CONTINUUM
Continuum is a collection of illustrated facts, anecdotes and thoughts about Sevenoaks School. If you’d like more detailed, practical information, please take a look at the booklet enclosed or at our website. Everything that follows has been contributed by the people who know the school best; students, alumni, staff, parents and governors – and offers insight, I hope, into an extraordinary school with a rich history, a vital present, and a bright future. Welcome to Sevenoaks.
“SEVENOAKS SCHOOL, THIS IS HOUSTON” Did Captain Scott Kelly really open with this? Well yes, he did. And in January 2011, Sevenoaks became the first school to achieve a live video and audio satellite link with a space vehicle;
Is it possible to ‘phone home’? Are there jet packs in case you let go?
the International Space Station no less.
How does using the loo work?
We could see them. We could hear them. We could ask incisive
The harmful effects of radiation and the glories of the Earth’s
questions:
atmosphere when viewed from orbit also came up. And 300
What subjects do would-be astronauts study at university? Can you see the Great Wall of China from there?
Sevenoaks students were moved and inspired by what they learned on that extraordinary day.
Music in the air. Every week, 46 music teachers deliver 850 lessons, more or less. Most last 30 minutes. So every week, music is being made here for at least 425 hours. You can squeeze 28 Wagnerian Ring Cycles into 425 hours. Should you be so inclined.
Carrot is King “ I went to a very academic, very strict school. I did okay. At seventeen, I transferred to Sevenoaks where the carrot reigned supreme, and still does. My IB results knocked my GCSEs into a cocked hat. I put it down to the power of positive reinforcement. If excellence is expected, it is forthcoming. No need for sticks.�
Eliza Ecclestone, Class of 1991, Governor
We have good reason to
believe that in the 1770s, this boy from China attended Sevenoaks School. His benefactor was John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset, and his name was Huang Ya Dong. A portrait painted by Joshua Reynolds hangs at Knole House and the British Museum holds this engraving. Today, Chinese nationals are still making their way here, as are students from all four corners of the globe.
Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belgium Bermuda Brazil Bulgaria Canada Egypt Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong India Indonesia Italy Japan Kenya Korea
Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Monaco Netherlands Nigeria Norway Oman Romania Russia Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America
y “When I see wild berr u I know crumble on the men od day.” it’s going to beikaa Bregwsoter, Class of 2012 Yum
We don‘t serve ‘school dinners’ here, we make food to fill the stomach, stimulate the mind and soothe the spirit. Recipe and method. Crumble Topping: Caster Sugar 7.0 kg, Butter 7.5 kg, Plain Flour 15 kg, Oats 2 kg. Mix together until a crumble forms. Fruit Filling: Blackcurrants 15 kg, Cooking Apples 45 kg, Caster Sugar 7.5 kg, Butter 3 kg. Peel, de-core and roughly chop the apples. Place all but the blackcurrants into a large pan. Cook on a medium heat until the apples are soft. Add the blackcurrants and mix well. Pour into a large tray and top with crumble. Cook in oven at 190º C for 40 minutes. Serve with custard or cream. Feeds 1000.
With an average 205 students a year taking the International Baccalaureate, Sevenoaks is the largest IB school in the UK. To achieve the maximum 45 points, students must:
Scoring 45 points is an extraordinary academic achievement.
Gain 7 points in literature
Each year, only about 100 students in the world manage it.
Gain 7 points in a foreign language
Typically, between 10 and 15 of them come from Sevenoaks School.
Gain 7 points in mathematics Gain 7 points in a science subject Gain 7 points in a humanities subject Gain 7 points in an arts or other subject of their choice Gain 3 points from the study of Theory of Knowledge and a 4,000 word Extended Essay based on in-depth research. They must also spend a set time participating in creative, sporting and community service activities of their choice.
World average: 29.6. Sevenoaks average: 39.9
A round of golf or a cross-country run in neighbouring Knole Park invariably features a brush with graceful deer; although you may choose to make a sharp detour during the annual rut, stags being stags.
Knole is 1,000 acres of beautiful, National Trust parkland to which we have ready access. Some back garden.
Now a grown-up, David Merewether teaches photography at Sevenoaks School. For ten years or so, he has also been making a photographic record of daily life here. Like Sir David Attenborough, he is practised in the art of blending into backgrounds so he can observe his subjects interacting naturally, in their natural habitat.
The students and the photographer loved the Latin lesson.
“At my school, no subject really swept me away. Nothing captured my attention the way Phil de May’s Latin grammar lessons lasso the students here. Latin grammar! Makes me wish I could turn the clock back...”
THE ARMS OF WILLIAM SEVENOKE
Towards the end of the seventeenth century, an elderly member
letters Az, standing for azure (or blue). As this is the oldest extant
of the Grocers’ Guild recalled seeing the Arms of William Sevenoke
record of the Arms, it has become the official version, sketch
‘att the upper ende’ of the Grocers’ Hall, before it was destroyed in
though it is.
the Great Fire of London in 1666. He made a sketch from memory showing the seven acorns arranged 2, 3, 2. The escutcheon (or shield) he annotated with the
As the rules of heraldry state that ‘no colour may stand against another, but against a metal or a fur’, the Arms of William Sevenoke usually feature silver acorns against a blue shield.
THE SEAL OF SEVENOAKS SCHOOL
The Seal was issued in 1560, along with Letters Patent incorporating the town and school, which was known for the next 300 years as Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School. Around the border are the words Sigillum Commune Scole Grammaticalis de Sevenok in Com Kance. Or if you prefer, The Common Seal of the Grammar School of Sevenoaks in the County of Kent. In the centre a master sits teaching, surrounded by pupils reading. In his left hand he holds an open book and in his right a birch, those being the days of stick rather than carrot. The letters R and B on either side of his head stand for Ralph Bosville, a local man and a courtier. The motto reads, ‘Servire deo regnari est’, meaning ‘To serve God is to be ruled’. ‘Servire deo regnare est’ was more commonly used, meaning ‘To serve God is to rule’. What a difference a vowel makes. Was a mistake made or a deliberate decision? May we simply blame the vagaries of sixteenth century spelling? The jury is still out.
Making a positive mark Helen Mitchell (Class of 1990) is Global Head of Marketing and Digital Distribution at Barclays. She is also Director of Communications for the investment bank’s gender diversity network and Recruitment Committee Chair charged with attracting and developing talented women and growing the female client base.
Christina started sailing on the Solent at seven. She chose Sevenoaks because she knew we’d understand her love of the water and of racing. Love (and hard work) blew her all the way from West Sussex (via Kent) to Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. Talk about ruling the waves. Christina Bassadone, Class of 2000, Olympian.
,
Two Old Sennockians played a part, quite literally, in the
At the party afterwards, Ellie Goulding’s band featured Max Cooke
marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton in April 2011.
(Class of 2004) on keys. His instrument of choice that night was
As Westminster Abbey filled with guests, James McVinnie (Class of 2001) played Veni Creator Spiritus by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Elgar’s Sonata in G for Organ.
a Moog Voyager.
Maybe in Shakespeare Jack Cade (grammar-hating rebel leader) to Lord Saye (loyal courtier): “Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school...It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun and a verb, and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear.” Henry VI Part II, Act IV, Scene VII
There are those who say that the ruinous ‘grammar school’ in question is Sevenoaks. And as Shakespeare clearly based this particular plotline on actual events surrounding The Battle of Solefields (fought in 1450 on ground we now use as playing fields) we like to believe they’re right.
D E F I N I T E LY I N H I G S O N “ When you’re writing about something that has a strong fantasy element, it is particularly effective to set events firmly in the real world.” In this instance, actor, comedian and writer Charlie Higson invented an imaginary school called Rowhurst, but based it on memories of being at Sevenoaks in the 1970s. So if you’d like to see the school through Charlie’s eyes as it was then, read The Dead. It’s the second in his series for young adults, The Enemy. “ The geography (of Rowhurst) is roughly the same as the real school and I’m sure current students will find bits familiar. I really enjoyed being at Sevenoaks, especially times spent in Bob White’s Art department.” Charlie Higson, Class of 1976
Greening our world We are about to invest in a dewatering machine. By removing the water from our food waste we can reduce what we send to landfill by 75 per cent, slash disposal costs and minimise our impact on the environment. Eventually, we hope to convert the machine into a biodigester, which will compost what remains. Our gardens will appreciate it.
Mr Patel (Mr P to his friends) has been trading with peckish Sevenoaks students since 1992. His sweet-shop ceiling has been playing host to our Sixth Form graffiti artists since 1914, believe it or not. It has been redecorated in the meantime of course (several times he thinks) but the valedictory tradition lives on. As fine traditions do.
HA PP Y TO M U CK I N Sevenoaks School is embedded in the local community. Always has been. Never more so perhaps, than during the Second World War. “ During the Battle of Britain, when the Kent airfields were a real target, students dug trenches for air raid shelters. Lest the precious fruit rot on the trees, the government paid us thruppence ha’penny an hour to pick it. We filled bottles with petrol and oil; Molotov Cocktails to hurl at enemy tanks should the worst happen. And to formalise our efforts, we formed a ‘youth group’ dubbed The Oaks, which raised teams of bicycle messengers, manned local council offices at night, and sounded the air raid sirens.” David Kear. Class of 1941
TRADER TURNED TEACHER When Nick Wergan (Class of 1986) left university, he took a job in the City of London. After 9 /11, he followed his instincts, retrained and took up teaching English. In 2007 he was named Outstanding New Teacher of the Year by the UK Training and Development Agency. A good decision, then. He is now Deputy Headteacher at Blatchington Mill School in Brighton. “I think I’ve found my role,” he says. “I grin frequently on my way home.” Nick’s students have been known to call him God. Bet they didn’t do that on the equity sales floor.
“ There used to be, or still is, a noble old tree with a bench built around it in front of Johnson’s Hall (now the Library). One summer’s day I sat under it with my English master, and had a conversation which changed my future. Then 16, I was impatient to get out, earn money and see the world. My parents were not impressed by study and learning, and had no issue with my leaving school early. But I was also a very keen English student, regularly devouring several novels a week.
My teacher had heard I was planning to leave and, under the tree that day, suggested that I might be good university material. I was taken completely by surprise; the idea was beyond my wildest aspirations. I reconsidered, stayed put and took A Levels. A seed was planted under that tree. Forty-six years later, I have a fascinating career in teaching, writing and editing to look back on.” Chris Caridia. Class of 1968
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Pillbug
By learning to distinguish between woodlouse species, Year 8s at Sevenoaks also learn how important it is to respect ‘alien’ organisms, no matter how humble. Turns out pillbugs are happy to hang out more or less anywhere: damp places, dry places, not-so-dark places. They’re not fussy.
SLOW IS BEAUTIFUL
Everybody (that is, every cricket fan of a certain age) remembers Ian Botham smashing out 118 runs in the 1981 Ashes, hammering Australia at Old Trafford. But slowly and steadily, over the course of two innings, Chris TavarĂŠ actually scored more. 29 more in fact. He turned that match, before going on to tuck another 28 test matches under his belt. Chris TavarĂŠ went to school here ( Class of 1973 ). Now he teaches here: biology, hockey, netball. And cricket, of course.
TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE “ I transferred to Sevenoaks from one of India’s leading schools. When I left, I studied at New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and then Harvard. Greatest transformational experience? The time I spent at Sevenoaks.” Anand Piramal, Class of 2002
During his postgraduate studies, Anand returned to Rajasthan to head up the Piramal Group’s e-Swasthya project. Using mobile phone technology and based on a business model first piloted in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the project offered rural India access to the very best doctors and medicines.
“ I find it hard to express why, as a parent, the school touches such a deep chord within me but I will try. It is definitely not the social cachet (although I would be lying if I said that I was not proud that my child attends Sevenoaks), nor the academic achievements (fantastic though they are). It is the stimulating intellectual environment, the ‘everything else’ the school offers, and most importantly to me, the novel and exciting ways in which the teachers communicate their subjects. Instead of gearing their lessons purely to an exam syllabus, they are showing their students endless possibilities and lines of enquiry. The link-up with the International Space Station was an inspirational example of this. I want my children to be stimulated and interested in the world around them, and Sevenoaks School imparts a real sense of adventure. I also greatly respect the emphasis placed on community service and charity. Pupils are constantly reminded of their great privilege and good fortune; not in a way that makes them feel guilty, but in a way that encourages them to ask what they can do to improve the lives of those less fortunate. I know that in their future careers, many Sevenoaks alumni will be in a position to do immense good in the world, and the seeds of philanthropy will have been sown at the school.” Not so hard after all. And quite unsolicited, in case you were wondering.
Ver y O ld B o ys Name:
John Frith
Date of birth:
1503
Place of birth:
Westerham, Kent
Schools:
Sevenoaks, Eton
University:
King’s College, Cambridge
Employment:
Teacher, Cardinal College, Oxford (now Christ Church)
Best work:
Helping Tyndale translate the Bible from Latin into English
Claim to fame:
Protestant martyr
Manner of death: Burnt at stake Place of death:
Smithfield, London
Date of death:
1533
Legacy:
Generations who could read the Bible and make up their own minds
It may be that England’s first printer, William Caxton (1422 to 1492), was educated at Sevenoaks School too. We can’t be sure. But it makes a good story.
No limits
Degenerated cartilage
“ The careers adviser at my first secondary school concluded that I might make a good nurse, or fitter of prosthetic limbs. Mum wondered if it might not be time for a new school.
Joint capsule
Synovium
Sevenoaks, when I moved there in the Sixth Form, had greater aspirations and persuaded me to share them. I think it’s just what they do there.” Katie Moss, FRCP Consultant Rheumatologist St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust Class of 1986
Osteophytes
Synovial fluid
with people t u erse o s n and div l tur t o a o e h r c g ng S aks umulati to meet c c l a a “Seveno i t t u n o ll ab ss pote e not a r boundle a t a h ges t challen tus.� and sta h t l a e w of 1982 s s a l C oth, Nick Bo stice tnam Advisor s to Ju s e c me, Vie c m Policy A a r d g n o a r Law ent P Rule of evelopm D s n o i Nat United elf. for its s k a e p title s The job
The sound of space Predicted Occupied
An auditorium that seats 410, a recital room 3.5
that seats 100, a drama studio that seats 100, a theatre that seats 230, and acoustics that are fit for anything.
3
The Space, and we used SoundLab速 to hear how different spaces perform acoustically and how architectural form shapes sound quality. SoundLab速 is an auralisation tool created by Arup Acoustics, whose expertise went into the design of the main auditorium. With their assistance, we were able to tune the Pamoja Hall to different reverberation frequencies, and so optimise, as appropriate, both speech and music.
Reverb time [seconds]
We call our versatile performing arts centre 2.5 Organ, Chant Romantic Orchestra, Choir
2
Opera, Singing, Recital
1.5
Chamber Music 1
Speech and Theatre
A feat of acoustic engineering that surely helped us turn The Space into a multi award-winner.
0.5 63
2011 RIBA Award (Royal Institute of British Architects)
Symphony
2010 Wood Awards, Public Access
Opera
2010 Brick Award, Best Education Building
Chamber
125
Voice Lift Physical Room
250
500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Frequency [Hz]
An honest Man by no means in Holy Orders
It is 1432. William Sevenoke, foundling ‘son’ of William Romshed, is drafting his final Will and Testament. As self-made man of business and Lord Mayor of London, Sevenoke asks his trustees to: “...find and maintain for ever, one Master, an honest Man, sufficiently instructed in the Science of Grammar, Bachelor of Arts, but by no means in Holy Orders, which may keep a Grammar School in some convenient House within the said Town of Sennocke...that he may teach and instruct poor Children whatsoever coming thither...” A free-thinking lay foundation then, not an appendage to church or abbey, and one of the first of its kind, “committed not to the rudimentary skills of the church schools but to the idea of learning as an end in itself, and as a preparation for professional and vocational activities.” Plus ça change. Sevenoaks School, A History, by Brian Scragg
Equality. Equality. Equality. Ben Summerskill OBE left Sevenoaks in 1980. He went on to become an operations director, a Labour Party councillor, then a national press journalist. Now he’s a skilful parliamentary lobbyist and Chief Executive of Stonewall, the respected UK charity working for universal equality.
‘ Science gives you the power to do what you otherwise couldn’t and to understand what you otherwise wouldn’t.’ Dr Lars Blackmore, Class of 1998 At Sevenoaks, Lars applied his enthusiasm for science to the invention of a rather nifty Housemaster Detector. Triggered by a pressure pad concealed in the carpet, it discerned footsteps after dark and switched off all electrical appliances in order to avert approaching disaster. Later at NASA, Lars exchanged the school dormitory for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he set about working out how to make a precision-landing on Mars. Genius.
“I had such a nice time at Sevenoaks. At every talk I gave and every lecture I sat in on, the atmosphere was one of interest and engagement. Every moment of my stay was enjoyable. I might mention also that the talk given by Ilya to the Maths Society was one of the highlights. He talked about his work with a maturity that would be rare in a final-year undergraduate: I mean that, even as an Upper Sixth student, he was able to give ‘the big picture’, avoiding the temptation to go into detail and so lose his audience.” Professor Imre Leader University of Cambridge Ilya’s equation: Model for the evolution of a Ponzi Scheme based on advertised return, rate of new investors joining and perceived rate of failure.
Cedrus Deodara 1988
Quercus Robur 1989
Sorbus Joseph Rock 1991
Betula Jaquemontii 1992
Catalpa Bignonioides 1993
Gleditsia Triacanthos 1995
Liquidambar Styraciflua 1996
Liriodendron 1997
Gingko Biloba 1998
Carpinus Betulus 1999
Acer Flamingo 2000
Cornus Kousa 2000
Fagus Sylvatica Atropurpurea 2001
Acer Crimson King 2002
Stuartia Pseudocamellia 2002
Malus Golden Hornet 2003
Prunus Pink Perfection 2007
Amelanchia Lamarckii 2011
Every year Head Gardener, Ian Harrington, plants a new tree in our beautiful grounds. His first (Cedrus Deodara) took root in 1988. In the interests of biodiversity, he always selects a different species. Everyone and everything benefits. In the hierarchy of biological classifications, there are seven major taxonomic ranks: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
INNOVATION “Sevenoaks School has always been willing to innovate, to pioneer; an attitude based, not on looking over a shoulder at what everyone else is doing, but on strong educational conviction.� Derick Walker, Parent and Governor
N
TYPOGRAPHICAL TREASURE There is a small plaque tucked away in an obscure corner of our library that has been attributed to Eric Gill, celebrated artist, designer and typographer. Commissioned by Charles Plumptre Johnson, it marks the completion in 1934 of what was then the assembly hall. According to an inventory compiled by his brother Evan, Gill made a preliminary sketch on 27 May 1934 and drew out the inscription on 11 August. It was carved that September by his assistant Lawrence Cribb. The art of delegation at its finest.
This page is set in Gill Sans Regular and Italic.
Manifesto for life All IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers: full of natural curiosity
Knowledgeable: about local and global issues
Thinkers: critical, creative, rational, ethical
Communicators: expressive, effective, multi-lingual
Principled: honest, fair, respectful, responsible Open-minded: to the values, opinions and cultures of others Caring: committed to compassionate service and support Risk-takers: full of courage and independence of mind and spirit
Balanced: intellectually, emotionally and physically
Reflective: about all they learn and experience
Over and over again, these are the qualities we see in our students.
A quarter of a million extraordinary bricks were specially commissioned for The Space. So our performing arts centre sits softly in its place, blending with the hard and soft landscapes around it. The bricks provide perfect soundproofing and resonate beautifully too. You should hear them.
There are 25,000 books in our library. The oldest, as far as we can tell, is A Perambulation of Kent by William Lambarde. It was published in 1576, imprinted in London for Ralph Newbery and rebound in 1806. In 2007, Bonhams in Bath sold a copy at auction for ÂŁ696. Ours is much treasured and not available on loan. But students are free to look. And look. We think the margin notes may be the handiwork of Robert Furley (1809 to 1887), historian of the Weald and previous owner.
Moon Man Midtown – the hotel windows are narrow eyes, taking in the high skies and the bare brown brick, early, before the day time haze, the almost ice, precise glint of the glass; November, already the wind and the cars and the honking near misses are chasing each other down the avenues. The moon’s a wink. At every traffic light, the same man, pale neon, white blue: held together, so many dots joined up, elusive and dependable, waited for; half his life’s a blank: a dark transformer board above square digit fingers, a red hand raised, a ‘no’ no one ignores, falling away to dayglo pearls, an angel without wings, gelatin silver, an almost friend... Olivia Cole, Class of 1999 Award-winning poet, journalist
Goldmine To raise money for charity, photographer Matt Humphrey, Class of 1997, asks actors, directors and musicians to sit for him. Willing subjects have included Jeff Goldblum, Goldie (pictured), Sam Mendes, Razorlight and Kevin Spacey. Being a stage hand at the Old Vic has helped. So has being handy with a camera. The shots are beautiful.
Regalia for feet Emma Hope left Sevenoaks in 1980. Her shoes, beautifully designed then hand-crafted in Italy, are reputed to make a girl feel like a princess when it really matters – when meeting a real live prince for example, as Emma did recently. Prince Charles handed over her MBE, and according to Emma, ‘It’s all thanks to Bob White, the Art Room and the Sevenoaks creeds of never give up and what’s the point of copying when you can make an original?’ We suspect her talent contributed.
O ly mpi c Go ld Amy Williams flew head first down mountains in Vancouver at speeds exceeding 88mph on a skeleton bob sled called Arthur; your guess is as good as ours. The medal-winning sled was co-designed by James Roche, who left Sevenoaks in 2003 for Southampton University and a stellar career in sports engineering.
Nerd? Well her exact words were ‘nerdy and disciplined’. It is to these qualities that Jenni Tarma (Class of 2000) attributes her ability to master the double bass and the bass guitar; a journey she Head of Music, Andrew Forbes, encouraged her to was hearing. These days, she shares the stage
began in Finland at the age of twelve. At Sevenoaks, she joined the jazz band, and recognise, value and optimise a rare, visceral response to some of the music she and tours the world with the likes of Kylie Minogue and Christina Perri.
Email from: Maira Chowdhury (Lower Sixth) To: Dr M Edwards (Divisional Head) Subject: Capitalist vs. Anarcho-syndicalist Debate
Hi Dr E, Would you be able to take part in a Capitalist vs. Anarcho-syndicalist debate/discussion taking place between the PPE Society and the boys from Paradigm Shift on Monday 12 March after school? Maira
Email from: Dr M Edwards (Divisional Head) To: Maira Chowdhury (Lower Sixth) Subject: RE: Capitalist vs. Anarcho-syndicalist Debate
I may have to look up the definition of ‘capitalist’. Dr E
PPE: Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Paradigm Shift: Our Anarcho-syndicalist think tank.
THE WORLD IS OUR CLASSROOM Over the past few years, students from Sevenoaks have had their eyes, hearts and minds opened on school trips to: Iceland Russia Republic of Ireland Belgium Germany France Spain
United States
Italy
Greece
Japan
Azerbaijan
Morocco
Nepal
China
India Honduras
St Lucia Kenya
Madagascar
Indonesia
Australia
South Africa
Australia: Sports. Azerbaijan: Russian. Belgium: French and Music. China: Mandarin and Geography. France: French, Skiing and Rugby. Germany: German and Drama. Greece: Classics. Honduras: Biology. Iceland: Geography. India: Service. Indonesia: Biology. Italy: Italian and Classics. Japan: Design Technology and Japanese. Kenya: Service. Madagascar: Biology. Morocco: Geography. Nepal: Service and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Republic of Ireland: Literature. Russia: Russian and History. South Africa: Hockey. Spain: Spanish. St Lucia: Netball and Cricket. United States: Science and Higher Education.
No walk in the Park Last year, teams from 36 UK secondary schools converged on Knole Park to take on the celebrated Knole Run. For boys it’s a 5.9 mile blaze cross-country, and girls cover 2.2 miles. 323 boys crossed the finish line and 115 girls. Between them, they notched up an impressive total of 2,158.7 miles. Respect.
LILLIPUT LIVES
The author gives some account of himself and family: his first inducements to travel. He is shipwrecked, and swims for his life: gets safe on shore in the country of Lilliput: is made a prisoner, and carried up the country. So begins the first chapter of the first part of Gulliver’s Travels. The author’s captors are citizens of Lilliput; beautifully realised by the cast, costume and technical teams behind this magnificent school production of Jonathan Swift’s biting eighteenth century satire, working to a brand new adaptation created by staff here at the school.
“ There is a lovely simplicity to the work of Oliver Barratt. His pure, uncluttered shapes loop, swell and billow with a sensual ease. It all looks so effortless that it almost feels familiar, as if his forms have somehow been lifted straight out of life.� Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Chief Art Critic, The Times.
Oliver Barratt is an inspirational sculptor. He studied at Sevenoaks (Class of 1979) and for 19 years or so, has been teaching here.
Cyber-charm Offensive Meet Titan. In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful gods, so at ten feet tall and four feet wide he is well-named. Towering over the students who greeted him on campus, he was more interested in chatting and singing than he was in throwing his weight around. Fortunately. Like the original Daleks, Titan is on wheels so doesn’t do stairs.
Visit courtesy of Cyberstein Robotics Ltd
Soul music The word gamelan comes from gamels, Javanese for strike or hammer. In mythology, this extraordinary musical ensemble was created in AD 230(ish) by god and king, Sang Hyang Guru. He wanted to summon fellow deities to his palace on Mount Lawu, so he made three gongs and the gamelan was born. Ours features eight gongs. Eighteen instruments in all require as many players and a deal of practice. The Javanese Cultural Attaché came to name it, thereby investing it, we understand, with a bona fide soul. Its name, by the way, is Kyai Nogo Alit, meaning ‘venerable small dragon’.
Here be dragons ‘ We use teamwork, ingenuity and imagination to capture intimate images of wildlife. Our shots hang in the Natural History Museum, London and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Our aim is to inspire people to celebrate and conserve the natural wonders of our planet.’
Matt Burrard-Lucas, Class of 2008 Will Burrard-Lucas, Class of 2002 Matt and Will are award-winning wildlife photographers. The Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) lives in Indonesia, grows to three metres in length and eats deer, not photographers, for breakfast.
How many architects does it take to design an almshouse?
Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington; John James; Roger Morris; Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke and James Stedman. Five, then. After much ado, building work began in 1724 and ended in 1732 – eight long years later. To be fair, our 32 almshouses are still standing and functioning as originally intended.
Swift’s up. ‘There are hundreds, if not thousands, who want to be the world’s best windsurfer. What differentiates the top sailors is consistency, and the only way to achieve consistency is to practise hard. I owe my discipline and work ethic to the education and physical training I got at school. I owe my ability to master new tricks and sail successful heats to the studying skills I learnt there. Without school, I wouldn’t be the all-round competitor I am. And I wouldn’t be number three in the world.’ Robby Swift, Class of 2002 All those wishing to live on Hawaii windsurfing for a living, listen up.
The Folding Bed Prank Step 1. Wait for sleep to overtake occupant. Step 2. Flip up bed with occupant inside. Step 3. Wedge bed closed (place chair beneath frame).
wall
Step 4. Leave occupant to stew. Step 5. Release after five minutes (max).
folding bed
(cf. current health and safety regulations) Gavin Palmer
fig.1
Class of 1989
boy
chair floor
How do you spell Ulaanbaatar? Always wondered! Daniele Parenti (Class of 2006) knows. He rode there from London on a pizza delivery scooter, a Honda C90 to be precise. 10,000 miles to raise £3,000 for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation which shelters, educates and cares for abandoned and orphaned children in Mongolia and Vietnam.
The Lotus Eaters The Cyclops’ cave 4
5 3 Beaches of Troy: travellers bound for home
Interrogation Centre (First floor)
6
Odyssey by name. Odyssey by nature. If you’re going to stage a play about an epic journey, keep your cast moving and carry your audience with you, in every possible sense. When The Space had been open a year, over 60 students worked together to fill it with a multi-layered, multi-disciplinary theatrical event. “We made use of every creative space in the building and kept the audience at the centre of the action. Enthralled.” Gavin Henry, Director of Drama
2 Audience arrested
Ithaca: Trial, Fall of Troy (as puppet show) Audience (illegal immigrants) 1 enter with fake ID
Rise and shine ‘We won’t miss the cold, dark, early-morning wake-up calls. But walking barefoot across the Mandrare River at dawn and dusk is something we’re unlikely to forget.’
Fleur Nash, Class of 2012
Twenty-seven brave souls with a passion for Biology travelled via Antananarivo to Fort Dauphin on Madagascar’s south coast. Seven hours in a truck later they reached Ifotaka. Camp conditions were basic: tents, bucket showers, hole in the ground and rice. Lots of rice. Working with scientists and PhD students, the group gathered data about birds, lemurs, herbs and vegetation. Data that may persuade UNESCO to declare the wondrous Mandray Valley a ‘protected biosphere’.
Trouble with termites A student and staff quiz night at Sevenoaks raised ÂŁ500; money that rebuilt and resupplied this Madagascan classroom, once destroyed by termites. Fifty s tudents, a ged f ive t o eleven , ha ve a roof over their heads again, and another shot at education. ÂŁ500 well spent.
Bearing witness Paul Greengrass, film director and screenwriter, first embraced the social realist tradition at Granada Television in the UK, working on hard-hitting documentary series, World in Action. He first saw the movie that most influenced the films he went on to make at the Sevenoaks School Film Club, aged seventeen. The Battle of Algiers is a shattering commentary on urban guerrilla warfare. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, it took the award for Best Film at the 1966 Venice Film Festival. Even watched twenty times over, Paul claims it never loses its power; the real world in action graphically rendered through the artifice of film. Now known for his signature use of hand-held cameras,
Subsequent credits include: 2002 Bloody Sunday 2004 The Bourne Supremacy
Paul started out with a Super 8 he found in the Art Room here,
2006 United 93
creating animated horror films featuring old dolls, artists’
2007 The Bourne Ultimatum
dummies and random classroom clutter.
2010 Green Zone
From Sevenoaks he went to Cambridge University and then
‘Films get made by the joining of a creative argument, struggle, fight
Granada. Ten years roving global hot spots led eventually, in
if you like. Film-making is a contact sport requiring collective creative
1989, to an award-winning directorial debut, Resurrection.
muscle; a team effort to mould and meld story, action, editing and music.’ Paul Greengrass, Class of 1973
S E V E N O A K S
S C H O O L
C E R T I F I C A T E S HOW TO THINK FOR YOURSELF It’s an important lesson. Perhaps the most important a child ever learns. But as far as our Head of English could see, not one that any English Literature GCSE syllabus tried to teach. So we concocted our own. Now recognised by universities everywhere, the Sevenoaks English Literature syllabus for Years 10 and 11 is designed to prepare students fully for Sixth Form and tertiary study. By which we mean, it teaches them not to memorise and regurgitate but to question, then develop and construct a cogent argument.
Jane Henshaw, Head of English
S E V E N O A K S
S C H O O L
C E R T I F I C A T E S COMING NEXT Our new English Literature syllabus has proved liberating for students and teachers alike. It is the first of what we hope will become a selection of UCAS-recognised Sevenoaks School Certificates. Drama, Music, Visual Arts and Technology are next on the list. All will involve independent external moderation and encourage critical thinking and independent working. Horizons will be expanded and wider choices offered, as we strive to make the Middle School curriculum more ambitious, exciting, challenging and fun.
Easy does it The stinging eyes, the clinging smell. In the old days, swimming pool hygiene depended on chlorine. Not any more at Sevenoaks. The UV filtration system built into our new pool means the only thing required to keep the water clean is sunlight. Easier on the environment, and on humans.
1. What is the chemical symbol for chlorine? 2. What is its atomic number? 3. What sort of element is it? 4. What is its principal chemical use? 5. What is it most often made into? 6. Who first synthesised elemental chlorine? 7. Who gave chlorine its name? 8. What does the word ‘chlorine’ mean?
1. Cl 2. 17 3. A halogen 4. Oxidisation 5. Bleach, disinfectant 6. Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1774 7. Sir Humphry Davy in 1810 8. Pale green
“I used to be a wreck but I’m alright now.”
Three ex-battery hens now live, lay, run free and grow fat in the grounds of one of our boarding houses. What a transformation! Nice eggs too.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
In 1961, Sevenoaks School established a pioneering Voluntary Service Unit (VSU) with two goals: to make life easier for people in the local community and to open student minds.
‘A Voluntary Service Unit creates students who ask questions about purpose based on the actual experience of being useful. Sadly, in the present time, it is more fashionable to
be cynical than to do anything which might be labelled unselfish or positive. But these are dangerously large words about something which is essentially ordinary. It is simply that
there is a surprising amount to be done and as they say, it’s better to light a candle than shout at the dark.’ Kim Taylor, VSU Founder, Head 1954 to 1968
VOLUNTARY SERVICE ‘Visiting Valence School is fulfilling, instructive and fun. We have made solid friendships with many of the students (who have physical disabilities and complex medical needs) and come to admire the teachers, who overcome any difficulties they face. Our weekly visits have exceeded all expectations and given us great insight into the lives of the people who study and work there.’ Samina Gagné and Laura Grunberg, Class of 2012
Today, our voluntary service programme is one of the largest and most ambitious of its kind. Its objectives remain unchanged. ‘Service at Sevenoaks is far more than fulfilling IB criteria
or contributing to the co-curricular programme. It aims to broaden minds and help our students gain a healthy perspective on life beyond school.’ Rebecca Brown, Director of Service
Dan Caprice left Sevenoaks in 2008. The time he spent on the wing in our first team was clearly time well spent. Having played for Saracens and the England Sevens squad, today he is bulldozing his way down the wing at Biarritz Olympique.
Funded by a former parent, the Findlay Sixth Form Sport Scholarship is reserved for a talented pupil from a state school. A local boy or girl who excels at sports, has real teamworking and leadership skills and a genuine desire at sixteen to take on the challenge of the IB Diploma. Dan Caprice was one such boy.
This cartoon by Jonathan Pugh appeared in The Times on 18 March 1999, alongside the news that ‘one of Britain’s leading independent schools has told parents that it intends to abandon A Levels, just two days before the government announces a controversial reform of the sixth-form curriculum.’ The article went on to state that ‘Sevenoaks School in Kent, the top co-educational school in last year’s Times examination tables, is to offer only the International Baccalaureate (IB) to new entrants from next year.’ The decision was not made lightly and we have never regretted it. You need only look at our IB results and alumni to see why.
P ro b l e m s s ol v e d “ Being dyspraxic, I have problems with taking notes, organising my work and making myself understood in essays. When I was younger, concentration was a problem too. At Sevenoaks, I used a laptop in class and exams and had extra help with organisation whenever I needed it. The Learning Support team was always prepared to step in and fight my corner and subject teachers provided all the extra notes and assistance I required. Lower down the school I was also helped to improve my concentration and develop problem-solving skills. I am going on to study Medicine at Cambridge.� Ed Kim, Class of 2012
Sharpshooters For years now, Sevenoaks students have shot at county and national level in team and individual events, testing their small-bore and full-bore rifle skills against junior and senior clubs. As it happens, we just broke two records in the National Small-bore Rifle Association Roll of Marksman Shield. Both had been standing since 1989. ‘Shooters do not just magically appear in a national squad. There is a long process of work and achievement before that happens.’ Mal West, Instructor, Crack Shot Numbers of Sevenoaks students selected for the British Schools Small-bore Rifle Association England Squad: 2011 nine 2010 ten 2009 nine 2008 eight 2007 six 2006 ten 2005 eleven 2004 five 2003 three We don’t rely on magic.
Team Cake. Cake baking (from dawn to dusk) is only the start of it.
And when we say cakes, we mean enough cake to feed over 1,000 people. Students bake, make mess, serve, undertake crowd control, clean up and raise over £4,000 every year. ‘Some of the international causes to benefit have been ActionAid, East Meets West and Education For All.’ Liz Bassett, Boarding Housemistress, Park Grange
Like Sevenoaks School, Continuum is intended to surprise and inspire; here and now, and for years to come. So should you have any facts, anecdotes or thoughts of your own to contribute to future issues do get in touch with the editorial team. Thank you.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CREDITS Warm thanks go to all those who have contributed content
Cross-country runner: © Lindsay Barker
and imagery to this first edition of Continuum. Many are
Komodo dragon: © Burrard-Lucas.com
acknowledged on the relevant pages. Others are listed below.
Almshouses: William Kent, The Designs of Inigo Jones, 1727
Cover painting: Daisy Charles, Class of 2010 ( IB submission)
Robby Swift: © J Houyvet / windsurfgallery.com
Katy Ricks: Zak Waters
Ulaanbaatar: Kraig Lieb / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images
International Space Station: © NASA
Madagascar (landscape): Richard Gower
Huang Ya Dong: © The Trustees of the British Museum
Madagascar (schoolroom): Kerry Pitcher
Stag: Andy Solanky
Battle of Algiers poster: By permission of Neil Kellerhouse
Canary Wharf: Aubrey Stoll / Flickr /Getty Images
United 93 poster: Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC
Christina Bassadone: Clive Mason / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Dan Caprice: © www.kickphoto.co.uk
Jack Cade: From Hutchinson’s Story of the British Nation The Stapleton Collection / The Bridgeman Art Library
The Times cartoon: © Jonathan Pugh / The Times / NI Syndication. British Cartoon Archive. Cakes: Supplied by Park Grange
Woodlice: Candy Amsden Smithfield: The burning of John Frith and Andrew Hewet. John Foxe, Actes and Monuments, 1610 Leaves: Candy Amsden
Editorial team: Arabella Stuart, Charlotte Hails, Sally Robbins, Clare Brazier
The Space: © Christian Richters
Copywriting and editing: Caroline Bligh
New York City: David H. Wells /Aurora / Getty Images
Design and art direction: Nick Darke
Goldie: © matthumphreyimages.com
Photography (unless otherwise stated): David Merewether, Nick Darke
Emma Hope shoe: Ben Wright
Illustrations (unless otherwise stated): Nick Darke
Bob sled: Supplied by James Roche. Used by permission.
Printed by Caxton and Holmsdale Press Ltd
Jenni Tarma: Supplied by Jenni Tarma
Paper from a sustainable source, approved by FSC
Sevenoaks School, High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU Telephone: +44 ( 0 ) 1732 455133 Email: admin@sevenoaksschool.org www.sevenoaksschool.org Š Sevenoaks School. A Company Limited by Guarantee (4908949). Registered in England and Wales. Registered Charity Number 1101358