Approximately 1 in 10 pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. We are committed to ensuring an MCS education is open to the brightest pupils, no matter their personal circumstances.
Approximately 1 in 10 pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. We are committed to ensuring an MCS education is open to the brightest pupils, no matter their personal circumstances.
The first item in this week’s newsletter is the school statement on Black Lives Matter. Each week, these newsletters aim to share with you the events that have unfolded recently in school. As the Master spoke in Chapel at the start of this week on Black Lives Matter (rather than last which was the partial re-opening of school), we know that some of you felt disappointed only to have the briefer mention in last week’s newsletter through the Chaplain’s homily. This week, the Master has received letters from OWs and pupils setting out a range of points and ideas that they’d like the school to consider. Thank you to everyone who has been in touch.
The issues raised through the death of George Floyd and the protests in the US and here, are complex and demand care. MCS thrives on excellence and seeks to be a leading voice in our sector. There will be more from us in the coming months and years as we explore how we individually and as a school can do more.
This week’s statement follows, and the Master will speak about this again in Virtual Chapel next week.
This week my podcast considers the Black Lives Matter protests and debates in the context of MCS.
“That black lives matter is not something we suddenly woke up to last week, though recent events have been shocking and are a call to action. We want our pupils to grow up understanding the causes and effects of inequality. We want our pupils to be committed to positive change and we continue to put this at the heart of what we are and do. If we are to address privilege in its many and complex forms, then one key way to do that is by looking at the pipeline: who has access to all MCS has to offer. That is one of the reasons why partnerships, bursaries and above all service are at the heart of our mission at MCS. Everyone can help us achieve our aim of achieving excellence in diversity. We shall continue to reflect on what we do and how we do it, and to shape the global city to which we are a proud contributor.
The pandemic is bringing changes with it, and one positive is a desire among all of us here to make something better of our world from what we are learning in 2020. Some members of our community have also written in support of Black Lives Matter, and we shall take into account those comments as we move forward. This is an ongoing task, and one we cannot be complacent about.”
You can hear the Master’s full podcast here, which also thanks OW Key Workers.
You can read more about partnerships here and help with widening access through our bursary campaign here.
OFA Virtual
2020’s Oxford Festival of the Arts has been moved online! Highlights include…
• Celebrated tenor Joseph Calleja who will be recording himself singing an aria exclusively for the festival
• University of Oxford cultural historian, broadcaster and author Dr Janina Ramirez who will be talking about goddesses the subject of her soon-to-be-published book
• Award-winning vocal ensemble ORA Singers will perform works by English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis paired with new reflections including Sir James MacMillan’s work for 40 voices, premiered exclusively for OFA
• Oxford East MP and Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds in conversation with BBC Political Correspondent Rob Watson
• Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, historian, author, broadcaster, and award-winning professor of history at the University of Roehampton is presenting ‘Women, Sex and Power in the Sixteenth Century’
• There is a fantastic collaboration between OFA, TORCH, Brasenose and Creation Theatre for an hour-long version of Shakespeare’s rarely performed Henry VIII
• Acclaimed cellist Gabriella Swallow will perform a tribute to Jacqueline du Pré (it is the 75th anniversary of her birth this year)
All events are free. Visit their website for the full line-up and for details on how to get involved.
OW runs double marathon for Muscular Dystrophy
This October, OW Max Barnett (2017), son of William Barnett (OW 1980) will run two marathons in one week in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK.
“Muscular dystrophy is a disease that causes the muscles to waste away, which can lead to disability and, in severe cases, death. This charity is close to my heart – MD is a genetic condition which runs in my family, so I have seen first-hand the damage it causes to physical health.
On 4th October, I am running the London Marathon. Seven days later, on 11th October, I am running the Manchester Marathon. These will be my first and second marathons. I took up running last month and began with two miles, which left me completely spent. Now, I am upping the distance and have just started an 18-week training programme to prepare myself for the challenge. It is conventional to wait 4-6 months between marathons, but such is the devastating impact of the disease on physical health, I want to push my body that bit further.
In doing this, I aim to raise £2000 for MD UK. I hope you can see that the ambition of the target is matched by the ambition of the endeavour. Whatever you can give, big or small, is enormously helpful to the cause. If you are not in a position to donate, you can show support by sharing the fundraising page online, which will also help me to reach the target.”
“Ever since it became clear that the UK was going to be hit hard by Covid-19, I’ve been wondering exactly what next year’s Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack will look like…”
OW Lawrence Booth (1993), Editor of Wisden and Cricket Correspondent for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, has written a piece on the challenges facing cricket for the OW website- enjoy!
OWs in the media
Nature’s Features Editor Richard van Noorden (OW 2002) has been presenting the Coronapod podcast from Nature magazine.
Julian Dowdeswell‘s (OW 1976) ground-breaking research on global warming has been featured on the BBC website.
Thank you to our Key Workers
Continuing the theme of sibling Key Workers, this week we thank Emily (OW 2015) and John (OW 2018) Black, who have started working for the NHS 111 service.
“Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, my brother (John Black, OW 2018) and I’s (Emily Black, OW 2015) clinical studies have both been suspended. I am going into my final year of Dental School at Bristol, and John is just finishing his second year studying Medicine at Leeds. Now we are living back at home, we both made a decision to start working for the NHS 111 service. Originally taking calls specifically related to COVID-19, we undertook a fast-tracked 2 weeks of training with the South Central Ambulance Service before going solo taking calls from the general public. After a few weeks of taking calls, we have just undergone another 3 weeks of upskilling training and we are now both trained to take all 111 calls solo. While it can be quite challenging at times, particularly while juggling an online term and exams with the Dental and Medical schools, we have both found the experience very rewarding.”
We are so proud to hear how OWs and MCS Friends are making an impact on the current situation – please keep sending photos and updates to the Waynflete Office.
In memoriam
We are grateful to OWs who keep us in touch with news of their friends. Sadly, that does include news of those who have passed away. Their names are published on our website and in The Bridge each year. We are glad to include the obituaries and tributes sent to us by family and friends, and we add those whenever we receive them.
Keeping in Touch
We are always thinking of our MCS community and endeavour to help you feel connected to the school during this unprecedented time.
In order for us to keep in touch with you, please notify us if your contact details change via the new online form on our website.
If you would like to organise a virtual reunion or reach out to long lost school friends, please let us know via email. The MCS Strava group is also serving to keep members of the MCS community healthy, connected and motivated.
We are pleased to continue to receive your submissions to the Pandemic Papers.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024, placed seventh nationally and third in the Southeast.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024, placed seventh nationally and third in the Southeast.
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024.
Your donations contribute over £150,000 a year to bursaries as well as building an endowment to fund bursaries for the future.
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024.
Your donations contribute over £150,000 a year to bursaries as well as building an 
