HEADMASTER’S LETTER MAY 2019
T0 PARENTS
Dear Parents This half term has been especially short because of the late Easter and, therefore, the last four and a half weeks have been packed with activity.
Contents Page 1
Pangea Mathematics Competition
Page 2
Cricket
Page 3
Drama
Page 4
Drama
Page 5
Music
Page 6
Music Summer Ball
Page 7
Trip to Germany
Page 8
Schools Karting Championship Meet The Future
Page 9
Speech Day UCAS Evening Staff News
Page 10
Sixth Form Induction Days And Finally
Page 11
Message from the Chaplain
Pangea Mathematics Competition
The Pangea Mathematics Competition is held in twenty-one European countries with the transnational philosophy of “mathematics connects�. In the UK, almost 9,000 pupils from 150 schools took part in the first round. This was the first time Chigwell pupils have entered
the competition and twelve pupils performed amazingly well to qualify for the national finals, which were held at Middlesex University. Faced with some incredibly tricky
questions in a time-pressured test, their enthusiasm and determination was a delight to see. Amidst all the collected brainpower, Justina Nikolayeva (IVM) picked up a spot prize
for the fastest in the room to solve a problem presented by the famous TV Presenter Mr Numbervator and earned her place in the official highlights video of the event.
1
Cricket
We have had a great start to the cricket
The U11s have had an amazing season.
ground staff have prepared fantastic pitches
players who give their very best in all
They are an eager and strong group of
season. With reasonable weather, the
matches. They have worked well and had
for which we are very grateful. The start of
success against all the teams they have
the season brought success for the 1st XI
played – long may their hard work and
with victories over Colchester R.G.S, City of
effort continue.
London and Westminster. The 1st XI have been fully committed to their sports and
The U10s are much the same and are
have proved that later on in life they will be
improving game by game. On the strength
able to achieve a healthy work/life balance,
of this, they now have two home-grown
which is vital for their mind-set and
players who have broken into the Essex
wellbeing.
U10s squad. For many of the Junior School pupils, whatever their gender, there is no
The U15s and U14s have shown a love for the
greater sight than to see the cricketers
game and a willingness to learn new skills.
playing a match on the Top Field square
The Tuesday after-school practice sessions
and not realising that they are playing in
for both year groups have been outstanding,
front of hundreds of people on the biggest
with the attendance being at its highest to
stage in the School.
date. Their commitment to training has
been reflected in their strong performances in matches and overall success as a team. With this ongoing development, senior
cricket will be in a very strong position in the coming years.
The U13s and U12s have led the older year
groups in terms of victories. However, whilst they have been blessed with natural ability,
let us hope they can keep up the good work
that has improved their skills throughout this
term.
They
have
also
Chigwell School 1st XI in battle again
shown
against Eton College during their annual
commitment to weekend fixtures and have
T20 fixture. It was so good to see the talent
had great support from parents spectating
on show from both teams on the day.
their matches, with a great atmosphere!
2
Drama
This half of term, the KS2 has been in
of KS2 worked very hard to learn their lines
Chocolate Factory� was performed in the
highly entertaining show that ran very
intensive rehearsal. “Charlie and the
and produce a really well-polished and
last two days before half term to packed
smoothly thanks to an excellent backstage
audiences. The elaborate, colourful and
team. Special thanks go to Dr Mireille
mouth-watering set complimented the
Zrinzo for directing a highly ambitious and
equally eye-catching costumes. Many
successful production that had her
thanks to all parents who helped out with
trademark dance routines punctuating this
both of these design elements. The pupils
live production that was loved by all.
3
Drama
4
Music
The standard of both the Upper One and
The Summer Concert surpassed the high
children taking part. The children were
brilliantly entertained a packed New Hall.
expectations
Lower One Proms was high with many
as
student
musicians
The Big Band made a bold start to the
confident and many introduced their items
evening with three numbers: ‘Splanky’ by
gracefully. The Upper One music ranged
Nestico, ‘Li’l Darlin’ by Count Basie and
from Mily La performing a piece by
‘It’s Alright to Disagree’ arranged by Jim
Telemann on violin, to Latif Khan
Martin with vocals by Lisa Maioli and Rosie
performing Beethoven on the piano. The
Singha. Then followed the Rock Band’s
eclectic mix of timpani, cello, guitar,
medley of classic tunes by Queen, Jimi
marimba and drums all added to the
Hendrix and AC/DC – the audience did its
occasion. It was also a pleasure to see the
best to help keep the beat – with vocals by
Prom supported by so many parents. For
Rayn Ismail-Ahluwalia, Harry Mead and
many taking part in the Lower One Prom,
Nathan Mercer. Other large ensemble
this must have been a performance first
work included the Wind Band with Philip
and it was delightful that they performed
Sparke’s ‘Year of the Dragon.’ The String
in such a supportive atmosphere. Leo
Orchestra started with the more formal,
Freeman and then Jack Panayi started
Vivaldi’s ‘Rustic’ Concerto ended with a
proceedings with some excellent piano and
nod to 60s film music by Henry Mancini:
then dynamic guitar. Woody Spraggett’s
‘Moon River’, ‘The Pink Panther’ and the
singing struck a poignant air. Adaora
theme from ‘Peter Gunn.’ The Saxophone
Emechebe showed a range of skills over a
Group presented Philip Buttall’s ‘The Lone
number of instruments. It was so pleasing
Ar-ranger’ and a delightful new edition
to see the start of these children’s musical
appeared in the form of multiple
careers through the Junior School and the
marimbas and vibraphones with the
contrast in the standard of performance as
Senior
the children had another year in school was
Percussion
Ensemble
which
created a gorgeous mesmeric mood with
marked. The progression between Lower
‘Lluvia’ by W Edwards. In contrast, the
One and Upper One was clear and
Senior Drumline transported the audience
heartening. There were so many good
to the silver screen with ‘Movie March’ a
performances and the future looks bright
medley of cinema favourites. Leaving
for music at Chigwell.
5
Music seniors, Georgia Reid and Suli Scatchard performed Four Waltzes for Flute, Clarinet and
Piano (Simon Winters) by Shostakovich. The Flute Group received a rapturous response playing ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ arranged by Mr Joel Goodman.
Several vocal contributions on the night included solos by Maria Khokhar (‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ from The Little Mermaid) and Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’ sung by Baritone, Lucas Abrami-Gill, who won this year’s
‘Young Musician of the Year’ award. A sonorous vocal trio featuring Rosie Singha, Anika Jayanth and Maria Khokhar with an adventurous Pentatonix version of Elvis Presley’s
‘Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,’ not to mention the always thrilling brilliance of our Chapel Choir’s performance of ‘Insanae et Vanae Curae’ by Haydn. Final thanks and goodbyes were given by Mr Howard Ebden for the senior leavers: Maria Khokhar, Lucas
Abrami-Gill, Georgia Reid and Suli Scatchard. As always, thanks go to all those who support music at Chigwell so enthusiastically.
Summer Ball A ticket order form and details of the Summer Ball to be held on the evening of Saturday 6th July have been sent out by SchoolPost. This is always a very popular event and you are urged to apply for tickets as
soon as possible as they are
allocated on a first come first served basis. Please contact
Mrs Tina Page on 020 8501 5711 or tpage@chigwellschool.org
6
Trip to Germany Last weekend, twenty-three Lower Fifth
chambers
visited Munich for a three day GCSE
final day, the students visited the town of political rallies. Seeing the vast spaces that
retraced Hitler’s footsteps by following
were used, and the plans to build even
the route of the 1923 Munich Putsch, an in
which
bigger arenas (the biggest of which was
Hitler
intended to hold 400,000 people) helped
unsuccessfully attempted to take power
students to appreciate how Hitler
by force. The next day, the students were
cultivated such popularity. Visiting these
guided around Dachau, the first Nazi
locations will undoubtedly help students
concentration camp that was built as soon
in their GCSE history exam next year.
as Hitler came to power in 1933. The camp
However, more importantly, it will be an
interned Jews, political prisoners and
experience that they will hopefully
anyone that was considered to be
remember for many years to come.
‘undesirable’ by the Nazi state. Visits to the
parade
square,
barracks,
were
Nuremberg, where the Nazis held their
history trip. On the first day, the students uprising
crematorium
particularly sobering experiences. On the
students and three members of staff
armed
and
gas
7
Schools Karting Championship
Congratulations to Max Mottram and Luke Mottram who, along with George Evans,
qualified for the final of the British Schools Karting Championship which will be held next month.
Meet The Future As part of our “Meet The Future� series of
get to where he is now. James forwarded
their careers, we were lucky enough to
sixth formers interested in following his
an exhaustive list of useful resources for
talks from former students starting out in
example.
host James Mulholland this half term.
James recently graduated from Bristol
with a degree in Philosophy and works in
software development, and is about to begin a new role at the language learning
website www.memrise.com. He gave a
superb talk on his interest in coding and how he pursued this in his spare time to
8
Speech Day
The programme for Speech Day and its related activities will follow the usual format: Friday 5th July Saturday 6th July
2.15pm
Pre Prep, Lower I and Upper I Service in St Mary's Church
3.30pm
Pre Prep, Lower 1 and Upper 1 Garden Party
9.45am
unior School Service at St Mary's Church
11.15am 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 Dr Charlie Laderman who left Chigwell
is 2005. He studied History and Politics at the University of Nottingham and went on to
complete a PhD at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He was later a Research Fellow at
Peterhouse College, Cambridge, and is currently a lecturer in International History at King’s College, London. His research focuses on the United States and its relations with the wider world. We look forward to welcoming Charlie back to Chigwell.
The preacher at the services on Saturday morning will be Dr Diana Lowry, retired local GP and now a Church of England Lay Reader attached to the Epping District Team Ministry. The preacher at the service on Friday afternoon will be Reverend Gary Scott.
UCAS Evening
Lower Sixth parents and students
parents stayed behind at the end to talk to
Thursday 2nd May. Head of Sixth Form Mr
Dr Gillian Groszewski and Sixth Form Co-
Mr Coppell, Assistant Head of Sixth Form
attended a UCAS information evening on
ordinator and Head of Careers Miss
Simon Coppell gave a presentation
Roxanne Darkin.
outlining the application process to UK
universities. The talk included advice about the personal statement, deadlines, and
Staff News
general advice about getting 18+ decisions
We send our congratulations to Mr Graham
right for students. The Drama Centre was
Sexton and his wife Lynn on the arrival of
packed to capacity and many students and
their baby son Henry.
9
Sixth Form Induction Days
A reminder that the Sixth Form induction day will be on Wednesday 19th June when students will be given a taste of the work that they will be covering in their chosen A
level subjects. This is an important day in itself but also the occasion when a unit of A level work is set to be completed over the summer holidays.
And Finally
I appreciate that some pupils have
remaining GCSEs and A levels to prepare
for over half term and others have internal
exams still to come. However, I hope that you all have a very happy half term and I
look forward to seeing you at some of the many events that take place when we return.
Pupils return after half term on Tuesday 4th June as staff have INSET on Monday
3rd June.
With best wishes Yours sincerely Michael Punt
10
Message from the Chaplain
I hope you have an enjoyable and (where appropriate) restful half-term holiday.
Having Easter at the end of the holidays meant we were in the unusual position of having our Easter services at the end of last term, three weeks before the actual event. The Senior School service focused on the items associated with the Easter story. The cross, crown of thorns, spear etc. were put in context with a Bible reading and then explained by students from the Sixth Form drama class. A simple but very moving account of the story, which finished with a tableau of all the items involved set out in the chancel of St Mary’s.
With all blessings The Chaplain
The start of Trinity Term has seen a dwindling congregation at chapel services as a succession of year groups come and go for exams and study leave. Most notable was the last regular service with this year’s Middle Sixth when by popular vote we sang ‘Shine Jesus shine’ and ‘Jerusalem’ with huge enthusiasm and gusto. The new Middle Sixth will have a hard act to follow!
11
2019 TTERM DATES 2019 Lent Term Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 7th January Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June First day: Tuesday 8th January Term ends: Wednesday 10th July Half term: Saturday 16th February to Sunday 24th February Term ends: Term Wednesday 3rd April Michaelmas Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September Trinity Term First day: Wednesday 4th September (Easter Day is 21stSaturday April) 19th October to Sunday 3rd November Half term: First Wednesday 24rd April Termday: ends: Friday 13th December Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June Term ends: Wednesday 10th July