Headmaster’s Letter to Parents
Dear Parents
It is with pleasure that I write the last newsletter of the academic year. On the one hand, time feels like it has flown by but looking back, it is humbling to see how much has been undertaken and achieved by pupils since I wrote my first newsletter in the Michaelmas term. I have now been able to see first-hand all of the annual events in the school calendar, and look forward to enjoying them again next year, whilst always considering how we might tweak and improve them to make them even more effective.
I have very much enjoyed the year, and the many opportunities it has afforded me to get to know the school community better. Indeed this was a theme I emphasized on Speech Day: the Chigwell community of parents, pupils, staff, alumni and Governors is both vibrant and strong, and it has been a pleasure to represent you all as Head.
Since we gathered together so recently, and I covered my main thoughts in my speech, this newsletter will be briefer than previous ones; however that is not to say this term has been any less busy. I trust you will enjoy the round-up of our various activities below, and I look forward to seeing familiar faces, alongside many new ones when term resumes. I hope that the summer break, though sometimes a deceptively busy time of year, will enable you and your loved ones to share time together and recharge batteries a little in readiness for September.
Damian King Headdking@chigwell-school.org
Contents
Page 1 Speech Day and the Summer Ball
Page 2 Speech Day and the Summer Ball
Page 3 Middle Sixth Leavers’ Service and Barbecue
Page 4 Junior School Sports Day
Page 5 Senior School Sports Day Exam Results
Page 6 Art Design and Technology Speech Day Exhibition 2023 Activities Week
Page 7 Activities Week
Page 8 Activities Week
Page 9 Trips Over Summer Break
Page 8 Wellbeing
Page 9 Staff News
Speech Day and the Summer Ball
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at Speech Day this year, as we came together both in the Church and later in the marquee to be reminded of our links to our Founder, reaffirm our identity as a school, to reflect upon what has been achieved over the year, and to celebrate those many pupils who won prizes. Though the weather deterred all but the bravest from picnicking on Top Field, the remainder of the day continued through the rain with great success, giving us all a wonderful opportunity to live up to our motto, Find a way or Make a way.
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Middle Sixth Leavers’ Service and Barbecue
On Thursday 25th May , Middle Sixth students and parents filled the chapel for a service of thanks to mark the end of the year group’s time at Chigwell. Jordan Erratt (MVIP) delivered a brief address from a student’s perspective about what he will remember most from his time at school, and two of the group’s favourite hymns, ‘I The Lord of Sea and Sky’ and ‘Jerusalem’ were sung at typically high volume.
Following the service students, parents and teachers enjoyed a barbecue on Top Field in the evening sun. We wish all of our leavers well as they depart for pastures new, and would look to offer an open invitation to return to school and let us know how they are getting on. We also look forward to them becoming part of the Old Chigwellian network.
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Junior School Sports Day
Every child in KS2 and the Third and Fourth Form competed during the JS sports day on Saturday 24th June. Seven school records were broken and two new times recorded in the U14 and U13 boys 300m. This was the first year both boys and girls have run the 300m event, ensuring there is equality shown for all students at Chigwell, this is in line with the ESAA’s new guidelines published this year. The focus of this athletics event is mass participation and at the same time encouraging healthy competition. Each year group had an individual boy and girl overall points winner. All twelve of these students received a glass trophy in recognition of their achievements. Pupils in the top three of each event have received a certificate, with the top six students in each event collecting points for their House. This is a wonderful school community event which was made possible by the
collective efforts of staff and pupils, with the support of parents or guardians and the FOC.
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Senior School Sports Day
TERM DATES 2022
TERM DATES 2023
Michaelmas Term 2022
Half term:Saturday 22nd October to Sunday 6th November
Michaelmas Term
Term ends:Friday 16th December
Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th September
Lent Term 2023
First day: Wednesday 6th September
Senior School Sports Day took place on Friday 26th May this year. It was a real success, the sun was shining and a fantastic atmosphere was created on the day by the students, staff and parents involved. The majority of Senior School students took part in the event, and all participants displayed a great house spirit. A special mention to the following students who were awarded best sportswomen / sportsmen in their respected age categories. Alice B and Albert B in Removes; Mark U and Grace M in Lower Fifth and Andre M and Danielle M in Lower Sixth.
Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 9th January
Half term: Saturday 21st October to Sunday 5th November
First day:Tuesday 10th January
Exam Results Days
Term ends: Wednesday 13th December
Half term:Saturday 11th February to Sunday 19th February
Term ends:Wednesday 29th March
A Level Results – Thursday 17th August
Lent Term
Staff meetings and INSET on Wednesday 3rd January
Trinity Term 2023 (Easter Day is 9th April)
First day: Thursday 4th January
• At 8.00am results will be made available to students electronically. Students can access their UCAS applications from 8.00am to consult course confirmations.
Half term: Saturday 10th February to Sunday 18th February
First day:Wednesday 19th April
Term ends: Thursday 28th March
Half term:Saturday 27th May to Sunday 4th June INSET Day Monday 5th June
Term ends:Wednesday 12th July
• From 8.00am onwards Mr Neil Saunders, Mr Dilpesh Patel, Mr Simon Coppell, Miss Roxanne Darkin, Ms Charlotte Nairac and Mr Damian King will be available in the Sixth Form Centre for advice or help, along with other senior colleagues.
Trinity Term (Easter Day is 31st March)
• Heads of Department will be contactable on the day by email or Teams.
• Enquiries about re-marks should be addressed to Miss Darkin from 10.00am.
First day: Wednesday 17th April
GCSE Results – Thursday 24th August
Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June
Term ends: Wednesday 10th July
• At 10.00am paper copies of exam results will be issued to students in the Sixth Form Centre and members of senior staff will be available for advice or help.
• GCSE results will be published electronically from midday.
• If there is a change to these, students should confirm their A Level subject choices to Miss Roxanne Darkin, Sixth Form Coordinator, in person or by email (rdarkin@chigwell-school.org) on the day.
• If, post results day, the student makes an agreed A Level subject change following parental request to the Head of Sixth Form, they must complete any holiday homework for this as well as their other A Level subjects.
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Art Design and Technology Speech Day Exhibition
2023
The 2023 Art & Design and Design Technology Exhibition featured a stunning range of works from pupils in both the Junior and Senior Schools. In Art and Design, Junior School pupils created a huge variety of artworks using mixed media and experienced a brilliant print workshop with visiting designer Emma Collins. In Design and Technology, thoughtful designs and products were created such as a sensory chair which would be installed in the waiting room of a dental surgery. In senior Art and Design, pupils created works using digital and analogue
Activities Week
approaches in response to complex themes such as migration, political systems and the human body. KS3 pupils made artworks that explored the imagination, colour, dreams and the observed world, and the exhibition highlighted the talent and creativity of the pupils at school.
The DT department made a great contribution to the school’s celebration of King Charles’s coronation earlier in the term, creating a terrific piece consisting of hand-made roses which has been installed in the Dining Room.
Activities Week was a time for our pupils to flourish, with residential trips to Osmington Bay (Removes) and the Lake District (Lower Sixth), and day trips to Verulamiam, Colchester Zoo, Thorpe Park, Walton-on-the-Naze and Go Ape. The production of Bugsy Malone from scratch in two and half days including set and props, sound and light design, music, dance and acting, by our Fourth Form was a huge success. The final production and competition can be viewed here. Swallow’s, under the direction of Mrs Emma Rea were the overall winners.
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Bugsy Malone
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Osmington Bay
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Trips Over the Summer Break
O u r D u k e o f E d in b u rg h G o ld , F o o t
E x p e d it io n s to U ll a p o o l, S c o tl a n d
c o m p le te a w o n d e rf u l s e t o f
o p p o rt u n it ie s a n d tr ip s , fo u rt e e n in total this academic year. Our thanks go to Ms Emmy Creber, Mr Andrew Bewick and the extensive team of staff
w h o g iv e u p th e ir ti m e to a ll o w approximately 120 pupils to explore and complete their Duke of Edinburgh certificates.
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Wellbeing
The below are some thoughts offered by Mrs Amanda Goddard, DSL: For many of us, summer is time to relax and enjoy the sunshine but if you need to boost your mental health during the school holidays here are some ideas.
• Get planning: If you are struggling to get motivated, planning your time can help. Give yourself something to do every morning and afternoon, and make sure you have a good mix. Schedule in some time for gaming, reading or watching TV and add in a couple of chores.
• Get outside: Try to get outside at least once every day.
• Don’t do away with routine: Long lie-ins are a must sometimes but if you are sleeping lots every day, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. It’s ok to relax your routine a little – we’re not suggesting 6am starts – but try to go to bed at a reasonable time and get up not much more than an hour later than you normally would. Have a shower and get dressed, even if you have got no plans. You’ll feel refreshed and more energised.
• Stay connected: If you can’t meet up with your friends over the summer, six weeks can feel like a lifetime. Having some company is important for everyone, so make an effort to catch up with family members and keep in touch with friends if possible.
• Practise self care: Self-care is all about being kind to yourself, listening to what your body and mind need and making time for the things that make you feel good. Check in with yourself each morning and evening to see how you’re feeling and if there’s anything you need. Sometimes a few minutes of mindfulness, a short walk or a nice relaxing bath can do wonders.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that you’re not alone and reach out for support if you need it, whether that means talking to a friend or family member or using one of the websites/ services listed below.
The Young Minds website is a useful resource for information about mental health that has helpful support for both young people and parents. The site offers helpful strategies for young people coping with a variety of difficulties and indicates ways in which parents can support their children/child.
Additionally, support can be found through the Anna Freud children and adolescents' website.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/ https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/
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Staff News
As many of you are aware, we are saying farewell to Mr David Gower, Mr Andrew Stubbs, Mr Jerry Morris and Mr David Harston. All four long-serving members of staff have made a huge contribution to the school over many years and in a variety of roles. We wish them all a long and happy retirement and do hope that they will stay in touch.
Mrs Emma Anderson, Mr Robert Richardson, Miss Megan Watts, and Mr Michael & Mrs Iuliia Wright are all
moving away from the area and we send them our very best wishes as they settle in their new locations. Mrs Michaela Chan, Ms Niamh FeeneySmith and Mr Richard Maynes are leaving to work at new schools and we hope that they will be very happy there. We also say goodbye to Mrs Min Patel who has worked as a TA in the Junior School for the past twelve years. And finally, Mrs Mehreen Ali and Mr Simon Mills will be leaving us having completed their long term cover of staff absence.
With best wishes,
Damian King11
TERM DATES 2023
Michaelmas Term
Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th September
First day: Wednesday 6th September
Half term: Saturday 21st October to Sunday 5th November
Term ends: Wednesday 13th December
Lent Term
Staff meetings and INSET on Wednesday 3rd January
First day: Thursday 4th January
Half term: Saturday 10th February to Sunday 18th February
Term ends: Thursday 28th March
Trinity Term (Easter Day is 31st March)
First day: Wednesday 17th April
Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June
Term ends: Wednesday 10th July
