Dear Old Dovorians,

Having completed my first full month in office, I thought that it would be useful to write a brief letter of introduction. First and foremost, Liese and I would like to thank-you once again for your excellent hospitality in London at the RAF club last January: it was our first official Dover College occasion and a thoroughly enjoyable evening it was and a wonderful entrée to the subsequent warm reception which we have received from the whole “Dover College family”. I have already articulated both in Monday Assemblies, which incidentally are now back in the refectory, and in our newsletters that I am delighted to be Headmaster of Dover College and I hope that I will serve the whole college community with commitment and style.

Every alumni association has a different modus operandi and I look forward to working closely with the OD Committee and all ODs to continue to enhance college-OD relations. Indeed, I have already held two meetings with your chairman, who visited the college earlier this week to give away prizes at our Junior School Cross Country competition which was attended by over 500 local children from primary schools.

Whether you loved your time at Dover College or you couldn’t wait to leave, this is of course still your school and rest assured that you will be made very welcome to visit us when your “flight path” takes you over East Kent.
There are already initial plans “on the table” for a sporting weekend in March 2012 which Benn Smith, our Director of Sport, Rupert Hill, Richard Robinson and myself have been discussing. We have also been discussing other possible developments.

In these challenging economic times for small independent schools, it is good to know that my staff and I can rely on the enthusiastic support of a lively and long-established network of committed old boys and girls.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you back to your alma mater.

With warm best wishes,

GH

It was announced, Saturday 4th December 2010, that Gerry Holden, currently Headmaster of Rendcomb College in Gloucestershire, will become the new Headmaster of Dover College from September 2011.

Gerry’s 11 year headship at Rendcomb followed a variety of teaching posts including being Head of History at Forest School in London before heading a larger History Department at Millfield School in Somerset followed by Deputy Head and Director of Studies at Frensham Heights School in Surrey.

For the last two years Gerry Holden has been Chairman of the SHMIS Professional Development Committee and has also served on the HMC/GSA Professional Development Committee; two of the leading professional associations for independent school headteachers. Gerry has been a senior examiner in History for The Oxford and Cambridge Board and graduated in Mediaeval and Modern History from St Andrews. Having studied Education at Oxford University, Gerry started his teaching career at Wolverhampton Grammar School in 1980.

In addition Gerry is an experienced ISI inspector and he has produced a series of publications on the theme of sharing excellent practice in SHMIS schools entitled Innovations volume 1 and 2, and Observations volume 3 and 4.

At Rendcomb College the ethos is very similar to that at Dover College, with an accent on looking after the individual and developing their strengths. Mr Holden said: “The ethos of Rendcomb is to provide every student with the opportunity to flourish as an individual”.

Making the announcement, Joe Sullivan, Chairman of Governors at Dover College, said, “The Board of Governors are delighted to appoint Gerry Holden to lead Dover College. Stephen Jones’s legacy will be conspicuous in the physical developments in music and drama for example, and in the impressive academic improvements and growing self-confidence of the pupils. Stephen has moulded a highly professional Common Room and Senior Management Team which will give a supportive foundation for Gerry who will be well placed to continue to develop the academic life of Dover College and lead the School on to even greater success and real continuity for the work that Stephen will have left.”  Gerry has considerable experience in heading a day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18 so he should hit the ground running very quickly once in post.

Gerry said, “I am very much looking forward to leading Dover College into the next exciting stage of its development.  It is a wonderful school with an excellent reputation for impressive pastoral care. I will be working very closely with staff and parents to maximise the full potential of all pupils.  On my visits to the College I have been enormously impressed by the students’ enthusiasm for learning and the warm and friendly welcome extended to both Liese and myself. Dover College has a very bright future”

Stephen Jones, the current Headmaster at Dover College, said, “Being Headmaster at Dover College has been a real privilege. I have led an impressive, highly professional and hugely committed Common Room, and we have been fortunate to have been able to work together fully to develop the all-round capabilities of many super children at this school. I know that Gerry will be taking over a school in great heart and with a tremendous future; I know too that he will lead it with distinction.”

Stephen Jones, 51, has been appointed Warden at St Edward’s, Oxford. He will take up his post in September 2011.

Stephen Jones, Headmaster of Dover College since 2004, was headhunted for the position at St Edward’s School in Oxford. St Edward’s is a co-educational day and boarding school for 650 pupils aged 13 to 18 with a strong academic results and outstanding extra-curricular opportunities.

 Making the announcement, Joe Sullivan, Chairman of Governors at Dover College, said, “Although these are bittersweet news, Stephen Jones’ appointment reflects the enormous contribution he has made to Dover College. His legacy will be conspicuous in the physical developments in music and drama for example, and in the impressive academic improvements and growing self-confidence of the pupils. Stephen has moulded a highly professional Common Room and Senior Management Team which will give a supportive foundation for the new Head and real continuity for the work that he will have left.”

 A change of Head in this timescale is both quite normal and healthy. In line with good governance, the Board of Governors have been quietly planning for such eventuality. The Chairman of Governors has been involved with Dover College for twenty five years as both a parent and a Governor and therefore understands what is unique to the school.