HM Letter to Parents March 2014

HEADMASTER’S LETTER HEADMA

T0 T PARENTS P ENTS PAR

CHIGWELL CHIGWELL CHIGW GW WELL SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHO OOL

MARCH 2014 2014 MARCH

Dear Parents As I write to you, the Lent term is coming to a close with a whole series of high quality events over the last few days, and indeed, the preceding weeks. Undoubtedly, Chigwell pupils lead very busy lives and contribute a great deal but I have noticed how well many work together and are mutually supportive of each other.

Thank you for all of your support for the School and your sons and daughters again this term.

Contents Page 1

Boys’ Hockey

Page 2

Netball Joshua Banfield Upper Fifth Leavers

Page 3

ISFA Cup Final

Page 4

ISFA Cup Final photos

Page 5

Drama

Page 6

Music

Page 7

Middle School Speaking Competition Chemistry

Page 8

Howard and Mitchell Essay Prize Presentations Public Examinations

Page 9

Wider Reading Ladies’ Networking Evening Cricket Course

Page 10

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition

Page 11

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition Chigwell Chair Challenge Barracudas

Page 12

Charities Careers Convention

Page 13

German Exchange The School Shop Trips Staff News

Page 14

Chaplain

Boys’ Hockey It has been a fantastic season for both

addition to the football achievements,

the junior and senior boys’ hockey teams

remain unbeaten in school matches this

this year. The 1st XI has continued their

season whilst the U12 boys performed

excellent form into the second half of

admirably, competing a year young in

the season progressing to the fifth round

the Essex U13 tournament.

of the Hockey Association Trophy. On Tuesday they played against Stamford in the quarter final but despite a valiant effort from the boys, they took a disappointing exit losing 3-2. Although disappointing, the boys should be commended on their performance.

The 2nd XI, with its aim being a development squad consisting entirely of Upper Fifth pupils, has shown an impressive commitment to training and their results have reflected their determined approach.

This term has

also seen the launch of the South Africa 2015 Hockey Tour for current Upper Fifth and Lower Fifth pupils. A touring squad of approximately thirty two pupils, both the 1st XI boys and girls squads, have signed up to compete in the Cape Town U18 International Hockey Tournament highlighting the development of the sport at Chigwell.

The U15 and U14

squads have also shown potential for the future recording some excellent displays most noticeably against Haileybury School and Aldenham. Finally, in the Junior School a special mention should be made of the U13 boys, who in

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Netball The U15 Netball squad took part in the Kelsall Independent Schools Cup on Thursday 6th March at Brentwood School.

The girls made an excellent start beating Brentwood 7-5 and continued their winning streak beating Felsted 6-5 in their next game. The afternoon followed a pattern with a string of wins and one draw, with excellent performances from Annie Redmond, Ava James and Kirsty Farquharson. The Chigwell girls needed to win their last game against Bancroft’s in order to win the tournament. With the captain Megan Whitehead unable to play due to a fall earlier on in the afternoon, the squad needed to pull together to get the result. Millie- Mai Sorrell stepped up to take the goal shooter position and played well under the pressure, considering she had not shot in the tournament so far. It was

a comfortable win for the squad and an unbeaten run all afternoon.

Congratulations to the following girls who took part in such a successful afternoon.

Megan Whitehead (C), Serena Dench, Millie-Mai Sorrell, Ava James, Kirsty Farquharson, Melissa Garnish, Ellie Sibley, Maddie Simpson, Annie Redmond and Anna Gleadall.

Joshua Banfield Year 13 pupil Joshua Banfield will tour Holland with the Independent Schools FA U18 team over the Easter break. Joshua, who played against both Real and Athletico Madrid on last year’s tour will play in matches against VVV Venlo, Sparta Rotterdam and NAC Breda.

Upper Fifth Leavers We hope that pupils in the Upper Fifth will choose to continue their education at Chigwell in the Sixth Form, subject to achieving the necessary grades. However, should you decide that your son or daughter will be moving to another school, please remember that we do need to have a term’s notice in writing. The deadline for written notice is Tuesday 22nd April.

2

ISFA Cup Final Chigwell School’s U13 football team

the final minutes to make it 3-0, but the

played against a very strong Whitgift

Chigwell team defended throughout

School in the INVESTEC Independent

the game with intelligence and should

Schools FA National Cup Final held at

be

Burton Albion F.C. on Thursday 20th

achievement. Over 120 supporters from

March.

Reaching the final was an

Chigwell made the trip to Burton and

outstanding achievement in itself as 71

they certainly created an excellent

teams from across the country had

atmosphere to make the day extremely

entered the tournament.

special for all involved.

The squad

stayed in Nottingham overnight and

extremely

proud

of

their

Six of the team will also represent the

enjoyed a late breakfast before an

Essex & Herts regional team in the

impromptu stroll down the River Trent,

Independent Schools U13 regional

even finding time to visit the City

festival which will take place at

Ground, home of Nottingham Forest.

Shrewsbury school over the Easter

The final was always going to be tense

break. Hiran Solanki, Julian Dackombe,

with Whitgift fielding their maximum

Tommy Redhead, Jake David, Ryan

allowance of five academy boys but

Farrant

Chigwell started extremely well and

and

Dylan

Bregman

will

compete against eight other English

held off the early Whitgift attacks.

regions over the three days.

However, after seventeen minutes Whitgift struck through a lovely piece of individual skill on the counter attack.

Not to be deterred Chigwell kept the game at 1-0 until after half time after Alex Barnes made some fine saves in goal, but Whitgift struck the killer blow with 10 minutes to go by making it 2-0.

Louis King, who was playing his first game since September, made a valiant attempt on goal for Chigwell but could only fire wide and that chance would have made the last few minutes interesting. Whitgift’s talented central midfield player scored his hat-trick in

3

4

Drama ensemble performance of Sophocles’

After half term, the Upper Fifth GCSE

“Antigone”

Drama classes produced four devised

Shakespeare’s

pieces that were their final performances

by

three “Twelfth

girls

and Night”

performed by four boys in a physical

for GCSE. The visiting moderator from

comedy style with non-stop paced multi-

AQA was clearly highly impressed and all

rolling. A great time was had by all!

candidates achieved A* for their work that evening. Candidates offered a wide range of skills including improvisation, costume, make up, lights, sound, mask design and props. The work was extremely varied with pieces focusing on serious issues such as domestic abuse and mental illness, complimenting themes covered in PSHE and Chapel, as well as hilarious and frivolous physical comedy.

Later in the term, the AS drama classes performed their monologues and plays.

We were treated to an outstanding level of performance that we hope impressed the visiting examiner from Edexcel.

Monologues drew from modern writers such as Kane and Berkoff, but also included a delightful traditional piece from Sheridan. The plays were a striking

5

Music Acknowledgment to the permanent and visiting music staff needs to be made for their work with these groups over the year, but especially over the term.

Music occupies a very special place within the community of the School, which has been demonstrated this half term through the plethora of styles on offer and the numbers participating.

The highlight of the term and perhaps the year, is the coming together of the School for the Choral Concert in Brentwood Cathedral. The works presented this year included Parry’s I was glad (with Vivats!), Dyson’s Confortare, and Rutter’s setting of seven Negro Spirituals Feel the Spirit, written for Mezzo-soprano, Chorus and Orchestra. It was a truly dazzling display of vocal and orchestral colour. Heather Cook, the winner of the School’s Young Musician of the Year Competition 2013, gave a truly inspirational performance that was both incredibly detailed and sensitive of Christopher Ball’s Concerto The Piper of Dreams for recorder and strings. She was presented with the Concerto Shield by the composer himself.

Chigwell All Stars represented the School at the Charity Battle of the Bands at Forest School performing to appreciable acclaim; Kiran Virk was awarded best singer and Kyle Dewar McKay best guitarist.

There have been highly successful Prom Concerts for the Third Form and Upper Two, where pupils displayed a great array of talent on voice, violin, drum kit, trumpet, flute, cello, piano, guitar and clarinet to mention a few. The Chapel Choir have continued to offer performances of the highest calibre, singing Allegri’s Miserere, Wesley’s Wash Me Thoroughly and Rutter’s Agnus Dei for the Ash Wednesday Services; Bearcroft’s Home to Thee; Oldroyd’s Mass for the Quiet Hour, for the Ecumenical Mass, and Haydn’s Insanae et vanae curae and Handle’s Worthy is the Lamb for the Easter Services. The Chamber Concert on the penultimate evening of term, exhibited small ensemble groups from the Junior School through to the Senior School, including two string quartets, string octet, Corelli String Chamber Orchestra, three flute, two clarinet ensembles, one saxophone, brass, vocal and percussion groups. The performances, most of which were outstanding, were a real credit to the musicians of the School.

We look forward to an exciting Trinity term of music, including the Young Musician of the Year heats and final on Thursday 1st May, the summer First Form Concert, Junior School Concert, the final series of Prom Concerts, Evensong at Christ Church, Oxford and the Senior School Summer Concert.

6

Middle School Speaking Competition The standard was consistently high in this year’s speaking competition. The topics were generally serious and sometimes quite intellectually demanding. Mrs Anna Savage and Mr Graham Dixon (School Governor) adjudicated and unusually awarded a tie for the accolade of best speaker to both Rhea Gupta (UV Lambourne “Free Will”) and Tom Lockley (Remove Caswalls’ “Technology”). Best chairperson went to Michael Newman (Remove Lambourne) for a witty introduction to Rhea Gupta’s speech and best vote of thanks was awarded to Angus Brown for his amusing and sophisticated response to Owen McCausland’s speech on reality television.

Chemistry Congratulations to Emma Cadman and Tom

Society of Chemistry Olympiad. Yitian

Marshall, both in Year 10, who have recently

Zhao and Marcin Wajs both achieved gold

heard that they have been successful with

certificates placing them in the top 7.4% of

their applications to attend a Salters’

the 5,682 students who sat the test. Milan

Chemistry Camp in the summer. Emma will

Pavlovic achieved a silver certificate, and

be attending the University of Nottingham

bronze certificates were awarded to Katie

and Tom the University of York.

Marshall, Richard Stavri, Adam Keiller and Samuel Ogunmola, the latter two students

Impressive success has been enjoyed by A

currently being in the Lower Sixth.

level chemistry students in the Royal

7

Howard and Mitchell Essay Prize Presentations The Howard and Mitchell Essay Prize is

and possible cures for this debilitating

our

illness.

internal

Lower

Sixth

essay

Both speakers were excellent,

competition: students research and write

particularly for the deft way they handled

essays on any topic they choose which are

some tough questioning. Afterwards the

judged by panels chaired by eminent

annual dinner took place - a happy

professionals.

On February 25th one

occasion with a table quiz on logic, and

hundred students, staff and parents

some profound and challenging words

packed the Library to hear the winners of

from former Mitchell Essay winner Jessica

this year’s competition give presentations

Beagley O.C. who left Chigwell in 2008.

on their essays. Cordelia Griffith (Howard Essay) spoke on 'Does Dicey's conception of the "rule of law" apply in a dictatorship?’. She was discussing the principle of the “rule of law”, and clearly demonstrated how the Nazis ensured that everything they did was technically within the law: under a dictatorship the legality of an action does not necessarily mean that we would think it right. Katie Marshall (Mitchell Essay) presented on ‘How close is a cure for Parkinson's disease?’ expertly taking her audience through the complex story of the causes

Public Examinations Students in the Middle Sixth, Lower Sixth and Upper Fifth are advised to print a copy of their finalised summer timetable and place it in a prominent position at home, such as on the fridge.

The exam timetables are available, as previously, on both the Pupil and Parent Portals. This will help them to know exactly when their exams are taking place and avoid problems. Apart from listening exams, all take place in the Sports Hall. Morning exams start at 9am and afternoon exams start at 1.30pm. If your son/daughter has an exam clash then they will be seen on an individual basis and handed a letter stating the new order of examinations. This will take place after the Easter break.

8

Wider Reading Congratulations to the Year 7, 8 and 9 students who entered the Young Critics Competition in January. It is clear that

written by a Third Former was Luke Mulholland for his review on Morton Rhue’s The Wave.

we have many budding critics in our

Further to my note at the end of last

midst and I was encouraged by the

term I am pleased to draw your attention

diverse range of the independent

to our updated top ten reading list, a

reading choices of our students. Making

resource compiled by our Senior

a decision as to the winner proved

Departments. Whilst the focus for many

difficult but I am delighted to announce

of our students will be their imminent

that the winner in the Removes category

public examinations I hope that in the

was Erin Chakartash for his review on

coming months they find this a thought-

The Enemy by Charlie Higson. The IV

provoking resource – members of the LVI

Form winner was Cayley Cochrane for

should make reference to it in order to

her review on The Demon Dentist by

enrich their understanding of the world

David Walliams and the winning review

around them over the summer holidays.

Ladies’ Networking Evening On Monday 30th June at 7.30pm a Ladies’ Networking Evening will take place in the Drama Centre Foyer where both female Old Chigwellians and current female pupils from the Upper Fifth to Middle Sixth will be invited to attend. It will be an opportunity for pupils to meet Old Chigwellians and ask advice regarding careers they may be interested in and how best to improve their chances of getting into that area of work. It will also be a social occasion for present and past Chigwellians to mix together and further strengthen the links between the School and the Old Chigwellians Club. Further information will be sent home next term but in the meantime if you have any queries please contact either Mrs Sheila Bint (sbint@chigwell-school.org) or Mr Andrew Long (along@chigwell-school.org).

Cricket Course As in previous years, we will be running a

Wednesday 2nd and Friday 4th April.

cricket course for all age groups and

Information and application forms are

abilities over the Easter break between

available on the website.

9

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition On Saturday 1st March, the private view of the Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition took place and was attended by around 150 families and friends of the local young exhibiting artists. This was the 17th exhibition, where maintained and independent schools are invited to submit up to six pieces of 2D or 3D work, without restrictions on size or medium. So far, we have succeeded in exhibiting every piece of work submitted. There is no theme to the exhibition, or prizes; its aims are to celebrate the achievements of young people and their teachers. All the two-dimensional exhibits are framed, giving the exhibition a uniform and professional appearance.

Mrs Claire Tilbrook, the Head of Junior Art, Design and Technology at Chigwell, said, "It was delightful to see the joy on the artists' faces when they attended the Saturday morning exhibition private view, and to share the pleasure of their families and schools. We have had a bumper response this year, with twenty two schools submitting work!�

10

Chigwell Chair Challenge Commencing after the Easter break, all members

of

the

Chigwell

School

community will be invited to participate in the Chigwell Chair Challenge – a project which will involve designing, decorating or developing a 200mm tall model chair. The aim of this project is to bring all members of the school - pupils, teaching staff, grounds staff and technical staff - together in one large scale, collaborative design project. Entries can be as innovative and quirky as the designer wishes, and pupils will use iconic chair designs/designers as a source of inspiration.

If everyone in the School is willing to participate, we could have up to 1,043 model chairs filling the gallery space in the Arts Centre in April‌ which will most certainly

allow

spectators

to

see

something new every time! Hopefully this will prove to be an exciting and fun project which highlights individual creativity, and most importantly unites staff and pupils from across the whole school, Pre Prep to Sixth Form.

Barracudas Once again, Barracudas Activity Day Camps will be operating at Chigwell School during the Easter and summer holidays. Visit https://www.barracudas.co.uk/camps/view /chigwell for full details or call them on 0845 123 5299.

11

Charities There is no doubt that these fundraising activities reflect the pain that many of our community have felt over the last weeks and months at the effects of illness. These sums of money make a real difference and so once again we would like to thank you for your support.

We would like to thank you for your support of our charity fundraising work over the past term. Below are some of the highlights of what has been a record breaking effort on the part of the wider Chigwell School community.

•

Mrs Gill Punt has raised £15,000 so far

Careers Convention

for her London Marathon Run on

On Thursday 24th April, we will once again be holding our annual careers convention.

The aim of this is to help older students consider the possible future career options that are available to them and to allow them to hear about different employment areas from those working in various areas.

We are keen to represent as many fields as possible and would be delighted to hear from parents from across the School who would be prepared to represent their area of work. The format of the evening is:

Sunday 13th April in aid of Cancer Research. We wish Mrs Punt all the best and hope that her knees will not be too sore afterwards! If you would like to add to this figure please go to: www.justgiving.com/GillyHeyho •

The Chigwell School Chapel Choir has raised over £25,000 through a concert and CD recorded at the Chapel of St. John’s College, Cambridge. Recorded in memory of Grace Boxall, copies of

6.00pm

Welcome and buffet for all advisors in the Swallow Room Coffee Shop

7.00pm

Arrival of parents and pupils in New Hall

the poorest countries in the world.

8.45pm

Evening concludes

We have also managed to support the

If you would be prepared to help by

this wonderful CD are available through the Music Department. The money raised is going towards the work of “Lifebox” a medical aid charity making a difference in some of

•

attending what is invariably a very

Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust and its

pleasant evening, please e-mail Mrs Sue

work among the poor in Tamil Nadu,

Lee (slee@chigwell-school.org) with

India, and the family of a young boy

details of the area that you would be

facing 18 months of treatment for a

willing to represent.

rare form of cancer.

12

German Exchange award and our Upper Fifth canoeists will also be making further progress towards their silver award at Harlow.

As I mentioned in my last letter, at half term Chigwell pupils travelled to Hamburg to participate in the fourteenth annual German exchange. This week the German pupils have stayed here and I would like to thank all those Chigwell families who have reciprocated the hospitality that our pupils received.

Staff News I am sure you will join me in sending Loredana Morrison all our very best wishes as she begins her retirement.

The School Shop

Loredana officially began work at Chigwell

The School Shop will be open from

development and contact with Old

Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3pm,

Chigwellians, but prior to that she and

with the exception of Wednesday 16th

David were Houseparents in Grange

April and the Bank Holidays, when it will

Court. We will miss Loredana and wish her

be closed. Normal opening hours will

a long and happy retirement, and we hope

resume on Tuesday 22nd April when the

that she will return regularly.

in 1997 with responsibility for marketing,

shop will be open from 12 noon to 5pm.

I realise that for the older pupils, Easter

Trips

will be a time for careful planned revision in preparation for the public exams which

A number of Chigwellians will be skiing over the Easter holiday. Some of the Lower Sixth are going to Flaine in France and a group of Remove and Lower Fifth will be crossing the Atlantic to sample skiing in the US. We wish them all a safe and enjoyable time.

begin in May.

However, I hope all

Chigwell families have a happy and restful time and I look forward to seeing you again next term.

With best wishes Yours sincerely

Our Duke of Edinburgh scheme continues to flourish and there are three practice expeditions during the holiday. Our bronze candidates will be at Danbury, some of our Upper Fifth will be walking the South Downs as part of their silver

Michael Punt

13

Chaplain

Ash Wednesday was on 5th March this year.

by on the other side, as we studied the Good

On this day the School met in St. Mary’s Parish

Samaritan. And, our time of thoughtfulness

Church for a short time of reflection. At the

has raised concerns about how we stereotype

end of the service the students were offered

people and excuse hurtful opinions, as Sixth

ashes, marked on their foreheads, in the form

Formers challenged us about society’s

of pooja powder. The pooja powder, from the

attitudes to women.

Ashram that we visit in India, helps to remind us that all religions share a sense of awareness of our mortality and our need of God. Humans make mistakes, get things wrong and fail to live up to their potential for goodness. Ash Wednesday begins a time of thoughtfulness which culminates in Good Friday and is shortly

But the story does not stop there. As winter gives way to the life and colour of spring, so Lent gives way to the creative power of Easter. Here forgiveness restores our full potential and hope; here life is born out of death; and, here our true calling begins!

who work to produce the wonderful clothes

Do all the good you can; By all the means you can; In all the ways you can; At all the places you can; At all the times you can; To all the people you can; As long as ever you can.

that we enjoy and yet who live in poverty

John Wesley 1703 – 1791

followed by the excitement, hope and joy of resurrection three days later, on Easter Day. Our time of thoughtfulness has included a look at the garment makers of Bangladesh

themselves, as we studied the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

Our time of

May I wish you a very happy Easter holiday!

thoughtfulness has raised the question why do some people help others whilst some walk

Father Simon

14

Trinity Term 2014 (Easter Day is 20th April) First day: Tuesday 22nd April Half term: Saturday 24th May to Monday June 2nd Term ends: Wednesday 9th July Michaelmas Term 2014 First day: Wednesday 3rd September Half term: Saturday 18th October to Sunday November 2nd Term ends: Wednesday 17th December