May 2016

HEADMASTER’S LETTER

MAYÂ 2016 MAY 2016

T0 PARENTS

Dear Parents As I write this, I appreciate that some pupils (and their families) will be in the midst of exams. In the case of the Lower Fifth, exams will be around the corner, and for the Removes, exams are over for this academic year. Much has been written recently about the pressures on young people and exams are, for many, a contributing factor.

We can alleviate pressure by maintaining a balanced approach to life, continuing with a broad range of interests and learning from mistakes.

Some of this was covered by Jackie Cox who spoke to both pupils and parents at the start of term. Please continue to contact us if you have concerns about your sons and daughters, particularly during the exam season which can sometimes be as stressful for parents as it is for pupils. In the vast majority of cases, they will perform very well.

Contents Page 1

David Gibbs

Page 2

Musician of the Year Competition

Page 3

Girls’ Sport

Page 4

Boys’ Sport Sixth Form Centre

Page 5

Speech Day Careers Convention

Page 6

Drama

Page 7

Drama

Page 8

Design and Technology Trip to Eltham Palace

Page 9

Duke of Edinburgh UCAS Evening The School Shop

Page 10

Exhibition of Work by Thomas Peck and Alison Chaplin

Page 11

Trip to Krakow & Auschwitz

Page 12

Biology Challenge

Page 13

Sixth Form Induction Days Summer Ball And Finally

Page 14

Message from the Chaplain

David Gibbs On Saturday 14th May we held a service of celebration and thanksgiving for the life of former Headmaster, Mr David Gibbs. During his headship from 1996 to 2007 he contributed a great deal to the life of the School and the service, held in St. Mary’s Chigwell, was packed with those who had known David during that time. Other areas of David’s life beyond Chigwell were also represented.

For

example, eulogies were given by a former master of the Skinners’ Livery Company, where David served as Education Officer, having left Chigwell, and the Chair of Governors of Ardingly College spoke of David’s dedicated service as a governor at that school, which he had himself attended.

The

service was a wonderful celebration of all that David contributed to Chigwell over 11 years.

He had a significant

impact on Chigwell School and on the lives of pupils and their families here and elsewhere.

No one could question

David’s dedication and care and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Philippa and their two sons Matthew and Thomas, both of whom are also Old Chigwellians.

1

Musician of the Year Competition Our annual Young Musician of the Year Competition took place on Thursday 28th April where Music Scholars competed for this prestigious award in both Senior and Junior Categories. This year we were privileged to welcome the Emmy and BAFTA Award Winning Composer, John Altman, who began his musical career at the age of three with Judy Garland at the London Palladium.

He had the unenviable task of choosing from thirty-three music scholars who should go through to the final and ultimately win the coveted title.

All participants received valued advice and feedback from Mr Altman together with a certificate. In the Junior Category Rosie Singha received a ‘Highly Commended’ for her vocal performances whilst Rowan Jones received a ‘Highly Commended’ in the Senior Category on the clarinet.

The final winner of Young Musician of the Year in the Junior Category was awarded to Oliver Jackson with his colourful and amusing vocal rendition of The Bird Catcher Song from ‘The Magic Flute’ followed by his confident second vocal offering, Ständchen by Schubert.

The award in the Senior Category and ultimate winner of Young Musician of the Year went to Aaran Vijayakumaran.

Aaran’s technically intricate violin presentation of Sicilienne & Rigaudon by Kreisler and breath-taking musical interpretation of Ladies in Lavender by Nigel Hess, was truly mesmerising and confirmed him as the worthy winner.

Aaran’s prize will be to present Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 at the next Spring Choral Concert at Christ Church, Spitalfields on Saturday 25th March 2017.

The finalists were Myrtle Watts, Rosie Singha, Oliver Jackson, Yasmin Antoniou, Maddie Lovett, Tamra Paul, Rowan Jones, Aaran Vijayakumaran, Hana Edwards and Max Albert. The audience enjoyed music from a variety of instruments and genres including voice, piano, clarinet and violin, all expertly accompanied by Simon Winters.

Our thanks goes to the pupils and music teachers for their dedicated time in order to produce such a wonderful day of music making.

2

Girls’ Sport Girls have been as busy as ever, with three sports being played this term. Rounders in the Senior School has seen good performances and victories against Forest, Bancroft’s and Highgate, and our Sixth Form girl tennis players have shown good form, beating both Bancroft’s and Forest in their annual fixtures. Junior and middle school girls have also enjoyed tennis fixtures with these schools. Girls’ football was launched last year, and due to the positive response we have expanded our involvement with the sport. This half term has seen fixtures against

Haileybury,

St

Edmund’s, Bedford and Bancroft’s, with positive performances and results coming from both the senior and junior school teams.

In the Junior School our elite swimmers have been excelling at the top again, with four pupils qualifying for the IAPS National Finals. Jack Kushway, Alexandra Bibby and Isabel Iley all attended and swam personal bests, Alex finished the day as silver medallist in the U13 50m freestyle and Isabel was crowned National Champion in the U10 25m Butterfly. qualified for the IAPS finals, but was already engaged at a qualification

event

Championships.

for

the

National

Swimming

Emily competed in and won the 50m

backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m backstroke and came second in the 200 butterfly, swimming personal bests in all races. We wish Emily all the best at the National Championships later on in the summer.

3

Emily Iley (Third Form)

Boys’ Sport As regards their commitment to cricket this

amazing season with a few of the players

term, many of the senior school players

scoring their first fifties. The highlight of

have been really impressive. So many

their season was during the David Gibbs

students have wanted to represent the

memorial match.

School that selection has proved more

mammoth total of 185, with both the

difficult than in previous years. The 1st XI

Chigwell opening batsmen scoring fifties

produced two wonderful victories, one

and the fifth batsmen hitting three

against Langley Park in the HMC

successive sixes towards the end of the

tournament and the other against City of

innings.

London in their annual fixture at the start of

It has been a real pleasure to see the

the season. The 2nd XI have continued with

Chigwell scored a

youngest cricketers develop their skills

their successful streak, with wins against

over the term.

City of London, Colchester and Bancroft’s.

The U11 girls’ cricket

team played their first match of the

The U15s and U14s have also been

season against St Aubyn’s. For many

successful in terms of development; both

girls, it was their first match although this

teams have improved their skills and

was not obvious because of the standard

understanding of the game, particularly

of the cricket played in a game that

the tactical side. With so much ability, we

Chigwell won. At Chigwell there are now

anticipate that they will be rewarded

girls playing in the 1st XI, U14 and in U10

with more success towards the end of the

teams. We hope to see Chigwell girls

season. U13 cricket has been excellent

playing in a national side again at some

and the team is a particularly well

point in the future.

balanced side. The U12s have had an

Sixth Form Centre Work on the new centre continues apace and the interior of the building is beginning to take shape. Some pupils have had a tour of the site to see work in progress.

4

Speech Day The programme for Speech Day and its related activities will follow the usual format: Friday 8th July Saturday 9th July

2.15pm

Pre Prep, Lower I and Upper I Service in St Mary's Church

3.30pm

Pre Prep Garden Party

9.45am

Junior School Service at St Mary's Church

11.30am

Senior School Service at St Mary's Church

2.30pm

Speeches and Prize Giving in the Marquee

The Guest of Honour at Speech Day this year will be Sir David Pepper O.C., K.C.M.G. Having completed a doctorate in theoretical physics at St John’s College, Oxford, Sir David joined the British intelligences agency Government Communications Headquarters in 1972. His career was spent in intelligence and from 2003 to 2008, he was Director of GCHQ. Sometimes referred to as ‘Spy Chief’, he has regularly given lectures and has commented in media, particularly regarding the issue of the telephone calls tracking and internet monitoring, to aid national security. He was called as a witness to the Iraq inquiry and has been back to Chigwell to speak to the Williams Project. We are delighted that Sir David has agreed to be our Guest of Honour and we look forward to hearing from him.

The preacher at the services on Saturday morning will be Right Reverend Peter Hill, Bishop of Barking, and the preacher at the service on Friday afternoon is Amandeep Singh - Schools worker, Karamsar Gurdwara, Ilford.

Careers Convention Thank you to the many parents, as well as Old Chigwellians and friends, who gave up an evening to attend our annual careers convention.

Upper Fifth and

Sixth Form students spent the evening gathering advice from representatives from a wide range of careers, some of whom also offered work experience. We hope that this will have provided a useful insight as to where school and university education may lead.

5

Drama This term the drama department began with the Lower Fifth GCSE scripted performances. These were a range of four short plays including a potted “Antigone” and two scripts written by our very own Mr Joe Maingot and Miss Janey Foster. Pupils offered light, sound, costume and make up as well as acting. There was some particularly effective use of make up in the short play “In My Room” where Lottie Metrebian showed great skill in making Sophia Mouzourides up as a ghostly mother from the 18th century. Chloe Stack also provided outstanding costume for the short play “Not Waving but Drowning” providing a strong sense of the passing of time and the different phases of a young girl’s life. Well done to all involved in two nights of excellent drama.

6

Drama The KS2 play, directed by Miss Jaimie Kershberg,

was

the

next

show

performed over two nights last week.

Over eighty KS2 pupils trod the boards in some bright and varied costumes in this light and comical version of the Cinderella story. The show was very well attended and thanks go to Miss Kershberg for a great debut production.

7

Design and Technology Trip to Eltham Palace The Lower Fifth Design and Technology

30s and 1940s. They learnt about the

pupils recently visited Eltham Palace to

materials used, fashionable patterns

conduct primary research and gain

of the time and looked at examples of

inspiration for their GCSE project work.

furniture from the era. In stark

Eltham Palace, which is situated close to

contrast,

Greenwich, is renowned for its striking

adjoining medieval Great Hall, the

Art Deco interior and luxurious 1930s

only original part of the palace from

product design. The Palace has recently

the time when it was Henry VIII’s

been restored to its former glory of the

childhood home. All pupils gained a

Art Deco era, and the pupils explored

wealth of knowledge from the trip and

the many rooms and galleries of the

arrived back at school with an

Palace and fully immersed themselves in

abundance of photographs, sketches

the design, style and opulence of the 19

and notes to enrich their project work.

8

they

also

visited

the

Duke of Edinburgh As this year is the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh award, for this year only it is possible for any adult to apply to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh Award. So, if you would like to complete your bronze award or any other challenge please see the link here. I was lucky enough to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Ms Emmy Creber, Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator, to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the award. The School was presented with a plaque by explorer and TV presenter, Levison Wood. Emily Surtees O.C. was presented with her gold award.

inspection and have had our licence renewed. Our current completion rate is 78%, well above the regional average of 55%, largely due to the commitment of the students taking part and the staff supporting them, in particular the

This term has also seen the tri annual licence review of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award here at Chigwell School. We had a very successful

recruitment of Mr Andrew Bewick who now leads all of the school’s outdoor pursuits activities.

UCAS Evening

The School Shop

As per the calendar, there will be a UCAS Evening for Lower Sixth students and their parents in the Drama Centre at 7.00pm on Monday 20th June. As always, this is a very important meeting with guidance about the university application process.

The School Shop will be open during half term from 10am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday.

Please note that on Monday 6th June, INSET day, the shop will be open from 10am to 3pm

9

Exhibition of Work by Thomas Peck and Alison Chaplin

We are delighted to host the work of Alison Chaplin and Thomas Peck in the school gallery. Both artists use Epping Forest as a starting point for their work.

Alison’s paintings focus upon light, shadows and the interplay of organic forms and Thomas’ photographs also reflect the changing, seasonal nature of the

forest,

capturing

stunning

combinations of light and form. This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for the whole of the school community to experience the vibrant and highly accomplished art of two very talented people and to see aspects of our local area in fresh and interesting ways.

10

Trip to Krakow & Auschwitz The following day was devoted to a tour of Auschwitz, the scene of the greatest crime in history. The final day ended with meeting a holocaust survivor. She arrived at Auschwitz at the age of four in 1943, surviving two years of horror Thirty-three Lower Fifth pupils and four members of staff flew from Stansted Airport to Krakow for an extraordinary journey through the history of Jewish Krakow to the horrors of the Nazi occupation of Poland. They began with a guided walking tour of Krakow, a city which escaped destruction during the

before the Russians arrived to liberate

Second World War. The city is a

the death camp. I understand that you

beautiful testament to the culture and

could have heard a pin drop as she unfolded her life story. She urged the pupils never to forget the holocaust and to use their lives to stand against prejudice, oppression and injustice; a message that none of us will ever forget.

life of the Jewish community before the Nazis arrived. The tour ended by crossing the River Wisla to see the ghetto in which 15,000 Jewish people were forced to live, in an area that had previously housed 3,000 people. They went on to see Oscar Schindler’s factory, before heading back to the hostel.

11

Biology Challenge The Biology Challenge is an online quiz run

Patel, Stella Kearin, Radia Ar-Rumi,

by the Society of Biology for pupils in

Catherine Liyanagama, Suli Scatchard,

the Removes and Lower Fifth. Over 30,000

Cayley Cochrane, Venetia Bailey, Jasmine

pupils took part in the competition

Iley, Justine Voong and Charlotte James-

this year including a team of fourteen

Pajwani. Overall the team achieved two

from Chigwell. There were some very

Gold Medals, two Silver Medals, six Bronze

commendable performances, particularly

Medals, three Highly Commended and one

from Poppy Bradley and Suli Scatchard

Commended. Congratulations to all who

who both achieved Gold Medal standard.

took part and well done for maintaining

The full team was Aine Nikookam, Poppy

the

Bradley, Leon Raj, Zoe Wright, Deetya

competition.

12

School’s

high

status

in

the

Sixth Form Induction Days There will be two Lower Sixth induction days as follows: • Tuesday 5th July – Academic Induction (all day). Students will meet with AS subject teachers and receive AS work to complete over the summer. They should wear uniform.

• Tuesday 6th Sept – Team Building (all day). This is a non-uniform day.

Summer Ball A ticket order form and details of the Summer Ball to be held on the evening of Saturday 9th July have been sent out by e-mail. This is always a very popular event and tickets are selling fast!

And Finally Whether half term is dominated by revision or not, I hope all Chigwell families enjoy the brief interlude in the busy Trinity Term. The last few weeks of the academic year are always packed with events and I look forward to seeing you at some of these.

Pupils return after half term on Tuesday 7th June as staff have an INSET day on Monday 6th June.

With best wishes Yours sincerely

Michael Punt

13

Message from the Chaplain How much of the life of a school is marked by

Thirdly, Chigwell School. At a time of wonderful

history? How much of my role as Chaplain is down to

literature and at a time of growing freedom of

the vision of the founder of Chigwell School,

thought, Archbishop Harsnett created two schools.

Archbishop Harsnett? On the surface we might think

The Latin School was for the wealthy but the English

that we have little or nothing to do with events

School was for the poor. Here was a school for all

nearly 400 years ago. In fact I believe that this view is

founded on the principles which had the power to

wrong and that the history of an institution has a

change the world.

vital impact on the present.

On the surface we appear to have little to do with

This half term the past has come powerfully into

events 400 years ago, but dig a little deeper and you

view. On 23rd April 2016 we marked the 400th

soon find out that the things that we treasure at

anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death in 1616.

Chigwell School are all part of the foundation in

Just thirteen years later Chigwell School was

1629. Freedom to be yourself, freedom to express

founded in 1629; and, just a few years earlier the

your own opinions, desire to create beauty in action,

King James Bible was published in 1611. These three

word and song, freedom to explore faith and the

events in 1611, 1616 and 1629 bring together a

great questions of life; are all embedded here in the

foundation which has enabled the education of

classroom, in the Chapel and in the life of the School

thousands of young people to flourish.

Father Simon

Firstly, Shakespeare. The Bard established a platform of such power and beauty in language that the world was changed forever. From his death came a desire, captured in classrooms across the country and down succeeding generations, to be creative, to imagine, to write poetry and tell stories.

Secondly, the King James Bible. This masterpiece of poetry and theology opened up the Bible stories to all. Now that the Bible was in English rather than Latin, any person who could read and write had the freedom to think and reason for themselves. They were no longer tied to what the priest told them, they could decide for themselves. This freedom of thought found its way into every area of life from politics to economics, from culture to religion, and, from science to the arts.

14

TERM DATES Trinity Term Half term: Saturday 28th May to Monday 6th June (INSET Day Monday June 6th) Term ends: Wednesday 13th July 2016 / 2017 Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th September First day: Wednesday 7th September 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: Thursday 5th January Half term: 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