HM Letter to Parents February 2020

HEADMASTER’S LETTER FEBRUARY 2020

T0 PARENTS

Dear Parents As the following pages indicate, pupils and staff have packed a great deal into the last six weeks. We continue to believe that a range of opportunities within and beyond the curriculum is important to the development of the whole person, and hopefully it enriches life at school.

Contents Page 1

Mr Brian Wilson

Page 2

The Visit of Harry Olmer

Page 3

Choral Concert

Page 4

Staff Pantomime

Page 5

Drama

Page 6

Drama

Page 7

University Applications Meet the Furure Music

Page 8

Improving your Diversity IQ Wellness Workshop Staff News

Page 9

Boys’ Hockey

Page 10

Boys’ Hockey

Page 11

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Page 12

Linguistics Olympiad Sixth Form Induction Careers Convention Bad Weather

Page 13

Girls’ Netball

Page 14

Girls’ Netball

Page 15

Visiting Theatre

Page16

Helen of Troy Dinner

Page 17

Remove Prom UCAS Presentation Evening Brass Monkey Competition News From Chigwell

Page 18

Summer 2020 Public Exams Debating And Finally

Page 19

Message from the Chaplain

Page 20

Message from Ms Ros Serrelli Chair of Governors

Mr Brian Wilson During Brian’s tenure, Chigwell developed a great deal and many of his innovations

are still important today. For example, he introduced the current house system and

the existing format of Speech Day and the Ball; he established the Senior School library in its current location; built the art

school and created the existing Junior School. In addition, Brian planned other extensions to cater for the needs of the

School which expanded during his time and also became co-educational in the Sixth Form.

Brian ended corporal

punishment which had, until then, been

administered by both teachers and praefects.

We were delighted when in 2009, Brian

came back to Chigwell to open the Wilson

Building which houses the Modern Foreign Languages Department and form rooms for the Third Form.

Last Saturday, I attended the funeral of

Mr Brian Wilson who was Headmaster at Chigwell from 1971 to 1989. He was 93.

1

Visit of Mr Harry Olmer

Pupils in Years 8 and 9 had the rare

more concentration camps, Teresienstadt

testimony of 95 year old Holocaust

British Army liberated him. The British

and Buchenwald, where eventually the

privilege of being able to listen to the

Red Cross took him and several rescued

survivor Mr Chaim (Harry) Olmer. Mr

Jewish teenagers to Lake Windermere,

Olmer was born in Poland before the

where they recuperated. Later he pursued

Second World War and lived during the

a career as a dentist, became a proud

increasingly violent persecution that the

father and then a grandfather.

Jewish community suffered after the German invasion in September 1939. He

Mr Olmer is physically fragile yet he is

was separated from the rest of his family

almost unbeatable in his passion for

when he was taken to his first Labour

reflection, for tolerance and for the futility

Camp in Skarzysko Kamienne. Here he

of hate. He is a victorious man who

lied about his age to avoid execution for

proved that despite being subjected to

being too young therefore useless in the

incomprehensible cruelty, you can go on

production of ammunition for German

living if you work hard, if you forgive and if

troops. Mr Olmer was transported to two

you have a goal.

2

Choral Concert Last month, the choirs travelled to West London to perform at the prestigious

Cadagon Hall where, for the first time, the annual

Choral

Concert

included

performances from Year 4 upwards. The concert featured a broad repertoire, back

to the Baroque period with Vivaldi’s Gloria, all the way up to 1960s pop with a

rousing Beach Boys medley. Last year’s

Head Boy, Lucas Abrami-Gill, returned to sing excerpts from Mozart’s Nozze di

Figaro and Don Giovanni, accompanied by

a professional orchestra and joined by peripatetic teachers Mr Alex Garziglia and Mr Matthew Duncan. We were honoured

to have Old Chigwellians back, from either end of the country, to give us a most

beautiful recital including Tavener’s ‘The Lamb’. Meanwhile, the Choral Society entertained the audience with a rousing performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria.

This

featured contributions from staff, parents

and pupils, past and present. It also provided opportunity for our own young soloists, Anika, Rosie, Lisa and Nadya to

shine. We would like to thank the pupils

of Woodford Green Prep and their Director of Music Mrs Sarah Henderson

who joined the Choral Society. The finale of the evening was a powerful rendition of Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’.

3

Staff Pantomime

At the beginning of term, staff took to the

stage to raise money for charity in a version of Jack and the Beanstalk that

contained the usual mix of slapstick comedy, audience participation and in-

jokes that was greatly appreciated by the two packed houses. Sixth Form drama

scholars Immy Peck, Rosie Singha and Emma Jones bravely undertook to direct the twenty or so members of staff and,

through ticket sales and the generosity of

the audiences, over ÂŁ2,000 was raised for charities Haven House and Smiles With Grace.

4

Drama

The Upper Fifth GCSE drama sets went

into London to see the acclaimed “A

Comedy About A Bank Robbery” by Mischief Theatre. This was an hilarious

performance in Piccadilly’s Criterion Theatre involving a constantly evolving

set, live music and much slap stick comedy

for which Mischief Theatre are now renowned. Students loved the production

and have written some excellent Live Theatre Review work.

5

.

Drama

Lower Fifth drama students performed their assessed devised pieces. Two of these took the theme of suicide and were entitled ‘It’s Not My Problem’ and ‘It’s

Killing Me’. ‘What If?’ asked what would

be different if the trend towards gender equality

had

not

taken

place.

Congratulations to all the students involved, both on stage and behind the scenes working on the sound, lighting, costume and make-up.

6

University Applications

Between them, Middle Sixth students have made 454 university applications and to date

74% of these have led to conditional or, in a small number of cases, unconditional offers.

Chris Collins (Classics, Corpus Christi, Oxford), Aine Nikookam (Classics, Homerton, Cambridge),

Filip Novakovic (Land Economy, Downing, Cambridge) and Jacek Podlaski (Biomedical Studies, St John’s, Oxford) have all received Oxbridge offers and Filip has also received an offer from Stamford University.

Meet The Future

The Sixth Form Centre hosted Old Chig Josh Cheetham for a ‘Meet the Future’ talk.

Josh talked about his career to date and his

current fascinating role in the BBC, where

he works as a journalist, covering stories from across the world. Josh explained why he loves his job, the role of fake news in his industry, and how to get into journalism.

In another talk, Bradley Raines O.C. spoke about his work as a football agent and Kathryn Ward from LSE spoke about applying to study there and university application more generally.

Music

We have begun our series of morning

month provide an opportunity for pupils to

enthusiastic music students. Further to our

have been working on with their

present performances of music that they

breaktime recitals to a warm audience of

instrumental teachers.

Prom Concert series, these recitals once a

7

Improving your Diversity IQ Dr Julie Humphreys gave a fascinating talk

There was plenty of debate and it was

about awareness of diversity issues in the

present that this was an issue of

clear from the enthusiasm of the students

after school on Thursday 6th February

considerable interest to them.

workplace. Dr Humphreys is the Group

Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Compass Group plc (which includes our caterers Chartwells’), and has over 20

years’ experience in HR, specialising in Diversity,

Inclusion

and

Talent

Management. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel.

Dr

Humphreys looked at issues including micro behaviours and unconscious bias

and at recent examples like the

controversial Peloton TV advertisement to consider how important modern companies’ awareness of diversity now is.

Wellness Workshop

Parents of Remove and Lower Fifth pupils

attended a very useful session led by psychiatrist Dr Kiran Nijabat. The aim was

to share experiences with parents who

support young people through the pressures of teenage life. There will be a further session for Upper Fifth and Lower

Sixth parents on 18th March and further details will follow.

Staff News

We send our congratulations to Mrs Samantha Lawrence and her husband Creag on the arrival of their baby daughter, Zara Louise.

8

Boys’ Hockey

It has been a fantastic and fast-paced start

the Junior School, the U12s have been

weather being a little kinder than in

many learning hockey for the first time.

committed to after-school training, with

to the boys’ hockey season. With the

Both the Third and Fourth Forms have

previous years, there has been very little

their county tournaments just before the

disruption to training and fixtures. In the

half term break.

Junior School, the pupils’ progress and ability has been quite simply outstanding.

This has been witnessed not only with the

In the Senior School, the 1st XI has made

by their performances on the pitch. All

competitive fixture list, despite several

attendance at after-school clubs but also

sound progress this term. With a very

pupils in Lower Two and Upper Two have

very determined and hard fought

had the opportunity to play competitive

performances, their results have not

fixtures against local schools including

reflected the development the young

Woodford Green Prep, New Hall and

men have made. The team now face

Forest, whilst the A teams for each age

Haberdashers’ School in the second round

group remain unbeaten. At the top end of

of the England Hockey Association

9

Boys’ Hockey

Schools’ Plate competition. The 2nd XI have continued their tradition of being one of the most successful teams across

all

sports. They have qualified for the second successive year to the regional rounds of the

Hockey

Association’s

2nd

XI

tournament at the University of Norwich and we also wish them well in the next round.

In the middle school, the U15s have yet to

achieve their form from last season.

a great deal of promise and must now

the Essex U16 tournament, they have

following the half term break. Fantastic

strive for a little more consistency

Despite this, competing a year young in

results against Haberdashers’ and Harrow

gained valuable experience for the season

highlighted their ability and the squad

ahead. I hope that an improvement with

narrowly missing qualification for the

injuries and availability will see them

regional finals in the final seconds of the

achieve their potential following the half

county tournament.

term break. Finally, the U14s have shown

10

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Thank you to our Lower Sixth boarders who organised an excellent evening of food and entertainment to celebrate the start of the Chinese Year of the Rat. The event was well attended by boarders, day pupils and staff.

11

Linguistics Olympiad Over thirty students in the Upper Fifth and

Sixth Form took part in the International Linguistics Olympiad. The competition challenged them to decipher structures

from a variety of languages including Chintang (a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Nepal) and Lingurian (an Italian dialect).

Sixth Form Induction A reminder that Sixth Form induction day will be on Wednesday 17th June when students will be given a taste of the work that they will be covering in their chosen A level subjects.

This is an important day in itself but also the occasion when a unit of A level work is set to

be completed over the summer holidays. This work will then be reviewed with an initial assessment early in September 2020

Careers Convention

Bad Weather

We are holding our annual Careers

I hope that this is the last time I will be

still

as always, in the event of heavy snow or

Convention on Monday 23rd March and have

a

few

spaces

left

including this item for a few months but,

for

volunteers. If you would like to volunteer,

ice please consult the school website

please contact Miss Roxanne Darkin

(www.chigwell-school.org) for confirmation

(rdarkin@chigwell-school.org); we are

of arrangements for the school day. We

especially keen to hear from people from

would always be very reluctant to close

the creatives arts, engineering or science

the School, but are mindful of the safety of

industries.

pupils and staff.

12

Girls’ Netball The netball term has got off to a flying

the 1st and 2nd VII finished fourth in their

participating in the netball programme.

court. The day displayed some top level

start with more girls than ever before

groups and both squads got all players on

Netball officially started last term with the

netball from all schools involved.

early rounds of the Independent Schools’

Netball Cup and the U19 National Schools’

The seniors have enjoyed four match

the U19 squad make it as far as the third

The 1st and 4th VII enjoyed wins against

fixtures against Bancroft’s and Brentwood.

Competition. The ISNC competition saw

round in the plate competition. An away

Bancroft’s and the 2nd and 3rd VII only just

narrowly defeated 34-39. The players gave

fixtures is a real testament to the

lost. Having all the senior girls involved in

fixture to Haileybury saw Chigwell

programme that has been building over

100% effort and played very well. This is a

the past few years, ensuring that everyone

very talented squad with many of the

has the opportunity to play competitively.

players new to the seniors this year.

With numbers at a record high, we can look

This half term netball has started positively

forward to five match fixtures against

with the senior netball tournament. Both

Forest School and Highgate School in the near future.

13

Girls’ Netball The U15s and U14s have also started well.

Both age groups have seen A, B and C fixtures take place, ensuring that as many girls as possible get to experience match

play and competitive environments. The squads are showing a real commitment to

training and with plenty of promising players involved, future matches look set to be just as thrilling after half term.

The younger year groups are also part of

the growth of netball at Chigwell with

regular matches involving five squads

across Third and Fourth Form and all girls playing in fixtures at U10 and U11 level.

their core skills and techniques. The

exciting to watch with players developing

and IAPS all still to come after half term.

The netball talent coming through is

future looks promising with more fixtures

14

Visiting Theatre The Lower Fifth enjoyed the performances

Similarly, Redheart Theatre gave a stirring

recently. The aim was to bring to life the

life, war experiences and influences of

of Macbeth delivered by Quantum Theatre text that they had been studying.

performance to the Removes relating the World War I poet Wilfred Owen.

15

Helen of Troy Dinner Following a seminar on Horace, the Classics

Helen of Troy.

celebration and exploration of the myth of

well as a small number of Old Chigwellians.

department held the Helen Dinner, a

The event was well

attended by current students of Classics as

16

Remove Prom Seventeen pupils performed twenty-two items both individually and in small groups in this

excellent after-school concert. The standard was first class, as was the enthusiasm and support from other members of the year group. The event is designed to provide an opportunity to perform in front of others in a more informal setting. Congratulations to all involved.

UCAS Presentation Evening There will be a UCAS presentation evening for Lower Sixth students and their parents on Thursday 30th April at 6.30pm. This will be a talk explaining the details of the process for applying to UK universities next academic year.

Brass Monkey Competition Congratulations to all the scouts who participated in the Brass Monkey Competition at the

beginning of the month. The camp at Thriftwood lived up to its name and all those involved contributed well.

News From Chigwell

The latest edition of News From Chigwell is available to read here

17

Summer 2020 Public Exams

Please can parents of pupils in the Upper Fifth and Middle Sixth 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.

As a reminder, please make sure your child is available to take exams on the contingency day (Wednesday 24th June), should the need arise.

Debating

Congratulations to the pupils who have been competing in various debating competitions

this term. Following a competition at Trinity School, the intermediate team of Lucy Aliker, Lucas Goddard and Francesca Hallett, and the senior team of Ziyad Chaudhary, Nichita Mitrea and Matthew Punt progressed to the next round of Rotary Youth Speaks.

And Finally We hope that those going on the school trips to India and Austria over half term have a wonderful time and we look forward to hearing about their experiences on their return. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support of your children and indeed the School as a whole.

With best wishes Yours sincerely

Michael Punt

18

Message from the Chaplain

I never cease to be impressed by the

The Committee tries where possible to

wide variety of issues and charities. The

respond to issues which arise through

be flexible in allowing the School to

genuine concern our students have for a

the year. As a result of an initiative by

Student Charities Committee has drawn

the Praefects, our non-uniform day on

up a list of causes to support this year

February 14th will raise funds for the

and money raised will be shared among

relief of those caught up in the

the following: •

Rickshaw Run Challenge

•

Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund

• • • •

Australian bush fires.

Streets2Homes

Thank you to everyone at home for your ongoing

Smiles with Grace

of

our

various

charitable causes and appeals.

Hounds for Hereos

Your

generosity is very much appreciated and

MIND

makes a tangible difference to the charities we support.

Our charitable support is mainly in the

form of cash donations, raised through different collections through the year.

With all blessings

This year, however, the Committee also suggested a collection of ‘treats’ for the homeless at Christmas.

support

The Chaplain

With typical

generosity, a vast selection of biscuits,

cakes, chocolates and sweets were

donated by students and distributed by Streets2Homes in Harlow to those spending Christmas on the streets.

19

Message from Ms Ros Serrelli Chair of Governors I am honoured to take up the role of Chair. I

We will seek to encourage independence and

Aliker for her encouragement and thank her

relevant today as it has always been. We

am indebted to the outgoing Chair Susie

innovation; our school motto being as

for her dedication and enthusiasm over the

know that innovation and curiosity follow

past seven years. She is a hard act to follow

when a child feels safe, nurtured and

but I am delighted to be doing so. Thank you

confident.

also to the Headmaster for his time and

More than anything, therefore, we believe in

support as I have found my way.

the strength of our whole school community

Governance is about guardianship: our duty is

including parents, staff and students. We

to protect Chigwell and its ethos. It is also

believe in a community that is inclusive and

incumbent on the Chair and the Head to share

kind above all else. That was Samuel

a vision for the school. The Headmaster and I

Harsnett’s ordinance and it is fundamental to

have spent a good deal of time together

our ethos today.

discussing that vision and we are very much

Chigwell is fortunate to be governed by an

aligned - and also with Governors which

exceptional group of people who give a great

makes for exciting times ahead.

deal of their time to the paperwork,

As you will know, we enter a decade in which

committees and activities required of

we will reach the 400th anniversary of

Governors. This can sometimes be many

Chigwell. The heritage of the School, its

hours and evenings each month. They each

tradition and ethos are fundamental to our

bring their specific experience, skills and

vision. So, too, is the future and ensuring

knowledge to the benefit of the School.

that Chigwell’s curriculum, extra-curriculum

I look forward to meeting

and facilities reflect the modern world and

you at school events and

global economy. We will strive to ever-higher

at Speech Day.

goals academically and yet recognise too that success at work and happiness in life depend also on harnessing a range of soft

and transferable skills.

20

TERM DATES 2019 Half term: Term ends:

Saturday 15th February to Sunday 23rd February Friday 27th March

Trinity Term 2020 (Easter Day is 12thApril) First day: Monday 20thApril Half term: Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May INSET Day Monday 1st June Term ends: Wednesday 8th July