovely evening.
The Moulsford community is so grateful to the parents who led the South Africa Tour Fundraising Committee. Over the past year, not only have they helped raise a staggering sum for Inspire (£98,000 to date) but they have also raised awareness of the extraordinary work that the charity does. Our huge thanks go to this very strong team led by Alex Bonney, who has been wonderfully supported by Sarah Toolan and Molly Crosse, as well as other parents for the various events. Moulsfest , the RAC lunch and Friday’s dinner were the showpiece items, and their individual and collective success is testament to the strength of our community and the value we place on helping others.
However, the part played by the tourists themselves has also been extraordinary and has had a huge impact, not only on the overall fundraising figure, but most importantly on the boys’ perceptions of the purpose of the tour. All the boys set themselves individual challenges which they have risen to, such as litter picking, baking, walking, cycling, swimming, climbing, rowing, paddleboarding, golf, gardening and many more, and between them have raised over £30,000 of the £98,000 total sum. What an achievement and their efforts will make a massive difference to Inspire. We would love to hit the magic £100,000, and additional contributions to help achieve this will be warmly welcomed – please contact [email protected]
Our younger tourists are extremely busy this week with the Year 7 production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The first performance on Thursday was a huge success, and Friday and Saturday’s audiences are in for a treat. Well done to the boys and enormous thanks to Ash Edwards and the large staff team for all their work behind the scenes.
I am delighted to announce that James Philpott has been appointed the new Bursar of Moulsford. James is currently the Bursar at St. Augustine’s Priory School in London, and previously held a project management role at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire. James is also the Chair of the Finance Committee at St. Neot’s Prep School. Prior to working in schools James had a very interesting career working in the commercial sector, particularly in legal services. James will start at Moulsford on 1st August 2024, which will allow for a one month handover with John, who retires from the Bursar role on 31st August. We are very excited to be welcoming James to Moulsford. He won through in a very strong field, and will bring a wealth of experience to build upon John’s fabulous work.
