Our Weekly Newsletter Connecting School and Home
Headmaster’s Message

David Smith
Headmaster
From The FBS Foundation
Inspiration
“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club” – Jack London
It would be easy to assume that inspiration is something that is given to us, something that comes to us as if by magic when we are least expecting it. However, this is not the way I see it. As American writer, Jack London, wrote, “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club”.
This quote reminded me of a teenage student I used to encounter at the start of my teaching career. He was constantly late, completely disengaged and seemingly lazy I once stopped him coming into school, late again, and asked him “why are you always late?” He paused, looked me in the eye, and said,
“Sir, I know I’m always late, but I make up for it by leaving early”.
I nodded as if somehow this was a reasonable answer, and he was thirty metres down the corridor before I realised he’d got me! This student was not easy. He wanted to be anywhere else but in school and would try to shave off minutes at the start and end of the day in order to minimise his time there. I remember thinking that there was probably nothing we could do to turn him round.
I was wrong.
I watched this student’s progress over the next three years with mounting interest and no little incredulity. He went through a transformation, becoming the first into school and the last to leave. What had changed? It was very simple. The school had introduced a kit car club in the co-curricular programme. At the start of each year it would bring in the parts of a sports car and, overseen by one of the teachers, a small group of students would build the car from scratch to its drive-worthy completion. This student had discovered his passion, he committed time and energy and he became an outstanding car engineer. It gave him a reason to come to school and a direction for his future. He went on to study engineering at university.
That student fundamentally changed the way I look at education. I believe that there is no such thing as a lazy or disengaged student, only one that isn’t inspired or hasn’t found the right niche. It emphasises to me the importance of a rounded education where students are given the chance to discover and develop their passions, not just in the classroom but beyond.
This is the reason the school is so passionately committed to an outstanding co-curricular programme, and so keen to ensure that it flourishes and grows. Of course, this is where The FBS Foundation is so important. Without the money raised by The Foundation each year, the co-curricular programme at FBS would be drastically reduced. Without the voluntary donations from parents, it simply would not be possible to put on the variety of clubs and activities that we have at present and which we intend to expand still further next year.
Lurking somewhere in the programme, there may be a new interest or passion that will remain with your child for the rest of their life. If you ever wonder about the value of The Foundation, look no further…and yet this is just one of the aspects of school life which would not otherwise be possible without additional funding.
You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club!
Best wishes,
Julian Thomas
CEO, The Fulham Boys School Trust
From The Friends of FBS
Summer Fair and International Food Day Part 2 – Friday 30th June + Newly Added School Production and Arts Revue
Our Summer Fair and International Food Day will take place on Friday 30th June from 3:30pm to 6:30pm (possibly later). We will now also be hosting the School Production and the Arts Revue on the same evening. The School Production will begin at 4pm and will run for around 20 minutes, shortly followed by the Arts Revue after an interval which will allow time for food and refreshments. The Arts Revue will include Music and Drama performances from the boys. There will also be an Arts exhibition running in the canteen for the duration of the evening where boys’ work will be on show.
The Friends of FBS
Annual Parent Contract 2023/24 – Action Required Please
Pre-loved School Uniform Sale
Annual Governor Q&A – Monday 26th June
The governors are holding their annual Q&A session on 26th June 5pm -6pm. Members of the governing body will be available to hear the views of parents and take questions in an informal setting. If you wish to attend, please complete this Google form.
Headmaster’s Coffee Morning – Thursday 29th June
The Headmaster’s coffee morning will take place on Thursday 29th June from 9:50am – 10:40am. This is open to parents of all Year groups. If you would like to attend, please complete this Google form to register.
Year 7 End of Year Assessments – Week Commencing Monday 19th June
Year 7 will have their end of year assessments next week commencing Monday 19th June. For Year 7, their exams will take place during their timetabled subject lessons. Some of their lessons during the week will be revision sessions and some will be exams. The subject teacher will inform boys of their assessment times if they have more than one lesson in that particular subject.
Lads and Dads 3 Reminder – Wednesday 28th June

Swimming Gala – Tuesday 4th July
The swimming gala has been re-arranged for Tuesday 4th July. Boys will again be able to sign up for designated events closer to the time.
Year 8 End of Year Assessments – Week Commencing Monday 19th June
Year 8 will have their end of year assessments next week commencing Monday 19th June. For Year 8, their exams will take place during their timetabled subject lessons. Some of their lessons during the week will be revision sessions and some will be exams. The subject teacher will inform boys of their assessment times if they have more than one lesson in that particular subject.
Lads and Dads 3 Reminder – Wednesday 28th June

Swimming Gala – Tuesday 4th July
The swimming gala has been re-arranged for Tuesday 4th July. Boys will again be able to sign up for designated events closer to the time.
Year 9 End of Year Assessments – Week Commencing Monday 19th June
Year 9 will have their end of year exams during the week commencing Monday 19th June. For Year 9, some of their exams will take place during their timetabled subject lessons except for their core subject assessments which will take place in the hall. Please see the Year 9 core subject timetable here for core subject assessments. For non-core subjects, subject teacher will inform boys of their assessment times if they have more than one lesson in that particular subject.
Swimming Gala – Tuesday 4th July
The swimming gala has been re-arranged for Tuesday 4th July. Boys will again be able to sign up for designated events closer to the time.
Year 10 DofE Silver Practice Expedition
Year 11 Reminder of Requirements
There is now only one exam left for Year 11 and that is Further Maths taking place next Wednesday. A reminder was sent out from Ms Johnson yesterday which detailed requirements that Year 11 boys need to complete. Please remind your son that he must do the following if he hasn’t done so already:
Year 11 Transition Day into Sixth Form – Thursday 29th June
Year 12 DofE Gold Practice Expedition
Applications for Absences – University Open Days/Work Experience
Year 13 Exam Timetable
The Year 13 A Level exam timetable can be found by following this link. All the details for the exams are listed within the spreadsheet.
Year 13 Reminder of Requirements
Boys in Year 13 must clear out their lockers and return the key to Miss Spring along with any other school equipment loaned from FBS (temporary Chromebook). These items can be returned to Miss Spring in the Private Study Room before they leaves.
Sports Update from The Sports Prefect Team
Please follow the below ‘Read more’ link for a recent sports update from the Sports Prefect Team.
Viewing Sports Fixtures and Live Updates
Please keep an eye on our Sports website (SOCS) for future fixtures and live updates. Here you will see our Sports Calendar, Team Sheets, details of fixtures (meet/kick-off times, pick up/return times, maps) further information and ‘live’ updates. Please note, whilst we expect all scheduled fixtures to go ahead, they are subject to last minute cancellation, change of venue and/or time. SOCS is a ‘live’ website so all current information will be reflected there. Click this link for further tips on using SOCS
Team Sheets are normally published 2 days before a fixture. All selected boys in Year 7, 8 and 9, and their parents, will receive an email confirmation of the fixture.
For Year 10, 11 and 1st team fixtures, only the players will receive an email reminder about fixtures. (NB Where the fixture is on a Saturday parents will be also be emailed, to ensure maximum turnout).
Monday 19th June |
Year 7, 8 and 9 End of Year Assessments Begin – Year 10 and 12 DofE Training Session (5pm – 6:30pm) |
Thursday 22nd June |
Year 10 +12 Silver/Gold DofE Practice Expedition Departs |
Saturday 24th June | Year 10 +12 Silver/Gold DofE Practice Expedition Returns |
Wednesday 28th June | Lads and Dads 3 (Taskmaster theme) |
Thursday 29th June | Year 11 Transition Day – Headmaster’s Coffee Morning |
Friday 30th June | Summer Fair and International Food Fair (plus Arts Revue and School Production) |
Tuesday 4th July | Year 7, 8 and 9 Swimming Gala |
Wednesday 5th July | Japanese Cultural Celebration Event 6pm – 8pm |
Thursday 6th July | Sports Day |