Lent Term Review 2016

Issue 7 I Lent 2016

Termly Review The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

TermlyReview

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Contents Lent 2016 4 Face to Faith: Human Trafficking Pupils represent the UK in a live videoconference with pupils from Ukraine, Jordan and India.

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6 An Assembly with Sir Vincent Fean High commissioner to Malta (2002 – 2006), ambassador to Libya (2006–2010), and consul general to Jerusalem from 2010 – 2014.

12 Classical Civilisation Bringing Classics to life, both inside and outside the classroom.

18 Saving water with Eco Club Pupils investigate the School’s water usage and set the Lower School a four-minute shower challenge.

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21 Live from the Library An interview with Robert Muchamore for 2016 World Book Day. 34 In the News Press features and popular tweets.

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36 Old Vaughanians Work on the Digital Archive continues - and now we need your help!

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catholic life

Face to Faith: Human Trafficking Communicating with pupils from Jordan, India and Ukraine, on Wednesday 24 February, a select group of Fifth and Sixth Form students were invited to represent the UK in a live international video-conference on the subject of human trafficking.

Organised by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Face ‘It is a serious crime and a grave violation of human to Faith works across the world to help prevent rights.’ – Taras Shevchenko School, Ukraine religious conflict and extremism.

‘Human trafficking has put a big question mark The four schools were encouraged to engage over humanity.’ – VDJS School, India in an open dialogue and speak for themselves, rather than as a representative for their school or Pupils were then encouraged to ask questions community. to the different schools, focusing on the extent to which human trafficking affected both their After initial introductions, the conference began country and them as individuals. with the pupils sharing their own definitions and understanding of what human trafficking means. ‘We don’t really hear much about human trafficking

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in our country. On the news it is only other to us. That is, the ones which are easier to tackle.’ countries that they talk about, and prostitution – Cardinal Vaughan, UK isn’t really an issue her.’ – IEC School, Jordan The video-conference ended with a question from ‘I don’t think I face this problem at all in my daily the pupils of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine: ‘What life, and before today’s conference I had no idea can we do to help?’ All schools were in agreement how much human trafficking is entrenched in the on the answer: education and global awareness.

West.’ – Cardinal Vaughan School, UK With this in mind, a second conference has been Pupils from VDJS in India then asked the other booked for younger pupils on the same theme on schools what they think the reason is for human Wednesday 25 May. trafficking in their country.

Click here to find out more about Face to Faith.

‘One of the main reasons for human trafficking is Full pupil write-ups will be available to read in the poverty. Parents are forced to sell their children, Vaughan Magazine, out in September. or their organs, just to stay alive.’ – IEC, Jordan ‘Violence, disrespect of other people, poverty and lack of knowledge.’ - Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine ‘You have to look at the routes of poverty: racism and sexism. While poverty is the most tangible concept, you have to look at the concepts closest

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catholic life

An Assembly with Sir Vincent Fean Former British Diplomat, Sir Vincent Fean, speaks to the Second, Third and Sixth Forms about the conflict between Israel and Palestine and his 38 years spent in the British Diplomatic Service.

Who better to speak as an authority on Middle Eastern politics than Sir Vincent Fean: high commissioner to Malta (2002 – 2006), ambassador to Libya (2006–2010), and consul general to Jerusalem (defacto ambassador to the Occupied Palestinian Territories) from 2010 – 2014. Now retired from the Diplomatic Service, Sir Vincent focuses on the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly the Israel/Palestine conflict and Libya’s future. He is also trustee of Medical Aid for Palestinians and patron of the Britain Palestine Friendship and Twinning Network.

After summarising the historical background and significance of events such as the Holocaust on the Israeli/Jewish story, Sir Vincent explored what the conflict between Israel and Palestine looks like today: ‘Is this a religious conflict? I would say no. It is a political one. It’s about land. It’s about power.’

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He encouraged the boys to listen and absorb information with an open mind.

‘Don’t believe all you hear. Think for yourself and consider whether the person you are talking to has an agenda. Put yourself in the shoes of the other person and make your own mind up.

‘The good news is that we can make a difference, either individually or together. Learn about the three religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), and do no harm. If you’re not going to do any good, at least don’t make it worse. As a Catholic, I believe in the power of prayer but I also think, in relation to this conflict, God didn’t make this mess. People did. So it’s wrong to leave him to sort it out. Go and see the countries for yourself and support charities that are working to help.’

ACN Fundraising Concert

in Honour of the Blessed Mother of God Thursday 19th May at 7pm ENTRANCE FREE:

A collection will be taken for ACN’s work in Iraq and Syria

A girl praying in Syria

Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School 89 Addison Road London W14 8BZ

A CLASSICAL PROGRAMME BY: Pianist, Carl Bahoshy and the Vaughan Schola A REFLECTION BY: Fr. Dominic Allain A TALK BY: Neville Kyrke-Smith,National Director of ACN UK REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND:

Call Johnny Dowling on 020 8642 8668 or visit www.acnuk.org/events

@acn_uk

facebook.com/acnuk

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catholic life

Faith on the Front Line: An Assembly with Imam Asim Hafiz OBE Imam Asim Hafiz is the Islamic Chief Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and Armed Forces. He is also the first Imam and Muslim Chaplain to serve in the British Armed Forces. On Tuesday 8 March we were delighted to welcome Imam Asim to speak at the School about his unique role in the British Military.

In his role as Islamic Chief Advisor, Imam Hafiz provides advice and support to the Head of Army, Head of Navy and Head of Royal Air Force. He sees his role as two-fold:

After attending an Islamic boarding school from the age of 13, Asim qualified as an imam aged 23 and was soon appointed to two East London mosques, while also working part-time as an NHS chaplain.

He soon left the mosque to become the first full1.

‘To promote a better understanding of time imam at Wandsworth Prison, as part of an Islam and challenge the misrepresentations that early recruitment scheme by the Prison Service. have taken place over the past two decades.’

He became a military imam in 2005. In January 2.

‘To ensure that people understand what 2014, he was made an OBE by Prince William, Britain is about; what it represents, and how following a series of visits to Afghanistan, including British people live.’ a seven-month deployment in 2012.

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Pupils were shown a series of short video clips catholic life showing Imam Hafiz at work in Afghanistan, from leading prayers with British troops to meeting with Afghan locals. with people. How we treat our neighbours, our colleagues, our family and friends.’

‘Half of the world’s problems that we have at the moment are because of lack of understanding.’

‘Faith is about bringing communities together.’

Using faith as a tool to build bridges, Imam Hafiz encouraged pupils to think about ‘What sort of century do we want to create? What sort of legacy do we want to leave behind?’

The talk ended with Imam Hafiz opening the floor to pupils’ questions, which ranged from questions on Sharia law to foreign policy.

Using these examples to show how faith is being implemented, practiced and lived out, Imam Hafiz shared his understanding of a ‘true faith’: ‘true faith comes alive in how we engage and communicate

On Monday 7 March five priests from the Diocese of Westminster kindly came into school to enable Upper School pupils to receive the sacrament of Confession between periods one to five.

Dozens of pupils made use of this opportunity to be spiritually enriched, which was particularly timely in light of it being the Lenten season and all being affected by the stresses of impending formal exams. The priests commented on how disposed and receptive our pupils were, and we are extremely grateful to them for giving up their time to carry out this vital ministry.

Words: Mr Kelly

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history

Professor Andrew Roberts discusses Churchill’s Grand Strategy during World War II A talk by Professor Andrew Roberts, British historian and Visiting Professor at the War Studies Department at King’s College, London.

The ability to simplify one of the most complicated All in all, fresh insights into the person and policy of conflicts in history is what made listening to Winston Churchill enabled a better understanding Professor Andrew Roberts such a privilege for the for pupils of this titanic struggle. pupils of the History Department.

Words: Piers Smedley, U6SB Professor Roberts dispelled commonly held misconceptions about World War II, providing instead a step-by-step analysis both of the events which saw Nazi Germany initially dominate the conflict, and of the turning point in the war - the Battle of Stalingrad - which ultimately secured allied victory.

The telling of events with such vigour and enthusiasm stimulated interest in the pupils; this was very much in evidence in questions at the end of the lecture.

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classics

GCSE Classical Civilisation Third Form GCSE students have been bringing Classical Civilisation to life through a series of hands-on lessons with Mr Foley.

Week one saw the boys using Lego to build a model of the ancient Greek theatre. The purpose of the task was to encourage pupils to think about how the theatre looked, what the key features of the theatre’s architecture were and to use technical terms like theatron (the seating of the theatre), skene (the stage building), orchestra (area reserved for the Chorus) appropriately. Mr Foley said: ‘Pupils engaged really well with the task and were able to identify all the characteristics of the theatre.

They even included some added extras like animal sacrifice, the use of ekkyklema (a portable stage used to represent action that happens off stage) and even went so far as to recreate scenes from the plays they have been studying.’

The following week pupils brought in their own model figurines from home to recreate scenes from tragic plays such as Agamemnon, Ajax and Oedipus, before painting their own tragic masks (pictured above).

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“Classics is absolutely amazing.

It’s fun. It’s interesting. It’s unique.”

- Ruairi and Connor, 3CC

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classics

Exploring

Third Form Clas on Monday 7 M

Pupils were asked lessons. For examp in Athens (the Pan the sorts of prizes

All pupils demonst trip has allowed th Athenians was real

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g ancient artefacts at the British Museum

ssical Civilisation and Ancient Greek students enjoyed an afternoon at the British Museum March, looking at artefacts which relate to the Classical Civilisation Athens GCSE module.

d to find and photograph physical evidence which supports the facts that they have been learning during ple they were asked to find evidence that women and children played a vital role in the largest religious festival nathenaia), evidence of the type of objects used in an Athenian drinking party (symposium) and evidence of that would have been won by victors in a range of sporting competitions (Panatheniaic prize amphorae).

trated impressive subject specific knowledge throughout the afternoon and the Department hopes that this hem to put the information taught during lessons into context and to imagine what the lives of the ancient lly like.

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debating club

Sixth Formers battle it out at inaugural debating event Students of Catholic Sixth Forms from across West London convened at City Hall on Tuesday 2 February for the first ever meet of the London Catholic Sixth Form Debating Association.

The debating competition was a quick-fire battle with teams given just minutes to prepare their speeches before taking to the floor. The competition format was a series of knockout rounds then a final between the last two surviving teams. The eventual winners were Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and involved competitors from four Sixth Forms, including London Oratory, St. Dominic’s College and Sacred Heart Hammersmith.

The entire event was organised by the Sixth Formers themselves with support from Labour GLA member Navin Shah. Anwulika Elliott aged 17 co-organised the event with Natalia Rowczenio, also 17. Elliott, a pupil at Cardinal Vaughan, said ‘We wanted to share our love of debating and felt

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there was a lack of state school competitions and chances to discuss moral issues. So we came up with our own event for Catholic Sixth Formers like ourselves who are passionate about voicing their opinions on the key issues which affect young people in the capital and to encourage wider political engagement.’

A variety of motions were discussed on a diverse range of topics such as ‘This house would allow prisoners to vote’ and ‘This house would legalise polygamy’. The motion debating size zero models proved to be one of the liveliest discussions with Orla Rafferty of Sacred Heart winning best speaker for her contribution.

The judging panel was made up of a team of debating experts including Zak Wagman, the Harrow Youth Parliament representative and UCL Student Jasmine Botchey. Explaining the reasons why Cardinal Vaughan were crowned champions, Botchey said ‘A strong performance from all the teams made our decision really difficult but the Vaughan team stood out for their ability to clearly articulate their argument.’

Navin Shah, who represents Brent and Harrow on the Greater London Assembly said ‘I was delighted to arrange the event at City Hall as it provides a wonderful opportunity for teenagers to get to the heart of decision making in the capital. Who knows, maybe one of them will come back here one day as the Mayor of London!’

The association has plans to expand in the future with more competitions and events to encourage Catholic Sixth Formers to speak out and get their voices heard.

Words: Ben Farmer, L6FC

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eco club

Saving water in school In January the boys from Eco Club worked with Thames Water to investigate the School’s water usage and set the Lower School a challenge...

After measuring the School’s overall water usage and wastage, we were pleasantly surprised with the results: Cardinal Vaughan’s water usage in m3 per pupil per year falls well below Thames Water’s guidelines of ‘Typical’ usage in other UK secondary schools. However, there is always more to be done.

One particular area of concern is the tap by the fountain. This tap alone was found to waste 40,515 litres of water per year, costing the School £83.

Another area that the boys noted as a possibility for improvement is the roof of the new Centenary Building. With its curved arch structure, this would be an ideal platform for collecting and reusing rain water.

Armed with their findings, the following Tuesday the boys delivered a presentation to the Lower School about how we can all do our bit to save water, both at home and in school.

‘We wanted to check whether our school really is as good as it looks. We checked the taps, the loos, the urinals, and whether the School collected rainwater. All of our urinals are water smart. This is great because an uncontrolled

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urinal can use almost 66,000 litres of water a year. We also checked for leaky loos, and didn’t find any.

Again this is great because a leaky loo can waste up to 400 litres of water a day. We then looked for places where the school could put in a rain garden.’

Eco Club concluded their presentation with a four-minute shower challenge. Issuing each pupil with a timer, the boys told how just one minute less in the shower can save a staggering 5 litres of water.

‘There are 944 pupils in Cardinal Vaughan. If each of us started saving just five litres of water a day from today, between us, we would save 1,722,800 litres of water a year!’

Did you know...

• The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water a day, 47 litres of which are for bathing.

• 2 billion litres of water are used in the UK’s showers every day.

• The average shower lasts 7.5 minutes.

• Most adolescents are in the shower for longer than the UK average, resulting in a large water and carbon footprint.

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the library

Miss Bugg’s Book of the Term: Gorilla Dawn by Gill Lewis Don’t judge a book by its cover!

But that is exactly what I did - only to discover that the book inside was an exhilarating and rewarding read. The book in question is Gorilla Dawn by Gill Lewis. I am on a panel of judges who are choosing the 2016 Bookbuzz books. Gorilla Dawn was one of the books on my list of 15 that I had to read and review. The final Bookbuzz list will be read by 250,000 pupils.

Looking at the uninviting cover, I thought the book was going to be a worthy, sentimental trek through the jungle, rescuing gorillas. How wrong I was. The story includes murder, rebel wars, illegal mining and corrupt officials. Although the book is a work of fiction, it is based on what is actually happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the story, the Black Mamba rebels storm across the country destroying and robbing

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villages. They kill anyone who gets in their way, and take hostage anyone they think may be of use to them, forcing men and boys to join the rebel army. The Black Mamba set up an illegal coltan mine in the rainforest, destroying the earth, and selling the ore to The White Lioness. The White Lioness has another quest too. She wants to own a baby gorilla. The story is recounted by Imara, a tormented spirit child, Bobo, a boy searching for his father, and Kitwana, a baby gorilla snatched from the jungle to be sold to the White Lioness.

The paths of Imara, Bobo and Kitwana become entwined and a thrilling story unfolds.

Words: Miss Bugg, School Librarian

Live from the Library: An Interview with Robert Muchamore Bestselling

author of the CHERUB and Rock War series Robert Muchamore helps celebrate World Book Day with a live interview from Children’s Authors Live.

Between September 2014 and February 2016, Robert Muchamore’s books were loaned out a staggering 1141 times from the Library. Far and away the School’s most popular author, this former private investigator can also claim all ten of the School’s top-ten most borrowed books, with Class A the current favourite.

to find out more about the author, his books and what he has next in the pipeline.

‘All of my books have been written as series so I’d really like to attempt a stand-alone novel.’

Asked about the inspiration for his work, Muchamore revealed that all his ideas come from Miss Bugg was therefore delighted to be able to the real world and real-life situations. His secret open up the Library on World Book Day for a live for writing a great, gripping story? videostream interview with the author.

‘The one thing I always say to young writers is not Answering questions on everything from, ‘What is to worry too much about plot. Think about your the best and worst thing about being a writer?’, to characters, work on them and make them your ‘If you could have any superpower, what would it focus.’ be?’ (‘I would read people’s minds’), the hour-long interview was a brilliant opportunity for pupils

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mathematics

Let battle commence!

It’s been an exhausting but exciting term for our young Mathematicians, with pupils competing in the UKMT Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenge, Maths Feast and the School’s very own Inter-House Maths Competition.

More pupils were entered than ever before for this year’s UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge, with boys from 5M1, 5M2, 4M1, 4M2, and 3M1 all competing in the national competition. The highest achievers were awarded a certificate (Gold, Silver and Bronze), with the very best invited to take part in follow-on competitions: The Olympiad and The Kangaroo. Congratulations to all involved, especially Logan Stewart, Marley Bradbury, Joshua Padpu, Thomas Pietrzycki, Maximilian Barbaroussis, Oliver Kacprzak, Jaedon Demello, Devlin Brant, Lorcan Coyne, Aidan Jones, Kenny Leitao, Ruairi Coyne and Paulo Jones who all qualified for The Kangaroo competition. Special mention also to Devlin Brant and Thomas Pietrzycki who won ‘Best in Year’ for the Third and Fourth Form (Year 9 and 10), and Logan Stewart who was named both ‘Best in Year’ for the Fifth Form (Year 11) and ‘Best in School’.

Tensions ran high on 11 February as a number of boys competed in a new four-round, shuttle-relay Inter-House Maths Competition - with close results.

Round 1 1st Campion = 13 2nd Mayne = 6 2nd More = 6 4th Fisher = 3

Round 2 1st Campion = 28 2nd More = 21 3rd Fisher = 16 4th Mayne = 12

Round 3 1st Campion = 41 2nd More = 36 3rd Fisher = 31 4th Mayne = 12

Congratulations to the following boys for taking part: Campion: Aidan Cole, Ruben Devendra, George Doumenis-Ramos, Josue Calvopina.

Mayne: Kofi Antwi, Xavier Stuart-Samaroo, Benjamin Michaels, Martin Nguyen.

More: Adam Lovegrove, Leon Halpenny, Stanley Tully, Amanuel Solomon.

Fisher: Sean Oceng-Engena, Edward Ranyard, Oliver Gobie, Marcellin Jourdhier.

In March it was time for the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. Mr Cerda took a team of four Second and Third Form boys to Latymer Upper School to compete against over 20 schools, the day involving tricky maths games and a puzzle relay final.

Cardinal Vaughan was awarded eighth place, beating The Oratory by one point. This is also particularly impressive given the tough competition (Hampstead School coming

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Round 4 - Final results!

1st Campion = 47 2nd More = 42 3rd Fisher = 37 4th Mayne = 12

first, and St Paul’s School second). Congratulations to Devlin Brant, Nelson Fernandes Serrao, Oliver Gobie and Amanuel Solomon.

In March the competitions continued as Mr Cardozo took a team of four Fourth Form boys to Langdon Park School in Stratford to compete against 11 other London schools in the annual Maths Feast.

Mr Cardozo said: ‘Despite stiff competition, we ended up in First Place - so it was worth the journey over to Stratford! They did especially well at the countdown-style rounds and would have kept Rachel Riley on her toes with their rapid mental maths skills. They had to grapple with imaginary numbers, and there were lots of practical problem-solving tasks too.’

Congratulations to the winning team: Thomas Pietrzycki, Stephen Rabey, Jaedon Demello and Kevin Paulraj.

Pictured left and far left: Campion Maths Team, Winners of the 2016 Inter House Maths Competition

’s o t a wh

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Junior Maths Society First and Second Form in Room 114, Wednesday lunchtimes Come and play Maths games, tackle puzzles, and prepare for House Maths competitions.

Two Second Form boys will be chosen to join two Third Form boys to represent the School in the UKMT Team Challenge.

Middle Maths Society Third and Fourth Form in Room 102, Wednesday lunchtimes Want to explore Mathematics beyond the curriculum? A team of four boys will be chosen from this group to represent the School in the Maths Feast run by the Further Maths Support Group (see futhermaths.org.uk for more information).

Senior Maths Society Fifth and Sixth Form in Room 114, Friday lunchtimes Tackle Maths problems, prepare for the Hans Woyda Competition, the UKMT Senior Maths Team Challenge or for STEP or MAT exams. www.cvms.co.uk 23

pshe & citizenship

Education in Enterprise In March the School enjoyed a week of interactive PSHE & Citizenship workshops on International Law, Politics, Business and Careers. sessions with volunteers from Fulham FC, while the First, Second and Fourth Form attended lessons on politics and debating with Epic CIC. A member of the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) ran a workshop for the Fourth Form about the impacts of the Holocaust and the important lessons that should never be forgotten. All pupils completed activities on Careers using Cascaid KUDOS (an At the end of the day the teams presented their interactive career planning tool) focused on business plans to a judging panel, with the team understanding different opportunities available to ‘Token Transfer’ chosen to represent Cardinal them later on in life and the available pathways.

Vaughan at the National Finals Day in June 2016.

Their winning business proposal? An in-school We would like to thank Fulham FC, HET, Epic CIC banking system, managed by pupils using tokens and The National Enterprise Challenge Team for as a form of currency. Congratulations to Carl visiting the School and leading such interesting Abou-Ghosn, Gene Alcantara, Norbert Alcantara, and engaging sessions, and Mr Spence-Hill for Dylan Chettair, Kieran Cooney-Nutley and Nelson making the whole week possible.

Fernandes Serrao, AKA ‘Token Transfer’.

Day two saw the Third Form take part in the UK’s biggest schools’ enterprise education competition: The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge. Pupils were divided into teams and instructed to think of a unique product for which they must then devise an advert and marketing strategy, pricing structure and financial forecasts.

First Form pupils also took part in enterprise

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d&t club

Creating 3D Chess Sets in Design & Technology Pupils use SolidWorks and 3D printers to design, create and manufacture their very own chess set.

Last term we told you about a new Design & Technology STEM Club for the Second Form, in which pupils were learning how to design, create and manufacture their very own chess set using the advanced software programme SolidWorks. The boys are now well on their way to completing their chess sets, using the rendering in SolidWorks to decide on colours, before manufacturing the pieces on a 3D printer.

The results were impressive to say the least. Matthew Lisbo chose a new take on the Classical Black and White style, while Oliver Gobie had assistance from Anthony Edgar to batch-produce illuminated chess pieces for a glow in the dark set, inserting LEDs into each chess piece.

Miss Taylor said: ‘It took a lot of work but it was well worth it.’

The boys work has now been submitted to a national STEM competition, which aims to recognise and reward young people’s achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Miss Taylor also hopes to be able to take the club members and some other Second Formers to a ‘Big Bang’ STEM event in July.

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art

Enrichment

Fifteen KS3 boys were selected to take part in the Art Enrichmen a range of new media each week, including clay, photo shop, p paid a visit to the National Gallery to discover more about Da V

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Science Art

Third Form GCSE pupils were commissioned by the Science Department to produce five 1x1metre canvases. Pupils spent almost two months working tirelessly to design and paint these large scale and ambitious compositions. They have certainly brightened up the new science corridors, well done to Third Form artists for a highly successful and professional series of artworks.

nt Programme. Pupils explore painting and drawing and we Vinci, Holbien and Seurat.

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music

The Big Band made a welcome return to the Bull’s Head in Barnes early in the Lent Term and then at the beginning of February led the music-making at the annual Big Band Evening. Alongside the Junior Big Band and the Addison Sextet, the boys performed nearly three hours of music. If you haven’t been to a Big Band evening, do come next year – it is a great night out! And you don’t need to wait that long to hear the Band – the boys will be playing at the Half-Moon in Putney on Sunday 10 April, starting at 1.30 pm.

Junior: Barnaby Stewart & Joshua Schrijnen Senior: Filippo Turkheimer & Patrick McMahon Singing Junior: David Laleye-Thomas & Harry Fetherstonhaugh Senior: Filippo Turkheimer & Greta Mariani

The final was adjudicated by David Corkhill who chose the following overall winners: Junior Musician of the Year Gabriele Montone (violin) Senior Musician of the Year The Lent Term also features the Annual Music Thomas Fetherstonhaugh (violin) Competition. The Heat Winners were as follows: Strings Junior: Gabriele Montone & Tommaso Kelly Senior: Thomas Fetherstonhaugh & Alexander Yeghiazarian Woodwind Junior: Thomas McCann and Dominic de Vivenot Senior: Lara Goodhand, Logan Stewart and Jonathan Abrunho Piano Junior: Thomas McCann, Luke Warren & Oliver Hewins Senior: Owen Saldanha & Thomas Fetherstonhaugh Brass

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Many congratulation to Tom and Gabriele and also to the nearly one hundred pupils who took part in this year’s competition.

The Lent Term is also when we work with Southbank Sinfonia, our Orchestra in Residence, which this year involved the preparation of a performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony. Forty of our most advanced orchestral players sat side-by-side their professional counterparts in two days of rehearsals leading to the concert on 10 March at St John’s Church, Waterloo. Conducted by David Corkhill, this was a remarkable occasion: there are videos clips of the evening available on the Music Department’s Facebook Page. Southbank Sinfonia also gave a concert to the Lower School boys, performing extracts from Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony (directed by Thomas Fetherstonhaugh The Schola performing the St John Passion of the Upper Sixth) and took part in a composing workshop with members of the Lower and Upper Sixth. amongst other music the Allegri Miserere Mei (with the famous high c). In addition, the choir has sung The Spring Instrumental Concert was held in the twice at Westminster Cathedral for the Saturday Wathen Hall at St Paul’s School on Wednesday Vigil Mass. One boy, Alessandro MacKinnon in 2 March. With around 120 pupils involved, this the Second Form, sang on the Danny Elfman was an evening of strong performances from soundtrack for the new Alice In Wonderland film Junior and Senior Ensembles alike, the main work due for release in May. Gabriele Montone in the being Dvořák’s beautiful Eighth Symphony. Other First Form has played the role of Gerardhinio in highlights included a concerto for two bassoons the Royal Opera’s production of Gianni Schicchi. (performed by Senior Strings with Luciano Cusack and Lara Goodhand on the bassoons) and also On the first day of next term, April 12, the Schola Concert Band’s performance of Festivo by Edward will sing Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral. Another Gregson. Concert Band are playing in the National day for the diary is Thursday 21 April when, at Concert Band Festival at the Royal Northern the Easter Concert, the School Choir will perform College of Music in Manchester at the end of the Mendelssohn’s wonderfully dramatic Elijah at St Easter Holiday and we wish them every success in James’s, Spanish Place. Much later in the term, on that exciting venture.

Friday 25 June, the Schola will return to Spanish Place to perform Fauré’s Requiem as part of the The Schola has focused this term on the preparation Marylebone Festival in a performance to be of JS Bach’s St John Passion, which it performed conducted by none other than Sue Perkins from twice, at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square on Thursday 17 The Great British Bake Off. Mary Berry will sing the March and then again at Douai Abbey in Berkshire Pie Jesu – no, that’s not true, but the other part is. on Saturday 19 March. This is a monumental work and it has been a major achievement by the Schola Very many thanks to all the boys and girls for their to learn it, in German, to such a high level. As well hard work this term, huge thanks to the staff for as singing the choruses, the boys also sang the their commitment, and warmest thanks to the arias and smaller solo roles. We were joined by parents without whom none of what we do would leading Evangelist Nicholas Mulroy and also by be possible.

Old Vaughanian Jerome Knox who sang the part of Christ.

Happy Easter.

The Schola has sung each week at the Lower Scott Price, Director of Music School Mass, of course, and also led the singing at the School’s Ash Wednesday Services, singing

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SPORT

Latest news from the PE Department lower school football

senior football

This has been another successful football season for the Lower School teams. At the time of writing 74 fixtures have been played, the vast majority on Saturday mornings. There have been several highlights so far this season. Firstly the Under12’s have on two occasions, fielded six teams in competitive matches which augers great things for the future. Secondly, on one Saturday morning 182 boys represented the School in twelve teams against The John Lyon School, a spectacle not seen at The Vaughan for many years. Thirdly, the Under-14 team have had a very promising string of results in the QPR League and they appear well on course to contest the final later in the year.

Senior Football has enjoyed a successful Lent term, regularly fielding three XIs and continually attracting new players to training on a Tuesday night. The term has seen some standout team performances, including victories over RGS Guildford for both the First XI (2-0) and Second XI (4-2) on a windy Saturday afternoon, as well as convincing wins against The John Lyon School.

In addition there have been some very pleasing results on Saturday mornings against many of the Grammar Schools and private schools. This success is in no small measure due to the hard work of Mr Bailey, Mr Brett, Mr Jackson, Mr Lewis, Mr Secker and Mr Terblanche.

In the QPR School’s League, both the First and Second XI have one remaining fixture in their I would like to extend my gratitude to all the boys pursuit of the final. The First XI have been for their commitment and enthusiasm, the staff for particularly impressive and had to demonstrate their diligence, and all the parents for their support a very good team spirit to come through a on the touchline. nerve-racking last 15 minutes against Burlington Danes. The First XI currently have a 100% record A special mention must also be made for Mrs in the league and will be looking to secure top Lelaine Higgins. Lelaine has volunteered to organise spot in a fixture against EHWLC on Monday 11 the catering arrangements at Twickenham every April. Despite coming up against some tough Saturday this season (as well as countless previous oppositions, the Second XI have rallied hard and seasons) and through sheer hard work has ensured are aiming to secure a play-off position with a win that our players and the opposition teams and staff in their remaining fixture at the end of this term. are provided with a hot meal and drinks after every fixture.

Particular mention should go to the Fifth Form boys who have stepped up to Senior Football very Words: Mr Leigh successfully, as well as the Upper Sixth boys who continue to set the example both on and off the pitch, and are a credit to CVMS. Words: Mr Murphy

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athletics

we displayed some excellent team performances, resulting in a second place for the Senior Girls, and In Athletics we are delighted to have won the fourth place for the Intermediate and Senior Boys.

Kensington and Chelsea Year 7 Indoor Athletics Championships, to have then come fourth in the On Tuesday 8 March our youngest runners Regional Final at Harrow Leisure Centre. However, represented the Royal Borough of Kensington and the highlight of the Indoor season has to be Chelsea in the Year 7 Championships at Avery Hill Dominic Ogbechie’s winning jump at the National Park. The team was placed sixth, with the best Indoor Under-15 Boys High Jump in Sheffield, individual performance coming from Niall Randallwhere he won first place with a jump height of 1m Carrera who came 24th.

83cm.

Congratulations to all of the School’s cross-country Words: Mr Bailey runners for their hard work and achievements this term.

Words: Mr Bailey

rowing

CROSS-COUNTRY It’s been a busy term for the School’s crosscountry team, with highlights being the individual performances by Greta Thompson and William Whitely in the London Schools Championships, where they came fifth and eighth respectively.

These placements then saw Greta and William gaining representative honours for London in the English Schools Championships in Nottingham on Saturday 5 March, with Greta placed 259th and William 284th.

The term began with the Goater Cup at Aldenham Country Park on Wednesday 20 January. Each boy ran two miles around the park, with each team consisting of one pupil from the First Form, one from the Second Form, one from the Third and Fourth Form, and two from the Fifth and Sixth Form. Our teams were placed 20th and 24th, and we ended the day with a celebratory dinner at Haberdasher’s Aske’s school in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

In February it was time for the London Schools Championships at Wormwood Scrubs. Here, again,

Rowing continues to go from strength-to-strength at the Vaughan. We had 24 pupils compete in the National Junior Indoor Rowing championships on Friday 11 March, with Laurence Joss not only awarded first place but also named National Champion in the Year 11 Boys race. Other notable results from this competition include fifth place for Felix O’Malley in the Year 12 Boys category, and sixth place for Vincent Renders in the Year 13 Boys.

Our Thames rowing sessions at Fulham Reach Boat Club have proven such a success that on Friday 18 March a quad competed in the Scullery Cup on the 2012 Olympic Rowing course of Eaton Dorney. Having only started rowing in December, the crew (Hamish Phelan, Vincent Renders, Milo Storey and Joel Outschoorn) did exceptionally well, particularly having never rowed before as a four, and were placed 28th out of 32 teams.

Our indoor training sessions are also going strong, with up to 25 Sixth Formers training on a Wednesday and Thursday morning in the School Gym. This is down to the dedication and enthusiasm of the three coaches: Hamish Phelen, Hugo Storey and Edward Joss. We plan to enter more regattas in the summer term.

Words: Mr Bailey

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in the news

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Popular Tweets Philosophy Society - @CVMSMusic special! Join guest speaker Mr Price as he asks, ‘What makes music beautiful?’

Latest photos from the @acnuk Good Shepherd School Project in Kassala, Sudan.

Do you like politics and debating? Apply to represent the youth of @RBKC with @UKYP Application closing date: 12 Feb Saturday 11 June 2016: The Vaughan Foundation Summer Ball. Tickets on sale NOW. Asia Bibi, awaiting death in a Pakistani prison on a charge of blasphemy. Watch the documentary @ 12.50 today in 601 Fifth Form ICT pupils enjoy a tour and practical Computing sessions at Sky HQ as part of the @SkyAcademy Careers Lab Our Elijah on 21 April will be immense! Amazing soloists: @sfoxyladyFOX @DianaMooreMezzo @PeteDavTenor and @dsoar76 St James, Spanish Place Video conference on human trafficking with schools from Jordan, India and Ukraine @ reonline_tweets. #FacetoFaith Mr Garfath and pupils from 2En1 review Salt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys for @tes: https://www. tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/ class-book-review-salt-sea-ruta-sepetys Clockwise from left An Interview with Mr Price in the March issue of the Oremus Westminster Cathedral Magazine; Paul Hayward and James Lorenzo (Old Vaughanian, 2007 - 2014) named Sportswriter and Student Sportswriter of the Year at the 2015 Sports Journalists Association Awards; former East End gangster turned Christian, John Pridmore, with Fourth and Fifth Form pupils in the Catholic Herald ‘Pictures of the Week’.

Follow us @CardinalVaughan

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old vaughanians Work on our Digital Archive is still well underway - and now we need your help!

Do you know where and when these photographs were taken?

Email your answers to mail@cvms.co.uk.

Additional photographs can be found on the Old Vaughanians Facebook page.

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old vaughanians

Irish RAF ace story to be made into a documentary

Article source: The Irish Times, Saturday 13 February 2016 Finucane died in July 1942 at the age of 21, at which stage he had become an international celebrity.

Old Vaughanian Brendan ‘Paddy’ Finucane first joined the Royal Air Force in 1938 and went on to become the youngest ever Wing Commander with the highest rate of victories in RAF history. Now Spitfire Paddy: The Ace with the Shamrock will tell the story of Finucane’s celebrated life.

Jean Woolford. She discusses the relationship between the couple, showing the previously unseen scrapbook of photos and presscuttings which are treasured by This new feature length her family. documentary includes interviews with relatives and Gerry Johnston, a film producer, friends of Finucane and his director and documentary maker, family. His cousin, Brian Physick, who is making the film, said he who grew up with him in Dublin was drawn to the story by the and Southampton, tells the intergenerational conflict in the story of his early life and the family. Paddy’s grandfather had beginning of his career in Fighter been in the British Army in India.

Command. Finucane’s nephew Andy Finucane, Paddy’s father, and his namesake, Brendan refused to sign his son’s papers Finucane QC, is also interviewed before he enlisted in the RAF. in the documentary as is Leonie Johnston was also attracted to Elizabeth Watson, the younger the story by the responsibilities sister of Paddy Finucane’s fiancé, that Brendan Finucane had at

such a young age, despite dying at the age of 21.

Johnston is also writing a screenplay with a view to making a film about the fighter ace. Mr Johnston says former James Bond actor Pearse Brosnan is interested in the project.

Finucane died when his Spitfire was shot down over the English Channel on July 15th, 1942. In 1948, Winston Churchill said of him: ‘Whenever I have bitter feelings rising in me about the Irish, the hands of heroes like Finucane seem to stretch out and soothe them away.’

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ELIJAH

FELIX MENDELSSOHN

THE SCHOOL CHOIR OF THE CARDINAL VAUGHAN MEMORIAL SCHOOL THE BELGRAVIA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SARAH FOX soprano DIANA MOORE mezzo soprano PETER DAVOREN tenor DAVID SOAR bass SCOTT PRICE conductor

7.30 PM, THURSDAY 21 APRIL 2016 ST JAMES’S, SPANISH PLACE 22 GEORGE ST, LONDON W1U 3QY Tickets £15, £12, £8 (concessions half price) available from The Cardinal Vaughan School (0207 605 0046) or email (brennand@cvms.co.uk) or on the door on the evening

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The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School www.cvms.co.uk 0207 603 8478

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