HEADMASTER’S LETTER FEBRUARY 2017
T0 PARENTS
Dear Parents Once again, the first half of term seems to have passed in a flash. A great deal has happened both in and out of the classroom, and I continue to be impressed by just how much Chigwell pupils contribute. What follows is a taste of some of those contributions.
Contents Page 1
Universities News Swimming Success for Sisters
Page 2
Dance Showcase
Page 3
Drama Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition
Page 4
1st XI Girls’ Hockey
Page 5
1st XI Girls’ Hockey
Page 6
Boys’ Hockey
Page 7
Boys’ Hockey
Page 8
Girls’ Netball
Page 9
Music
Page 10
Music British Biology Olympiad
Page 11
Festival of the Foreign Word Payaam Kapur
Page 12
Charity Postcard Show Learning + Drugs and Alcohol
Page 13
Assassination for Charity Digital Awareness Summer 2017 Public Exams Support for Safer Places News from Chigwell The School Shop
Page 14
Careers Convention Bad Weather
Page 15
Sixth Form Induction And Finally
Page 16
Message from the Chaplain
Universities News
Swimming Success for Sisters
Congratulations to the Middle Sixth
students who have received a range of excellent university offers. As of a week
ago, 470 courses had been applied for. From these applications, 66% had led to
offers, 9% had been declined and 25% are awaiting decisions.
Amongst those offers were nine for Oxford
or
Cambridge:
Rachel
Bu
(Engineering, Trinity College, Oxford),
The Iley sisters (Jasmine Upper Fifth,
Newnham College, Cambridge), Marija
Two) continue to impress in the pool
Emily Fourth Form and Isabel Upper
Emma Cadman (Natural Sciences, Marinovic College,
(Law,
Murray
Cambridge),
with a string of successes in the water.
Edwards
Kathy
At the second weekend of the Essex
Peng
County Championship, Jasmine sits way
(Economics, Murray Edwards College,
ahead of the other competitors on points
Cambridge), Julia Kotowska (Medicine,
and won an abundance of gold medals to
St Catherine’s College, Oxford), Lauren
add to the tally this weekend. She hopes
Keiller (Medicine, Hertford College,
to continue this run of good form and
Oxford), Michael Chamberlain (History &
clinch the title in a couple of weeks.
Politics, St Edmund Hall, Oxford), Lewis
Emily
Wait (Spanish & Linguistics, Exeter College,
Oxford),
Payaam
achieved
a
British
record,
swimming the fastest of all time since
Kapur
records began, in the 50m backstroke
(Physics, St Peter’s College, Oxford).
and clinched the gold medal in the U13
event. And not to be out done by her big sisters, Isabel won gold in the 50m
backstroke in the U12 category. The girls continue with the county champions
over half term and we wish them all the best in aiming for the title of county champions.
1
Dance Showcase
The 2017 Dance Showcase saw over
All of the money raised from tickets
twenty-four acts with a variety of
charities; Smiles with Grace and
eighty Chigwell pupils perform a total of
sales is being split between two
dancing styles in the Drama Centre.
Chigwell Riding Trust. We are delighted
Pupils performing had an age range of
that a total of ÂŁ534.00 was raised.
five up to sixteen and performed styles from ballet, tap, modern, jazz, Indian and contemporary. choreographed
The groups all
their
routines
themselves and delighted the audience with their array of talents. A group from
the Pre Prep opened the show with a
spectacular Indian Dance. This was then followed by a range of dances from
pupils in the Junior School. The audience were then treated to a fabulous
ensemble from Grace Copsey followed
by a solo performance from her brother Josh; both experienced and talented
dancers. A beautiful ballet piece came
next from two of our Year 3 girls (Rosalie Aitken and Grace Thompson) in striking costumes. The show included two performances of Revolting Children
from the show Matilda. The first
performance, by Honey Harrison-Maw and Olivia Boreham was not only danced
but
also
sung!
The
second
was
performed by Eve Nikookam, Aleeza
Choudhry and Holly Zrinzo, bringing the show to an energetic close.
2
Drama
The drama department got the term off
Next, the Lower Fifth dazzled us all with
theatre: the Upper Fifth went to the
between
seven short devised pieces performed
to a great start with two trips to the
25th
January
and
27th
January. This was a wonderful festival
Gielgud Theatre to see the highly
of drama, created by the pupils
acclaimed “The Curious Incident of the
themselves and exploring a wide range
Dog in the Night-Time”, adapted for the
of themes such as refugees, suicide,
stage by Simon Stephens and based on
war, friendship, family, drugs and
the novel by Mark Haddon; the Middle
pregnancy. Candidates offered acting,
Sixth went to the Theatre Royal,
light, sound, costume and make-up
Haymarket, to see the RSC production
across a range of styles and genres and
of “Much Ado About Nothing”. These
to an outstandingly high standard. Well
were great shows which the students
done to all involved.
thoroughly enjoyed.
Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition The annual Howard and Mitchell Essay
In the Mitchell Essay competition, the
take place at 5:30pm on Tuesday 14th
wrote on: From Gutenberg to printing
winner was Zuzanna Borawska who
competition winners’ presentations will
organs - the amazing story of 3D
March. This year’s winner of the Howard
printing.
Essay competition is Olivia Mendel
Highly commended were:
Thomas Marshall: Fracking - is it safe?
Portnoy, who wrote on: To what extent
and Jada Coker: Why are old cells more
was the improvement of treatment of
susceptible to infection and disease
patients in Bethlem Royal Hospital, from
than young cells?
1815-90, due to the York Retreat? Highly
commended were: Michael Chamberlain:
Can Afghanistan be considered a graveyard
All are welcome to join us for Olivia’s
García Márquez’s use of magical realism
congratulations go to all twenty-six
and
for an empire? and Lewis Wait: Is Gabriel
Zuzanna’s
presentations
students who submitted essays.
comparable to fantasy in English literature?
3
and
1st XI Girls’ Hockey
and
James-Pajwani to make the score 1-2.
an end last week when they lost 1-3 to
penalty corner and Alice Melvin came
The
senior
girls’
prolonged
Shortly afterwards, Chigwell won a
successful hockey season finally came to
close to equalising with her drag flick
Reed’s School in the final eight teams of
effort rattling the cross bar.
the National Independent Schools Hockey Cup.
woodwork of the opposition’s goal took
Motivated by a large
another battering as a well worked left
crowd that turned out to cheer them
slip corner from Stevie Southall came
along, the girls approached the game in
close as it hit the far post.
a confident and energetic manner. But it was the Surrey side that took the early
The second half saw Chigwell enjoy a
advantage going 2-0 up in the first 15 minutes.
The
large amount of possession and time in
Undeterred, Chigwell then
the opposition’s half and the energy and
enjoyed a large amount of attacking
effort the home side exerted was
pressure of their own and soon clawed
faultless
their way back into the match with a super reverse stick from Charlotte
4
throughout
the
match.
Chigwell created ample opportunities
This marks the end of their season,
many
successful 1st XI side in the school’s
which has been recorded as the most
and were unlucky not to equalise on occasions,
but
an
in-form
history: Essex Outdoor U18 Champions;
goalkeeper for Reed’s School kept a
Essex Indoor U18 Champions (for 2 years
narrow lead for her side. It was the
in a row); Semi Finalists at the U18
opposition who made it count when
Regional outdoor championship; and
they scored late on in the game with a
Quarter Finalists of the ISHC.
counter attack, killing the game off at 13.
The final whistle went shortly
afterwards and a strange mix of
disappointment but pride was seen on the faces of the Chigwell ladies, knowing
that they could have given no more to the match.
5
Boys’ Hockey
It has been a frustrating start to the
extra-curricular club run by Mr Tim
affecting many of the boys’ fixtures and
In the Senior School, the middle school
Watson and Mr Chris Gladman.
boys’ hockey season with the weather training sessions at the start of the term.
have led the way in terms of their
Despite these challenges, in the Junior
performances.
School the vast majority of pupils in the
tense end to the county competition.
local fixtures against Bancroft’s and
The boys ended the tournament in third
These were hosted at Old Hockey
Club
place despite being tied on points with
and
Felsted
highlighted the strength in depth of the
the
Essex
conceding a goal all day. The U15s have
U13
also established themselves as an
tournament, whilst the U12A team,
extremely competitive team and have
representing the School a year up, performed
admirably
and
the best results out of all the teams this
gained
term. A special mention should also be
valuable experience prior to next year’s
made of Joseph Ahern (who has been
competition. In addition, the Lower Two
invited to attend one of the newly
and Upper Two boys have benefited
established
from an increased number of fixtures local
matches
on
England
Hockey
Performance Centres) and Oliver Betts
this year with the entire year groups playing
Following
difference despite not losing a match or
finished a commendable fourth out of at
Bancroft’s.
teams, the boys lost out on goal
should also be made of the U13s who teams
and
goalless draws with the aforementioned
two year groups. A special mention nine
narrowly
regional rounds of the HA Cup after a
opportunity to represent the School in Loughtonians
U14s
missed out on qualification for the
Third and Fourth Forms have had the Forest.
The
(for his county selection). At the top end
Friday
of the School, the 1st and 2nd XI have
afternoons against New Hall, Bancroft’s
had a tough start to the season with
and Woodford Green Prep with several
several fixtures cancelled. Despite this,
more to come following half term. At the
the 1st XI have made positive strides
lower end of the Junior School it has also
forward and are making up for lost time,
been pleasing to see so many pupils
their performances improving with
attending the Thursday after school
every fixture.
6
Boys’ Hockey
7
Girls’ Netball
The netball term has been very successful
The U11 and U12 squads will be taking
tournaments still to come. The U14s and
as the IAPS competitions taking place
part in the Bancroft’s Tournament as well
so far but with many competitions and
towards the end of term, where we as a
U15s started preseason with a flying start
school will be looking to attend the finals
against New Hall and then continued to
again this year. The U10s continue to play
do well with closely fought matches
very well and they are currently unbeaten.
against St. Edmund’s and Haileybury. The
Chigwell is also hosting an U9 and U10
U15s faced St. Catherine’s School, Surrey,
Festival involving lots of girls in both of
in the Independent Schools Netball Cup
the year groups. The seniors also have the
(ISNC). This was a wonderful game to
Kelsall Tournament next term which they
watch with such entertaining and fast
are looking forward to competing in
court netball played throughout. Chigwell
following previous success.
unfortunately lost the game by seven goals. Nonetheless, they played very well
and special mention must go to Sam
Thank you to all of the parents who
performances on the day. Following on
term; it has been lovely to have so much
supported all of the teams throughout the
O’Connor and Ellie Ahern for their
team spirit on the side lines.
from this, the U13s took part in the quarter-finals of the ISNC at home against
James Allen’s Girls’ School. Again, this was a great game and the girls played
well. Chigwell has never had two teams reach such stages of the cup before, so
this was a real achievement. Despite their
loss, the U13s went on to win their own
tournament against local opposition, which again shows great determination and attitude from the squad.
8
Music
In just a few weeks, the music
The Shepherd’s Song and to finish with
exceptional musical performances with
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.
department
has
produced
an arrangement of the Finale from
three
opportunities for so many in the School.
Notable
The Lent Term started with the rousing
distinguished
concert celebrations on 5th January. exotic
and
the
evening
posthumously
a great night of brilliant music. The gave
of
musicians
our
rounded
Schumann’s Widmung and later in
the audience knew that they were in for Choir
two
School showed his versatility singing
suggestive
“Bacchanale,” from the First Orchestra, Chapel
from
the evening off; Henry Bird, Head of
From the first note of Camille SaintSaëns’
solos
performing published
Waltz Op.69, No.2.
wonderful
Chopin’s
B
minor
Rowan Jones
demonstrated why she has been
performances of Felix Mendelssohn’s
awarded a scholarship to study at the
There Shall a Star Come out of Jacob,
Royal Academy of Music with a
The Three Kings – P Cornelius Soloist:
rapturous,
Lucas Abrami-Gill and Rise Up Shephard
virtuosic
and
dazzling
performance on clarinet of Solo de
and Follow – J Rutter Soloist: Oliver
Concours by André Messager.
Jackson. The rising power and expertise
Years 5 and 6 travelled to the 02 Arena
of the Big Band produced a set of colour and intrigue with The Creeper, Birdland,
to take part in Young Voices. Music was
giving Middle Sixth soloists Tom
normal and scheduled choir rehearsals,
rehearsed over three months during
Song for my Daughter and Skyfall,
culminating in an evening performance
Marshall and Rhea Patel a chance to
of an enormous massed-voice choir
shine. The Flute Ensemble gave breath-
concert of almost 7,500 children in front
taking renditions of Dance of the Reed
of family and friends. After a three hour
Flutes and in stark contrast Over the Rainbow.
rehearsal led by the conductor, Mr David
The final ensemble of the
Lawrence of the Young Voices band, the
evening, the Wind Band, finished the
children were more than prepared and
evening with a complete display of
full of excited anticipation as the sell-out
colour and style in the Overture Antares,
9
Music
concert began with a striking light
most incredible of sounds using only
some fantastic singers and dancers
street dance specialists ‘Urban Strides’,
their voices. Equally dynamic were the
show. This year the choir were joined by
known for their motivational and
throughout the show including Natalie
innovative moves.
Williams, the soul/jazz artist and X
Factor’s guitar slinging performer
We look forward to the Chamber Concert
Tabby O’Callaghan who raised the roof
on Thursday 23rd February in New Hall
with his Rock Medley. The ‘Beatbox Collective’
both
enthralled
and the Spring Choral Concert on
and
Saturday 25th March at Christ Church,
mesmerised in their ability to create the
Spitalfileds.
British Biology Olympiad
Students achieved excellent results in
came in the top 15% and achieved a
competition, which is run by the Society
Nikookam,
the
recent
of Biology.
Biology
bronze medal. Rohan Chandra, Kian
Olympiad
Hussain,
Leah
Redmond, Adam Goriparthi, Kush
Over 7,500 Sixth Form
Thakaria and Aleksandra Lopuszko
students took part from schools all over
were
the UK, including our team of twenty-
highly
commended.
Congratulations go to all who took part.
one. The results this time built on the
high standards achieved in the past and included three gold medals.
Raabia
Emma
Cadman, Julia Kotowska and Zhiyu
Zheng came in the top 6% of candidates
and were awarded gold medals; Lauren
Keiller, Rahul Aggarwal, Iva Mohora,
Yifei Zheng and Zuzanna Borawska
gained silver medals because they were
placed in the top 10%; Michael Scott
10
Festival of the Foreign Word Six A level foreign linguists recently
reading of two fables by Jean de la
Word.
led the judging, assisted by MFL
took part in the Festival of the Foreign The competition requires
students to give a public reading in a language they study, along with a brief English commentary, and the winner
Fontaine. Governor, Mrs Isobel Peck, teachers Mr Paul Fletcher and Mr Simon Coppell
receives the Dales Reading Prize on
Speech Day. This year, Maddie Prior (Spanish), Sai Hindocha (Spanish),
Lewis Wait (French), Rhea Patel
(German), Daniel Trickov (German) and
Rada Daleva (German) all gave readings of a very high standard. However, it was
Lewis who was awarded the prize for his
Payaam Kapur
You may remember Payaam who left the Middle Sixth last summer. He opted
to take a Gap Year before going to
university this coming autumn and he
was selected for a Gap Year Commission with the Army at Sandhurst. Payaam has had intensive training since the
start of September and he was kind
enough to invite two other teachers and me to attend his Passing Out Parade just before Christmas.
He has since
completed a month with the Army in Scotland before being transferred to Kenya until he goes to university.
11
Charity Postcard Show The
art
and
design
department
‘We have been incredibly impressed by
presented an exhibition of works
the high standard of work entered into
competition.
creativity is clear to see throughout the
resulting from the charity postcard The
exhibition
the show. The attention to detail and
was
organised by Miss Molly Wragg as an
exhibition.
effort to help raise funds for the school
everyone who took the time to enter
trip to Ghana which will take place in April.
A huge thank you goes to
and donate.’
All of the monies raised from
donations and sales will be used to buy
equipment, teaching aids, books, crafts
and games to aid our pupils’ voluntary work with underprivileged children in a school in rural Ghana.
The exhibition was stunning and the
response from both pupils and staff was very pleasing. Molly commented that
Learning +
Drugs and Alcohol
parents and students in Year 7 and above
will be talking to pupils in the Lower
Mr Chris Lord would like to remind all
On Monday 20th March a visiting speaker
of the opportunities available under the
Fifth, Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth about
Learning+ programme. These include
the dangers of drugs and alcohol. There
helping to produce a school journal, an
will also be a presentation to parents at
academic lecture programme, essay
6pm, and further details will follow. We
competitions, email news groups and
hope that as many parents as possible
philosophical discussions. Full details are
will be able to attend because this is an
available under the Academic button on
important issue.
Gateway:https://gateway.chigwellschool.org/learning
12
Assassination for Charity
Students in the Middle Sixth have raised ÂŁ600
for
charity
through
Support for Safer Places
their
participation in the annual Assassination
Competition orchestrated by Mr Shakil Chaudhary.
The
winner
announced at the end of term.
will
be During the annual charities’ week, pupils
Digital Awareness
Following on from the excellent Digital Awareness sessions for pupils, staff
and parents and my subsequent
letter, you may find it useful to see the
resources
on
this
site
http://www.gdst.net/parents/live-my-
digital which give guidance on six areas of risk linked to social media.
Summer 2017 Public Exams
Please can parents of pupils in the Upper Fifth and Sixth Form check the current exam timetable and exam entries for their child on Chigwell Gateway via the Pupil Profile. Any changes in the spelling
of the name or date of birth need to be brought to our attention, as well as any other errors or omissions. Please do not worry about any exam clashes as these will be dealt with at a later date.
raised money to pay for a Christmas Eve
trip to the pantomime for over forty families supported by Safer Places. This
local organisation works with men, women
and
children
who
find
themselves in need of a safe place to live because they have suffered as the result
of domestic abuse. Kimberly Bull and
Emily Long spoke in assembly to Senior School pupils about the work of the charity as well as explaining more about the various faces of domestic abuse.
News From Chigwell
The latest edition of News From
Chigwell is available on our website here
The School Shop
Please note over the half term break the
School Shop will be open from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday 14th February and Wednesday 15th February.
13
Careers Convention
We are holding our annual Careers
School, or indeed contacts from outside,
7pm to 9pm. The convention is primarily
students about their area of work and
Convention on Thursday 20th April from
would be interested in talking to our
aimed at our Year 11 pupils to help them
career path, we would love to hear from
make informed choices when choosing
you. The evening also provides a chance
their A level subjects and planning for university
and
a
career
to showcase companies or organisations
beyond.
and network with other professionals.
However, Chigwell Sixth Form students
Please contact Miss Roxanne Darkin at
are also strongly encouraged to attend.
rdarkin@chigwell-school.org for more information or to nominate new volunteers
Bad Weather
As always, in the event of heavy snow or ice please consult the school website (www.chigwell-school.org)
for
confirmation of arrangements for the school day. We would always be very
reluctant to close the School, but are mindful of the safety of pupils and staff.
In these times of inclement/adverse
weather parent and pupils are reminded of the need for sensible footwear in
This event has been a great success in
order to minimise the risk of slips or trips
the past but we are always keen to have
whilst making their way to and from
new volunteers so we can represent the
school. If your child is in any doubt of
broadest range of expertise as possible.
what would be deemed suitable, they
If parents from any section of the
should liaise with their Tutor.
14
Sixth Form Induction
And Finally
day will be on 4th July when students
over the last half term and thank you in
A reminder that Sixth Form induction
As always, thank you for all your support
will be given a taste of the work that
anticipation of your help over the
they will be covering in their chosen A
coming weeks.
level subjects. This is an important day
I hope the half term
break provides the opportunity for some
in itself but also the occasion when a
relaxation although I am aware that
unit of A level work is set to be
older pupils will want to carry out some
completed over the summer holidays.
revision. In addition, trips are taking
This work will then be reviewed with an
place to India to visit the Ashram and
initial assessment early in September
Tim Pruss Memorial School, and to
2017.
Hamburg for the German Exchange. We
look forward to hearing about these and wish all those involved a fulfilling and safe journey.
With best wishes Yours sincerely
Michael Punt
15
Message from the Chaplain I wonder if you have ever had an epiphany moment.
The third epiphany is about our relationships. "No
differently; a moment when everything changed. We
life and death. In one of his first acts Jesus calls his
A moment when you suddenly saw your life live in a society that presents us with a vision of how
to be successful and how to be happy. This is
reinforced by social media where we like to demonstrate how effectively we fit into this society,
how successful we are and how happy we are. And yet we also live in a society where many are not
happy and do not see themselves as fulfilling a rich and full experience of life.
In Chapel we have been thinking about key epiphany
moments in our lives. Moments when suddenly you are released to live life differently. The first epiphany is based on the rather odd life of John the Baptist
who, we are told, wore camel's hair clothes and ate locusts and wild honey. This man would not have fitted comfortably into our media obsessed age and yet he reminds us that conformity is not for everyone.
The first epiphany is to be released to be yourself. To
realise that trying to be what you are not only leads to unhappiness.
The second epiphany is about life itself. "The best
things in life are free", goes the Luther Vandross and
Janet Jackson song. Jesus turns the water into wine; however, pure water is better than the finest
man is an island" wrote John Donne in his treatise on disciples to work with him. He knew that in order to fulfil his mission he needed a team around him. And
yet he does not just choose likeminded individuals, he chooses people who will argue and disagree.
Matthew the tax collector, working for the Romans,
is confronted by Simon the Zealot, who has been working to drive the Romans out of Palestine. The
third epiphany is the revelation that the most
creative teams are made, not by everyone being the same, but by the creative challenge of being different. There is serious concern that society is becoming increasingly polarised. Social media has
had the effect of allowing us to find plenty of people that agree with us whilst we avoid those who disagree. The third epiphany liberates us to realise
that difference and debate is the very heart of our
growth in understanding, and, at the very heart the development of wisdom.
I thank God for the fact that Chigwell is a place where
we can encourage everyone to realise their individual
voice. Where education can be seen as a precious gift. And, where difference leads to creativity, wisdom and understanding.
Champagne. Our five senses, the simple pleasures of
life and the joy of human love are treasures that no
money can buy. The second revelation is to the
Father Simon
beauty of a sunset and the majesty of a simple flower. Liberation to see this has the ability to set us free
from chasing after the latest gadget in order to enjoy what we already have. Liberation to see that "the best things in life are free".
16
TERM DATES 2017 Half term: Saturday 11th February to Sunday 19th February Term ends: Wednesday 29th March Trinity Term First day: Wednesday 19th April Half term: Saturday 27th May to Monday 5th June (INSET Day Monday June 5th) Term ends: Wednesday 12th July Michaelmas Term First day: Wednesday 6th September Half term: Saturday 21st October to Sunday 5th November Term ends: Wednesday 13th December