HM Letter to Parents March 2015

HEADMASTER’S LETTER

T0 PARENTS

CHIGWELL SCHOOL

MARCHÂ 2015

Dear Parents Many pupils, and I suspect parents, will be exhausted at the end of this week, packed full of high quality events at the end of another busy term. The following pages give a taste of some of the highlights but, as always, thank you to the pupils who continue to take advantage of so many opportunities and to parents who support them in all that they do.

Contents Page 1

Trip to India

Page 2

Trip to Iceland

Page 3

German Exchange Physics Olympiad

Page 4

Choral Concert

Page 5

Music

Page 6 Page 7

London Philharmonia Chorus English Department Activities Scouts

Page 8

Girls’ Netball

Page 9

Girls’ Netball

Page 10

Boys’ Hockey

Page 11

Boys’ Hockey

Page 12

Dance Showcase

Page 13

Dance Showcase

Page 14

Drama School Shop Staff News Alice Melvin

Page 15

Middle School Public Speaking Competition Joseph Klein

Page 16

The Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition

Page 17

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition

Page 18

Careers Convention Public Examinations Upper Fifth Leavers

Page 19

Holiday Activity Courses at Chigwell School

Page 20

And Finally...

Page 21

Chapel

Trip to India Fifteen pupils, parents, teachers and

through the Bede Griffiths Charitable

members of the Bede Griffiths Charitable

Trust, makes a real difference to people’s

Trust flew to India for the February Half

lives. Another highlight of the trip was

Term. The group stayed in the beautiful

when the group was privileged to be

surroundings

Saccidananda

guests of honour at the Bless School

Ashram. This year there was much to see

cultural evening, a primary school funded

as Chigwell School’s fundraising for the

by the Trust. Chigwell pupils also had a

Trust was very much in evidence. They

chance to participate in some teaching at

visited the new modern house that has

the school. When the group flew back via

been built to replace a very basic

Sri Lanka, they were again guests of

structure, a new school hall and a

honour at a school that had links to a

refurbished Old People’s Home.

This

Chigwell family. This was an experience

area of Tamil Nadu is wonderfully vibrant

that will stay with the participants for the

but also very poor and the contribution

rest of their lives. It was a real privilege to

made by the Chigwell community,

be welcomed like this!

of

the

1

Trip to Iceland Geography A level students visited Iceland

930AD which is scoured by the Mid-Atlantic

during half term to bring to life the

Ridge. Rift valleys were clearly visible where

geographical features and processes they

the Eurasian and North American tectonic

have studied within the subject. On the first

plates pull apart at around 2cm a year.

day the students visited the Blue Lagoon,

However, the most stunning part of the trip

the popular geothermal spa of crystal clear

was Solheimajokull (which means ‘sun

water which is the only site on Earth where

house glacier’); this is one of several outlets

it is possible to swim in water all year round,

from the Myrdalsjokull icecap and is located

at a temperature of 40 °C. The group visited

in a valley that extends 8km. It has been

two stunning waterfalls and a geyser

retreating since the end of the 19th century

situated in the south-west of Iceland that

at a rate of around 100m per year but the

has been active for over 10,000 years. Other

heavy snow on the day made it one of the

popular attractions during the visit included

most picturesque views the students had

Thingviller, the national park where

ever seen.

Iceland’s parliament was established in

2

German Exchange Chigwell pupils participated in the fifteenth

Hamburg. Other highlights of the trip

annual German exchange in record

included a visits to the ‘Arriba’ adventure

numbers. The exchange takes place with

swimming pool, the Maritime Museum in

our partner school in Hamburg and it was a

Hamburg, the Salt Museum in the medieval

great success, this year involving forty

town of Lüneburg and, of course, making

pupils, the youngest being in Year 7.

chocolate bars in the ‘Chocoversum’. Now

During their stay in Germany the group

the pupils are looking forward to

spent half a day at school, together with

welcoming their German partners for the

their exchange partners, which gave our

return to Chigwell.

students an idea of school life in the state of

Physics Olympiad Congratulations to Bianca Andrei who has

stage of the competition in the last three

made it through to the final stages of the

years, and she is only in her first year of

prestigious Physics Olympiad competition.

studying the subject at A level. Good Luck

Having already been successful in two

Bianca!

extremely challenging written tests, Bianca has now been selected to join 15 other students from around the country to take part in the final stage of the selection process for the team of six that will go on to represent Britain in the International Physics Olympiad this summer. Bianca is the second of our students to reach this

3

Choral Concert The resplendent Nicholas Hawksmoor’s

woven tapestry of Mozart’s writing was

(1661-1736) Christ Church, Spitalfields

clearly delineated by the voices. A

was the venue for the 2015 Choral

highlight of the evening was of course

Concert. The evening opened with the

the use of our own choristers as the

beautiful, soothing and healing sounds

soloists required; Requiem aeternam

of

Lullaby,

and Communio, Lux aeterna: Maddie

performed with an ethereal dreamlike

Lovett; Tuba mirum: Brooke Newton,

quality by the Chapel Choir. There then

Alice Melvin, James Botcher, Lucas

followed

exhilarating

Abrami-Gill; Recordare: Kate Hawes,

performance of Beethoven’s Piano

Hana Edwards, James Botcher, Adam

Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37 by Katie

Melvin; Domine Jesu Christe: Lara

Marshall (O.C.), (now in her first year

Hobbis, Alice Melvin, Gopal Kambo,

studying medicine at Christ Church,

Jusden Halabi and Benedictus: Sarah

Oxford). The standing ovation and

Chamberlain, Rhea Gupta, James Botcher

rapturous reception that greeted the

Adam

final chords were nothing more than her

without a doubt demonstrated a wealth

performance deserved.

of musical maturity and academic

Eric

Whitacre’s

a

Seal

musically

Melvin.

Their

performances

conscientiousness and gave all an

The Choral Society raised the standards

unprecedented experience of the power

to new heights with a masterful and

of music for both listeners and performers

commanding presentation of Mozart’s

alike.

Requiem in D minor, K626. The richly

4

Music Both Upper Two and Third Form have held

Following a most successful Choral Concert,

their Prom Concerts this half term and both

the Chapel Choir made their debut solo

have proved exceptional in terms of quality

performance at Royal Festival Hall on

and breadth of musical performance. So

London’s Southbank on Sunday 22nd March,

many pupils have taken the opportunity to

singing Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque and

perform solo, duets and trios that it is

Stanford’s The Blue Bird (soloist: Kate

impossible to single out any one in particular.

Hawes). They represented the School with

All pupils must be congratulated.

great distinction.

5

London Philharmonia Chorus Two of Chigwell's Music Scholars, Max

works in venues, such as Kings College

Albert and James Botcher, have been

Cambridge, the Barbican Hall and the

admitted into the London Philharmonia

Royal Albert Hall. They may also work

Chorus. Aside from singing in various

in conjunction with other choruses,

choirs inside school, the two sixth

including the Swedish Radio Choir. Both

formers

level

Max and James have achieved Grade 8

commitments against the demands of

with Distinction for their singing, under

additional choral singing in and around

the tuition of Chigwell singing teacher,

London. They now have the opportunity

Danny Thomas.

balance

their

A

to regularly participate in great choral

6

English Department Activities by their favourite books and constructing ‘Book boxes’ (a book brought to life inside a shoe box). The Removes produced some great Book Spine Poems, the lines for which had to be derived from novels they had read and enjoyed; an example of one is printed below:

In English, pupils have had a very busy term with theatre trips for the Fourth Form who saw Shakespeare in Love, the Lower Fifth and Upper Fifth groups who saw A View from the Bridge, and a visiting theatre group who introduced the Third Form to the Bard with their Shakespeare Live! show plus a special Q and A session on their set text ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Annabel O’Reilly and Will Weightman represented the School at Andrew Motion’s Poetry By Heart Regional Final in which Will was highly commended. In addition, the Festival of the Spoken Word was a highlight of the term.

‘I’d tell you I love you but then I’d have to kill you,’ said the uncommon criminal,’ She was a perfect scoundrel, Part of the heist society.

Her next mission is enclosed in 13 little blue envelopes, She has to rescue the girl with the broken wing.

World Book Day was also celebrated in the Senior School with the Third Form and Fourth Form creating Haiku poetry inspired

By Nari Gould.

Scouts The Chigwell scouts have had another busy few months. Earlier in the term, they spent the night on HMS Belfast and last weekend, some scouts had their first taste of cold camping. The overnight weather certainly lived up to the title of the event.

7

Girls’ Netball The second half of the netball season has been very busy with all age groups taking part in a number of tournaments.

The 1st VII have continued to be successful and they have had some very exciting and closely fought matches.

Many of these players are also part of the U16 squad who have played against new

team work. A special mention must go

opposition such as Latymer Upper

to Alisha Evans, who unfortunately

School, where they pulled back the score

suffered a serious ankle injury at a tournament whilst representing the 1st

VII. We are looking forward to seeing Alisha back to sport in the future and line in the last minute to lose only 23-22.

wish her well during her recovery.

This season we have also had large 2nd

The 1st VII, U15 and U13 squads took

and 3rd VII squads who have played

part in the Kelsall tournament at

encouraging netball and consistently

Brentwood School. Although all three

demonstrated their enthusiasm and

teams played skilful netball, the U13

8

Girls’ Netball team did very well, losing only two

In addition, the U11A and B teams took

matches, finishing third overall. This

part in the Bancroft’s tournament with

followed their third place result at IAP’s

the U11B team finishing in a fantastic

alongside the U12 squad who also

sixth position and the U11A finishing in

finished third in their group, just

eighth position out of thirty. The U11A

missing out on the national finals.

also attended the New Hall

Tournament

where they reached the final of the cup competition

against

Alleyn Court winning 13-2. The U10s will be looking to match this result when they take The U15 and U14 squads have played in

part in the tournament

a number of matches and once again

later on in the year.

they have continued to perform well.

The U14s will carry on the Chigwell

A number of the Chigwell pupils will be

tradition and take part in the Georgia

attending county trials in April, looking

Cordery Netball Cup at the end of the

to be part of the county or regional

term. The Chigwell girls always take

academies. A high number of pupils

great pride in participating at this

have continued to join local clubs in

tournament whilst supporting the

order

charity on the day.

encouraging participation both in and

to

develop

out of Chigwell.

their

skills,

They will then be

preparing over the summer break for the Disney Netball tour to Orlando, Florida in October 2015, which will give them a fantastic opportunity to play against teams from all over the world and to learn new skills in the ESPN arena.

9

Boys’ Hockey

It has once again been a fantastic year for boys’ hockey.

champions Whitgift School. Despite a

At the top of the

resilient and whole-hearted performance,

School, the 1st XI progressed to the

the team lost 5-2 to an extremely talented opposition and we now wish them the best of luck in the later stages of the competition. The 2nd XI, made up entirely of Lower Sixth and Upper Fifth pupils (the majority of which

fourth Round of School’s Hockey Association Cup Competition. Following an impressive 3-2 away win to an experienced Ipswich team, the squad were drawn against defending

10

Boys’ Hockey

are travelling to South Africa on hockey

Following the seniors’ example, Junior

Tour this summer), continued to make

School hockey at Chigwell continues to

excellent strides forward resulting in

flourish. Representative opportunities

only one defeat throughout the entire

have increased, with the fixture list

season. Whilst in the middle school, the

now offering regular ABC fixtures, attendance at extra-curricular clubs has

U15 and U14 squads have shown a

grown, whilst the number of pupils

great deal of potential, producing

playing hockey outside school are at

several memorable excellent matches,

their highest levels in recent years. A

most notably against Aldenham and

special mention should be made of the

Haileybury.

U13 boys who narrowly missed on qualification to the National Finals following their performance at the regional IAPS tournament and the U12s team who competed a year young at the U13 Essex Tournament.

11

Dance Showcase

12

Dance Showcase

The 2015 Chigwell School Dance Show saw 61 pupils from Year 1 through to Year 8 performing a variety of dance pieces from ballet, to tap, to Indian, Rumba and Tango, Cha Cha Cha and contemporary.

There

were

solo

performances from eight pupils which all engaged the audience throughout.

Sunderani Sharma with an exquisite traditional Indian dance. The large group performance from the Junior School Dance Club was fun and energetic and included 20 pupils from Year 3 to Year 6. It was a pleasure to have pupils from the Pre Prep involved this year. Their performances were outstanding and each one drew breaths Joshua Copsey held the audience in

from the crowd and rapturous clapping

silence with his tap routine without

and cheering on completion. As always

music and Rosie Beckley who finished

Andy Lewis's technical support was

the show delighted everyone with her

invaluable and brought the whole show

ballet on pointe. Further solos came

together. All money raised is being

from Alexandra Scott with a beautifully

donated to Smiles with Grace and The

choreographed ballet piece and

Chigwell Riding Trust.

13

Drama This half of term, the Drama department has been busy with GCSE and A Level plays. The Upper Fifth performed their fourth and final set of plays on 18th March. This was a real festival of drama with five half hour plays devised and created by the students themselves.

Candidates offered costume, make up, set design, light, sound and, of course, acting, all employed with impressive skill to explore a range of themes from missing people to holidaying in Ibiza!

The AS Drama group performed two plays on 25th March: “The Wonderful World of Dissocia” by Anthony Neilson and Eurypides’ “Medea”. The latter play was disturbingly recast in Nazi Germany with stunning costumes by Ellie Jackson.

Outstanding

performances

were

achieved by both casts to create a really entertaining and thought provoking evenings’ theatre. Well done to all.

School Shop

Alice Melvin

Over the Easter break, the School Shop

We send our congratulations to Alice

will be open from 10am to 3pm daily.

Melvin who captained the Essex County U16 team as they won their matches to

Staff News

become East champions – a marvellous

Our congratulations go to Mrs Vanessa

achievement!

James and her husband Ian on the arrival of their third son, Edward Arthur.

14

Middle School Public Speaking Competition

Joseph Klein Chigwell students are encouraged to gain work experience in the holidays. Joseph Klein in the Lower Sixth may study

In the tradition of past competitions, the

Politics or a related subject at university

standards in the Middle School Public

and he arranged work experience over

Speaking Competition were very high

half term with the MP for Bedford,

and the results were the closest for many years.

Richard Fuller. As part of his experience,

The topics ran from media

he was included in a meeting with the Rt.

distortion, to slang, to the political

Hon. Chris Grayling MP, Lord Chancellor,

landscape of today. The adjudicators,

about the problems caused by new

Miss Janey Foster and Mr Andy Stubbs, praised

the

speakers

for

arrangements for magistrates courts. In

their

addition, the Prime Minister came to

consistently high standards in both

Bedford to announce the Marriage Tax

delivery and content. The winners were: Aimee-Lee

Nguyen

(chair);

Allowance and Joseph was specifically

Owen

invited to attend the private press

McCausland (speaker) – “The rise of

conference with SkyNews where he had

emerging parties in Europe”; and Pena

the chance to meet with David Cameron.

Iiyambo (vote of thanks). Several other speakers were commended, including Michael Chamberlain who was judged runner-up and Tanu Kugathasan, who gave a highly entertaining speech on slang. Only one mark separated the first three placings with Caswall’s first with 55, Lambourne second with 54 ½ and and Penn’s with 54. Swallow’s came fourth.

15

The Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition Essay

Highly commended: Adam Keiller "To

Competition is a longstanding Chigwell

what extent is interstellar and deep

School essay competition for the Lower

space travel accomplishable by man?”

Sixth. Entrants research and write an

The judges gave many hours of reading and

The

Howard

and

Mitchell

essay on whatever they want, over the

careful deliberation: for the Howard, Mr

last two terms of the Lower Sixth and

Graham Dixon (school governor and

the summer holiday. EPQ essays are

Managing Editor of BBC Radio 3), Head of

entered as well. The essays are judged by

Politics Mr Simon Pepper and Head of

separate panels. It is a great opportunity

English Mrs Emma Rea, and, for the

for this year group to get their teeth into

Mitchell, Ms Deborah Cohen (Editor Science

some serious research as they prepare

Radio, at the BBC), Head of Maths Mr Shakil

for university admission. The depth of

Chaudhary

knowledge they gain stands them in

and

Senior

Laboratory

Technician Mr Derek Wyatt-Barrett.

good stead for personal statements and

On 24th February the two winners gave

interviews.

presentations on their essays, to a

Howard Essay

packed Library, and impressed everyone

(humanities & social sciences):

particularly with the way they handled

Winner: Gaby Leadbeater "Is the

some tricky questions. There then

enduring literary cliché of love as war,

followed the annual Howard and

as expounded by classical authors, fair?"

Mitchell Prizewinners’ Dinner, with some tricky table questions, and an excellent

Highly commended: Sarah Chamberlain

speech on the evils of continuing sexist

"Is Syria doomed by its past?"

attitudes

Mitchell Essay (sciences and maths):

in

universities

and

workplace from Felicity Osborn (OC).

Winner: Hugo Blogg "The Duckworth-Lewis method: is it time for it to be given out?"

16

the

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition On Saturday 28th February, the private

of young people and their teachers. All

view of the Chigwell Open Art, Design

the

and Technology Exhibition took place

framed, giving the exhibition a uniform

and was attended by around 250 families

and professional appearance.

and friends of the local young exhibiting

Mrs Claire Tilbrook, Head of Junior Art,

artists.

This was the eighteenth

exhibition,

where

maintained

two-dimensional

exhibits

are

Design and Technology, said, "It was

and

delightful to see the joy on the artists'

independent schools are invited to

faces when they attended the Saturday

submit up to six pieces of 2D or 3D work,

morning exhibition private view, and to

without restrictions on size or medium.

share the pleasure of their families and

So far, we have succeeded in exhibiting

schools.

every piece of work submitted. There is

We have had a bumper

response this year, with twenty five

no theme to the exhibition, or prizes; its

schools submitting work!�.

aims are to celebrate the achievements

17

Careers Convention

Public Examinations

On Thursday 23rd April,

Students in the Middle Sixth, Lower

we will once again be

Sixth and Upper Fifth are advised to print

holding our annual careers

a copy of their finalised summer

convention.

As always,

timetable and place it in a prominent

the aim of this is to help

position at home, such as on the fridge.

older students consider

The exam timetables are available, as

the possible future

previously, on both the Pupil and Parent

career options

Portals.

that

exactly when their exams are taking

are

This will help them to know

available to

place and avoid problems. Apart from

them and to allow

listening exams, all take place in the

them to hear about different

Sports Hall. Morning exams start at 9am

employment areas from those working in

and afternoon exams start at 1.30pm. If

various areas. We are keen to represent

your son/daughter has an exam clash

as many fields as possible and would be

then they will be seen on an individual

delighted to hear from parents from

basis and handed a letter stating the new

across the School who would be prepared

order of examinations.

to represent their area of work.

place after the Easter break.

The

This will take

format of the evening is: 6.00pm

Welcome and buffet for all

Upper Fifth Leavers

advisors in the Swallow 7.00pm 8.45pm

Room Coffee Shop

We hope that pupils in the Upper Fifth

Arrival of parents and

will choose to continue their education at

pupils in New Hall

Chigwell in the Sixth Form, subject to achieving

Evening concludes

the

necessary

grades.

However, should you decide that your

If you would be prepared to help by

son or daughter will be moving to

attending what is invariably a very

another school, please remember that

pleasant evening, please e-mail Mrs Sue

we do need to have a term’s notice in

Lee (slee@chigwell-school.org) with

writing. The deadline for written notice is

details of the area that you would be

Monday 20th April.

willing to represent.

18

Holiday Activity Courses at Chigwell School Easter cricket coaching course for all age

Chigwell School is delighted to announce

groups and abilities run by Mr Frank

a new holiday music course on 9th, 10th

Griffith, Master in Charge of Cricket (ex

and 11thApril between 9.30 – 4.30pm.

Derbyshire CCC). Course dates are

MyBand is a popular Song writing,

Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and

Playing, Recording and Performing

Friday 17th April 2015. More information

holiday course for 11 - 17 year olds.

and booking form are available on the

Ability is not the criteria. We recommend

School website.

that you book early, as places are limited. For further information and

Barracudas multi-activity day camp for

booking

children aged 4½ to 16 years. Open

details

please

visit

www.mybandmusic.co.uk.

Easter 30th March to 10th April and

For more information on any of these

summer 27th July to 28th August 2015 www.barracudas.co.uk or call 0845 123

courses please visit the School website:

5299. Parents of Chigwell School will

http://www.chigwell-

receive an extra £5 off per week booked

school.org/whats_on/Pages/Activities-

if they quote code HSCHIG at the time of

Courses.aspx

booking.

The Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy and International Netball Roadshow are coming to Chigwell School in May Half term (27th to 29th May). The 3 day coaching courses are for children of

all

abilities

and

International

Netball and Cricket stars will visit the course! For more information visit www.activatepsort.co.uk

19

And Finally Over the Easter break, there will be a study trip to Nice for twelve members of the Senior School. They will spend time in a French school as well as sampling some of the cultural delights of the French Riviera. There will also be some Duke of Edinburgh training. We wish everyone a safe and successful trip. Meanwhile, the sight of daffodils in bloom is a hint that both spring and public exams are around the corner. Many students in the top end of the School have been working very hard but we appreciate that some are feeling anxious. The trick is to keep well-planned, purposeful revision going over the holidays, but to build in some rest as well. If they have concerns, please do continue to encourage pupils of any age to get in touch.

With best wishes Yours sincerely

Michael Punt

20

Chapel Much has been said and written recently about

teaches that failure is the springboard to self-

teenage mental health. Most will be aware of

understanding, the springboard to greater

the fact that pressures on teenagers today are

knowledge and wisdom.

probably greater than ever before. Teenagers face pressure to conform to stereotypical images

The Easter Story is the story of human frailty.

of the human body which are often “doctored”

Peter the strongest disciple is the one who

in order to present perfect skin, perfect body

denies that he even knows Jesus.

shape with idealised lifestyles. They face high

disciples “run away” when confronted with the

expectations in terms of their academic

reality of arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

performance where anything below the top

These same individuals, including Thomas who

grade is seen as failure. They are expected to be

refuses to believe the resurrection, need to be

surrounded by friends with a full social life

reminded that the core of life is not what they do

displayed on Facebook. Then there are the

or say it is that they are loved and precious

extras, particular talents and abilities that are

despite what they do and say. It is this

seen as cool, these range from a sense of

unconditional love which enables us to go from

humour to sporting skills.

failure to achieve great things.

In the face of these pressures very few, if any,

The one thing that teenagers need to know is

feel that they can live up to these expectations.

that

The result is that we have an increasing number

unconditionally. That you accept them for who

of young people who are not happy with who

they are not who you want them to be. That you

they are. Individuals who feel that they need to

will provide the foundation of love and security

change something about themselves in order to

in which they can grow in self-confidence, in

be accepted, to be special. The result ranges

order to face the world rejoicing in their gifts and

from eating disorders to self-harming.

abilities, their looks and character. With this

you,

their

parents,

love

All the

them

foundation they can face triumph and disaster knowing that you will always be there for them.

How do we as parents and as young people deal with this onslaught? Despite its low profile

Who ever said that parenting was easy!

religious faith does have much to teach. It teaches that we are made in the image of God;

May I wish you and your families a very happy

that each individual is precious and unique; and,

Easter holiday.

that God creates beauty in diversity. It is our differences that make us beautiful. Faith also

Father Simon

21

Term Dates 2015 Trinity Term First day: Monday 20th April Half term: Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May (INSET day Monday 1st June) Term ends: Wednesday 8th July 2015 Michaelmas Term First day: Thursday 3rd September Half term: Saturday 17th October to Sunday 1st November Term ends: Wednesday 16th December