CATERHAM SCHOOL
2023-24
Cover Artwork: GCSE created by Estee
farewell COMMON ROOM NEWS
This year we say Goodbye to the following members of the Senior Common Room:
Mr Daryl Todd Retirement
Mr Stephen Lander who has taken a post at Durham School
Ms Catherine Drummond who has taken a post at De Stafford School
Mr Adam Muttitt who has taken a post at Whitgift School
Welcome to the following new teachers who join the Common Room in September 2023: welcome
Miss Rebecca Harry Teacher of Biology (maternity cover)
Mr Charles Froy Director in Residence
Miss Natasha Kwabi Director of Sixth Form Teacher of Psychology
Mr James Pike Teacher of PE Non-resident boarding tutor
Mrs Katie Bullard Head of Philosophy and Theology
Miss Vinitha Vijayakumar Teacher of Maths
Mrs Katherine Kolodziejska Teacher of Maths
Dr Ben Snook Teacher of History
Miss Sophie Wolf Teacher of PE
Mr Stephen Whiteley Teacher of Economics and Business
Miss Hélène Bonsall Teacher of Biology
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE ...
Dame Kelly Holmes OPENS SUPERCHARGED SPORTS CENTRE
Team GB legend and wellbeing campaigner
Dame Kelly Holmes opened Caterham School’s new supercharged sports centre on Tuesday 27 February.
The double gold medal winning athlete led an indoor sports session with East Surrey Learning Partnership and local junior schools and answered their many questions before joining Caterham pupils for a GCSE and A Level sports training session. Dame Kelly shared her career highlights and challenges with the pupils as well as her belief in the importance of having a dream and pursuing it with determination and resilience, and the importance of lifelong friendships.
Dame Kelly set and still holds the British records in the 800m and 1000m, is an Olympic, Commonwealth and European champion that has achieved seven Gold, eight Silver and four Bronze medals throughout her career. This includes her double win in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, becoming the first Briton in over 80 years to do so. After her Olympic success, she won BBC Sports Personality of the Year, European
Athlete of the Year and was honoured with a Damehood from the Queen.
Before cutting the ribbon on the new Sports Centre Dame Kelly met with teachers, parents, trustees and members of the local community. Remarking on the School’s sports facilities, the school’s fielding of A to E teams each week and the drive to support community sport, Dame Kelly said: “With investment anything is possible but the school is brilliant at opening them (sports facilities) to the local community, everyone benefits. The enthusiasm of the head, the teachers, support staff and, my favourite, the PE teachers is amazing.”
First and Second Year pupils made sure the count down to opening was heard across the Harestone Valley before confetti cannons fired and the building was officially declared open. Caterham’s supercharged Sports Centre contains a purpose designed and fitted professional standard performance gym, sports teaching
facilities, changing facilities and new sports cafe in addition to a 25-metre swimming pool and multi-purpose sports hall.
In addition to enhancing the school’s facilities for pupils the centre is open to the local community for individual use, for use by local state-maintained school partners and community sports groups for training and coaching sessions. Caterham School also hosts the town’s community sports clubs including rugby, lacrosse and cricket clubs at its Hill Fields sports grounds.
The wider importance of sport was a key theme of the official opening day. Soon after her double gold medal win, Kelly set up the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. The charity helps guide disadvantaged young people, getting their lives back on track by using world class athletes to engage, enable and empower, attitudes they need to fulfil a positive life. She encourages the same philosophy that she lives by, nothing is impossible.
Sp ch Day
SATURDAY 6 JULY 2024
Good morning everyone - and a very warm welcome to Speech Day 2024...
Iam delighted to welcome not only pupils and parents along with our Guest Speaker, Philippa Forester, today, but also members of our Alumni Association, the Old Caterhamians, the Parents’ Association, the President of the School Graeme Mew, along Members of the Foundation, Trustees, neighbours, friends and colleagues from the East Surrey Learning Partnership. I am also pleased to welcome a number of our local councillors.
You will meet some incredible young people this morning and hear about their staggering achievements this year. Indeed we have already heard from some already and I’d like you to join me in thanking them again – you were amazing… You will also hear about an incredibly high achieving and
ambitious school, but also one that has a clear sense of purpose and mission beyond simply getting fantastic grades and which is making an important contribution to the conversation about the role, relevance and ambition of education and educators in the 21st century.
This has been, by any measure, a hugely successful year once again. We started the year having just been named as the TES Independent Senior School of the Year – and ended the year with Caterham Prep School being shortlisted for the TES Independent Prep School of the Year. I think this reflects the journey the school has been on over recent years - we are now genuinely a through school –both in terms of pupils moving into the senior school from the prep
school, but more importantly in the seamless educational provision and ethos and quality that connects us. Our new sports centre extension was opened in September and has expanded sporting opportunity for our pupils. The extension has also enhanced the sporting opportunity for our local community and neighbours who have benefitted
CERI JONES, HEADMASTER
from the investment we made in this incredible facility.
Last November, the school was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate as part of their three-year cycle of school inspections. The Senior School and the Prep School were inspected at the same time. No single word judgement – just a great read of school culture achieved through talking to pupils. We received some amazing feedback. Not only did we receive two areas of significant strength as a senior school – areas that particularly stood out were the quality of lessons and the quality of pastoral care – the Prep School also received an area of significant strength for its’ use of Digital and Innovation in the classroom. No other independent school in England has received 3 areas of significant strength yet. My favourite line in the report was that pupils at Caterham are encouraged to be their true authentic selves. I can think of no better praise – and it is this culture that promotes such high levels of pupil happiness and engagement and, as a consequence, such high levels of pupil achievement.
Our musicians have continued to produce fantastically moving moments across the year –highlights of the year for me were the incredible Concert up at St John’s in Waterloo and our Remembrance Service. There have
been so many more opportunities to hear wonderful music, covering all genres and instruments –Spring and Summer Concerts, lunchtime concerts, informal Live Lounge concerts. The instrumental and choral work at the school is breathtaking – our Chamber Choir is superb, the Zheng Trio made it through to the final of the prestigious Pro Corda Competition. MAD live earlier this week also demonstrated the quality and range of dance that our pupils are engaged in. Instrumental music, choral music and dance are a powerful and successful combination here at Caterham. Not to be out done, drama has also had an incredible year. The Senior Production of ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ was superb and was shortlisted for the final of the National Schools Theatre Award. The Junior Production of Alice was a triumph of acting and
technical wizardry and the gritty and moving Lower Sixth play, ‘Tusk Tusk’ was brilliantly directed an acted by a group of very talented sixth formers.
Caterham CCF continues to be one of the most popular co-curricular activities at the school. Almost 200 pupils from the third year and above are involved – we are one of the largest CCFs in the country. The highlight of the year for them was to be invited to participate in the renowned ‘Cadet Cambrian Patrol’ – a weekend competition in Wales for the best CCF groups in the country. It was the first time we had been invited to participate – and we won the whole thing. A fantastic achievement. Our sports teams also had a wonderful year. Our boys are currently National Tier One hockey champions and finished second in the national indoor competition. Our girl’s hockey team are the Southeast regional champions and also made it to the finals of the outdoor finals (and were agonisingly close in the indoor competition).
In Lacrosse our U18 girls won their age group Division in the National Championships, and our U19 Table Tennis Team remains the Surrey Champions.
I am also delighted that so many pupils continue to play sport – our participation rates are incredibly high across the school. The range
of sporting opportunities continues to grow – as the introduction of our mountain biking option for games lessons demonstrates.
Alongside our team successes we have a good number of individual pupils achieving regional and national representation honours in a whole range of sports – you will see a number of them on the stage receiving honours.
As we all know, academic success is not measured simply by grades. It is also seen in the culture of scholarship and academic ambition of our pupils, and a love of learning for its’ own sake – surely a key purpose of any school. The quality of academic endeavour and engagement this year has been astounding. We hosted our first ever Caterham School History Festival which attracted some big name historians, and attracted a wide audience of pupils, parents and members of the public. The number of pupils gaining national recognition in Olympiads and Challenges continues to grow and the Independent Research Project remains a showpiece of the academic year – the quality and breadth of discussion and debate never fails to impress. The Senior competition this year contained high level academic discussion of topics covering philosophy, computer science, fashion, art, science and the philosophy of finance – taking academic discourse at Caterham way beyond the confines of a mark scheme.
The etymology of the word education is to ‘lead out or bring forth’ the potential of individuals through questioning and inspiration – it is not about pouring in knowledge or filling empty vessels. The scholarly engagement of our pupils beyond exam preparation demonstrates that at Caterham we truly educate your children, we do not simply school them.
You will note in your programmes a whole host of other achievements by our pupils which we do not have time to go through this morning, but which give you a sense of the breadth of talent, ambition and ability among our pupil body.
Of course, none of this activity is
As we all know, academic success is not measured simply by grades. It is also seen in the culture of scholarship and academic ambition...
possible without a hugely talented and committed staff body – and by that I mean both my teaching colleagues and my professional services colleagues all of whom put a huge amount of discretionary effort into ensuring that every day the foundations for success for our pupils are in place. I am very grateful to every one of my colleagues who collectively create a school culture and environment in which pupils thrive and succeed. I would ask you to join me in saying thank you to them.
Inevitably, this is the point in the year where we say farewell to colleagues. We celebrated them yesterday in our end of school assembly but there are three in particular that deserve a mention today due to their length of service to the school. Firstly to Stephen Lander who leaves Caterham to return to his roots in the north east – joining Durham Cathedral School
as a maths teacher. Stephen joined Caterham in 2005 and has been a fantastically committed teacherrenowned for his patience, kindness and attention to detail we will miss him but wish him well for his move home.
Cath Drummond has been at Caterham since 2013, initially as Director of Boarding, then as Deputy Head (Operations) and latterly as second in charge of the English department. Cath is leaving Caterham to become second in the department at de Stafford School. Cath is an outstanding colleague and brilliant English teacher who has inspired and motivated many Caterhamians to love English and to challenge convention. We will miss her brilliance, insight and care.
Finally, Daryl Todd is retiring from teaching. Daryl has been at Caterham since 2004. He is a brilliant maths teacher, energetic head of Lewisham house, expert ›
badminton player and coach and all-round legend. Clearly too modest to know it, but Daryl is one of the best teachers I have met in 30 years of teaching. His subject knowledge is second to none, his care for the pupils is unwavering and he is never afraid to tell me when he thinks decisions are not in the best interests of the pupils. I will miss his wisdom, humour and candour and wish him all the best for a busy and enjoyable retirement.
I should also like to extend my thanks to a wonderful group of Prefects who have been a great support this year. Their weekly input and guidance to me and to the senior team is enormously helpful –understanding the lived experience of our pupils and adapting to things in real time is hugely valuable outcome of this relationship.
My particular thanks to the three outgoing Heads of School –Genevieve Alcock, Ria Manvatkar and Philip Morgan. I am grateful for their wisdom and wit – the half an hour a week in their company is one of the highlights of my week. They have been outstanding role models and I know they will go on to achieve great things. I have a very small gift for each of them as a token of my appreciation and would ask that you give them a huge round of applause as they come forward to receive my thanks.
I am also delighted to announce the Heads of School for next year. It is always an incredibly difficult task when you have so many super
talented pupils to pick from – and this year has been no exception. Indeed, it has been so hard that I am appointing four heads of school. I am delighted to announce that the Heads of School next year will be Simi Akingbade, Lily Woodward, Casey Mear and Alex Sherry. Good luck to the four of them.
One of the real highlights of the past week, and actually the year, has been the creation of our first ever Caterham School Museum, hosted in the Wilberforce Hall this week. I know a number of you came to visit it. It was a museum created and curated entirely by our First Year pupils as part of their EDGE curriculum. The Museum traces the evolution of the school from our founding in 1811 through to the present day – as with all history it traces the process of change, but also of continuity. Of course, everything has changed in the last 200 years, but there remain strong echoes of the school that John Townsend set up in 1811 in the
Caterham of 2024. Not least in the fact that we remain a school that has a real sense of purpose beyond simply academic results, that we are innovative and that we are constantly challenging the educational status quo.
John Townsend set up the Congregational School in Lewisham to provide educational opportunity for non-Anglicans who were excluded from mainstream Anglican education. He believed that education had a social purpose beyond examinations – that education could transform lives and that schools should build bridges between people, not build barriers.
We believe the same and I want to pay tribute today to the work our community does in providing an outstanding education for your children, but also to the work we do working with other outstanding educationalists in the area to support ambition and achievement for all pupils in the local area. The East Surrey Learning Partnership is the vehicle through which we, along with other fantastic colleagues in local primary schools, work to improve outcomes for young people, and in which many of our own pupils are involved. Programmes such as Fizzy Maths, or Science and English lessons, drama groups and photography sessions see our pupils working alongside some incredible young people in other schools. Our music department hosted 250 pupils in a mass singing exercise, Ex Cathedra, earlier this year, our Saturday Plus programme sees 27 pupils and their families from great local primary schools get monthly extension and enrichment sessions here at Caterham, the lending library that so many of you generously support ›
We
also still support and sponsor the London Academy of Excellence, the incredible post-16 free school in the London Borough of Newham which has literally transformed the lives of thousands of incredible young people.
through our Giving Day activity provides opportunity and kit to really inspire and extend pupils in local primary schools and we fund access to adaptive digital programmes in English, Science and Maths for pupils in Year 5 and 6 in local primary schools. These activities have a demonstrably positive impact on pupils in the schools that take part – including our own pupils who learn so much about themselves in doing it.
I was asked the other day why do we do it? My answer is simple: Because it is the right thing to do.
Our Transformational Bursary Campaign over the past 4 years has seen 20 pupils enter the school on fully funded bursaries – we continue to work with Springboard, a national charity that supports pupil from the care sector to access independent schools. We currently have 6 Sunflower scholars in the school – pupils who came to us following the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Two of these scholars are leaving us today – I am immensely proud of what they have achieved in such a short period of time. They are all remarkable young people.
With all of these students we have undoubtedly helped to shape a different trajectory and journey for them – but much more importantly, and they probably don’t know this, they have helped shape and change the school in a positive way and make us better too. I am grateful to them all for the very positive impact they have had on our school.
In addition, we also still support and sponsor the London Academy of Excellence, the incredible post-16 free school in the London Borough of Newham which has literally transformed the lives of thousands of incredible young people.
And of course, we continue to sponsor and support the primary school in Lewrang’wa in Tanzania – a relationship which has lasted over 20 years. I am so excited that a group of 20 Lower Sixth will be visiting them for the first time since Covid this summer.
Alongside working with local primary schools, we have welcomed Copthorne Prep School into our family to benefit from the sharing of educational expertise and to ensure its long-term future. We are delighted to be working with them. ›
On the Innovation front – we continue to push at the boundaries of what a school curriculum should be enabling. Our EDGE and Wellbeing Curriculum are at the cutting edge of what schools in the UK are offering – and our EdTech company, Sphinx AI, is creating educational products that have the potential to transform the classroom experience of pupils across the globe and to be part of the solution to the teacher recruitment crisis that we find ourselves in. As with everything we do this work is driven purpose – to have a meaningful impact on the world around us. Rileybot, the virtual classroom assistant that has been developed by the school is being used in local primary schools without charge as we recognise the financial and teacher recruitment challenges these schools face.
I think if John Townsend were to look at where the school is now and where it began, he would agree that although everything has changed – the purpose of the school he founded is still very much in evidence.
Our success and achievements are a shared endeavour – there are so many of you in the marquee who actively support our ambition and purpose through generous philanthropy, the sharing your expertise and, critically, through giving us hours of your time as volunteers. I am grateful to the Old Caterhamians Association, to the fabulously hard working and generous Parents’ Association, to the Foundation and of course, to the Trustee Board led so ably by Monisha Shah, who give so much of their time and expertise to the school. I say it every year, but great schools have great governing bodies. Thank you to all of you who work so tirelessly – your efforts are noticed and really appreciated. Please join me in thanking all of our volunteer groups.
And finally, to the Upper Sixth. What is my final message to you as pupils of Caterham School? Well I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing your journeys through Caterham with you. You have been a wonderful year group and I am
incredibly proud of not just what you have achieved but, more importantly, who you have become.
And three bits of wisdom:
The first I have spoken about a lot this morning. Purpose. Do your best to reflect on your ‘why’ and your purpose as you move off into your successful lives – the sweet spot is where the what you do and the why you do it overlap. I meet too many people where this isn’t the case.
Secondly – you do you. As our inspectors said back in November – be your true authentic selves and you won’t go far wrong. I said the same thing in your yearbook – if waste your time and energy trying to be someone else, who is going to be you?
we have the opportunity to be the beacon of what an independent school should be in the 21st century. Let’s look forward with confidence and together let’s make that happen.
Thirdly – be ambitious and be optimistic. Don’t let fear stop you. The Prep School speech day yesterday had an amazing speaker – an adventurer and author called Leon MCCarron. He used a line that I thought was brilliant – all the best things that are about to happen to you lay on the other side of that fear and caution inside you that might hold you back. Take a deep breath and go for it – all of you.
And for the adults in the room – I say the same to you. Caterham School is an amazing place and
To our Leavers - Good luck in all you do. Of course, you are not leaving the school – you are simply changing your relationship with us. As you leave the marquee this morning the Old Caterhamians will be waiting there with a glass of fizz for you - they and the school will be here for you as you grow into adulthood. Bon voyage class of 2024.
I wish all of you here today a restful summer and good luck to all of you awaiting public examination results.
ADDRESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES
Guest of Honour: Philippa Forrester
Philippa was first known as resident BBC children’s TV host, residing in the ‘Broom Cupboard’ for four years, before moving on to present Robot Wars and Tomorrow’s World. Philippa is a keen environmentalist and continues to present and produce wildlife programmes.
Philippa Forrester brought a fresh touch to Tomorrow’s World and went on to make her mark on Robot Wars and Time Machine. She also fronted Heaven & Earth before moving to BBC Bristol. She presented major events like the Queen’s Jubilee from Buckingham Palace, Millennium Night, Crufts, and the solar eclipse.
Alongside her presenting career, Philippa completed a BSc in Ecology and Conservation and made natural history films for the BBC including My Halcyon River, Wye Voices of the Valley, Halcyon River Diaries, and a series for Animal Planet. A keen environmentalist, she moved her family to the wilds
of Wyoming to work for National Geographic and help with local conservation projects in Yellowstone National Park. This adventure inspired her to write her book On the Trail of Wolves: A British Adventure in the Wild West. Philippa also worked on So I Bought a Rainforest, developing the idea for TV and later shooting it.
Philippa’s passions include conservation and wildlife, energy conservation, especially with transport, and living a sustainable lifestyle, but her biggest passion remains storytelling. During lockdown she gained her coaching qualification and worked alongside the Joseph Campbell Institute to
develop a speciality in coaching using stories.
She has been working with National Geographic to coach organisations like the African Wildlife Foundation in how to tell their conservation stories to get traction on their funding and awareness. Philippa has also worked with NASA directors, who undertake significant environmental monitoring with satellites, on a similar project in Washington DC.
Philippa’s children’s book Amazing Animal Journeys: The Most Incredible Migrations in the Natural World follows the mass migrations of entire species with facts and maps that tell the stories of nature’s most amazing journeys.
ACADEMIC EFFORT
First Year Prizes
Florence Bonser
Ted Jones
Katherine Lloyd-Booth
Shreya Mukundagiri
Adhrith Naidu
Elliot Webster
Amritaa Devendra
Isaac Kinzley
Mia Mehmood
Stella Veach Lutterbach
Third Year Prizes
Mannix Kwok
Pieter Van Den Berg
Namratha Devendra
Caitlin Mulcaire
Florence Reed
Lucy Amsel
Taran Sharma
Emma Tagliarini
James Webster
Charlotte Herrett
Second Year Prizes
Alexis Crutchfield
Lisette Matthews
Ebba Miller
Antoine Gisselbrecht
Kaden Fung
Izzy Gooding
Holly Cooper
Julian Major
Amaya Dalal
Cameron Roche
ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT
Fifth Year Prizes
Leeane Baclao
Cindy Chen
Mathilde Gisselbrecht
Alexander Gumbley
Joshua Kwok
Annie Liu
Narayan Minhas
Andrew Or
Maya Paranthaman
Samuel Parsons
ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT AND EFFORT
Fourth Year Prizes
Tiffany Chow
Sebastian Denny
Annabelle FletcherMessenger
Luke Keogh
Jessica Lowe
Isobel Nisbet
Arthur Peachey
Alisa Safina
Ethan Tsang
Jamie Walters
Lower Sixth Year Prizes
Dina Anakar Rhailoul
Theo Banton
Norris Fu
Selena Hughson
Casey Mear
Isabelle Pond
Aidan Tang
Hazel Tsang
Alexander Wales
Lilly Woodward
Darren Zhou
PRIZES FOR OUTSTANDING ALL-ROUND CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL LIFE
The Rignall Prize
Ollie Rose
Dante Butler
Skyla Chen
Michael Noad
Sebastian Quijano-Evans
Zandile-Monique Adedipe-Ncube
The Gregory Prize
Candice Bortey
John Paul Emma-Nwakanma
Anoushka Gadkar
Lucy Labrum
Ponny Zhang
The Gorman Prize
Parco Wong
Louis Preston
Genevieve Alcock
Philip Morgan
The Eothen Prize
Genevieve Alcock
Ria Manvatkar
Old Caterhamians’ Prize
Philip Morgan
SERVICE PRIZES
The Bonarjee Prize
Harriet Lowe
Imy Freeland
Zach Ferguson
Jennifer Lomas
Dexter Bishop
The Brooke Prize
Pia Shah
Masha Shynkarenko
Finn Ogilvie
James Walker
Victoria Allison
Oscar Hau
Kate Ho
Ella Patterson
Charlotte Pay
Isabella Qian
The Wakefield Prize
Tiffany Ku
Ammara Khan
Rupert Leung
Justin Liu
Chante Morris
Laura Murray
Isobel Newcombe
Luke Owen
Ryan Patnaik
The Bacon Prize
Anna Faulstich
Jamie Manning
Alice Himsworth
Oscar Anslow
Benji Campbell
Euan Campbell
Millie Carmona
Sam Case
Eloise Sankey
Nick Smith
Molly Smithson
Joseph Sussmes
Chris Swanepoel
Winston Tai
Erin Wearing
Marcus Wong
Marcus Kwok
Katharine Randall
Katie Roberts
Tia Singh
James Williamson
Harry Xu
Estella Yip
Olivia Allison
Lily Li
Hailey Cheng
Ishaan Desai
Fin Duncan
Tom Hart
Izzy Hassan
Matilda Park
Kiyan Patel
Abbie Wynn
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S GOLD AWARD
Philippa Revess
Jack Butler
Alexander Richings
Noah Willson
Ethan Willson
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT AWARD
The Young Prize
Amali Carter
The Frederic H. Gay Prize
Ollie Rose
The Alden Davies Prize and Audience Prize
James Walker
The Alden Davies Prize
Xavier Parker
The Alden Davies Prize Shortlisted
Genevieve Alcock
Francesco Foresti
Ria Manvatkar
Highly Commended
Olivia Allison
Liban Abdulle
Dante Butler
Jack Butler
Hailey Cheng
Annie Ho
Lisa Hu
Marcus Kwok
Samuel Li
Finn Ogilvie
Kiyan Patel
Luca Sobrattee
Sophia Whitby-Smith
Aaron Zhou
Winner of the Intermediate IRP Competition
Namratha Devendra
UPPER SIXTH ACADEMIC PRIZES
The Allison Prize for English
The Allison Prize for English
Academic Prize for Biology
Academic Prize for Business
Olivia Allison
Ria Manvatkar
Marcus Kwok
Sophia Whitby-Smith
Academic Prize for Chemistry Lisa Hu
The Coleman Prize for Design and Technology Liyana Iqbal
The Coleman Prize for Design and Technology Katerina Kim
Academic Prize for Drama and Theatre Studies Tristan Evans
Academic Prize for Economics Luke Sumner
Academic Prize for Fine Art Izzy Hassan
The Hilton Prize for French Tristan Evans
The Stephen Smith Prize for Geography Jack Butler
The Prize for German Bella Beadle
The Masters Prize for Computer Science
Aaron Zhou
Academic Prize for Greek Ollie Rose
The Leathem Prize for History James Stuart
The Leathem Prize for History Ria Manvatkar
Academic Prize for Latin Pia Shah
The Prize for Double Maths (Applied) Parco Wong
The Prize for Double Maths (Pure)
The Michael Rees Prize for Single Maths
Academic Prize for Music
Academic Prize for PE
Samuel Li
Ethan Nichols
Bella Beadle
Anna Faulstich
Academic Prize for PE Masha Shynkarenko
Academic Prize for Photography Naomi Bacchus
Academic Prize for Psychology
Academic Prize for Physics
Sophia Whitby-Smith
Tiffany Ku
Academic Prize for Politics Dante Butler
The St. John’s Prize for Philosophy and Ethics Ollie Rose
Academic Prize for Spanish Sophie Hobbs
Academic Prize for Textiles
Jamie Manning
Academic Prize for Theology Amali Carter
The Senior Debating Prize Isla Moseley
GAMES PRIZES
Honours Cap Wales U18 Lacrosse Tilly Golesworthy
Honours Cap Wales U18 Lacrosse Isabelle Seren Young
Honours Cap England U18 Hockey Anna Faulstich
Honours Cap Wales U20 Lacrosse Jennifer Lomas
Honours Cap England U16 Hockey Rory Wallace
Honours Cap England U18 Lambs Rugby Zach Ferguson
Honours Cap England U15 Korfball Abi Wolstenholme
The Dunwoodie Cup – Best All Rounder in Girls Sports Genevieve Alcock
The Dunwoodie Cup – Best All Rounder in Girls Sports Harriet Lowe
Games Prize for Consistent Contribution to Games (Girls) Megan Swan
The John Villers Cup for Consistent Contribution to Games (Boys) Jack Forde
Darby Medal for Swimming Caiden Hibbert
Darby Medal for Swimming Ava Kelly
The Smith Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Boys’ Sports Oscar Anslow
The Smith Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Boys’ Sports Dexter Bishop
The Whiting Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Girls’ Sports Lana Golesworthy
The Whiting Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Girls’ Sports
The Dermer Prize for Top Sportsman
SPECIAL PRIZES
Jennifer Lomas
Zach Ferguson
The Christine Walker Prize James Walker
The Abbott Prize for Choral Singing Bella Beadle
The Blake-Thomas Falaises Prize (CCF) RSM Joe Cha
The Alexander Clarke Prize for Community Service Anoushka Gadkar
The Hilary Trehane Prize for Services to the Community Amali Carter
The Ansell Reed Prize for contribution to boarding and school life Jerry Tsui
The Thomas Warren Prize for backstage support Rosie Davison
The Baynon-Milnes Prize for outstanding concert performance Alice Himsworth
The Andrew Fisher Prize for outstanding performance in drama Zandile-Monique Adedipe-Ncube
The Jen Dodd Maths Prize Xavier Parker
The Pidgeon Prize for Literature Mathilda O’Malley
The Caldwell Cup for Musical Theatre Zandile-Monique Adedipe-Ncube
The Caterham Engineering Prize Philip Morgan
The Harvard Book Award – for the most outstanding Lower Sixth Pupil Adrian Hui
Moncrieff Jones Science Prize Xavier Parker
Moncrieff Jones Science Prize Lisa Hu
The David Rogers Maths Prize Charlotte Pay
The Susan Child History Essay Prize Amelia Godden
The Chris Wright Cup for Junior Music Catherine Yap
The Susan Herbert Prize Dexter Bishop
The Wright Society Prize Katie Roberts
The Wright Society Prize Justin Leung
The Chilcott Prize for Composition Jae Cha
The Caterham Astronomy Prize Finn Ogilvie
The David Evans Award for Overall Academic Excellence
Jack Forde Freya Iqbal
Yushi He Jason Kam
Caiden Hibbert Lily Li
Annie Ho Abbie Wynn
Lisa Hu
CATERHAM AWARD
Liban Abdulle
Zandile-Monique Adedipe-Ncube
Genevieve Alcock
Cameron Algar
Olivia Allison
Victoria Allison
Oscar Anslow
Millie Armstrong
Naomi Bacchus
Bella Beadle
Dexter Bishop
Candice Bortey
Daniel Burcham
Dante Butler
Jack Butler
Benji Campbell
Euan Campbell
Millie Carmona
Amali Carter
Sam Case
Jae Cha
Reuben Chauhan
Lena Chen
Skyla Chen
Hailey Cheng
Ivan Petrov Cholakov
Felix Clarke
Francesca Clarke
Tali Clarke
Henry Cosby
Jake Dean
Ishaan Desai
Fin Duncan
Charlie Edwards
Celia Elliott-Shorey
John Paul Emma-Nwakanma
Tristan Evans
Will Fagan
Anna Faulstich
Daniel Featherstone
The ‘Caterham Award’ is awarded to Upper Sixth Form pupils who have participated fully in the Caterham School community. The award winners represent a great variety of interests and talents, and they will all have demonstrated responsibility, creativity, and a commitment to life at school.
The Caterham Award promotes the School philosophy, ‘Inspiring Education for Life’.
Vladimir Fediunin
Zach Ferguson
Jack Forde
Francesco Foresti
Imy Freeland
Anoushka Gadkar
Lana Golesworthy
Atlanta Gordon
James Hammond
Connor Hart
Tom Hart
Izzy Hassan
Oscar Hau
Yushi He
Caiden Hibbert
Alice Himsworth
Kate Ho
Annie Ho
Sophie Hobbs
Lisa Hu
Freya Iqbal
Liyana Iqbal
Alayna Javed
Jason Kam
Emre Karacam
Amira Kaur
Ava Kelly
Ammara Khan
Katerina Kim
Tiffany Ku
Marcus Kwok
Lucy Labrum
Isaac Lai
Gemma Lance
Jeffery Leung
Justin Leung
Rupert Leung
Lily Li
Samuel Li
Justin Liu
Isaac Lo
Jennifer Lomas
Harriet Lowe
Grisha Lukianov
Cici Ma
Jamie Manning
Ria Manvatkar
Meliya Maxam
Kian McElligott
Toby McLaughlin
Jasper Mills
Philip Morgan
Chante Morris
Alex Mottram
Laura Murray
Dylan Mylet
Isobel Newcombe
Ho Bun Ng
Nick Ng
Ethan Nichols
Sophie Niven
Michael Noad
Finn Ogilvie
Mathilda O’Malley
Luke Owen
James Owens
Elizabeth Papa
Matilda Park
Xavier Parker
Kavish Patel
Kiyan Patel
Raul Patel
Ryan Patnaik
Ella Patterson
Charlotte Pay
Edward Poolman
Louis Preston
Isabella Qian
Sebastian Quijano-Evans
Katharine Randall
Maheen Raza
Philippa Revess
Izzy Rickard
Katie Roberts
Ollie Rose
Eloise Sankey
Stuart Scott
Anthony Sessi-Knott
Pia Shah
Masha Shynkarenko
Tia Singh
Nick Smith
Molly Smithson
Luca Sobrattee
James Stuart
Luke Sumner
Joseph Sussmes
Megan Swan
Chris Swanepoel
Winston Tai
Sinead Tanner
Jacob Tolfrey
Jerry Tsui
Aaron Ulla
James Walker
Jay Warren
Erin Wearing
Sophia Whitby-Smith
James Williamson
Bert Wong
Parco Wong
Marcus Wong
Abbie Wynn
Harry Xu
Bohdan Yakushevskyi
Janice Yau
Estella Yip
Ponny Zhang
Aaron Zhou
Fraser Zhou
EXTERNAL ACADEMIC AWARDS
Caterham pupils have achieved impressive success in external academic competitions during 2023/24. Application rates for showcasing excellence in this way remains high – a sign that pupils are embracing the challenge of truly ambitious study.
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Millie Burns (Fifth Year), Amali Carter (Upper Sixth) both achieved Distinction in the John Locke Essay Prize (for Philosophy) and were invited to Oxford for the awards ceremony. Millie Carmona (Upper Sixth), Annie Liu (Fifth Year) and Cici Ma (Upper Sixth) were also shortlisted, Millie and Annie for History and Cici for Philosophy.
Abi Griffiths (Third Year) won the Perse Year 9 Aristotelian Award Research Competition.
Fiona Zheng (Lower Sixth) and Florence Niu (Third Year) won a place on the highly competitive John Locke Institute Summer School based at Oxford University, a programme completing a Foundation Certificate in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and History.
Tara Sinha (Third Year) gained a commendation in the National Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2024-2025, organised by Queen’s College, Oxford.
Amali Carter (Upper Sixth) won the St May’s University Theology essay prize.
Isabelle Pond (Lower Sixth) was runner up in the International Minds Underground Psychology Competition with her essay on consciousness (‘What, if anything, is consciousness made of?’) She was also ranked in the top 10% in the British Psychology Olympiad and placed 29th in the country in the British Brain Bee Neuroscience Olympiad, where she completed both written and multiple-choice exams on neuroanatomy and histology, as well as a patient diagnosis exam where she was given 12 patients’ symptoms and history to analyse before arriving at a clinical diagnosis.
Andrew Or (Fifth Year) won the London, and Global, Sovereign Art Prize with his amazing A3 pencil drawing of an age worn face. Winning a considerable amount of money for himself and for the Art department.
Marusia Ene (Fourth Year) came third in ‘Young Talent of Tomorrow’ fashion competition organised through Graduate Fashion Week, she designed a set of fashion designs which reflect students Self Identity. She also fought off a myriad of entries to come third in her age category and has won her designs professionally printed and displayed at Graduate Fashion Week in London, a framed print of her work and tickets for her family and teacher to attend GFW24 to watch a catwalk show in June, where her work will also be digitally showcased.
Angus Hawken (Third Year) beat hundreds of applicants to be invited to exhibit his drawing of Morgan Freeman both online and on-site at the Royal Academy of Art, Young Artists Summer Show 2024.
Out of over 650 entries, both John Paul Emma-Nwakanma and Liban Abdulle (Upper Sixth) were shortlisted for their entries to the FCDO Essay Competition. That placed both Top 25 nationally, with their entries commended by the Chief Economist at the FCDO.
MATHS
Rupert Marsden and Catherine Yap in the Second Year, and Hunson Hui and Yihu Lu in the Third Year took part in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge at Wilson’s School. After some blistering pace and great accuracy from the fantastic four, the team came second overall (to Wilson’s, playing with home advantage) with a score of 214/234, beating teams from City of London Freemen’s and Reed’s, amongst others.
Maths Kangaroos:
Amelie Dawson in the Third Year who got Best in Year in the Grey Kangaroo.
Antonia Poon in the Fourth Year who got a Merit and Best in Year in the Pink Kangaroo Matthew Imm in the Fifth Year who got a Merit and Best in School, also in the Pink Kangaroo.
In the Third Year Cayley Olympiad, Florence Niu achieved Best in Year, but extra special congratulations go to Rupert Marsden who is only in the Second Year, yet achieved a distinction, Best in School, and a Bronze Medal which places him in the top 100 of the country and lands him a book prize.
In the Fourth Year Hamilton Olympiad, Cato Kwok and Ian Wong achieved Merits with Cato taking (by one mark) Best in Year.
In the Fifth Year Maclaurin Olympiad Jonathan Woods achieved a Merit, Stacy Mironenkova a Distinction and Daniel Chow a Distinction and a Bronze medal.
Maths Challenge:
18 pupils qualified for the follow-on Junior Kangaroo:
Jake Dawrant, Kaden Fung, Oliver Jayasingha, Olivia Pimenta, Dillon Prashad, Sophia Sheridan, Lester Chung, Xavier Hinh, Luke Seaman, Jerry Zhang and William Dolling from the Second Year and Charlie Bourke, Benjamin Cornelius, Amrita Devendra, William Hogley, Ted Jones and Margarita Popova from the First Year.
Amrita Devendra in the First Year achieved Best in Year.
Rupert Marsden (Second Year), achieved a perfect 135/135 and qualified for the Junior Olympiad.
136 students from the Third, Fourth and Fifth Years took part in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Competition in February winning 31 Bronze, 45 Silver and 49 Gold Certificates.
Rupert Marsden (Second Year) also took part and achieved a very high gold. Florence Niu achieved Best in Third Year, closely followed by Mumu Zhang Ian Wong achieved Best in Fourth Year, closely followed by Cato Kwok, and Stacy Mironenkova achieved Best in Fifth Year and qualified for the Maclaurin follow on round, closely followed by Jonathan Woods
Darren Zhou (Lower Sixth) achieved a merit in the extraordinarily challenging British Maths Olympiad Round 2 and a distinction in Round 1.
Lower and Upper Sixth pupils took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and achieved 26 Gold, 35 Silver and 25 Bronze Certificates.
Both Samuel Li in the Upper Sixth and Josslyn Xu in the Lower Sixth qualified for the British Maths Olympiad Round 1 with Josslyn achieving a Merit. Very well done to the four students who took part in the British Maths Olympiad round 1 in November after qualifying in the Senior Maths Challenge.
A number of pupils qualified for the Senior Kangaroo in particular, Aaron Zhou (Upper Sixth), Adrian Hui, Sean Lee, Mattaeus Sullivan, and Aidan Tang (Lower Sixth) who achieved Merits.
SCIENCE
14 students entered Snippets – science communication competition – run by Tonbridge School. Alice Keyworth and Elle Davidson (Lower Sixth) and Ava Paul (Fourth Year) and Stacy Mironenkova (Fifth Year) GCSE competition made it through to the grand final.
42 entered the Chemistry Olympiad with four pupils achieving Gold, Lisa Hu, Samuel Li and Xavier Parker (Upper Sixth) and Aidan Tang (Lower Sixth). Twelve pupils achieved Silver, including Stacy Mironenkova (Fifth Year) and sixteen pupils achieved bronze including a number of Fifth Year Pupils which is particularly impressive as this is a competition designed for the Upper Sixth.
29 pupils entered the C3L6, a competition for Lower Sixth. An impressive six Golds were won, one of which was achieved by Yolanda Cao when she was a Third Year as well as 9 Silvers and 1 Copper (you can’t have bronze as it is not an element).
Elle Davidson was selected as a finalist in the Imperial College RCSU Science Challenge 2024 competition.
A team of five pupils represented the school in the Cambridge Chemistry Race. Xavier Parker, Lisa Hu, Samuel Li (Upper Sixth), Kayla Amsel and Leane Beukes (Lower Sixth). They came 16th in the country, which is a fantastic achievement.
In the UK Biology Olympiad the following Lower Sixth pupils achieved Bronze: Brodie Maiden, Oliver Khiara, Isabel Tormay, Isabelle Pond, Luciel Kwok, Kirill Puchkov, Sydney Mei and Leane Beukes and Joel Veldtman achieved Silver.
BEST EVER A LEVEL RESULTS
A Level records have been re-written at Caterham School with over 70 per cent of results A* or A grades and 92 per cent at A* to B grades. Almost a third of all grades were the top A* grade and the average holding for a Caterham pupil in 2024 is A*, A, A. 15 pupils achieved straight A* grades. This summer’s results once again secure the school’s position in the academic premier league of UK schools.
Summer 2024’s topflight results secured impressive UK, US and global university destinations for Caterham pupils including a full scholarship at Princeton and an unconditional place at fellow Ivy League institution the University of Pennsylvania. Caterham pupils join the 50 Old Caterhamians currently studying at Oxford and Cambridge Universities and, for the second year running, 100 per cent of Caterham pupils applying for Medicine (8 pupils in 2024) secured their place. Overall, 85 per cent of pupils gained their first choice university place and course. 99 per cent of Caterham pupils remain at the school to complete their A Level studies after GCSE, reflecting the school’s commitment to our young people.
Ceri Jones, Headmaster, said: “I am thrilled that such a fantastic group of young people have realised their ambitions with this stellar set of results, the strongest in the school’s history. My warmest congratulations go to them, and of course their teachers and families who have supported them throughout. Incredible grades are only one measure of the success they have achieved whilst at Caterham –they have also thrown themselves into every aspect of school life here at Caterham, in the classroom, in creative and artistic performances and on the sports field, and in our important educational partnership work, and deserve to celebrate their significant success. I cannot wait to see what this group of talented young people go on to achieve in their lives
My warmest congratulations go to them, and of course their teachers and families who have supported them throughout. Incredible grades are only one measure of the success they have achieved whilst at Caterham – they have also thrown themselves into every aspect of school life.
Ceri Jones, Headmaster
HIGHLIGHTS IN SUMMARY
71% of all grades awarded A* and A grades
92% A* and B grades
and what difference they make to the world around them. I am proud that our pupils leave Caterham not just with great grades, but also great friendships and memories, a network of support and community that will last a lifetime and a real sense of purpose and confidence about who they are and how to thrive in the years to come”.
2024’s record-breaking A Level results follow a glowing ISI inspection Report in spring 2024 and a string of national awards for the school, including being named as the Times Educational Supplement (Tes) Best UK Independent Senior School in 2023 and Tes’ finalist for Best Independent Prep School in 2024.
This year’s A Level results include Caterham’s Sunflower Scholars who joined the school after fleeing Ukraine to escape the war. A total of 12 scholars were warmly welcomed into the school community in 2022. This year’s leaving cohort of pupils includes five Sunflower Scholarswho now head off to continue their education at UK universities.
32% of all grades the top A* grades
ANNA HEADS STATESIDE TO PRESTIGIOUS PRINCETON
Anna leaves the UK on a high with three A stars as she makes a move to the US and takes up a place at Princeton University with a sought after full scholarship. Leaving the UK straight after getting her results, Anna will be playing field hockey as well as studying a broad curriculum including her favourite subject, psychology.
Playing hockey for England since the age of 15 and bronze medallist
AMALI’S OFF TO CAMBRIDGE!
A Level results secured a long held dream for Amali who joined Caterham from Oakhyrst Grange Prep School.
“Today’s been brilliant! I got four A stars so I’m very happy and can now move up to Cambridge to study Theology and Philosophy of Religion. I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and expanding my learning.”
It means such a lot to me to get into Cambridge. I have been working towards it as long as I can remember so it’s the reward at the end of a long, but enjoyable, academic journey.”
“My standout memories of
at the recent U18 Eight Nations Tournament, Anna said of choosing the US for her next steps: “The investment in sport at Princeton means the opportunity and experience for me playing in the US as a D1 athlete (highest level of college sport) is second to none. Along with the level of academics at such a prestigious university as Princeton, I am just so excited!”
Joining Caterham from Tonbridge Grammar, Anna looked back at her time in Sixth Form: “Most definitely the boys v girls lacrosse match was so much fun and a real stand out highlight for me! I will miss daily life in the Sixth Form Centre, we worked really hard in our lessons, so the dedicated Sixth Form area was a great place to hang out with my friends in between and I have many fond memories of happy times. I found a love for psychology at Caterham that I never expected – a really fantastic department and a big thank you to Ms Henry who opened up this fascinating subject to me.”
Anna’s Advice for younger pupils? Anna recommends: “Work hard and don’t spend time worrying!”
Caterham are the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards expeditions as it’s impossible not to bond with the people you go on the expedition with. You are together rain or shine, through getting lost multiple times and then eventually reaching the end!”
“Today is an opportunity to thank all of my teachers: thank you so much for your support and belief. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without any of them. A big shout out to Mrs Webster!”
Amali competed with great success in numerous university and national essay competitions through her time at Caterham: “I really enjoyed competing in competitions, particularly in the Sixth Form. They were so interesting and also gave me a lot to talk about in university interviews too.”
“My time at Caterham has honestly meant everything to me – the people I have met who make this such a brilliant place to be and who I know I will be friends with for life. My advice to younger pupils is you don’t have to have everything figured out from the get-go. Just do what you enjoy and follow that and you’ll be on the right path.”
PHILIP ENGINEERS HIS FUTURE AT OXFORD
Philip’s off to Balliol College Oxford to read Engineering, securing his place with two A star grades and two A grades. Whilst he can’t wait to get stuck into his main area of study at Oxford, Philip will be keeping his musical dreams and talents alive having been a music scholar, and an active member of the music department, since moving up from Caterham Prep. “I didn’t want to arrive at school with too high expectations today but my results are exactly what I hoped for. I’ve secured what I need and I just feel really happy all round.”
I’ll miss being part of music here, particularly the groups and ensembles. It was incredible to end my time at Caterham by leading the orchestra and having the orchestra perform a piece I had composed.”
“There are too many special memories at Caterham to select just a few. Combined Cadet Force camps have been brilliant – I don’t’ think I’ll experience anything like them again!
It was an honour to be a Head of School, along with Genevieve and Ria, to give a speech on behalf of my peers at Speech Day and to work closely with the Headmaster through the year.”
“It means a lot to have had the support I’ve had from the teachers throughout and my advice to younger pupils is to really make the most of that as you progress through the school. Make as many memories as you can.
“I just don’t think I’d be anywhere near the person I am today if it weren’t for Caterham, the opportunities I’ve had here have shaped who I am, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
RESULTS SPEAK FOR ZANDILE-MONIQUE
A star, A and B grades spell success for Zandile-Monique! She can now continue her love of learning at University of Manchester and fine tune her studies in Speech and Language Therapy. On results day Zandile–Monique said: “Today has been so good! I knew I had got my Uni place before I came in but I was still nervous to see what results I’d got. When I opened my envelope, I was so pleased and my teachers were really happy for me too. I am now excited to move to a new environment and meet lots of new people and to focus my studies on a subject that I am really interested in.”
Joining as a boarder, Caterham has been home for Zandile-Monique for the last five years. She said:
“This year I became Head of Beech Hanger which was a real honour. I have really enjoyed collaborating with the other boarding houses to organise fun events for the boarding pupils. That has been a real highlight along with drama. I never took drama as a subject but have taken part in nearly every senior production and loved them all. Shout out to Miss Guttner, Mr Assen, Miss Richards and Mr Hall who have been so encouraging. I also want to thank Dr Zizek and Ms Fahey who have supported me so much. They are really special!”
“I am sad to leave Caterham as I feel so connected and accepted here. It feels like home so I’ll be back for sure.”
“Get involved as soon as possible! Make the most of all the opportunities here” Zandile-Monique advises younger pupils “Don’t leave it until the upper years, get the most out of your Caterham education right now!”
DANTE’S SET FOR DURHAM
As part of the editorial team of Preview, Caterham’s Politics magazine, it is no surprise that Dante B is putting his A* grades to good use with a move to Durham University to study Politics.
Dante said: “Today has been stressful but overall, it’s been really nice to be back with my friends to receive my results. Everyone seems really happy. I’m looking forward to moving to Durham and getting stuck into my course as well as getting stuck in to sport and co-curricular activities in my free time. I’m really excited!”
Joining the School back in Year 7 from Micklefield, Dante reflected on his time at Caterham: “The sense of community is brilliant, I have made so many friends for life whilst I have been here. My teachers have been brilliant and have given me the tools I need to really set me up for a successful future. I can’t wait to get started on my next steps”.
Shout out definitely to Mr Phillips, who is the most hard working teacher ever and Ms Drummond who is super nice. They have been so supportive and helpful.”
Dante’s advice for younger pupils: “Use the tools you are given and work really hard. Success is yours for the taking”.
100% of young medics secured their place for the second year running
XAVIER TAKES OFF FOR UCL
Xavier’s four A star grades have unlocked a stellar future for him at the cutting edge of technology as he moves up to UCL to study Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
“Results day was exciting and stressful at the same time, but it’s ended brilliantly! I can’t wait to get into my uni course and go into the field of AI and begin to make stuff.”
Xavier has been an active part Caterham’s ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence learning and teaching bot ‘RileyBot’ which was launched at Caterham and across UK and global schools in early 2024. Xavier is a member of RileyBot’s advisory board working to ensure that education technology is developed with the highest ethical standards. He was also a semifinalist in the national ARTiculation competition giving an impressive talk about the relationships between Artificial Intelligence and art.
Reflecting back on his time at school Xavier said: “I’ve only known Caterham as I’ve been here through the prep and senior School and I couldn’t have hoped for a better start. I’m going to miss this place, particularly my friends, of course, and the teachers who are incredibly kind and helpful –there’s too many to mention individually but they have made all the difference to me. My advice to younger pupils is purely practical – don’t leave the revision to the last minute!”
Pupils achieved 10 Grade 9s or more
ON CLOUD NINE WITH STELLAR GCSE RESULTS
Pupils at Caterham hit the top numbers once again this year with almost half of all GCSE grades the highest possible Grade 9.
The average result profile for a Caterham pupil in 2024 is 10 GCSEs at grade 8 (previously an A*) and the average individual grade an 8. A total of 20 pupils got 10 grade 9s or more. Over 85% of all GCSE grades were 9 to 7 with today’s success at GCSE following last week’s record-breaking A Level results.
Ceri Jones, Headmaster, said: “Today’s results are outstanding and well deserved by a fantastic group of young people who have proven themselves in every aspect of school life, inside and beyond the classroom. They step up to our Sixth Form with an impressive set of results, ready to enjoy and succeed in the next stage
of their education at Caterham. I am thrilled for our pupils and their parents who must celebrate today.
“I am also delighted for what this today’s, and this year’s, results represent for the school– a consistent excellence in academic achievement that opens doors of opportunity for our young people. Not only do Caterhamians secure top grades and thrive in their wider co-curricular and sporting school life, but they also build crucial problem solving, entrepreneurial and digital skills in our unique Digital & Innovation EDGE curriculum. They are open minded and open hearted, taking an active role in our important Partnership work across the local area.”
The school’s top results shone brightly across the full gamut of subjects studied. Almost half of the year group got a 9 in maths with half the year group also gaining a 9 in both English Language and Literature. The sciences and the arts brought top grades too. Physics saw three quarters of all grades at either 9 or 8,
Biology 90% of results at top grades 9 to 7 and Chemistry 91% of results at 9 to 7. The Drama department’s stellar performance saw 70% of grades at the top 9 and half of all grades in Art were also at grade 9.
Today’s results follow hot on the heels of record-breaking A Level results last week with over 70 per cent of results at A* or A grades and 92 per cent at A* to B grades. Almost a third of all A Level grades were the top A* grade. The 2024 results secured impressive UK, US and global university destinations including a full scholarship at Princeton and an unconditional place at fellow Ivy League institution the University of Pennsylvania. Caterham pupils join the 50 Old Caterhamians currently studying at Oxford and Cambridge Universities and, for the second year running, 100 per cent of Caterham pupils applying for Medicine (8 pupils in 2024) secured their place. Overall, 85 per cent of pupils gained their first choice university place.
2024’s A Level and GCSE results once again secure Caterham’s position in the premier league of independent schools and follow a glowing Independent Schools Inspection report in spring 2024 and the Times Educational Supplement naming Caterham as the UK’s top independent senior school in 2023.
WHEELIE GOOD RESULTS FOR TOM
Ranked in the top 20 in UK mountain biking, Tom is used to navigating ups and downs but GCSEs brought a different kind of challenge. Happily, results day saw Tom celebrate a string of top grade 9s and 8s to add to his sporting medals. “It was challenging to balance my studies with racing at a national level, especially as racing continues throughout the exam season. I had to make some tough decisions but today’s results are great news.” “I’m really happy with my results today and excited for the next steps as I move up to Sixth Form to study Maths, Physics, Economics and Geography. My favourite things about being at Caterham are my friends, my supportive teachers and being part of the community here.”
DETERMINATION REWARDS MILLIE WITH A SWEEP OF 9s
Superstar Millie was glowing as she received the fantastic news that she had achieved all top grade nines in her GCSEs today.
A talented writer and philosopher, Millie was recently rewarded with a distinction in the philosophy section at the prestigious John Locke Global Essay competition in Oxford.
“I have been totally shocked by my results today. The one that I am most proud of is maths. I started the GCSE course in the lowest set and I have come away with a nine!
I was amazed that my hard work paid off but it just shows that determination is the key thing in gaining success.”
“I am going on to study Philosophy & Theology, English, Physics and History – it is a mix of humanities and science which isn’t traditional but they are all subjects that I love so I’m really happy that I am able to do them. In Sixth Form, I am looking forward to writing again for Arts magazine, Cat Among the Pigeons. It is a lovely creative space that showcases everyone’s different identities here at school.”
Millie’s advice for younger pupils: “Real enjoyment at school comes when you make an effort. Attitude is key to getting the best from your school experience. Make the most of your opportunities at Caterham!”
“My thanks go to Mr Ace, Dr Scott, and Mr Keyworth in science who believed in me when I thought I wasn’t a scientist. Massive thank you to Mrs Webster, she has inspired me to the point that I know I want to do Philosophy in life. Also, Miss Hookway, my English teacher, she is funny, kind and made every English lesson a joy and Ms Dawrant who showed me that I shouldn’t fear maths!”
RESULTS SING FOR KAYLA
Musician Kayla knows what it takes to hit the high notes so she was signing from the rooftops when she received her results full of top grades 9s and 8s and one 7.
“I’m very happy and relieved that my results mean I can study the subjects I wanted to at A Level next year – Maths, Economics, Biology and Chemistry. I’m super excited”.
Taking her first solo for Chamber Choir this year in France was a real highlight in the lead up to GCSEs.
“I really enjoy the co-curricular clubs here, as well as music, I’ll be writing for Preview, our politics magazine as well as for Arts publication,
Cat Among the Pigeons – I was junior editor in Year 10. I’m also looking forward to getting back into Lacrosse next year, I’m hoping to play in the Nationals”.
“I’m excited for the enrichment opportunities in the Sixth Form. There are lots of essay competitions to take part in including the Independent Research Prize which I’m looking forward to. Community is also a part of school, the help and support available is really appreciated.”
“I want to thank Miss Hookway and Mrs McVitty in particular for their support and of course my parents. Today has been a really great day!”
TIME WELL SPENT FOR NARAYAN
Narayan is a brilliant historian and loves delving into the archives to support his studies.
A regular presenter at History Society events, he has a particular interest in 20th Century history between the two world wars and the area of responsibility. He was very happy with a reel of top 9 grades and one grade 8.
“I’m really looking forward to moving on to Sixth Form and having more time in lessons that allow in depth discussions on topics that I really enjoy. I will be studying History, English, Maths and Physics at A Level.”
Reflecting on his time at Caterham so far, Narayan said “I really enjoy the co-curricular clubs here, Lit Soc is great and Mr Waite’s film club was not only entertaining but helped to revise in a fun way.
I want to thank my parents of course but also Mr Salem and Mr Waite who have both been really supportive with my studies”.
WRIGHT SOCIETY BECKONS FOR YOUNG MEDIC ISABELLE
With a string of 9 and 8 grades, Isabelle celebrated her top results with her friends.
She said “I am thinking of doing medicine or biotechnology in the future so will be taking Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths and Further Maths in the Sixth Form. I know I can count on Caterham’s Wright Society to support me if I decided to pursue a career in medicine.”
“I have been boarding at Caterham which has been fun but I’ll be a day pupil for Sixth Form. Outside of my studies, I have really enjoyed CCF and have just been ranked Lance Corporal. I have been on quite a few camps. They are hard work but really rewarding.”
“Thanks to my parents who have given me so much support throughout, I’m looking forward to celebrating my results with them too.”
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS AND COURSES 2024
Our focus at Caterham is to support our young people to the course and university about which they are passionate, and which best supports and enables their ambitions. The below table details the destinations of our 2024 leavers, the number of pupils moving on to the university and the range of courses secured.
Biomedical
Information
History and Politics of the Americas
History, Politics and Economics
Mathematics and Physics
Medicine (6 years)
Natural Sciences
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
University of Bath 11
Accounting and Finance (with Work Placement)
Business (with Work Placement) (2)
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics (with Professional Placement or Study Abroad)
Management with Marketing (with Work Placement)
Mathematics
Politics and International Relations
Sport Management and Coaching
Sport (Sport Performance)
University of Birmingham 2
Biomedical Science
Business Management with Marketing
University of Bristol 14
Accounting and Finance
Aerospace Engineering
Economics and Politics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Innovation
Engineering Design with Study in Industry
English
Geography
Law (2)
Liberal Arts (2)
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Medicine – MBChB Standard Entry
University of Cambridge 2
Natural Sciences
Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion
University of Delaware 1
Game Design
University of Exeter 14
Applied Psychology (Clinical)
Art History and Visual Culture
Classics
Criminology
of pupils securing their first choice university and course
Economics
English (with Study Abroad) (2)
Environmental Science
Exercise and Sport Sciences
History
Liberal Arts (2) Natural Sciences
(with Study Abroad)
of Leeds 3
of Liverpool 1
of Manchester 7 Architecture
Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience
Economics and Data Analytics
Economics and Finance
International Business, Finance and Economics
Physics with Astrophysics
Speech and Language Therapy
University of Nottingham 14
Biotechnology
Cancer Sciences
English and Hispanic Studies
Geography BSc
Geography with Business BA
Industrial Economics
Law (2)
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Physics with a Year in Industry
Politics and International Relations
Psychology
Sociology
University of Oxford 1
Engineering
Ivy League places secured (including Princeton full scholarship and UPenn unconditional place). A total of 26 offers received from US universities in 2024
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
English and Classical Civilisation
English Literature
Operational Research,
(MORSE) (2)
and
UK & GLOBAL DESTINATIONS FOR CATERHAMIANS
Ivy League, US and oversees universities are increasingly in demand as the post Sixth Form education landscape changes. 2024 proved to be a highly successful application round for Caterham pupils.
2024 saw a threefold increase in Caterham pupils applying to overseas universities supported by the School’s Sixth Form pathways programme which provides tailored, specialist support. In total 26 offers were received from US universities and 34 further offers from overseas universities giving our leavers the choice to study in the US or take up an offer from a UK university.
Our Sixth Formers’ success in securing offers spanned the globe with the list including Trinity College Dublin, the University of Calgary, Queen’s University Canada, the University of New South Wales, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Melbourne and more. The offers also span a wide range of courses including Economics and Finance, BBA Law, Aerospace engineering, Biotechnology, Sustainable and Green Finance, Medical Sciences Risk Management and Private Banking.
Ceri Jones, Headmaster said: “Congratulations to our pupils who worked tremendously hard to secure a phenomenal set of offers and then places, and thanks to colleagues and parents who have supported them. The options for young people beyond school are rapidly broadening, in line with the rapidly changing professional world beyond. It is vital that we prepare pupils to access whichever pathway their ambitions point to. That means not only securing the grades that open those doors, but also developing the wider skills and awareness that ensure they can secure offers and thrive both at school and well beyond.”
SIXTH FORM PATHWAYS
In readiness for the changing post Sixth Form landscape, Caterham introduced the EDGE Pathways programme for our oldest pupils in 2021. The programme begins early in the Lower Sixth year and ensures pupils are prepared and focused on the many paths open to them in the UK and across the world. Regular weekly sessions include specific preparation
for overseas university applications, professional degree apprenticeships, medicine and dentistry (with the Wright Medics Society) in addition to focused support for pupils preparing for architecture courses and music and performing arts conservatoires. The EDGE Pathways programme runs alongside the UCAS application support and preparation for UK universities.
YOUNG MEDICS
Caterham has a long established tradition of preparing young people for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses. In 2024, 100% of young medic applicants secured their place for the second year running (8 pupils in 2024). Pupils aiming for these highly competitive places gain extra support and extension through the school’s prestigious Wright Society and the wider science focused Moncrieff-Jones Society.
Andrew O Takes Top Award at Sovereign Art Foundation
In December, Andrew O (Fifth Year) and Amelia S (Fourth Year) attended the Sovereign Art Foundation awards ceremony at Phillips Auction House in Mayfair, accompanied by their parents, Ms Sito and Mr James.
INDIVIDUAL PUPIL SUCCESS
They had been shortlisted as two of the top 20 pupils across all participating schools in the London area.
It was an evening to celebrate the creativity of these pupils and their stunning artworks. Eminent judges from the art industry, including British artist Conrad Shawcross, Melanie Gerlis, Art market columnist
for the Financial Times, and Nicky Carter the director and curator of The Groucho Club’s Art, were dazzled by the array of talent on display and crowned Andrew O as the overall winner!
He took home not only an impressively heavy trophy, but a substantial financial prize for both himself and our school.
This was the first time Caterham School has entered this prestigious competition, which raises money to support Art education and therapy around the globe.
Huge congratulations to both pupils on their fantastic achievement.
Andrew Wins Global Public Art Prize
Following his win at the London Sovereign Art Awards, Andrew O’s ‘Wisdom in Wrinkles’ was entered into the Global Art Prize. The Global Students Prize 2024 consisted of 750+ entries across nine regions, to 190 finalists resulting in 18 local winners. Andrew’s sensitive drawing has clearly stolen the hearts and sparked the imaginations of people around the world who voted him the Global Public Vote Prize Winner! This means another financial price for both him and the Art department. A huge congratulations to Andrew!
DISTINCTION FOR MILLIE at John Locke Institute Essay Competition
The John Locke Global essay competition invites pupils from around the world to compete in various categories.
Normally, only Sixth Form pupils submit an entry, but this year Millie (Fifth Year) entered the Philosophy section and not only was shortlisted and invited to the awards ceremony in Oxford, but received a distinction, a truly outstanding academic achievement. Millie wrote about her experience:
For the John Locke Institute Essay Competition, I answered the Philosophy category’s second question: ‘In what sense are you the same person today that you were when you were ten?’ Philosophy has three, main, defined problems concerning persons, according to the Stanford Encyclopaedia: that of personal identity in the sense of characterisation (‘Who am I?’), that of personhood (‘What is it to be a person, as opposed to a nonperson’– a question probably most pertinent to animal ethics), and that of persistence, or personal
identity over time. I interpreted the essay prompt as an enquiry into the third problem, of which the philosophical discourse was vivified by John Locke himself. It, in essence, asks: what are the necessary and sufficient conditions for Person A at t1 to be the same person as Person B at t2? However, this can be more confusingly represented, such as in the problem of Theseus’ Ship, Shoemaker’s Brown-Brownson case and his brain fission question. My answer to the question was proportionately complex: I argued against arguments for a constant ‘self’ that holds our identity, and also against those which suggested that our identity persists in continuities such as memory, psychological or bodily continuity, but proposed that the only ‘evidence’ we have for our identity’s persistence over time is our own
experience (of ourselves). I am overjoyed that the work I put into it has resulted in a brilliant weekend spent in Oxford, shared with the other Caterham entrants who were shortlisted and also able to come to the Awards Ceremony– exploring the Ashmolean Museum after-hours together at the Gala Reception was so fun, and certainly a once-in-alifetime event.
Millie (Fifth Year)
Shortlisted pupils included:
Cici (Upper Sixth)
Amali (Upper Sixth)
Millie (Upper Sixth
Annie (Fifth Year)
PIANO GOLD FOR FLORENCE
The music department were delighted to share that Florence N (Third Year) was awarded the Gold Medal for the International Piano Professionals Association, National Round.
Florence performed Schumann’s Abegg Variations, Op. 1. A piece requiring dexterous precision and musical mastery. Florence holds an immense amount of musical talent and has given numerous, outstanding performances already in her short time at Caterham School, including a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto, K414 (first movement) with Sinfonia in the Spring Term.
We wish to congratulate Florence for this fine achievement, and we look forward to hearing of more musical success in the future.
Angus to exhibit at RA YOUNG ARTISTS SUMMER SHOW
Continuing a superb run of success for our Art Scholars, Angus H in the Third Year has beaten hundreds of applicants to be successfully invited to exhibit his drawing of Morgan Freeman both online and on-site at the Royal Academy of Art, Young Artists Summer Show in London from 16 July until 11 August this summer.
Angus spent many hours focusing on the tiniest minutiae of details in the actors skin, finding intrigue in each blemish and exploring contrasting representations of texture in skin, clothing and hair.
The Royal Academy has been championing artists since 1768 and “firmly believe in nurturing young talent and celebrating the next generation of artists”. Now in its sixth year, the Young Artists’ Summer Show is a free,
open submission exhibition for students aged 4 – 19 studying in the UK. Artworks are judged by a panel of passionate artists and art professionals. The Royal Academy received over 21,500 submissions this year and were blown away by all of the entries. Some were selected to exhibit in their online exhibition and a smaller number of successful artworks were also selected for the display on-site at the Royal Academy.
A WIN FOR AMALI
In September Amali (Upper Sixth) was invited as one of six finalists of the St Mary’s University Theology Essay Competition in London. She met Bishop John Sherrington who awarded her first place and a £250 prize, a fantastic achievement, well done. Amali’s essay examined what distinguishes a cult from a small religion and she presented her findings to the Sixth Form Society last week where she gave a fascinating talk explaining her research and conclusions. Amali was also invited to a reception in Oxford, as she was shortlisted in the global John Locke essay competition for her theology essay entry. She enjoyed life as a student in Oxford, attending lectures and a reception in the Ashmolean Museum.
ALFRED WINS RECITAL CLASS
First Year, Alfred D was awarded a cup for winning the Recital Class in the Reigate and Redhill Music Festival performing on the Flute. This is Alfred’s principal study instrument and he is also a talented Saxophonist and keen composer. Alfred is a Music Scholar who dedicates much of his time to music at the school- a member of a number of ensembles and an excellent choral singer in ETS where he has toured abroad and enjoyed some wonderful highlights singing alongside Chamber Choir. Well done and congratulations to Alfred on his success.
Isabelle P Impresses at British Brain Bee Neuroscience Olympiad
Lower Sixth pupil Isabelle P celebrated great success in the British Brain Bee Neuroscience Olympiad.
By studying a number of undergraduate neuroscience textbooks, Isabelle secured her place through an online exam and was invited to attend Brunel University on 3 February to compete in the National Brain Bee Competition against competitors from across the UK. She first took a written exam where she had 45 minutes to answer 55 neuroscience questions: then a neuroanatomy
Isabelle responded to the prompt ‘What, if anything, is consciousness made of?’, exploring various biological, environmental, philosophical, phenomenological, and cognitive perspectives.
The Minds Underground competition is open to UK and
and histology exam, where she had to identify different brain structures, tissues, and cells; and finally a patient diagnosis exam, where she was given 12 patients’ symptoms and history to analyse before coming up with a diagnosis in just 20 minutes. Following all the rounds, Isabelle was pleased to be placed 29th in the country. Well done, Isabelle, on this impressive achievement!
Following all the rounds, Isabelle was pleased to be placed 29th in the country. Well done, Isabelle, on this impressive achievement!
Isabelle P Places Second at Minds Underground Essay Competition
Isabelle P (Lower Sixth) has achieved runner-up in the Minds Underground Essay Competition for her Psychology entry on Consciousness.
International pupils who submit a 1,500-word essay which is then judged by experts in the field. For Isabelle to place second out of thousands of pupils is an impressive achievement. This follows Isabelle’s success in the Global Psychology Olympiad where she placed in the
top 10 per cent of entrants, and the British Brain Bee Neuroscience Olympiad where she placed 29th in the country. Isabelle is planning to study Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics at Oxford University.
ABI WINS ARTS AND HUMANITIES PRIZE at Aristotelian Award Essay Competition
A passion for research led Third Year Abi G to enter this year’s Aristotelian Award Essay Competition run by The Perse School, Cambridge.
Over 130 Year 9 pupils from across the UK entered the competition that aims to inspire pupils to develop their independent research skills and features two prizes – Arts & Humanities and Science. Abi’s essay The Art of Rhetoric was in response to the question, ‘Select
a cultural advance from the ancient world and discuss why it is still relevant today’.
Abi said “As soon as I saw this competition, I knew I wanted to enter. I really enjoy researching interesting topics and finding out new things, and I’m fascinated by the Greco-Roman myths and
ways of life, so I found it fun to explore an aspect that I’d never learnt about before.
“I was absolutely amazed when I found out I won. I’d never imagined that my essay would be chosen out of so many other brilliant entries and I’m honoured that it was.”
TARA EXCELS AT ANTHEA BELL PRIZE FOR YOUNG TRANSLATORS 2024
Congratulations to Tara S who has been awarded a commendation for her outstanding work in French in a nationwide translation competition.
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is a prestigious national competition designed to encourage UK students aged 11-18 to engage with language learning through the art of creative translation.
Launched by the Queen’s Translation Exchange at the University of Oxford, this annual event aims to inspire young people to delve into modern foreign languages and foster a love for linguistic creativity in
the classroom. The Anthea Bell Prize not only highlights the importance of language learning but also emphasises the role of creative translation in developing students’ linguistic skills and cultural awareness. By participating in this competition, students gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of language and the art of translation. This year, the prize saw remarkable engagement, with over 16,000 participants and just under 3,600 entries.
Sixth Form Vertical Buddies
Vertical Buddies programme continues this year and the Upper Sixth have stepped up to their role with excellence.
Starting a new chapter in school, especially in the transition from Fifth Year to Lower Sixth can be both exciting and daunting, especially when new to the school. It’s a time when pupils are exploring new horizons academically and socially, and they can greatly benefit from guidance and support. One effective way to facilitate this transition and ensure a smooth settling-in process is through a vertical buddying system which we have in place in the Sixth Form at Caterham.
This system pairs Upper Sixth pupils with their Lower Sixth counterparts, providing a wealth of advantages that foster a supportive and nurturing educational environment, including
mentorship, confidence, academic support, social integration, personal growth, and a smooth transition. By harnessing the collective experience and wisdom of older pupils, we can create an environment where every pupil has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow together.
After six intensive lunchtime training sessions, over 100 eager Sixth Form volunteers met with their younger buddies for the first time mid October.
The Sixth Formers have been equipped with coaching and mentoring skills to go alongside their classroom experience. Study Buddies therefore contribute hugely to the school’s approach to learning; that we learn best through struggle and perseverance, not by having someone tell us what to do. This is the fifteenth year we have run this National Award-winning scheme.
This system not only benefits the newcomers but enriches the entire school community, creating a culture of inclusivity and support that lasts well beyond the school years.
NICOLE MCVITTY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SIXTH FORM STUDY
WIDER CIRCLES
for UKRAINE Christmas Support
ON 22 FEBRUARY 2022 RUSSIA EXPANDED THEIR
FULL-SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE, 20 MONTHS ON AND IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 100,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED, ALMOST 10,000 OF THEM CIVILIANS AND CHILDREN AND ANOTHER 120,000 WOUNDED. 8 MILLION WOMEN, CHILDREN, ELDERLY AND THE VULNERABLE FLED THE COUNTRY AND BECAME REFUGEES.
Southern England, in particular, saw a massive influx of Ukrainian refugees, most had nothing with them other than the clothes on their back and one bag they could carry. Many Caterham parents and the wider community opened their homes, offering them accommodation through the Homes Scheme.
Some families have now managed to return to Western Ukraine, but for those from the East returning home is simply not a possibility. Their hometowns are either currently under occupation, destroyed, or under continued bombardment from drone and missiles.
As life in the UK has developed for our Ukrainian community –some have managed to find local rented accommodation, but many are still with their host families and will be for the foreseeable future.
A Caterham parent who has a Ukrainian family living with them said:
“It’s not all been plain sailing, but we have also learned from hosting our Ukrainian family. Watching our guests becoming slowly more able to rely on stability, make some plans and move forward with their
lives has been extremely rewarding. It has also taught us a lot about the extended consequences of war, far beyond what we see in the headlines. Whatever happens in the future we will always be connected with their family.”
The realisation of spending another Christmas away from home is deeply upsetting for many refugees. The reports from the front-line only compound the devastation.
A local Ukrainian lady in her 70’s said:
“Everyday I am in touch with Ukraine, the situation is very bad, there are not enough weapons, lots of people are dying, and going missing, my heart is very heavy. I really miss my home.”
We wanted to express our thanks to the Caterham School community who throughout have supported so many local Ukrainians, in so many ways, whether hosting, baking, donating, volunteering or providing much needed shoes through the PA supported charity Sal Shoes. The support has been unwavering and so very appreciated.
Thank you. Louisa Dreja
Harvest Festival Donations
We had an amazing volume of donations for Harvest Festival this year. Sadly, The Trussell Trust will face extra demand over the Christmas period at the Caterham Foodbank, so the reserves were much appreciated.
Lower School Christmas Fair Festivities
All First and Second Year pupils worked hard to come up with original and creative ideas for their stalls from baking, to Nerf gun shoot-outs to pick the lock! The atmosphere was buzzing in the Sports Hall at this year’s Christmas Fair with pupils trying their best to make the most money for their stall. The money will be counted up and prizes will go to the stall in First and Second Year that made the most money. There will also be a tutor group prize for the form that take the most money collectively. All monies will be given to our brilliant school charities; East Surrey Samaritans and Lerang’wa Lunches in Tanzania.
RILEYBOT
A notable addition to the library this year has been Century Tech software and access to Caterham’s revolutionary RileyBot AI learning buddy.
Used in the classroom or at home, Century Tech enriches learning in English, Science and Maths and supports verbal and non-verbal reasoning exam preparation, whilst RileyBot is a learning partner equipped to assist children in any aspect of their learning, but cost prevents state-maintained schools from accessing these transformative resources. We were therefore delighted to be able to provide both the software and training to ESLP schools, empowering them to enrich the learning of hundreds of primary school children who might otherwise not have access to these ‘digital superpowers’.
I like RileyBot as instead of just saying the answer, she works it through with me so I understand.
RileyBot helps me a lot whenever I need to find out what something means or when I want to learn more about the subject.
RileyBot helps me with my learning if I am stuck or if I need to check my work or improve it.
FIZZY MATHS WITH PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
In March we had 52 Year 5 children participating in our Fizzy Maths session. These termly events have become part of the termly cycle of five local primaries: St John’s, Furzefield, Audley, St Francis and Marden Lodge. The participating pupils have been working on their ‘Fizzy Maths’ resources packs this term at their schools and came into the library to work with Caterham Fifth Year and Lower Sixth Form ‘Maths Ambassadors’ to develop their ‘higher order thinking skills’ and problem solving with logic, mathematical techniques and a bit of trial and error. The session was led by Mrs Griffiths. The scheme is now in its fifth year – and has evolved significantly, including learning some useful lessons during lockdown.
recognised by Caterham Rotary Club
Mr Richard Stamper was invited by Caterham Rotary Club to be the guest of honour at a luncheon where he received a special award.
Many years ago, Richard assumed the mantle of organising Caterham pupils to assist in the Rotary Club’s annual house to house Christmas charity collection and throws himself into it each year with unceasing gusto. Come rain, snow or seasonal illness, he happily spends three hours on nine
consecutive December weekday evenings pounding the pavements around Caterham, assisting newcomers and old hands on our pupil body to this most worthy undertaking. Each evening produces around £1,000 of contributions which means that in ten years, Richard has helped raise a sum of almost six figures for local, national and school charities. Our pupils truly gain from this endeavour; seeing and hearing their enthusiasm during these evenings is a joy in itself.
Pupils Support Rotary Club to Collect Over £5000
Many thanks to the 50+ pupils who collected over seven evenings during the last three weeks of the autumn term and helped other Rotary Club volunteers to collect a total of £5,430.70 on those evenings. In return for their help, Rotary Club Caterham will donate back to the school’s chosen charity, East Surrey Samaritans, a substantial chunk of money. Rotary Club do another six nights on their own, so that total will rise still more. Obviously, this will be a huge help to the Samaritans locally, and Rotary Club themselves when they assist with local projects. Well done, everyone, and thanks again.
LAE PUPILS VISIT
At the beginning of October pupils from the London Academy of Excellence, Stratford, visited Caterham School for a day of connection and enrichment.
PARTNERSHIPS
Surrey Young Carers Enjoy Wildcats
We were delighted to host Surrey Young Carers for a range of activities including a damp session on our WildCats obstacle course and group problem solving tasks. Surrey Young carers are valued partners; offering valuable support across the county.
Caterham and LAE Lower Sixth pupils were buddied up, getting to know each other through a series of activities, including lesson shadowing and a walk to Viewpoint. LAE pupils learnt about the Caterham Connected community and Insight events, which we hope to see them at soon. We look forward to visiting the LAE in June, when pupils can catch up about their experiences in Lower Sixth.
MR STAMPER’S SUPPORT
LONDON ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE VISIT FOR SPORTING FUN
Lower Sixth pupils from our partner school the London Academy of Excellence visited Caterham for an afternoon of sporting fun at the end of November. LAE’s netball, table tennis and football teams joined their Caterham counterparts to take part in coaching sessions and matches throughout the afternoon. It was great to see pupils from both schools chatting and celebrating their successes over match tea afterwards. Well done to all involved.
CLIFTON HILL SPORTS DAY
The
sun shone for our partner school Clifton Hill’s sport days in June. The day was organised and run by our student volunteers and was a brilliant celebration of fun and activity.
The sports day was organised and run by Lower Sixth pupils, who have worked with Clifton Hill throughout the year, organising weekly activity sessions centring on having fun through group games.
The day means a great deal to our pupils – and our thanks to Clifton Hill parents who kindly shared what the day meant for the families spectating and children taking part.
“I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks for
I was blown away by the kindness of your students ...
the fantastic sports morning arranged today at your beautiful school.
My child attends Clifton Hill and I was blown away by the kindness of your students – their encouragement, patience and understanding means a lot to a parent of a child with additional needs. They are a credit to your school and in a world that is quite tough for teenagers at times, they sometimes don’t always receive the recognition they deserve.”
Sal’s Shoes Founder CJ Bowry Awarded OBE
Huge and well-deserved congratulations to Sal’s Shoes founder and mum to Sal (Third Year) and Clemmie (Year 6) CJ Bowry who was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List.
Sal’s Shoes has been one of the Parents’ Association’s chosen charities for the past four years and it has been well supported by our prep and senior school families with donations of footwear each term matched with financial donations from the PA.
As part of the EDGE digital & innovation curriculum, our First Year pupils have collaborated with the charity to not only sort and pack shoes for shipping to new feet but a project that links with pupils in Ghana and will help us to better understand what is like to walk in their shoes.
Warm Welcome to Sal’s Shoes at Lerang’wa
CJ, is a regular speaker at many CaterhamConnected events and is an inspiration to us all – we couldn’t be happier for you.
Lerang’wa Lunches
Following successful fundraising at the Christmas Fair, own clothes days and many other events, supplies have arrived at Lerang’wa School for lunches this term: forty bags of maize, eight bags of beans, 20 litres of cooking oil, two cartons of salt, one box of soap. Thanks to everyone who fundraised or donated at these events and the difference you are making to young lives in our partner schools in the UK and across the globe.
Just before February half term, over 1000 villagers turned up at our partner school Lerang’wa in Tanzania to see over 700 children receive school shoes and pens from Sal’s Shoes, our long standing school partner and one of the PA’s chosen charities. The turn out at school to share in this event shows what an impact these simple items make to the lives of children. The shoes were donated by schools across Surrey including Caterham and will help to keep feet safe and healthy on their often long journeys to and from school. The pens were donated by Easistore, one of many companies that give redundant stock to Sal’s Shoes to distribute where they are needed most.
Caterham has partnered with Lerang’wa School for 19 years and it is great to see them join up so successfully with Sal’s Shoes. Charitable monies raised by our school community including donations from our last Giving Day fund lunches for the school children. This midday meal is often the only proper meal of the day for the children. Members of the Lower Sixth Form look forward to visiting Lerang’wa in July and will be able to see first-hand how transformative these partnerships are.
GIVING DAY! Thank you!
On 1 and 2 July, we celebrated our second Giving Day.
Over 36 hours our pupils, staff, parents and Old Cats came together to make our second Giving Day a truly special occasion for three very special causes: Transformational Bursaries, Lerang’wa School and Digital Literacy for All.
Our youngest pupils embraced the Caterham Way by taking part in ‘Bee Bolt’ races while our Senior School pupils raced across a giant inflatable to earn House ‘Bounce Off’ points. We launched Caterham’s ‘Masked
Stinger’ into the world and the Caterham Museum run by the First Year was a roaring success, attracting members of the Old Cats community from far and wide. And to round off Giving Day, we held a Bounce Off contest between staff and parents. It was a close call, but the staff took home the coveted Bounce Off trophy!
At the end of Caterham Giving Day 2024, we achieved an incredible 195 donors. It is a testament to the generosity of our community that we have collectively raised more than £48,282 for our three causes, and thereby helped transform young people’s lives. We are truly grateful to you.
TANZANIA
JULY 2024
A JOYOUS RETURN TO OUR PARTNER SCHOOL LERANG’WA
In July, we returned to Lerang’wa School for our 14th visit, but the first since 2019.
Twenty Lower Sixth pupils spent nine days there, preparing and delivering lessons in English, maths, art, music, and sport. With class sizes of 60 to 120, the Lerang’wa staff provided crucial support, especially with Swahili explanations. Caterham teachers also helped but by Wednesday, halfway through the week, our pupils were running lessons solo. We visited the local market and a Masai village home to many pupils. The second half of the trip was spent enjoying northern Tanzania with a safari, a Kilimanjaro trek, swimming in Kikuletwa Springs, and shopping at Masai markets.
Pupils said:
“I don’t think I can say I have a best moment because the whole trip was absolutely amazing, however I think saying goodbye to the kids was one of the most highlighting memories I will cherish. It was so emotional and made me realise that even though we were there for a week we created such a special bond with these kids that is so unique and just made me appreciate the week and them even more.”
“My favourite part of the trip was by far the week spent with Lerang’wa school. Although bittersweet and very emotional, our final day with the students was the highlight. We exchanged our gifts and got to celebrate the week we had just spent together. I got to give Standard 2 their Caterham friendship bracelets which they happily wore for the rest of the day. This I will remember very fondly.”
“A had a truly life changing experience and he has returned with a broader perspective of the world. He better understands the privilege he has and was shocked to see living conditions for the kids and their families. He was amazed that regardless of circumstance everyone was always smiling and so happy to see the school group.”
A had a truly life changing experience...
Photography Workshop for Sunnydown School
Pupils from Sunnydown School came to Caterham for a photography workshop with Mrs Parsloe. They had fun creating photograms and prints from their own negatives in the darkroom. The boys will be taking their prints back to Sunnydown to add to their own GCSE Art and Photography coursework.
OUTDOOR FUN for Surrey Young Carers
During May half term we collaborated with Surrey Young Carers to put on a day for young people with caring responsibilities.
The YCs completed team building tasks in our Wildcats area, and then made smoothies and socialised around board games. These days provide much needed respite for young people with a lot on their shoulders.
We received many kind notes from the participants, including from parents whose children took part: “She came home full of excitement and told us every detail – something she never normally does. It really was so wonderful to see and we are ever so grateful.”
“I just wanted to send a quick thank you for holding the event on Saturday. It was the first event that our child has participated in with Young Carers, and she had a wonderful time. It really meant a lot to her, and made her feel special to be able to attend.”
CHARITY COMMITTEE UPDATE
During the House Cross Country, held at the close of the Spring Term, the Wright Society and Charity Committee raised over £400 for St. Catherine’s Hospice, supporting our Medical Officer and Patron of the Wright Society, Dr Wright, for his London Marathon run.
Thanks to all that donated- Dr Wright his team raised over £100,000 for St. Catherine Hospice for the first time ever!
What an achievement and for such a great cause.
Next year the school will be supporting Renewed Hope, a homeless Charity in Redhill with all funs raise during the next academic year split between our long-term partner school in Tanzania, Lerang’wa, and Renewed Hope.
Lower Sixth Visit Friends at LAE
LOWER SIXTH FORM PUPILS HAD A GREAT DAY VISITING THEIR PEERS AT THE LONDON ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE (LAE) AT THE END OF JUNE. They had time to catch up with the friends they made when LAE visited Caterham in September and they explored the Olympic Park, completing activities and creating a film of their day. We can’t wait to host LAE’s Caterham House again in September and continue to form bonds between the partner schools’ Sixth Form pupils.
KWIK CRICKET FESTIVAL for Partnership Schools
At the end of June, we were delighted to host a Kwik Cricket festival for several local primary schools at our Hillfields site.
In between the rain showers the schools managed to play three rounds. It was thoroughly enjoyable and a great time was had by all. Head of Cricket Adam Muttitt was very impressed with the turn out and standard, especially from the children who had never played cricket before.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
DIGITAL & AI – LEADING THE WAY AI in Education: A Glimpse into the Future
Caterham is once again leading the way in innovation and digital with Mr Lang represented Caterham Prep at the annual IAPS Headteachers’ Conference in Liverpool, sharing insights and answering questions on the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities that schools face in response to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
The conference is the largest gathering of independent headteachers in the UK, gathering school and industry leaders from across the country to engage with the critical issues facing schools and their communities in the years ahead.
Pioneering a Culture of Experimentation:
Mr Lang emphasised fostering a culture of experimentation with AI, anchored in school values and adopting a children-first “Why not?” approach to encourage both staff and students to explore AI’s potential whilst prioritising child safety. If a new development, whether based on technology, pedagogical research or practical experience, could benefit children’s
learning now and preparation for the future, schools have a responsibility to investigate and look for opportunities to improve their practice. Training and a collaborative approach support the professional development of teachers whilst dedicated taught units around the mechanics and ethics of AI with the children aim to develop ‘AI literacy’, preparing them for a world in which such technology is already omnipresent. Although children within the Prep age range are below the age for personal accounts for many of the emerging tools, knowing how they function and making appropriate use of shared systems where appropriate is critical to building skills, understanding and safe habits in a protected environment.
Case studies showcased AI’s capability to offer individualised learning paths, from recommendation engines such as CENTURY and Atom Learning to supervised co-working with generative AI to develop and refine ideas through ‘digital peer feedback’. The integration of AI offers the potential for an ‘Industrial Revolution for the Mind’, bringing a focus on creativity and refinement over production and allowing increased focus on ‘higher-order’ thinking skills prioritised by the World Economic Forum in their annually-updated ‘Top 10 Work Skills’. ›
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
AI Policy & Ethical Considerations:
Caterham understood that the first step was to develop a policy that allowed freedom to experiment whilst keeping children’s safety as an utmost priority. A simple yet effective AI policy, developed with flexibility in mind, guides the ethical use of AI across Caterham senior and Prep by staff and pupils. The policy addresses privacy, bias, and accountability, ensuring a responsible approach to AI integration and has set a benchmark for other schools who wish to adopt a standard that is both comprehensive and able to adapt to a constantly changing landscape.
Inspirations & Future Prospects:
Mr Lang cited inspirations in the field of GenAI, emphasizing the importance of credible educators who put children at the heart of AI. He expressed excitement about the prospects of individualized learning and the unique opportunity independent schools have to lead the conversation on AI in education.
Caterham at Bett 2024
Caterham School joined with the global edtech community in January as part of Bett, the biggest education technology exhibition in the world.
As guests of the exhibition, held at London’s Excel centre, Mr Adam Webster and the team shared their knowledge and two groundbreaking edtech products with delegations from across the world, meeting with educators, companies and government representatives. Mr Webster also spoke to a packed audience in the Bett Global Futures theatre during a session on the positive power of edtech to disrupt the educational landscape.
Problem solving and entrepreneurship are familiar elements to our pupils through the EDGE curriculum but also form a
Addressing Concerns:
Concerns surrounding budgeting and age restrictions were discussed, with Mr Lang emphasising the importance of safety and adherence to regulations like COPPA (in the US) and GDPR, which restrict the information which apps can collect on children. The conference also addressed potential risks and the need for students and adults to be savvier in a world ever more integrated with online technology.
Parents’ Reception & Community Engagement:
The transition from initial concerns to a growing demand for AI has been noted among parents. Media such as podcasts and webinars have been employed to raise awareness and share information.
Concluding Thoughts:
In his concluding remarks, Mr Lang underscored that AI is here to stay, likening the current phase to the onset of an Industrial Revolution for the Mind. Just as we prepare our children to cross the road safely by leading them through it, identifying
wider part of life at Caterham. The school is always looking to harness decades of educational experience with the best of new technology to further educational opportunities for our own pupils, and for schools across the UK and beyond.
Caterham continues to lead in educational digital and innovation with Mr Webster part of HMC’s AI Ethics leadership group and Mr Lex Lang IAPS National Advisor for Computing, Partnerships and Digital Innovation. Caterham is also the only UK school to have a machine learning engineer on staff.
dangers and teaching them what to look out for and how to react when they spot an unsafe situation, we cannot prepare our children for the world they are growing up in by isolating them from it. Independent schools are uniquely positioned to lead the way, preparing students for the future while adapting to the rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Take-Home Message:
Mr Lang left the audience with a thought-provoking message: “We have a duty to prepare our children for the world they are growing up into, rather than the one they are growing up from.” Plato predicted that the teaching of reading would mean the death of learning. King Canute famously planted his throne on the beach and commanded the sea not to advance. But what is often forgotten is that his point was not that the sea should obey him but that wishing differently cannot alter the tide. Instead, we owe it to our children to teach them to surf.
Mr Webster speaks at Google HQ
Adam Webster, Caterham’s Deputy Head, Innovation spoke at Google Headquarters as part of a panel of educationist leading the way in digital and innovation.
The meeting was for an audience of UK school heads and leaders focusing on the use of Artificial Intelligence in Schools. The one-day event was hosted at Google and organised by HMC (The Head’s Conference) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCLs) and explored the AI landscape and the positive potential it holds to extend pupils’ learning.
CaterhamConnected & Parents’ Association
Global Community join CaterhamConnectedHK
Caterham School Parents’ Association were delighted to be nominated for and to receive the certificate of recognition from Michael More-Molyneux, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey.
CC Insight Evening: Innovating
Law - the future of legal practice
CaterhamConnected returned to Glaziers’ Hall in London for our autumn Insight Evening, this time on the topic of Innovation law.
Leading the evening were six of our CaterhamConnected members who have excelled in the legal profession. Old Caterhamian Jon May, partner, general counsel and head of compliance at Marshall Wace delivered the keynote to a raptured audience of 100 staff, alumni, parents and pupils. With over twenty years’ experience, he offered huge insight into the future of the legal profession as we looked toward UK and International development and changes. Joining him to create our
esteemed panel of legal professionals were OC Daniel Adams, OC Oliver Byrne and Caterham parents Victoria Francis, Rahul Manvatkar and Claire Stockford. A huge thank you to them for sharing their time and wisdom with us.
Once again, our pupils at Caterham and our friends at our partner school the London Academy of Excellence shone brightly, offering a mature perception of key themes and engaging in insightful conversation for the evening.
Parents, teachers and Old Caterhamians from across the decades joined together in Hong Kong to celebrate the inaugural CaterhamConnectedHK Insight evening.
The focus of the Insight Evening was Innovating Futures with a panel of impressive leaders and changemakers. Mr Jones was joined on stage for a stimulating Q&A session by OCs Mark Joiner and Jason Tong together with current Caterham parent Antoinette Hoon, partner at PWC. Fellow parent Raymond Chao, PWC Chairman, Asia gave an impactful speech to bring the evening to a close. He reminded us of the importance of embracing technology, that it is here to stay but equally the importance of using it responsibly whilst exercising human judgement and sound business ethics.
A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all at this truly global event.
CaterhamConnected Insight Evening - Entrepreneurship
A stellar line up of entrepreneurs shared their wisdom with Sixth Formers, Old Cats and parents at our spring Insight Evening held in the City of London in March.
The event was hosted by Alfa Systems with CEO Andrew Denton giving the opening keynote speech.
The packed audience then rotated around our six successful and experienced entrepreneurs, learning from the inspiration and resilience it takes to turn a great idea into a thriving business. Each of our guest speakers had a different journey to share. Insight Evenings provide our Sixth Formers the opportunity to cut their networking teeth and OCs and parents the chance to connect with leading lights across a wide
A Trip Down MEMORY LANE
On Sunday 1 October, we were delighted to host a 40 Year Reunion for alumni, celebrating the Class of 1983.
The year 1983 is an important one in Caterham School’s history as it is the year that girls first joined our Sixth Form before Caterham became fully co-educational in 1995. Over 120 alumni returned to the school to celebrate this milestone anniversary and reconnect with old friends and classmates. We would like to thank the catering team for hosting a wonderful afternoon, our team of prefects for taking time out of their weekend to provide tours, and Mr David Rogers for bringing everyone together.
Here’s to the next 40 years!
range of sectors, all connected by Caterham School.
Joining CEO Andrew Denton were Camilla Bowry OBE founder of Sals Shoes, Old Caterhamian Adam Graham founder and CEO of JustFix, Hero Brown founder of Muddy Stilettos, Louise D’Costa owner and editor of the Tandridge Independent and Adam Webster, CIO of Caterham’s edtech start up SphinxAI. A huge thank you to them for sharing their time and wisdom with us.
Once again, our pupils at Caterham and our friends at partner school the London Academy of Excellence shone brightly, offering a mature perception of key themes and engaging with our panel.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF RUGBY
In November we welcomed back our rugby players and coaches of the past to celebrate 100 years of rugby being played on our iconic Home Field.
Celebrating the successes of those who have donned black and gold stripes, our coaches and players reminisced key tries, collapsed scrums and the occasional stolen line out. Our guests delighted over a specially curated exhibition looking back on rugby at the school with team photos and news snippets from our archive.
Highlights included the Yugoslavia tour of 1985, our 2002 Girls VII’s
team coming runners up in the National Schools’ Sevens and several rugby photos featuring former staff as players themselves. This was wound up by Mr Taylor, our Director of Rugby, addressing the guests on behalf of Caterham School to thank those who continually show support through playing, coaching, and most importantly cheering from the side lines.
SUPERCAR SUNDAY
The second annual SuperCar Sunday was a fantastic day showing very special vehicles both young and vintage. The sights, sounds and smells were a joy for any enthusiast and much car chat was exchanged over bacon butties and hot tea –making for a very social occasion.
PARENTS ASSOCIATION
PA Christmas Dinner Dance
Christmas kicked off at the start of December with the PA Christmas Dinner Dance, night filled with fun, laughter and generosity.
A festive affair, complete with twinkling lights, cheerful decorations, and a warm atmosphere that captured the spirit of the season. The school community came together to celebrate and make a positive impact on our new charity. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing community partners, who generously donated so many prizes for our charity auction to support the Make Way Foundation. Their support played a crucial role in making our event a success, and we are grateful for their commitment to giving back. Likewise, thanks to the brilliant PA Christmas Dinner Dance team in organising such a great event. We’d also like to thank Fleur and Matthew for their speech during the
The Yurt is Up!
Huge thanks to our Parents’ Association who is delighted to support the purchase, last year, of a Yurt for installation in the woodland classroom in the school’s woodland.
The base was built in November and the yurt has been delivered and installed amid much excitement! It will be used straightaway as part of outdoor learning as well as enhancing cross curricular lessons. It will also be a base for outdoor visitor and woodland events. We envisage this space being used for parent workshops, such as foraging courses, basket weaving and bushcraft courses.
evening, sharing their story and that of the Foundation. Everything they have done to date and their amazing efforts the next day at the Superhero Triathlon has been phenomenal and inspiring to us all. The funds raised during the auction, prize draw and collections on the night will be directed entirely to the Make Way Foundation.
Around 80 parents attend the PA Christmas Afternoon Tea at Hillfields. A festive spread including scones, mince pies and yule logs went down a treat accompanied by tea –courtesy of Two Spoons and friendly chat.
A huge thank you to the Parents’ Association for providing an outdoor Table Tennis table for Eothen Courtyard. It has proved hugely popular at lunchtimes with lots of pupils taking turns to play and, even better, a second one will be available in the same place in September. Let’s hope that this continues to encourage players and maybe feed them through to be in some of our school Table Tennis teams.
BOARDING LIFE
CLASS OF 2023-24 BOARDERS MOVE IN!
Boarding was back with a bang as the Class of 2023/24 Boarders descended into our three Houses: Viney, Townsend and Beech Hanger.
Not only were the pupils greeted with new common rooms and kitchens, but with some new staff members too. We are very excited to be joined by Mrs Isaacs, our new Head of Beech Hanger House, and congratulations to Mr Taylor who is now our Head of Townsend. A warm welcome for Mrs Salem who joins our extraordinary matron team, too. The first weekend of the year is always a jam-packed activities weekend, allowing the pupils to jump in and get to know each other. We continued our enrichment day well into Friday evening with a Sixth form team building social. The weather continued to be kind to us as we made our way to Saturday fixtures with many of the girls trying out lacrosse for the first time, followed by a trip out to bowling, sports on the fields, and a giant
picnic on Sunday sprawling out until the sunset.
A huge thank you to all of our boarding staff, catering team and the wider community who help make these events happen. To our new boarders – study hard, play harder and welcome to Caterham!
Beech Hanger Tea Party to Celebrate New Kitchen
Following renovations during the summer, Beech Hanger proudly opened its doors to showcase a beautiful new kitchen and sitting room to staff.
Our girls volunteered to design invitations, and many spent the weekend making an outstanding selection of cakes and cookies. The delicious smells wafting out of the kitchen were mouthwatering!
Over sixty members of staff attended, and the atmosphere was electric. Guests from the entire staff body of Caterham School attended – many who had never been inside the boarding house before.
Huge thanks and praise must be given to Ms Gibbs, whose party planning and baking expertise ensured this event to be a huge success.
EuroCup drama in the Copper Box
Late November saw 31 boarders travel to the Olympic Park in Stratford to watch a EuroCup basketball match between London Lions and Ljubljana, the Slovenian champions. The boys and girls loved being part of a noisy, near-capacity crowd and were lucky enough to see an exciting match with lots of spectacular moments. The game stayed close all the way to the final minute of the fourth quarter when the Lions, inspired by the raucous support of Caterham’s boarding community, pulled away to victory.
Ice Skating and Seasonal Fun
Fifty boarders and five staff enjoyed a lovely Sunday on a trip to Guildford. The morning was spent at the ice rink at the Guildford
Spectrum. All of the boarders (and three of the staff) braved the ice and had a great time. It was lovely to see the more experienced skaters in the group supporting the first time skaters and by the end of the session (almost) everyone was gliding gracefully and confidently around the ice.
We then made the short journey into the centre of Guildford where the boys and girls were able to buy lunch and had a little free time to explore the Christmas market in Guildford’s historic High Street. A snow machine and a street performance from a local choir added to the festive atmosphere.
Beech Hanger Busy Baking
Beech Hanger were invited to bring their favourite recipes along for a House baking activity. The recipes ranged from adventurous strawberry souffles to classic brownies and a few in between! It was a wonderful opportunity to use the newly installed kitchen.
Girls from across the House worked together to achieve some truly wonderful baking, the souffles turned out superbly and the brownies didn’t last long past cooling time! Baking is always a popular activity on a Saturday evening and is a lovely way for the girls to spend some of their free time together.
Boarders Venture to the Sky Garden
An enthusiastic group of boarders spent an unusually sunny winter’s day in London. On the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street (the ‘Walkie Talkie’) is the Sky Garden, the capital’s highest public garden and viewing point, replete with a stunning array of plants over numerous terraces. The 360 degree panorama is unparalleled on such a perfect day. After an enlightening guided walk with historic commentary expertly provided by Mr Mills, the happy (and by now very hungry) group spent time amid the hustle and bustle of London’s China Town.
CHINA TOWN, LONDON PHOTO BY CABLONDON, UNSPLASH
Boarders Take on Annual 12 Bridges Sponsored Walk
On a Sunday morning in May, thirteen boarding pupils and four staff left Battersea Bridge for the sixth annual 12 Bridges sponsored walk, crisscrossing the Thames and finishing, after 19 kms, at the iconic Tower Bridge. On the hottest day of the year to date, the intrepid band forged ahead through the midday sun and multitudinous tourists. Our fair capital was viewed from very different angles and everyone was delighted with their well-deserved final ice cream!
This event raises funds for the Altevette Project, specifically for Yangkyi whose boarding education in Upper Mustang we have sponsored for some years now. Many thanks to each and every walker but also to their sponsors –our aim was £1,400 this year; watch this space to discover if we reached our target.
SKY GARDEN, LONDON.
PHOTO BY ORVA-STUDIO, UNSPLASH
TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON.
PHOTO BY SASCHA ALBERT, UNSPLASH
CATERHAM SCHOOL BOARDING PUPILS
ENJOY A BREAK DURING THE 12 BRIDGES SPONSORED WALK
EDGE
First Years find their feet at SAL’S SHOES
In October all of the First Year pupils visited Sal’s Shoes headquarters as part of their EDGE lessons answering the question, what is it like to walk in someone else’s shoes?
Daisy H in 1W explained that they learnt about how the charity started, CJ Bowry “started to tell us about her son and how he kept growing out of his new shoes that he had only worn a handful of times. She sent her son’s old shoes to someone she knew in Zambia for some children who were in need of a pair. People started asking her to send more of their children’s shoes and the idea of Sal’s Shoes was born. This meant that shoes that people didn’t need any more would be collected and given to children and adults who couldn’t afford a pair.”
Each class then volunteered their time, by sorting shoes, Clemie’s clothes donations from the recent Prep PA Fancy Dress Swap Shop, out of date Caterham PE kit and CCF cadet jumpers for some boys who look after military horses and sleep with them through the night, shoes for asylum seeker families in the UK, winter socks for baby banks, making boxes and packing and wrapping Christmas presents for children in Ghana in time for
Christmas. We are still calculating all of the pupil’s contributions, but we know that one class alone sorted 724 pairs of shoes and that whilst our visits were taking place, 7000 pairs of shoes were being distributed in Syria.
Elliot W in 1B said, “my visit to Sal’s shoes made me realise just how fortunate we are but also how close we are to people who have to endure the struggle of poverty even here in Caterham, who don’t have the costs to pay for a pair of school shoes. The things we were told were devastating, like the fact that in some government schools around the world they wouldn’t let ›
you go to school if you didn’t have school uniform and school shoes, so even free education isn’t free to many families, which is what made me realise just how important and amazing the work all the volunteers do. But what filled me with joy was all the pictures on the walls from people all over the world with a new pair of shoes that had been recycled from people who no longer needed them. You would never really expect someone to be jumping for joy about a pair of shoes, but for millions of people around the world it is life changing and it makes you appreciate how lucky all the people with a fresh pair of shoes to wear are.”
Rio P in 1O explained the impact the visit had on him and said, “when I next grow out of some shoes,
I am definitely going to send them to Sal’s Shoes because I now know that my shoes will help a wonderful child who isn’t as fortunate as me. I am more motivated than ever to contribute towards causes like this. I have realised how important charities like Sal’s Shoes are to help reduce waste, recycle more and tackle inequality, ‘doing good, feels good’.”
A huge thank you to CJ Bowry and her team of volunteers who have hosted, educated and inspired our First Year pupils.
First Year pupils are now designing half of pairs white plimsol shoes, which will make their way to Ghana after Christmas. Once received, children there will be decorating the other half of the shoes thereby creating a link between the children. To raise the money to send them off our pupils have been fundraising by selling clothes, baking cakes, litter picking and washing staff cars!
European Education Leaders Welcomed to EDGE
A delegation of school leaders and education policy makers from Norway and the Netherlands were welcomed to Caterham.
As part of a visit to BETT, where Mr Adam Webster launched Sphinx AI’s EdTech products, they came to visit Caterham as they were interested to learn more about our approach to innovation and education, our role as an Apple Distinguished School and our EDGE curriculum.
After a discussion led by our team on the approach we have taken to introduced technology at school and innovation in the curriculum, the group took a tour of our school and saw some First Year EDGE lessons in action. Our pupils spoke to them about their Architecture project & design challenge providing insight into EDGE’s collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to learning. Our visitors were hugely impressed by what they saw and inspired by our pupils’ engagement with and enthusiasm for their learning. We hope that we will continue this dialogue in the future and have the opportunity to learn from their educational philosophies.
COMMUNICATION and COLLABORATION
First Year EDGE Lessons have really taken
off...
Pupils have learnt about the art of effective communication when challenged to build Lego back-to-back. One person has the bricks and the other the instructions and they need to work together (without looking) to build the final piece!
We have also started our first project in collaboration with Sal’s Shoes. Our First Year pupils will have the opportunity to travel to the Sal’s Shoes warehouse, learning more about the charity and getting stuck in and sorting through the Caterham donated shoes, helping them to find new feet. In one of Septembers lessons pupils were presented with some shoes from the Senior School teaching staff, each one with a label about where the shoe had taken them, an important event it might have attended, or a reason why the shoe is valuable to that individual. Pupils have reflected on what we can learn about someone from their shoes, what assumptions might we be making about them? The challenge of course was to work out, which shoe belongs to which member of staff?
Caterham Museum
Open for Visitors
The First Year pupils warmly welcomed visitors to their Museum of Caterham School which they had been curating over the past few weeks of the summer term.
Visitors learnt about the history of the school and some famous members of the school community, and take the Geoffrey Pidgeon quiz and scavenger hunt, spot the Headmaster game, and even buy souvenir key rings, post cards and Caterham Heads Top Trumps, which the First Year pupils made. All proceeds went towards the Giving Day fund.
This is the final EDGE project of the year for the First Year and it is fitting that, in the spirit of the EDGE curriculum, pulling this together has been a truly collaborative and interdisciplinary affair.
LESSONS IN CAR MAINTENANCE for Lower Sixth Form
In November Lower Sixth pupils were given the opportunity to have a lesson in essential car maintenance from our Head of Transport, Mr Michael Jones.
The lesson was part of their EDGE programme, and a slight deviation from the usual first term‘s sessions which focus on essential skills for post Sixth-Form including public speaking, networking, financial planning and negotiation. However, with driving tests looming for this year group, it was the perfect time to provide these practical skills.
The Philosophy Man visits...
One of the Lower Sixth EDGE classes in September was visited by Tom from ‘The Philosophy Man’ who introduced them to Argumentag Wrestling. Teams competed against each other in a tournament with only the strongest, most persuasive arguments taking the win! This is one of many sessions that the Lower Sixth are participating in over the course of the Autumn Term. Others include financial planning, networking, public speaking and managing your online profile.
EDGE Architectural Adventures
Our First Year EDGE Digital & Innovation classes took a trip to London to visit the office of Arcadis architects and to be inspired on a walking tour in the area around King’s Cross.
Whilst in the offices, pupils met with architects, engineers and those on apprenticeships just starting their professional journey. They learned what architects and mechanical, electrical and public services engineers do and the skills they needed to develop in order to be successful in their chosen field. They also launched our next EDGE project to the students, which is to design a space in the proposed Innovation Centre building at Caterham. Each of the five First Year classes
have been given a different space to design and will make a pop-up book to showcase their ideas. Each group will pitch their design to their EDGE teacher and the winning design from each class will pitch to the architects themselves! They have been asked to be innovative, creative and encouraged to not simply think about what a classroom or learning space could look like now, but what it could be in the future, whilst thinking carefully about sustainability and ethical design.
MUSIC
Musical Masterpieces at ST JOHN’S, WATERLOO
Our spectacular concert at St John’s Church in Waterloo marked the return of Caterham School’s presence in central London.
A magnificent programme featured the best of our choral and orchestral ensembles as well outstanding soloists. The performance celebrated the tremendous achievements of Caterham School’s singers and musicians and in particular, their maturity, passion and understanding of complex musical works. As with many of our concerts, pupils from both Caterham Prep and Senior School worked together. Performers spanned Year 5 (Prep) to Upper Sixth.
The first half of the concert explored the theme of ‘light’ through
the enchanting, timeless medium of choral music. Chamber Choir and ETS performed a selection of ethereal motets.
From Chamber Choir, ‘Northern Lights’ (a stunning piece inspired by the aurora borealis) and ‘Lux Beata’ (featuring a beautiful oboe solo by 4th Year pupil, Abi P) by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo and ‘O Radiant Dawn’ by Scottish composer James McMillan (featuring stunning solos from Tiffany K (Upper Sixth) and Emily B (Lower Sixth). From ETS, two
settings of the text Lux Aeterna enchanted all who were present. The first was written by Canadian composer Randall Stroope and the second by Mr Adam Assen, Director of Music. This exciting premiere, composed especially for ETS, was a joy to hear. The choirs combined alongside Caterham School’s Film Orchestra to perform Bob Chilcott’s uplifting ‘Canticles of Light’- a subtle yet dramatic setting of hymns from the Liturgia Horarum that explores darkness and light across three movements. The prolific ‘giant’ of British choral music visited Caterham School days before our concert- an exciting and joyous experience for every singer and musician. ‘’…Your students in both choirs and orchestra were outstanding. The way they worked together in such a positive way, their confidence, which came from their commitment and ability was just superb. I felt really moved ›
because in the end, both choirs really gave a very accomplished and special version of a piece that is not easy.’- Bob Chilcott
Our solo performers represented the instrumental families with immense style and precision.
Catherine Yap (Second Year), Organ; Menuetto - Impromptu by John Ireland, Alice Himsworth (Upper Sixth), Flute Sonatasecond movement by Edwin York Bowen, Alvin Pun (Lower Sixth), Trumpet Concerto in E flat – first movement by Johann Neruda, Annette Sin (Fourth Year), Harp, La Source (The Fountain) by Albert Zabel and, Florence Niu (Third Year), Piano Sonata in F major, –third movement. Congratulations must go to all of our soloiststhey exuded confidence and
demonstrated an incredibly high level of technical ability.
The final section of the concert was delivered by Sinfonia, our senior orchestra. The programme represented musical grandeur, where the symphonic forces of the past converge to create unforgettable auditory masterpieces. Outstanding and riveting performances of Romeo & Juliet, Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky and Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov left our audience spell-bound. The final work, Symphony No. 104 in D Major, “London”, by Franz Joseph Haydn was truly remarkable. To hear a fully symphony performed at such a high level was a huge achievement and required such immense stamina and focus.
Well done to every performer for a wonderful performance of challenging and ambitious music.
Mr Adam Assen, Director of Music
CHOIRS PERFORM AT THE LYCEUM THEATRE (and
on ITV)
Congratulations to our amazing representatives from ETS, Chamber Choir, Close Harmony and Vocalpoint who performed excerpts from The Lion King musical at the Lyceum Theatre in the heart of London’s West End Theatreland in July.
Singers from both Caterham Prep and Senior School attended and were wonderful ambassadors for the school- forming the bulk of the choir. The event was reviewed on ITV in the evening and featured Caterham School’s Zandile A-N in an interview. Organised by Disney UK, the exciting day was flawlessly run by members of the Lion King musical crew and orchestra, including our own VMT, Mr Matthew Arnold. A special mention must go to Lily W who performed as a solo singer for some of the pieces- she was outstanding and
showed great flair and confidence. The Music Day also brought together a symphony orchestra and praise must go to Shailey R who joined on harp. The choir and orchestra learnt and performed four magnificent pieces from the stage show The Lion King which has a strong emphasis on African rhythms and languages. The demanding score was expertly taught and rehearsed during the morning and was performed to parents and supporters in the afternoon- a truly glorious and uplifting moment.
Supporting at ST JOHN’S CHURCH IN SONG
Talented singers (Year 6 Prep to Upper Sixth) entertained and delighted locals at St John’s Church in Caterham with an exciting vocal recital of varied and interesting music.
Repertoire included; an aria by Grieg sung by George M (5th Year), Spring Sorrow by John Ireland sung by Sophia A (Year 6 Prep), Stars from ‘Les Miserables’ sung by Jo B (L6), Heart of Sone from ‘Six’ sung by Zandile, jazz standard Misty sung by Max K (L6), a stunning aria in German sung by Bjorn M (4th Year) and With You
from ‘Ghost’ sung by Bella B (U6).
A huge thank you to all performers who sang with great style and passion. The recital formed part of the church’s ‘Heritage Day’, something we were delighted to support once again. Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places
that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors. It is a once-a-year chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.
EMBRACING TRADITION at the ANNUAL CAROL SERVICE
The Carol Service was a wonderful way to end the term and once again, our choirs ETS (Eric Thiman Singers) and Chamber Choir gave stunning performances of anthems, both old and new.
The processional carol, in traditional form, featured First Year Elliott W singing the solo verse of Once in Royal David’s City. This year, the service was attended by the Second Years who contributed to the service with their Anthem Masters In This Hall, a rousing and powerful piece. Uplifting descants and triumphant organ accompaniment from Mr Hall made this service a wonderful start to the Christmas holidays. The heart of the evening was undeniably the stellar choral performances and congratulations must go to all choir members for their commitment, particularly at the very end of such a busy term. Each piece was a testament to the dedication and talent of the singers, who navigated the intricate harmonies with precision and feeling. The service of nine lessons and carols was well attended by the whole school community; parents, staff and friends of both the Prep and Senior School. The atmosphere exuded warmth and joy.
October Twilight Concert
The Twilight Concert featured performances by a number of First Year pupils who showed great confidence and style.
Elliot W (First Year) commenced the concert with a fine rendition of Bricusse’s “Pure Imagination” (from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). Annabel S (First Year) followed with a wonderful vocal performance of “Dalmatian Cradle Song.” Isaac K (First Year) displayed refined flute skills, playing PetersoBerger’s “Song of Summer.” Tom B then delivered a delightful vocal performance of the iconic song “Electricity” (from Billy Elliot). This was followed by Stella V L (First Year) who presented a lively and spirited vocal performance of Bernstein’s “I Feel Pretty” (from West Side Story).
Sophia S (Second Year) graced the stage with a delicate and elegant violin performance of Elgar’s “Chanson de Matin.” Eugenie C (Second Year) delivered a stunning performance of Gliere’s “Prelude” with outstanding precision and voicing throughout.
Lucy B (Fifth Year) captivated the audience with her performance of Berkeley’s “Sonatina” on the flute. Her warm tone and outstanding technique brought out the harmonic colours in the music. Maya P (Fifth Year) gave a polished and confident performance of Bullard’s “Prelude,” managing to emphasize the rich and vibrant harmonies with excellent clarity in pedalling throughout.
Ethan G (Fifth Year) showcased his talent with Bach’s iconic “Sonata in G minor” (first movement). His intonation and precise, articulate phrasing were excellent and complemented the music. Spencer T (Fifth Year) then took the stage with a sublime performance of Beethoven’s beautiful second movement of the “Pathétique” sonata, featuring delicate phrasing and detailed articulation, as well as subtle voicing and clarity in pedalling. Following this, Lynus L (Fifth Year) gave a superb performance of Bach’s “Sonata in G minor” (third movement) — a modern interpretation of a beautiful piece of Baroque repertoire.
Leyani G (Second Year) performed Norton’s jazz composition, “New Kid,” demonstrating calm yet precise playing with remarkable clarity in intricate embellishments and rich jazz harmonies. George M (Fifth Year) delivered a gallant vocal performance of Grieg’s “Jeg elsker Dig,” full of energy and panache. The concert concluded with George P’s (Lower Sixth Form) virtuosic improvised number, showcasing a range of styles from jazz to late-Romantic operatic masterpieces — a wonderful impromptu transcription!
All performers are to be congratulated for their fantastic performances.
Music marks REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Music for the Remembrance Service was provided by our Wind Band who supported hymns and the National Anthem with appropriate pomp and style.
Working together with CCF, impeccable precision was displayed in performances of Holst’s ‘March’ from his 1st suite for military band. A new work was composed by our Head of Instrumental Music, Dr Chris Brammeld which featured excerpts from various military themes; opening with a haunting and thought-provoking piccolo solo accompanied by the Corps of Drums, followed by a beautiful chorale played by the whole band with the iconic Last Post intertwined. Our Corps of Trumpets marked the poignant end to the silence with great elegance both at the Act of Remembrance on Friday and at the Service of Remembrance.
Our sacred choirs, JETS, ETS and Chamber Choir performed their annual ‘Recital of Reflection and Contemplation’ following the Remembrance Service. The recital, held in the Wilberforce Hall continued the tradition of a short, emotional performance where powerful texts are chosen to further commemorate the day. As always, the choirs gave polished performances of beautiful pieces which included old and modern settings of well-known texts associated with Remembrance Day. The occasion brought together our sacred choral family; pupils in Year 6 to Upper 6th working together and blending in harmony. Parents, Old Caterhamians and staff were moved by the recital and congratulations must go to all of the singers for their continued dedication to their role in providing excellent music for whole-school occasions such as Remembrance Day, Carol Services and Speech Day.
Autumn Term Music Examination Successes
29 talented pupils successfully passed ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music) exams in the Autumn term, with over half achieving merits or distinctions.
This term’s incredible results demonstrate the highly impressive skills and dedication of our music pupils, this time ranging from Year 5 in the Prep School through to Upper Sixth in the Senior School, under nerve racking exam conditions. Not only were their musical and vocal performances examined, they were also tested on scales, sight reading and aural ability. Pupils have worked extremely hard, many of them also practicing and contributing weekly to music events across the school as members of choirs, ensembles and soloists, making these results hugely deserved.
Congratulations go to all our pupils who were entered. Special recognition goes to those awarded the highest level of distinction:
Senior pupils: Bjorn M and Rodney L
Prep pupils: Dylan J and Stephan J
Lunchtime Recital at St. John’s Church in Caterham
Pupils from the Prep School performed alongside Senior School musicians in a superb recital at one of our local churches.
The Prep Piano Quartet opened the concert and performed with great confidence, playing a selection of pieces written specially for young piano trios.
From the senior school, there were excellent performances from several of our chamber ensembles: Piano Trio, String Quartet and Flute Choir. The Flute Choir was only established this year, but already they are performing to a high level and gave a very mature performance of the beautiful ‘Andantino’ by Bozza. The String Quartet treated the audience to movements from the famous
‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ by Mozart, while the Piano Trio gave a polished rendition of one of Reinecke’s Piano Trios.
Solo flautist Lucy B performed confidently in a sublime arrangement of ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ by Jerome Kern, while Ammara K (clarinet) and Alice H (flute) treated the audience to two wonderful Saint-Saens pieces: the ‘Romance’ for flute and the ‘Sonata
Spring Twilight Concert –JAZZ
EDITION
The Music Department held a special ‘Jazz Edition’ of the Twilight Concert Series.
The Swing Band, and several solo performers, benefitted from the expertise of a guest conductor and jazz musician. Hans Koller is a renowned jazz pianist, and is Head of Jazz Programmes at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Dr Koller worked on the Swing Band’s repertoire, ensemble skills and improvisation technique, and conducted them for the concert. Aspiring double bass
jazz players Henry B and William J learnt how to play a jazz bass line with Dr Koller on the piano, and then performed their improvised piece in the concert. Saxophonist Alex J (Prep Year 6) was able to perform a duo piece with Dr Koller improvising an accompaniment at the piano. The concert featured several more performances in a jazz style, with excellent contributions from Mumu Z, who performed
for Clarinet and Piano’. The Zheng Piano Trio ended the recital with a precise performance of Tarantella in A minor, also by Saint-Saens. The Trio has recently performed this piece at the Pro Corda Chamber Music Festival, and have progressed to the semi-final of the competition.
The recital was part of the church’s regular ‘Munch with Music’ concert series, which has a loyal local following, giving Caterham pupils an excellent opportunity to perform in their local community.
Darius Milhaud’s ‘Scaramouche’ and Lynus L and Ethan G, who performed their own arrangement of the Waltz from Shostakovich’s first Jazz Suite.
November TWILIGHT CONCERT
Our final concert for the term was a fun and enjoyable concert featuring a huge variety of musical styles performed by choirs, chamber groups, duets, trios and solos with pupils from all year groups represented.
The versatility of the musicians was impressive, effortlessly transitioning between genres and demonstrating their musicianship. Highlights would include an outstanding performance of Elvis’s ‘Blue Christmas’ by Namratha D. The Junior Piano Trio (Mathilde G, Mannix K and Ethan G) demonstrated their high technical abilities. Spencer T and Rodney L performed an accomplished
Music Scholars’ Concert - an evening of style and excellence
OUR ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ CONCERT WAS AN EVENING OF STYLE AND EXCELLENCE.
All performers showed precision, confidence, depth and passion in their playing. Repertoire was diverse and exciting- ranging from early Baroque and extending to modern masterpieces. Second Year to Upper Sixth were represented and congratulations must go to Second Year Holly C for her wonderful performance of El Choclo; a complex tango for violin. Other notable performances were given by saxophonist Mumu Z, cellist Mannix K and pianist Ethan G. The concert ended with stunning solos by flautist Alice H and cellist Jae C (both Upper Sixth). These talented pupils have demonstrated exemplary dedication to music as soloists and ensemble players throughout their school life since First Year. Their finesse and musicianship was a joy to hear as they performed in their final Music Scholars’ Concert. Congratulations and well done to all performers on this evening of wonderful music in our beautiful Wilberforce Hall.
piano duet of Debussy’s ‘Petite Suite’. Alfred D, flute solo, delighted all with his performance of the challenging ‘Fujiko’ by Andy Scott. The Twilight Concert was a lovely occasion for Vocalpoint and Close Harmony to perform a selection of jazz and pop songs, accompanied by the music team. Congratulation to all performers on a wonderful, light-hearted concert; ideal for the last in our musical events this term.
COPTHORNE & CATERHAM
Schools in Unison!
Singers from Caterham School’s ETS and Copthorne School’s Year 5 and 6 choir joined forces for a delightful recording session in our Wilberforce Hall.
The choirs rehearsed briefly together then set about recording two contrasting pieces: Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You and the famous gospelinspired Love Shine a Light recorded by Katrina & The Waves. The pupils learnt some basic recording techniques and heard about the difference in approach when singing for a recording versus live performance. All pupils sang with energy and worked hard at creating a lovely, blended sound. It was wonderful to welcome singers from Copthorne School and their wonderful staff- a fantastic occasion to combine the talents and musicianship in both schools. We look forward to working on future projects with their delightful pupils.
Our Musical Theatre showcase was an outstanding evening filled with an electrifying mix of classic tunes and contemporary hits that included song from musicals from 1934 to 2017.
Our compere for the evening was a special guest, Robert Bruce (singer, actor, dancer, producer, stage manager, director and skilled ‘raconteur’) who has worked alongside Musicals legends such as Sir Cameron Macintosh, Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Sir Tim Rice. Robert was highly impressed by every performer and could not have been more complimentary about the standard of singing shown. Our huge thanks go to our team of vocal Visiting Music Teachers here at school.
One of the most enchanting aspects of the evening was the blend of old and new musicals. From the timeless melodies of Somewhere from “West Side Story” to the modern RnB groove
Musical Theatre Evening -
a true showcase of
talent
of Burn from “Hamilton,” every performance was a testament to the enduring power of musical theatre across generations. It was inspiring to see the pupils bring these iconic songs to life with such passion and skill, breathing new life into beloved classics while also embracing the spirit of innovation in more contemporary pieces. Our opening item, You Will Be Found from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ was an uplifting choral moment from Chamber Choir and soloists.
The talent on display was highly impressive. From the stunning vocal performances to the impressive staging, it was clear that each pupil had given special thought into the creative performance. Enjoyable costumes
The evening was filled with the sense of community and camaraderie.
and dance brought characters to life as well as the accompaniment from our staff band.
The evening was filled with the sense of community and camaraderie. It was evident that the pupils were not only passionate about performing but also about supporting one another and celebrating each other’s successes. Congratulations must go to every single performerthere are too many highlights to mention any particular act. But, our Upper Sixth most certainly deserve mention and thanks for their final musical theatre performances at the school, as well as their dedication and commitment to choral singing; Bella B, Olivia A and Zandile M.
NATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION, PRO CORDA SUCCESS
The Zheng Trio, consisting of Fiona (Lower Sixth), Alice (Upper Sixth) and Ammara (Upper Sixth) gave an outstandingly musical performance of Saint-Saëns’ Tarantella in the qualifying round of the Pro Corda Festival, resulting in them progressing to the Grand Final of the competition.
The Zheng Trio were selected from a vast number of chamber ensembles in the United Kingdom, performing Saint-Saëns’ Tarantella - a virtuosic piece of music with technical challenges alongside beautiful, lyrical melodies throughout.
The group have an exceptionally warm and friendly dynamic and the adjudicator made comments about their excellent rapport. He
mentioned how as soloists they are clearly superb, as chamber music requires a balance between performing as both a soloist and accompanist and varying these roles dynamically throughout.
The final round was held at Central Foundation Boys School in Central London. The adjudicator was Dr Evan Rothstein, Deputy Head of Strings at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.
Pro Corda is the National Chamber Music Festival for Schools and is the only youth music organisation in the UK providing a continuous and progressive programme of education through the medium of chamber music and ensemble training from age 5 to 24. Congratulations and bravo to the Zheng Trio
Lunchtime Live: VOCALPOINT CHOIR INSPIRE
Our girls’ choir, Vocalpoint were delighted to have such a wonderful audience at an impromptu Lunchtime Live Concert.
Members of our fantastic prep school Senior Choir came to hear a selection of pop songs from Vocalpoint; Rhianna’s ‘Diamonds (with soloist Olivia B), Pink’s ‘What about Us’, Sam Smith’s ‘I’m not the only one’, Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ and Sia’s ‘Titanium’. There is wonderful energy for choral singing at Caterham Prep School and it is great to see and hear a through-school approach to singing. We invite Year 6’s to join Vocalpoint next academic year and boys who enjoy singing to join Close Harmony. A huge thank you to Vocalpoint for their lunchtime showcase and also to our Prep School for their enthusiasm- we look forward to welcoming some excellent singers to the Senior School soon!
Alfred D wins Recital Class
First Year, Alfred D was awarded a cup for wining the Recital Class in the Reigate and Redhill Music Festival performing on the Flute.
This is Alfred’s principal study instrument- he is also a talented Saxophonist and keen composer. Alfred is a Music Scholar who dedicates much of his time to music at the school- a member of a number of ensembles and an excellent choral singer in ETS where he has toured abroad and enjoyed some wonderful highlights singing alongside Chamber Choir.
Well done and congratulations to Alfred on his success.
Stylish Early Music Soirée
The Early Music Soirée was a wonderful celebration of instrumental, vocal and choral music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods of music (pre 1750).
Throughout the day our guest Early Music specialist, Dr Katie de la Matter (Caterham School VMT) gave workshops and coaching sessions on the harpsichord.
Dr de la Matter has performed with a plethora of groups and performers who specialise in historical performances and her expertise was gratefully received by our pupils. She also gave a graceful and polished performance of Handel’s Keyboard Suite No. 1 in Bb Major, HWV 434 followed by a keyboard arrangement of Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga.
A Soirée is a gathering for people for conversation, food, drink and music and much of the music written during Baroque period would have been written for occasions such as these; usually commissioned by wealthy aristocrats or royalty, for example the Margrave of Brandenburg and J S Bach.
Caterham School’s Consort, a new ensemble, specialises in performing music from the early Classical period of music and earlier. It is a small and intimate ensemble of string instrumentalists, woodwind and continuo (harpsichord/organ).
Highlights of the instrumental music of the evening were two concerti by J S Bach. The first, Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060 (first movement) with concertino soloists Abi P and Chup Hei W on the oboe and violin
respectively. This was a vibrant and rich performance with busy textures and imitative interplay. The penultimate performance of the evening was the second concerto performance of the evening, all three movements of J S Bach’s triumphant Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, BWV 1049. The concertino soloists of this piece were the talented Annie L, Lucy B and Alice H on the violin and flutes. The first movement was a lively and bright performance with stunning solo moments as well as uplifting tutti passages throughout. This was swiftly followed by the yearning and emotive Andante movement, with antiphonal dialogue between the orchestra and soloists. The movement concludes with a lyrical and ponderous passage by the flute and two uncertain and unfinished chords. The performance swiftly started with the jaunty Presto movement throughout which all performers embraced the contrapuntal exuberance and interweaving melodic passages.
Praise must go to Catherine Y (Second Year) who carried out the role of continuo player throughout much of the event with real professionalism, confidence and assurance. Catherine is also a gifted organist and violinist and it is fantastic to see her musicianship and confidence continue to flourish.
Lynus L, Ethan G and Oliver G all gave harpsichord interludes
throughout the evening; putting their learnings from the masterclass given by Dr de la Matter earlier in the day. Pupils enjoyed the experience of performing some of their pieces they usually perform on the piano on a historical replica and gave authentic and mature performances.
There were four stunning vocal performances throughout the evening; Olivia B performing Giordani’s lyrical and ponderous Caro mio ben. Emily B gave an exquisite performance of Purcell’s Music for a While – demonstrating expert understanding of the song and the style. Ines H-M gave a beautiful performance of Handel’s operatic aria, Ombra mai fu; her excellent projection and musical detail and expression throughout was superb. Tiffany K’s performance of Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga was truly sublime! The clarity and warmth in her performance as well as the expressive, ornate and dynamic melodic embellishments in the de capo of the aria was sumptuous and affecting.
The Chamber Choir delighted the audience with motets by Handel and Purcell. They provided the chorus for Tanya C’s beautiful performance of Purcell’s Dido’s Lament which was mournful and moving. The evening concluded with a jolly madrigal, Morley’s Now is the month of maying. All members of the choir, audience and staff had smiles on their faces and it was a fitting end to a fantastic celebration of early music.
All pupils are congratulated for their musicianship and willingness to perform at this creative evening.
Choral Triumph in Normandy
Our annual choir tour took ETS and Chamber Choir to Normandy, a wonderful region of France which is known for its interesting culture.
Our choirs performed in both services and concerts to an incredibly high standard with repertoire that celebrated British choral composers that included Tavener, Elgar, Vaughan-Williams and many others. There were many highlights; the acoustics in the basilica Sainte Therese in Lisieux was particularly stunning and together with the jaw-dropping beauty of the crypt, provided an inspiring setting. This magnificent basilica was the first venue on the tour where our choirs participated in a mass. High praise was given by members of the public and visiting Bishops and, a choral director from the Conservatoire in Paris. Our choirs’ tone and blend was particularly notable and they exuded confidence in every piece. Following the service, a full concert was performed, repeated later that evening in a performance at the coastal town of Villers-sur-Mer at the beautiful Eglise de Saint-Martin. Our final performance was given the following day at Eglise SaintPatrice in the famous town of Bayeux. At each performance, local attendees commented on the professionalism and high standard of the choirs. Our soloists from both choirs must be congratulated as well as our own Organ Scholar,
Catherine Y (Second Year). Her performances on this tour were most impressive- working with mechanical and historic organs is particularly challenging.
Aside from performances, time was found for cultural discoveryour visit to the 360 degree cinema in Arromanches was both moving and through-provoking. And, in contrast to the formal singing at our performances, our music quiz night and ‘live karaoke’ sessions were huge fun and enjoyed by all. These down-time activities highlighted the sheer talent of our singers in ETS and Chamber Choir in musical theatre and pop singing. Awesome harmonies made for some very uplifting and memorable moments.
Most striking on this tour was the continued camaraderie between the singers and choirs as well as the success of the through-school approach to music at Caterham School. Our pupils ranged from Prep Year 6 to Upper Sixth with friendships across year groups. This, together with the supportive and encouraging nature of our singers created a real sense of ‘family’.
Well done to every member of this fantastic tour- we look forward already to our next tour to The Netherlands.
SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERT
Our series of informal Twilight Concerts continued with a lovely range of vocal and instrumental music performed with confidence, character and conviction by pupils from First to Fifth Years.
The audience was treated to a showcase of the wonderful array of musical talent at Caterham.
Elliot W began the programme with a beautiful arrangement of the jazz standard Fly Me To The Moon, and Isaac K took us to the Baroque era with a delightful Telemann flute sonata movement, before Natasha C gave a polished performance of the musical theatre classic, Send In The Clowns, arranged for trombone.
From the second year, Ava W delivered a wonderful performance of A Whole New World from the Disney classic Aladdin, before Aaradhana S gave a poised rendition of the classical standard Panis Angelicus by Franck.
Lynus L gave a technically accomplished performance of the Baiao movement from Francaix’s Five Exotic Dances for saxophone, and Lucy B ended the recital with a very musically assured performance of the second movement from Berkeley’s Flute Sonata.
Well done and thank you to all who took part. Twilight Concerts are open to all pupils who wish to perform- please do speak to members of the music department for more information.
Live Lounge Extra: A FANTASTIC DAY OF LIVE MUSIC FOR ALL AGES!
Our first ever Live Lounge ‘Extra’ was hosted at St John’s Church in Caterham.
We were honoured to be able to not only perform at this beautiful venue, but also to be able to raise money for St John’s Church who regularly provide us with a wonderful, atmospheric venue for all kinds of musical performances.
Session one for First to Third year saw some stand out performances, including Finley R (Third Year) kicking of proceedings with his upbeat rendition of KT Tunstall’s ‘Suddenly I See’. Ann T (Third Year) gave a moving performance of ‘Grenade’ by Bruno Mars whilst Aggie P (Second Year) gave an uplifting performance of Anne Marie’s ‘Unhealthy’. Healy D (Third Year) finished the first session
with an enigmatic rendition of Sam Smith’s ‘Writing’s on the Wall’. We were also delighted to welcome four pupils in year five and six from St John’s Primary School who all performed brilliantly and confidently. A wonderful start to the afternoon from all our younger pupils.
Session two for Fourth Year to Sixth Form featured another set of amazing numbers. Will C (Fourth Year) opened the session with a joyful performance of Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day’, with other highlights including Alice K (L6) performing a beautiful version of ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel, Sami O’D (Fourth Year) with a haunting performance of Chris Cornell’s ‘You Know my Name’ and Ines H-M (Fourth Year) with
a stunning performance of Celine Dion’s ‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’. A huge congratulations to all our senior pupils - it would take too long to name them all, but every performance was outstanding. Thank you and well done also to Vocalpoint, Close Harmony and Chamber Choir for their uplifting numbers.
And finally, session three for staff and parents was a short but spectacular set from Caterham School’s finest! A huge thank you and congratulations to Mrs Rounds, Mrs Webster, Mr Chris Jones and Mr Terrell for four outstanding, upbeat and enjoyable performances.
A brilliant day for the whole community - congratulations to all who took part.
End of Year FANTASTIC MUSICAL SUCCESS FOR PUPILS!
30 talented pupils from across Caterham Prep and Senior Schools successfully passed ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music) exams in the Summer term, with half achieving merits or distinctions.
This is reflective of the extraordinary talent and commitment of all our pupils, during a very busy end of year for them. Not only have they achieved these fantastic results, but they also contribute weekly to our choirs, orchestras and as solo performers. As well as performing pieces, candidates are tested on scales, sight reading and aural ability. The examiner was hugely impressed by each candidates’ performance. These results are highly deserved – congratulations go to all our pupils for their hard work and determination.
Special recognition goes to those awarded the highest level of distinction: Isabella M and Stella VL
Gold Medal FOR FLORENCE
Florence N (Third Year) was awarded the Gold Medal for the International Piano Professionals Association, National Round. Florence performed Schumann’s Abegg Variations, Op. 1.
A piece requiring dexterous precision and musical mastery. Florence holds an immense amount of musical talent and has given numerous, outstanding performances already in her short time at Caterham School, including a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto, K414 (first movement) with Sinfonia in the Spring Term. We would like to congratulate Florence for this fine achievement, and we look forward to hearing of more musical success in the future.
VOICE and HARP MASTERCLASS
Students of voice and harp from Caterham Prep and Senior Schools participated in a special workshop day with two visiting professional musicians.
Mimi Doulton enjoys a busy career as an operatic soloist and had just returned from the US, where she was singing in the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the LA Phil, conducted by Thomas Ades, one of the most successful British musicians of his generation. Harpist Olivia Jageurs is famous for her Harpy Hour Zoom concerts and 15-Second Harp Commissions where composer may submit works which she performs and records; she also
recorded harp for the recent Robbie Williams Netflix documentary.
Around 20 singers and 7 harpists (from prep and senior school) enjoyed learning new and exciting repertoire, including British folksong, old French troubadour songs from the 10th century, as well as some contemporary works. The harpists learned to improvise and accompany the singers. Parents were invited to join us at the end of
MUSIC SCHOLARS’ PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP DAY
the day for a sharing performance of the music they had learned, and pupils were treated to a performance from Mimi and Olivia. This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to perform side-by-side with professional musicians and inspire them to take an interest in new styles of music.
Around 40 Music Scholarship and Exhibition holders attended a full day of musical activities, designed to challenge them, introduce them to new music, and to develop their practice as performers. This is an important part of our programme for Music Scholars, many of whom are very much involved with the musical life of the school.
All orchestral players came together to rehearse two classics of orchestral repertoire: Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Copland’s Hoe-Down from Rodeo.
Pupils then divided into their orchestral disciplines and attended sectional masterclasses, where all scholars performed to their peers and worked on various aspects of interpretation, performance technique, operatic recitative technique, and piano accompaniment, among other things.
On the day, scholars had the benefit of working with professional musician Panaretos Kyriatzidis, who has formed a successful career as a solo performer, vocal coach, opera producer and workshop leader. Pupils performed their piece to the rest of the group, followed by feedback and guidance from Panaretos.
The day was a wonderful celebration of the wealth of musical talent that we have at Caterham, and a fantastic opportunity for scholars to perform to each other and enhance their musicianship.
Summer Concert Entertainment
The Summer Concert was a triumph and showcased a variety of ensembles from Caterham School, ranging from the Symphony Orchestra to piano trios. The concert began with the Symphony Orchestra delivering a magical performance of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” capturing the enchanting atmosphere of the 1940 Disney film, Pinocchio.
This was followed by two more traditional symphonic pieces: Haydn’s Andante from Symphony No. 94 “Surprise,” which encapsulated the humorous nature of Haydn’s writing, and the stunningly lyrical and uplifting opening movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral.”
The Flute Choir gave a regal performance of “Three Pieces from Music for the Royal Fireworks” by Handel. This neat and precise performance was led entirely by pupils. The String Quartet presented two pieces: a harmonically rich arrangement of Arlen/Yarburg’s “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, and a wonderful arrangement of Fauré’s “Pie Jesu.” Following this, The Bridge Trio performed the Andante from Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 2, a beautiful piece featuring Third Year
pupils Florence N, Bradyn C, and Mannix K.
Caterham Consort delivered a superb performance of Karl Jenkins’ “Palladio.” They played with uniformity, musicality, and panache. Caterham Consort, a new ensemble formed in September 2023, specialises in small-scale music from the Baroque and early Classical periods. “Palladio,” though a Twentieth Century composition, shares many musical features with Baroque music and is written for a string ensemble. The Chamber Choir and Eric Thiman Singers will perform another Jenkins masterpiece, The Armed Man, in November.
The Saxophone Ensemble gave a spirited performance of de Falla’s “Ritual Fire Dance,” followed by Williams’ iconic “Cantina Band” from the blockbuster film Star Wars: A New Hope. The Boarders’
Ensemble then delivered a magical performance of a Disney Medley, arranged by Fourth Year GCSE musicians Ian W, Antonia P, and Annette S. This delightful arrangement featured an eclectic instrumental combination, showcasing the pupils’ creativity and initiative.
The concert concluded with three performances by The Swing Band, featuring Dr. Brammeld’s composition “Brammo’s Blues,” a sumptuous arrangement of “Summertime,” and a vibrant and joyous performance of Hancock’s “Watermelon Man.” Special mention must go to the soloists of this ensemble: Ethan T (trumpet), Ethan G (keys), and Alfred D (saxophone). Overall, the concert was a wonderful celebration of the musical talent at Caterham School, full of energy, positivity, and delightful music.
DRAMA, THEATRE & DANCE
TUSK. TUSK.
Truly Touching Performances
This year’s Sixth Form Play saw the Deayton Theatre transformed into the run-down house of three siblings, Eliot, Maggie and Finn, all trying to navigate a world in which they’ve been left alone.
Tusk Tusk, written by Polly Stenham and directed by Lilly W and Millie Y in Lower Sixth Form, was both a heartwarming and tragic portrayal of what happens when children are left to fend for themselves, trying to make the best out of an awful situation.
Max K, Scarlett C and Zandi A took on the roles of the siblings and simultaneously made the audience laugh whilst breaking their hearts. Their touching and wholly believable performances as three children trying to survive, truly struck a nerve.
Adding to the children’s chaotic existence was Cassie, played by Zoë T, Eliot’s love interest and attempted voice of reason; a cantankerous woman from upstairs, played by Alice K, and a pair of family friends, Katie & Roland, played by Emily B and Tristan E, whose marriage fell apart before our eyes in the final scene. The supporting cast were fantastic at fleshing out the story and bringing the world that the siblings inhabited to life.
A huge congratulations must go to the cast for their work on this challenging and thought-provoking
production, but an even bigger pat-on-the-back has to go to their directors, Lilly & Millie. Taking on the direction of the Sixth Form Play is no mean feat. Not only did they have to manage and direct their close friends and peers (not an easy task when descending into giggles is a regular occurrence!) but they also had to deal with clashing timetables, lack of rehearsal space and a text that revealed some exceptionally challenging staging moments. How would you stage a seven-year-old swinging and falling from a chandelier?! I have been so impressed with their perseverance, dedication, and enthusiastic approach to this highly ambitious text. Despite moments of fear (“They still haven’t learnt their lines!”) and debates around certain logistics (“Are you sure we can’t do more blood?”) they absolutely pulled it out of the bag. Well done!
Sixth Form Drama Trip Swan Up to the RSC
On Tuesday 3 October, Lower Sixth drama pupils went to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the hometown of William Shakespeare
Starting with a visit to the RSC’s exhibition, ‘The Play’s the Thing’, the group had a great time getting hands-on with the interactive elements. From trying on elements of costume, to using a pulley to fly The Tempest’s Ariel across the stage, and even performing the role of Hamlet opposite a professional actor, they did it all.
Next was a visit to Shakespeare’s New Place, the site where he built his family home at the height of his success. Despite the building no longer existing (a later owner was fed up with strangers knocking on the door wanting to see where Shakespeare lived!) we were able to explore the gardens and beautiful statues that had been erected in honour of some of his greatest works. A special treat came when we were able to see one of Shakespeare’s first folios- a rare sight!
The sightseeing continued with a fantastic backstage tour of the RSC’s Swan Theatre and costume workshops. We were lucky enough to get ‘behind the curtain’ and see a touring production’s set up ahead
of their performance that evening. There were immaculately organised props tables, specially designated changing areas, and the odd wig or two. It was a fascinating insight into how a professional theatre operates daily. We were then escorted to the RSC’s dedicated costume building and learned that all RSC productions have their costumes
made in house, with each actor having their own customary outfits. As well as the ‘standard’ workspaces, we also saw the dedicated workshops of milliners, armourers and material dyers, and all left feeling in awe of the amount of work that goes in to dressing a production. To end the day, we enjoyed a startling and provocative production of Macbeth, set in a future where people have returned to a more primitive state and the Macbeths’ lust for power is set amongst a ruinous landscape. The whole production had an ominous, eerie quality which left everyone feeling slightly uneasy, but also impressed by the sheer level of energy and dedication shown by all the actors. ›
›
All in all, it was a fantastic trip which gave real insight into how a Shakespeare production comes to life, and the pupils left ready and enthused to begin their study of King Lear.
JUNIOR DRAMA SCHOLARS Transported to 1930s New York
On Friday 10 May, the Junior Drama scholars (and some Sixth Form Drama leaders) took a trip to 1930s New York to see some ‘Guys & Dolls’ getting up to no good!
Mesmerised by the moving parts of the stage and high energy of the show, staff and students alike were clapping along and grinning from ear to ear as this joyful production reminded us what theatre can do. This golden age musical, newly staged at the Bridge Theatre in London, rightly deserves its accolades and awards, with the cast and crew doing an outstanding job of transporting us to the gambling underbelly of New York. It was also an excellent example of how a show in the round, with immersive audience elements, can really make you feel like you’re part of the action, even when you’re sat in the gods! Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening.
‘SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY’
In the spring term we fell down the rabbit hole to Wonderland and invited audiences into Laura Wade’s upside-down dream-state for a night of spectacular fun and heart felt revelations.
Tackling an adaptation of such a well-known classic is no mean feat, yet the cast and crew more than rose to the challenge, bringing their own spin to already complex characters living in a crazy world.
Lead by the fantastic Emily S as Alice, the performers worked together harmoniously as a true ensemble, guiding us alongside Alice as she learns to navigate feelings of grief and love.
Undeterred by complex ensemble scenes, the cast and crew also embraced the challenges of working with a combination of different mediums of performance: silhouettes, shadows and projections. This was highly ambitious and thanks to their level heads and admirable determination, the team took to these challenges like ducks to water, and proved themselves versatile actors and crew members. I am particularly grateful to the pupils for approaching each rehearsal with an enthusiasm and focus that would rival a professional rehearsal room! Thanks to their hard work and passion for the creative process, we were able to create something that they should all be incredibly proud of.
A production like this would not have been possible without the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes. With this in mind I would like to thank Mr Barnes, Mr Baddeley, Miss Guttner, Miss Fahey and Mrs Yankova for all of the hard work and support they invested to bring Wonderland to life.
Congratulations again to all involved for creating, in the words of the White Rabbit, ‘something so beautiful it takes your breath away’.
Aoife Parr, Director in Residence
The Lightning Thief
This year’s senior school musical took us on a journey to Camp Half Blood where Perseus Jackson learned what it meant to be the son of Poseidon.
The Lightning Thief, based on the Percy Jackson novels by Rick Riordan, follows the half blood’s journey as he goes on a quest with his two best friends; the tough daughter of Athena, and a well-meaning Satyr. Along the way they have to face monsters alongside their own inner demons, and overcome it all to retrieve Zeus’ lost lightning bolt.
When the musical was announced in spring 2023, scepticism ruled. The Lightning Thief is not a particularly well-known show, especially as it hasn’t really crossed the Atlantic. Pupils were aware of the novels (some were big fans!) but the idea of the musical didn’t necessarily spark immediate joy. Nevertheless, we had a great turn out for auditions and ended up with an incredible cast. It’s safe to say that by closing night, the scepticism had dissipated. In talking to audience members after each performance, the comment that came up repeatedly was how clear it was that the cast were having a great time. I concur: backstage, the mood was euphoric every evening, sometimes hysterical, and always exceptionally positive and supportive. I was so impressed to see pupils from across the year groups, Third Year to Upper Sixth, crew members included, encouraging each other
and enjoying the experience as a whole team. This has genuinely been one of the most collaborative and cohesive productions I’ve had to the fortune to direct, and I’ve loved every second of working with this phenomenally talented and kind group of pupils. Congratulations to everyone who helped me put this (bonkers) production together. The music, special effects and performances joined in perfect harmony to create a production none of us will forget in a while. And the cherry on top of the cake? We are nominated in four categories in this year’s National School Theatre Awards: Best Production, Best Actor (Max K), Best Actress (Emily B) and Best Female Solo (Zoe T). Finalists and selected performers are invited to an awards ceremony in London later in the year, so keep your fingers crossed for us!
Miss Guttner, Director of Drama
The Lightning Thief Cast Hit the Red Carpet Ahead of Performance at National
School Theatre Awards.
At the end of June some of the cast of The Lightning Thief took to the red carpet at this year’s National School Theatre Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding school productions from across the country and, as well as being nominated in four categories, we were thrilled to be invited to perform at the awards ceremony itself. Alongside 12 other schools, the cast took to the stage at the Shaw Theatre and did us proud with their rendition of Killer Quest. When Zoe hit her top note, the cheers and applause from the audience almost drowned her out!
Perhaps the most thrilling part of the event was the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. In their snazziest outfits, pupils had photos taken in front of the NSTA backdrop and several of our cast were interviewed by Abbie Budden; a West End performer and Tik Tok star! The evening was a fantastic celebration of the arts, with NSTA patrons (all working in the theatre industry themselves) sharing their experiences of performing at school and the launch it gave them into the careers. It was also fantastic to see all the pupils genuinely supporting each other; wishing each other luck before going on stage, giving enthusiastic congratulations afterwards and leading several standing ovations when awards were won.
It was heartwarming to see how the Performing Arts are cherished by so many, and the difference it can make in the lives of people from a variety of backgrounds. Despite not leaving with an award, we did all leave with a huge sense of pride and excitement over what the future holds.
OUTDOOR ACTION
Orchard Theatre Festival
Over 2 nights at the end of term actors from across the school took to our sunny outdoor stage as part of the Orchard Theatre Festival. Hosted by the comedic duo of Emily and Max, both evenings saw a wide range of performances ranging from heartfelt monologues to impressive magic tricks from our Prep performers!
Highlights from Thursday’s show included the Theatre in Education (TIE) performance on neurodiversity. Over several months 13 pupils worked together to create an educational yet amusing show that sought to explain neurodiversity to primary school aged students. After touring local primary schools, the show was brought back to Caterham and was a raging success amongst the audience thanks to its humour and informative nature. Alongside TIE, Thursday saw a group performance of an extract from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With incredible performances from all of the pupils involved, particularly Stella’s Augustus Gloop, it was wonderful to see so many confident and engaged actors bringing to life Roald Dahl’s classic text.
As the evening progressed and the sun started to set, we moved into smaller group pieces including an absurdist duologue from Joseph K, a comedic conversation from Mean Girls and a rousing monologue titled Freedom Fighter. ›
DRAMA, THEATRE & DANCE
There was even a rendition of Ex Wives from Six the Musical before Zandi & Tristan in the Upper Sixth closed the evening with The Shape of Things, marking the end of their dramatic pursuits at Caterham.
Oliver Clegg and Elliott Ross kicked off Friday evening’s senior performances with an extract titled We’re on a Mission, which saw two best friends attempt to take a photo with a celebrity only for it to go horribly wrong. With audience interaction and larger-than-life characters, the duo brought the house down. The comedic tone of the evening was carried on by Emily and Holly’s duologue from Lady Windermere’s Fan, in which Holly played the gossipy Duchess of Berwick and Emily played the slighted Lady Windermere. Shocking revelations, strong performances and amusing quips kept the audience on their toes throughout. The tone of the evening shifted as we heard a heartfelt message during Olivia and Emily’s extract from the hit film Barbie and host Max’s moving extract on the challenges of parenting from Call Me By Your Name.
of escalating apologises to the public forum. The performance was nothing short of hilarious thanks to the tight knit ensemble work and wacky characters dreamt up by the Lower Sixth. Directed by Rosie, our very own Tech Captain, this was a real highlight!
And, as tradition now dictates, the festival was brought to a close by some of our very own teachers, treading the boards in their version of Matilda. This year they were (quite necessarily!) supported by the hosts, Emily & Max, whose performances as Miss Honey & Miss Trunchbull pulled the whole thing together.
Frantic Four-Hour Workshop
Fourth Year Drama pupils were treated to a four-hour physical theatre workshop with renowned theatre company, Frantic Assembly. Pupils learned about the mechanics of lifting their fellow actors, how to use building blocks to create string of material and how to work collaboratively through touch to create an engaging piece of theatre. It was a fascinating workshop which led to some interesting discoveries about how stories can be told on stage, and how work can be created.
“I was able to put down my personal barriers and interact with people more physically.”
“I loved learning the lifts and seeing how I could incorporate one into a piece of drama.”
“I enjoyed finding out how each little exercise came together to create one big structured piece.”
“I think that the different techniques that we used will be very useful for devising in the future.”
The penultimate performance by the Lower Sixth, A Series of Public Apologies (in response to an unfortunate incident in the school lavatories), saw an absurd incident that took place within a school bathroom provoke a series
Listed above was just a small selection of the amazing performances staged during the festival, and the Drama department wants to thank and congratulate everyone who was involved in the festival. You should all be incredibly proud of your performances – what a way to end the year!
Devising Drama with The Paper Birds
On Tuesday 12 September, A Level Drama pupils from the Lower and Upper Sixth were treated to a workshop by Camila from the renowned theatre company, The Paper Birds.
The Paper Birds are a devising theatre company, nationally recognised as leaders in their field. They make social and political commentaries through physical and verbatim theatre. They are also our prescribed practitioner for the A Level course and so it was fantastic for the pupils to get first-hand experience of their methodology.
The workshop looked at how to create and develop verbatim theatre, taking into account the company’s five key ingredients: Verbatim, Character and Narrative, Movement, Motif and Exposing the Method. The pupils were taken through a series of exercises which had them performing as each other, creating human obstacle courses and experimenting with sound collages! They learned a lot and are now enthused and ready to devise their own pieces of theatre in the style of The Paper Birds!
Heading to the Underworld at HADESTOWN
In April, Drama Scholars and members of the Drama Captains team made their way to the underworld to witness the story of Orpheus & Eurydice in the West-End musical, Hadestown.
Whilst some of us went in knowing the Greek myth at its heart, others could be heard audibly gasping by the end, devastated by the story’s inevitable conclusion. With a soundtrack that transports you from the underworld to the Jazz bars of New Orleans and back, and a diverse cast of actors that left some of us speechless, this was a production worth waiting for.
The show used spell-binding lighting, actormusicians incorporated into the drama live on stage, and incredible dance sequences to help imbue Hadestown with a sense of grandeur and style. A particular highlight of the evening was the use of the hydraulic and revolving stage which allowed us to greet Hades as he emerged from the depths, but also say goodbye to Eurydice on her final descent with suitable dramatic flair. Overall, the trip was a huge success and will prove to be memorable for both the pupils and the staff alike.
Primary School Tie Tour is a Huge Success
May saw a very merry band of Third Year pupils spent their lunchtimes touring round local primary schools with their Theatre in Education production on neurodiversity.
Aimed at Years 4 and 5, the cast were wonderfully engaging, educational and professional, teaching the primary school children about four key types of neurodiversity: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Autism in an accessible and high energy format, focusing on these as superpowers not just challenges. Based around a ‘school day’, the piece included rapping, singing, dancing and a very catchy hashtag: Zest4Life! We even had
Dr Richard Evans supporting one of the performances, and felt he summed up how empowering these projects are for both the pupils in it and the audience: ‘When I left the Prep School this afternoon, I thought, “I wish I’d been able to take part in Theatre In Education or something like it when I was at school.”’ The cast performed this again in the Orchard Theatre in June.
GCSE DEVISED PIECES PERFORMED
On Tuesday 17th October the Fifth Year Drama pupils performed their GCSE devised pieces to an audience of family and friends. They had been working on their original pieces since September and it was fantastic to finally see them come to fruition. Each piece left the audience with something to think about; what harm is being caused by shortages in the NHS? How can we better look after the people who look after us? Do the choices we make when we’re young, determine our futures? How do we live with the things that weigh us down? We were hugely proud of the performances given by the pupils and the depth of issues they explored.
An Evening of Delight at LAMDA Showcase
This year’s LAMDA showcase was an evening of engaging and entertaining performances covering a range of Acting, Verse and Prose and Speaking in Public from Grade 2-8.
The audience were treated to some wonderfully humorous pieces and readings as well as two fascinating speeches about the Elgin marbles by Narayan M and stars (Isabelle H). The pupils all rose to the occasion and should be very proud of their performances, as well as having a much-deserved confidence boost.
OUTSTANDING Results from Record Number of Entries
Congratulations to the 44 pupils who took their LAMDA exams in March and who have just received superb results; 41 of the pupils were awarded Distinctions, and the remaining the highest merit mark you can achieve. This is the largest cohort of candidates to date, reflecting the continuous growth in numbers of pupils taking LAMDA lessons in the Senior School – currently 120.
With a range of grades taken by pupils from First Year to Upper Sixth, covering Grade 2 to Grade 8 across Acting, Musical Theatre, Shakespeare, Speaking in Public and Verse & Prose, these outstanding results reflect the talent of the pupils and their commitment to their lessons and the hard work of their LAMDA teachers. As usual, at this stage, we also mark the end of the LAMDA journey for many of our Sixth Form pupils and a particular congratulations should go to Anoushka G (U6) and Dante B on completing their Grade 8 Acting with the fantastically high marks of 95 and 87. Both pupils have taken LAMDA lessons and exams since the First Year with Mrs Yankova, working through many grades and a variety of disciplines and it was a fitting end to their journey and dedication.
MEET OUR DRAMA LEADERS!
We are thrilled to welcome our new Drama Leadership team for 2023-2024
At the end of last term, the Fifth Year were invited to apply for leadership positions within the Drama Department, which they did by submitting personal statements explaining their suitability for the various roles.
We were delighted that so many wanted to get involved in the dramatic life of the school, and so our leadership team is bigger than we perhaps initially expected it to be! Particularly exciting is the commitment to technical and backstage theatre that was demonstrated; rather than just one Tech Captain, we now have a whole Tech Team! We have also extended beyond Drama and into the wider world of Performing Arts, with a new Dance Captain who will be supporting Mrs Richards in keep her dancers on their toes!
The leaders will all have slightly different responsibilities depending on their given roles, from directing a Sixth Form Play, to leading a drama club for a local primary school. However, what they all have in common is a passion and enthusiasm for theatre and a desire to support and encourage anyone who might be keen to explore their theatrical interests.
Drama Captains: Emily and Max
Tech Captain: Rosie
Deputy Tech Captains: Alisha, Isabel, Patrick, Alice Dance Captain: Zoë Terrell
Sixth Form Play Directors: Lilly and Millie
Assistant Directors for TIE: Holly and Isabella
Assistant Directors for the Lower School Play: Rosie and Simi
Primary School
Drama Club Leaders: Annabel, Scarlett and Ayla
Prep LAMDA
volunteers: Sophie, Sophie and Simi
Acting for Screen Workshop
Drama scholars were treated to an Acting for Screen workshop from TheatreWorkout.
Over three hours they learned some tips and tricks for performing in front of a camera, as well as some useful hints on how best to film a self-tape; something that will be in many of their futures, I’m sure! The group were impressively energetic for a Friday afternoon and impressed their workshop leader with their imagination, tenacity and enthusiasm. Who knows, we may well be seeing some of them on our screens in the not too distant future!
by Estee, GCSE work
ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXTILES
by Bogdan, A Level work
by Cindy, GCSE work
by Meliya, A Level work
by Kate, GCSE work
by Estee, GCSE work
by Chante, A Level work
by Freya, A Level work
by Jamie, A Level work
ARTSL ive 2023Visibility
ARTSLive 2023 had it all – creativity, joy and an enthusiastic audience of pupils and parents.
The night featured an immersive exhibition of A level and GCSE Art, Photography and Textiles. It was also the launch of this year’s Cat Among the Pigeons – the school’s Arts and Humanities Magazine which features a range of pupils’ work.
The theme this year is ‘Visibility’ and this was celebrated in all forms at the exhibition. Art created over the past year, from all year groups, culminated in a spectacular fashion show. Poetry readers shared spaces with a string quartet and dancers. The popular evening was a riot of energy and colour showcasing the huge talent we have in the school. Well done to all the pupils involved.
Lower Sixth Present ARTiculation Arworks
ARTiculation 2024 got off to a flying start with our 6 shortlisted internal competitors from Lower Sixth presenting on an artwork of their choosing.
This is a prestigious competition to win a place in the national final at the National Gallery in the spring and is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to practice their oracy and critical thinking skills. The judges were impressed with the wide range of artworks selected from 1950s Sci Fi comic artworks to the photos of Hew Locke and found it hard to settle on the first, second and third placings.
Well done to the overall winner going through to the regional final in February in Folkestone, Leah P, who presented on Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s Sari design with golden corset exploring themes of female empowerment though dress and personal cultural relevance.
Origami Art Club
The new Origami Art Club has got off to a great start.
It takes place in the Library every Tuesday lunch time and is proving very popular. We have two extremely talented pupil origami makers leading and running the workshop for pupils in all years. Wayne L (Fourth Year) and Justin L (Upper Sixth) have been demonstrating each origami challenge and assisting pupils with the making process.
Lunar New Year Theme
The Origami club made beautiful paper dragons in celebration of Chinese New Year – The Year of The Dragon. The club is pupil led and this week was led by Justin L and Wayne L, who had all the other club members riveted by their amazing origami skills!
London Enrichment for Art Scholars
On Friday 17 May, art scholars from First to Fourth Year went to London for a rewards trip to celebrate all of their impressive work and efforts this year.
Marusia Shines at ‘YOUNG TALENT OF TOMORROW’ Fashion Compeition
Our Art Scholars have been competing nationally in a ‘Young Talent of Tomorrow’ fashion competition organised through Graduate Fashion Week, to design a set of fashion designs which reflect students Self Identity. They were asked to complete a huge amount of work, filling two A1 sheets with research photos, fabric and colour samples, test designs and three final designs with annotations and a mini essay about their heritage, religion, nationality, physical and online communities, or created identities.
Marusia E in Fourth year fought off a myriad of entries to come third in her age category and has won
her designs professionally printed and displayed at Graduate Fashion Week in London, a framed print of her work and tickets for her family and teacher to attend GFW24 to watch a catwalk show in June, where her work will also be digitally showcased.
Many congratulations to Marusia on her outstanding effort and achievement. This is the first time Caterham School has entered this competition, and the scholars all worked incredibly hard to produce some beautiful work. A selection of the best pieces will be exhibited in September 2024 alongside the GCSE and A Level Art Exhibition.
They began with a fast-paced walking tour of the diverse street art around Shoreditch, where they explored roads and alleyways around Brick Lane and photographed a wide range of street art which will later be a valuable resource for their school studies.
After a delicious lunch at Wagamamas they spent the afternoon demonstrating their
creative talents in a chocolatemaking workshop led by MyChocolate, London where they made their own ganache, shaped it to make truffles and decorated them. They also made large slabs of chocolate which they marbled and then decorated.
Immense fun was had by all, lots of steps counted, and they all brought home bags of chocolatey goodies to share with their families.
This year, the Design and Technology department introduced a range of exciting new projects across all key stages, seeing different equipment and materials being utilised.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
First year pupils began by designing sushi boards featuring their own logos, using workshop machines and CAD/CAM equipment including the laser cutter. They then created airline activity packs and concluded by designing products for the school’s EDGE museum, such as book stands and souvenirs to sell in the gift shop.
Second year pupils manufactured smartphone holders in the shape of deckchairs, combining the bamboo frame with Adobe Illustrator for graphic designs. In the second term we took them up the hill to the Caterham Sports Centre to explore branding in a point-of-sale project, followed by a Biomimicry USB fan project combing electronics,
woodwork, CAD software and laser cutters. Students particularly enjoyed their photography trip outside to check out Caterham’s natural environment in order to form some inspiration for the designs on the front of the fan.
Third year pupils started with a sustainable container project, learning about eco-friendly materials including Jesmonite and Bamboo board. They also followed the iterative design process to create earphone holders and finished the year designing 3D printed robot toys using Rhinoceros CAD software.
Fourth year pupils worked on a point-of-sale project for Raindrop Clean, focusing on branding and marketing while using various
manufacturing processes including vacuum forming, laser cutting, line bending and vinyl cutting. They later combined electronics and textiles in an e-textiles project, designing safety products for different stakeholders, such as runners and dogs, whilst learning the theory of new and emerging technologies within product design. ›
A Level Product Design this year contained three new Lower Sixth projects. Pupils impressed us with their extensive context investigation into opportunities for products around the outdoor learning environment, they developed impressive CAD skills and impressed the school ‘Dragons’ in their product pitch at the end, taking on board useful feedback. Lower Sixth then produced a wide range of outcomes in the wood laminating project where they developed their practical skills using a range of wood working machinery. They then went on to work on their entries for the Starpack Awards where they designed a ‘healthy eating on the go’ pack for teenagers.
REPAIR CLUB
The moderator was impressed with the process the pupils underwent and highlighted the impressive use of CAD to assist designing.
They utilised 3D printing along with other processes and they are now awaiting results from the competition which are released later this term. Lower Sixth ended the year investigating contexts for their A Level design project where we have an exciting range of stakeholders ranging from firefighters, children’s ward workers to dog rescue centres.
Bringing New Life to Old Items
REPAIR CLUB has been meeting weekly in the DT workshop having outgrown its original venue. The members have been learning new skills and so far have completed repairs on a range of things including Nintendo Switch joy cons, a Dyson hair dryer, a broken sculpture, some rusty garden tools and an antique lamp!
Upper Sixth product designers produced an interesting range of project work this year, including a garden seating and storage product, a sports equipment organiser, a bed desk and an assistive device for opening bottles. The moderator was impressed with the process the pupils underwent and highlighted the impressive use of CAD to assist designing.
SCIENCE
FULL MEDAL HAUL at Senior Physics Online Challenge
Thirty five pupils from the Lower Sixth and Fifth Year volunteered to take part in the Senior Physics Online Challenge, aimed at those in Lower Sixth.
Starting with a question on estimating the volume of a 16-year old’s head, the questions required high levels of problem solving, estimation, and general physics knowledge. Congratulations to Aidan T, Alexander W and Aidan H from Lower Sixth as well as Anastasia M and Andrew O from Fifth Year in achieving Gold Awards. Congratulations also goes to the remaining thirty competitors who, between them, all managed a medalled position, with 25 Silvers and five Bronzes!
With Bar Set High, Caterham Doesn’t Disappoint at British Physics Olympiad
Back in November, the annual British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) competition launched again with the initial, gruelling three-hour ‘Round One’ paper. Off the back of last year’s success with Old Cat Alex M becoming the UK’s best A-Level physicist at the International Physics Olympiad in Tokyo, we were hopeful of another excellent year – and that is exactly what our pupils delivered.
As a completely voluntary competition, Caterham is
enormously proud of the 52 pupils who elected to take part, making up nearly 2% of those who entered the competition nationally! A huge congratulations to Aidan T (Lower Sixth) and Aaron Z (Upper Sixth) for achieving Gold awards, topping the thirty-two gold, silver and bronze awards achieved collectively (2 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze I and 13 bronze II). As a competition aimed at Upper Sixth pupils, for Lower Sixth and even Fifth Year pupils to have participated, let alone achieved medaled awards is fantastic.
A special mention must go to our Fifth Year competitors who achieved awards answering beyond-A Level questions prior to even sitting their GCSEs, in particular Anastasiia M who achieved a Bronze I award. Well done everyone!
SCIENCE SNIPPETS 2024
ON WEDNESDAY 8 MAY, THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT WAS DELIGHTED TO TAKE A DELEGATION TO TONBRIDGE SCHOOL’S THIRD ANNUAL SCIENCE SNIPPETS COMPETITION.
Entries had opened for this fantastic presentation challenge in the spring term, with competitors submitting sixty-second videos of themselves explaining an extra-curricular science topic in their field of interest. Ava (Fourth Year) and Stacy (Fifth Year) qualified for the grand final, with their presentations about photochemical smog and “the workaholic brain” respectively, as did Elle and Alice (Lower Sixth), with their summaries of molecular knots and biodiesel. We travelled east on Wednesday evening to join them for the grand final.
Our scientists combined their excellent understanding and explanations of the science behind their topics with a great stagecraft. To excel as science presenters, we must incorporate both of these skills, as anyone who has ever attended or delivered a Moncrieff-Jones, Darwin, Lavoisier, Dirac, or Radcliffe Punt Society seminar will testify. It was fantastic to watch eleven Key Stages 3-4 and eleven A Level pupils from across Southeast England excelling as science presenters.
Caterham’s competitors had succeeded in a very competitive process to reach the grand final. Their success in this process, supported by their self-guided science reading and regular attendance at our science societies, is a testament to the thriving culture of enriching one’s own learning in Caterham Science.
Mr R Evans, Teacher of Chemistry and Science Enrichment
BLEACH BOYS CLEAN UP WELL AT CAMBRIDGE CHEMISTRY RACE
On Saturday 10 February, our team of chemists (Lisa, Xavier, Samuel, Kayla and I) known by the team name The Bleach Boys set off for the fifth Cambridge Chemistry Race.
Prepped and ready with as many textbooks as we could carry, we were excited to see what the race brought us.
As the start times drew closer, we hastily organised ourselves. As the first questions were unveiled, we set to work. With questions arranged randomly, we all just hoped we would be able to solve these brain bending puzzles. Focusing on quality over quantity, we started off slowly, with a few questions about bananas throwing us out of the loop. Soon we picked up speed, racing down the stairs to get the questions submitted and marked. As the final half hour drew in and the score board disappeared, we were in 18th place, so we continued to strain our brains to the last of
British Biology OLYMPIAD
their problem-solving ability. As we calculated the servings of radioactive wild boar a human could eat, finished off some complicated organic reaction pathways, and calculated the mass of clotted cream needed to power a bus to Jeremy Clarkson’s farm, the clocked ticked away. As the timer ran out, we handed in our last questions in hope of scoring some last-minute marks.
As we waited for the officials to calculate the final scores, we headed for a relaxing stroll around Cambridge.
Heading back into the lecture theatre was one of the most suspenseful moments of our lives. I’m sure our heart rates were well above 100 bpm. Our heart rates
continued to climb when the results ceremony was delayed. Finally, the results were posted. We came 16th with 101 points, an awesome result, and an awesome day. While our brains may have been fried, I can say with confidence that it had been one of the most rewarding things I have done in a long time. I would like to thank Mr Keyworth, for signing us up but also for giving us a space to practise and a good conversation every team session. I would also like to thank Mr Evans for coming all the way up to Cambridge with us. Finally, I would like to thank Lisa, for she organised us, and kept us all on track.
Leané B, Lower Sixth chemist
In the week before February half-term, 26 Lower Sixth Biology pupils took part in this year’s British Biology Olympiad. The competition comprised of two 45-minute papers.
The first paper contained many questions about all aspects of biology and the second paper contained longer problems. Pupils were presented with unfamiliar ideas and topics and had to use problem solving skills and intuition.
As a completely voluntary competition, we are very proud of the pupils who took part.
Huge congratulations to Scarlet L, Joel V and Leane B for achieving Silver awards and to Brodie M, Oliver K, Isabel T, Isabelle P, Luciel K, Wui Yu T, Kirill P and Sydney M for achieving Bronze
WELL DONE!
TOP TEAM PERFORMANCE AT STEM Solutions Competition
Caterham’s delegation took part in the local STEM Solutions at the end of May, training fantastically and holding their own against formidable opposition.
Ava, Darryl, Elle and Kirill (Lower Sixth) were tasked with preparing a five-minute presentation about “the future of space governance.”
Throughout April and May, they interpreted and researched the many branches of this topic, and took part in some great rehearsals, which allowed them to fine tune their writing and commentary. They also practised their problem solving and general knowledge skills in some science quiz sessions – from Planck’s constant to human physiology via relative atomic masses, all Lower Sixth and other science would be fair game for the coming questions.
On 23 May, the team boldly went to Woldingham for the competition, with Dr Kemp and I as mission controllers. We were greeted by Mr Rickard (Head of Science) and Flt Lt Greenwood (UK Space Command Centre) as we took our places in the auditorium. We were provided with a Molymod kit, some paper straws,
a roll of Sellotape, a calculator, and an iPad app with a University Challenge-style buzzer, all of which would come in very useful during the quiz rounds and a delightful “build the longest marble run” challenge. Highlights of the quizzes included “exabyte” and “quicksilver.”
The teams’ presentations were scheduled in between the various rounds. Caterham went first, presenting their interpretations of how the nations could (or arguably should) regulate space exploration, with a dive into some of the physics behind space travel. Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Warlingham and Woldingham’s teams showcased their research in due course as well.
After a pause for some refreshments, we reconvened in the auditorium to hear Flt Lt
Greenwood’s fantastic keynote speech about the huge dangers of space debris and the critical importance of artificial satellites to the UK and global economies. He likened the current state of space governance to the “Wild West” (i.e. whoever gets there first takes the spoils), which led one observer to comment afterwards that it sounded like Toy Story’s core protagonists, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, had written the address. (Perhaps more significantly, Tom Hanks played astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 as well as being the voice of Woody.)
The competition was a fantastic experience for the pupils and it was an honour to be able to take part and meet the other teams.
Mr R. Evans, Teacher of Chemistry and Science Enrichment
SECOND YEAR TRIP TO
HERSTMONCEAUX SCIENCE CENTRE
The Second Year embarked on our annual Enrichment Day trip to Herstmonceux Science Centre.
We had a marvellous time exploring the Exhibits Corridor and Discovery Park, both of which included demonstrations and models of various physics phenomena, from electromagnetism to planetary atmospheres. With the Second Year science syllabus being rich in practical work and collaborative activities, we hope that some of these exhibits will inspire our pupils in their lessons this year.
The main event of the trip, however, was the Team Challenge Competition. The pupils had been sorted into twelve teams, based on their Academic Houses, and the teams faced off in Herstmonceux’s three iconic challenges. We had to build the tallest possible tower using only fifteen blocks – five of one shape, four of another, and so on down to one. We had to build a truss bridge to meet a written specification, and then take it to pieces as quickly as possible. We had to crack a code and open a
padlock as quickly as possible. The winning team in each challenge took 1 point; 2 points for second place etc.
The House spirit was terrific, especially in the animated discussions around the tower building. The teams also enjoyed trying to work out what some of the team names meant: we all knew why Aldercombe, Harestone, Lewisham, Newington, Ridgefield and Underwood were so named, but what about Eiffel Swift and Perry Pompeii, for example?
Elsewhere, each team enjoyed a tour of the Herstmonceux telescope facilities (with several Caterham staff taking part in the demonstrations of how reflecting telescopes work) and a stint at the water exhibit, the latter of which was very welcome on that hot day.
The team challenge results were calculated behind the scenes by Herstmonceux staff. Lewisham had to relinquish their title for the first time in a few years, as Aldercombe
took first place (including impressive victories in the codes and towers challenges), while Harestone took second and an Aldercombe-Harestone coalition, Eiffel Swift, won the bridge challenge and finished third overall.
Congratulations to the pupils in the medal-winning teams, and to all the other teams. Thank you to all the staff leaders on the trip, and to Herstmonceux’s staff, for all that you did to make the visit so enriching.
Mr R. Evans, Teacher of Chemistry and Science Enrichment
Old Cat Dr Luke Bashford Opens Up the World of Neuroscience at WRIGHT SOCIETY
LECTURE
The Wright Society was delighted to welcome Dr Luke Bashford on Tuesday 5 March to talk about his research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and his career in neuroscience.
His research has been transformative not only to neuroscience but also to the patients in the clinical trials such as giving a husband the ability to feel the sensation of his wife holding his hand again.
The lecture had a diverse audience comprising of pupils of all ages interested in vastly different branches of science from computer science to psychology, parents, Old Caterhamians and even other guests such as Dr Richard Wright – the patron of the Wright Society. Speaking to these people after the lecture, it seemed that everyone gained something from it, including the aspiring medics who were given the opportunity to see photos taken during the surgery done to implant these BCIs – apparently a relatively simple operation in the world of neurosurgery.
The Wright Society is Caterham School’s medic society which supports sixth formers in their application to Medical School. It is invaluable to aspiring medics as they are given opportunities such as this one which are almost impossible to find elsewhere. We would like to extend a huge thanks to Mr Quinton, who runs the society, Dr Luke Bashford for his incredible talk and Justin and Katie who are the current President and Vice President of the society.
JOEL V (LOWER SIXTH FORM)
The Wright Society attends lecture at St Thomas’
Caterham pupils joined Fourth Year King’s College medical students in delving into the intricacies of pain, including its various forms, treatment and assessment.
Dr Ramasseur also explained the concepts of spinal anaesthetic and epidurals, and their applications in clinical practice. At the end of the lecture, pupils benefited from the chance to ask Dr Ramasseur, as well as a few current and willing medical students, about pain management, medicine as a profession, and life at medical school.
A big thanks to Dr Ramasseur for allowing us to attend this lecture, as well as to Mr Quinton and Mrs Brown for organising and facilitating the trip, giving pupils a glimpse into what medical school may be like for them.
WRIGHT SOCIETY TURNS TO TEACHING
The Wright Society visited Caterham Prep to teach them about broken bones and how to put arms into a sling.
The Wright Society is Caterham School’s medics society and was set up to help Sixth Form pupils achieve their ambition to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.
Lower Sixth Formers Joel V, Leane B and Emily VA took lessons with the Year 4 and Year 6 classes, teaching them about the bones in the body, how medicine identifies breaks and how they are treated. The pupils had amazing fun as well as learning so much and were all able to take home a sling to show their parents how to put them on.
Sixth Form Physicists Test Their Engineering Skills
After May half term, the Lower Sixth A-Level physicists have been embarking on a group practical engineering project to design and build a balsawood bridge to span a 125cm gap.
The only catch? They’d be testing their own designs by walking across it, over 10m up in the air spanning two platforms on the school’s High Ropes course. Following weeks of frantic sawing, cutting, gluing, and sanding, hopes were high (literally) for a winning design, that which could withstand the greatest load per unit mass of the bridge itself. The result? A lot of Sixth Form physicists dangling halfway across the gap with a shower of balsawood falling below! Despite some excellent designs, few managed a full crossing, highlighting the tough engineering skills required to complete what seems, at first, an easy task. One group, with a beautifully designed bridge, did succeed in crossing their bridge twice before disaster struck.
Third Year Compete in UNDERWATER ROBOTICS COMPETITION
In March twelve pupils from Third Year attended a robotics competition held in Southampton.
The competition was organised by the Smallpeice Trust in association with the Global Underwater Hub and experts from the underwater industry were on hand to talk about their work and judge the final. The challenge involved a number of stages including building a robot to work on the seabed, programming the robot to follow a path and avoid obstacles, as well as producing marketing materials for the robot. The final task was to present their creation to the other teams and judges. Both Caterham teams performed well, displaying excellent teamwork with all pupils being involved throughout. Neither team won but a lot was learnt about both robotics and working together.
Dr Jewell presents OCEANIC RESEARCH at Moncrieff-Jones Christmas Lecture
On the evening of Tuesday 5 December, the Moncrieff-Jones Society was delighted to welcome Dr Amy Jewell to present her undergraduate, PhD, and career research into various aspects of oceanography.
Since its establishment in 1967, Moncrieff-Jones has been a goldmine of well researched and presented pupil lectures about scientific topics outside the A-Level curricula.
Our pupils have presented on biology, chemistry, physics, astrophysics, quantum science, medicine, and almost every possible discipline – and our Christmas lecturers have continued in this spirit. This year’s lecture contained something for everyone: chemical analysis of Saharan dust clouds; studying ancient climate patterns through analysis of seabed sediments; the causes of oil spills and how their cleanups are planned and carried out. Dr Jewell told her compelling story of developing from an undergraduate in Oceanography with French to a key member of a global team dedicated to resolving oil spills all over the world.
The questions after her speech were as formidable as MoncrieffJones Society questions always are. The audience savoured this opportunity to find out more about the diplomacy behind oil spill cleanup operations and the reasons behind analysing the seabed rather than ice sheets for information about ancient climates. Also, we were reminded about the difference
between weather and climate. Predicting the weather for four days’ time is a skill and art form, but deducing the weather from four million years ago is essentially impossible – we can all use that point next time we hear a complaint about an inaccurate weather forecast.
My thanks go to Dr Jewell, Mrs Graydon, Mr Keyworth, and our Catering and AV colleagues, for supporting and setting up the lecture; to Mr Quinton, for his loyal and inspirational twenty-year leadership of Moncrieff-Jones; and to Lisa and Xavier (Upper Sixth) for supporting this year’s pupil lectures and Christmas event with such rigour and engagement. Together, you have all made my job look much easier than it is – but that’s how science works.
MR R EVANS MONCRIEFF-JONES SOCIETY CHAIR
HISTORY
THIRD YEAR TRIP TO
THE BATTLEFIELDS
In October Third Year historians embarked on a day trip to Belgium to visit some key historical sites from WW1 and WW2.
LIJSSENTHOEK CEMETERY
Our first stop in Belgium was Lijssenthoek Cemetery, a site dedicated to British and Commonwealth forces who died in the First World War. The sight of 3,175 gravestones was quite an eye opener to the scale and tragedy of the war. Our Guide told us some of the personal stories behind some of the gravestones, such Nellie Spindler, the only nurse who was buried in the cemetery and J. E. Raphael, whose mother requested that her ashes be secretly buried with her son. It helped to highlight how the gravestones are more than just the tally of dead soldiers but a reminder of the people who gave their lives in the War. Thankfully, our Guide had other less moving information to tell us, such as how the Gravestones were designed and how to identify one from another. We concluded our memorable visit to Lijssenthoek with a service held beside the grave of Private N. L. Allen, an Old Cat who died in the war. We laid a poppy wreath on his graves and took turns to read out the honour roll of Old Cats who lost their lives.
MENIN GATE
Where else would we have lunch other than the historic Menin Gate, in Ypres? The Menin Gate, also
known as the Menin Gate Memorial for the Missing is a memorial dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown or destroyed in WW2. The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who passed through it on their way to the battlefields.
The Menin Gate is currently under restoration work was needed to guarantee its long-term preservation as it prepares for its centenary in 2027. Our guide told us about the Last Post, a ceremony which takes place every day at 8pm since 2 July 1928 – even during COVID-19 – buglers of the Last Post Association would sound the Last Post, only stopping when Belgium was under German control during WWII. On the side of the gate, the inscription ‘He is not missing; he is here.’, is written, symbolising how all the missing soldiers were inscribed on the walls of the Menin Gate and would not be forgotten.
LANGEMARK
Finally, we drove to Langemark to visit the German military cemetery, one of 4 in Belgium. More than 44,000 soldiers are buried here and there is a mass grave near the entrance, containing nearly 25,000 servicemen. Sadly 8,000 of those in the mass grave are unknown, their names lost over the course of the war. It was very meaningful to see the true consequences of the war. In lessons you learn about it but it is far more impactful to see the graves of those who sacrificed their lives in the war, fighting for their country. You don’t really appreciate just how many people WWI impacted until you see the many tributes to those who died, as we did in Langemark cemetery. Upon entering the cemetery, we passed under a large stone arch. There were doors on either side, one leading to a chamber inscribed with the names of all the fallen German soldiers who fought in WWI. Our guide explained the layout of the graveyard and its story as we stood by the mass grave. Then he showed us photos of Hitler visiting the cemetery, just as we did. Afterwards we had a few minutes to wander around the cemetery and reflect on the terrible consequences of the war and how many lives it truly impacted.
Harry, Nathan and Charlotte gave this report.
SIXTH FORM HISTORIANS ENJOY LONDON...
Despite the challenges presented by ‘tap in’ payment systems and elementary road crossing, we made it to Farringdon (via East Croydon) without mishap in good time for our workshop at the Karl Marx Memorial Library.
Within, a trove of political memorabilia awaited. The staff, who were marvellously wellinformed, friendly, and helpful, offered a tour of the building, a short video, a display on the Russian Revolution, and some genuine contemporary publications, photographs, and diaries. A particular highlight was the desk at which Vladimir Lenin worked in the early nineteenth century, editing revolutionary journals such as Iskra. The history staff were also deeply excited by the presence of various banners carried by the International Brigades during the
On a drizzly, grey day in January, with Storm Jocelyn howling in the background, the Sixth Form historians set off at lunchtime for the capital.
Spanish Civil War, although as Mrs. Fenton remarked, they should have been stored flat rather than hanging! After a short Q&A, we crossed London to Victoria for a much-needed dinner stop. A brief visit to Westminster Cathedral provided an oasis of calm and beauty amongst the hustle and bustle of London, although with a Mass in progress we had to keep our visit short and unobtrusive.
Refreshed, we took our seats for the evening performance of Hamilton and were blown away by the sheer energy and talent of the performers. With keen theatre performers and backstage staff
amongst our pupils there were plenty of critical eyes on the stage, but none went away disappointed. Given that the performance on the preceding Saturday had been cancelled due to illness, we were lucky indeed to see the show in full and the students reconvened afterwards in high spirits.
As the curtain came down we made a rush for the station in time to catch the 22.38 from Victoria. A brilliant trip that left the pupils and staff buzzing and uplifted amidst the gloom of winter. Many thanks to Mr Hosking for organising the trip, and to Mrs Fenton, Mrs Lomas, and Mr Ace for coming with us.
STELLAR LINE UP AT HISTORY FESTIVAL
A stellar line up of historians and authors joined us for Caterham’s first History Festival on Saturday 18 November. A packed audience comprised students from across the Southeast, including our partner schools, parents and members of the public were treated first-class speakers on a range of fascinating topics and the opportunity to gain signed copies of their books.
Paul Lay, Editor of History Today, spoke first on Cromwell’s Protectorate. Focusing on the little-known readmission of the Jews to England under Cromwell, he provided fascinating insights into the roots of anti-Semitism in England and the centrality of the Jews to the Millenarian mindset.
Having set the bar so high, Paul was followed by James Barr, who gave a fascinating talk on the role of Britain and France in shaping, for good and ill, the modern Middle East. Incorporating a physical map
delineating the boundary lines drawn c.1910, James’ talk was erudite and engaging, dovetailing beautifully with Paul’s earlier work.
Next to speak was Giles Milton, prolific author of historical non-fiction and fiction, who brought us further forward in history, speaking on the division of Berlin between 1945-49. Charismatic and articulate, Giles provided thought-provoking insights into the often-fractious relationship between both the Soviets and the Western Allies, and between the Western Allies themselves.
After this, the audience took a well-earned break to refuel and re-caffeinate before we were treated to Marion Gibson’s exploration of Witchcraft through an analysis of thirteen different trials ranging across geographical and chronological bounds. Marion spoke in conversation with our own Rob Salem, giving a different flavour from the style of talks that went before.
Up fifth was Tom Cryer, who came to speak to us from UCL on his PhD subject of John Hope Franklin, the American Civil Rights movement, and his own passion for history. A fascinating and intellectually stimulating speech, Tom left his audience in no doubt that he has a bright future in academic before him.
Witty, erudite, and deeply knowledgeable, Sir Anthony kept the audience gripped with sharp-eyed analysis and personal anecdotes involving the key individuals.
Lastly, we reached our headline speaker, Sir Anthony Seldon. Sir Anthony spoke in conversation with the headmaster, Ceri Jones, on a wide-ranging and rigorous analysis of Boris Johnson’s time in Number 10. Witty, erudite, and deeply knowledgeable, Sir Anthony kept the audience gripped with sharp-eyed analysis and personal anecdotes involving the key individuals.
As the day came to an end, we thanked all of our speakers for sharing their wisdom and insight with us. A particular commendation should go to those stalwarts who attended every minute of every talk, and there was a fantastic turnout from both the school community and beyond.
...there was something very enticing about the juxtaposition between the beautiful love story between the pair and the horrors they faced during their stay in the prison camp.
CLIO History Society WELCOMES MARK YOUNG
At the beginning of June CLIO History Society we were thrilled to welcome Mark Young.
Mark was executive producer of the Sky production of ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz,’ starring Jonah Hauer King and Anna Próchniak, based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Heather Morris. The novel follows the story of Holocaust survivor Lali Sokolov and how he met his future wife Gita in Auschwitz. Mark explained that there was something very enticing about the juxtaposition between the beautiful love story between the pair and the horrors they faced during their stay in the prison camp. He described how once he had finished reading the book he knew instantly he wanted to create a show based upon it. Mark instantly set about buying the rights to the novel and then explained to us the creative process of considering what needed to be perpetuated in the show that perhaps wasn’t emphasised enough in the book. This is due to the fact Heather Morris’ novel faced scrutiny from the Auschwitz Memorial over the challenges and permutations of presenting such a story.
Nonetheless, Mark emphasised how the novel was marketed and sold as fiction. Although the book by Morris is based upon the life of a real survivor Lali Sokolov, Mark made sure to emphasise the unreliability of memory and how trauma and age can blur events in a way that makes them inaccurate. To portray this in the show, producers created a dual timeline that did not exist in the book. While one timeline explored the events that occurred in Auschwitz (with young Lali) the other is an elderly Lali telling his story to Heather Morris after the death of his wife Gita. Occasionally Lali admits to Heather he has lied to her about events, out of guilt or to attempt to conceal the extent of the horrors he faced – when this occurs the same scene runs again with the ‘true’ line of events. This is incredibly effective in the show and accentuates how the story is composed solely of Lali’s memory.
During the creation of the show, Mark discussed how he visited Auschwitz three times to learn more about the history of the camp. He
revealed that when survivors came to visit the camp tour guides were frequently told stories of key officers such as Himmler and Goebbels visiting. The guides however report this is impossible, again highlighting the inaccuracies of memories. Mark then went on to explain tackling some factual inaccuracies in the show. For example, the journey Lali takes in the book to Auschwitz from Hungary is described as one train journey, but in the show, Lali takes multiple trains from unnamed stations to emphasise accuracy.
Mark finished by explaining how he felt it was the broadcaster’s responsibility to teach history as accurately as possible rather than the individual having to research events for themselves to avoid misinformation. Overall, the talk was incredibly touching and to those who have not watched the new show The Tattooist of Auschwitz, we strongly advise you to do so.
We thank Mark for taking the time to speak to the society and are most grateful for his wisdom and erudition.
CLIO History Prizes Awarded
Every half-term, the History Department is delighted to award the CLIO History Prize to pupils who show particular promise, aptitude, endeavour, and enthusiasm for the subject and are thus considered deserving of recognition.
The prize is split to recognise the talents of senior, middle, and junior school historians, with all receiving a certificate, chocolate, and, most importantly, a book of their choosing.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS
FIRST HALF OF THE AUTUMN TERM:
Senior Prize
Olivia A – who selected Fatherland, by Robert Harris.
Middle Prize
Kate F – who chose George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984.
Junior Prize
Harry S – who opted for Ask a Historian, by Greg Jenner.
SECOND HALF OF THE AUTUMN TERM:
Senior Prize
James S – who selected The Shortest History of China by Linda Jaivin
Middle Prize
Mathilde G & Millie B – who chose Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful and Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny respectively.
Junior Prize
Taran S & Tara S – who opted for Erich Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and William Dalrymple’s The Anarchy respectively.
FIRST HALF OF SPRING TERM:
Senior Prize
Hazel L and Theo B, who chose Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs by Marc Baer and Max Hastings’ Abyss: The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 respectively.
Middle Prize
Anders L, who opted for Fatherland by Robert Harris.
Junior Prize
Abigail G and Namratha D, who chose The Time Traveller’s Guide to Restoration England by Ian Mortimer, and Fatherland by Robert Harris respectively.
SECOND HALF OF SPRING TERM:
Senior Prize
Amelia G, who chose The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
Intermediate Prize
Anya N, who opted for George Orwell’s timeless 1984. Junior Prize
Cailtin M, who chose Metropolis by Philip Kerr.
FIRST HALF OF SUMMER TERM:
Senior Prize
Mark W, who chose E. H. Gombrich’s A Little History of the World
Intermediate Prize
Seb D, who opted for A Short History of London by Simon Jenkins
Junior Prize
Charlotte H and Mannix K, who chose Winter in Madrid by C J Sansom and Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens respectively.
OFF TO BERLIN
After a short flight to Berlin Brandenburg Airport, we arrived in Berlin on the evening of Tuesday 31 October without Halloween mishaps.
A coach took us to our hostel in the centre of the city where we quickly settled in and headed to bed, eager for our walking tour of the historical monuments the next day. Accompanied and toured by Hannah and Johnny, our tour guides, we visited Bebelplatz square and saw the instantly recognisable Berlin Cathedral,
while also visiting poignant memorials such as Checkpoint Charlie and where the Berlin Mauer (the Berlin Wall) used to stand, this helped us understand the realities of living in Germany during the turbulence of the Twentieth Century. Hannah also explained how certain attributes from either side of Germany are still used in Berlin today, such as
the famous ‘Ampelmann’ from East Germany. Our tour ended at the iconic Brandenburg Gate which was certainly ‘selfie’ worthy!
After lunch, a short drive to Gleinicker Brücke – known as the ‘Bridge of Unity’ and also as ‘The Bridge of Spies,’ where Mr Mills held us spellbound – we crossed over it for a walk around Schloss Cecilienhof (where the Potsdam Conference was held in 1945) built by the Hohenzollern Family, the last ruling family of Prussia. A moment of reflection and remembrance was held as pupils were able to walk around Gleis 17 – Platform 17, where many of Berlin’s Jews were deported during the Second World War, the devastating history the rail tracks held and seeing it in real life was certainly a moving experience ›
for all. After a delicious currywurst for dinner, we walked down the largest open gallery in the world, the East Side Gallery, pupils enjoyed walking down the street and were able to see the development of politics from the Cold War onwards in artworks of various mediums.
The most busy and pensive day started as we left our hostel and arrived at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Mr Hosking gave us an intriguing walking tour around the camp where we also visited the smaller museums within the premises. We ate a quick lunch at the Mall of Berlin, many pupils opted for kebab, a German original!
› stated anyone’s views at the memorial were open up to interpretation. This was followed by a trip to the momentous Reichstag building where we saw views of Berlin from the glass dome. A trip to the Topography of Terror, a memorial and museum based upon the SS Headquarters gave us an insight into being a member of the SS during the Nazi Regime and the effect the SS had on the general public. After dinner and a short ride on the U-Bahn, we arrived at Hackescher Market, the beginning of our counterculture tour, led by Hannah and Johnny, where we walked around Berlin and saw graffiti and artworks which taught us that Berlin is not only
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe reflected a sentimental mood as we discussed what each of us thought the architect wanted to achieve as he previously
historical but a beautiful and diverse city with something for everyone. Our third day started with a coach trip to a former Stasi Camp, in (what was) East Berlin. We learned about the effects of the Stasi on East Germany and how prisoners were treated whilst also learning about the different methods that the Stasi used to isolate the prisoners such as desensitising them by bringing them in at night or by driving around Berlin for three hours and pretending to arrive after a long drive. A coach drive back and we were able to eat lunch and to buy some souvenirs from our trip to Berlin, then the coach came to pick us up for the last time. We arrived at the airport and after a rapid flight, we arrived at Gatwick. We would like to thank all the teachers for organising and supporting this trip and also to Hannah and Johnny for being engaging tour guides.
BY KAYLA PRASHAD
GEOGRAPHY
A Day of Coastal Investigations for our Geographers
On a beautiful sunny May morning, 80 GCSE geography pupils headed to the south coast for a day of coastal investigations.
Comparing beach management techniques and coastal processes at Cuckmere and Seaford, the pupils collected a range of data and learnt to use various pieces of fieldwork equipment such as clinometers and ranging poles for measuring beach profiles and quadrats for sediment size. The pupils worked effectively in their groups and even the disappointment of the ice cream shop at Seaford being closed didn’t put a dampener on a successful day out in the field.
Budding Young Geographers Compete for
Globetrotting Trophy
Thirteen teams from nine local primary and prep schools arrived at the Wilberforce Hall on Friday 22 March to participate in the highly popular, annual Junior Globe Trotting Quiz.
With rounds including ‘Where is Barry?’, country outlines, geographical landmarks and making a model of the structure of the earth, the Year 4 and 5 pupils had great fun testing out their geography knowledge and competing to be crowned champions. It was a very close fought contest with Furzefield Primary school showing great creativity to win the model making round. But ultimately it was Caterham Prep School team 2 who fought off a close challenge from Oakhyrst Grange to regain the trophy they had last won five years ago. Well done to all the teams that took part!
MATHS
MATHS IN ACTION
Lectures at the Emmanuel Centre in London
On Thursday 16 November, nearly two dozen Sixth Form pupils visited the Maths in Action lectures at the Emmanuel Centre in London.
The lectures ranged from the completion of Fermat’s Last Theorem to an in-depth dive into the relationship between maths, music and harmonious ratios.
In the morning, we got to experience an array of talks. This started with a lecture presented by the best-selling author, Simon Singh, on a brief history of math’s most famous problem: Fermat’s Last Theorem. The talk followed the key concepts needed to prove the theorem and the story of Andrew Wiles, the person to finally solve this 350-year-old problem. Colin Wrights talk on Topology was mainly spent cutting up mobius strips and cracking jokes, while explaining how recognising the key features of shapes (their edges and sides) can help predict how the shape will turn out after it has been altered. By using physical examples, Wrights was able to give an overview of the mystifying topic of topology in addition to how it can apply to the world today. Concluding the morning lectures, Yolanda Ohene explored the use of electromagnetic waves in producing high resolution images of the inside of a person’s body –without having to open them up.
After a brief pause for lunch, we saw a useful lecture on answering mathematical questions and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Moreover, we learnt five tips on how to best avoid these mistakes, including (but not limited to): read the full question, give reasoning, learn to use your calculator efficiently, etc.
The afternoon lecture by Ben Sparks saw an interesting explanation into how the root of 2 was used in getting the correct proportions for A4 sheets of paper, as well as how spirals can appear in the most random of places and in the most beautiful of ways. To end the day, Sophie Maclean gave a talk on the fundamentals of ratios in creating harmonious sounds within the art of music.
Overall, the lectures were a one-of-a-kind opportunity to shine light onto some riveting topics, and to experience how the very mathematics we learn in school can be applied to the real world today.”
CONVINCING WIN IN MATCH 3 HANS WOYDA
Early December Samuel L, Ambrose C, Daniel C and Mumu Z led our team in match 3 of the Hans Woyda maths competition against Woldingham School.
Caterham took an early lead in round 1 and held on to that lead tightly, matching or just beating their score in nearly every round. Woldingham surged forward in the last round but it was not enough to catch up and we won with a convincing 33 points to 22.
Many thanks to Dr Kemp for organising and hosting the competition, and to all pupils involved.
BRITISH OLYMPIAD AND KANGAROOS MATHS SUCCESSES
Very well done to the four pupils who took part in the British Maths Olympiad Round 1 in November after qualifying in the Senior Maths Challenge.
Darren Z (Lower Sixth) got a Distinction, and Jossyln X (Lower Sixth) achieved a Merit.
Special congratulations to Anastasia (Fifth Year) who also achieved a Distinction, which is fantastic in a competition aimed at Sixth Form pupils.
Also congratulations to those pupils who qualified for the Senior Kangaroo instead. In particular, Aaron Z (Upper Sixth) and Adrian H, Sean L, Mattaeus S and Aidan T (all Lower Sixth) who achieved Merits.
TEAM CATERHAM TAKE SILVER AT UKMT TEAM MATHS CHALLENGE
On Tuesday 7 May, Rupert and Catherine in the Second Year and Hunson and Yihu in the Third Year took part in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge at Wilson’s School.
After a four-year sabbatical due to COVID, the challenge was back with a soft-launched regional final.
The competition brings pupils from 20 different schools to compete in a Maths competition requiring good teamwork, communication skills and logical thought processes under strict time pressure.
The competition starts with a group challenge that features ten questions, allowing pupils to work together. Round two is the ‘Crossnumber’, where teams are split between down and across clues. The ‘Shuttle Round’ is next, where answers rely on previous responses, finishing with a nail-biting relay race, where teams race to compete against the clock with quick fire questions.
The competition started well, with a group challenge that Caterham School excelled in and scored the full sixty marks. After a difficult ‘Crossnumber’, the team dropped only one mark half-way through the competition. The shuttle proved the most difficult, but Caterham remained in the top five teams for the final round. After some blistering pace and great accuracy from the fantastic four, the team came second overall (to Wilson’s, playing with home advantage) with a score of 214/234, beating teams from City of London Freemen’s and Reed’s, amongst others. The pupils enjoyed the competition and learnt some useful skills in mathematical problem-solving.
We are extremely excited to continue competing in the Junior and Senior Team Maths Challenges next year. A massive congratulations to Rupert, Catherine, Hinson and Yihu for their efforts and exemplary behaviour throughout the day.
Mr Lee Searle
PERFECT SCORE sees Rupert Head to Junior Olympiad
CONGRATULATIONS to the 25 Gold, 29 Silver, and 27 Bronze certificate winners from the First and Second Year who took part in this year’s Junior Maths Challenge.
Congratulations to the 25 Gold, 29 Silver, and 27 Bronze certificate winners from the First and Second Year who took part in this year’s Junior Maths Challenge.
Particular congratulations to the 18 who qualified for the follow on Junior Kangaroo- these are Jake, Laurence, Kaden, Oliver, Olivia, Dillon, Sophia, Lester, Xavier, Luke, Jerry and William
from the Second Year and Charlie, Benjamin, Amrita, William, Ted and Margarita from the First Year.
Special Congratulations to Amrita and Margarita in the First Year who achieved joint Best in Year and extra special congratulations to Rupert in Second Year, who achieved a perfect 135/135 and qualified for the Junior Olympiad.
OLYMPIAD QUALIFIERS at Senior Maths Challenge
Warm congratulations to the Lower and Upper Sixth pupils who took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge in early October.
They achieved 26 Gold Certificates, 35 Silver Certificates and 25 Bronze Certificates. Well done!
Special congratulations to Sam in the Upper Sixth for his excellent 106 and to Josslyn in the Lower Sixth for her superb 108, earning them both qualifications to the British Maths Olympiad Round 1.
Also worthy of special mention is Darren in the Lower Sixth for an excellent 105.
The highest scoring Golds that did not quite qualify for the BMO 1 have qualified for the Senior Maths Kangaroo. They are Freddie, Ambrose, Petrus, Elle, Adrian, Sean, Lammi, Mattaeus, Aidan, Hazel, Gary and Darren in the Lower Sixth and Sophie, Lisa, Marcus, Rupert, Justin, Philip, Dylan, Katherine, James, Parco and Aaron in the U6th. Also well done to Anastasia from the Fifth Year who qualified for the Kangaroo as well.
MATHS CHALLENGE SUCCESSES
CONGRATULATIONS to the 136 pupils from the Third, Fourth and Fifth Years who took part in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Competition in February.
Well done to the 31 Bronze, 45 Silver and 49 Gold certificate winners!
Especially well done to Rupert in the Second Year who also took part and achieved a very high gold, Florence achieved Best in Third Year, closely followed by Mumu. Ian achieved Best in Fourth Year, closely followed by Cato, and Anastasia achieved Best in Fifth Year, closely followed by Jonathan.
Anastasia has qualified for the Maclaurin follow on round, a gruelling two hour Olympiad to be held on Thursday 21 March. Over 50 pupils qualified for the Kangaroo, taking place on the same date.
Also congratulations to Darren in the Lower Sixth Form who achieved a merit in the extraordinarily challenging British Maths Olympiad Round 2, the second follow on round from the Senior Maths Challenge held before Christmas
UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge Successes
Many congratulations to all the Third, Fourth and Fifth Year pupils who participated in the follow on rounds of the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge, which were held just before Easter.
Those who did especially well in the Kangaroos (a multiple choice paper for those who did very well in the original challenge but did not qualify for the Olympiad, which is a gruelling two hour written paper) were Amelie in the Third Year who got Best in Year in the Grey Kangaroo, Antonia in the Fourth Year who got a Merit and Best in Year in the Pink Kangaroo and Matthew in the Fifth Year who got a Merit and Best in School, also in the Pink Kangaroo.
In the Third Year Cayley Olympiad, well done to those who participated. Florence achieved Best in Year, but extra special congratulations go to Rupert who is only in the Second Year, yet achieved a distinction, Best in School, and a Bronze Medal which places him in the top 100 of the country and lands him a book prize.
In the Fourth Year Hamilton Olympiad, Cato and Ian achieved
Merits with Cato taking (by one mark) Best in Year.
In the Fifth Year Maclaurin Olympiad Jonathan achieved a Merit, Anastasia a Distinction (missing a Bronze medal by only one mark), and Daniel a Distinction and a Bronze medal (missing a Silver medal by only one mark, placing him in the top 51 or so pupils in the country). Congratulations from all of us in the Maths Department.
ENGLISH
World Book Day: Celebrating Reading for Pleasure
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, Sixth Form pupils studying English attended an immersive Gothic event in which they had to use their knowledge of the Gothic to unravel a mystery…
Set in 1886 at Caterham School, Basil Hallward, a sensitive and talented pupil has gone missing.
The eclectic staff must be interviewed by the leading investigators of the day, from Sherlock Holmes to Katherine Morland, to discover what has happened to Basil.
The pupils threw themselves into the event – matched only by staff who inhabited their characters with brilliant panache – interrogating staff, donning Victorian dress and taking assiduous notes that would have made Dr Watson proud. The teams able to unravel the mystery were allowed to enter the Bloody Dome to test their theories, leading to excited, bloodcurdling shrieks. The event ended with Ms Wildsmith
giving a paper inspired by the storyline on the nature of the Gothic, considering it through a socio-economic lens. All in all, a frighteningly fabulous evening.
Across the school pupils and staff took part in a variety of activities. Lots of pupils visited the immersive Gothic installation in the Library, taking the opportunity to read by torchlight in the wind and rain. There were some fantastic book costumes on display all linked to a book of choice. The whole school fell silent for 20 minutes at 2.00pm as staff and pupils stopped what they were doing to Drop Everything and Read. It was a wonderful day to celebrate reading for pleasure.
Award Winning Author Visits
FRANCES HARDINGE
Award winning author Frances Hardinge visited the school in January and spent time with pupils from all year groups talking about her writing career.
She gave a talk to Second Year pupils about her fantasy filled writing which incorporates folklore, myths and fairy tales set in modern settings. She then spent a very enjoyable lunch hour in the Library meeting the Library Book Group. The group were delighted to have the opportunity to talk to Frances about her writing and the short-listed titles they have been reading as part of the Trinity Schools Book Award scheme.
Trinity Schools Book Awards 2024:
FLO WINS SECOND PLACE IN PUPIL COMPETITION
The Library book group travelled to Latymer Upper School to attend the 2024 Trinity Schools Book Award ceremony.
Pupils from 12 schools gathered to meet the authors of the shortlisted titles and chat about the joy of reading.
It was a lovely evening and the group are already talking about next year’s shortlist. Special congratulations to Flo in Third Year whose creative response to
one of the titles earnt her second place in the pupil competition. Her handmade dragonfly motif scarf symbolising the unification of viewpoints and themes through the book was widely admired.
Fourth Year Pupils present Li Bai to Senior Lit Soc
Thank you to Chup and Wayne (Fourth Year), who gave a talk to Senior Lit Soc on Li Bai:
The Immortal Poet of the Tang Dynasty. Chup and Wayne were passionate about the poetry of Li Bai, providing insight into the context of the period, reading aloud some of the poetry in both English and Chinese, and offering some perceptive analysis of Li Bai’s poetry and how poetry is portrayed in a pictorial language. It is impressive that Chup and Wayne are able to give a talk of such calibre in Fourth Year.
Latimer Upper School
PSYCHOLOGY
Stefan Marianski Presents FREUD
The Lower Sixth Psychology pupils had the opportunity to meet Stefan Marianski, an author and practicing psychoanalyst from The Freud Museum in London.
Sigmund Freud and his contributions to psychoanalysis were pivotal to the field of psychology in the first half of the twentieth century. Although contemporary psychologists often regard Freud’s ideas as outdated and primarily teach his work from a historical standpoint, Stefan presented a compelling case for Freud’s relevance in today’s society.
Stefan delved into the rationale behind some of Freud’s more controversial theories, such as psychosexual development and the Oedipus complex, providing examples to elucidate the principles of psychoanalytic therapy. In his current role, Stefan works as a clinical psychoanalyst with patients
experiencing psychosis, including schizophrenia. He demonstrated how psychoanalysis can alleviate the anxiety associated with delusions and hallucinations.
The Lower Sixth pupils posed insightful questions, challenging Stefan to address criticisms that Freud’s theories lack falsifiability and do not meet scientific criteria and probing into some of Freud’s more enigmatic beliefs.
While Stefan may not have converted the Lower Sixth pupils into neo-Freudians, he certainly encouraged them to reconsider Freud’s ideas and appreciate his profound impact on Western contemporary thought.
Caterham Wins GOLD at Royal Holloway National Psychology Competition
In June, Lower Sixth psychologists Holly D, Sienna A, George K, Isabelle P and Hannah B competed against 24 other schools from across the country to win first place in the National Psychology Competition at Royal Holloway University.
In preparation for the competition, pupils were tasked with creating a two-minute video and A1 academic poster responding to the prompt ‘How can psychologists/psychology promote healthier working environments in schools?’.
After undertaking extensive research, Caterham pupils chose to focus on the environmental factors that influence physical and mental health, for example, classroom layout, lighting, seating arrangements, temperature, greenery, noise and colour. Pupils drew from a variety of sources to
inform their recommendations for schools on ways to promote healthy working environments.
On the day, teams had to present their scientific poster and tackle challenging questions from the esteemed judging panel. Pupils also attended several talks from senior lecturers at Royal Holloway, including Dr Gemma Northan who spoke to the pupils about her field of neuropsychology and modern techniques for studying the living brain, and Language and Cognition Professor Jessie Rickets who spoke about her research
into the relationship between reading, vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Very well done to the team for their excellent display of teamwork and leadership, thorough research and confident presentations applying psychological theory to real life.
First Hand Observations at Prep for Sixth Form Psychology
Upper Sixth Psychology pupils visit Year 1 and Year 3 pupils in the Prep School to conduct observations and see Piaget’s stages of development first-hand.
Pupils performed a range of experiments and activities testing children’s ability to conserve (understand that mass/volume/number stays the same even if the appearance changes) as well as their egocentrism (ability to understand another’s point of view). It was certainly a fun afternoon for the Prep School pupils and a real opportunity for our Upper Sixth to see the psychological theory they have learnt in the Cognition and Development topic come to life! The pupils will now apply their understanding of data and analysis and inferential statistics to present their findings in the form of a psychological report.
PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY
SVARA P HIGHLY COMMENDED by Judges at ISRA Essay Competition
During the summer term five Third Year pupils, Gia A, Svara P, Inaaya K, Bonnie E-S and Aimee L entered the highly prestigious ISRA Theology Philosophy and Religion Essay Competition.
The competition sees hundreds of entries from schools across the UK, with pupils submitting an independently crafted response to a choice of three questions:
1. Theology
‘Even though Jesus’ disciples were failures, they are still good role models for us.’
Do you agree?
2. Philosophy
‘Everywhere in the world we observe order and purpose, therefore God must exist.’
Do you agree?
3. Religion
‘Religion is not about having beliefs; it is about doing.’
Do you agree?
All of the girls’ submissions were highly impressive but a particular shout out must go to Svara P whose essay has just been awarded ‘highly commended’ by the panel. After examining both sides of the argument, Svara concluded; ‘the intricate balance of natural systems, the complexity of life, and the precise conditions necessary for existence all suggest the presence of an intelligent designer guiding these processes which go beyond scientific justification.’
This is a truly fantastic achievement –WELL DONE Svara!
Annual Model United Nations Conference
On Saturday 2 December, a team of 15 members of Caterham’s Model United Nations (MUN) took part in the annual MUN conference hosted by Lingfield.
Our delegation was split into three smaller ones, representing the DPRK (North Korea), Canada and Switzerland. After hearing about the experiences of a former major in the British Army who served alongside UN Peacekeepers in former Yugoslavia, each nation then sent a delegate to represent their nation on each of the six main council (Security Council, WHO, DISEC, ECOFIN, Environment and SPECPOL) negotiating on a wide range of issues, from the current crises in Ukraine and Palestine, to vaccine misinformation and the use of tax-havens. Each delegate negotiated tirelessly, both in the council chamber and during breaks more informally (this was found to be the most effective). After successfully completing work on our issues we then had to deal with an unknown crisis. This was a fictional Chinese conquest of the island of Taiwan. After finishing our second topic, we were then
reunified in the General Assembly to outline our nation’s view on the issue. The nations that we were representing shared a wide range of views with the DPRK being very much supportive of what China was doing compared to the Canadian and Swiss views that what they were doing was illegal and immoral.
After finalising the resolution to the General Assembly, each council’s chair gave out awards to the best three members of each council. Mary B won the highly commended award for her actions in the WHO dealing with vaccine misinformation and the duel-use of biotechnologies. William J won the award for the Distinguished Delegate for his actions in the Security Council dealing with the current crises in Ukraine and Palestine. Well done to every delegate who participated in the conference.
WILLIAM J (LOWER SIXTH)
Third Year Scholars Attend Latin Mass at The Scared Heart
The Third Year Scholars’ Society wended its way up Waller Lane to The Sacred Heart Church in May to attend a Latin Mass.
Prior to the service itself, Father Seán gave a superb talk on the history of the mass and the way in which the Latin of the mass differs from the Latin of Cicero. He explained the significance of the ceremony and of its roots within the context of The Renaissance. He also spoke very personally about the importance of the mass to his own faith.
Having knelt, sat, and stood at the right moments as much as we were able, and having followed the Latin as best we could, we were then given the opportunity to look around the exquisite interior of The Sacred Heart before being very generously offered the opportunity of a post-mass Q and A session with Father Seán.
We were, for a morning, transported back in time. Memories, and far more besides, were made.
Thank you, Mrs Nye, for inviting us to your place of worship, and for making this possible.
MRS HUNTER AND DR SCOTT
HEROIC ETHICS CUP PERFORMANCE at St Andrews
Our team of 10 pupils from the Fourth Year and Lower Sixth Form have been working hard since their epic regional win at the Ethics Cup Competition in February. With new case sets to research and discuss they had a lot to prepare for.
Just before half term the team made the long journey to St Andrews, where they competed in the National Final. Having a short cultural stop in Edinburgh on the way, they made it to sunny St Andrews by Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning they arose in their student accommodation and after a hearty breakfast, were taken on a guided tour of the University by current students. We were told about the quirky traditions and superstitions followed by the University students, including how to wear your gown, how to wash away any academic sins and May Day activities. The team then gathered their thoughts and prepared to do battle, with
their trusted mascots (the ducks) cheering them on from the wings. They entered a draw for the group stage of the competition where they found themselves facing Eton school again. Despite some tough matches, they came out victorious in their group, with another defeat of Eton, and were the second highest scoring team in the group stage.
For the semi-finals the atmosphere was tense, and the team had a difficult case about Airbnbs in New York City. Despite an impressive performance, they narrowly missed out on their place in the final however, were proud to be in the top four teams nationally. This defeat was hard to swallow,
but they could do no more and with a subjective competition such as this, the judges’ decisions are not always ones we will agree with. However, a walk to the beach and some fish and chips helped to lighten the mood and the team instead took time to reflect on their amazing successes, the bonds they have formed as a team and the enrichment they have experienced as being part of this highly academic competition.
I am certainly very proud, not only of them as individuals and representatives of the school but of the way they worked together. This competition is designed to encourage discussion, not facing off as opposing sides trying to ‘win’ the arguments instead working with the other team, as a collaborative effort to find the most logical, rational and persuasive response to difficult questions, learning to disagree with humility and respect for differing views, which I hope will give them skills for life.
Mrs Webster Head of Philosophy & Theology
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
First Year
Visit the BFI
On early May First Year Germanists made their way to the BFI IMAX in London (home to the second largest screen in Europe – after Germany, of course) for a German film study day.
Pupils had the chance to review and expand vocabulary and phrases they have been learning around the topics of family, identity, and culture, as well as explore these themes by watching clips from German films.
Each of the films took place in a different period of time in Germany’s history, from the rigid strictness of school in the 1870s to the uncertainties and fears for people who were different in the 1930s, the changing cultural diversity after the war through to dealing with family life in a modern world. Pupils were therefore encouraged to explore not just vocabulary and the mechanics of language, but also building relationships and understanding cultures.
German Department Host BFI
The German department hosted an online event by the BFI for current and prospective A Level German pupils. Led by a film expert and conducted entirely in German, the event provided the opportunity to engage closely and actively in key themes and motifs of The Live of Others, (Das Leben der Anderen), the film studied as part of the A Level course. Pupils were able to watch, explore and discuss in detail key scenes from the film, while learning and analysing technical film language, in line with the exam specifications, making it an especially pertinent revision opportunity for Upper Sixth pupils.
German Trip to BAVARIA 2024
On a drizzly morning, pupils and teachers congregated at Heathrow, ready to heady off to sunnier climes in the south of Germany.
Despite an easy trip through customs – a sign of bad luck, we made it onto the aeroplane to leave for Munich airport with relative ease. However, this comfort would fall apart as upon sitting down in our seats we were informed by the pilot that we should expect an hour’s delay, which ended up being closer to two hours. We landed in Munich far later than expected and arrived at the hostel in Nuremberg at 1am. Leaving us all sufficiently tired.
The first day of the trip saw us visiting Rothenberg ob der Tauber, home to the world’s greatest Döner kebab, which was, in the minds of the pupils, at least as educational as the return to the town’s Medieval Crime and Punishment museum (perhaps more so). Whilst not quite in the league of Döner kebabs, the musuem was nonetheless interesting, as our tour guide told the interesting history of each item, even taking some out of their glass cupboards for us to hold. That evening after coming back to Nuremberg we saw our return to
the park we discovered last year, reacquainting ourselves with a favourite playground to wind down before turning in for the night.
The next morning, we took the (double decker) train to Ansbach, spending a day at our partner school, taking part in a variety of their lessons throughout the day, followed by pizza for lunch at the school. The afternoon consisted of a trip to the local mall which we explored for an hour. Dinner was at local restaurant with local food, near a fragment of the Berlin Wall.
The third day saw a trip to the BMW showroom in Munich, for which we were given a guided
Café Francais
tour full of interesting information and cars, followed by a walk to the Olympia park, at which we acquired Lidl branded sunglasses for free, and some of us chose to hike up to the nearby hill, giving a view over all the park and the city itself. That evening we were also allowed into the train station to visit the shops.
On the fourth day we were given free rein to explore Nuremberg for the day, and an activity pack to fill out about the town, which included activities such as asking locals about Nuremberg, where we received many compliments on our bright yellow Lidl sunglasses. On our travels we had also managed to acquire a football at last, which was used for the entire rest of the evening at the park amongst the group.
On the final day we took the tram to the zoo, with a surprisingly large array of animals followed by a smooth journey home.
In November our First and Second Year French Petits Filous, made the most of our now well established and well loved ‘Café Français’.
In the comfort of the Leathem room, the Petits Filous enjoyed some French delicacies. They ordered their food and drink in very good French. Menus in French allowed the Petits Filous to work on their pronunciation before ordering. Some tried to eat their croissant or pain au chocolat the French way, dipping it in their hot chocolate. Verdict? DE-LI-CIEUX! Thank you to Third Years Penelope L-T and Aimee L. who acted as their French waitresses that day. Let’s meet again at the Leathem room for more French delicacies on “La Chandeleur” (pancake day).
A bientôt Les Petits Filous and merci encore Penelope and Aimee.
“Le mariage ne sert à rien?” (Is marriage pointless?) ...
With motions ranging from the controversial “Le baccalauréat anglais est une bonne idée” (Is the English Baccalaureate a good idea?) to the thoughtprovoking “Le mariage ne sert à rien” (Is marriage pointless?), and the culturally significant “Il faut censurer la frange la plus extrême de la musique rap et hip-hop” (Should the most extreme fringe of rap and hip-hop music be censored?), these young debaters tackled complex issues with eloquence and conviction. The
South Regional French
Debating Competition
In the heart of the South Central/East Region, a spirited debate unfolded as Sixth Form pupils from various schools converged to showcase their linguistic prowess at the 2024 French Debating Competition.
competition served as a platform for students to not only showcase their linguistic abilities but also to delve into critical thinking, cultural awareness, and persuasive argumentation. As the rounds progressed, it became evident that our sixth formers were not just fluent in French, but adept at articulating their viewpoints with clarity and conviction. Each argument was crafted with precision, supported by evidence, and delivered with unwavering confidence. Judges were
First Year French trip –French Institute, London
At the end of the summer term First Year French embarked on a trip to South Kensington to spend the day at the French Institute.
The day started with exploring the beautiful French “mediathèque” (multimedia centre) –the biggest French mediathèque in the UK –and discovering more about Sports in France and the Olympic Games.
Did you know that each host city is allowed to include up to 5 additional sports to the Olympic Games? One of the new Games for Paris 2024 will be skateboarding and Break dancing! The morning ended with a Quiz on French sport, an opportunity for our 1st Year to show off their research skills
captivated by the depth of analysis and the maturity of thought displayed. They demonstrated resilience in the face of challenging topics, adapting their arguments with agility and flair. Their journey from nervous novices to confident debaters was a testament to their dedication and hard work. In the end, while only a few could emerge as champions, every participant walked away with invaluable lessons in communication, empathy, and the art of persuasion and all of that in French! Bravo!
and knowledge on the subject. Well done First Year! After some well deserved lunch, including a delicious freshly baked pain au chocolat, our First Year watched a beautiful animation “Le Petit Nicolas, happy as can be”. This film portrays the story of R. Goscinny and J.J Sempé as they create the influential “Le Petit Nicolas” series of illustrated children’s book. A fully packed day to discover a bit more about French culture in a fun way. What a better way to finish a successful first Year in French?!
Adventures in Nice: Discovering the French Riviera
During the Easter Holidays Gatwick Airport staff witnessed the excited chatter of our pupils as they embarked on a journey of exploration and discovery to the picturesque city of Nice. Packed with anticipation and a sense of adventure, the pupils eagerly boarded the plane, ready to embark on a memorable excursion filled with enriching experiences.
Upon our arrival at Nice airport, the beauty of the French Riviera unfolded before us, captivating our senses with its azure waters and sun-kissed landscapes. A seamless coach transfer whisked us away to our charming hotel, nestled in the heart of Nice. After walking up to La Colline du Château, we immediately were taken by the breathtaking view over the world famous “Baie des Anges “. Our first evening was marked by a delightful dinner, where we savoured the flavours of the Mediterranean. The perfect start to our gastronomic adventure! The following day saw us venturing into the medieval village of Tourettes-sur-Loup, perched majestically on top of a rocky spur. Here, we immersed ourselves in the rich heritage of the region,
exploring its winding alleys and ancient landmarks. Our journey continued with a visit to Confiserie Florian Sweet Factory in Pont du Loup, where we embarked on a guided tour, delving into the artistry of artisanal confectionery production and indulging in tantalising tastings of citrus jams and crystallized flowers. The highlight of our day was a visit to the legendary Perfumery Galimard in Grasse, where we delved into the intricate art of perfume-making, steeped in centuries-old tradition. From the fragrant flowers to the meticulously crafted scents, our senses were enraptured by the essence of Grasse.
of historic tenements, churches, and squares, inviting us to step back in time and immerse ourselves in its rich tapestry of culture and heritage. French tuition lessons provided valuable insights into the language and culture, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the local way of life. The thrill of solving puzzles and unravelling mysteries awaited us at the Escape Room activities, where teamwork and collaboration were the keys to success.
A day trip to Monaco offered a glimpse into the opulent world of royalty and glamour, from the
On day 3, our exploration of Nice’s Old Town unveiled a tapestry ›
Le retour des PETITS FILOUS
Les Petits Filous are back and enjoyed a very busy start to the year at the French Junior Club.
After a French cinema session, where the Petits Filous watched with delight “Astérix et Cleopatre” while eating some popcorn, First and Second Years discovered French B.Ds (comic books) and practised their translation skills! They are also the first daring candidates to enter the National French Pop Video Competition hosted by the French Institute and which will take place in 2024. Teams have started to form, very creative ideas have been discussed, French vocabulary explored and style of music selected. Our first competitors are well underway.
Changing of the Guard at the Palace to a guided tour aboard the Monaco Petit Train. The Top Cars Collection Museum provided a fascinating insight into the world of luxury automobiles, curated by HSH The Prince of Monaco himself. We were also very fortunate to witness the preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix taking place at the weekend.
Our final day in Nice culminated in a leisurely stroll through the vibrant Flower Market at Cours Saleya, where fragrant blooms and fresh produce filled the air with their enchanting scents. Amidst souvenir shopping and leisurely walks along La Promenade des Anglais, we bid adieu to Nice, our hearts filled with cherished memories and newfound friendships. As we boarded our flight back to London, we reflected on the countless moments of laughter, learning, and cultural exchange that defined our excursion to Nice. It was truly a journey of discovery, where every experience was a testament to the beauty and richness of French culture.
NICOLE MCVITTY HEAD OF FRENCH
A PARISIAN ADVENTURE for First
Years
Over February half-term, 80 intrepid First Year pupils visited Paris and had a great weekend. Some slight travel hitches on the Friday did not stop our enthusiasm for all things Parisian over the weekend.
We enjoyed a day at Disneyland Paris on the Saturday with lots of rides and sugary treats, ending with a fantastic Disney buffet at the Chuck Wagon cafe in the evening. Then back to the hotel for a swim and relaxation, before a full-on day in Paris on the Sunday. We had blue skies for our trip up the Montparnasse Tower to see all of Paris from the top (and we tried not to get blown away!) and then back down to get on a Bateau Mouche to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and much more from the river. A great time was had by all! A la prochaine, Paris! (until next time).
Adventures in MALLORCA
From 15 to 19 April, a group of 40 Second Year Spanish pupils enjoyed a fabulous time on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
The trip included activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, the exploration of Spanish culture and so much more! We enjoyed a boat ride into the Mediterranean Sea, a range of Spanish foods and native activities like treasure hunts that are a little different from what we do here in England. Overall, everyone had an amazing time on the trip with it being such a fun and interesting experience for all the pupils and teachers!
BENJAMIN D, SECOND YEAR
Junior Spanish Club GATOS Tuck In!
In GATOS (Junior Spanish club) we were trying some Spanish foods and talking about different tapas we have tried. Here you can see the group eating ‘magdalenas’ – little Spanish cakes eaten for breakfast with hot chocolate or coffee. We also ate chorizo, aceitunas, jamón serrano and tortilla española. ¡Qué rico!
Lunar New Year Celebrations
The Year of the Dragon
A colourful celebration of the Lunar New Year saw the Wilberforce Hall filled with laughter and smiles as pupils and teachers gathered together for a festive New Year party hosted by Mrs Dong, Teacher of Mandarin, and the modern languages department.
Traditional Chinese dancers performed for the gathered audience, followed by Mrs Dong giving a breathtaking and beautifully controlled display of martial arts. The snacks were, quite naturally, popular with everyone as were the games and crafts, including calligraphy signs for the New Year.
DIVING DEEP into Chinese Culture
Pupils learning Mandarin in First, Second and Fourth Year enjoyed a trip to the British Museum’s esteemed China Halls and the vibrant streets of Chinatown.
It was nothing short of spectacular!
Diving headfirst into the heart of Chinese history, our pupils embarked on an unforgettable treasure hunt, uncovering the secrets of over 7000 years of cultural heritage meticulously preserved within the hallowed halls of the British Museum. From ancient artifacts to modern jade, every corner illuminated a new facet of China’s illustrious past.
But the adventure didn’t end there! Venturing into the bustling streets of Chinatown, from tantalizing street food stalls to
bubble teas, every step revealed a new sensory delight, immersing our pupils in the Chinese cuisine and culture.
Through teamwork, laughter, and a shared spirit of exploration, our pupils forged unforgettable memories and deepened their appreciation for the rich and diverse heritage of China. We carry with us not just beautiful souvenirs, but a newfound understanding and respect for one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Energy Economics Lunchtime Lecture
Business, Economics and Geography
pupils were given a fantastic talk by Mr Andrew Elmes, Head of Business Development at Siemens Gamesa.
The theme for the talk centred around the successes, challenges and vision for renewable energy in the UK. Andrew spoke to the students about the pricing of energy in the renewables market, covering the “duck curve” dynamic, whilst explaining the challenges of storing electricity for future usage. Coupled with the infrastructure upgrades that need to happen in order for renewable energy generation to overtake fossil fuels, a vision for future collaboration with neighbouring nations to eventually export renewable energy is an exciting prospect. Andrew went on to talk about potential career opportunities in this exciting and fast changing industry, prompting further questions and enquiries about work experience from a handful of students. Andrew raised some thought-provoking questions about climate anxiety and the opportunity to make the UK a world leader in wind energy prompted a lot of positive feedback from pupils.
Emeritus Professor of Economics, Dr Parviz Dabir-Alai Captivates
Our Economics pupils were treated to a lecture from Emeritus Professor of Economics, Dr Parviz Dabir-Alai. His 40 years of experience, as Professor at Richmond University, as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Social and Economic Research and as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Happiness and Development, allowed him to share personal, professional and ‘off-the-record’ insights into three fascinating areas of Economics.
The audience scrambled to note down as much as possible as Dr Dabir-Alai spoke about Economic Growth and inequality and pointed them in the direction of excellent research, books and journals. Particular highlights included exploring the correlation between the actions of the CIA and the economic development of post-colonialisation countries, and the way in which the huge X-inefficiency at the World Bank propped up a failing Concorde for many years. After the talk, Dr Dabir-Alai gave some excellent answers to the plethora of questions that pupils asked.
A big thank you to Dr. Dabir-Alai.
Mr Andrew Elmes, Head of Business Development at Siemens Gamesa
Dr Parviz Dabir-Alai, Emeritus Professor of Economics
Financial Crisis Experience Shared
We had the pleasure of having former Credit Suisse Director, Mr Martijn De Bruin visit to give a talk about his experiences working in the financial sector during the financial crisis of 2007 – 2009. From the talk, we understood how consumer psychology and loose credit regulations led to the event occurring, and how shocking it was for the entire world at the time; stock markets plummeted, people were desperate to get rid of their securities as they were devaluing, and the collapse of many well-known investment funds. We also learnt a lot on the financial sector; one would be an MBS, which is when a bank acts as an intermediary between a bank and an investor, in order to sell a loan at a discounted price to the investors in the form of a MBS. It also enhanced our knowledge on our current economic course, such as the consequences of an asset bubble burst. Overall, it was a very enriching experience, and we appreciated it a lot.
Vincent Ku, Lower Sixth Form
BUSINESS ESSAY COMPETITION
Our Upper Sixth Form pupils spent the summer bettering their understanding of the fast-changing pressures facing firms around the world with our annual Business Essay Competition. This allowed them the opportunity to delve into topics such as the importance of online retail, the usefulness of accounting apps for small businesses, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. No matter the title chosen, it was clear that all had improved their ability to apply business theory to practical examples, whilst also balancing the use of a wide range of sources. Worthy runners up include Anthony, John Paul and Liyana, but the fantastic winning entry came from Elouise. Her essay applying Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory (a topic not studied in the syllabus) with robust research, a well-balanced and insightful conclusion was a pleasure to read. Similarly for Economics, the essays submitted showcased an array of writing styles, applications of a plethora of economic models and theories, with the task of choosing a winner a tough choice. The essays of Luke, Isaac and Isabella are highly commended, but Zach’s essay on the pricing of pharmaceuticals was very well researched, superbly written, with a solid application of the models and theories used. A well done to everyone that made a concerted effort to broaden their horizons and their skills sets.
Computer Science
GOLD RUSH from UK Bebras Challenge
Caterham’s Computer Science pupils have a lot to celebrate after achieving their biggest ever hoard of gold awards in the UK Bebras Challenge. An impressive total of 86 pupils were awarded gold certificates, placing them in the top 10 per cent of pupils across the country. This outstanding accomplishment has earned them the opportunity to progress to the highly prestigious Oxford University Computing Challenge. This invitationonly event aims to encourage and challenge pupils to further develop their skills in computational thinking and produce programmed solutions to complex problems. The event is highly competitive and only the most talented and dedicated are selected to participate. Caterham’s pupils have demonstrated exceptional talent in the field of computer science, and their achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft.
Neil Stokes Head of Computer Science
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT
High Quality of Academic Endeavour Evidenced at IRP FINAL
The Senior Independent Research Project final is undoubtedly one of the academic highlights of the year at Caterham, and this year was no exception.
Over 40 Upper Sixth pupils entered the competition, and with the introduction of the EPQ, which many of our pupils have undertaken, the quality of research was at an all-time high.
Each project answered a unique question, which pupils were curious to discover the answer to, and it was incredibly challenging to select our finalists. Since the quality of academic endeavour was so strong, we added a seventh place to the final and selected fourteen submissions as highly commended.
For the finals evening we were incredibly fortunate to be joined by our two esteemed judges. Mr James Burns and Mr Paul Dixon. James is currently Managing Director of Crescent Capital focusing on European credit where he has worked for the last 10 years. Prior to this he spent 16 years working for several investment banks in London focusing on Leveraged Finance. He received his MA in History from Cambridge University. Paul, who after graduating in Economics from
Cambridge in 1987, has worked for thirty years in Investment Banking and Asset Management. More recently, in 2019 he went back to university (to LSE) to complete a Masters in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences; and in 2021 he gave a series of guest lectures at Caterham School. Paul is currently studying for an MA in the Philosophy of AI at Northeastern University, London. The judges read all seven written papers in advance of the evening and scored each one according to the quality of research and the clarity of the ideas expressed. These scores were then added to their judgement, on the strength of their presentations and their ability to answer challenging questions from the audience and the judges.
Ria opened the evening with
a discussion of her comparative study of Charles Dickens and Zadie Smith, questioning who exposes social injustice more effectively and how they both achieve this? Ollie then examined the views of philosophers on the question of whether art can be objectively beautiful, and Genevieve engaged us with her explanation as to how X-ray crystallography can be used to identify a crystal. Before the break, James presented his fashion concept collection, the first in the history of Caterham IRP. His models showcased the garments he designed and made, as he explained how the fall of the Romanovs inspired his pieces. After the break we delved into Computer Science as Xavier considered the impact that changing the social and cognitive parameters has on
Particle Swarm Optimisation algorithms. Next, Amali presented her interdisciplinary research from Philosophy and Psychology asked the audience to consider the psychological consequences of guilt and whether they can be justified by their benefits? Finally, Francesco faced with two experts in investment banking, presented his findings as to whether moral hazard was a bigger cause of the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 than loose monetary policy. He presentation truly engaged, educated and challenged the audience who then cast their vote for the best presentation on the night as the judges deliberated. Special thanks to Mrs Becky Hunter and Dr Marc Scott our
academic enrichment tutors who posed many challenging questions to our finalists and aided their judges in their task of selecting the winners.
The judges were generous in their feedback highlighting the strengths of each presentation and awarded joint 3rd place to James and Xavier, 2nd place to Ollie and 1st place to Amali. The judges felt that Amali’s submission would not have been out of place in a university dissertation and were similarly
Inters Present at IRP Final 2024
The Wilberforce Hall was most certainly the place to be for the Inters IRP final. The room was alive with anticipation for the academic treat that was the Inters’ IRP Final.
Six finalists from the Third and Fourth Years who had submitted Independent Research Projects on a subject of their choice, waited to present their findings to an ever-growing audience. James W had the dubious privilege of kicking off proceedings with his superb presentation on the Banality of Evil. Thereafter followed impressive talks by Oliver T on whether or not science can be ethical, by Lucy Amsel on the best way to convert CO2 into usable energy on a large scale to help combat global warming, by Namratha D n the socioeconomic effects of our living longer, by Caitlin M on the impact of grief on the immune system, and by
Annette S on whether sweeteners or sugars are better for us.
The judges were then faced with the incredibly difficult task of choosing a winner. Congratulations must go to all six of our finalists, who withstood, with a maturity beyond their years, a barrage
impressed by her presentation and in particular by her responses to the questions posed on the night. Many congratulations to all of our finalists and to our winners in particular. Many congratulations to all of our seven fabulous finalists and to our winners in particular.
FINALISTS:
1st Place: Amali
2nd Place: Ollie
3rd Place: James & Xavier
Audience Vote
James Ria
Genevieve Francesco
Highly Commended: Liban
Olivia Dante
Jack Hailey
Annie Lisa Marcus Samuel Finn Kiyan Luca Sophia Aaron
of questions from the judges and audience alike. Especial commendation though, must of course be given to those pupils placed in the top three: Annette in third, Lucy in second, and Namratha in first place.
Our thanks go to parents, pupils and staff for attending the evening, and making it the very special occasion it was, and of course, to the judges – Mr Waite, Ms Wildsmith, and Dr Sinclair.
MRS HUNTER AND DR SCOTT
CAREERS
Degree Apprenticeships Insight Evening
We were delighted to welcome over 70 families to the Degree Apprenticeship Information evening, which was held on Monday 25 September.
The evening was designed to give those who attended a whistle-stop tour of the amazing world of apprenticeships and why they are serious contenders as an alternative for a more traditional university route.
We were joined by OC (2021) Husayn Moosa, who talked about his experiences as an degree apprentice with Grant Thornton and how he used the CaterhamConnected network to help him with his preparation. He knew that university wasn’t the route for him and had researched many business-related apprenticeship programmes before he settled on accounting and finance. Husayn is on a level 7 accounting and finance pathway which will take him five years to complete. He is currently in his third year as an audit associate, and he is thoroughly enjoying his journey to gaining his final accounting qualifications in 2026 when he is guaranteed employment with the company provided, he passes his final set of exams. He talked about how the last two years have been a steep learning curve where he has learnt a new language, that
of finance. He also explained that students should be under no illusion that this was an easy route, but the starting salary of £25,000, the fact that you have no student debt and the support you are given, makes everything worthwhile. It has been an amazing journey so far and he has developed as a person, built connections and learnt about the commercial world in ways a traditional university route would not have given him.
International University Fair
There was a fantastic buzz around our International Universities mini-fair hosted in the concourse during September.
Thirteen universities were in attendance with representation from across Europe, US and Canada.
Pupils from the Lower Sixth Form and Fifth Year were particularly keen to visit, but it was also encouraging to see the younger year groups start exploring some of the opportunities that await them.
Studying in the US and overseas is becoming more and more of a popular option for our Caterham pupils, and they are supported with expert guidance from the Sixth Form team.
Exploring Further Education at University Fair
The February University Fair saw an impressive turnout of pupils, not only from Caterham but also from Oxted, St Bede’s, Warlingham and Reigate College, all eager to explore their options for further education.
Representatives from thirty institutions and organisations participated, including The University Guys, UCL, Imperial College, Exeter, Nottingham, Durham and Bath.
The fair featured a variety of activities and offerings designed to engage pupils and facilitate meaningful interactions with university representatives. These included:
Stands:
Each participating institution set up informational stands showcasing their academic programs, campus life, admission requirements, and scholarship opportunities. Representatives were available to answer questions and provide guidance to pupils.
Talks:
Concurrent talks were organised on topics such as applying to competitive universities, degree apprenticeships versus the traditional university degree route, how to the navigate medicine and dentistry application process and writing fantastic personal
BONKERS Careers Fair
The First and Second Year pupils were treated to an amazing array of ‘Bonkers’ careers in June and what fun we had exploring careers we might not normally have thought about!
Twelve fantastically talented parents, Old Cats and representatives of the massive network of connections that Caterham School has, joined us for three hours to celebrate some very diverse and unusual professions.
We heard from the Head Concierge at Corinthia London about how he managed to get a very famous singer through the police cordons to get to the King’s Coronation, when she had received the necessary paperwork. He talked about the need to be determined
statements. These sessions were well-received and provided pupils with practical advice for navigating the whole application process.
Feedback from pupils, parents and guardians, overwhelmingly indicated that the University Fair was a resounding success. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to explore a wide range of educational options in one convenient location and found the interactions with university representatives to be highly informative and inspiring. This is such a valuable platform for pupils to explore higher education opportunities, gain insights into different academic pathways, and connect with representatives from various institutions. By fostering a culture of curiosity, exploration, and informed decision-making, the fair contributed to the school’s mission of preparing students for success in their future career journeys.
and creative with problem solving but also how important it was to be respectful and understanding when dealing with such a high profile situation. Carrying on with the theme of the coronation, we were delighted to welcome Janet who not only bound the King’s Coronation Bible but was also integral in cross stitching the Coronation Scroll together. The pupils were fascinated at the myriad of
Being a stunt double for Sylvester Stallone, James Bond and in A Game of Thrones drew pupil questions on how dangerous the job was...
stages and attention to detail required in this profession. She had even bound a book to go in the library of the doll’s house at Windsor Castle!
Being a stunt double for Sylvester Stallone, James Bond and in A Game of Thrones drew pupil questions on how dangerous the job was and had anybody passed away as a stuntman, but Jonathan also gave some very good advice about how precarious this career path could be and how it was a good idea to have a backup job when things were quiet. And did you know that to become an animal physiotherapist, you had to first train as a human specialist first? Bizarre!
The above were just a few of the roles covered and we were so lucky to hear from an interior designer, an entrepreneur, a vertical hydroponic farmer, a bug farmer, a music photographer and a theatre director who regaled us with their wisdom and expertise.
We had some great feedback from the pupils too.
A massive thank you to everyone who took part and congratulations to Gigi and Daniel C who won the Panjango Careers Game in the Bonkers Bingo draw.
Creative Careers Evening
Creative careers cover a massive range of professions and industries, and this was abundantly clear at the Creative Careers evening.
Over seventy pupils from across the school and their parents joined our seven amazing guest speakers to hear about their journey through the creative world.
OC and former Head Boy Chris Munns talked about his journey since leaving Caterham to becoming an architect and designing his own house extension. His journey did not go quite to plan and he faced a number of challenges in order to reach his goal and advised that pupils should never give up in the pursuit of their dreams.
Parent Ruth Smoker also talked about making mistakes and the importance of learning from them when Reiss, the company where she is Head of Production and Sourcing Menswear, underestimated the popularity of a particular McLaren branded item of clothing. She talked about the need to be agile in the workplace in order to find solutions to deal with aspects that don’t quite go to plan.
OC Caroline Bowen-Long, an interior designer also discovered how small the world can be, when a parent mentioned that the office they worked in was actually designed by the company Caroline works for. We were also surprised to see how integral the use of computer aided drawing (CAD) is, not only in the field of architecture but also in the fashion world. OC Jess Puntan, formally
a knitwear designer at Paul Smith and now designing sportswear at Rapha, brought along one of her design portfolios and it was quite eye-opening to see the uniformity of her designs using CAD – gone are the messy design books of the past! Thank you too to Haime and Butler for stepping up at the last minute to send Nikki Saunders, one of their graphic designers along when my original contact had to pull out. We were also very lucky to have a Teams talk from Lindsay Pressdee, a senior lecturer in fashion marketing and branding at the University of Manchester and former course leader at BCU, who was grilled by Mrs Veldtman about her specialism, the creative industries in general and how pupils can prepare for this very competitive world.
Another popular speaker was parent Carlos Lutterbach, who delighted his audience with some wonderful clips of the animations he has worked on and how these amazing films get to a finished product from the original idea, through a storyboard and finally to the product we actually see. Carlos, like many of our other speakers also reinforced how superb these evenings are for networking and building up connections with people who might be able to support a pupil’s journey into these fields, as many business cards and contact details were traded with offers of advice and work experience opportunities.
HOUSE REPORTS 2023-24
Caterham School’s Heads of House report on the year’s events...
BEECH HANGER
Mrs Siobhan Issacs, Head of House
As I reflect on my first year as Housemistress of Beech Hanger, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the wonderful experiences we’ve shared.
This year has been marked by the hard work, dedication, and warmth of our incredible community, from the tutors to the matrons and catering and cleaning staff, and most importantly, the girls themselves.
First and foremost, I must acknowledge the fantastic team of tutors and matrons who have been the backbone of our House. Their dedication to nurturing the girls both academically and personally has been extraordinary. Whether supporting with study sessions, providing a listening ear, or ensuring the daily needs of the girls are met, they have gone above and beyond. Their unwavering support has allowed me to settle into my role with confidence, and
I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such caring individuals. Our girls have truly brought the heart and soul to the House, making each day special with their energy, creativity, and resilience. From quiet moments of camaraderie in the common room to spontaneous laughter and lively debates
during social events, they have continuously brought joy into our home.
THIS YEAR, THEY’VE EXCELLED IN MANY AREAS:
Academic Success
Many girls have shown impressive academic progress, balancing their studies with a variety of extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular Excellence
Whether through music, drama, sport, or volunteering, our girls have embraced opportunities to shine outside the classroom. Their participation in these activities not only enhances their personal development but also brings a sense of pride to the entire House.
Social and Emotional Growth
I have witnessed the girls forge deep friendships, support one another through challenges, and grow into mature, confident young women. The sense of community and sisterhood that has developed in the House is something we should all cherish and celebrate. ›
SOME STANDOUT MOMENTS THAT REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF OUR HOUSE INCLUDE:
The House Socials
These events were filled with laughter, good conversation, and an incredible sense of togetherness. Whether it was the festive holiday party, themed movie nights, or casual weekend baking sessions, the girls took every opportunity to bond and create lasting memories.
Community Service
Many of the girls participated in various outreach programs, reflecting our House’s commitment to kindness and compassion. Their efforts, whether through volunteering at local charities or organising fundraising events, demonstrated their desire to make a positive impact.
House Competitions
It has been inspiring to see the girls come together to compete in inter-house events, showing both teamwork and leadership. Their enthusiasm and house spirit during these competitions have been a true highlight of the year.
As we move into a new year, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. My aim is to continue fostering a warm, supportive, and vibrant environment where every girl feels valued and encouraged to achieve her full potential. I look forward to seeing the House continue to thrive with new initiatives, further development of student leadership, and more chances to celebrate both individual and collective successes.
In closing, I would like to thank the tutors, matrons, support staff, parents, and, of course, the girls themselves for making this year such a positive and rewarding experience. I am excited to see what the next year will bring, and I am confident that with the same energy and dedication, we will continue to build on the fantastic achievements of this year.
Thank you all for your ongoing support and for making Beech Hanger a truly special place to call home.
HARESTONE
Dr Robert Soltysiak, Head of House
The Autumn term started well for Harestone, led with gusto by Joe S and Olivia A.
Joe has been particularly good at motivating the younger years and giving his house assemblies and events a fun atmosphere to spur on Harestone involvement by all. Olivia has always led from the front, doing every event she can and setting an example for others in the house –despite her busy schedule this year, it was no different and both should be proud of their time in Harestone.
The Fifth Year gave a new lease of life to senior events in the autumn term, and Harestone was well-placed in the house tables moving into Christmas, following an entertaining house day in November. Table tennis scored well for a second year running, and again we performed with class in house music. The boys scored consistently well in house swimming, and particular shout-outs should go to Cai H and Isabel S, swimming up
an age group against strong older swimmers.
The inter boys were the kings of sport this year, winning both house rugby and house hockey, and coming second overall in house athletics after an excellent relay race, which I was sure would’ve knocked on the door of the school record! The juniors followed strongly at their heels for rugby and hockey, with 2nd place in the rugby and 2nd and 3rd respectivevly for girls and boys – a great start for some of our new members. Cross-country and Art in the spring term were both excellent events for Harestone this year, and we had some lovely pieces of work from Theo A, Ann T, Sophie W and Lucy C. In the house debating, the double act of the Carter sisters (Amali and Lana) were narrowly beaten in the final again this year – Amali’s final
LEWISHAM
Mr Daryl Todd, Head of House
Lewisham almost win the Treble!
2024 saw Lewisham regain two out of three available House trophies, Juniors and Seniors - a remarkable achievement thanks to a relatively small group of amazingly loyal and talented students from our House. Our girls proved once again to be the best swim team in all age groups - Izzy N and Sophie F leading the way in the Juniors and Mia K the Inters, ably supported by Lucy A. The Senior squad was incredibly dominant with Ava K, Sam C, Jenny L, Kayla A and the
Hunter sisters. The Senior boys were also victorious in the pool, led by the powerful Jack F and ably supported by Will L, Sammy H and Lucas C.
Our Inters were not without success. Daniel T led our chess players to victory, and Flo R won the ‘Oscar’ for best dramatic monologue. We struggled to win any Junior event outright, but Emily S was our outstanding singer in House Music.
However, our consistency in all events over the course of the year was excellent, and we just managed to win the Junior trophy by a whisker. House Cross Country saw Lucy H win the Senior girls race, and Caitlin M continued to dominate running events across two terms. School Sports Day saw our best athletes, once again, produce great performances to
year, but making it three years in a row she has expertly led the way forward.
House drama, one of my personal favourite events was narrowly lost this year, but particular mentions must go to Issy C and Tanya C, stalwarts in the house drama, doing an excellent duologue and winning their bracket. Special mention must also go to Saanya P who stood up and opened the night with her monologue despite being only a First Year at the time – such bravery cannot go unmentioned.
Some great successes for Harestone over the course of the year, but it is testament to the school that these resulted in a strong mid-table performance overall this year – onwards and upwards next year!
keep us in contention in all three major trophies.
Special thanks go to Jenny L and Dante B for their massive contribution to Lewisham House for seven years. As our Heads of House, I was so pleased they were able to collect the two House trophies, having helped us win numerous trophies in the past.
As ever, House competitions were very closely fought this year, and the final positions depended on the final event - House Song. We were asked to perform the Coldplay song ‘Fix You’. The audience were treated to some amazing individual singers from other Houses, but Lewisham, with some beautiful three-part harmony, were the only House to sound like a choir. It was a wonderful winning performance to end the year.
ALDERCOMBE
Mr Robert
Mugridge,
Head of House
As we conclude another remarkable year at Aldercombe, it’s clear that our house has continued to go from strength to strength.
It has been a joy to witness an increase in participation numbers and an inspiring willingness among our students to engage in a diverse range of events. Many of these activities have taken our students out of their comfort zones, yet they have consistently risen to the challenge, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and, most importantly, competing with smiles on their faces.
This year, the reds have enjoyed victories across various disciplines. Our juniors made a significant impact, showcasing their talent and determination by securing wins in tug of war, badminton, swimming, and athletics. These achievements not only reflect their hard work and dedication but also set a positive tone for the entire house. Our senior students continued to lead the way, emerging as champions in both debating and cross country. Their success is a testament to
their leadership and the supportive environment fostered within Aldercombe. Meanwhile, our inters have also shone brightly, clinching victories in table tennis, cross country, art, and hockey. Each of these wins contributes to the rich tapestry of achievement that defines our house, reinforcing our collective spirit and commitment to teamwork.
Throughout the year, it has been heartening to see every member of Aldercombe support one another, regardless of the outcomes. The camaraderie displayed during events, from the thrill of victory to the lessons learned in defeat, highlights the strong sense of community that defines Aldercombe. Our students have not only competed fiercely but have also encouraged one another, embodying the values of teamwork and respect that we hold dear. If results were solely
NEWINGTON
Mr Neil Parker, Head of House
determined by our enthusiasm to represent Aldercombe, we would undoubtedly have emerged victorious in most competitions! Aldercombe consistently show that competing is about more than just winning; it’s about growing, learning, and enjoying the journey together.
As we bid farewell to our Upper 6th leavers, I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for all they have done for Aldercombe over the years. Your dedication and spirit will leave a lasting legacy, and we wish you every success as you embark on new adventures beyond Caterham. I want to extend a special thank you to Megan Swan and Dexter Bishop, who have led our house with remarkable passion and enthusiasm throughout the year. Their positive energy and commitment to Aldercombe have inspired their peers and undoubtedly made a significant impact on the performances of our younger students.
Finally, THANK YOU to every “Aldercomber” for making this year a memorable one. Together, we have demonstrated that with hard work, determination, and a sense of community, we can achieve great things!
My first house assembly of the year always follows a similar format. I begin by welcoming the new members of Newington, introducing our Heads of House, and drawing a comparison between a house and a river.
I explain that, like a river that may occupy the same course forever, Newington flows with ever-changing waters, bringing new life and energy each year. However, on reflection, I realize the simile needs more nuance: if Newington’s waters flowed predictably in terms of speed and direction every
year then where would be the opportunity for pupils to put their own stamp of what it means to be a Newingtonian? Such a house would be a tired lake rather than a babbling, frothing and gushing river. This year, however, felt anything but tired. It was inspiring to see our Inters and Lower Sixth step up,
taking ownership of house activities and assemblies. For the first time in a long time, whenever I mentioned an upcoming house competition, we had more volunteers than we had spaces. This enthusiasm was perhaps best embodied by the Inter boys’ participation in house swimming. Despite most of ›
them not having even a 25-meter swimming badge to their name, our intrepid young men splashed and spluttered through the races, ensuring we didn’t have a single empty lane. While we didn’t take home any trophies, the atmosphere was electric. We saw everything you could hope for in a house competition: laughter at brave attempts to tackle the butterfly stroke and respectful silence for the “professionals” whose grace and speed were truly impressive.
The same energy filled so many house competitions this year. I was especially proud of the spirited indignation shown by our Lower Sixth after we didn’t win the house song. While I talked them out of storming the stage with pitchforks and torches in protest of the “singing ability” scoring criteria, their passion was a joy to witness.
A special thank you to Mr. Stamper, our remarkable Assistant Head of House, and to our pupil Heads of House, Izzy and Seb, whose dedication was invaluable. As for our final standings, we came 6th in the juniors, 3rd in the Inters, and 5th in the Seniors. No silverware this year, but what we may have lacked in points on Mr. Moore’s spreadsheet, we more than made up for in house spirit and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be part of Newington.
VINEY
Mr Nick Mills, Head of House
The academic year 2023-24 was another year of enjoyment and achievement in Viney.
In September we welcomed another cohort of new Lower Sixth boarders as well as a lively crop of Fifth Year boys moving up from Townsend, all of whom settled quickly into the senior boys’ boarding house.
The year proved to be very successful in terms of house competition, with Viney challenging hard for silverware right through to the final event of the year. Particular highlights included the chess, badminton and swimming, but also very impressive performances in cross country, house music and the house quiz. Some of the most memorable moments came on the basketball court where an outstanding group of Upper Sixth boys achieved some of the school’s best ever results, most notably defeating Whitgift twice away from home.
The boys also continued to throw themselves whole-heartedly into the wide range of boarding trips. This year we were lucky enough to get tickets for the boys to go to watch Harlequins rugby matches
and the London Lions compete in European competition. The ice skating trips and the paintballing trip in the spring remained as popular as ever, while there was also a full coach of boarders who travelled up to the West End to see the Lion King musical. Successful onsite activities included the now annual inflatable fun day, as well as new boarding activities such as the prefect led craft club and the always popular Friday night football.
As always, I am very grateful to the departing Upper Sixth boys for all of their efforts for the house, above all to Ponny Z and Parco W for their wonderful work running the boarding prefect team. They did a great job of supporting the staff, representing the boys and organising some great social events. I have been very proud this year of the boys of the house and the full part they play in the life of the school. This year the house provided the winners of the school talent show, countless members of school musical ensembles, 1st XV rugby players, a cluster of school prefects, 1st XI cricketers, IRP finalists, presidents of a number of whole school academic societies, national standard badminton players, and lots and lots of study buddies, Rotary Club fundraisers and Clifton Hill volunteers - and all of this in addition to the boys’ sustained academic focus and excellent exam results. I am sure that the boarders’ commitment to the school and determination to make the most of the opportunities it offers will continue in the years ahead.
VINEY HOUSE 2023-24
RIDGEFIELD
Mr Richard Evans, Head of House
An Otterly Brilliant Year in Ridgefield.
2023-24 will go down in the history books as the year in which Ridgefield adopted Dorothea the Otter as our mascot. As a multitalented competitor who enjoys spending time in the forest, she has been right at home in the House of the Grand Green Forest.
In between House Competitions and big event days, we have loved taking part in a series of term-long gameshows in our Assemblies. Our Autumn Term league, known as Forestry Fortunes, saw our pupils assigned to one of fifteen teams, each of which was named after a tree (or other form of flora) and which included at least one pupil per year group. After facing off in games such as Family Fortunes, Blankety Blank, a quiz to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Doctor Who, and a blockbuster final quiz in which our pupils had to avoid being within the first or last 10% of pupils to submit their answers, the final results were confirmed just in time for our Christmas Raffle. Team
Cedar (Oliver F, Chloe K, Martha P, Taran S, Leo H, Ava W, Isabella P, Emily B, Cameron A) were crowned the champions for the term, and they won their much-deserved prizes, while other Ridgefield superstars won raffle prizes ranging from a highlighter pen to a pack of playing cards.
In the Spring Term, we played a new series of games, including a memory test and a Scattergoriesstyle quiz. Every week, the winners chose some squares from an enigmatic grid, in which every square was occupied by a name; nobody knew whose square was whose, so everyone just had to hope that their square would not
be called out! Gabby T, Anthony S-K, Lola M, Lilian dB, and Phoebe P-S qualified for the final round in late March, but so did David O, and he won the landmark final game and became the only pupil to defeat The Grid.
In our House Competitions, we brought our zest for success every time, and we were very successful. My list of favourite moments from the House Cups is too long to recite here, but I must give huge shoutouts to our teams in Senior Netball, Inter and Junior Tennis, and to our Senior Quiz team, who won that event on a terrifying tiebreak question. No list of my favourite House moments is complete without a celebration of House Song, with Ridgefield’s performance of True Colours securing an excellent second place. Perhaps my number one moment from the House year, however, was House Drama, with Emily B, George M and Isla T leading our team to a superb third consecutive victory. (We later reprised our devised performance at ARTS Live 2024. According to our devised script, I was absent from all things House Drama because I had been sent on a wild goose chase to The Tortured Poets Department… so it was good to be back for ARTS Live!)
Many thanks to everyone in Ridgefield – every contribution has been priceless. Special thanks must go to Miss Henry, who has been a fantastic Assistant Head of House throughout my time as Head of House, and we look forward to Mrs Yankova’s activities and cheerleading as she steps into the AHoH role.
Thank you to Harriet L and Zach F for your boundless spirit as Pupil Heads of House; Emily B and Gabby T, your successors, have a very tough act to follow, but I cannot wait to see how they make this role their own.
Talking of cheerleading, I will never forget our incredible curtainraising performance at the Opening Ceremony for 2024’s House Athletics Day, which was a fitting forerunner to Alex S scoring more points than any other competitor in the Inter Boys’ events. Oh, I think Ridgefield has no shortage of cheerleaders!
TOWNSEND
Mr Ali Taylor, Head of House
The year started in a fantastic way with our Senior prefects helping to run the welcome activities on the prep school fields, a myriad of ice-breaker games designed to bring the shyest pupil out of their shell ensured laughter and smiles were had by all; supplemented by a picnic lunch and ice cream to finish!
Sport played an integral part of the boys’ transition into school life and the Touch Super Series held over 4 rounds ensured that everyone got to learn the laws of rugby at a level suitable for those new to the game. The sense of belonging and camaraderie really started to take hold here.
Weekend Activities:
Lots of adventures were organised to help promote wellbeing and friendships and to alleviate some of the exam-time stress.
TOWNSEND HOUSE 2023-24
JUNIOR BOARDERS BOWLING TRIP SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE MAKING
TABLE TENNIS IN THE WILBERFORCE HALL, A PERFECT ARENA! ›
The boarders Basketball Trip to watch London Lions was a highlight for Bradyn. The match was played in the Copper Box an iconic stadium used in the 2012 Olympics and created a rapturous atmosphere.
Saturday Night Laser tag was a huge success thanks to the Parental Association and their kind contribution of new equipment. Different ‘levels’ were created around school with multiple teams battling it out to be last person standing! Fun for all the house and the Tutors on duty!
The paintballing trip to Whyteleafe saw the group split into multiple teams with Tom and Jas being voted the two top players on the day, earning their dog-tags. Paintballs flew throughout six themed rounds with the boarding
staff on the receiving end of a paint splattering for the majority of the day!
Musical performances from our talented boys in the showcase evenings where we had Bradyn and Aryton delivering outstanding pieces to the enjoyment of the boarding community. Both practised independently to ensure that each not was perfect for those who had come to listen and sent a high standard for those afterwards to follow.
The Summer Concert was the icing on the cake with Mumu, Mark, Hinson, Ayrton, Bradyn, Ian and many members of Viney and Beech Hanger leading the audience on a fantastic journey as the sun came out to join us for the final term.
DODGEBALL - A POPULAR SATURDAY NIGHT ACTIVITY
BASKETBALL TRIP TO WATCH LONDON LIONS
BIRTHDAYS IN THE HOUSE
CRAZY GOLF AT THE LIGHT IN REDHILL TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH FORM END OF EXAMS
PAINTBALLING TRIP TO WHYTELEAFE
UNDERWOOD
Mrs Hayley Troughton, Head of House
A Year of Triumph and Team Spirit in 2023-24
As we look back on the 2023-24 school year, there’s much to celebrate for Underwood House. After stepping into the Head of House role following several rewarding years as Assistant Head of House, I’ve had the immense privilege of leading our incredible house this year.
The past year has seen some truly fantastic performances from our Underwoodians across a diverse range of house events— from chess to music to drama. We achieved a place in the top three for 31 different house events this year which is phenomenal, and I’m so proud of everyone who participated.
Our Juniors in particular set the stage ablaze! With a stunning victory in the Junior Boys’ Table Tennis, a win in the Junior House Quiz, and the highest number of commendations in the Autumn Term, their achievements have been remarkable. As we moved into spring, the Juniors continued their winning streak, claiming victories
in Rugby, Hockey, and Art, and finishing strong with a first-place win in the Junior Bounce Off during the summer term. Their energy and enthusiasm have been contagious!
The competition among houses was exhilarating this year, with remarkably close scores across all age groups. Our Inters team demonstrated great effort, finishing fourth place overall, but just one point away from third and three points from second place. Every point truly mattered, and the determination shown by our students was commendable.
A special shout-out goes to our fantastic Heads of House, Jack B and Imy F. Their unwavering house spirit has boosted morale at assemblies and all events they attended, making them excellent role models for their peers. Jack, in particular, made a notable
impact during Senior Sports Day, demonstrating true dedication as he ran multiple laps around the track, racking up points for Underwood.
This year’s successes wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated Underwood staff team.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, especially our brilliant Assistant Head of House Mr Fieldhouse, whose support and house spirit been invaluable. Lastly, we shouldn’t forget to mention our newest, and most well-loved member of the house, our house mascot the Undersaurus, who has been joyfully accepted into Underwood, and has been carried to and passed around at house events cheering the pupils on. Here’s to another fantastic year for Underwood House!
HOUSE EVENTS 2023-2024
FRIENDLY
COMPETITION
at House Afternoon
The school site was abuzz with friendly competition for our first House Events afternoon in November.
All pupils came out of lessons to get into the competitive spirit, both competing and cheering on their houses. Whether on the astro, where ultimate frisbee and an obstacle course kept Seniors entertained, in the Wilberforce, where Mr Evans was magnificent as Quiz Master to the Juniors and Inters, or the Humphrey’s Theatre, where the hotly contested House Music delighted spectators across the ages- there was something for everyone! The day also saw the launch of the House Art competition, with this year’s theme of ‘Revolution’ inspiring some to get cracking straight away.
Theatrical Shenanigans at House Drama
At the beginning of May, we welcomed back one of the most loved events of the year: House Drama!
Theatrical shenanigans ensued as the houses tread the boards and battled it out for dramatic stardom. There were laughs, there were tears, there were movement sequences! Thank you to all the houses and participants who put on a great show and thoroughly entertained us.
Congratulations to the winners who were as follows: Monologue: Lewisham (Flo R) Duologue: Harestone (Tanya C & Izzy C) Devised: Ridgefield
Overall: 1st: Ridgefield 2nd: Newington 3rd: Lewisham
Results of the HOUSE EVENTS 2023-2024
Winners are listed below and the results were analysed to determine the winners of an overall House Cup for 2023-24 who were:
JUNIORS: LEWISHAM
SENIORS: RIDGEFIELD
INTERS: LEWISHAM
EVENT WINNING
HOUSE
Spelling bee Boarders
Junior Tug or War Aldercombe
Inters Tug of War Lewisham
Senior Tug of War Lewisham
Junior Badminton (girls) Aldercombe
Junior Badminton (boys) Aldercombe
Junior Swimming (girls) Lewisham
Junior Swimming (boys) Aldercombe
Inters Swimming (girls) Lewisham
Inters Swimming (boys) Ridgefield
Senior Swimming (girls) Lewisham
Senior Swimming (boys) Lewisham
Junior lacrosse Ridgefield
Inters Lacrosse Newington
Junior Table Tennis (girls) Ridgefield
Junior Table Tennis (boys) Underwood
Inters Table Tennis (girls) Aldercombe
Inters Table Tennis (boys) Harestone
Junior Quiz Underwood
Inters Quiz Newington
Junior Music Lewisham
Inters Music Boarders
Senior Music Boarders
Senior Obstacle Course Boarders
Senior Dodgeball Boarders
Junior Rugby Underwood
Inters Rugby Harestone
Junior Hockey (1st Year) Aldercombe
Junior Hockey (2nd Year) Underwood
Inters Hockey (3rd Year) Harestone
Inters Hockey (4th Year) Aldercombe
Junior Netball (1st Year) Lewisham
Junior Netball (2nd Year) Aldercombe
Inters Netball (3rd Year) Newington
EVENT WINNING HOUSE
Inters Netball (4th Year) Ridgefield
Senior Netball Ridgefield
Senior Quiz Ridgefield
Junior Chess Lewisham
Inters Chess Lewisham
Senior Chess Lewisham
Senior Debating Aldercombe
Junior Cross Country Lewisham
Inters Cross Country Aldercombe
Senor Cross Country Aldercombe
Junior Art Underwood
Inters Art Aldercombe
Senior Art Boarders
Junior Drama Ridgefield
Inters Drama Ridgefield
Senior Drama Ridgefield
Junior Rounders Ridgefield
Junior Tennis (1st Year) Lewisham
Junior Tennis (2nd Year) Ridgefield
Inters Tennis (3rd Year) Underwood
Inters Tennis (4th Year) Boarders
Junior Athletics (boys) Aldercombe
Junior Athletics (girls) Aldercombe
Inters Athletics (boys) Ridgefield
Inters Athletics (girls) Lewisham
Junior Bounce Off (1st Year) Underwood
Junior Bounce Off (2nd Year) Ridgefield
Inters Bounce Off (3rd Year) Harestone
Inters Bounce Off (4th Year) Aldercombe
Senior Bounce Off Lewisham
Junior Song Lewisham
Inters Song Lewisham
Senior Song Lewisham
WILBERFORCE WEEK Action Packed Days!
WHAT A WAY TO ROUND OFF THE YEAR!
A week filled with fun activity which engaged everyone in our school community, partnership schools and philanthropic efforts.
There are so many highlights from the week, whether it be Giving Day’s Bounce Off and The Caterham Museum, trips to Theme Parks and the Theatre, innovation challenges with floating wind turbines or Escape Rooms throughout the Eothen building to celebrate all things Maths and English! Our House competition came to thrilling conclusion, with House Song and Sports Day filling the school site with vibrancy and good-natured competition. Thank you to all for throwing themselves into the activities with such positivity!
FILM FESTIVAL Red Carpet Moment
On the Monday of Wilberforce Week, the Third Years were invited to walk the red carpet in their glad rags for the Third Year Film Festival.
Dressed up and surrounded by a selfie booth, breakfast pastries and decorations, the Third Years got a taste of superstardom.
As part of the Film Studies unit taken during the Spring Term, Third Year Drama students created films in three different genres: Film Noir, Silent Film and Horror. The Film Festival allows an opportunity for the students to showcase their fantastic productions, with awards presented at the end in a variety of categories.
The morning began with a viewing of six of the short films, moving between Horror, Silent Film and Film Noir, before taking a break with a scavenger hunt.
Scattered around the school site were ten film posters from this year’s most famous films and each group was challenged with the task of recreating the posters
Voices for Change Pride Friendship
Pupils celebrated pride month by creating pride friendship bracelets.
The Voice4Change group helped pupils across all age groups come together in the community to support this event!
WELL DONE everyone involved and thanks to our Wellbeing and Inclusion Ambassadors for all their work this term.
The Festival was a fantastic event, enjoyed by all. Well done and congratulations to all the winners!
Best Story: Zoe M for ‘One By One’ Best Cinematography: Virginia C for ‘Mary’
Best Editing: Rory F for ‘The Girl in the Chapel’
Best Performer: Lily W for ‘One by One’
Best Film Noir: ‘A Mardi Gras Sort of Thing’ Best Silent Film: ‘The Bumbling Burglar’ Best Horror: ‘Alone?’
Best Picture: ‘A Mardi Gras Sort of Thing’ People’s Choice Award: ‘A Mardi Gras Sort of Thing’
as closely as possible, with prizes for the winning team. With over thirty groups, there were dozens of creative and imaginative entries that made the judging incredibly challenging – well done to all!
Following the completion of the scavenger hunt the Third Years returned to the Humphreys Theatre to view the final six films. After an intense period of deliberation, the awards were assigned and given out to the winners above.
House Song LEWISHAM TRIUMPHANT
Wednesday afternoon of Wilberforce Week saw the return of the hotly contested House Song competition. Ably supported by the excellent coaches from Rock Choir, each house spent the day rehearsing their randomly allocated songs before the competition itself after lunch.
Mr Moore launched the show in the Marquee by introducing our judges (Mrs Webster and Mrs Fahey), our technical support team, and the seven Houses. Our running order had been decided randomly before the show, with the Boarders winning the coveted “first performance” slot and delivering a spirited rendition of the iconic Shut Up and Dance. There was plenty of dancing and – unlike what the title might imply – plenty of great singing from the Boarders. Harestone performed second, with Dr Soltysiak adopting a rock musician alter ego to cheer for their interpretation of Sweet Child O’ Mine. A special shoutout must go to Harestone’s Lower Sixth pupils for their air guitar theatrics, which fully embraced the spirit of the competition! Lewisham had the difficult job of following up Coldplay’s emotional performance of Fix You from Glastonbury 2024, but they made the song their own, lighting up the Marquee with their own festival-style lights.
After Lewisham’s performance, we paused for some instant audience (staff and pupil) feedback, and gave the legendary Mr Todd (Head of Lewisham) a huge salutation on the
occasion of his final House Song day as Head of House.
Aldercombe sang next, delivering an unstoppable rendition of Sia’s Unstoppable, accompanied by a fittingly emphatic dance. Newington (featuring Newton the Monkey) covered James Bay’s Hold Back The River very evocatively, with an unforgettably high-stakes dance routine at the front of the stage. Ridgefield arranged Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours beautifully, with a stripped-back series of harmonies and dances. Underwood, having landed the important job of closing the show, got everyone singing and dancing along with their performance of George Ezra’s Green Green Grass (a fitting song for a House whose colour is light green).
This left the judges with a challenging question: who would take first, second and third places? (If I had been asked that question, I would have said, “This is more difficult than choosing my favourite Taylor Swift era” and asked if someone else could take the question. I may be the Head of Ridgefield and I may have been cheering for Ridgefield – and I
certainly was cheering for my House – but we always prioritise cheering for all Houses and applauding excellent performances. Partisanship can, and must, never influence assessments and judging – an essential ingredient of our Caterham House system.)
Mrs Webster and Mrs Fahey deliberated for several minutes, while Mr Moore interviewed a few Heads of House and pupils, and thanked everyone who had played a part in making House Song 2024 so fantastic. Ultimately, Lewisham won the competition, with Ridgefield in second and Aldercombe in third.
At the start of the morning’s rehearsals, I said to Ridgefield that House Song, more than any other event in the Caterham co-curricular calendar, symbolises the story of my life. As a child, I used to avoid performing in public at all costs, but when I discovered the magic of doing so (despite being a knowingly subpar singer, dancer and actor – see also the Orchard Theatre Festival from last week), I discovered my – pun intended – true colours. My work as a teacher and Head of House is a direct consequence of being inspired by this thing that used to terrify me. I said that House Song would be all about “being fearless” and stepping onto that stage, and having watched and heard all seven performances, I can safely say that everyone achieved those objectives.
Mr R. Evans Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Ridgefield
Fun Night Out at THE CHARITY TALENT SHOW TALENT SHOW
Thanks to the sterling work of Mr Patterson, Mr Fahey, and the Charity Committee, the countdown to the show had started in mid-October, when the audition window was opened (with Anoushka and Amali, Upper Sixth, overseeing the audition process).
THE CHARITY TALENT SHOW RETURNED TO THE HUMPHREYS THEATRE IN STYLE ON SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY.
The best way to hype up a landmark event in the school calendar, or any other calendar, is always to have a ceremonial countdown for it, and this certainly paid off for the Talent Show. (Not least because Vincent’s opening act at the Talent Show was his electric guitar rendition of The Final Countdown.)
As Mrs Yankova, Mrs Fahey and I took our seats at the judges’ desk, having greeted the Charity Committee at their refreshments stall in the Performing Arts Centre Foyer, we prepared ourselves for a very difficult series of decisions. Having watched some technical rehearsals during the previous week, I was silently cheering all the acts on, but I was nowhere near a final verdict about who our top three acts would be until we retired to the Music Technology Suite to deliberate.
Our twelve acts did themselves very proud. We had some exemplary instrumental performances, some joyous dances, and some fantastic singing and acting. Our host, Stuart (Upper Sixth; third place finisher in the 2023 Talent Show), introduced them all and added his comedic twists to proceedings along the way, including a staged interpolation of Michael McIntyre’s “Send to All” feature. We even had one act who, as I mentioned to them after the show, would play the villainous Missy in Doctor Who extremely well if she ever returns to that show and Michelle Gomez is unavailable to reprise the role.
In the end, we awarded third place to Isabella (Fifth Year), for her boundlessly fun dance to Jax Jones and Demi Lovato’s Instruction – a perfect illustration of Talent Show spirit. Poppy and Erin (Second and First Year respectively) took second place with their sharp and spirited dance to Bruno Mars’ Runaway Baby, a song which I have always associated with Ore Oduba’s chart-breakingly amazing (and series-winning) jive from
Strictly Come Dancing. Step aside, Mr Oduba Zandi (Upper Sixth) won first place for her fantastically acted rendition of a song whose title escapes me. Meanwhile, Marcus and Jerry (Upper Sixth) won the audience vote with their high-stakes blindfolded performance of JVKE’s Golden Hour on cello and piano. We presented these winning acts with their well-deserved trophies, and then we all took our seats again for the signature event of every Talent Show evening since at least 2010: the Upper Sixth Dance-Off.
The boys introduced their performance with a video inspired by Cilla Black’s iconic TV show Blind Date, a theme which continued throughout their dance, featuring Philip as the host of a revived version of that show. After a few short routines from various teams of boys, the cast returned to the stage for their grand finale number.
The girls’ video was the latest edition to the whodunnit genre in the Talent Show canon. Their routine began with a brief excerpt from Taylor Swift’s ..Ready For It? (which did not go unnoticed by this judge) and included a variety of other set pieces from Bruno Mars to Beyoncé –not to mention an ominous lyric change when Genevieve said “G” instead of Jay-Z’s original lyric “B” in Crazy in Love. In the inimitable style of the Talent Show, this would either foreshadow an incredible victory or backfire brilliantly when the judges’ verdicts were delivered…..and it turned out to be foreshadowing an incredible victory. The girls won the Dance-Off by receiving three votes in their favour. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this uplifting and joyous institution.
Thank you to the Charity Committee, Mr Barnes, our team of theatre technicians, Mrs Richards, Mr Moore, and everyone who has contributed to the massive success of this special event.
Mr R. Evans Teacher of Chemistry, Talent Show Judge, Head of Ridgefield
CCF
Caterham & Trinity Cadets Join Forces
JOINT JNCO CADRE CAMP
25-29 October 2023
For the third time, Corps joined forces with our friends at Trinity School CCF over half-term to run a five-day camp for Fifth Year cadets.
Fifth Year cadet training is focused on becoming achieving junior NCO rank, and so this camp, run at St Martin’s Plain, Folkestone, constituted a rigorous practice and assessment of their skills in leadership and instruction. In three mixed squads, the cadets revised core military skills before being put through their leadership paces on assessed command tasks around camp and delivering a theory lesson to their peers, with officers assessing their instructorship and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each. ›
In the face of the elements and the rigours of the training programme, these young would-be leaders performed laudably...
Friday saw the RN and RAF cadets on camp conducting section-specific training, while the Army cadets headed out for a day in the field on Ex NEWTON. The young leaders took turns to command their sections in enemy contacts, manage casualty evacuations under fire, and mount OPs on unsuspecting enemies, with Cdt Gumbley and Cdt Parsons showing particular aptitude as commanders in the field.
Sunday brought the dreaded skills TPs, when the cadets delivered a practical lesson to their peers. This year the pressure was upped by the presence of
Col Ray Wilkinson, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Croydon, who enjoyed watching the cadets’ lessons despite the dismal weather. Preparing kit, resources and lesson plans and instructing one another in movement with the weapon, camouflage and concealment, target indication and many other lessons from the fieldcraft syllabus, all were again assessed in detail. Cdt Woods and Cdt Chambers I shone in particular with some excellent and innovative training periods.
Sunday concluded an exciting and demanding camp with an inter-squad competition of tug of war, gun run and the obstacle course. Muddy, sweaty and smiling broadly, the cadets threw themselves into the fray with the gusto they had shown throughout, until Purple Squad emerged as narrow victors.
A smart final parade in a brief break from the downpours brought camp to a conclusion. All the cadets were deservedly congratulated on their fine performances, and particular prizes were awarded:
Best Potential JNCO: Cdt Parsons
Cadets’ Cadet: Cdt Chambers I
Most Improved: Cdt Johnson
Best Skills Lesson: Cdt Woods
Best Theory Lesson: Cdt Chambers W
In the face of the elements and the rigours of the training programme, these young would-be leaders performed laudably, and the future of both units looks to be in very safe hands.
CAPT M M OWEN OC JOINT JNCO CADRE
CCF RECRUITS’ CAMP 2023
St Martins’s Plain, Folkestone
Sixty brand-new Third Year recruits, accompanied by 15 of their Sixth Form NCOs, made their way to Folkestone in the middle weekend of the half-term break for Corps’ annual Recruits’ Camp.
They began by receiving their uniform and being instructed in its correct wearing, before heading out beneath grey skies for lessons in basic fieldcraft and drill. As the World Cup Final raged on boxes around world, the recruits took to the training area on Saturday evening for a battle of their own against a dastardly enemy (and the elements). Their platoons scattered by an ambush, the recruits traversed the area is small groups seeking checkpoints to achieve their mission while evading enemy patrols on the never-better-named Ex WET FEET.
After a warm hot chocolate and a good (?) night’s sleep, the contingent undertook further lessons on Sunday on obstacle crossing, drill, duties of a sentry and living in the field. The evening offered recruits their first chance
to fire live on the range with the small-bore target rifle, an exercise in elementary night movement beneath a glorious full moon, and lessons in military knowledge. In a
CAPT MATHEW OWEN, OC ARMY SECTION
As the World Cup Final raged on boxes around world, the recruits took to the training area on Saturday evening for a battle of their own...
flash it was Monday and time for the fiercely-contested inter-section “Coke Can Challenge”: competitions in drill, the DCCT range and the obstacle course led to 1 Section under Sgt Desai emerging as victors. On a miraculously dry(ish) final parade, the Commanding Officer commended a stellar crop of recruits warmly before awarding some special prizes, notably to:
Best in Field:
Most Improved: Rct
Best Recruit: Rct
Without hyperbole, the staff were agreed that it was the strongest and most impressive cohort of recruits and NCO instructors they had taken away for many years –an uplifting way to launch another busy training year.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN
Rct Roberts
Foskin
Mulcaire
Ex WELSH WATERS
Adventure Training Camp South Wales
10 – 13 February 2024
In a flagrant breach of tradition, clear skies, regular sunshine and mild temperatures accompanied a party of 45 cadets from four year-groups to South Wales for the Corps’ annual adventurous training camp.
Donning wetsuits, Wellies and helmets, cadets scrambled, waded and splashed their way up the beautiful Sychryd Gorge, a chilly but much-needed wash for some which culminated in leaps from the top into the plunge pool below.
Just down the river at Craig-yDinas, a package of climbing and abseiling on an imposing limestone face featured training in both climbing and belaying, before competitions began to rage fiercely: Cpl Wright’s one-handed ascent proved unbeatable despite his juniors’ attempts, while other cadets made remarkable progress on demanding pitches. An evening out in the cultural centre of Merthyr Tydfil stood as a warming reward for the first exhausting two days, which also gave the officers the chance to compete in the manly art of ten-pin bowling. The steward’s enquiry into the Flt Lt Hillier’s unlikely victory continues …
The cadets also undertook their 1* navigation assessment in the beautiful hills of the Vale of Neath, for the most part leaving livestock and private property unmolested as they completed a six-mile course in under 2.5 hours with just a map and a compass. But the star attraction ›
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2023
Remembrance Sunday was, as always, the main event in our Acts of Remembrance as a large congregation of pupils, parents, staff and OCs gathered under grim autumnal heavens.
The service began with a Guard of Honour, who slow marched onto parade and rested with arms reversed as the Heads of School read out the Roll of Honour. Then, to the stirring accompaniment of the band, a 180-strong parade of cadets marched on under Head of Corps RSM Jae Cha to pay their respects. After words from the Padre and the Headmaster and a poem beautifully read by Cpl Sophie Perdoni, silence fell across the Kingdom and Commonwealth and thoughts turned to humbling sacrifices and the search for peace. At the Last Post the CCF Banners bowed in tribute to the Fallen, before the Reveille brought them up for new life dearly paid for. The hard work of the cadets and the skill of the musicians conspired to produce a moving testament to the destruction of war and the gratitude of the living.
We will remember them.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN OC ARMY SECTION
All cadets approached the training with the dauntless spirit the exercise aimed to engender, and returned at last, exhausted but smiling...
of the area was the famous cave systems at Porth Yr Ogof and the Neath Valley. An initial session allowed cadets to enter through a majestic entrance and explore some narrow squeezes and geological wonders. This training was building experience and confidence for a more demanding second session underground: an entrance through a rift which an Army breakfast nearly precluded; crawls (or rather collapses) headfirst through fissures; and finally a total soaking, head banging on the cave roof in search of oxygen in a subterranean river before surfacing, chilly but victorious, to the watery Welsh sunshine.
All cadets approached the training with the dauntless spirit the exercise aimed to engender, and returned at last, exhausted but smiling, to Caterham, with the Corps’ reputation for hardiness and adventure burnished by their laudable spirit and enthusiasm.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN OC ARMY SECTION
CORPS HAS A WHOPPING 10 MASTER CADETS!
The Master Cadet Course, run by the Army at Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park, is the toughest course in the Army Cadet movement. Only the highest-performing cadets from across the UK are chosen to attend, and many who do do not pass.
After several passes last year, Corps’ incredible Lower VI, an annus mirabilis, has taken the total of Master Cadets up to ten, a number no other CCF in the country can match. This year’s new Master Cadets are CSgt Fogelman (October); CSgts Beukes, Wolstenholme and Veldtman (April) and CSgt Wright (August).
CSgt Beukes, who was ‘Highly Commended’ by the Commanding Officer at Frimley, writes: “After getting to know our peers and a gruelling log-run and obstacle course, to course started in earnest when we set off to the training area just as the heavens opened, setting a wet atmosphere for the rest of the week. After a short trek through the forest, we occupied our harbour area and set to work making it our home. After a long night, with middle-of-the-night wake-up calls to stand in the freezing cold on stag, Tuesday morning came too early.
“The next three days in the field saw us attacking enemy positions, conducting recce patrols, laying ambushes, evacuating casualties or building bridges, with each of us taking command appointments on rotation. When evening came, we retired shivering and exhausted to our doss bags for snatched hours of rest.
“The last evening in harbour was spent preparing for the next day’s platoon attack: models were made, rifles cleaned, and orders delivered. At 0500 hrs, we were up and busy packing up what had been our home for the last three days. By 0720 hrs we were rolling out, ready to take on any enemy that may come our way. Soon shots ripped through the air and we were off. As each enemy was taken down another just seemed to pop up out, ready to take us on. Yet we kept pushing through, a continuous assault. As we thought the attack was drawing to a close, screams filled the air: we had taken multiple casualties that needed evacuation. So, we sprinted to the evacuation point, hasty to get the casualties to safety (and for them to call end of exercise!). As ENDEX was called, we all took a big sigh of relief and piled back onto the bus. Never have a group of cadets been so happy to see a training facility. That evening called for celebration and relaxation with a full mess dinner.
“On Friday after final parade it was time to pack our bags and leave, saying goodbye to Frimley and newly made friends. Leaving the security gates we were shattered but riding the high of passing Master Cadet, the most demanding course in the Army Cadet world.”
Sgt KeyworthSkiing with the Army
I was very honoured to be selected for a six-day skiing cadre, run by the Army’s Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training (CCAT) this half-term. It was my first time ever skiing, so I was very excited as I joined Army cadets from across the UK, making friends quickly on the 18-hour coach journey to Bavaria. Once on the slopes, the first morning was definitely the most challenging part because we were learning the basics of stopping which involved lots of side stepping up a small slope. Over the course I progressed very quickly, by the end being able to parallel turn confidently down a red slope with bad snow conditions. This was such an amazing opportunity which I am so grateful for - for context, the price that I paid did not even cover the cost of my lift passes! I finished with a massive smile on my face and with the surprise honour of being awarded my intermediate qualification despite being a member of the basic cadre. If any cadet has the opportunity to apply for a CCAT course, do it: it is such an incredible organisation with great instructors and great opportunities.
SGT KEYWORTH
CSGT LEANE BEUKES, LOWER SIXTH
During the Easter Holidays, the Army Section embarked on a three-day exercise on Longmoor training areas.
The objective was to train in close quarter combat and urban operations – Training In a Built-Up Area (TIBUA) – as well as out in the fields and woodland surrounding Longmoor’s custom-built urban fighting village. Cadets learned to breach buildings using windows and explosives, to fight in houses and up staircases, to evacuate casualties and to provide fire support. As well as getting to grips with these new techniques, cadets also conducted standing patrols, undertook all-night sentry duty and mounted section attacks across open ground.
A woodland ambush on an enemy convoy and dusk close target reconnaissance on suspected buildings led us to the final phase, in which the platoon infiltrated a village in a dawn assault, clearing the site of all hostile forces using blank ammunition and lots of smoke. Fourth Year cadets being assessed for their 2* award performed well, led as ever by their experienced Sixth Form NCOs. Thanks in particular to the detailed instruction and planning of Capt Jones who brought his vast experience to bear in producing another splendid exercise.
CCF
ANNUAL GENERAL INSPECTION
Sunday 12 May 2024
In blistering spring heat, Corps put on its annual showcase to parents and guests. An immaculate Guard of Honour welcomed our Inspecting Officer, Gp Capt Al Lewis RAFR, the Commanding Officer and the Deputy Headmaster to Home Field.
Thereafter a very large audience of parents, staff and guests were shown around various stands, including airmanship, climbing, fieldcraft, first aid and drill, where the cadets showed off their training.
News of an insurgent Kentish enemy brought the guests back to Home Field in haste, but thankfully the Caterham Rifles were on hand once again to save the day, in slick rolling section attacks driving the dissidents from their positions. There followed the annual Army v. RAF Field Gun race: the competition to move a full artillery piece across a demanding obstacle course was won for the first time, mirabile dictu, by the RAF team.
The day finished with the whole contingent on parade. Gp Capt Lewis commended the cadets on their excellence, commitment and positivity, before awarding prizes: Best Recruit went to Cdt Roberts (Third Year); Best JNCO to LCpl Parsons (Fifth Year); and Best Cadets in the two sections to CSM Morgan and CWO Noad (Upper Sixth). The Stokes Pace Stick was awarded to Head of Corps, RSM Cha (Upper Sixth). As the Union Flag and RAF Ensign were lowered and the National Anthem sounded across a sun-kissed Home Field, all cadets involved could reflect on another outstanding performance at a very busy time of year.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN
CATERHAM WINS GOLD! Cadet Cambrian Patrol
THE CADET CAMBRIAN PATROL IS THE PREMIER ARMY CADET PATROLLING EVENT. OF THE UK’S 74,000 ARMY CADETS, A BARE 200 OF THE BEST ARE CHOSEN TO ENTER. THIS YEAR, CATERHAM SCHOOL CCF WAS IN THIS SELECT NUMBER FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, IN HUNT OF UNPRECEDENTED GLORY.
Our eight-man team left Surrey on Friday morning and arrived at Farm 5 on Sennybridge’s sprawling training estate in the early evening. Our first night consisted of kit inspections and navigation prep, while our Section Commander CSgt Gill received his orders from the RSM – everything from our arrival onwards was sternly assessed. After a couple of hours’ sleep, we were up at 0400 hrs to make sure we were first in the breakfast queue and had enough fuel for the long day ahead. It consisted of a patrol of more than 20 km, navigating solo, which took us from scenario to scenario: first aid and casualty evacuation; an observation post; a military knowledge assessment; a CIS task; a tactical withdrawal under contact; and section defence. We finished our patrol at 1900 hrs, having made it to all checkpoints without losing members to injury or poor nav on the gruelling route.
That evening, under our bergens we marched to a woodblock, there to prepare our harbour for the night ahead. But no rest yet – first the
section built models and received impeccably prepared orders from CSgt Gill for our section attack on Sunday morning, all assessed by 160X’s beady eyes.
As Sunday dawned, we moved to Dixie’s Corner to begin the final patrol of the weekend. In a rolling platoon attack, we supported multiple other teams and completed two section attacks of our own, slickly overwhelming enemy machine gun positions
manned by soldiers of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. Following the final attack, just as we thought, sweaty and exhausted, it was all over, the section had to complete a casualty evacuation, running with a weighted stretcher for over 500m to the final position of the day.
Our weekend at Sennybridge concluded with a final parade back at Farm 5 with all the sections, ACF and CCF, from across the UK, whom we had got to know and respect ›
CSGT MARK WOLSTENHOLME, LOWER VI ARMY
over the exercise. As the RSM read out awards, we waited anxiously, last on the list. When our turn came, we were utterly delighted to receive rare and coveted Cambrian Gold Medals, along with only two other CCF teams on patrol.
Then the RSM announced the only individual award up for grabs to all the hundreds of cadets and staff standing there in the weak Welsh sun. The Best Commander on Cambrian Patrol was awarded to our very own (and very surprised) CSgt Gill, who beamed as he received his trophy and the plaudits of the DS.
Overall our time on Cambrian Patrol was very tough but enormously fulfilling – months of training as a squad came together as we achieved what no other Caterhamians and vanishingly few other British cadets have. All of our team had this year passed Master
Cadet, which was a huge advantage and gave us the confidence to rely on our drills. The success we achieved was testament to the hard work of all the squad, including our reserves, to our camaraderie, and to the months of preparation under Capt Owen and Capt Jones.
CCF Self-Reliance Expedition, North Downs
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 June 2024
CDT WOODS-SCAWEN THIRD YEAR, ARMY SECTION
Bright and early on Saturday morning in half-term, 65 recruits arrived for the start of our two-day Self-Reliance Expedition across the North Downs, covering around 38 km across the two days.
We started off with some preparation at school in our sections before we set off, practising the skills we would need, and planning our routes. After the much-needed prep, the sections were released one-by-one in high spirits to their first checkpoints, carrying all our kit – tents and all – on our backs. Luckily, no one strayed too far from their planned route, apart from one section which ended up on the receiving end of some angry shouts as they marched down the fairway of a golf course. After some food and a short stop for lunch, all the sections carried on strong, through many a
muddy trail, with all sections arriving at camp with sore feet, aching backs, but an overall feeling of great achievement. The difficulty of our trek and our pain underfoot were no obstacles to our fun throughout the evening, which included listening to the long-awaited Champions League final on transistor radios and playing some equally skilful football of our own.
With tents pitched, we faced the wonders of the ration pack, and cooking them of course. After spilling my hot water at the first attempt, I was able to “enjoy” my meal after our long walk. We played around with Capt Jones’s
dog before we got to bed for some much needed rest ahead of Phase 2 of our expedition.
The next morning, we set out on our second leg tired but excited. This took us up and over the hills near Woldingham, through Whyteleafe, and finishing our route near Old Coulsdon, with some exhausted looks, painful feet and many blisters. Although the expedition was tough, walking 30,000 steps each day, I found it very rewarding and many fond and unforgettable memories were made throughout all the sections, along with a sense of pride and achievement.
CCF PASSING OUT PARADE 2024
In June in front of parents, friends, staff and ex-cadets, over 100 junior cadets and their NCOs marched onto parade to pass out of their respective phases of training.
Third Year recruits passed out of basic training, while Fourth Year cadets marked the completion of their advanced infantry and aviation cadres.
The parade was again a collaboration with the Music Department: it was accompanied with splendid vigour and ceremony by a twenty-strong band of both cadets and pupils under the baton of Dr Brammeld.
As ever, a recent ex-cadet serving in the forces came to inspect the parade and address them. This year, Lt Richard Webb (Royal Engineers), who left Caterham as Head of Corps (RSM) in 2016, told the parade of what life as a cadet meant to him
and to his career as a soldier, before presenting the Glancy Shield to this year’s best company, Minden. He, the Commanding Officer and the Headmaster commended the cadets on their commitment throughout another very busy year and, as the Union Flag and RAF Ensign were lowered, all cadets of Corps could feel very proud of themselves for all they have achieved over the past three terms, some of the most successful in Corps’ long history.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN OC ARMY SECTION
CCF Exercise Eager Tiger
23-24 June 2024
EARLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING, WE RECRUITS ARRIVED AT SCHOOL, READY TO TEST OUR FIELDCRAFT AND TACTICS SKILLS AGAINST A TERRIFYING ENEMY, ABOUT WHOM WE HAD BEEN BRIEFED THE WEEK BEFORE.
Before we set off, we were issued all the kit which we would need for the oncoming days.
After this was packed under our NCOs’ supervision, we left school on the ‘helibus’, touching down at Bramley Training Areas. The weather looked promising for the days to come and when we stepped off the bus, the heat was immediately felt.
Our first task was to find and secure our harbour in which we were to set down HQ for the exercise. The platoon completed this and then we split into our four sections to complete four missions before dark: mounting an observation post on an enemy command position; fighting through a woodblock with blank rounds; dealing with casualties at a downed helicopter; and gathering intelligence on the enemy with recce patrols.
After devouring the questionable ration packs and completing the missions, the platoon were able to rest … or so we thought! Sentry duty. Waking up in the middle of the night to make sure there are no enemy. To be honest, the enemy were not our main concern after Cdt Simons almost burned down his basha!
After this strangely eventful night’s sleep and another dodgy ration meal, the platoon set off on their final mission: to destroy the remnants of the enemy forces. Tiredness crept on us throughout the final day, but we pushed through and completed our task, storming a trench system with rounds and smoke grenades and then defending it, with a Chinook flying directly above us, which was a highlight for all. We finished hot and exhausted, but smiling and feeling as though we very much achieved something that many others couldn’t.
CDT MULVIHILL, THIRD YEAR
1-8 August 2024
ARMY SECTION SUMMER CAMP
Sennybridge
The climax of one of Corps’ most successful years came, as ever, on Summer Camp in August. Over fifty members of the Army Section headed for Sennybridge for eight days of adventure.
The programme began on the ranges as cadets fired live at 100m with varying degrees of success. Thankfully no sheep were harmed, and congratulations to Cpl Woods, LCpl Peachey and Cdt Bandy who achieved ‘Marksman’ badges for their sharp-shooting. Straight from the ranges we headed out onto SENTA for a three-day exercise which featured raids, ambushes, section attacks, TIWAF and TIBUA as the cadets pulled manfully through some dreadful Welsh weather with gusto and enthusiasm. It is some indication of the pervasiveness Cambrian dampness that one section commander awoke to find a toad in his doss bag. The second half of camp was devoted to adventure training.
Surfing at Porthcawl was a particular favourite after the rigours of exercise, with a coastal cliff climb and a fish and chip supper to cap off a cracking day by the sea. There was some gorge walking, canyoning and a Tyrolean traverse too, but the highlight was a wonderful day of azure skies and crystal visibility on Pen y Fan. The cadets covered roughly the route of the famous ‘Fan Dance’ and absolutely loved the experience as they navigated in small groups and absorbed the stunning scenery.
Evenings were busy too, of course – if the annual bowling contest between Capt Owen and Flt Lt Hillier ended predictably, competitions in drill, PT and the field gun were much closer fought by the cadets until Sobraon Plt under CSgt Bortey emerged victorious on the last day. Final parade gave us the chance to congratulate all the cadets and to offer certain special awards, including for Best Cadet (Cdt Woods-Scawen), Most Improved (Cdt Tagg) and Best NCO (Cpl Woods).
It was a terrific week, driven as ever by the extraordinary passion and energy of my staff and the commitment and expertise of our outgoing Upper VI NCOs, whom we shall miss sorely. Overall, with no hyperbole, it was the best performance by a group of cadets on Summer Camp I have seen in fifteen years.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN OC ARMY SECTION
RAF SECTION SUMMER CAMP
RAF Wittering
In July, ten cadets and three officers from the RAF section joined cadets from Trinity, Wilson’s and Seaford College as well as cadets from 176 (Hove) Air Training Corps for a fun packed week at RAF Wittering.
During the week the cadets had opportunities to learn more about a range of roles available within the station such as air traffic control, mobile catering, police, fire and mechanical transport. They were even lucky enough to be invited into the Officers’ Mess for a special talk by the Station Commander and the Station Warrant Officer.
Other activities included time on state-of-the-art flight simulators, honing marksmanship on the range, karting, laser tag, leadership exercises and a visit to the Station Heritage Centre (Harrier museum).
Off station, we visited RAF Cranwell, RAF Waddington, the Defence Animal Training Regiment, Cambridge American Cemetery, the Imperial War
A WEEK’S MOUTAIN BIKING WITH THE ARMY
An eight-hour train-ride from leafy Surrey to beautiful Snowdonia was nothing compared to the challenge that lay ahead...
Museum Duxford and Rutland Water for some adventure training.
All cadets had a fantastic time on camp. Sadly, it was CWO Noad’s final outing as a member of the section after five years’ service which saw him reach the highest rank possible and spend a year as the Head Cadet of our section. The RAF section would like to thank CWO Noad for his unwavering commitment to Corps and wish him, with his fellow Upper VI cadets, the best for the future.
...a week-long mountain biking course run by the Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training (CCAT).
I joined cadets from across the UK at CCAT’s centre high up in the north Welsh mountains ready for a week of adventure. The mountain biking was extremely enjoyable - there’s nothing quite like the thrilling sensation you get whilst speeding down rocky mountain trails. My group’s instructor was an extremely patient and caring individual. After gruelling exercise during the day, the fun didn’t stop there. All of us cadets had excellent fun socialising through games of volleyball and cards with the camp welfare officer. In summary,
I would say that it was a fantastic experience that I would recommend to any cadet, and as a result of my successful completion of the course I became the first cadet in my year to achieve my 4* proficiency award.
CPL LUCK, LOWER VI ARMY
ARMY DOCTOR Visits Corps
In December, Corps was fortunate to be visited by Capt Tim Bage of the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Capt Bage spoke to a large group of senior cadets (and a few non-cadet Sixth Form visitors) about careers as a doctor in general and an Army doctor in particular.
After a fascinating account of his career and various postings (including Nigeria, from which he had just returned), Capt Bage answered the cadets’ intelligent questions about life in the RAMC and their aspirations in the field of medicine.
It was an inspiring and very useful evening and we are very grateful to Capt Bage for taking the time to come to meet our cadets.
CAPT MATHEW OWEN OC ARMY SECTION
FG OFF MARTHA WAUDBY (OC 2010)
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Celebrations at Buckingham Palace
On Friday 10 May, 12 Old Cats were invited to Buckingham Palace Gardens for their DofE Gold Award Celebration.
As the sun shone down onto the beautifully manicured gardens, the Award holders listened to inspiring speeches from HRH Duke of Edinburgh and Radio Presenter Vic Hope. The Duke then took time to speak to many of the guests and several Old Cats had the pleasure of meeting him and discussing their experiences of the Award.
Collecting their awards were:
James A Ananya S
Lucy B Ewan S
Sebastian K Max T
Madeleine P Noah W
Lara P Ethan W
Alexander R Pippa W
Matthew S
Each year Caterham School supports a large group of pupils through their Gold and Silver Awards and this celebration is a fantastic opportunity to recognise their achievements. I would like to personally thank all of the parents and staff that have helped, and continue to help all of the pupils to gain their awards, this could not happen without you.
This event was also a fitting end to my time as leader of DofE at Caterham School. I have enjoyed every moment of the past 18 years as I have travelled on countless expeditions with wonderful pupils and staff, and helped untold young people to reach the potential that they didn’t know that they had.
Thank you for the memories.
MR WILKINSON
SPORT
SPORTS DAY FUN AND SUNSHINE!
In a week of varying weather, we lucked out on Thursday for Sports Day! The house-coloured sun cream was adorned and competitors across First to Fourth Year threw themselves into our biggest House event of the year. The expanded Sports Day format began this year with an Olympics-inspired Opening Ceremony, with each House creating a cheerleadingstyle performance. Cartwheels, pompoms, chants, flying dinosaurs, somersaults and fully choreographed routines set the day off on a high! The Juniors then took to the track while the Inters started with the Field events. Motivated and encouraged throughout by Mr Salem’s excellent playlist (and his notorious jokes…), friendly house rivalry ensued with many superb performances on display. The day culminated in the nail-biting relay races, before the presentation of the day’s awards. Thank you to all who made the day a huge success and a big well done to all the competitors! ›
NETBALL
Last year was a phenomenal year for the Caterham NetCats.
We had 30 competitive teams represent the school across 387 fixtures, including six Sixth Form squads and U12, U13 and U14 A - F teams. Netball really was for all; we had our Upper Sixth boys play in a tournament, we fielded our first U16 mixed squad as well as our termly PE department ‘Nashes’ a tri- series between the sports staff (won comfortably by the girls) and our annual staff v Back2 Netball fixture at the end of the year.
Our Caterham Prep NetCats enjoyed masterclasses from our senior pupils and fixtures against our U12 netballers and our link between the two netball programmes is stronger than ever thanks to the hard work of our netball specialists located down at the prep school. Our Back 2 Netball group continue to thrive on a Thursday morning and our Netball Academy on a Tuesday evening has been popular than ever.
In terms of performance our highlights include U12s, U13s, U14s, U16s all qualifying for Surrey Finals. Our U14, U16 and 1st team played superb netball at the National Schools Tournament. We entered the National Cup in all age groups, which is the top tier of competition for schools in England and had a respectable run in all age groups. Our B and C teams represented the school in the local District league and our U13, U14 and U16 teams were all crowned district champions for their respective age groups, a remarkable achievement considering it is against the A teams from most other schools.
We have had a record number of pupils gain places on a variety of performance pathways, including Superleague franchise NPL squads, PDPs for London Pulse and Surrey Storm, Kent County squad, Surrey County squads and Performance Pathway hubs including our very own Surrey Storm pathway group located at Caterham school for the first time.
NETBALL 1ST VII
NETBALL 2ND VII
NETBALL 3RD VII
NETBALL 4TH VII
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
NETBALL U16A VII
NETBALL U16B VII
NETBALL U16C VII
NETBALL U15A VII
NETBALL U15B VII
NETBALL U15C VII
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman
& Soame photographers.
NETBALL U14B VII
NETBALL U14C VII
NETBALL U14D VII
NETBALL U13A VII
NETBALL U15D VII
NETBALL U14A VII
NETBALL U13B VII
NETBALL U13C VII
NETBALL U13D VII
NETBALL U13E VII
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
NETBALL U13F VII
NETBALL U12A VII
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
NETBALL U12D VII
NETBALL U12E VII
NETBALL U12F VII
NETBALL U12B VII
NETBALL U12C VII
RUGBY
Celebrating the Caterham Rugby Pathway
The First and Second Years were brought together to celebrate their first steps onto the Caterham Rugby Pathway.
With many current 1st XV players having started their journey in the C&D teams; it proves that no matter where you start, commitment, positivity, and the ability to make good decisions will pay-off in the long run.
U18 Rugby 7s Win Silverware on First Outing
The U18 1st team squad travelled down to Hurstpierpoint to take part in an Invitational tournament composed of some of the strongest schools in the South-East of England. The squad defended resolutely during the group games which saw possession held by the opposition for extended periods of time. This work-rate in defence set the tone for the day with the Caterham side unwilling to allow
the breakdown to be a simple affair. Impressive turnovers happened time and again, from the likes of Zach, Ethan, Jack. The team used these turnovers in possession to their advantage by moving the ball to width and utilising the power of Jack F and the speed of Seb T-S who ended the day with a personal haul of 5 tries.
The group agreed to keep possession, trust in their superior levels of fitness and keep the ball moving to put pressure on the high-pressing
St John’s team
The team progressed through the to the semi- final where Worth School lay in wait eager to avenge the result from the 15-a-side season. Playing on a wider pitch than the group stages, the team started strongly stretching Worth with excellent link play playing down the hill. Only lapses in concentration allowing Worth to stay within touching distance. The score at half time a nervy 5-5, the messages; minimise error count, challenge the initial restart and continue to support with and without the ball. The side did just that. A challenge from the kick-off led to Jack speeding round his opposite man
on the far side. Multiphase efforts from Alex S and Theo B on the nearside showed that Caterham wanted victory more, popping up from tackles quicker than the opposition and winning the race to the breakdown. A key contribution from Sam W lured the Worth defence to the short side, only for him to move the ball to the open side where it was finished with great accuracy by Seb. The final score 26-7.
The final saw us drawn against St John’s Leatherhead where a few decision-making errors saw us 10-0 down at half time after playing down the hill. Unphased, the group agreed to keep possession, trust in their superior levels of fitness and keep the ball moving to put pressure on the high-pressing St John’s team. Straight after half time Ethan used his speed linking well with Max to claw back one try, 7-10. Sam W, spotting a gap in the defences broke through and kept possession for the try to be finished by Seb again 12-10. The final passage of play saw Captain Zach F’s lightening reactions to enact a turnover, quick tap, utilise footwork to create a half break, then have the composure to link-up with Jack F who went under the posts to secure a 19-10 victory.
U16s win group at National Schools Rugby 7s competition
Caterham Colts travelled with excitement to the largest rugby tournament in the world held at the Richardson Evans Memorial Ground. The squad, ravaged by illness, was seemingly on its last legs with only 9 of the 12 strong squad available for the day’s play. But this didn’t deter the Caterham pupil as with adversity there is opportunity. With their steely mindsets forged in the development of the PE and 7’s programmes, each boy was there to maximise their game-time and enhance their decision making ability at the highest level of the schoolboy game.
The first games against a vocal and edgy Ysgol Bryngwyn side
required the boys to maintain their discipline in this vital first encounter. Caterham played up the hill and transitioned from side to side stretching the Bryngwyn defence with Alex S the first to challenge his opposite man. The challenge – a footrace to the corner where Alex came out on top with a PB of nearing 12s flat in the 100m, it’s hard to see many getting close to him. 7 points, try and conversion from Fionn F. The second encounter happened to be a more physical challenge with Alex again coming out on top with another try, concerted by Fionn. Further tries
shock Caterham needed and they immediately clicked into gear. A chip and chase try just before half time from Fionn F, saw his football skills on show again running from the dead ball line up the hill to dot down for 7- “nothing like matrons path” he commented with a smile! After half time, the sides again exchanged tries with Fionn running another one in from his own half only for it to be cancelled out with immediate effect. Gordon’s seemed to have won it with a break round the outside with 30s left on the clock and their full bench erupting. This is the time for the leaders to
from Jiayou on the edge after neat footballing skills from Fionn saw Caterham extend the lead running out 26-5 victors.
Second match came against Colyton Grammar, who struck first showing their ace card early on in the form of a speedy winger. The game ebbed and flowed with Caterham seemingly having secured the victory only for several decision making errors to allow Colyton back into that game and then snatch a draw with the last kick of the game. 26-26.
The final game of the group saw us pitted against Gordon’s School in a winner takes all final bout. Gordon’s drew first with a try out wide. This was just the
step up, decision making at its most important with everything on the line. Santi the first to contribute with a jackal on the half way line, tapped quickly and taken on by Seb who distributed to Edwin- the side with deep into the Gordon’s 22 with a high tackle awarded to Caterham.
The side spread wide a vocal, forced the opposition to increase their spaces leaving Arun G in a 1v1 which he fancied. With incredible leg-drive he bulldozed over to score in the corner and break the hearts of the Gordon’s team winning 34-29. An impressive feat with the side down to 8 in total, 7 of those boys will be in this age category next year
U16 WIN GROUP NATIONAL SCHOOLS RUGBY 7S
South Africa RUGBY TOUR
On Monday 8th July we set off on our South African tour. Storms battered the Cape, but luckily the gale force winds subsided enough for us to land safely in Cape Town.
OUR FIRST TRAINING SESSION at Camps Bay High School had a fantastic view of Table Mountain which not only made it hard for the boys to concentrate but also the coaches.
Our first night was the night to win the best dressed as we ate at the President Hotel – the winner was Amir who turned up dazzling in a white shirt and cream chinos combo!
ON DAY TWO in the heavy rain we set off to Boulder Bay to see the only penguin colony in Africa.
Onto our first game. We played against Bishop Docesan at Fortress Cape Town, they were a big strong team who played the very wet conditions well. Two terms out of practise we ended up second losing 28 – 0 after being 10 – 0 down at half time.
After the game we headed off to the England U20s match against the Junior Boks at Athlone Stadium. The weather was awful but the boys enjoyed the match which ended on a nail-biter with England winning
last play of the game. The day concluded with Alex S and Will O showing off their karaoke talents on the bus home.
DAY THREE started with a quick training session back at Camps Hill. Thankfully the clouds parted briefly to practice some attacking work. Then we went off to False Bay in the shark infested waters to take on the 40 foot breakers. Stopping first to sample some local fish and chips. The boys enjoyed a glimmer of sun while taking on the cold waters of the Cape hoping to catch some waves. Surfers of the day were Fordy, Russel and Sherry took the mini surfboard prize given out by Surf Shack. The day finished with the boys enjoying the England game back at the President Hotel.
DAY FOUR kicked off with a cold dunk in the pool (much to the amusement of the other hotel guests bearing in mind the weather conditions). The boys then headed off to experience life of residents of District 6 at the museum which is located on the site. The boys
learned about the life of local residents and took in the all the history the museum had to offer. It was a great chance for the boys to take on a different perspective and understanding of how Cape Town was shaped. Before heading off for our second fixture we headed to Century City for a quick look round the shops. Due to the poor weather conditions, in which some schools had been closed, the Connected Academy (which is an amalgamation of local schools)
Camps Bay High School had a fantastic view of Table Mountain which not only made it hard for the boys to concentrate but also the coaches.
where unable to field a team for our planned fixture. Amazingly we managed to link up with Bishop Stortford Grammar School and organised a live contact training session which consisted of some live breakdown work progressively moving into a block of full contact. The night ended with a taste of South African steak and a chance to reflect on the session and look forward to more culture and competition on day five.
ON DAY FIVE AND SIX after the dust had settled on a live training session, the optional cold swim and the morning coastal run, the boys ventured down to the V & A Waterfront to have a mooch round the shops before going down to Muizenburg beach for some cricket and American football.
Our game against Wynberg saw the boys playing a much more attacking game. The weather was appalling and with the second half cut short due to the bad weather. Although the final score was 22-12 the score line did not reflect the nature of the game. The boys may have been unsure of themselves going against a very strong SA second team but they can hold their heads high by the performance.
DAY SEVEN AND EIGHT
started with a trip up Signal Hill to try and view Table Mountain and although it was shrouded in cloud we did manage to view Robben Island, Lions Head and the waterfront.
We also had a quick tour of Bo-Kaap and learned about the community where free slaves established themselves.
The Malay culture evident in their food and colourful houses.
Later in the day we headed off to the DHL Stadium to watch the England U20s semi final against Ireland. It was another nail-biting game seeing England make it to the final.
Day eight, the sun finally came out and the boys headed to the Kayamundi township where we were shown around and educated about the local community sharing food and drum lessons. The boys also had the chance to play with some of the local students.
The boys then headed back from Stellenbosch to the Cape for their
final game of the tour against a township club called Riverside Elsies. A game played in the shadow of Table Mountain.
This drew us to the end of a fantastic tour – the boys played some excellent rugby against some strong teams and in extreme adverse weather conditions.
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
RUGBY TEAM OF THE YEAR 2023-24
RUGBY 1ST XV
RUGBY 2ND XV
RUGBY U16A XV
RUGBY U15A XV
RUGBY U15B XV
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
RUGBY U15C XV
RUGBY U14A XV
RUGBY U14B XV
U14 TOUCH RUGBY
RUGBY U14C XV
RUGBY U13A XV
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
RUGBY U13B XV
RUGBY U13C XV
RUGBY U12B XV
RUGBY U12C XV
RUGBY U12A XV
RUGBY U12D XV
LACROSSE
Fine Play at First Full Lacrosse Fixture
In September our annual fixture against Benenden School took place. With over 300 girls and 16 teams boarding buses, the first full block fixture was underway.
This fixture saw some great determination and skill from all of our lacrosse teams including an exciting first fixture for our U12s, they took part in a Round Robin of small sided games, to introduce them to some of the rules of lacrosse. Across the board, we had some hard-fought matches from all teams, but a special mention must go to the 2nd team who came from behind at half time to drawing to Benenden 7-7 in a brilliantly challenged match.
1sts Fine Farewell Win at National Schools Lacrosse
March saw the return of the annual National Schools lacrosse event. This is one of the most exciting weekends for school girl lacrosse and it did not disappoint. We saw the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, U15A, U14A and U13A teams all take part in the tournament.
The 1sts won division 1 and had a brilliant send off to the Upper Sixth Form pupils who gave out their team awards through the style of a rap. A huge thank you to all of the Upper Sixth players and parents who have supported the girls through their seven years of lacrosse. You will be greatly missed!
The 2nd team made it all the way to the Division 2 semi-finals which is a phenomenal achievement. They hustled all the way through and showed grit and determination on and off the pitch.
The 3rds narrowly lost out on make it to the quarter finals of the competition, however, played a brilliant day of lacrosse and had great fun doing so.
The U15As, having been winners of the championships last year went through to the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to St. Swithuns’, who went on to win the competition, 3-2 in the last 30 seconds of the game. The girls played tenaciously on the pitch and were a huge credit to themselves throughout the day. Not a bad history of semi-finals, winners and semi-finals of the National Schools competition.
Unfortunately, due to the torrential rain, the U14s and U13s tournament was cut short, meaning they both narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter finals. However, a great team performance with a draw to Putney High school in their last game.
A huge well done to all pupils involved, a brilliant four days of lacrosse and fun had by all!
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of
LACROSSE 1ST X
LACROSSE 2ND X
LACROSSE 3RD X
LACROSSE U15A
LACROSSE U15B
Gillman & Soame photographers.
LACROSSE U14A
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
LACROSSE U14C
LACROSSE U13B
LACROSSE U14B
LACROSSE U13A
LACROSSE U13C
LACROSSE U12A
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
LACROSSE U12C
LACROSSE U12B
LACROSSE U12D
1ST TEAM FINAL FAREWELL WIN
HOCKEY
Girls Hockey Undefeated Winners!
The U14s put in a fantastic shift at the UKSA Girls U14 Hockey Cup 2023 tournament. The girls went undefeated to run out tournament winners! Impressively, the team scored 17 goals in 6 games without conceding any!
1st VI Boys Indoor Hockey Team Crowned South East Champions and Qualify for National Finals
Our 1st VI Boys indoor hockey team took part in the U18 Indoor Hockey South East Finals. Having qualified through the Surrey finals, the boys were confident that they could put in a good performance, and the draw meant that they played Ardingly College in the first group game. A solid performance saw them come through as 2-0 winners. Next up was a convincing 3-1 win vs Simon Langton. A tense semi-final saw the boys battle to the end to take a 1-0 win vs Kent College. The final was a repeat of the first group game, as Ardingly came roaring back in their semi to beat a strong St Georges side so it would be a test to see if the boys could recreate their earlier form. Another hugely impressive and professional performance allowed the boys to take the lead early and some grit and bravery saw us stave off two penalty corners in the final minute to take the 3-2 win, the Southeast Championship and qualification to a second Indoor National Final in two years.
Team: Alex S, Sammy H, Theo B, Robert T, Casey M, Ethan vH, Josh F, Will L and Ethan W
U14 TEAM - UNDEFEATED WINNERS
1ST VI BOYS INDOOR HOCKEY TEAM EAST SURREY CHAMPIONS
1ST VI BOYS INDOOR HOCKEY TEAM EAST SURREY CHAMPIONS
1ST VI BOYS INDOOR HOCKEY TEAM PLACED FIFTH NATIONALLY
1st VI Indoor Hockey Boys Placed Fifth Nationally
December saw the 1st VI boys Indoor Hockey team play at the National Schools Indoor Hockey Finals held at Whitgift School, representing the South East as champions of that area. A tough group draw saw us come up against some of the country’s top hockey schools. First up, defending champions Whitgift. In a really tight game which ebbed and flowed, the boys fought back to 1-2 before conceding a third goal late in the game, finishing 1-3 to Whitgift. The second game was a must win, and saw the boys come away with a hard fought 2-1 against Altrincham Grammar. This set up a winner takes all game vs powerhouse Repton. The boys started strongly, scoring 3 goals in 2 minutes to take a 3-1 lead but unfortunately, Repton’s quality told, and they ran out to a 6 – 3 lead with 5 minutes to go. In substituting our goalkeeper to chase the game, Repton scored 3 into an empty goal to make the final score 9 – 3 to Repton, ensuring we didn’t make it out of the group. The 5th/6th placed playoff vs Yarm was our final game of the day and the boys put in a terrific display of indoor hockey to come through 5 – 3 winners and finish a wonderful indoor season as fifth in the country. A huge well done to the boys.
Team: Robert T, Ethan W, Tom H, Josh F, Will L, Theo B, Ethan vH, Stuart S, Sammy H, Casey M and Alex S.
Girls 1st XI Crowned South East Regional Hockey Champions
The 1st XI girls hockey team were crowned South East Regional Champions after beating a strong Seaford College side 4-0. In a game that ebbed and flowed, it was Caterham who were rewarded for their hard work and energy. This result saw them qualify for the T3 National Finals to be held at the Nottingham Hockey Centre on Monday 5 February. The team will compete against the other eight regional winners in the quest to secure the national title.
CATERHAM GIRLS 1ST XI SOUTH EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
NATIONAL TITLE FOR 1ST VI BOYS
National Title for 1st VI Hockey Boys
On Thursday 21 March the Boys’ 1st XI hockey team travelled to Nottingham Hockey Centre to compete in the U19 Independent Schools’ Plate National Finals. They had eliminated some strong hockey schools on the way to the finals, and were eager to get on the pitch for their early 9am start vs Scarborough College. After dominating the first half, Scarborough made the most of their first attack and went in to the break 1-0 up. The boys didn’t panic and continued to dominate, with goals from W. Lumbard, S. Gill and S. Houlton sealing the 3-1 win. The second game vs Kings School Chester was a much tighter affair, but a brace of penalty corner flicks from W. Lumbard earned the boys a 2-0 win and a place in the National Final to meet local rivals Reigate Grammar School.
After a tense start to the game a lightning quick
A sensational performance topping off a really successful year.
break by Van Huyssteen set up S. Houlton, who finished clinically to take a 1-0 lead. The boys then continued to dominate with terrific defence from C. Mear, S. Gill, R. Thomas and S. Taylor-Smith, and soon found another goal with a beautiful first time strike from S. Willson. In the second half, the boys carved out lots of chances and penalty corners, and W. Lumbard stepped up once again to drill home a drag flick and send the boys to the school’s first National hockey title. It was a sensational performance topping off a really successful year for the group, having already been to the Tier 1 National Indoor Finals before Christmas. We are so excited for next year to see how the group continues to develop.
INDOOR HOCKEY 1ST XI
HOCKEY BOYS 1ST XI
HOCKEY GIRLS 1ST XI
HOCKEY 2ND XI
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman &
Soame photographers.
HOCKEY U16A XI
HOCKEY U16B XI
HOCKEY U15A XI
HOCKEY U15B XI
HOCKEY U14A XI
HOCKEY U14B XI
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of
HOCKEY U14C XI
HOCKEY U14D XI
HOCKEY GIRLS U13A XI
HOCKEY BOYS U13A XI
HOCKEY U13B XI
HOCKEY U13C XI
Gillman & Soame photographers.
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
HOCKEY U13D XI
HOCKEY U12B XI
HOCKEY U12C XI
HOCKEY U12D XI
HOCKEY U12A XI
CRICKET
THE
2024 CRICKET
SEASON WAS AN EXHILARATING YEAR FOR CATERHAM SCHOOL CRICKET.
The sport is flourishing across the school, with many pupils engaging in cricket for the first time. The girls’ program, in particular, continues to thrive, showcasing remarkable growth and progress. Caterham now fields 17 teams every Saturday, with an additional 14 teams competing in midweek fixtures, demonstrating the school’s dedication to cricket.
1st XI Highlights
The 1st XI entered the season with optimism, featuring a strong core of Lower Sixth players, complemented by the experience of Upper Sixth stalwart Tom H, participating in his fourth season. Despite a slow start due to challenging weather conditions and tough early fixtures, the team rebounded with stunning victories over Cranbrook, Alleyns, and Lingfield.
The Lingfield match was particularly dramatic. After restricting the opposition to 125-7 with disciplined bowling, Caterham started brightly. Openers Meet Patel and Casey Mear laid a solid foundation, but the tide turned with tight bowling from Lingfield. Requiring 31 runs from the final two overs—and 22 from the last— Captain Max T delivered an extraordinary performance, striking 6, 4, 6, 4, and 4 to clinch victory with a ball to spare.
Batting was challenging throughout the season. Max T led the scoring with 187 runs, while Meet P showed promise as a 15-year-old, scoring 148 runs and keeping wicket admirably. Tom H added 141 runs in his final season, and Casey M and Will L displayed flashes of brilliance. In the bowling department, Freddie L led with 10 wickets, supported by Theo B, Josh F, Mauris J, Rajan P, and Max T.
With most players returning in 2025 and 29 players who represented the 2nd XI in 2024 all competing for 1st XI spots, the future looks bright, provided the team can maintain consistency.
U15 Boys
The U15 boys were the strongest cohort, with the A team winning 7 out of 9 matches and the B team winning 6 out of 7. This talented group, including Meet P, Leo H, Jiayou L, and Zac L, is poised to make significant contributions to senior cricket in 2025.
CRICKET U18A
CRICKET U18B
CRICKET U15A
U15 Girls
The U15 girls enjoyed a strong season, securing four wins and competing in several closely fought matches. Captain Lucy B had a remarkable year, representing Kent at multiple levels and earning the Kent Women’s Young Player of the Year award. Jess C elegant batting, along with contributions from Milli D, Darcey L, Emilie L, Jojo A, and Sophie N, highlighted the team’s depth and promise.
U14 Boys
The U14 boys had an enjoyable season, improving steadily and showcasing an exciting brand of cricket. Led by standout performers Sam M, Taran S, and Brennan S, the A and B teams combined for 9 wins from 14 matches. This group is expected to continue their upward trajectory.
U14 Girls
The U14 girls made significant progress, driven by standout performances from Zoya J, Caitlin M, and Ellen H. Their enthusiasm and development bode well for the future.
U13 Boys
The U13 boys demonstrated promise, highlighted by an impressive tour to Suffolk. Their standout moment was a spirited bowling and fielding performance against Colchester Royal Grammar School, dismissing the opposition for 64 after posting 74 themselves. This was followed by a thriller the next day against St. Josephs which ended in a 2 run defeat despite beautifully paced innings from Noah E and Noah G. Just as importantly as the cricket, the evening’s entertainment of Ten Pin bowling was won by Charlie’s team!
U13 Girls
The U13 girls continued their steady development, winning 5 out of 10 matches. Martha P’s aggressive batting earned her a spot in the Kent U13 squad, supported by Millie H, Ella D, Izzy N, Sophie F and Alexis C. With greater consistency, this team could achieve even more.
U12 Boys
The U12 boys played with great spirit. Charlie A showcased his potential with strong performances for both Caterham and Surrey U12s, forming a formidable bowling partnership with James H. As the team learns to value their wickets more, their potential for growth is immense.
U12 Girls
A highlight of the year was the U12 girls’ journey to the Surrey Cup semi-final, narrowly losing by one wicket in a thrilling contest. Captained maturely by Sophie S, who also represented Kent U12s, the team grew in confidence throughout the season. Key contributions came from Olivia B, Eva B, Siya L, Sophie W and Isla T.
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank you to the 17 staff members who generously dedicated their time to coaching and managing the teams. Special thanks to Mr Dodwell and his ground staff for producing exceptional pitches despite the challenging weather conditions.
Caterham Cricket’s 2024 season was truly a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering talent and passion for the game. The future of cricket at Caterham School looks incredibly promising.
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
CRICKET U14A
CRICKET U15B
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers.
CRICKET U14B
CRICKET U14C
CRICKET U13A
CRICKET U13B
CRICKET U13C
CRICKET U12A
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of
CRICKET U12D
Gillman & Soame photographers.
CRICKET U12C
CRICKET U12B
ATHLETICS
TEAM CATERHAM IN ACTION
ESAA Track and Field Cup
Three out of four teams qualified for the regional finals Junior Girls, Inter Girls and Inter Boys, exceptionally high scores from the Inter Boys saw them finish third in the South East, narrowly missing out on selection for the grand final.
District Athletics
Highlights from the First Year district finals:
l Greyson S winning the hurdles and Javelin events
l Jamal and Tiroye winning silver medals in the 100m and high Jump
l Ella W gaining a silver medal in the hurdles
Inter Boys won the district competition with the Junior Girls coming second place.
Twenty athletes were selected from this district round to represent South Surrey at the Surrey Schol Championships.
Surrey School Championships
Highlights were Ryen winning a silver medal in his 400m with a school record of 49.88s and qualifying for the English Schools’ Finals.
Estee earning a silver medal in her 300m Hurdles event and qualifying for the English Schools Finals in a time of 44.70s bettering her own school record of 45.32 set last year.
Aaron Gibbons winning a silver medal, smashing the school record with a put of 14.28m and earning a place at the English Schools Finals.
Two fourth places for Brennan S and Cameron W in the junior boys shot put and the inter boys javelin.
SCHOOL RECORDS
INTER BOYS SHOP PUTT
Previously held by: Tyler N 12.03cm – 2016 (Co-ed record)
R Radley 13.62cm – 1990 (All time record)
New Record: Arun G 14.28m – 2024
INTER BOYS 200M
Previously held by:
Jack P 23. 58s – 2005 (Co-ed record)
New Co-ed Record: Alex S 23.52 – 2024
INTER BOYS 300M
Previously held by: Ryen R 37.60s – 2023 (Co-ed & All time record)
New Record: Edwin K 37.40s – 2024
INTER BOYS 400M
Previously held by:
Jack P 52.75 – 2005 (Co-ed record)
M Grant 52.50s – 1992 (All-time record)
New Record: Ryen Rennie 49.88s – 2024
INTER BOYS 1500M
New Record: Arthur P 1500m 4:37.00s – 2024
INTER BOYS HAMMER
New Record: Alex S 34.48m Hammer – 2024
These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman &
photographers.
ATHLETICS U15
ATHLETICS U14
ATHLETICS U13
ATHLETICS U12
Soame
BASKETBALL
U18 Defeat Whitgift in Basketball Season Opener
The under 18 basketball team recorded a famous away victory in their first match of the season, defeating Whitgift 46-43 in a thrilling encounter. After the game had been tied at half-time the well organised Whitgift team dominated the third quarter and led by seven at the start of the fourth. However, the Caterham boys played inspired basketball in the final period with stifling zone defence and an effective fast break offence allowing them to turn the scoreboard on its head and lead by ten with just ninety seconds remaining. To their credit Whitgift never gave up and a flurry of late baskets meant the game remained alive to the final play. As a desperate last second three point attempt fell short, the Caterham boys were able to celebrate an impressive win.
It was a victory built above all on teamwork and
Under 16 Basketball Team Victorious
The Under 16 basketball team won a decisive victory in their match away at Lingfield College. Inspirationally coached on the day by Upper Sixth boys Harry and John-Paul, the boys started strongly and established an early lead which they maintained throughout the game, eventually winning 42-20. Hard work and physical commitment from the entire team in defence laid a firm foundation, and some particularly spectacular rim-protecting blocks from Ryen R and Stanley M made life difficult for the Lingfield boys. At the other end of the court the Lingfield defence struggled to deal with the dynamic driving play of ‘MVP’ Daniel H and Stanley M and the pinpoint three-point shooting of Nathan C and Adrian F.
For a number of the boys this was their first experience of competitive basketball – hopefully they
BASKETBALL U18
BASKETBALL U16
CROSS COUNTRY
Congratulations
Estee & Team!
Congratulations to Estree and team who took part in the girls’ district cross country competition which saw a great turnout across the year groups. There were many strong performances throughout, but it was Estee N who topped the table winning the U16s race! Congratulations Estee.
TABLE TENNIS
Table Tennis Teams Compete at Surrey Schools Competition
There were a number of super performances over three days from our four teams in the Table Tennis Team events for Surrey Schools at Salesian, Chertsey.
Our results:
l U13 Girls who were second in the championship and this is hopefully the first such team to go out in this age bracket for the girls.
l U13 Boys who were fourth in the championship against some very serious competition with some last minute help to fill the team sheet.
l U16 Boys who were second in the championship and were competing against some strong competition this year.
l U19 Boys who won their round and who go to the next round in 2024, most likely up in London.
Well done to everyone.
Tough Opposition at Individual Table Tennis Champs
Our table tennis teams attended U13 Boys, U16 Boys and U19 Boys Surrey Schools Individual Championships. These were busy affairs, as away fixtures, with some high-level talented opposition, some of them homeschooled in order to maximise their playing time! Against tough opposition, progress was sadly thwarted and the U19 Boys Individuals faced two particularly outstanding players – one rumoured to have previously been best in his age group in the UK and one who can be found on the Table Tennis England website…
Finally, away at Whitgift, Table Tennis England were hosting Regional Finals for the U19 Surrey Schools Team Championships. Sadly, here too, tough opposition meant that we would not progress on to the next round in Bristol.
However, just to remember our successes, our U19 Boys Team remain Regional Finalists and are also reigning Surrey Schools U19 Boys Team Champions.
TENNIS
TENNIS 1ST
TENNIS U15
TENNIS U14
TENNIS U13
SWIMMING
Outstanding Effort at Surrey Schools Relay
At the end of September, our Caterham swimmers swam in the Surrey School relay event in Guildford and performed brilliantly, coming together as a team.
Our swimmers, ranging from Juniors to Seniors, gave their all at the Surrey relay event. The poolside was electric as they pushed themselves to the limits, showcasing their skills and determination.
This really is a testament to their hard work, sportsmanship, and our supportive community. We’re excited for what the future holds for these remarkable athletes.
Great work and well done to all our swimmers.
We came away with a 1st place and three 3rd place finishes.
Medals Won at Surrey Schools Swimming Competition
Well done to all our swimmers who took part in the Surrey Schools Swimming Individuals competition. Everyone swam brilliantly and achieved great times, school records were set, and individual best were beaten. We came away with a 1st place and three 3rd place finishes.
Swim Team Making Waves at the National Bath Cup
We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our school swim team’s outstanding performance at the National Bath Cup. Our talented athletes dove into the competition with determination, skill, and a true sense of teamwork, making us proud to be part of such a remarkable community.
The boys came 14th overall and the girls achieved a 22nd place finish. Our swimmers truly deserve all the applause for their exceptional performance.
Well done to Ava K, Mia K, Lillian, Isabelle H, Caiden H, Issac A, Cameron W and Matthew I.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain Biking added as Sixth Form Games Option
In the autumn term Sixth Form pupils have been able to do mountain biking as a games option.
Braving all weathers to get out on their bikes on a Wednesday afternoon has been a great way to build fitness, strength, resilience and a love for the great outdoors. They have learned basic mountain bike skills and developed them, as well as learning some essential mountain bike maintenance on the new school bikes.
Off Road Skills at Mountain Biking Club
In addition to the mountain biking games option that has been running all year we now have a mountain biking club as an after-school option for Third and Fourth Year pupils. Guided by staff, the first group were out enjoying exploring the trails of Happy Valley and more locally in the school woods.
Our ongoing thanks to the Parents’ Association for funding our fleet of mountain bikes.
FRED A Takes Rugby Win with Harlequins INDIVIDUAL SPORTING SUCCESS
Fred A was selected to represent Harlequins U17s against Gloucester U17s over the Christmas break.
On the fast 4G surface, Harlequins were able to make better use of their athleticism to run away with the victory by a margin of 46 points to 31. Fred, wearing No 19 made life very difficult for the Gloucester hooker with his defensive lineout ability.
ESTEE STORMS TO GOLD at SEAA
Indoor Pentathlon
Huge congratulations to Estée N who won gold in SEAA Indoor Pentathlon (South of England). She gained a massive personal best in her 60m hurdles with a time of 9.20, a solid high jump of 1.56m, a new club record in shot put of 10.40m, 4.99m in the long jump, 2.26 in the 800m and a personal best overall. A fantastic achievement!
A Summer Ahead of Lacrosse Worlds
Well done to our first team captain Jenny Lomas and Old Cat Imogen Lack who have been selected for Wales to go to Hong Kong in the U20 lacrosse World Championships this summer.
This year Jenny has not only been an incredible asset through her Caterham lacrosse career, but, was also an integral part in helping the first team, win Division 1 at this year’s National Schools Lacrosse tournament.
Furthermore, one of our Lacrosse coaches, Miss Russell is also heading to a World Cup in September. She is playing for England in the first women’s box lacrosse team in Utica, NY. We wish her the best of luck going into the championships and can’t wait to see how England do.
Director of Lacrosse, Mrs Pippa Burtenshaw is coaching Senior Wales Lacrosse in the upcoming Euro’s this summer. She is travelling to Portugal in July to hopefully coach her team to victory.
Miss Russell and Mrs Burtenshaw are also Old Cats first team lacrosse captains themselves, showing that determination and hard work is an integral part of what we want our Caterham Lacrosse community to encompass.
We wish them all the best of luck on their endeavours over the summer.
Surrey U17 Rugby Representation for Ethan
Ethan v H who plays at fullback (no.15) for the schools 1st XV has progressed through the trials process to earn selection for the Surrey U17 rugby team. His dazzling feet and ability to glide through a gap have certainly caught the eye this year for those lucky enough to watch on Homefield against Abingdon.
Rhythm Gymnastics Championship Title for Yung
Congratulations to Yung W (Fourth Year) who has won the Championship title for Level 1 Individual Hoop Performances at the 2024 London Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in March this year. She has been pursuing Rhythmic Gymnastics since the age of 7 and is part of the Freedom RG Club at Croydon and Bromley.
Prestigious Selection into U18 Rugby Independent School Lambs for ZACH
1st XV Captain and proud recipient of the Pat Lavery Cup for Player of the Season, Zach F has been selected to play for the U18 Independent School Lambs.
Selection for this squad represents the highest level that an U18 schoolboy can play when not in an academy pathway and he follows in the footsteps of Rory Carter former 1st XV Rugby captain who gained selection during the 2013/14 season.
Zach has also developed a
JUDO - Jake H Takes Gold in Southern Champs
Congratulations to Jake H who took the gold medal for his weight category at the Southern Area Schools Judo Championships representing the school.
fantastic tactical kicking game that will be sorely missed when he leaves school in July. Not only this; his place kicking provides him with a unique selling point that few would choose to leave out, this makes every penalty even more damaging for those that play in team against him.
Zach will be touring with the Lambs squad to South Africa and Namibia in the summer. We wish him luck.
MELISSA’S ELITE WIN
Congratulations to Melissa who has become Elite Epee Junior Series Event 5 Girls U17 Fencing Champion!
AVA Jumps into County Records at Indoor Champs
Congratulations to Ava W (Second Year) who competed at the Surrey & Sussex Indoor Athletics Championship in March. Ava not only competed in the U15 category, an achievement in itself as she is still 12 years old but she also took part for the first time in the Surrey County Triple Jump and took the County Record! Well done Ava!
TOM WINS LAST RACE TO TAKE TOP STEP OF MTB ENDURANCE SERIES
Congratulations to Tom N (Fifth Year) who won the Muc Off Brass Monkeys Winter Mountain Bike Endurance Series – Junior (U19) Category.
Winter is the down time for XC riders, and this series is a big event for riders across the South to get some winter racing in, albeit in often challenging conditions (hence the name!).
The final race in the series is a two-hour endurance race. Tom rode a fantastic race with four strong, consistent laps in 1 hour 44 mins over a trail distance of just under 40km, taking the win with just under two minutes over second place. This win was on the back of two silvers sealing the top spot on the podium for the junior series. There were 164 riders in all categories of the 2-hour race and
Tom’s time also placed him 6th overall – a fantastic achievement given he has trained and raced whilst revising and taking his mock GCSEs. Tom is part of the British Cycling Talent Pathway.
RORY W Selected for U16 England Hockey Team
Fourth Year and U15A team hockey player, Rory W, was selected into the England U16 hockey squad for the coming season.
Rory had been attending a rigorous trial process since the summer and was then selected as part of the 29-player squad which trains throughout the year in preparation for international fixtures against Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Scotland and Netherlands. This is a tremendous achievement, which is even more impressive considering he is a year young for the U16 age group.
Rory’s selection is the culmination of a long journey from being on the side of the pitch watching his brother, Zach (a current GB international hockey player and Olympian) playing
for England, through to being selected for Surrey, Regional Talent Academy, UK Lions and now England U16. Rory is incredibly dedicated and driven, and we are so proud to see all that hard work pay off. Congratulations Rory!
Rory Represents England U16 Hockey
Over May half term, Rory represented England in the U16 hockey team in a series vs Wales U18 boys. The matches took place at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire and England came away with a very impressive series win. These international caps come on the back of the two caps Rory gained vs Ireland in February.
We are really looking forward to seeing Rory in action for England over the summer and wish him the very best of luck.
Branden T scores first GB4 victory with Fox Motorsport
Branden T (Lower Sixth) scored his maiden race victory in May half term as Fox Motorsport mounted the top step of the podium in the GB4 Championship at Donington Park.
Branden was contesting only his third car-racing weekend in the intensely competitive single-seater series and showed his class to dominate the closing race of the weekend at the East Midlands track.
Starting fifth on the fully-reversed Race Three grid, Branden climbed to second by the first corner and took less than two laps to surge into the lead. From there he set the fastest lap and built a sizeable gap; his 7.700s advantage at the flag proving to be the largest winning margin in the series for nearly two years.
Victory undid the disappointment
of the two earlier races. He had climbed from 11th to seventh in the opener until contact from a rival knocked his left-front wheel askew and restricted him to 10th.
In Race Two he was hit just seconds after the start as the same rival swerved into his path, breaking his front wing and restricting his pace for the rest of the race. He finished 13th.
Fox Motorsport hold third place in the Teams’ Championship while Branden’s victory has kept him fifth in the Drivers’ points.
Branden said: “This feels incredible. To get my first win in
LUCA H SIGNS WITH READING FC ACADEMY
Congratulations to Luca H on signing academy forms with Reading FC Academy after a successful trial period. Being Category One, the highest status available, means Luca gets exposure to first class facilitates, coaching and has the opportunity to play against Premiership teams.
During the Easter break, Luca played in an U13 Pro Cup, beating Fulham FC 1-0 in the semi before coming second to Arsenal FC 1-0 in the final.
cars after what had been a tough weekend with incidents in Races One and Two is just amazing. Key was keeping my head high when things weren’t quite going to plan, because when the opportunity came in Race Three I was up to second by the first corner and then leading by the second lap, after which it was a case of just managing the gap. A huge thank you to my management at Kokoro, to Fox Motorsport, and to my family and partners. There’s plenty more to come too.”
Well done Branden and good luck for the next race!
RUGBY 7S Seb D Wins Reigate 7s with Eggchasers 7s Team
Sebastian D was chosen to represent the London and Southeast region of the Eggchasers National Rugby 7s Academy. His side progressed through the rounds and won the tournament in the sun at Old Reigatians Rugby Club. Well done!
ARUN WINS SHOTPUT GOLD AT SUSSEX AA COUNTY ATHLETICS CHAMPS
Congratulations to ARUN G (Fourth Year) who competed in the Men’s U17 shotput at the Sussex AA County Athletics Championships in May at K2, Crawley. Not only was he competing a year up but won gold and came first by throwing over a metre and a half further than anyone else. Well done Arun!
TAEKWONDO GOLD for ALFRED in Spring Competition
Congratulations to ALFRED D who won gold for sparring in his Taekwando category’s spring competition, plus placing in patterns and kicks.
Monday 1 July, 2024
Humphreys Theatre
YEAR 6
LEAVERS’ SERVICE CLASS OF 2024
SO LONG FAREWELL GOOD LUCK CATERHAM PREP
Charlotte’s Web
‘The Song of Summer’s Ending’ by E.B. White
Read by Alex Mitsis, Form Tutor, 6M
The crickets sang in the grasses. They sang the song of summer’s ending, a sad monotonous song. “Summer is over and gone, over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying.” A little maple tree heard the cricket song and turned bright red with anxiety.
The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year — the days when summer is changing into fall the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.
Welcome
Rebecca Moore Senior Deputy Head, Prep School
‘Let No One Steal Your Dreams’ by Paul Cookson
Read by Daniel Snow, Form Tutor 6S
Let no one steal your dreams
Let no one tear apart
The burning of ambition
That fires the drive inside your heart.
Let no one steal your dreams
Let no one tell you that you can’t
Let no one hold you back
Let no one tell you that you won’t.
Set your sights and keep them fixed
Set your sights on high
Let no one steal your dreams
Everybody heard the song of the crickets. Avery and Fern Arable heard it as they walked the dusty road. They knew that school would soon begin again. The young geese heard it and knew that they would never be little goslings again. Charlotte heard it and knew that she hadn’t much time left. Mrs. Zuckerman, at work in the kitchen, heard the crickets, and a sadness came over her, too. “Another summer gone,” she sighed. Lurvy, at work building a crate for Wilbur, heard the song and knew it was time to dig potatoes.
“Summer is over and gone,” repeated the crickets. “How many nights till frost?” sang the crickets. “Good-bye, summer, good-bye, good-bye!”
Your only limit is the sky.
Let no one steal your dreams
Follow your heart
Follow your soul
For only when you follow them
Will you feel truly whole.
Set your sights and keep them fixed
Set your sights on high
Let no one steal your dreams
Your only limit is the sky.
Message
Ben Purkiss
Headmaster, Prep School
Book Presentation & Class of 2024 Memories Presentation
Closing Prayer
Katharine Sharpe
Assistant Head (Pastoral)
COME BACK AND SEE US SOON CATERHAM PREP
Class of 2024 6M
Alexander Aspinell
Eden Blair
Tinuade Bolade
Humphrey Dixon-Box
Oliver Elmes
Alejandro Garcia-Blanch
Iyla Ghosh-Dastidar
Joel Griffiths
Khloe Gundlach
Sebastian Heaton-Armstrong
William Hoyles
Stephan Jeffrey
Sai Sudiksha Kamurthy
Samuel Machado-Wilson
Genevieve McDonnell
Matthias Ohlsson-Baskerville
Sophie Ovens
Ayla Patel
Jasper Ross
Daniel Woodward
Class of 2024 6S
Sophia Assen
Ava Butler
Orrin Carne
Adrian De Las Casas Villachica
Molly Dillon
Ella Donovan
Sophie Emblem
Albert Fisher
Oliver Foster
Evan Griffiths
Calise Jayarajan
Alexander Jones
Beatrice Kinsey
Piers Matthews
Clementine Navato
Amyrah Randhawa
Rory Reed
Trinity Spekking
Arabella Wormald
WELCOME to our Youngest Caterhamians!
WOW, what a start RECEPTION had. Both classes settled in beautifully, making new friends, talking to new teachers, finding their way around the school and exploring the classrooms in their first week. They have been to music, French, drama, sport and outdoor learning lessons.
PREP ADVENTURES IN THE
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
ALL THE CHILDREN IN PRE PREP HAVE ENJOYED LEARNING ABOUT THE VARIETY OF PLANTS IN THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.
They all went on a plant treasure hunt and were captivated by watching the plants change over time. They discussed how the weather is changing and how this has an impact on the plants in the environment. The outdoor space is used in all sorts of weathers. One day they went on an outdoor adventure and it started to rain.
The children were thrilled to spot a rainbow over the school!
YEAR 1 GET OFF TO A GREAT START
YEAR 1 settled into their new classes very well and had a busy first few weeks of the year.
The children enjoyed exploring the outdoor learning area, painting self portraits, maths activities, making compasses and working together as a team, to name just a few.
Healthy choices, happy faces!
IN THE SUMMER TERM
Pre-Prep pupils enjoyed an informative talk about healthy eating by Chartwells, our school caterers, in the summer term.
They learned about different food categories and their importance in a balanced diet and discovered the necessity of eating five different fruits and vegetables a day. The RECEPTION children had the opportunity to make healthy wraps for their snack time, while the YEAR 1 and YEAR 2 pupils enjoyed fresh fruit smoothies. Many children loved the smoothies so much that they went back for seconds. Yum!
People who help us
DURING THEIR TOPIC OF “PEOPLE WHO HELP US,” THE RECEPTION CHILDREN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET A DOCTOR, DENTIST, CARPENTER, PLUMBER, AND POLICE OFFICERS.
Each child received a stethoscope and used Plaster of Paris to mend ‘broken legs.’ They also got goody bags filled with essential items for good dental hygiene, made pirate ships, dressed up in police uniforms, and even sat in a police car!
But the fun didn’t end there! During Reception’s pet topic week, they were visited by two dogs,
two cats, and a chicken. The children asked many questions about pet ownership and learned how much hard work it takes to keep pets happy and healthy.
To top it off, they received a special message and introduction to the vital role of an air ambulance from a pupil’s godfather who works with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
PIZZA PERFECT for Reception
Our little learners embarked on an exciting journey exploring the concept of healthy eating.
We delved into the world of nutritious foods, emphasising the importance of balanced meals and making healthy choices. To conclude our learning adventure, we took a special trip to Pizza Express, an experience that, while incredibly fun, may not align perfectly with our healthy eating focus! However, it did open up a discussion that treats are okay sometimes, as long as they’re part of a balanced diet.
Our adventure to Pizza Express began with a cheerful mini-bus ride into town. Upon our arrival, our enthusiastic young chefs donned their chef hats and aprons, and diligently washed their hands in preparation for their pizza-making escapade.
Reception
Celebrate 100 Days at School
RECEPTION children excitedly came into class on their 100th day at school!
The children spent the day celebrating, dancing, making decorations, sandwiches and enjoying time with their friends. In the afternoon they celebrated with their friends and family, enjoying cake, squash and their yummy sandwiches.
WORLD
BOOK DAY
Our pupils across the Prep School fully embraced the theme of Words on World Book Day.
Pupils looked amazing in the depictions of their chosen words: from adjectives such as flamboyant, to verbs like embolden, as well as plenty of nouns like tradition and celebration. Great to see so many staff also dressing up to showcase new vocabulary to pupils: ostentatious was a particular favourite from Pre-Prep!
NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK
As part of National Storytelling Week, Prep children enjoyed a live workshop with poet and author Steve Camden, who has created a storytelling project designed to inspire a love of story creation and storytelling. A ‘Drop Everything and Read’ session then took place all over the school, including the sports pitches, the hall and the art room!
The Yurt is Up!
HUGE THANKS to our Parents’ Association who is delighted to support the purchase of a Yurt for installation in the woodland classroom in the school’s woodland. The base was built in November and the yurt has been delivered and installed amid much excitement! It was used straightaway as part of outdoor learning as well as enhancing cross curricular lessons. It will also be a base for outdoor visitor and woodland events. Our new yurt is going to be a well-loved and well used space, that’s for sure!
MR LANG LEADS CONVERSATION AROUND AI IN EDUCATION AT IAPS CONFERENCE
AI in Education: A Glimpse into the Future
Caterham is once again leading the way in innovation and digital and in September, Mr Lang represented Caterham Prep at the annual IAPS Headteachers’ Conference in Liverpool, sharing insights and answering questions on the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities that schools face in response to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. The conference is the largest gathering of independent headteachers in the UK, gathering school and industry leaders from across the country to engage with the critical issues facing schools and their communities in the years ahead.
Pioneering a Culture of Experimentation
Mr Lang emphasised fostering a culture of experimentation with AI, anchored in school values and adopting a children-first “Why not?” approach to encourage both staff and students to explore AI’s potential whilst prioritising child safety. If a new development, whether based on technology, pedagogical research or practical experience, could benefit children’s learning now and preparation for the future, schools have a responsibility to investigate and look for opportunties to improve their practice. Training and a collaborative approach support the professional development of teachers whilst dedicated taught units around the mechanics and ethics of AI with the children aim to develop ‘AI literacy’, preparing them for a world in which such technology is already omnipresent. Although children within the Prep age range are below the age for personal accounts for many of the emerging tools, knowing how they function and making appropriate use of shared systems where appropriate is critical to building skills, understanding and safe habits in a protected environment.
Case studies showcased AI’s capability to offer individualised learning paths, from recommendation engines such as CENTURY and Atom Learning to supervised co-working with generative AI to develop and refine ideas through ‘digital peer feedback’. The integration of AI offers the potential for an ‘Industrial Revolution for the Mind’, bringing a focus on creativity and refinement over production and allowing increased focus on ‘higher-order’ thinking skills prioritised by the World Economic Forum in their annually-updated ‘Top 10 Work Skills’.
AI Policy & Ethical Considerations
Caterham understood that the first step was to develop a policy that allowed freedom to experiment
whilst keeping children’s safety as an utmost priority. A simple yet effective AI policy, developed with flexibility in mind, guides the ethical use of AI across Caterham senior and Prep by staff and pupils. The policy addresses privacy, bias, and accountability, ensuring a responsible approach to AI integration and has set a benchmark for other schools who wish to adopt a standard that is both comprehensive and able to adapt to a constantly-changing landscape.
Inspirations & Future Prospects
Mr Lang cited inspirations in the field of GenAI, emphasizing the importance of credible educators who put children at the heart of AI. He expressed excitement about the prospects of individualized learning and the unique opportunity independent schools have to lead the conversation on AI in education.
Addressing Concerns
Concerns surrounding budgeting and age restrictions were discussed, with Mr Lang emphasising the importance of safety and adherence to regulations like COPPA (in the US) and GDPR, which restrict the information which apps can collect on children. The conference also addressed potential risks and the need for students and adults to be more savvy in a world ever more integrated with online technology.
Parents’ Reception & Community Engagement
The transition from initial concerns to a growing demand for AI has been noted among parents. Media such as podcasts and webinars have been employed to raise awareness and share information.
Concluding Thoughts
In his concluding remarks, Mr Lang underscored that AI is here to stay, likening the current phase to the onset of an Industrial Revolution for the Mind. Just as we prepare our children to cross the road safely by leading them through it, identifying dangers and teaching them what to look out for and how to react when they spot an unsafe situation, we cannot prepare our children for the world they are growing up in by isolating them from it. Independent schools are uniquely positioned to lead the way, preparing students for the future while adapting to the rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Take-Home Message
Mr Lang left the audience with a thought-provoking message: “We have a duty to prepare our children for the world they are growing up into, rather than the one they are growing up from.” Plato predicted that the teaching of reading would mean the death of learning. King Canute famously planted his throne on the beach and commanded the sea not to advance. But what is often forgotten is that his point was not that the sea should obey him but that wishing differently cannot alter the tide. Instead, we owe it to our children to teach them to surf.
Dr Sharpe Shares Strategies for National Improvement at IAPS Conference
In March Dr Sharpe and Mr Lang travelled to Oxford to speak at an IAPS conference hosted by Dr Sharpe on practical steps for supporting pupils with specific learning needs in the classroom.
They are both subject specialist advisors for IAPS (and its 650 member schools) and speak regularly at events and conferences throughout the year as part of their advisory roles. Although much of the conference was focused on specific strategies to support children with dyslexia, ASD or other specific learning needs, a critical thread running through it is that good support benefits all learners and enables every child to flourish. This is something that we believe at Caterham Prep and which our children will see in the classroom every day. With teachers gathering from across the UK to look at strategies to improve teaching and learning at their own schools, conferences such as this highlight Caterham Prep’s growing reputation on the national for wellbeing, innovation and high-quality teaching.
SUPPORTING FEATHERED FRIENDS WITH RSPB
All pupils were invited to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch over a weekend in February.
YEAR 3 and YEAR 6 studied birds in their gardens for an hour as part of their science homework and uploaded results to what is the largest citizen science wildlife survey in the UK (and is one of the largest nature surveys of its kind in the world!).
Once the cakes were firm, they cut slits into the cups to allow the birds free access to the food. Every member of Blue Planet, Natural World Club had a bird feeder to take home to help with their bird watch. The remaining cakes were hung near the woodland area which can be seen from the Science Lab so we could keep an eye out for the birds which would use them.
A Warm Welcome TO SAL’S SHOES AT LERANG’WA
Just before half term in February, over 1000 villagers turned up at our partner school Lerang’wa in Tanzania to see over 700 children receive school shoes and pens from Sal’s Shoes.
SAL’S SHOES is long standing school partner and one of the PA’s chosen charities. The turn out at school to share in this event shows what an impact these simple items make to the lives of these children. The shoes were donated by schools across Surrey including Caterham
and will help to keep feet safe and healthy on their often long journeys to and from school. The pens were donated by Easistore, one of many companies that give redundant stock to Sal’s Shoes to distribute where they are needed most.
Learning about our Partner School in Lerang’wa
This year we will be visiting our partnership primary school in Lerang’wa, Tanzania, for the first time since 2019. The partnership began in 2006 and has involved 300 or so SIXTH FORM pupils teaching at the school, and some staff from Lerang’wa visiting there. Fundraising at Caterham School has helped the village to develop their school, with new toilets, a food store and kitchen, and we fund lunch for all of the pupils every school day, making a real difference to attendance and attainment. This year PREP SCHOOL
PUPILS wrote postcards to ‘pals’ at Lerang’wa. They also collected pairs of spectacles that our pupils have finished with (there is no opticians in Lerang’wa) and made 850 friendship bracelets!
WE ARE AN OCEAN FRIENDLY SCHOOL!
PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE SUCCESS
After the success of the Primary Maths Challenge first round children took earlier in the year, four children scored so well they were invited to complete a bonus round paper.
Our Eco-Warrior team have been working hard to achieve their OceanFriendly Schools Award.
To this end they have been working hard at all the steps along the way which have included gathering data, taking action and then sharing this information with the wider school body. All of this evidence was submitted and we were awarded an Ocean Friendly Award
The questions were even more challenging and all four did extremely well. Noah M and Johanna C just missed out on achieving the score required for the bronze award but not by much at all and will get another chance next year! Matthias OB achieved a bronze award and Pierre achieved a silver award. A great effort by all four!
What Ramadan Means to Me
Rayan presented a fascinating assembly about Ramadan.
He brought in a number of very special items from home to show us and told us all about what Ramadan means to him and his family. He also brought in some delicious dates for the teachers and his class to try.
Children in YEARS 3-6 joined in the excitement and frenetic action of Chartwell’s ‘Cook off’ event, led by Chef James and our own Kate Ives. Children learned and
shared their understanding of eating healthily and the impacts of good diet on growth, learning and general wellbeing before a brave group of children and teachers took to the stage to engage in a healthy (and delicious) cook-off. Red and Green teams had only fifteen minutes to prepare a mouthwatering meal for a panel of young judges, coming away with a result that came down to a single vote.
Knight
YEAR 1 learnt all about castles and the children were thrilled to have a visit from a knight! They were able to have some exciting hands-on experience trying on different types of armour and costumes worn by archers as well as learning more about a castle’s structure and defence features. The children were able to fire bean bags from a trebuchet to knock down the castle they had built, and the highlight of the day was taking part in a pretend jousting competition!
visits YEAR 1 as part of our BIG QUESTION...
‘What makes our island special?’
YEAR 1 have been very busy learning about castles as part of their big question ‘What makes our island special?’ The lessons have had an art focus and the children enjoyed painting and printing their own castles. The next task was to design their own coat of arms for a knight’s shield.
Where Am I? YEAR 1 Go Walk About...
They went on a long walk around the Prep school and Senior school buildings, stopping off to investigate the girls boarding house at Beech Hanger, the fabulous new Sports centre, the Maggs library, the Health Centre, and the Performing Arts Centre. They also had a well-earned fuel stop at the Refectory and enjoyed a biscuit and some juice!
YEAR 1 went out and about exploring the school site as part of their ‘Where am I?’ big question in Global.
OLD CAT MR ROGERS BRINGS SCHOOL HISTORY TO LIFE FOR YEAR 1
YEAR 1 have been learning about the school environment as part of their big question ‘Where am I?’ in Global. In October the children were visited by Mr Rogers, who used to teach at Caterham back when Mottrams was a boarding house. The children sat transfixed by his stories about his life at Caterham School. They asked many excellent questions which highlighted the differences between then and now.
THE CHOCOLATE SHOP A DELICIOUS
PERFORMANCE BY YEAR 1
The YEAR 1 pupils delighted audiences with their performance of “The Chocolate Shop,” a heartwarming tale filled with Easter eggs and bunnies.
This delightful play, teeming with colourful characters, was delivered with wonderful energy by this young cast.
In the bustling Chocolate Shop, chaos erupted when Easter eggs were moved by Easter bunnies to the prized centre spot of the window display. Tensions rose as the Eggs and Bunnies clashed,
but with guidance from the gentle Tulips and Daffodils, they learned the importance of harmony and making amends.
As the story played out, the pupils brought to life a heartwarming message of forgiveness, leading to a happy celebration of coming together.
YEAR 1 Visit the Yurt
YEAR 1 enjoyed their Outdoor learning lesson exploring the new school yurt.
Some of the comments made by the children…. ‘The yurt is amazing!’, ‘I love being in here to listen to a story’, ‘It is really big!’ ‘It feels cosy’ ‘ ‘I love being in the yurt’. We will all definitely be looking forward to making use of this fantastic space (kindly donated by the PA).
YEAR 2 HEALTHY EATING
YEAR 2 have been learning about staying healthy and in October looked at healthy and unhealthy foods. The children learnt about the different food groups within The Eatwell Guide and took a healthy eating quiz! They also produced their own posters on iPads, using the Book Creator app. During this activity, the children learnt to save food images and add them to their posters, they also used different fonts and designs within the app.
Celebrating YEAR 2
YEAR 2 gathered in the hall to celebrate their achievements throughout their time in the Pre-Prep.
Sharing their memories and magic moments, we were reminded of all the special experiences and accomplishments of these pupils. It was lovely to sit back and take time to celebrate these achievements before they embark on the next chapter of their journey in Year 3.
Embracing Kindness as part of ‘The Caterham Way’
Embracing kindness is an integral part of ‘The Caterham Way.’
YEAR 2 discussed various acts of kindness during their Wellbeing sessions and shared those with the school in their class assembly. Every child contributed, exhibiting their understanding of kindness and compassion. Their performance not only highlighted their hard work but also highlighted the essence of ‘Be Kind’ as an essential part of ‘The Caterham Way.’
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE Put to the test at Geography Bee
In February we held our Geography Bee in assembly. Each class, from YEARS 3 to 6 put forward two or three eager contestants to participate in this event.
We were all so proud of the children who put themselves forward and many of them had been clearly been practising hard over the half-term break. We had a number of rounds that included identifying tourist attractions, country outlines, flags plus some quick fire true or false questions, identifying map symbols and more.
The children in YEARS 3 to 6 participated against each other and in the end it was Abdullah in Year 4 who emerged as the winner this term. Well done! If any children are keen to start revising for their own general knowledge, for the upcoming senior school globe-trotting quiz or just for fun, there are a number of quizzes in the Whole School Prep Team under the channel called ‘Geography Bee.’
EXCATHEDRA
Haslemere Museum MUMMIFICATION
YEAR 3 visited Haslemere Museum to bring to life their Ancient Egyptians topic.
They learned the very useful skill of mummification and the reason that this was a custom in Ancient Egypt. They had the chance to see a real mummy, write in hieroglyphics and handle some ancient artefacts.
Get the Party Started for ESLP pupils
In March Caterham School was delighted to host all YEAR 3 pupils from across our East Surrey Learning Partnership schools for an energetic afternoon of singing in a packed Humphreys Theatre. Over 250 children from St John’s, Furzefield, St Francis, Audley and Caterham Prep were led through an enriching live singing experience led by the ExCathedra group. Thanks go to Starline coaches for their valued support of our partnership events.
THE GREAT SODERBERG SLEEPOVER
In June, we held the first ever Soderberg Sleepover event for YEAR 3. It was a wonderful success, and the children (and staff) had the best time!
We spent a lovely sunny evening in the woods, creating natural artwork, running around ‘The Ride’ and enjoying sausages, cookies and hot chocolate. Before bed there were more games and a dance party on the courts, before snuggling up in sleeping bags and getting (some) sleep. On Saturday morning we were treated to a fabulous breakfast in the senior school (with some children managing to go back for seconds and thirds!)
YEAR 3 were an absolute pleasure to spend time with – fun, collaborative, resilient, independent and generally lovely.
THE ROMANS HAVE ARRIVED!
The Year 3 children spent a whole day immersing themselves in Roman life, and through the use of drama investigated how Rome was started, what Romans did for entertainment, how chariot rides were part of everyday life and many other aspects.
It was great fun, and the children ended up with some outstanding short drama pieces that they had created totally independently. There are definitely some budding thespians and directors in this year group!
During the first week of the Summer term, pupils from YEARS 4 to 6 participated in an inspiring crosscurricular drama workshop on the theme of ‘Our Planet.’
Led by a professional actor-facilitator, the workshop engaged pupils in exploring environmental challenges, particularly Climate Change.
Coinciding with Earth Day, it had close links with Articles under UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools award. Through music, movement, and creative
Exploring Environmental Challenges in our PLANET WORKSHOP
expression, children reimagined different global settings and situations, fostering critical thinking and empowering them to take ownership of their role in preserving our world. The feedback from schools was overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the workshop’s impact on linking learning about the environment to actionable steps.
PREP TEAM LIFTS TROPHY at Junior Globetrotting Quiz 2024
This event brought together the brilliant minds of some of our pupils in YEARS 4 and 5, showcasing their knowledge, teamwork, and enthusiasm for learning on a global scale.
Eleven teams from local Prep and primary schools took on the challenge of this year’s competition, including three teams from Prep. The competition unfolded in a series of rounds, each designed to test the teams’ knowledge of primary school Geography and beyond. With enthusiasm and determination, our pupils tackled challenging questions, showcasing their intellectual prowess and passion for discovery. We are thrilled to announce that one of our teams emerged as the champions of the competition, securing the coveted first place and trophy, for a second time.
Additionally, the other two teams delivered commendable performances, demonstrating resilience, collaboration, and a thirst for knowledge throughout the competition. All our teams prepared themselves well for the competition which was not only a test of knowledge but also a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and global awareness among the pupils. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their hard work, enthusiasm, and exemplary sportsmanship. As we continue to nurture the talents and aspirations of our pupils, events like these serve as invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and friendship.
YEAR 4 SHOW CELEBRATING BEES
Earth Day reminded us of the importance of bees in our ecosystem.
YEAR 4 celebrated this in their creative show at the end of last term ‘The Bee Musical’. Pupils learnt the importance of these tiny creatures and they explored the world of bees through Music, Dance and Drama.
Sparking Curiosity and Debate ON PHILOSOPHY DAY
At the end of April we held our first ‘Philosophy Day’, an event dedicated to sparking curiosity and debate among pupils.
Children from YEARS 4 and 5 took part in workshops with Tom Bigglestone from ‘The Philosophy Man’, diving into the world of philosophical inquiry, exploring thought-provoking questions that challenged their reasoning and imagination.
The day included a lively assembly where YEARS 3 to 6 pupils pondered questions such as, “Can an animal be naughty?” and “Would a seal make a better bank manager than a giraffe?” These quirky queries not only entertained but also encouraged our young philosophers to evaluate scenarios from multiple perspectives.
In addition to the assembly, the Debating and Philosophy Club became the first YEAR 4 and YEAR 5 pupils worldwide to access the new Debating Planet website. This innovative platform will be instrumental in enhancing our pupils’ oracy skills, providing a space for them to articulate their ideas and engage in meaningful debates.
The day concluded with a
special session for teachers, boosting skills in facilitating this type of learning. It also featured an intriguing activity called the “evil-o-meter,” where various events were placed on a scale of moral and ethical judgment. The event was great fun and really thought-provoking.
Award Haul
AT 2023 NATIONAL PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE
All of YEAR 5 and 6 children took part in the 2023 National Primary Maths Challenge – a very tricky set of questions designed to really get their mathematical brain thinking!
They did incredibly well, with 67 children achieving either bronze, silver or gold awards. A number of which I am sure will be selected to go through to the bonus round in February. A special mention goes to Noah M in Year 5 who scored the highest out of all Caterham Prep children.
SETTING THE SCENE FOR EASTER
YEAR 5 set the scene for the Easter break with a thoughtful and moving performance of the Easter story. Pupils brought their learning in Global and Drama together in an assembly performance. Pupils learnt to perform in the round, and they collaborated effectively to show this complex story.
In November, several pupils from YEARS 5 and 6 ran our Monday assembly to talk to the school about their recent Diwali celebrations.
Celebrating Diwali
Sai told them about the meaning of Diwali and how important it is in the Hindu faith. She recounted the stories behind the festival and why it is known as the Festival of Light. Ayla told them about how she celebrates Diwali and how this can be different depending on where you come from.
Niam, Kimi and Nathaniel described their celebrations and the meaning of different traditions and activities. Nathaniel also brought in some beautiful clothing to show us. Amyrah finished the assembly for them with some pictures of her celebrations. There were lots of questions from the children watching, and a huge thank you goes to these pupils for sharing their faith with us in what was a fascinating assembly.
YEAR 6 POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Congratulations to our YEAR 6 Monitors and Librarians.
Along with the House Captains and School Council representatives, these Year 6 pupils take on important jobs and responsibilities which help make our school run more smoothly. One key role for the Year 6 monitors is to support positive play on the playground and help all pupils take care of our new playground equipment.
The Librarians work hard to keep the library books where they should be and encourage all pupils to make good use of this wonderful room.
PROBLEM SOLVING CRYPTIC CLUES for Maths Day
During the first half of the summer term, all pupils from Reception to YEAR 6 enjoyed a day of fun maths activities to celebrate Maths Day.
There were some tricky problem-solving investigations during their maths lessons, and they all needed to become secret agents in a task called ‘We’re going on a Maths hunt!’ in order to decipher a coded message using clues around the school. The day would not have been complete without a bit of ‘maths magic’ – during assembly Mr Snow was able to read the minds of children and to their amazement, tell them the numbers they were thinking of. Real magic…with a bit of maths thrown in!
ANNIVERSARY of D-Day Landings 80 th
The 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings were commemorated with services of remembrance and many veterans sharing their emotional stories.
To help our younger pupils understand the historical significance of D-Day, senior school Headmaster and History teacher, Mr Jones, hosted a captivating assembly for pupils in YEARS 2, 3, and 4. The assembly began with introducing the children to the strategic challenges faced during D-Day, emphasising the immense planning and problem-solving skills required.
Incorporating geography into the discussion, Mr Jones used maps of Europe to show the pupils the actual locations involved in D-Day, helping the children gain a better understanding of the scale and the logistical aspects of the operation. He encouraged the pupils to think about how they would have approached the challenges faced by the D-Day planners. The assembly was a wonderful integration of the learning disciplines that underpin our Global curriculum and enriched our pupils’ understanding of a pivotal moment in history.
JETS & ETS Perform as Part of a Moving Remembrance Service
Music for the Remembrance Service was provided by the Wind Band who supported hymns and the National Anthem with appropriate pomp and style. Working together with CCF, impeccable precision was displayed in performances of Holst’s ‘March’ from his 1st suite for military band. A new work was composed by our Head of Instrumental Music, Dr Chris Brammeld which featured excerpts from various military themes; opening with a haunting and thought-provoking piccolo solo accompanied by the Corps of Drums, followed by a beautiful chorale played by the whole band with the iconic Last Post intertwined. The Corps of Trumpets marked the poignant end to the silence with great elegance both at the Act of Remembrance and at the Service of Remembrance.
The sacred choirs, JETS, ETS and Chamber Choir performed their annual ‘Recital of Reflection and Contemplation’ following the Remembrance Service. The recital, held in the Wilberforce Hall continued the tradition of a short, emotional performance where powerful texts are chosen to further commemorate the day. As always, the choirs gave polished performances of beautiful pieces which included old and modern settings of well-known texts associated with Remembrance Day. The occasion brought together the sacred choral family; pupils in Year 6 to Upper Sixth Form working together and blending in harmony. Parents, Old Caterhamians and staff were moved by the recital and congratulations must go to all of the singers for their continued dedication to their role in providing excellent music for whole-school occasions such as Remembrance.
Beliefs Week
TIME OUT IN THE THINKING TENT
In
May we celebrated Beliefs Week and the theme was, “It Matters To Me.”
Each class in YEARS 2 to 6 were able to spend 30 minutes in the library doing activities based around the theme. Some of the children have expressed what it meant to them:
“The week was all about believing in yourself, saying thank you to those who do so much for you and appreciating what you have which is special. I really enjoyed going to the library to do relaxing activities. You can enjoy each activity with your friends and listen to calming music, this brings lots of joy. In each activity there is different things that help you to feel more grateful about what you have and to appreciate the things you receive or are able to access every day. It’s all about saying thank you to those you appreciate and do anything for you.”
“Remember always believe in yourself and never give up, you are amazing and will achieve incredible things!”
“I think the 30 minutes helped me relax and realise things that I haven’t before.”
“I really loved going into the library and doing the crafts ,as well as the calmful and being with friends.”
“Beliefs week is so important as it shows kids and adults than you should never give up on what you believe in and that you can do whatever you what to do”
“Gratitude and self-belief are some of the best things you can use to achieve your goals and dreams, don’t give up!”
“I loved sitting and doing the origami and writing the thank you notes so that you can give it to someone you care about or you could write a note and put it on the memory tree. There was Jenga and Lego , you could listen to music in the tent or write a message in the sand!”
YEAR 2 were also treated to a session in the ‘Thinking Tent’ as part of their wellbeing during Beliefs Week. The children had a relaxing time, choosing various calming and thoughtful activities. A plasma ball and bubble tube were a big hit, as was making an origami heart for a loved one.
Some children chose to write about a special event or message to hang on the memory tree or to listen to soothing music and sounds in the relaxation tent, whilst others enjoyed a quiet game of Jenga.
Ceramic Creations
Ceramics were in full swing in the Prep Art room during the Spring term. YEAR 2 created animal face slabs focusing on symmetry and YEAR 3 created name plates based on their typography unit, all of their pieces are now making their way through the firing process. YEAR 4 and YEAR 5 children were delighted to take home their glazed ceramics. YEAR 4 created characterful fish and YEAR 5 focused on natural forms and coral.
HOUSE CAPTAINS APPOINTED
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOUSE CAPTAINS!
Viewpoint: Ava and Jasper Pilgrims: Rory and Ella
Foxburrow: Ayla and Genevieve
They helped in leading the Houses throughout the year; a year that included exciting events such as fundraising for a local charity, House Sports matches, House Music and House Debating. Pupils across the school earn stars (Years 3 to 6) and Learning Power tokens (Years R to 2) which go towards their Houses. The school House Shout singing event in the spring as well as a sponsored activity in the summer term were popular events. The Houses are a very important part of the Caterham Prep community and include pupils from Reception right up to Year 6.
A TASTE OF SENIOR SCHOOL FOR YEAR 6
YEAR 6 have had the opportunity to spend a bit of time at the senior school over the last half term in preparation for their transition in September. In June, they were invited to take part in an English and maths lesson, carried out in the style of what to expect when they become First Years in September. They enjoyed learning about the effects of adverts in English and were introduced to a variety of notations in maths.
LANGUAGES DAY
Celebrates our Diversity
So many nationalities were represented with an array of amazing outfits from all over the world. Each class were given a language activity to work on including German, Shona, Mandarin and more.
Just before lunch in our assembly, all the children from YEARS 3 to 6 sang a beautiful French song, which they had been learning in their music lessons. We were then treated to a range of different languages spoken by pupils in our school as they counted for us or told us the colours or about the weather. We heard from various children who spoke to us in Spanish, Punjabi, Urdu, German, Shona, Hungarian, Persian, Hindi,
Mandarin and Swedish. Mrs Datta, very kindly, came over from the senior school and modelled a conversation with Johanna in Year 5 about the weather in German. The children enjoyed going to lunch and seeing the menu translated into many languages around the dining hall. These languages included Greek, Italian, Spanish, French and many more. It was a wonderfully global day!
WORLD BEE DAY:
Celebrating Our Special Striped Friends
Did you know bees are so important to the overall health of our planet, that they have their own special day to celebrate their significance? We celebrated in style in the Prep School by having Mr Chris Sharpe (Mrs Sharpe’s husband!) come in with some very exciting bee-keeping equipment.
We were treated to facts galore about bee keeping and the thousands of flower visits and hundreds of miles flown by each bee it takes to make a single jar of honey. We learned that up to 60 thousand bees are led by one very important Queen, who is fed and looked after in the hive so she can lay more than her
own body weight in eggs in a single day! The majority of the colony is made of female worker bees which do everything from babysitting, nectar collection, cleaning, cell building, wax making, honey making, fanning and defence. There is a handful of male drones, whose seem to live a comparatively very easy life as all they need do is mill about to help the Queen increase colony size!
PILGRIMS TRIUMPHANT AT HOUSE DEBATING COMPETITION 2024
The end of Spring term saw the hotly anticipated House
Debating Final between Pilgrims and Viewpoint
The motion was: ‘This House believes that AI in education poses a significant risk to child development’. Speaking for the motion were Alex and Oliver E (Pilgrims 2), and speaking against were Humphrey, Marble and Dylan (Viewpoint 1).
There were strong speeches on both sides with many a mention of our very own RileyBot AI platform. Pilgrims asked the school for a show of hands for who was more trustworthy – teachers or AI (a clear vote for teachers….phew!). Viewpoint had clearly consulted an expert for advice (thanks Mr Lang) and provided a compelling set of arguments to outline the significant benefits AI in education might offer children.
BOUNCY CASTLE FUN FOR HEADMASTER’S TREAT
Everyone had a great time with a special treat from the Headmaster!
The audience vote went to Pilgrims by the narrowest of margins. Our two guest judges, Mr Mitsis and Mrs Chattaway were incredibly impressed by the quality of the speech-making, persuasive language and factual evidence presented by both sides. They offered some useful advice about speaking slowly and ensuring you connected with the audience. In the end the Judges’ vote also went the way of Pilgrims who were duly crowned House Debating Champions 2024.
The event featured a session on the bouncy castle, bringing endless laughter and excitement. Each pupil had their turn to bounce around on two huge bouncy castles, filling the air with joy.
After their bouncy fun, the pupils were treated to ice lollies. The mix of bouncing and a cool, sweet treat made for an unforgettable day.
Spot Senior Deputy Head, Mrs Moore, who had no fun at all safety checking the bouncy castle!
CRAZY COLOUR RUN in the Sun
Following Prep Sports Day, the Colour Run, organised by the PA, took place on Sandy Ross pitch amid a fantastically sunny afternoon. Families gathered to watch the children run the length of the pitch in a shower of colour. All money raised goes towards the PA’s chosen charities. The smiles of delight on the children’s faces was evident and hopefully made the subsequent clean up worth it!
FUN TIMES FUNDRAISING FOR OUR HOUSE CHARITIES
In the Summer Term, our Prep School’s vibrant community spirit shone brightly at our keenly anticipated sponsored relay race, where our three Houses - Viewpoint, Foxburrow, and Pilgrims - each chose a charity to support.
This event saw students from Reception to YEAR 6 come together in mixed-aged teams, all running with enthusiasm and purpose.
During the race, each team had 20 minutes to complete as many laps as possible. It was a joy to witness the determination and teamwork displayed by all participants. Prizes were awarded for various categories including the most laps completed, the most elegant running style, exemplary teamwork, and overall enthusiasm.
The race was a tremendous success, and we are thrilled to share the generous donations made possible through the kind sponsorship of our parents. Viewpoint House raised an impressive £480 for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, Foxburrow House contributed £319 to the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity, and Pilgrims House donated £210 to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
A Small Visitor in the Science Lab ...
Nestled at the far end of the Caterham School site, the Prep School is fortunate to enjoy a special spot in the campus surrounded by the Wildcats area, impressive trees and the sounds of nature and the Prep Science lab is incredibly lucky in its positioning overlooking the bee hives and orchard development.
We are often treated to a passing fox, scampering rabbit, meandering badger or cautious deer, however, in October we were honoured to have a new avian guest. This one was so emboldened and taken with the warmth of the YEAR 6s, he decided to pause a while to take in the lesson, and then take the brave step of venturing in through the open window, tempted by a clutch of conkers on the windowsill.
When ‘Jay’ realised the conkers were not especially edible, he
was rather keen to make use of the dried remnants of the (dry but otherwise pristine) bread
left from the mould experiment He was the lucky recipient of a piece left over from the cold, dry conditions – so it was joyfully mould free.
We were all absolutely thrilled to be visited by ‘Jay’, who is a member of the Corvidae group of birds which include magpies. His striking blue flashes on his wings, buff plumage and curious eyes were closely studied by the class via their iPads!
Jay happily flew off with his bounty without incident and the window was pulled to a close!
Members Take Their Seats at School Council
The beginning of September saw our first School Council meeting for YEARS 3 to 6
Members introduced themselves and were awarded badges. They discussed the responsibilities of the role as a 2-way conduit for information flow between this forum and their own forms. The first item on the agenda was how to make best use of all the new playground equipment.
A Memorable Remembrance Performance
YEAR 6 scripted their own monologues, wrote their own war reports, collaborated on famous war time poetry and devised their own scenes to give us a memorable remembrance performance in November.
Year 6 have explored World War One in Drama, Global and English this term and this performance brought highlights of their work to life. Year 6 approached this project with thought and maturity, and they should be commended on their teamwork and commitment. Each pupil rose to the challenge of this important day delivering their lines with confidence and clarity.
Prep Chamber Ensemble INSPIRE YEAR 2
YEAR 2 experienced a delightful musical treat when our older musicians showcased their talents by playing their stringed instruments.
This inspiring performance not only captivated the YEAR 2 audience but also ignited their enthusiasm for music. The afternoon provided an invaluable opportunity for the younger pupils to witness the skill and dedication required to excel on an instrument.
Our prep musicians acted as role models, answering questions and demonstrating that with practice and passion, musical excellence is achievable at any age.
COPTHORNE and CATERHAM SCHOOLS IN UNISON!
Singers from Caterham School’s ETS and Copthorne School’s YEARS 5 and 6 choir joined forces for a delightful recording session in our Wilberforce Hall.
The choirs rehearsed briefly together then set about recording two contrasting pieces: Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You and the famous gospel-inspired Love Shine a Light recorded by Katrina & The Waves. The pupils learnt some basic recording techniques and heard about the difference
in approach when singing for a recording versus live performance. All pupils sang with energy and worked hard at creating a lovely, blended sound. It was wonderful to welcome singers from Copthorne School and their wonderful staff- a fantastic occasion to combine the talents and musicianship in both schools.
Concert Band Bring Marvel Magic to Assembly
The Concert Band gave their final performance of the year to the Prep School during a music assembly.
They showed off their amazing progress by playing the ‘Avengers’ theme tune alongside ‘I’m a Believer’. It was inspiring for our younger children to hear what fun can be had by learning one of these ensemble instruments. We look forward to hearing the band again next year.
INCREDIBLE RESULTS TO END A MUSICAL TERM
29 talented pupils successfully passed ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music) exams in December, with over half achieving merits or distinctions.
These incredible results demonstrate the highly impressive skills and dedication of our music pupils, this time ranging from YEAR 5 in the Prep School through to UPPER SIXTH in the Senior School, under nerve racking exam conditions. Not only were their musical and vocal performances examined, they were also tested on scales, sight reading and aural ability. Pupils have worked extremely hard, many of them also practising and contributing weekly to music events across the school as members of choirs, ensembles and soloists, making these results hugely deserved. Congratulations go to all our pupils who were entered. Special recognition goes to those awarded the highest level of distinction: Dylan J, Stephan J
Confidence Boosting CLASS CONCERTS
Class Concerts in October in the Prep School showcased an impressive display of talent and dedication.
Children who learn an instrument or sing can take the opportunity to perform in front of their class and their hard work and progress were evident in their performances. These concerts are informal and take place at least once a term and really help pupils to build their performance confidence.
Fantastic End of Year MUSICAL SUCCESS!
30 talented pupils from across Caterham Prep and Senior Schools successfully passed ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music) exams last week, with half achieving merits or distinctions. ability. The examiner was hugely impressed by each candidates’ performance. These results are highly deserved – congratulations go to all our pupils for their hard work and determination.
This is reflective of the extraordinary talent and commitment of all our pupils, during a very busy end of year for them. Not only have they achieved these fantastic results, but they also contribute weekly to our choirs, orchestras and as solo performers. As well as performing pieces, candidates are tested on scales, sight reading and aural
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Special recognition goes to those awarded the highest level of distinction: Isabella M, Alejandro
Early December saw a magical Christmas Concert for parents in the Soderberg Hall.
The evening opened with the new Prep Orchestra playing “The Bear” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Cecilia followed with a stunning piano solo by Mendelssohn and then the flute trio, rehearsed in under a week, spread festive cheer with “Deck the Halls” and “Hark the Herald.”
The Chamber Ensemble impressed everyone with three captivating pieces – “Memories,” “Spanish Dance,” and “The Wind.” The Concert Band then added to the festive spirit with “Hannukah is Here” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
The Year 6 Ukulele Band brought the concert to a joyous close with a delightful sing-along, featuring firm favourites “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Silent Night”.
The concert was a true celebration of musical of instrumental talent, showcasing the dedication and hard work of the children and their teachers.
YOUNG MUSICIANS SHINE at House Music Finals
At the end of the Summer Term, the Prep School hosted its House Music Performance Finals, showcasing the talents of some of our best musicians. The afternoon was filled with amazing performances, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our pupils. The grades 0-1 category saw Zoe taking the win with her delightful performance of “La Mantovana” on the clarinet. Her musicality and potential impressed the judge, Mr Hall, as she performed with great enthusiasm.
PIANISTS TRY OUT A PERIOD HARPSICHORD
Ahead of the Early Music Soiree at the senior school in March, Cecilia and Marble, two of our most talented pianists had the chance to try out a real harpsichord in the Wilberforce Hall. Instructed by our very own professional historical keyboard player, Dr De la Matter, the girls explored the different techniques and sounds the harpsichord can make. WHAT AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY!
FOXBURROW
Top the Chart at the House Shout Sing Off
At the end of spring term the whole Prep School met up to take part in the House Shout singing competition.
Pupils from RECEPTION up to YEAR 6 worked together to rehearse and perform a song in the very limited time available. It was a wonderful event and provided great entertainment for all. Viewpoint presented ‘Try Everything’ by Shakira, Foxburrow delighted us with ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman and Pilgrims provided the comedy moment of the day (thanks to Mr Bartlett in a grass skirt and Hawaiian shirt…..) with ‘You’re Welcome’ from Moana. All pupils worked brilliantly together and great fun was had by all. This year Foxburrow were victorious and once again the event showed how wonderful it is when we all get together!
MUSICIANS DELIGHT AT SUMMER CONCERT
In a packed Humphreys Theatre, our Summer Concert was a smash hit!
The night kicked off with the Prep Orchestra, followed by the Ukulele Band, Flute Trio, Concert Band, Chamber Ensemble and YEAR 6 Guitars. The choirs sang beautifully and the massed Junior and Senior Choirs were a real highlight with their performance of Disney
classics ‘How Far I’ll Go’ and ‘Go the Distance’ captivating the audience. The children’s enjoyment was clear throughout, with smiles and enthusiasm evident in every performance. It was a delightful showcase of young talent and a joyous celebration for all involved.
Year 3 PICK UP WOODWIND AND BRASS
The YEAR 3 children have been learning to play woodwind and brass instruments in Music lessons in the first half of Spring Term. Half the year group have been learning the cornet and trombone with our VMT Mr Warren whilst the other half have been exploring the ‘toot’ with Dr Brammeld.
RUSH HOUR CONCERTS
In January we had a wonderful ‘Rush Hour’ concert. It was exciting to hear all our new prep school instruments being showcased.
The grand piano took centre stage with a huge range of performers from beginners right up to Grade 7 pieces being played on it. The drum solos were excellently executed and there were also strong performances on violin, trombone and harp.
Our second ‘Rush Hour’ concert was at the end of the Spring Term and demonstrated how varied the talent is at Caterham Prep with a completely new programme. It was particularly exciting to hear a few children perform for the first time on their second instruments. Noteworthy examples were Alejandro, who performed ‘Amazing Grace’ on the trumpet after just 4 lessons and Cecilia, who after 2 terms of lessons was playing a Grade 3 piece on the viola! Such incredible dedication and commitment was evident in all the performances and therefore huge congratulations go to all our performers.
Another delightful Rush Hour Concert was put on in May. Several children performed for the first time on their instruments and they all did a super job.
For the YEAR 6 children, it was their final concert in the Prep School and we look forward to seeing them continuing their love of performing in the Twilight Concerts at the Senior School next year.
ANGEL EXPRESS
a Reception Christmas Extravaganza
RECEPTION CHILDREN WOWED US ALL with their confident and expressive performance of Angel Express. Pupils showed how fantastic they are as a group collaborating to sing exciting songs and doing lots of actions to bring each song to life. Each child took their role on with gusto, and they worked so hard in rehearsals.
WOW! YEAR 2 tangoed, jived and disco danced their way into Christmas with a lively Nativity set in the Strictly Come Dancing studio.
The judges got into their roles judging each dance with confidence, the hosts presented each act with gusto and each act wowed us with their groovy moves. Pupils showed excellent collaboration and commitment, and were commended for their hard work.
LIGHTS CAMELACTION
Matilda
The Musical Jr
WHAT A SHOW FROM YEAR 6!
Our fabulous Year 6 delivered a breathtaking performance of Matilda Jr.
The production was an astounding success, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our students and staff, who had such fun putting the show together.
The audience’s ears were ringing with “Revolting Children” – a particular highlight, a powerful finale that brought on a standing ovation. The whole cast choreography was next-level and surely more suited to the West End than a prep school!
Matilda Jr was more than just a school play; it was a memory made together, with friends and teachers, resulting in an absolute triumph. None of us will forget seeing Trunchbull resting her feet on a child, Miss Honey’s haunting solo, nor Rudulpho dancing in a gold jumpsuit! ›
We are immensely proud of everyone involved in making this production a phenomenal success. It was truly a magical experience that will be remembered as a highlight of the academic year.
Reception GET STUCK IN AT GODSTONE FARM
RECEPTION had an incredible trip to Godstone Farm. The children got to meet many of the animals, learn how to keep a farm tidy, they got their hands dirty gardening and even fed the ducks. They thoroughly loved the pig racing where Gerald was the two times champion! The day ended with a play in the park and a dinosaur adventure walk. The weather was glorious, the farm was amazing and the children were all super stars!
Year 1
A GREAT DAY OUT AT HEVER CASTLE
YEAR 1 had a great day out visiting Hever Castle to reinforce their learning about castles as part of their big question ‘What makes our island special?’ The children were fascinated to see all the features of a castle in real life and enjoyed exploring different rooms inside the castle and even bumping into Anne Boleyn! We learned more about the castle’s defences and had fun making our own mini catapults to fire ‘missiles’ to attack a castle. To round off a busy day the children were able to navigate their way to the middle of the maze without getting too lost and we all returned to school tired and happy.
Year 1 ANIMAL MAGIC AT DRUSILLAS
Year 3 WISLEY WONDERS
YEAR 2 had a fabulous trip to Drusillas at the end of the Spring term. They thoroughly enjoyed seeing a variety of animals and participated in a very informative workshop on ‘Habitats and Adaptations’, which reinforced their Global learning from the Spring Term topic, ‘Are all homes the same?’ Highlights of the trip included stroking a snake and a chinchilla, seeing the huge anteaters, and being entertained by the meerkats!
YEAR 3 went to Wisley on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far! They completed many tasks supporting their science topic on plants. In particular, they enjoyed meeting the challenge of collecting a rainbow- each group had to take photos of flowers and plants of a particular colour. All of them had the chance to observe the adaptations of plants to alpine, tropical and dry climates. They created a fruit bowl by sketching the delicious fruits that were beginning to grow in the orchards, and made detailed sketches of flower structures.
Year 3
GLOBAL LOOKS LOCAL WITH VISTAS FROM VIEWPOINT
YEAR 3 kickstarted their study of ‘mountains’ as part of their Global curriculum with a walk up to a local landmark – Viewpoint. From here, they observed the landscape as it descended towards the M25 and across to Gatwick Airport. They discussed new vocabulary and tried to predict how cartographers would represent different heights on a 2D map. Upon returning to school, they were excited to discover that they had been standing at 210 metres above sea level by examining maps with contour lines.
At the end of the summer term, a group of intrepid Eco-Warriors from the Prep School embarked on the inaugural Caterham Prep School beach clean-up.
Armed with litter pick-up sticks, black bin bags, gloves, water bottles, packed lunches, and sunscreen, they set off to Worthing Beach. They were fortunate enough to enjoy beautiful weather for our venture.
After an hour’s drive, they spent several hours meticulously picking up litter along Worthing Beachfront. Our day was punctuated with snack and lunch breaks, allowing them to recharge and continue our efforts.
Years 3-6 MIGHT ECO WARRIORS SET THEIR SIGHTS ON WORTHING BEACH
Year 4
GLOBAL STUDIES HEAD TO BEDDINGTON ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY
As part of our Global studies, YEAR 4 had the pleasure of visiting the Beddington Energy Recovery Facility to delve into the principles of the zero-waste hierarchy and witness firsthand how the company efficiently adheres to it.
They were truly amazed to discover the facility’s waste disposal methods, energy transformation processes, and innovative reuse practices. Sarah, our guide, led them on an insightful tour of the building, granting them access to the top floor and the control room. Excitement buzzed as they donned hard hats, high-visibility vests, gloves, and goggles for their safety. The accommodating staff graciously fielded their numerous questions, providing valuable insights into the daily operations of the waste room
and furnace. The presence of security cameras was explained, highlighting their role in ensuring the ongoing health and safety of both staff and visitors.
Since 2018, the facility has been converting the heat generated from combustion processes into a sustainable energy source. By heating water, which is then directed through turbines, the facility generates electricity with the capacity to power up to 60,000 homes in the area. This represents a noteworthy stride towards environmentally conscious and renewable energy solutions.
During their visit, they engaged in various group activities and had the opportunity to use special VR kits to experience the ‘clear up’ routines in the area. Sarah provided invaluable lessons on proper waste recycling, emphasising its significance in their daily lives. She conveyed the message that it is our duty to share this knowledge, encouraging them to educate parents and peers on correct recycling practices to reduce our overall environmental impact and mitigate the worsening effects of climate change. Sarah reinforced the collective responsibility we all bear in disseminating this crucial information. The children had a fantastic trip and gained valuable insights into how we can positively impact our communities in an effort to preserve our planet.
Year 4 HOLD THE FORT AT HENLEY
In May, after a quick coach journey, the YEAR 4 pupils trekked up the hill, taking in beautiful views of Guildford and the countryside, to Henley Fort. A quick site brief was followed by group tasks showing excellent teamwork, co-operation and communication to successfully complete their activities. It was then a case of “all hands on deck” when as a team, they had to make their beds in their yurts. Various levels of success occurred but teamwork was key with those able to do this, helping others.
An evening hike with the sun shining allowed pupils to spot The Shard and other buildings from London’s famous skyline. They collected firewood for the campfire and played some amazing team building games including a running form of true or false with some very interesting facts learnt! All the pupils settled down for the evening and were fast asleep by 9.30pm.
An early rise the next morning started with a cooked breakfast then off to activities including the climbing wall, bouldering, archery, orienteering and woodland survival. All the pupils had success in pushing themselves to go higher on the climbing wall and persevered to create fire.
The second evening ensued with roasting marshmallows on a campfire with some fun songs and a lively game
of kick rounders. A slightly earlier night and the second fun packed day was over.
A final cooked breakfast and onto the last activities. A final push showing excellent teamwork and communication skills, learning powers recognised by each pupil over the residential and a final walk to the coach home. The pupils behaved magnificently throughout, helping each other, becoming more independent and developing a sense of pride and achievement in themselves and others.
Year 5
INVESTIGATE WATER AT BOUGH BEECH
YEAR 5 children were fortunate enough to be able to visit Bough Beech Water Works to enhance their knowledge of how water is cleaned ready to come out of the tap for us to drink. The trip was not just a field visit; it was an immersive learning experience. The pupils had the opportunity to:
Explore the Facility:
Pupils were taken on a guided tour of the water treatment plant, where they saw the various stages involved in cleaning and purifying water. They learned about the significance of clean water and how it impacts our daily lives. In the lessons, the children have learnt about many people and places around the world where this does not take place; where children have to walk long distances to collect water in containers and carry it back to their dwellings on their heads and are then too fatigued to go to school.
Hands-on Activities:
The trip included interactive activities that engaged the pupils in a practical way. They had the chance to participate in some interactive games all about water.
Environmental Awareness:
Our young environmentalists were educated about the
importance of preserving natural water sources. They discovered how the plant’s water intake process is designed to minimise its impact on the local ecosystem and how Bough Beech make use of solar panels and electric vehicles to keep their environmental impact to a minimum.
How a Reservoir and Dam Wall Works:
Both classes were shown the dam wall and the reservoir created behind the dam, which was full of gorgeous wildlife. They were taken into the valve tower and shown how the valves work as part of the water purification process, as
well as the overflow tank, in case the reservoir becomes full due to a heavy rainy season. After that, they were taken under the reservoir in a 45 cm reinforced concrete tunnel to see how/where the various taps are connected to the valves in the valve tower.
Safety and Sustainability:
The visit also emphasised safety measures and sustainability practices implemented by the water works to ensure the well-being of the community and the environment. This trip has left a lasting impact on our Year 5 pupils, as they gained several valuable insights.
It was a cold blustery day so they were glad that the trip involved looking around many rooms inside Hampton Court Palace. They learnt about King Henry and some of the jobs that were held by members of his court from the lowest ranking job to the highest. Amazingly, their tour guide was actually one of the King’s laundry ladies so she was able to let them in on many secrets of how clothes were washed as well as many other secrets about the inner workings of the palace whilst King Henry lived there. They were able to explore many of the parts of the palace including The Great Hall, where they learnt all about the eavesdroppers and the 500 year old tapestries, King Henry’s apartments, the Chapel Royal with its stunning ceilings, and the
Year 5 AT HISTORIC HAMPTON COURT PALACE
YEAR 5 went to discover more about how the Tudors lived by visiting Hampton Court Palace as part of their Global topic.
Tudor Kitchens, which fed over 800 people per day. Seeing the River Thames so close by helped the children to understand how different life was back then and how fortunate they are to have running water in their homes, as
well as washing machines and many other modern appliances. By the end of the trip, the children had enhanced their learning of life in Tudor times and felt excited to know more about King Henry and his many wives.
Year 5
PGL HERE WE COME!
In the summer term YEAR 5 pupils excitedly boarded the bus to Liddington for their weekend residential to PGL.
Once we arrived, rooms were allocated and it was time for a hearty dinner followed with an evening activity involving groups working together to stop a water balloon from popping using lots of different materials. Lights out at 9.30pm and day one was over.
The second day started with an earlier than scheduled start and a full English breakfast! All the pupils pushed themselves to climb as high as they could on a super tall vertical challenge. Lots of jumping and laughter followed with games of aeroball. Many Robin Hoods were found with some excellent accurate archers in the year group and all pupils improved throughout the session. The final activity was making a raft using certain materials and completing challenges; a wet and entertaining activity with lots of laughter! The evening activity found pupils searching for different flags followed by answering questions on that country. An earlier bedtime and day two was completed.
Day three came and a much sleepier group woke up to the adventures of abseiling and laser range where the pupils loved having to overcome fears and complete challenges to tag members of the other team before many chose to jump in the lake! Teamwork was key again as
the children worked out how to complete a series of challenges on the sensory trail while having their sight taken away and shouts of fear and delight as they swung from the heights on the giant swing. A final evening activity saw children throwing themselves into a game of archery tag enabling them to work on accuracy, teamwork and communication.
A final morning wake up call and it was time to pack. The
last two activities were problem solving and a giant zip wire making the children feel like they were flying. Time to board the coach and a sleepy journey back to school.
They all did so well in pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones, helping each other and encouraging others. We couldn’t be prouder of all the pupils and hope they have made memories to last a lifetime.
Year 6 HEAD INTO THE WILDERNESS OF BUSHCRAFT
At the start of June, a very excited YEAR 6 made the short coach journey to Penshurst Place where they – along with a select group of lucky teachers – would be spending the next three days fully embracing the wilderness and developing their outdoor skills…but mainly just having a lot of fun!
As soon as we arrived at the site, the camp leaders made the children feel very welcome and it did not take long for the chanting and singing to begin…something that continued for the entirety of the trip. After splitting up into tribes and collecting wood, the children helped to make campfires, which were then used to cook freshly made burgers – a delicious lunch to get us started.
Year 6 HEAD TO FRANCE
On Friday 15 March, Year 6 went to France.
In preparation for the trip we practised our French vocabulary and French fruit and vegetables. We played games to help us learn in a fun and quick way. There were so many things to learn; it was hard work but definitely necessary.
By the time we got to the market, we were already tired from the drive, having left school at 5.00 am. The market was called Étaples Sur Mer. In our groups we went around with a teacher, then purchased our lunch. Each group had a set amount to spend and had to collaborate with each other about what to buy. In our group we bought freshly roasted chicken, fresh strawberries, baguettes and so much more.
Sadly we could not eat the food immediately as we had to drive to our next destination, just half an hour away.
We arrived at an aquarium called Nausicca in Boulogne. It is the largest aquarium in Europe. We ate our lunch- the food we had purchased in the marketand everyone commented on how delicious it was, especially the strawberries. After lunch we went around the aquarium in our groups with a teacher. It was amazing. We saw lots of fish, jellyfish and best of all, penguins. My group spent so long looking at the penguins, but we couldn’t help it because they were so lovely and cute.
After we finished looking around, we went into the gift shop and then back onto the coach to our next destination- a snail farm called L’éscargôtiére du Choquel. We found out some interesting facts about them such as snails have 13 000 teeth and have no eyes. Next, it was time to taste them and believe me I was not enthusiastic about that. I did eventually try one but it didn’t taste good at all. Some people absolutely loved them but others didn’t.
It was finally time to go home. After a long day we were all tired and wanted to get back. It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Written by Ella - Year
6
Year 6 WATERSPORT SKILLS
Just before the summer half term break, YEAR 6 ventured to Aqua Sports on Mercers Lake.
Once they had donned wetsuits and buoyancy aids, they had the opportunity to have starter lessons on both kayaks and paddle boards.
Some children remained pretty dry while others became familiar with the taste of lake water! All made progress during the 2-hour session and lots of fun was had by all. At the end they all went for a big splash-about before enjoying a picnic in the sun.
PREP SPORT - GIRLS
HOCKEY
The U8 girls opened their fixture journey with a series of small-sided hockey matches against Hawthorns, Micklefield and Reigate St Mary’s.
Within lessons, the girls focussed on skill development: ball-carrying, passing and safe tackling, but thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities for game play both against local opposition and internally. The U9’s also played mini games, in round robin friendlies with Hawthorns, Micklefield, Reigate St Mary and Russell House, where they built on skills from the previous year, looking at moving into space and playing the ball wide. The U9A’s also had the opportunity to play as a 7 a side team in the Hawthorns Tournament. The first game against a strong Downsend team was end to end, but neither team could convert their chances in the ‘D,’ (d -0-0) Next up came St. Theresas’ and the girls started to carry the ball into space more confidently and some gutsy circle play by Anna G poked the ball across the line (W 1-0). Hawthorns followed and the Caterham team worked hard, clearing out through the midfield, it was end to end, but Hawthorns took the game in the closing minutes (L 0-1). Another super game followed against Rowan Prep, with the girls finally getting the better of the turnovers
and took the game (W 1-0). Final game of the day came against RSM, who had dominated the day, the opposition scored two goals quickly and the girls were running on empty. They battled hard in defense and had two chances running through to the circle, but we couldn’t quite get the stick on the ball to see it over the line (L 0-3). The team finished 4th overall, in what was their first 7 a side experience.
The U10A participated in UKSA tournament in Burgess Hill, which included teams from across Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The team got off to a good start with a win over St Teresa’s followed by scoreless draws against Reigate St Mary’s and Bedes. Next up, the team fought hard against
PREP SCHOOL SPORT - GIRLS
a strong Kent College side and were unlucky to concede a goal-the only one of the day- equally, Caterham had two goal scoring chances that just weren’t to be! In the final group match against Skippers, Caterham were back on goal scoring terms winning 2-0, and advanced to the Plate semi-final against Burgess Hill. Pumped up, the team got off to a flying start and dominated the game, winning 3-0 and advanced into the final against Hazelwood. The team kept their excitement under wraps and played with great determination and positivity. A well worked team goal was soon followed up by a second off a long corner, which sealed the 2-0 win. A fantastic day all round and a great team effort: Katie W, Eugenia H, Naomi O, Marble C, Johanna C, Ella W, Ruby M, Kiara Y and Martha J.
U10’s Johanna C and Naomi O were also nominated for their excellence and teamwork at the Radnor 5’s U10 Hockey festival. The whole team played very well and competed admirably against strong opposition from the Kent region. Overall, the girls beat Lingfield (5-0) and Somerhill (2-1), lost 0-1 v Dulwich and 1-3 v Kent College, and drew 1-1 against Holmewood House- a super game which saw shots hitting the posts on numerous occasions!
HOUSE HOCKEY RESULTS:
Pilgrims: Year 3
Foxburrow: Year 4
Pilgrims: Year 5/6
NETBALL
The U8 and U9s played a mixture of Flier (4 a side) and Stinger (5 a side) Netball across the season, not only getting to grips with general ball skills, but also new rules and positional awareness.
We managed to play a couple of pre-Christmas matches against Hawthorns and Reigate before the season got into full swing in the Spring term. A number of sixth form netballers joined the U11 and U10 teams, to share their enthusiasm of the game and helped to coach and umpire matches against Reigate St Mary’s. The Prep girls thoroughly enjoyed having the senior role models to guide them through the afternoon and Caterham came away with some fabulous results: U11A (11-4), U11B (9-4), U10A (10-5) and U10C (4-0) all won their matches. It was all square at the start of the final quarter for the U10B, but RSM had a strong shooting unit to close out the match to take the win.
A group of U10’s participated in the Hawthorns ‘C’ Tournament and despite having a limited squad due to illness, had a lovely afternoon playing against some rather strong competition. An opening 0-0 match against a tenacious St Michael’s team was a great start, with Lily-May A working hard in the defensive end to turnover the ball. Next up was Hazelwood, and the team started to link passes effectively to press the goal circle, good work by Cecilia H and Cecilia Q in the goal circle, the team were level 2-2 until a closing seconds goal by Hazelwood sealed their win. Further games against Hoe Bridge and one of two Hawthorns teams were quite a test for the team, but they held their heads up high and tireless running in the centre court by Annabel C and Charlotte CS supporting the defense, the team thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of tournament play.
The U11A and U10A relished the opportunity to play the U12s on the senior courts and test their shooting in the 10ft posts! There was a fantastic display of netball by both prep teams - movement off the ball was fluid, strong passes and tactical circle work highlighted the efforts made by all over the term. Both teams notched up results to be proud of:
NETBALL RESULTS:
U11A v U12A Lost 5-8
U11A v U12B Drew 3-3
U10A v U12C Won 1-0
U10A v U12D Won 3-1
U10A v U12E Won 4-0
U10A v U12F Won 2-0
The U11 and U10As had end to end matches against Micklefield this season, with both games going to the wire, the U11s drew 10-10 and the U10s narrowly lost out 10-1.
In the final games of the season, the U9s hosted Russell House for 5 a side games. The A’s had numerous turnovers and patience on the ball but couldn’t quite convert all their chances, losing out 3-8. The B’s had an evenly matched game, with their set focus to jump for the ball. The team tried hard to work together but narrowly lost out by one goal. A strong start for the C’s with Tasanee S, Kiera L and Evangelina S linking beautifully to set up several goal opportunities, the team were up 10-1 at half time. A switch in positions gave others the chance to shoot and Caterham took another 4 goals and super defensive work held Russell House to a single goal. A well-deserved win for the team. The D’s match was an end-to-end affair with POM, Nyah P, working tirelessly in the centre role. Lottie C (GK) used her height advantage and Riley H (GD) was patient with her passes, the team never gave up as the ball was constantly turned over. Darcie M and Zoe M worked together in the circle, scoring twice, to take a well-deserved win.
HOUSE NETBALL RESULTS:
Viewpoint won in ALL year groups!
The
future is looking good for the Net Kitty Catswell done everyone!
FOOTBALL
The season kicked off with a block fixture against Hawthorns and the U8s had a lovely time at their first match, with end-to-end football on the A pitch, the team worked really hard, with plenty of turnovers, but the final result went to Hawthorns.
It was a goal fest on the B pitch, with Caterham going down in the opening seconds, but soon settled into the game and ran away with the match, winning 8-1. The C Team worked hard to implement some of the skills they had been learning in lessons but just couldn’t quite find the back of the net.
The U10s had a super start, with the A Team demonstrating super transition out of defence into attack and came away with a great result winning 6-0. The B’s had a shaky start going down 0-4 but then scored twice in quick succession just before half time. The team gathered momentum in the second half and put away another two goals, with the final result 4-4. The C pitch saw plenty of goals from both teams and the opposition GK prevented many more Caterham chances, the team narrowly missed out 4-5.
The opportunity to play as a combined Year 5 and 6 team in a mixed ability festival was enjoyed by all, as the girls demonstrated super teamwork, and it was fantastic to see the progress in skills on the pitch. Between the teams, Caterham won 4, drew 5 and lost 1 game.
After the successful introduction last year, the girls U9 Caterham football festival welcomed teams from Hawthorns, Reigate St Mary, Aberdour and Banstead. Caterham got off to a great start with a win over Banstead and the team were unlucky not to convert many more goal opportunities. Having lost earlier in the week to Aberdour, the team were keen to make amends, and they did just that. An evenly matched game followed against Reigate, with end-to-end action, with Caterham narrowly losing out 1-2. In the final round robin match against Hawthorns, despite a whole team effort, Caterham couldn’t quite find the back of the net and Hawthorns retained the trophy for a second year running. A super festival of football and great team spirit.
HOUSE FOOTBALL RESULTS:
Pilgrims: Year 3
Foxburrow: Year 4
Viewpoint: Year 5
Foxburrow: Year 6
LACROSSE
The Year 3 and 4s finished off the Spring term with a taste of lacrosse and had a great time learning how to cradle and scoop ground balls.
GIRLS CRICKET
After a very wet start to the season, the girls had a run of matches against Russell House, Lingfield, Micklefield, Hawthorns and Reigate.
There was batting and bowling improvements across the board, all teams worked on communicating in the field and running between wickets. With more girls taking up the game at local clubs and academies, there are exciting times ahead.
PREP SPORT - BOYS
FOOTBALL
THE U8’S STARTED THE SEASON VERY BRIGHTLY PLAYING SOME VERY ENTERTAINING FOOTBALL. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE SOME REAL PASS AND MOVE FOOTBALL TAKING PLACE IN YEAR 3.
It was a mixed season for boys football teams. The senior teams struggled early in the season but as the term progressed started playing more as a team.
The Colts A drew the majority of the games with the B Team having a tough season winning just 3 of their 7 games. The Colts C had a much brighter season with 6 wins out 7 as did the D Team. The E Team were very consistent winning 3, losing 3 and drawing 2.
The season was much brighter further down the school with the U9A Team performing magnificently. The boys played some scintillating football on the way to winning the Caterham and the Lingfield tournaments. This was a very successful season for the boys, winning 7 of their 9 games in the regular season.
RUGBY
The rugby season was decimated by the weather but when we did take the field there were great performances particularly from the U10’s.
The U11 did find the season very tough going with their tackling letting the boys down. The U10’s more than made up for the U11’s tough season by again winning every game they played at both A Team and B Team level. This has been a remarkable run of form with the A Team yet to taste defeat since they started at Caterham! The U9’s had a mixed season with a 50/50 win loss ratio but they did look to play a good style of rugby. The U8’s did play some wonderful touch rugby, running good lines in attack and being very organised in defence.
HOCKEY
The boy’s hockey continues to grow in strength at the Prep School and it is great to see so many boys playing hockey outside school, as well as at our Senior School Academy.
It is good to have such a strong relationship with a fellow school on our circuit that allows us to enjoy playing festivals across all the year groups. All the boys enjoy playing the game and the boys need to be congratulated on their continued success in hockey.
CRICKET
The cricket season seemed to follow a similar patter to the other sports this year.
We were very strong at the lower end of the school with U9 and U8 winning all their matches but the boys at the top of school struggling with the hard ball format. With more winter cricket practice coming into play and a strong lower end of the school we look forward to a successful year next year.
SWIMMING
The swim squad continues to thrive under the guidance of Mr Tonks whose hard work in preparing our squads is really paying off.
The Squad won 4 of their 5 galas against Reigate, Oakhyrst, Radnor House and Hazelwood and performed magnificently in The IAPS gala at Whitgift.
PREP MIXED SPORT
CROSS COUNTRY
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams are now making significant progress.
Cross Country is something we are continuing to develop at the Prep school and this year we achieved considerable success at both the Lingfield meet and district races at Reigate.
Congratulation to Piers who won at both Lingfield and Reigate and to Benji who convincingly won at Reigate. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams are now making significant progress.
ATHLETICS
On a glorious afternoon the Prep School hosted an athletics meet between Caterham, Reigate St Mary’s, and Lingfield College Prep.
Our team started very strongly and performed very well in the field events. The hard work that the children had put into these technical events during lessons really paid off. After the field events, the scores were Caterham 101, RSM 81 and Lingfield College 71. The sun was still shining as we moved onto the track events and the children performed equally well. Caterham continued to dominate and after the relays, which saw some really smooth changeovers take place, the scores were Caterham 211, Reigate 180 and Lingfield 177.
SPORTS DAY
The sun certainly did shine on us for our Sport’s Day.
With sun beating down, the children performed magnificently well. The morning saw some fantastic field events with children taking part in the long jump, high jump and the ball throw. The afternoon’s track events were one of the most highly charged we have seen in years. The performances were simply outstanding from start to finish and we witnessed no less than 10 new school records! What was wonderful to see was the camaraderie, the support and the sportsmanship between the children. Every runner was cheered and celebrated. The fantastic support from the families cheering on from the sidelines helped make the day such a great spectacle.
Caterham School
Harestone Valley Road
Caterham
Surrey CR3 6YA
Telephone: +44 (0)1883 343 028
Email: enquiries@caterhamschool.co.uk
Web: www.caterhamschool.co.uk
Caterham Prep School
Harestone Valley Road
Caterham
Surrey CR3 6YB
Telephone: +44 (0)1883 342 097
Email: prep.reception@caterhamschool.co.uk
Web: www.caterhamprepschool.co.uk