Pangbourne College
| Pangbourne College | ||||||
| Motto | Fortiter Ac Fideliter (Strongly and Bravely) | |||||
| Established | 1917 | |||||
| Type | Independent school | |||||
| Religion | Church of England | |||||
| Headteacher | Thomas Garnier | |||||
| Founder | Thomas Devitt | |||||
| Location | Pangbourne Hill Pangbourne Berkshire RG8 8LA England | |||||
| Students | 420 | |||||
| Gender | Male and Female | |||||
| Ages | 11 to 18 | |||||
| Houses | Harbinger, Hesperus, Macquarie, Port Jackson, Illawara, St. George and Dunbar (the Junior Scool) | |||||
| Colours | Blue, Red and White (Naval Flag) | |||||
| Publication | Ensign | |||||
| Website | pangbournecollege.com | |||||
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Pangbourne College is a coeducational independent school located in the civil parish of Pangbourne, just south-west of the village, at Bowden, in the English county of Berkshire.
The college was founded by Thomas Lane Devitt in 1917 as The Nautical College, Pangbourne with the function of preparing boys to be officers in the Merchant Navy through the 'Devitt & Moore' shipping, and later in the Royal Navy. In 1969, it shed much of the nautical training in favour of a more traditional academic focus, and became Pangbourne College. Though the college is now more academically oriented, it still holds true to many of the traditions which makes it a unique school today, with "Proud to be Different" as its slogan. The uniform of the college is that of the Royal Navy Reserve (Blue shirt and belt, black shoes and trousers) as well as the traditional black uniform worn on parade held every third Sunday. The college was traditionally male oriented, but it has been fully co-educational since 1996. The Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, Ipswich, shares similar characteristics.
The school has won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup four times at the Henley Royal Regatta, currently holding the record in this event since 1992. Despite the size of the college, the performance of its rowing crews towards the upper years is exceptional.
The headmaster, Mr. Thomas Garnier, served in the Royal Navy before switching to a career in teaching. He has taught physics and been a housemaster before he became headmaster following the departure of Dr Kenneth Greig in 2005.
Divisions
The boarding houses at Pangbourne are known as Divisions, owing to the Naval Traditions. They are: Harbinger, Port Jackson, Macquarie, Hesperus, Illawarra and St. George for the Senior School. The Junior School is for pupils in the 11-13 year old range and have a newly built facility as their boarding house, called Dunbar. All of the divisions are named after ships operated at various times by the Devitt and Moore Line. Members of the upper and lower sixth form receive promotions to the ranks of CCCC (chief cadet captain of the college/ head boy or girl), CCC (Chief cadet captain/ head of house), CC (Cadet Captain /main prefect) and CL (Cadet leader/ prefect) instead of the standard prefect system of most schools.
CCF and D of E
Pangbourne College has an accomplished and well known Royal Marines Detachment sending many notable officers to the Royal Marines. Though small, it is tightly run and students are treated as real recruits. Panbourne College has won the famous Pringle Trophy six times, the most any school has. The current detachment is led by Colour Sgt. Ewans and Major Gilks. The college also participates in the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force cadet forces. The college is also a keen participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with many reaching the gold level of the award.
Notable Old Pangbournians
- Jeffrey Bernard, journalist
- Sir Robin Gillett, 2nd Baronet, Lord Mayor of London
- Mike Hailwood, motorcycle racer
- Rodney Pattisson, yachtsman and Olympic gold medallist
- John Ridgway, yachtsman and rower
- Andrew Simpson, sailor and Olympic gold medallist
- David Smiley, Army officer, SOE and MI6 agent
- James Sorel-Cameron, English teacher and novelist
- Richard Shuttleworth Wingfield-Digby Dean of Peterborough, 1966–80
- Ken Russell, Director
- Blaine Harrison, Lead singer of the Mystery Jets
- Patrick Derham, Headmaster of Rugby School
Other Notable Information
The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in March 2000. It was built to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of all those who died during the Falklands War of 1982, and the courage of those who served with them to protect the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. The shape of the building was designed to resemble that of a ship, reflecting the college's naval history. It was due to this history that the college was chosen as the site for the chapel. The Queen returned to Pangbourne College in 2007.
References