HEADMASTER’S LETTER DECEMBER 2016
T0 PARENTS
Dear Parents Thank you, as always, for all your support for both the School and your sons and daughters over what has been another busy term. The following is a sample of some of the highlights, as well as news of events to come.
Contents Page 1
Vika Barker Charity Fundraising
Page 2
Removes’ Conflict Project University Offers
Page 3
Music
Page 4
Music
Page 5
Charity Gala Evening Articulation
Page 6
Drama
Page 7
Drama
Page 8
Girls’ Hockey
Page 9
Girls’ Hockey
Page 10
Netball
Page 11
Football Digital Awareness
Page 12
Higher and Extended Project Qualification
Page 13
Howard & Mitchell The School Shop Bad Weather
Page 14
Message from the Frriends of Chigwell
Page 15
Message from the Frriends of Chigwell
Page 16
Fireworks Constellate Art Exhibition
Page 17
Careers Boys’ Hockey WisePay
Page 18
Christmas Inspire And Finally
Page 19
Message from the Chaplain
Vika Barker Third Form pupil Vika and her partner recently
participated in one of the biggest championships in the UK - the British National Ballroom Championship 2016 in Blackpool where they became British Juvenile
Ballroom Champions, winning the event with 1st places
in all ballroom dances. They have now confirmed that they are indeed the best juvenile ballroom couple in the country. The next stop is the World Championship in Disneyland Paris.
Charity Fundraising
when they got sponsors for an activity
Pupils in the Junior School raised
afternoon just before half term.
approximately ÂŁ4,900 for the NSPCC
1
Removes’ Conflict Project
Pupils have been studying fiction and non-fiction concerning a plethora of 20th century world conflicts including Northern Ireland, the Falklands and
Cambodia. This culminates in a ‘Time’ magazine
showcasing their work (art criticism, prose analysis and descriptive writing). This unit of work has been
twinned with the Art department where pupils have been studying and producing artwork inspired by
famous pieces of conflict art which will be the front cover of their editorial team’s magazine. This module
encourages Chigwellians to investigate the world they
live and how conflict has been at the root of art and literature for centuries.
University Offers Chigwell students have been receiving
sons and daughters to keep tutors and
places and I hope these will continue to
even if the news comes during the
Mr Andrew Long informed of offers,
some really good offers of university
Christmas period.
come through. Please encourage your
2
Music
This half term has seen a continuation in
the diversity and opportunity of musical performance offered for all. November
saw the start of this year’s Prom Concert
series providing a forum for individuals to display their classical, jazz, rock and pop music skills. Pupils in the Fourth Form and
Removes are to be congratulated on their commitment to performance.
The performance of the Chapel Choir for the
Remembrance
Service
was
noteworthy, as was that of trumpeter Tom Marshall who performed the Last Post for the eighth year in succession. The
Junior School Michaelmas Term Concert was one of the most vibrant in recent years.
Such a lively, animated and
engaging variety of music was presented
by more than 100 pupils. It was great to see pupils from the age of 8 through to 12
taking their place in ensembles and choirs.
The evening started with the newly formed Stomp Group, armed with brooms, sweeping brushes, buckets and
basketballs and finished with massed
Lower Two and Upper Two choirs presenting songs in preparation for their
inaugural visit to sing at the Young Voices
concert in January. The evening also made room for chamber groups including; a string
quartet
and
quintet,
flute
ensemble, cello ensemble, viola and violin
3
Music duet, the full Junior Orchestra, newly
For the first time we begin our Lent Term
Choir, Musical Theatre Group, Stringles as
5th January at 7pm in New Hall. It will
with our New Year Concert on Thursday
formed Junior Jazz and Contemporary
feature the School’s Senior Orchestra,
well as some wonderful solo performances
Symphonic Wind Band, Big Band, Flute
from; Anjalie Ravishankar, Avantika
Group, Saxophone Group as well as the
Bharadwaj and Zak Sheikh. It was a
Chapel Choir and solos from some of our
privilege to see so many young children demonstrate
their
talents
Middle Sixth. The evening will be set
and
commitment to practice and to be so readily involved in the music of the School.
The School’s Advent Carol Service moved
from our regular Parish of St Mary's Church, Chigwell to St Martin-in-theFields, Trafalgar Square, London. It was hosted by Christmas Inspire and set up to
continue the fundraising for charities. The Chapel
Choir
lifted
their
voices
heavenward in works by Mendelssohn,
John Tavener, James MacMillan, and Will
Todd, and featured a world premiere written for the Choir: the Light of Glory by Jeffrey Wilson. The service was supported by guest readers, John Simpson, BBC
World Affairs correspondent, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Ruthie Henshall, The Rt Hon Gregg Hands MP and his Excellency
the Ambassador of Brazil. A highlight of
the evening was the international readings, from the bible, read in twelve
around tables, as we did last summer,
different languages. The evening was a
with a bar and refreshments served. All
tremendous advert for the work of the
profits will go to Friends of Chigwell.
School for charity.
4
Charity Gala Evening
Chigwell's annual charity gala evening is organised by students and was a
triumph once again this year. The gala is planned by students who are patrons of
the charity Smiles with Grace, set up by former Chigwell pupil Grace Boxall, who
sadly passed away three years ago. The programme contained twenty-seven
acts, varying from Bollywood dances, poetry, comedy sketches and solo or
group musical performances, including a touching memorial song to Grace herself.
The event finished with an
impressive finale by the School's Big
Band. Overall, the evening raised over ÂŁ1,000 and a huge thank you goes to all
those who participated or came along to
.
support.
Articulation
At the end of term, we held the internal heats to decide who would be representing the School in the ARTiculation competition. This is a national event centred on public
speaking and art which is organised by the Roche Court Trust in association with the University of Cambridge. Henry Bird, Zuzanna Borawska and Tomasz Cienkowski all
spoke with fantastic confidence and knowledge about their chosen subjects to an audience of Sixth Form students and members of staff. All of the students performed exceptionally well, but Tomasz’s talk was outstanding and we are delighted that he will represent the School in the next round at the Whitechapel Gallery in London.
5
Drama
Since half term, the drama department has been busy with the A2 devised
performances. These were two highly
imaginative pieces that explored the ideas of sexism, refugees, the death penalty and homelessness. Using a
mixture of technical support, physical
theatre and expressionism the groups showed their understanding of these
contemporary issues and the styles of Brecht, Berkoff and Artaud. Audience questionnaires
showed
a
real
engagement with the issues and the stylistic qualities of the pieces.
6
Drama
The A level groups also enjoyed a trip to Notting Hill’s Tabernacle Theatre to see “The Royale”, a fascinating tale about
the first black heavyweight champion of
the world who had to fight more than his
opponent in the ring to become champ. This was stage fully in the round with a highly innovative blend of naturalism and non-naturalistic styles.
Students
came away with plenty of ideas for their own performances.
The Senior School Play, the RSC version
of “Arabian Nights”, was performed to
packed houses. This was a fast paced, physical comedy with a cast of thirty
students who multi-roled, danced and played
instruments
to
create
a
wonderful story-telling experience for all ages. They were ably supported by an excellent technical crew made up
entirely by the students themselves. Well done to all involved!
7
Girls’ Hockey
Girls’ hockey has enjoyed a great deal
winning goal.
This sees the girls
XI having their most successful season
national cup and they will play this
progress to the quarter finals of this
of success this term with the ladies’ 1st in school history. In addition to the girls’ 1st XI winning the U18 Essex
outdoor tournament before half term, they then went on to complete the
double and win the U18 Essex Indoor competition at the start of November.
Holding both county titles, at the same time, is a first for the School at senior level and an achievement of which we
are extremely proud. Our U18s are now
double indoor champions, having held the title for both 2015 and 2016
seasons. On Sunday 11th December the indoor team will travel to St Albans to represent Essex at the East of England Regionals competition and
compete for a spot at the national finals.
The 1st XI girls have also
enjoyed a good run of form in the Independent Schools Hockey Cup
(ISHC) this term. They faced a tough
fixture last week in these latter stages of the competition, against Worth
School, in an extremely competitive
and tight match. Chigwell ladies came away victorious with a 1-0 win.
A
brilliant squad performance which saw
fixture in the Lent Term.
We are
a superb strike by Alive Melvin to give
girls this term and all they have
extremely proud of our senior hockey
them deservedly edge the victory, after
achieved so far and credit must be
the home side that all important
8
Girls’ Hockey
given to the whole squad for their commitment, determination and hard
work both with their training and matches throughout the season. Outside of school hockey, Chigwell boasts many talented hockey players with Alice Melvin
representing the England U17 squad, Charlotte James-Pajwani representing
Saxon Tigers at the U16 futures cup and
Venetia Bailey, Stevie Southall, Chloe Stack and Zoe Wright all involved with England hockey JRPC training. These
girls invest an incredible amount of time
in their sport and we wish them all the
best with their progression outside of their school hockey.
Lower down the School, Chigwell
of success throughout the term with
throughout the School focusing on
competitive performances at the Essex
continues to field A&B hockey teams
their weekly fixtures and both put in
participation as well as stretching our
county tournaments, with the U15s
elite. The success of our 1st XI this year
playing a year young at the U16
has been a long journey and one we
competition. Our U13s also enjoyed a
invested in five years ago, believing that
good cup run in the ISHC competition,
broad participation at junior level is the
reaching the 4th round but bowing out
key to enjoyment and success. Our U14
to an extremely strong Bromsgrove
and U15 squads have had varying levels
girls’ side.
9
Netball
The U16 and U14 Netball squads went on
the test. Having performed so well, they
School in the Disney Netball Tournament
match. Both teams went on to reach the
tour over half term and represented the in
Orlando,
Florida.
The
were placed in a group stage play-off
other
semi-finals and then went on to win their
representative teams were all club teams
third place play-off match. Both squads
from South Africa, Bermuda, Australia,
finished third overall, which is a fantastic
Canada and America, and as we were the
achievement against sides who are very
only school squad it was a tough challenge.
experienced and play for their clubs every
week. They have set a record for future schools and we are very proud of their accomplishments.
In addition, the U13 and U15 squads have continued to progress in the ISNC Cup
competition. The U15 squad played St. George’s at home and after a 20-20 score
line, the girls had to play another four
minutes of extra time. The score line remained even and Chigwell won by a golden goal. The U13 squad travelled to
The girls had two days of intense training
Bournemouth for their cup match against
with international coaches and the other
Talbot Heath. Again, this was an eventful
club teams. This took part in the ESPN
and closely fought match with the
arena, giving the girls the opportunity to
Chigwell girls winning by one goal in the
play and train as professionals for the
last few seconds. Both teams will
duration of their stay. On days three and
compete in the next round after
four, the two squads took part in the
Christmas, alongside the U19 squad who
tournament and put their new skills to
are playing in the plate competition.
10
Football
The U11 team are through to the Essex
away in May 2012 when he was just 21. He
Memorial Cup and face Benhurst School in
played in his memory each year between
Schools’ Jim Smith Under 11s 7-a-Side the New Year. The English Schools’ Cup is a national competition involving over two
hundred entrants each year from around the country. The U15s continue to knock
out teams in the National English Schools Football Association cup drawing Fulham College and if successful will play
Buckswood School in the following round.
The U14s continue their impressive season in the English Schools Cup drawing St
Edmund’s or The Causeway School in the New Year. The only side still in the ISFA competition is the U16s who will progress
to the quarter final stage if they beat Brook House School.
The annual Eren Pars football match was played with great passion and spirit. Sadly, Eren who left Chigwell in 2009, passed
was a keen footballer and the match is two Chigwell sixth form teams. This year, the excited crowd of pupils, staff, parents
and friends of Eren saw a closely fought
game which the Middle Sixth eventually won on penalties against the Lower Sixth.
The Eren Pars trophy was presented by
Eren’s mother and father to the Middle Sixth captain, Tommy Williams.
Congratulations to Tommy Redhead who has been selected to represent the U18 and U16 Independent Schools FA national
representative side this season at the FA’s St George’s Park. The full ISFA U18 squad
was selected following the North v South
matches in November. Tommy Redhead
has been invited to attend a two-day camp at the FA National Football Centre, St. George's Park later this month.
Digital Awareness
We are delighted to have Digital Awareness UK coming to Chigwell on Tuesday 17th January, to talk about e-safety for everyone from the Third Form through to the Sixth Form.
We are also going to host a parents’ information morning on Tuesday 17th January. Further
details will be sent out on Chigwell Post, but we hope to host the parents’ meeting between
8.30am and 9.15am to enable parents to drop off their children and come down to New Hall,
to learn about sexting, cyberbullying, grooming and relationships, amongst other subjects.
11
Higher and Extended Project Qualification
Members of the Upper Fifth and Middle Sixth have been giving their Higher Project and Extended Project Qualification presentations. Some students have opted to take these qualifications in addition to their GCSE or A level subjects, and they are designed to broaden horizons beyond the confines of the standard curriculum and encourage independent research and thought. HPQ projects included: ‘Is it morally correct to genetically modify humans using CRISPR/Cas9?’ by Poppy Bradley; ‘Has social media led to an increase of self-harm?’ by Cayley Cochrane; ‘To what extent does female celebrity culture have an influence on the image and identity of girls aged 13-16?’ by Tej Hindocha; ‘To what extent do changes in the brain affect the personality of an elderly person with Alzheimer's disease?’ by
Charlotte James-Pajwani; ‘How far do gender stereotypes in children's literature during the 1950s to the present day influence children aged five to eight?’ by Zoë Wright; and ‘Radioactive wolves: Are Chernobyl's Myths True?’ by Suli Scatchard.
This year's EPQs included essays on Brexit, autism, financial regulation, black holes, ageing, capital punishment, mental hospitals, animal-testing of cosmetics, sugar and euthanasia, and a film on the presentation of immigrants in 1915-29 American cinema. The presentations were well-attended and well-received by both students and staff; they were informative and engaging, and reflected the considerable effort put in by the students over the course of the previous year.
12
Howard & Mitchell Essay
Over the summer, twenty-six students in the Sixth Form submitted essays for the Howard and Mitchell essay competition. The essays were judged by two panels of judges which included colleagues from within and outside the School, and the standard of the essays was very high. For each competition the results were as follows: Howard Essay (Arts and Humanities) Winner:
Highly Commended: Highly Commended:
Olivia Mendel Portnoy (To what extent was the improvement of treatment of patients in Bethlem Royal Hospital, from 1815-90, due to the York Retreat?) Michael Chamberlain (Can Afghanistan be considered a graveyard for an empire?)
Lewis Wait (Is Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s use of magical realism comparable to fantasy in English literature?)
Mitchell Essay (Maths and Sciences) Winner:
Second: Third:
Zuzanna Borawska (From Gutenberg to printing organs – the amazing story of 3D printing) Thomas Marshall (Fracking – is it safe?)
Jada Coker (Why are old cells more susceptible to infection and disease than young cells?)
Congratulations to all students who worked so hard on their entries and thanks to the judges.
The School Shop
Bad Weather
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 be very
reluctant to close the School but we are mindful of the safety of pupils and
Please note the School Shop will be open from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday 4th January 2017. Normal hours will resume from Thursday 5th January 2017 (12 noon to 5pm).
staff.
13
Message from the Friends of Chigwell The new FOC team, led by Sarah Innocent
2017 promises to be an equally busy year,
first term raising over £7,100 for the
watch out for Parent Mails detailing more
so please add dates for your diary and
and Lindsay Dawson, have had a fabulous
events throughout the year.
School, hosting an evening of spectacular
fireworks on the 11th November and a
Coming up:
festive Christmas Market on the 2nd
• Theatre trip to Aladdin - The classic hit
December. All of the children had a
film has been brought to thrilling life on
wonderful time shopping for gifts, trying
stage by the producer of The Lion King,
their luck on the Tombola and eating
featuring all the songs from the
freshly baked brownies and mince pies. We
Academy Award-winning score,
were joined by a host of Christmas jumper-
together with new music written for this
wearing Chigwell parents, who very kindly
production (Prince Edward Theatre)
volunteered to run stalls throughout the day and shopped with us after school.
• Film night for Pre Prep and Junior
friends and families who have tirelessly
• The ever-popular Pre Prep Easter
School pupils on 3rd February
We would like to thank all of the Chigwell supported our events this term. You have
Egg hunt
all pulled together, be it by generously donating chocolates, wine, your time, and
The FoC currently has £10,000 in funds
Without your help and support the money
Stubbs and his team are in conversation
raised ready to be spent on the school. Mr
even a seasonal snowman made of cups.
with a contractor for playground floor
we have raised for our children and our
markings to be installed in the Junior
school would not have materialised.
School. These games will make play time
Everything that you have to offer the FoC
more engaging and imaginative for our
is hugely appreciated and it is very much a
Junior School children. The same supplier
team effort.
installed the hugely popular playground
We rounded the term off with the Pre Prep
markings in Pre Prep and so we are excited
and Junior School Disco. A much
to see these new additions to the Junior
anticipated event where all of our younger
School. We will keep you posted when this
pupils can delight each other with their
is to happen, but it will be in the very near
dancing skills!
future. The FoC hopes that initiatives such
14
Message from the Friends of Chigwell
as these will enable the children and
parents to see where the funds are being spent and put to excellent use.
The FoC have asked the School to put
forward other ideas for these funds. We
would like them to be spent in a way that will impact the children directly and
make their school experience richer than
it already is. All details of any future projects will be shared with you all as they are available.
We have a meeting with the School in early January to talk about future
activities - please do let us know via the new email - FOC@chigwell-school.org if
you have any ideas that you would like us to discuss or any events you feel the FoC could support.
All that is left to say from the FoC team is
thank you yet again for 2016 and let’s make 2017 just as fun and successful.
Best wishes to you all for a happy and restful Christmas and New Year.
15
Fireworks
Over thirteen hundred parents, pupils and
Constellate Art Exhibition
annual Friends of Chigwell firework
exhibitions, art and design technician,
friends gathered on Top Field for the
As part of the ongoing programme of art
display recently. The weather was kind,
Miss Molly Wragg, displayed her work in
the fireworks were stunning and the food
the art and design centre. Constellate
and stalls provided an excellent evening
integrates mass collections of neglected,
of entertainment. The whole event was
commonplace items to create sculptural
organised by the parent volunteers on the
assemblages that correspond to natural
FoC which works hard throughout the
counterparts. The exhibition remains on
year to organise events which bring
display until the start of next term.
Chigwell families together and raise
additional funds for the School. We are very fortunate indeed to have such a
dedicated team of parents who are
prepared to support us in this way and give of their time so generously.
16
Careers
We are very grateful to the parents who
WisePay
help with mock interviews, by providing
In the New Year the School will be
advice at the annual careers convention,
introducing an online payment service
and who offer work experience to older
called WisePay. Initially this will be used
students. If any other parents would be
for payments for school trips and tickets
willing to help in this way, please contact Mr
Jack
Twinn,
Head
of
for school events only and will,
Careers
hopefully, make paying for such events
(jtwinn@chigwell-school.org) Students
quicker and easier.
seeking work experience should also
We shall send
further details out in the next few weeks
contact Mr Twinn.
with more information and instructions please keep an eye out for this.
Boys’ Hockey
Congratulations to Joseph Ahern who has been selected to attend one of the new England Hockey Performance Centres.
17
Christmas Inspire
And Finally
the music department’s work for
happy and peaceful Christmas. I look
Following on from the advent service, Christmas
Inspire
continues
on
Wednesday 21st December at St Margaret's
Church,
Westminster
Abbey, where they will conduct a
traditional Christmas Carol Service. For ticket availability, please visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christ mas-inspire-carols-tickets-
I hope all Chigwell families have a very
forward to seeing you again in 2017 which will begin on Thursday 5th January which will be a week A. With best wishes Yours sincerely
28510990139?aff=es2
All monies raised through Christmas
Inspire this year go to the Chelmsford based charity, Kids Inspire.
18
Michael Punt
Message from the Chaplain I have been very aware that the Christmas story
there has been a wonderful commitment to do
witness the terrible things happening in Syria
were "sponged" with cold water to enjoying
good for others. From the bravery of those who
has been particularly relevant this year. As we
many Krispy Kremes and Millie's Cookies, the
the story of this holy birth 2000 years ago has
Senior School has been a hive of activity. On
particular poignancy. In Mary and Joseph we
Friday the Junior School gave us a wonderful
have a young and poor couple forced from their
array of games and competitions.
home by a brutal dictator under the influence of
a foreign power. Their journey forces them to
The Christmas story is perhaps the greatest
leave the security of family and friends in order
story of the triumph of love. Love triumphs over
to go to Bethlehem where, like many refugees
the horrors that the family has faced. The baby
today, Mary gives birth under insanitary
grows up to tell us to: "love your enemies, do
conditions, a stable. They are then forced, in
good to those who hate you". A message that
fear for their lives, to flee to Egypt. The story
has given hope throughout the generations
does not tell us of the racism and prejudice that
since, and gives us hope that love may one day
they faced in Egypt. Was the local population
triumph in Syria.
indifferent to their plight, seeing them as foreigners taking their jobs? Or, did they receive acts of individual kindness? The Bible tells us little of the detail but this is not an easy start to
family life. Eventually they return home in order
to rebuild their lives. The students have seen this very powerful short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In8ZkPaZJ FE
With this in mind, our charities week fundraising has had a particular emphasis on refugees and those who are suffering as a result of conflict.
We are supporting all our usual local charities
As we leave for the Christmas holiday I pray that
but also giving to War Child, Save the Children
this love will be at the centre of your lives to
Fund, MSF and Unicef.
enfold your family with the light of peace and
I would like to say a huge thank you for your
hope. Happy Christmas.
generosity during charities week and during our
other fundraising events this term. Again we have had an amazing week. When I write this, I
Father Simon
do not have a final figure for the sum raised, but
19
TERM DATES 2017 Staff meetings and INSET on Wednesday 4th January First day: Thursday 5th January Half term: Saturday 11th February to Sunday 19th February Term ends: Wednesday 24th March Trinity Term (Easter Day is 16th April) First day: Wednesday 19th April Half term: Saturday 27th May to Monday 5th June (INSET Day Monday June 5th) Term ends: Wednesday 12th July