HM Letter to Parents December 2016

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