HEADMASTER’S LETTER DECEMBER 2019
T0 PARENTS
Dear Parents I hope that all pupils feel that this term has gone well. Certainly a great deal has been packed into the six weeks since half term and I sense that the School is ready for a break.
Contents Page 1
Gold Duke of Edinburgh
Page 2
Hustings Visit of Sarah Crossan
Page 3
Parent Power Jack Murray
Page 4
Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition Supporting Children at Home
Page 5
Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition 2019 Meet The Future Drama
Page 6
Music
Page 7
Royal Parks Half Marathon
Page 8
Girls’ Hockey
Page 9
Girls’ Hockey
Page 10
Boys’ Football
Page 11
Boys’ Football
Page 12
Remembrance
Page 13
Christmas By Candlelight Election University News O.C. Mitre Bad Weather
Page 14
Staff News And Finally
Page 15
Message from the Chaplain
Page 16
Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell
Page 17
Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell
Gold Duke of Edinburgh During the first week of half term
eight students from the Lower Sixth completed the DofE Gold canoe training
and practice expedition in South Wales. The first day was focused on paddling
skills, rescue training and navigation which was carried out on Llangorse Lake
on the edge of the Black Mountains. Evenings where spent with lectures on
equipment, camp craft and route planning exercises. The second phase of the
expedition
was
the
practice
expedition itself where the group completed a two-day-one-night expedition,
remotely supervised, with a 40km route on the Brecon and Monmouth Canal.
The group is now fully prepared to tackle the qualifying expedition in July when the
plan is to paddle the Great Glen in
Scotland. This is a 120 km paddle, including the famous Loch Ness.
1
Hustings
Visit of Sarah Crossan
On Thursday 21st November we hosted a hustings-style event in which four of the
candidates seeking to become the MP for
Epping Forest answered a range of questions. Chigwell students were joined
by others from Roding Valley High School, Epping St John’s and Davenant
Foundation School and together they asked candidates about the funding of
party policies, prevention of knife crime, the future of Trident, care for members of
the LGBTQ+ community and any party policies
with
which
candidates
themselves do not agree. Thanks go to Rt.
Hon
Dame
Eleanor
Laing
Sarah Crossan, the current Children’s Irish
Vicky Ashworth Te Velde (Labour) and
author visited school recently. She spoke
(Conservative), Steven Neville (Green), Dr
Laureate and Carnegie Award-winning
Jon Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat) for
eloquently to our Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils,
engaging so enthusiastically and to
highlighting the need for them to carry on
Middle Sixth student, Ziyad Chaudhary,
reading and enjoying poetry beyond their
who was the chairman.
studies. Sarah explained that they hear
poetry all the time and it is not limited to
just books. School librarian, Mrs Sara Bloomfield, commented that Sarah’s
performance of a scene from Romeo & Juliet was one never to be forgotten.
Later, Sarah also spoke at the Senior School assembly and then took a Q&A session from our Reading Champion and Book Clubs.
2
Parent Power
We have been celebrating the excellent
league tables are determined by the
School as the fourth best independent
gaining A* to B grades at A level this
news that Parent Power has ranked the
percentage of examination entries
school in East Anglia. This rating is based
summer and the percentage of entries
on our recent public examination results.
returning 7, 8 or 9 grades at GCSE.
The rankings in the secondary school
Jack Murray
Lower Fifth pupil, Jack played a set at
will come. They were so well received that
was chosen from all the pupils at the
space available for them so that they can
the London Jazz Festival recently. He
the NYJO are going to make rehearsal
National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) to
continue to play as a trio and see where it
put his own group together and perform
takes them.
at this world-famous festival. The NYJO
promotes the exciting, engaging and inspirational musical genre through world-class performances and education
work. Since its founding in 1965, NYJO has grown from a single jazz orchestra to
a multi-faceted organisation that works in jazz education at all levels across the
country. The Troubadour, a jazz club in Earls Court where the likes of Bob Dylan,
Sammy Davis Jnr, Jimi Hendrix, Adele
and Ed Sheeran have all played, was the prestigious venue for the set. Jack chose
to form a trio with a pianist and drummer, and they played an eclectic set including
some fast-paced bebop from Jack’s favourite, Charlie Parker, ending with his own arrangement of One Day My Prince
3
Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition
looking at links between mathematics and philosophy. This year was the first time that the essay prizes were opened for submissions from incoming Year 12
students so it was particularly pleasing to
see Zachary rise to the challenge and win in a contest with students in the
year above him. The Howard essay prize was won by Alice who asked ‘Should the cognitive or behaviourist perspective be
the primary focus when it comes to second
Congratulations to sixth form students,
language learning?’ in her piece. The
Zachary Edwards and Alice Chapman for
runner-up in the humanities category was
winning this year’s Howard and Mitchell
Julia Lasiota. Both Zachary and Alice
Essay Prizes. These prestigious awards are
presented the ideas contained in their
in recognition for a well-researched and
papers at an event in the Swallow library
written extended essay on science
which was attended by staff, students and
(Howard) and humanities (Mitchell). This
parents. Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Dr
year’s Mitchell essay prize was won by
Gillian Groszewski, would like to thank the
Zachary who wrote a piece entitled ‘To
judges for the essay competition: Mr Bryan
what extent is a unified theory of physics
Porter, Mr Richard Maynes, Mrs Emma Rea
possible?’ The runner-up for this prize was
and Mr Simon Pepper.
Benjamin Hamid who wrote an essay
Supporting Children at Home
Kiran Nijabat from the Wellness Practice
and 10 at 7pm on 22nd January, and
parents aimed to provide strategies to
those in Years 11 and 12. Places for each
another on 18th March for parents of
has led two highly successful sessions for
session are limited to fifty so if you are
enable us to support children through the
interested please look out for the
stress of school life. Such has been the
Chigwell Post message which will be
popularity, we are offering two further
coming out in the New Year.
sessions for parents of children in Years 9
4
Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition 2019 At a keenly contested debate about climate change protests between eight
different schools, the Chigwell School team of Nichita and Filip were judged
runners-up. The event, which was held
at Debden Park High School, was Nichita’s first debating competition and
he acquitted himself extremely well,
backed up by the more experienced
Filip Chigwell debating students: Julia, Denys, Aleksa and Matthew all attended
to give the pair their support. Mr Roderick Lonsdale said that it was a most successful
evening where the pupils all learned a lot about different debating techniques.
Meet The Future
Drama
for Upper Fifth students but the ‘Meet
went to Latymer School in Enfield to see
Careers interviews have been taking place
Earlier this term, the drama department
The Future’ talks have also continued this
their
half term. Meera Ragha O.C. spoke about
school
production
of
“Blue
Stockings”, the GCSE set text for drama.
her path from Chigwell to Cambridge to
This was a full scale show that gave the
becoming a financial regulatory lawyer
students an excellent idea of the
for Clifford Chance. Charlotte Lait O.C.
costume, set design and acting style. The
spoke about her work in the office of the
production was of a very high standard
London Mayor, William Weightman and
and students found it both entertaining
Harry Benjamin described how they have
and a useful insight into how to stage this
become a radio presenter and a trainee
text.
TV producer.
5
Music
We have been fortunate to witness
Similarly the Senior School Concert
a variety of styles. The Chapel Choir were
strength of Music ranging from the
presented an enormous breadth and
wonderful performances this half term in
Percussion and Drum Line ensembles,
in magnificent form at the Remembrance
String Orchestra, Rock Band, Flute, Cello
services, highlights of which were the
and Saxophone ensembles and a
Nunc Dimittis from Herbert Howells
beautiful King’s Singers arrangement of
Collegium Regale with tenor soloist
Silent Night from a quartet made up of
Oliver Jackson and Agnus Dei from
Nadia Antoniou, Charlotte Ross, Rose
Requiem in D minor Op.48 by Gabriel
Jackson and Elizabeth Ebden. The
Fauré.
Symphonic Wind Band finished the
The Michaelmas Term Junior School
evening with a blistering, lively and
Concert was one of the strongest yet,
engaging performance of Just Like John.
featuring music from 11 of the larger a
You will have received a Chigwell Post
Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance from the
Hall on Saturday 18th January. This
ensembles.
Music
ranged
from
message about the concert at Cadogan
wonderful display of skill and technique in
promises to be a very special occasion
Junior Percussion Ensemble; Haydn’s
where seven choirs will be singing. We
Finale from The Bird Quartet by the
very much hope you will join us.
String Septet; Sticks and Tricks from the Junior Drumline; Abraham’s Woza Wena
from the Modern Music Ensemble. In
The Box Office at Cadogan Hall is
performances from the Boys’ and Girls’
follow the link HERE or on 020 7730 4500.
responsible for all ticket sales. You can
addition we had excellent and vibrant
They are not available through school.
Choirs under the direction of Mr Joel
Please
Goodman and Ms Susie Proctor. A
book
early
to
avoid
any
disappointment and to get your choice of
medley of show stoppers from the Lion
seat! There will be a bar open before and
King from the enormous Intermediate
during the interval in the front of house
Orchestra finished off what was a
area. I hope that is all clear. For more
spectacular evening of music from the
information on the venue click HERE..
younger pupils in the School.
6
Royal Parks Half Marathon
A team of nearly 100 parents, staff, and Old Chigwellians ran in the Royal Parks Half
Marathon for charity again this year. The team had a wonderful day running in the capital and the race took the athletes on a stunning route past many of London’s most iconic sights. All
the hard work and fun saw them raise just over £87,000 for Cancer Research UK. It is brilliant to see so many of our Chigwell community come together for an exhilarating and exhausting event which has raised such a staggering total again for such an important cause.
Selena Colmer, the Senior Manager Sports at Cancer Research UK, commented, “Every year Chigwell School come out in force and fundraise enthusiastically for CRUK with a huge
range of events that engages everyone: staff, alumni, governors, parents and pupils.
Congratulations to each and every one of you who have taken part in an event. Whatever you
have done – pulled on a pair of running shoes or supported someone else’s challenge, you are
making a difference. You are helping Cancer Research UK to save lives and improve quality of
life. Thank you all for your support and every penny you raise is helping us to make faster progress towards our goal of 3 in 4 people surviving cancer by 2034.”.
7
Girls’ Hockey
The senior girls have continued to field three teams throughout the whole term and the 2nd XI ladies have been our most successful team in terms of results and
goals this season. Led by Middle Sixth
Captains Alice Chapman and Olivia Mor and under the assistance of Mr Will
The middle school have had an abundance of fixtures this half term, with block
fixtures against New Hall and Bishop’s Stortford College. Testing ourselves
against big hockey schools such as these has been a positive challenge and a great yard stick to see how far the girls have come throughout the term. In addition to
the outdoor calendar, we added an indoor
Tomsett and Mr Chris Gladman, these girls have had an outstanding season, only
losing out to a Highgate 1st XI side. The 1st XI finished the term strongly with an
unbeaten run since half term. This record was nearly shattered with a close run game against Brentwood School, but luckily a great come back performance in the
second half saw Chigwell claw a goal back
and then Captain Ellie Ahern scored in the
dying seconds to rescue the draw.
8
Girls’ Hockey
U10s and U11s have had an abundance of
fixtures on Friday afternoons, including an U10ABCD and U11ABCD fixture v New Hall, where all sixty KS2 girls took part.
We continued our annual tradition of
hosting Cundall Manor School from Yorkshire, with a friendly afterschool
fixture, to accommodate their journey
down south in preparation for a Lee Valley
fixture to the diary this year to give our
tournament. This year we hosted two
ladies an experience of the fast paced
fixtures with our U12s and U13s. Our U12s
game. The U16 side consisted of U15/14/13
started the term off on a high, playing at
players and despite losing 6-3 to a strong,
the East of England regional finals. Despite
established Queenwood side, the future
not getting the results needed to proceed
looks bright for these talented youngsters.
to the national finals, the girls improved
As part of our department development
massively throughout the day and the U13
plan is to support and nurture talent, those
girls have been the flagship team of the
showing an aptitude for the sport from the
year. Under the guidance of Mr Tim
middle school have been invited to 1st XI
Watson, numbers of 22 or more each
training this half term.
week has meant constant rotation was a necessity and competition was fierce
In the Junior School, mass participation
for A team spots. This year group finished
continues to be the main focus and the
their season off with an 11-a-side
developmental game against Bishop’s
Stortford College U14B, and the Chigwell
ladies dominated play and came away 4-1 winners. This squad is full of talent,
exuberance and commitment and we are
really excited to watch this squad flourish over the next couple of years.
9
Boys’ Football
In the ISFA cup it was again another year of
right spirit. Mr Steven Moore and Mr
a dramatic penalty shootout but in the next
this group. They are playing the game in the
Damien Rabbitte have worked hard with
frustration as the 1st XI beat Westminster in
right way as well as being competitive.
round they succumbed to a difficult tie at
Marlborough College who were desperate
The U13s have had a mixed year. The
for the result. The boys were rightfully disappointed competition.
at
their
exit
in
highlight was winning their regionals and
this
finishing 2nd in the plate at the National
Finals in Bury St Edmunds. If this group can stay focussed and work hard yet again, it should be very strong as they progress.
The U12s have been excellent this year. The
influx of new boys into the group has really improved their play and results. The U12s have progressed in the Essex Cup and met Moulsham School in round 6 with the
quarter finals looming. They have been
incredibly keen and all the boys in the year
group have represented the School so far this season.
The U11s have had a successful year. Having
come third in the West Essex Region, the
U11s attended Queens College Taunton for the National Finals. The national final
The U15s have made steady progression this
comprises of the top twenty-four schools in
year. At times they have lost players to
the country. The U11s featured well in the
academies but the U15s are a strong
group stages managing an impressive win of
contingent going into the seniors next year.
4-0 over Wycliffe College and qualifying 3rd
The U14 boys have had yet another tough
in their group. The U11s unfortunately lost
season. They have found it hard to find any
in the knock-outs but were happy to have
victories this season but have again
reached the final stages.
persisted with determination and in the
10
KS2 football club on a Thursday is as
two fixtures and the standard of
and girls playing every week. Mr Micky
matches were extremely competitive. All
opposition was very good and all eight
popular as ever with over forty-five boys
members of the touring party had plenty of
Payne and Mr Steven Moore have worked
football over the five days and there was a
hard to improve technical ability and
dramatic improvement in all, especially
develop the core skills of all involved.
their understanding of the game. The
Over the October half term break, fifty
squad also visited the main tourist
pupils from Chigwell School took part in a
attractions in the City as well as Espanyol’s
football development tour to Barcelona.
‘El Prat’ stadium and Football Mania,
Staying in the coastal resort of Salou, the
which is one of the biggest football stores
group trained at the Salou Football
in Europe. The members of the group were
Complex on 3G pitches. As always the
complemented on their behaviour on
highlight was the trip to Camp Nou. The
many occasions during the tour and were
boys were amazed and inspired by the
great ambassadors for their school both on
trophies, changing rooms, and stadium.
and off the pitch.
Over the course of the five-day visit, the U13/12 boys took part in four training
We send a huge thank-you to staff, parents
sessions, one self-conducted, as well as
and students for their support throughout
two training sessions with Catalan
the football term. Once again the football
Coaching federation and one with La Liga
programme has expanded and continues
side, Espanyol CF. The boys took part in
to build with every season.
11
Remembrance
All pupils and staff assembled to carry out
their annual act of remembrance on the anniversary of Armistice Day. The entire school came together to observe the two
minutes silence with the Last Post played by trumpeters Christopher Antoniou and Oliver Jackson. Two remembrance services were held in St Mary’s Church, supported
by the excellent Chapel Choir, and during
these the names of all the Old Chigwellians who fell in the two World Wars were read, with a wreath laid by a former serviceman.
12
Christmas By Candlelight
O.C. Mitre
join us for this stunning service in St Mary’s
organises events throughout the year. In
All Old Chigwellians are members of the Old Chigwellian Association which
Thank you to those of you who were able to
addition, the O.C. Mitre is published
Church. It was also good to welcome back
annually and you might be interested to
Old Chigwellians and friends.
read the 2019 edition which is published on line here.
Christmas by Candlelight
Election
Alongside the campaigning for yesterday’s General Election, Sixth Form candidates have
SERVICE
been working to galvanise support in the school election. Candidates spoke at a Senior
School hustings and the pupils went to the vote yesterday.
9 th december, 7.00 pm at st mary ’s church, chigwell
Congratulations to
candidates: Aleksander Matys (Labour), Jyoti Nag-Chaudhury Novakovic
A service of readings, carols and Christmas music, led by the Chapel Choir and Junior School Choirs.
(Independent),
(Independent),
Filip
Samantha
O’Connor (Green), Zain Parvez (Liberal
Democrats), Deyan Patel (Brexit) and
All are invited to the Dining Hall afterwards for mince pies and mulled wine.
Matthew
Punt
(Conservative)
However, the winner with a 2% majority was
University News
Ziyad Chaudhary (Independent).
some really good offers of university
Bad Weather
come through. Please encourage your
please consult the school website
Chigwell students have been receiving places and I hope these will continue to
In the event of heavy snow or ice,
sons and daughters to keep tutors and
(www.chigwell-school.org) for confirmation
Mr Simon Coppell informed of offers,
of arrangements for the school day. We
even if the news comes during the
would be very reluctant to close the
Christmas period. We currently have
School but we are mindful of the safety
twelve Oxbridge interviews confirmed.
of pupils and staff.
13
Staff News
And Finally
Standen, Learning Support Co-ordinator,
I hope all families have some time off
Sadly, we say farewell to Mrs Lucy
who is moving away. We also say goodbye
to Dr Gillian Groszewski who is moving on to a new role at Cambridge University. We send them both our very best wishes and hope that they will stay in touch.
Mr Colin Glover is retiring after fourteen years working at Chigwell School. We hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement.
Thank you, as always, for all your support. together over the holidays and a very
happy Christmas. I look forward to seeing you again in 2020. With best wishes Yours sincerely Michael Punt
14
Message from the Chaplain As I write, Charities Week is in full flow
provides cochlea implants for deaf
being thrown at volunteers in Chapel
who organises the administration of the
children. We also heard from Mr Norman
and I can hear the sound of wet sponges
Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust which
Quad. Each day of the week has been
supports the Tim Pruss Memorial School
taken by one of the four school Houses
and other projects in Tamil Nadu.
who come up with ever more enterprising
Chigwell has supported this charity,
ways to raise money for our chosen
named after a former pupil, for over ten
charities. At this point in the week it is
years and the school will be visited by a
unclear if enough has been pledged to
group of our students as part of the India
tempt Mr Rabbitte into the sponge booth.
trip in February.
We do, however, have another two days to go!
I am always impressed by the enthusiasm
Christmas is now getting close and there is
Week and their genuine commitment to
appearing and lights flicker through frosty
a festive feel around. Christmas trees are
with which our students support Charities
windows. I hope the Christmas break is a
the causes chosen. We have had a number
happy time for you and your family. In
of speakers from different charities this
whatever way you spend the holiday,
year and heard inspiring presentations by
have a blessed and peaceful break.
Mr Bhudia who along with his sons Trishul
(Year 8) and Nayan (Year 12) are
The Chaplain
undertaking a 2500km ‘Rickshaw Run’ raising money for the SEWA charity which
15
Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell The FoC team has been busy this
Michaelmas Term organizing activities and
raising funds for exciting new projects. As usual, this has required help from parents
who have been as enthusiastic as ever in delivering these events and Sana Abbas has taken over from Sarah Innocent as Chair.
In October we hosted the Family Quiz
Night which was very well received. The firework event on 8th November was
spectacular and attended by almost 900
parents and students. The Christmas Fayre on the 6th of December was a festive event
with lots of stalls giving shopping
opportunities for children, all of whom had
a wonderful time shopping for gifts, trying their luck on the tombola and eating
freshly baked brownies and mince pies. We
were joined by a host of Christmas jumper
wearing Chigwell parents, who very kindly
volunteered to run stalls throughout the
day and shopped with us after school. To wrap up the year we arranged a Pre Prep
party on 6th of December where there was
an entertainer dazzling the children with fun and games. All of these activities helped us raise £7,500 for the School.
We would like to thank the Chigwell friends
and families who have tirelessly supported
16
Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell
our events this term. Without your help and support the money we have raised for
our children and our school would not
have materialised. Everything that you have to offer the FoC is hugely
appreciated and it is very much a team effort.
17
2019 Lent Term Staff Lent meetings Term 2020 and INSET on Monday 7th January First Tuesday 8th January Staffday: meetings and INSET on Monday 6th January Half Saturday February to Sunday 24th February Firstterm: day: Tuesday 7th 16th January Half term: Saturday 15th3rd February Term ends: Wednesday Aprilto Sunday 23rd February Term ends:
Friday 27th March
Trinity Term (Easter Day is 21st April) First day: Wednesday 24rd April Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June Term ends: Wednesday 10th July