HM Letter to Parents October 2016

Page 1


Contents Page 1

Opening of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre

Page 2

Opening of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre German Exchange School Shop Opening Times

Page 3

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Page 4

Prep and Primary Music Festival

Page 5

Girls’ Hockey

Page 6

Girls’ Hockey

Page 7

Boys’ Football

Page 8

Boys’ Football

Page 9

PSHE Dinners Charity Gala Evening Advent Carol Service

Page 10

House Music Drama

Page 11

Open Day

Page 12

Duke of Edinburgh Vika Barker

Page 13

Staff News And Finally

Page 14

Message from the Chaplain

Page 15

Message from the Chaplain


Opening of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre

six classrooms, study and social spaces and a centre for careers and university advice. Risham’s family are among the benefactors who have helped make the project possible and they and her relatives were joined by TV presenter Ben Shephard OC for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The opening of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre was attended by some two hundred and fifty parents, staff, Governors, Old Chigwellians and friends

Risham attended Chigwell from the age of eleven until she left at the end of her Sixth Form studies. study

and

Spanish

at

Manchester University but she sadly

of Risham, as well as those who had designed and built the Centre.

business

She went on to

died in a road accident while travelling in

The

Peru in 2009. She was just twenty one.

centre will be a “hub for learning” with

Risham’s uncle, Dr Malvinder Sohi, said:

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Opening of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre provide a place for all those who want to achieve world class education in the most modern and natural environment and enhance those who are inspired by Risham’s life.” When he officially opened the Centre, “It is a very emotional day for us; it is sad

Ben Shephard said: “It's just an

but also a matter of great pride for us to

extraordinary facility and I'm very

be associated with such a brilliant child.”

envious. I was lucky enough to come to

He added: “The only way to keep her

Chigwell and had an amazing time here

name living is to build such a thing as the

but we have all been talking about how

Centre where we are going to create

much we would have enjoyed the

many Rishams by providing a wonderful

opportunity to be here, to work in this

environment.

This centre will live

sort of environment and have the

probably many generations beyond

opportunity to take in the surroundings.

those Risham would have thought she

It is a really, really fabulous tribute to

would have lived.

Risham."

The Centre will

German Exchange

The School Shop

The MFL department is pleased to offer

Please note the school shop will be open

its seventeenth German Exchange with

at the following times over the half term

our partner school in Hamburg and pupils

break:

in the Third Form and above are welcome

24th to 27th October

Open 10am to 3pm

take place during February half term and

28th to 31st October

Closed

the return visit of our friends to Chigwell

1st to 2nd November

Closed

3rd to 4th November

Open 10am to 3pm

to participate. The trip to Hamburg will

will be between the 22nd and 29th of March, the last week before the Easter break. Willkommen in Hamburg!

2


Royal Parks Half Marathon Once more, the Chigwell community came

is helping us to beat cancer sooner. We

together to run and walk and stagger for

look forward to seeing you all at next

charity when close to one hundred Old

year’s event.”

Chigwellians, parents, and staff ran the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK. This 13.1 mile course took them through the heart of the Capital and the route showcased the iconic sights of London through four Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James's Park, and The Green Park) and past some of the Capital's most historic landmarks.

With “Chigwell School”

emblazoned across their chests our team donned their trainers once again to raise much needed funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK. Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “My huge thanks to all the alumni, staff, parents and children at Chigwell School for the amazing support and participation at the Royal Parks Half Marathon. To see so many of you running, supporting and raising awareness of our cause was hugely impressive.

Chigwell is a role

model for the sort of impact that a school community can have in society. Given that one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetimes, this support is critical to us.

You should all be

enormously proud of your efforts, which

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Prep and Primary Music Festival Pupils from over forty local Primary and Preparatory Schools were invited to attend the annual Chigwell Music Festival.

Following

the

successful

beginnings of the Music Outreach Programme delivered by Mr Howard as playing in the orchestra, pupils experienced

workshops

instrumental

playing,

in

brass

producing

contrapuntal layers of vibrant sound, a song writing course which yielded many

Ebden and Mr Adam Crockatt, over one hundred pupils attended the day. Pupils worked together in an orchestra of over seventy and in smaller sectional rehearsals led by the professional visiting instrumental teachers under the direction of Miss Felicity Leach. As well a fine lyric, melody and chord sequence and a ‘Stomp’ session, working with alternative

percussion

instruments

which allowed pupils to layer rhythms and sounds in unique ways. At the end of the afternoon, all pupils had a chance to exhibit some of their work at the celebratory concert.

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Girls’ Hockey It’s been a fantastic term for hockey at the

taken from the match. The next match

top end of the school with the 1st XI girls

was against Woodbridge, and Chigwell

winning the Essex U18 tournament and

enjoyed a large amount of possession and

qualifying for the regional finals. They beat

penalty corners. But Woodbridge defended

Brentwood,

and

superbly and Chigwell struggled to break

Coopers, but the game of the day was

them down for that elusive goal, until that

against Felsted. Chigwell came out all guns

is the final two minutes of the match when

blazing and pinned Felsted back into their

a loose ball fell to Kirsty Farquharson who

own half for most of the game and took a

finished superbly, by firing the ball high into

convincing 3-0 lead with three outstanding

the roof of the net, giving Chigwell the 1-0

goals from Alice Melvin and Charlotte

win. The next match was against Bedford

James-Pajwani. Although joy soon turned

Modern School and Chigwell again enjoyed

to tension, when Felsted were awarded a

the most of the ball, but this time

penalty stroke and soon after scored a

converted their possession into goals.

penalty corner making the score 3-2 which

Chloe Stack was on fire, scoring the first

is how it ended. Chigwell were crowned

four goals and Venetia Bailey hammering

Essex Champions, a first for the School

home a fifth. The final score was 5-1. This

since the tournament started in 1981. This

saw Chigwell qualify for the semi-final and

means our 1st XI girls are currently reigning

face Framlingham College. Chigwell had

indoor

county

done their homework, and pressed

Following this the girls

exceptionally well and turned the ball

travelled to Bedford to represent the

numerous times and with it created some

county at the East of England finals. Their

fine chances. Anna Gleadell was unlucky

first match was a tough encounter

not to give Chigwell the lead with her effort

against national finalists Kent College,

saved off the line by a defender. However,

who boasted a number of international

it was Framlingham College who took the

and national players. Chigwell defended

lead just before half time, with a penalty

brilliantly with the likes of Zoe Wright

corner creeping into the bottom corner. A

launching herself at the opposition to stop

little deflated, the girls tried to regroup

their aggressive shots and Jas Iley in goal

after half time, but saw Framlingham

was in excellent form, but the final score

double their lead shortly after the break.

saw Kent win 2-0, but many positives were

Stevie Southall, who was outstanding all

and

champions.

Bancroft’s,

outdoor

Forest

U18

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Girls’ Hockey In addition to a good run in the national

day, made some fantastic runs from right

schools competition, the 1st XI girls are still

back and was often the start of many

flying high in the independent schools

Chigwell attacks. Chigwell threw caution to

hockey cup, and play their 3rd round match

the wind, and took their GK off and Maddie

after half term. And on their return after

Simpson bravely stepped on as ‘kicking

half term they will be attending the U18

back’ for the final five minutes. With the

Essex Indoor Competition, where they

extra outfield player, Chigwell created more forward play but could not convert

hope to defend their county title.

into goals. Framlingham were awarded

Outside of school, congratulations to Alice

penalty corner at the end of the match, and

Melvin who has represented England U17s

with no GK, the girls tried their best to

at Loughborough University and Venetia

defend, but a third crept in. I think the girls’

Bailey, Stevie Southall, Chloe Stack and

efforts could be summed up in stats when

Zoe Wright who all continue their high

captain Annie Redmond’s ‘fitbit’ recorded

success as JRPC level and Charlotte James-

her running an incredible 9.8 miles

Pajwani who is representing the region at

throughout the tournament.

the futures cup over half term.

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Boys’ Football This year started ferociously with the senior

The U16s again have been strong this

tour to St Georges Park at the beginning of

year. They remain in both the ISFA Small

September. The fixture list has been

Schools Cup and await their next

congested with all senior sides battling in

opponents in the fourth round as well as

both

National

the English Schools in which they have

Competitions and Independent Schools

seen victories over Farringtons 4-1 and

Competitions. The 1st XI travelled to

LVS Ascot 5-1. They stand a real chance in

Bolton Grammar School on the first

both competitions and we look forward

weekend of term; it was a weekend of

to seeing their continued progress. The

frustration, narrowly losing to both finalists

U15s have notably stood out with

before being eliminated. The 1st XI have

victories in the ISFA cup ending in defeat

worked and played extremely hard this

against three times winners Whitgift

season with eight Upper Fifth boys making

School. The U15s are still in the ESFA Cup

debuts. The ISFA cup threw up its usual

beating St Marys RC 5-2. They have had

delights with an away victory against

notable victories including Brentwood.

English

Schools’

Hurstpierpoint (4-1) and then a draw in the

We have been very impressed with the

2nd Round to Millfield, eventually losing 4-

attitude of the U14 boys as a whole and the

1, albeit not reflective of the performance.

vast majority of the year group have

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Boys Football represented the School this term. They are

as many boys playing football as much as

playing the game in the right way, whilst

possible, which is always difficult

being competitive, and this has paid

depending on who we play. At KS2 the

dividends again with victories against

U11s lost to the eventual winners St

Brentwood, John Lyon and Sutton

Joesphs in the ISFA Sixes which was

Grammar. The U13s have had a mixed half

hosted at Chigwell School; the boys won

term. There was no luck for them in ISFA

four out five games in the group stage.

competitions, losing in the first round to

KS2 football club on a Thursday is as

Royal Russell. They finished third out of six

popular as ever with over thirty boys and

in their group at the IAPS Sixes which did

girls playing every week. Half term will

not see them through to the next round of

bring rest to most but for the U12s and

the competition. Although not getting

U13s, fifty boys are going on a

results, they continue to play in the right

development tour to Barcelona. The tour

way and with a positive attitude. The U12s

is designed to offer a cultural experience

have been incredibly keen and all the boys

and a taste of life as a more senior

in the year group have represented the

footballer. It promises to be a great trip.

School so far this season. The aim is to get

8


PSHE Dinners

Charity Gala Evening

I always enjoy the PSHE dinners, prepared

On Friday 25th November, the annual

by Remove pupils with the help of the

charity gala evening, organised by

Chartwells staff, for their families and

students in the Middle Sixth, will take

tutors.

This year the pupils worked

place in New Hall starting at 7.30pm.

exceptionally hard and I was delighted that

The evening will include an array of

so many families were able to attend the

music, drama and dance. It promises

meals which were excellent. I am very

to be highly entertaining and will appeal

grateful to all the Chartwells staff who

to the whole family. Tickets are on sale

helped make this possible

from

Reception

or

they

can

be

purchased on the door, and all funds raised will go to Smiles With Grace.

Advent Carol Service This year’s advent service will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 29th November at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

This is always a

very special occasion and we hope as many families as possible will join us. Because the venue is in London this year, we are running a coach for all those who would like to attend. If you would like to make use of this, please email Mrs Sue Lee (slee@chigwell-school.org) to reserve your seat.

9


House Music

Drama

Another year and another House Music

So far this term, the drama department

Competition

brought

has hosted a number of excellent

together all members of the four Senior

workshops for A level students, covering

School Houses in preparation for the

a range of styles and skills from Artaud,

event itself. The standard of music was

Stanislavski, Voice, Laban, Complicité

excellent and it was great to see some

and Devising. These were provided by

performers who normally shy away from

theatre and television experts such as

the limelight. The four house choirs had

Kate Williams (of “East Enders” fame),

clearly worked very hard indeed under

Katie Roodner (novelist and screen

the direction of the House Praefects. As

writer), Robbie Merchant (formerly East

always, the evening was expertly

15) and Rene Zagger (formerly RSC).

compered by Heads of School, Henry Bird

GCSE costume and make up candidates

and Tamra Paul, with witty but

also attended a workshop on make up by

perceptive adjudication by Mr David

Rosemary Swinfield, authoress of the

Gower and Mrs Anna Savage.

course text book and highly experienced

which

again

designer for film, television and theatre. In addition to this, the GCSE groups in the Upper Fifth have been working hard on their devised pieces and performed three shows over two nights in the last week before half term. Themes included terrorism, long term comas, office romances and mental health. Students were assessed for light, sound, costume, make up and acting in what were three The evening raised over £700 for the Tim

outstanding performances. Congratulations

Pruss Memorial School and almost

go to all involved.

£1,800 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. By the narrowest of margins, the overall winners this year were Lambourne but all four Houses deserve every credit for their hard work.

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Open Days We have had a number of open days this half term and families wanting to find out more about all sections of the School have been made welcome. Departments across the School put on displays, staff have answered questions and, as always, pupils have made extremely helpful guides. I am very grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to convey what makes Chigwell special.

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Duke of Edinburgh Last weekend sixty Lower Fifth students took part in their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition. They walked 15km from School on the Saturday morning which was bright and sunny. All of the students camped at the Lambourne End activity centre and had a soggy night

but after a slow start on the Sunday morning, they all walked back to school to complete their expedition. Huge thanks as ever to all of the staff who generously gave up their weekend to help out and congratulations to the pupils who completed the expedition.

Vika Barker Vika Barker and her partner have recently

who reached the final in the ballroom. In

been awarded the title of the best juvenile

the final they competed with couples from

ballroom dancing couple in Great Britain.

Russia, Ukraine and China and came

Vika has been very busy over the last few

fourth. They are now the top juvenile

months dancing in the Open to the World

ballroom couple in the country. Many

International Dancing Championship in

congratulations to Vika and her partner.

Poland, the UK National Juvenile Ballroom Championship

that

took

place

in

Bournemouth, the UK Open 10 Dance Championship,

European

Imperial

Championship team match competitions (where she and her partner were the only juvenile couple in the winning Great Britain team alongside three other top junior and youth couples) and the International Championships 2016 in Brentwood where hundreds of couples from all over the world competed to reach the top six places in the final. There were many couples from across the world but Vika and her partner were the only juvenile couple from Great Britain

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Staff News Like me, you will be sorry to hear that Father Simon will be stepping down as Chaplain in the summer.

He has

contributed a huge amount during his time at Chigwell and amongst the many roles he has filled, he has helped pupils and families in some of the most difficult times. Simon leaves us to be Chaplain at Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India - Asia’s oldest international boarding school. He speaks regularly in Chapel of his love for mountains and Woodhouse is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. I have no doubt that he will make a huge impact there, just as he has at Chigwell. We will begin our search for a successor to Simon after half term.

And Finally I hope all families enjoy some time together over half term, to re-charge batteries before the busy period leading up to Christmas. I look forward to seeing you at some of the many events that will be taking place. With best wishes Yours sincerely

Michael Punt

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Message from the Chaplain A huge thank you goes to all those who have

with one parent who thought it would be a good idea

contributed so much food to our harvest collection

to move the event to the Albert Hall so that more

for Streets2Homes. I have just come back from their

parents could attend!

centre in Harlow and can say that they are hugely

"The idea of the event being in the Albert Hall puts us

grateful to Chigwell School - pupils, parents and

a bit of a geographical fugue, because House Music

teachers for their generosity. This year, twelve Sixth

would not be House Music if it were not at the heart of

Formers joined me in delivering the food. Kerry

the school in New Hall. Some would say House Music is

Eastman, the centre manager, gave us a talk about

Ernest Tosh. However, I would argue that, although it

the work of the charity and explained just how

appears Crazy and some people's singing appears to

important donors are to their continuing work

Gnarls Barkley - often it has wings which help wannabe

amongst some of the most vulnerable people in the

Spice Girls to demonstrate their talent. And for proud

community. Thank you also for supporting our two

parents it is simply a medley of sweet dreams. And if it

charities, MIND and the Nepal Youth Foundation on

happens to be raining men, I mean raining on the men

non-uniform day.

outside, it does not matter because on the inside of the

Mr Keith Ennis, Emily Cochrane and Megan

hall it is simply filled with Glee.

Whitehead have been much appreciated for their

But most importantly, as the MVIth struggled during

talks in Church and Chapel. Over the course of the

the first rehearsals, when going to rehearse seemed

term we have covered a range of topics from the

like welcome to the jungle - they held firm and told

importance of having fun to the need for silence;

their Houses, as they struggled to perfect the

from awareness of mental health issues to

Uptown Funk, to "Lean on Me when you're not

thankfulness for our food.

strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on".

Below you will find a talk given in the week following

So for those who did not expect it to be a wonderful

House Music. It is a bit of fun, attempting to use every

evening 'Take that'! House Music provided a great

song title, band or singer, composer and musician

lesson for this world divided into Guns & Roses, that

referred to in the programme for the evening. It

simply having good honest fun has the ability to

reminds us that, whilst we are called to care for those

"Relight my fire". And if someone had come from

in need, life is also a gift which is to be celebrated and

(Bruno) Mars on Friday night they would have

enjoyed. The House Music competition was Chigwell

thought "these people know how to have fun"; and,

at its best, having fun together, thinking of Kaeah

when adding up the cost of the tickets, the presence

Sen in Great Ormond Street Hospital, and, raising

of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood as judges and the

over ÂŁ1,700 for the work of that hospital and over

fun had, well - the Bill Withers.

ÂŁ1,000 for the Timothy Pruss Memorial School in

So remember this when the Weather Girls are

Tamil Nadu, India.

forecasting rain and the overtones are not good, get

The talk below was to the Senior School, following

together with friends, sing and laugh - make time for

House Music. It begins by reflecting on a conversation

fun - it is the vital ingredient for life. And this will help

14


you Beyonce back to life. And, for those of us a bit

amongst some of the kindest and most generous

older, you will feel like you are 21 again.

people I have ever met. The only thing missing is mountains, Essex is just too flat! My next step, in

The challenge, for the prize of a chocolate bar,

summer 2017, very reluctantly and with some

was to add up the references and realise that the

trepidation, will be to the Himalayas to be

correct number was in the final sentence.

Chaplain of Woodstock School!

And finally, if you have read the news from the

Father Simon

Headmaster, all I can say is that I have had eight wonderful years in the best school in the country,

15


Christmas Inspire : Share the Light Begin the Christmas season with a fabulous evening of choral music, familiar carols and festive readings to lift the spirit. With special guests John Simpson, Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards and Ruthie Henshall. World premiere of new composition by Jeffery Wilson.

Tickets are FREE and available from eventbrite.co.uk Entry strictly by ticket only. Collection on the evening in aid of Kids Inspire, Registered Charity Number 1129513 Director of Music Howard Ebden, Choristers from the Chapel Choir of Chigwell School. Promoted by Roseanne Serrelli and Kindly supported by Sharpe Pritchard LLP


TERM DATES 2016 / 2017 Half term: Saturday 22nd October to Sunday 6th November Term ends: Wednesday 14th December Lent Term Staff meetings and INSET on Wednesday 4th January First day: Half term:

Thursday 5th January Saturday 11th February to Sunday 19th February

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


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