SPRING 2015
NEWS FROM CHIGWELL
CHIGWELL SCHOOL
CELEBRATING SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHIGWELL SCHOOL COMMUNITY
In this Issue Chigwell Junior School
02 flying high!
10 Charity Gala Evening
17 History Tour of Vietnam
and much more... FIND A WAY OR MAKE A WAY
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Chigwell Junior School flying high! We are delighted to announce that Chigwell Junior School has been ranked as the 22nd best Prep School in the country in the Sunday Times Top 100 Preparatory Schools Table for 2014.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Sunday Times Top 100 Preparatory Schools Table for 2014 was recently published in the newspaper’s Parent Power supplement. It is compiled using the SATs academic data in English (Reading, Writing, Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation) and Maths from the previous three
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
years’ assessments. This is a wonderful achievement and places the Junior School as a top-ranking school in the local area. Head of Junior School, Mr Simon James, commented, “This is fantastic news and an achievement of which all the staff and pupils are rightfully
proud. It is just reward for all their hard work in and out of the classroom in making Chigwell Junior School such a special place to work and learn. It confirms our status as one of the highest achieving independent preparatory schools in the country and is a clear indicator of the quality
teaching and learning which is taking place at Chigwell. These results have been achieved amidst the incredibly broad curriculum on offer. Pupils participate in a wide range of curricular and cocurricular activities to support the all-round education we truly value.”
02 | 03
ACADEMIA
A level Chigwell Pupil wins prestigious Engineering award A level design and technology pupil, Theodore Gheorghiu, has been presented with the prestigious EEESTA (East of England Engineering Science & Technology Association) award for his commitment and enthusiasm to the Arkwright Scholarship Trust.
Theo became Chigwell’s first Arkwright Scholar in July 2013 and since then has taken every opportunity to extend and enrich his knowledge and experience in the field of Engineering. Sponsored by The Rolls Royce Group, Theo has attended various experience days with Controls and Data Services (CDS), helped to develop the ‘Ion Blimp’ concept, been involved in several other engineering projects as well as carrying out several weeks of work experience with CDS. n
Theodore Gheorghiu collecting his award
Ziyaad Mahmood named Arkwright Scholarship winner Year 12 pupil Ziyaad Mahmood was formally presented with his Arkwright Scholarship recently, at a ceremony in London.
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust seeks to support some of the best students who show a commitment to study engineering. Ziyaad not only receives some funding from his sponsor, the Eranda Foundation, but also work experience and professional mentoring. Ziyaad would like to study aeronautical engineering in the future. n
Ich liebe Oxford! A group of seven Year 11 German pupils visited Oxford. The trip started with a tour of St. John’s College with two current Oxford students and included the famous Laudian Library. In the afternoon, the pupils were invited to visit the exhibition ‘Germans in Britain’, which gives an overview of German migrants in the UK and their contribution to British society. Our pupils then had a chance to discuss the issue of migration with two professors from Oxford university before watching a
film about the ‘Kindertransport’ – trains evacuating German and Austrian Jews in the build-up to WW2 – and the problems young Germans and Austrians faced when arriving in Britain, from not knowing any English to being treated as potential enemies and thus detained during the war. The film was introduced by the producer himself, whose father was on one of these trains. The main theme of the afternoon was the questions of identity and how far this is an issue for all migrants to any country, a problem worth considering in our globalised world. n
ACADEMIA
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
The Williams Project The Williams Project is named after Sir Bernard Williams, one of the foremost British philosophers of the 20th century, and an Old Chigwellian. As part of the Learning+ programme it provides opportunities for students at Chigwell School to broaden and deepen their intellectual life. It encourages them to realise that thought is not divided into school subjects,
and it urges them to gain such an understanding of their own specialism that they can explain its intricacies to others. Fortnightly meetings are held in two sections for Years 7 and 8, and Years 9-13; this offers our younger members better access to our speakers. Each branch has its own brand of refreshment: squash and biscuits for the younger students, and dinner with the speakers for the older. Among the many speakers who have come to Chigwell are Professor Tim Chappell (Philosophy, Open University)
Edward Cearns speaking to pupils at Chigwell School
who informed us about ‘Tragic dilemmas’, Dr David Pepper (King’s College London) who discussed ‘Under the influence: The leaning tower of PISA’, Edward Cearns (OC, Essex County Councillor) told us about ‘A Rainbow of Opinion: Politics & Equality’ whilst Peter Walling and Jagveen Tyndall (OCs) spoke about ‘Consciousness: physiological and mystical approaches’. All meetings are written up on our Archive, for more information please visit: www.williamsproject.org.uk. n
Peter Walling
Annual interschool debating competition The annual Epping Forest interschool debating competition saw Year 10 and Year 11 Chigwell School pupils show great poise. The team of Tom Lockley and Angus Brown demonstrated calmness and strong potential in their first formal debate. They quickly adjusted to the parliamentary style debate and dealt with interjections with surprising aplomb. n
Philosophy Student Highly Commended
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing presents Angus and Tom with certificates
Year 13 student, Helena Tunks, was highly commended for the essay that she submitted for The Edgar Jones Philosophy Essay Competition organised by St Peter’s College, Oxford. Helena’s essay was on the topic: ‘Does the fact that our senses can deceive mean that we can have no perceptual knowledge?’ Helena wrote an excellent critical analysis of Descartes’ philosophy. The adjudicators commented that the standard of entries in this national competition was particularly high this year. The Head of Religious Studies, Mr Stephen Goodfellow, commented: “I am very pleased for Helena – she showed tremendous academic rigour and skill in writing her essay.” n 04 | 05
ACADEMIA
Cambridge Bound! Final year Chigwell students have been receiving offers of university places from a variety of prestigious institutions. Four of these hope to be taking up their places at Cambridge University later in the year: Nathan Edwards (Maths at Trinity Hall), Helena Tunks (Classics, Newnham), Robyn Schaffer (Classics, Downing) and Gopal Kambo (Modern and Medieval Languages – French and
Spanish, St John’s). Each of these students has studied at
Come Dine With Us! Year 9 pupils in each of the four houses worked with the school caterers to produce three-course meals for their tutors and families. The annual house PSHE dinner competition took over four consecutive weeks and the Year 9 pupils in each house
agree the menu, decorate tables, prepare and then serve the meal, all with the expert help of the school caterers, Chartwells. The performance of each group of pupils was then judged for the house competition. Pictured are some of the pupils from Lambourne house, developing skills that will hopefully serve them well for the future. n
Chigwell School for at least seven years and we will follow
Physics Olympiad Success Congratulations to Bianca Andrei who gained a top gold award in the first round of the Physics Olympiad Competition which is designed to stretch and challenge the top A level physicists across the country. Bianca’s result places her in the top 50 of the 1,800 entrants and she will be invited to participate in the next round of the competition. Ultimately, a
Literacy Initiative Unites School Pupils from the Senior School and Pre Prep were brought together by a literacy initiative. The resulting project involved Year 9 pupils reading to and talking with those from Year 1. In the process the older pupils discovered what 5 year olds enjoy reading. Armed with this
knowledge they then wrote individual books for their Pre Prep ‘partners’. While the writing process evolved the cross phase pupils corresponded by letter, and the Year 9s were invited to the Pre Prep concert. The final outcome, the books, were displayed at the Pre Prep before the individual pupils for whom they were written took them home to keep! n
their future progress with interest. n
small team will be chosen to represent the country in the International Physics Olympiad Competition in Mumbai.
ACADEMIA
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
European People’s Party Year 11, 12 and 13 modern linguists travelled to the offices of the European Union in Westminster. They were given a presentation about the EU including an explanation of the role of languages in the workings of the European Parliament: with 24 official
languages and 552 possible combinations of those languages to be translated (written) or interpreted (spoken) this is very significant. Our group took part in a role play game, with each student adopting the role of an MEP attached to one of the seven political groupings in the parliament, illustrating how this huge body works. n
Model United Nations Eight Year 11 Chigwell pupils attended the annual Model United Nations Conference at Benenden School recently.
The two School delegations represented Iran and Luxembourg, and our pupils were with over 200 others from a wide variety of schools. The conference is a roleplaying exercise that simulates the day-to-day work of the UN. n
Higher and Extended Project Qualification Projects Members of Years 11 and 13 have been presenting their Higher Project Qualification projects, and Extended Project Qualification projects.
Extended Project Qualification Pupils
Higher Project Qualification Pupils
Some Chigwell students have opted to take these qualifications in addition to their GCSE or A level subjects, and they are designed to broaden horizons beyond the confines of the standard curriculum and encourage independent research and thought. EPQ and HPQ students undertake a research topic of their choice and they develop skills including the use of academic journals, keeping an academic log, and formal report writing. HPQ projects included: Recent Developments in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease (Ben Sanders), Women in Physics Professorships
(Emma Cadman), the Impact of the Illuminati on Popular Music (Olivia Mendel Portnoy), King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Mad or Misunderstood? (Henry Bird), and the Development and Use of Nail Varnish Over the Last Century (Jada Coker). Some of this year’s EPQs included: The Feasibility of Nuclear Fusion as a Power Source in Space (Theo Gheorghiu), The Evaluation of the Duckworth-Lewis Method in Cricket (Hugo Blogg), and Analysis of the 1945 Labour Government (Margaret Oki). The presentations were wellattended and received by both students and staff; they were informative and engaging, and reflected the considerable effort put in by the students over the course of the previous year. Meanwhile, a new cohort of Year 10 and 12 EPQ and HPQ students are beginning the process in the Lower Sixth and Lower Fifth of designing their own EPQ and HPQ. n 06 | 07
ART & DESIGN
Micro / Macro The Chigwell Arts Programme was delighted to host ‘Micro/Macro’, a new exhibition of drawings, paintings and sculptures by the artist David Auborn. The work in the exhibition dealt with issues relating to scale, mark making and how images are generated and portrayed in both two and three dimensions. As well as displaying David’s work in school, we were very pleased that he led a workshop for Year 7 pupils as a part of the School’s art and design enrichment program. n
A level Design and Technology pupils get active at the annual ‘Inspired by Design’ lecture A group of A level design and technology pupils attended the annual Inspired by Design lecture which was held at the Institute of Education, London. The event, designed to enrich and broaden pupil’s understanding of the diverse nature of the design industry, saw 5 established designers showcase their work and explore critical design issues in a variety of fields. This year’s speakers included Sebastian Bergne (Product Designer), Emily Campbell (Creative
Education Trust), Wayne Hemmingway (Founder of Red or Dead) and The Paper Pulp Helmet Team, whose 100% recyclable cycling helmet may soon be incorporated as part of the London bicycle hire scheme. Pascal Anson (Designer and Lecturer) then involved all 1000+ attendees in the production of the ‘Megasheet’; a huge sheet of paper measuring 30m x 50m made collaboratively using paper and sellotape. (http:// www.youtube.com/user/ PascalAnson). The result was visually striking and added a unique, interactive element to the day’s lectures. n
Pre Prep Wall Murals Two Chigwell Year 6 classes have made wall murals for children in the Pre Prep, in an art workshop led by artist Mrs Emma Collins.
Each class worked on a theme of either The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, or Elmer the Elephant by David McKee. The result is a vibrant and exciting display which will enchant and delight all the young pupils who visit the Pre Prep library for many years to come. n
News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014
ART & DESIGN
Chigwell’s Young Engineers Club visit the Science Museum Chigwell’s Young Engineers Club members visited the Science Museum to broaden their understanding of topics and issues covered in the Young Engineers sessions.
Although predominantly practical in nature, the club covers topics such as electronics, flight, alternative energy sources, rocket design and new technologies such as dye sublimation and 3D printing. At the museum, pupils explored these area in
an interactive fashion, visiting the hands-on Launchpad and watching live experiments on stage at The Rocket Show, which involved several explosions to demonstrate how rockets are powered. Overall, the day was informative and interesting for all concerned. n
Design Ventura Competition Two teams of Year 10 Design and Technology pupils took part in the annual Design Ventura competition, hosted by the Design Museum, London. The award winning, national design and enterprise competition invites GCSE design students to explore a live design brief, and design a new product for the Design Museum shop. This year’s theme was the word ‘Connect’ and the two Chigwell groups fully embraced this challenge by exploring and evolving ideas
Year 3 Owls Year 3 pupils recently found their art room full of owls!
that could strengthen family connections in our increasingly busy everyday lives. Isabelle Kearin, Emily Fisher, Ella Gupta, Sophie Tilbrook and Tamazier Chaudhary designed an innovative, fun and tactile domestic message board using the unique properties of fur as inspiration, and Isma’eel Zia, Michael Newman, Tiami Fellowes-Taylor, Elizabeth Stoney and Aimei-Lee Nguyen focused on making connections through family dining by producing interconnecting placemats with a contemporary London graphic. Both teams presented a strong case for their product, but due to the
L-R: Aimei-Lee Nguyen, Elizabeth Stoney, Tiami Fellows-Taylor, Isma’eel Zia, Michael Newman
£5 manufacturing constraint, The ‘Hexi-Mat’ placemat was finally selected to represent Chigwell in this competition.
However, both teams should be congratulated on their impressive efforts and commitment to this event. n
A Level Artwork
The ten owls made a surprise visit from the Epping Forest Hawk and Owl Sanctuary and their handler, Rita Wells, explained to the pupils the characteristics of each species, which ranged from a huge European Eagle Owl called Bulcher to a Little Owl called Ava, which arrived at school in Rita’s waistcoat pocket. The pupils used their observational skills to draw pencil sketches of the owls and later produced finger painted versions. n 08 | 09
CHARITY
Charity Gala Evening Chigwell pupils performed on stage in a well-supported gala evening in aid of two local charities. The evening of sketches and musical performances was compered and organised by
Year 12 pupils, Will Weightman, Barney Walsh, Rhea Gupta and Max Albert. Close to £3,000 was raised which will be shared between Haven House Children’s Hospice and Smiles with Grace, the charity set up by Chigwell pupil Grace Boxall who sadly passed away in 2013 just days before her 16th birthday. n
Chigwell Chapel Choir Inspire for Charity The Chigwell Chapel Choir led an excellent concert at Christ Church, Spitalfields, recently to raise funds for two charities. So far, the event has generated some £13,000 for the charities Kids Inspire and Smiles With Grace. The Director of Music, Mr Howard Ebden, commented: “The choir is keen to take
opportunities to raise money for worthy causes which are particularly close to our hearts. The charity Smiles With Grace was set up by Chigwell pupil Grace Boxall who sadly passed away in 2013. Kids Inspire supports children in Essex who have undergone trauma.” The theme of the concert was Christmas Inspire and the venue was used by the composer Handel who held a concert there 280 years ago. The choir have raised over £40,000 for charities over the last two years. n
CHARITY
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
School choir brings festive cheer to Dream Factory children Members of the Chigwell School Chapel Choir provided festive music when children who have received ‘dreams’ from The Dream Factory charity were given an extra treat – an early Christmas lunch at The King William IV pub in Chigwell.
The school’s Director of Music, Howard Ebden, said: “We were delighted to be asked to provide some Christmas cheer for The Dream Factory Christmas lunch. The Chapel Choir is committed to raising money for charity and each one of them share in this idea, so for the 12 pupils it was a privilege and a pleasure to give up their lunchtime to bring a little smile and happiness to the children, families and workers of The Dream Factory.” The charity’s founder, Avril Mills said: “The Chigwell School Choir were fabulous.” n
Chigwell School have taken part in Send a Cow’s sponsored reading scheme ‘Read to Feed’. Pupils aged 4-18 spent two weeks being sponsored to read for pleasure in order to raise money to provide cows and other farm animals to help African families. Send a Cow
lifts families out of poverty for good by teaching them how to produce food from small plots
of unproductive land and by providing livestock including chickens, goats and cows.
The school have raised £1,700 which will provide two cows, goats and chickens. n
Chigwell School Gardening Club raises money for charity with giant pumpkin! The Chigwell School Gardening Club is going from strength to strength and its members have put their green-fingered talents to good use to raise plenty of pounds for charity.
The pupils grew a giant pumpkin on their vegetable patch that swelled to an estimated 100kg. Although the keen gardeners also grew salad leaves, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, mange tout, broad beans, beetroot and turnips, it was the giant pumpkin that they raffled for charity. Over two hundred pounds was raised for Haven House and Cancer Research UK. n 10 | 11
CHARITY
The Eren Pars Cup The annual Eren Pars football match was played with great enthusiasm and spirit. Sadly, Eren who left Chigwell in 2009, passed away in May 2012 when he was just 21. He was a keen footballer and the match is played in his memory each year between two Chigwell sixth form teams. This year, the
excited crowd of pupils, staff, parents and friends of Eren saw a closely fought game which the Year 13 team eventually won on penalties. The Eren Pars trophy was presented by Eren’s mother to the winners. Mr and Mrs Pars made a generous donation, £2,500 of which will go to the Smiles with Grace charity which was the charity chosen by the winning side. n
Smiles with Grace Walk Some 200 pupils, parents and friends gathered to walk nine miles in order to remember Chigwell
pupil, Grace Boxall, who sadly passed away in 2013, just days before her 16th birthday. The walkers gathered at Chigwell, made their way along the banks of the River Roding to Woodford Green Prep School where much-needed refreshments were kindly provided. They then made their way back through Epping Forest and the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve before arriving at Chigwell School for tea. The walk raised money for Smiles with Grace, the charity which
Grace set up herself to raise money for causes which help other children suffering from life threatening diseases. To date the charity has raised nearly £90,000 and currently is sponsoring a
project at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Grace was treated, to support children with Spinal Lipoma. Several of the patrons of the charity are Grace’s friends from Chigwell. n
Chigwell’s record-breaking charity team A 40-strong Chigwell team of staff, parents and Old Chigwellians was the largest ever to run the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon, in aid of Cancer Research UK. The team has raised over £40,000 from this one event which started and finished in the stunning Hyde Park. Over 16,000 runners ran the 13.1 mile route through Central London, taking in the spectacular sites of the
capital and the beautiful Royal Parks. Gill Punt who organised the team said “It was a truly amazing race and certainly a
day which will be remembered by runners and supporters alike. I think we all did Chigwell proud.” n
DRAMA
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
The School for Scandal The Senior School Play, The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan was performed to audiences who enjoyed the flamboyancy of the 18th century with wigs, frills and snuff-taking! This was a marvellously staged traditional drama that recreated an age of wit, gossip and scandal
delightfully. Costumes were especially authentic supplied by the Royal National Theatre. Of particular note were Will Weightman who put in an outstanding performance as the hypocrite Joseph Surface, Michael Chamberlain who was suitably bluff as the aging husband Sir Peter, and Harry Benjamin as the Patrician, hearty-yet-wily Sir Oliver. The evenings really brought to life the 18th century and its unique style of theatre. n
LAMDA Showcase The LAMDA Showcase dazzled us all with some fantastically polished monologues and duologues. Particularly outstanding were Tess Kelly and Venita Bailey. Tom Lockley was awarded the prize for the highest LAMDA mark 2014. n 12 | 13
DRAMA
GCSE Drama An exciting GCSE performance of Scallywags was staged in the drama centre. It was written and directed by Head of KS2 Drama, Janey Foster. The actors were: Justin Morse, Brooke Newton, Barnaby Hannan-Everitt, Megha Sharma, Gabriel Kelly, Edgar Padfield. The sound technician was Ciaran Caplan and the set designer was Elyse Kansaran. It is set in a state school in London. n
Onatti Production Company visits Chigwell The Onatti Production Company visited Chigwell to perform their amusing twoperson play, Erreur d’identitÊ in which the proprietors of a rundown country hotel receive an unexpected
guest and get more than they bargained for. The two principals played all the parts with tremendous energy in a succession of garish wigs and costumes. Despite the sophistication of some of the French, the twists and turns of the plot were surprisingly and delightfully clear, supported as
they were by vigorous mime and non-verbal communication. Not a word of English was spoken even by the two audience participants! The play was really well received by the children of Years 7 and 8 and we hope to welcome the company again in the future when they will once again do their bit to promote this beautiful language. n
MUSIC
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
The Chapel Choir sing Evensong at Westminster Abbey It was a rare privilege to be able to hear the stunning quality of the Chapel Choir as they led Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The Abbey has the highest gothic vault in England (some 101 feet) and the Chapel Choir opened with the introit, O bone Jesu, before embarking on the Rose Responses with complete
control. The coming together of the power created by the great Abbey organ (played by our own Simon Winters) and the voices of the Choir in the opening and resulting exclamations of Stanford’s Magnificat in C and later in the Anthem, Like as the art by Herbert Howells was unforgettable. Howard Ebden, Director of Music, commented: “To conduct, stand and sing on a site that presents such a unique pageant of British history was one of the greatest honours.” n
Junior School Concert The Junior School Michaelmas Concert was witnessed by a packed audience of parents and pupils. The quality of each performance was impressive as each soloist and ensemble took to the stage. The audience
enjoyed a rich and varied programme which included works by Telemann and Donizetti, Gershwin, Sondheim and John Williams. Groups performing included the Cello Group, Saxophone Group, Trumpet Group, Percussion Groups, the Junior Orchestra, the Glee Club and the Year 5 and 6 Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs. n
YEAR 3 & 4 JUNIOR CONCERT
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MUSIC
Les Misérables In the last few days of Michaelmas term, the concert production of Les Misérables, took to the Chigwell School stage. More than seventy pupils worked for a large part of the term to produce stunning performances in New Hall, superbly decorated to transport
the audiences from 21st-century Essex to 19th-century France. The performances included a charity matinée to raise money for Smiles with Grace, and each performance had a unique cast in order to offer several pupils the chance to take the principal roles. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make this a production to remember. n
Rowan Jones Following successful rounds of auditions Rowan Jones (Year 11) has been awarded a place in the National Youth Wind Orchestra, the National Youth Wind Ensemble and the (elite) National Youth Chamber Orchestra. n
Chigwell Primary Schools’ Music Festival Some 100 children aged 7-11 from twenty different schools came to Chigwell School for a Primary Schools’ Music Festival. The day offered the opportunity for instrumentalists to receive professional coaching and instruction and to be a part of an orchestra of nearly sixty players. Non-orchestral instrumentalists and singers had
the chance to work with our resident songwriter and voice coach and to experience string playing on violins, violas and celli and finally to compose music in one of the School’s computer suites. As well as this, the entire group of children joined together as a united choir, presenting the songs Let It Go and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. The day was a huge success and culminated in a spectacular celebratory concert to family and friends. n
OUT & ABOUT
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
History Tour of Vietnam A number of Year 12 pupils spent part of their half term travelling through Vietnam on a history tour to widen their understanding of the country.
In Hanoi they visited the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, where American airmen who were shot down during bombing raids, were held in a former French prison. The pupils experienced the Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, the 17th Parallel, the border between North and South Vietnam, and the Vinh Moc
Tunnels where a whole village lived underground to escape the bombing. They also experienced the wonders of Halong Bay and they travelled to Hoi An over a pass, stopping at American machine gun posts and then on to Ho Chi Minh City. Here they travelled to the spectacular Mekong Delta where they
journeyed by boat up the river for lunch and a visit to a local market. The final visit was to the War Remnants Museum. The pupils learnt that Vietnam is a stunningly beautiful country, the people are warm and welcoming, the culture is rich and varied, and the country is changing and developing rapidly. n
Chigwell’s Year 1 pupils at the annual Christmas Tree Festival Year 1 pupils took part in the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church, Chigwell.
They sponsored and decorated two trees which were part of the giant display in the church. n 16 | 17
OUT & ABOUT
Tour to the Ypres Salient Fifty Chigwell pupils experienced a battlefield tour to the Ypres Salient in Belgium. They started by watching a recruiting sergeant at work after which the group was given a trench meal consisting of a vegetable broth and a sausage.
grave for others to read. This was followed by a reading of the school song and a minute’s silence. The pupils were a credit to Chigwell School throughout and returned a little better able to appreciate the trauma that many Old Chigwellians went through a century ago, fighting in World War One. n
Next they moved on to the trenches before drying out a little in the Passchendaele Museum, where pupils learnt more about what it may have been like to fight on the Western Front during the First World War. Later, they attended the nightly remembrance service at the Menin Gate where wreathes were laid on behalf of Chigwell School after the last post. This ceremony has happened nightly since 1928. The following day the party made a more specific pilgrimage when they went to the grave of 22 year old Captain Harold Frank Barclay Turner OC. Pupils read out the work they had produced about his life at Chigwell School and his career in the army, which they left in a frame on his
Hispanists on Homestay Twenty Year 10 and 11 hispanists travelled to Benalmádena, near Málaga as part of their Spanish course. The group spent six days on a tuition homestay based at the Colegio Maravillas language school. They stayed in local apartments and houses in groups of twos and threes. In the mornings pupils were split into two classes for lessons between 9.30am and 1.00pm, and went on excursions in
the afternoons. They visited Málaga and walked around the Cathedral, the thousand year old Moorish Alcazaba and the city’s Picasso museum (the artist was a malagueño). They also travelled by coach to the lovely hilltop village of Mijas (where they are pictured) and nearby Benalmádena Pueblo. The pupils tried their hand (not entirely successfully) at Flamenco, and naturally had an afternoon on the beach: temperatures were, after all, in the thirties! n
Chigwell hispanists visit the hilltop village of Mijas.
OUT & ABOUT
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
Chigwell Scouts Chigwell scout troop goes from strength to strength. A number of Year 7 pupils joined the ranks, beginning the academic year with fire building sessions, outdoor cookery lessons, team-building activities and wide games in the dark during a visit to Hainault Forest. A highlight of the term was our investiture
evening, where new scouts took their scouting promise in the presence of the troop, leaders and their parents, followed by a BBQ and celebratory fireworks. In addition, we were thrilled to award our longestserving scout, Max Albert, with his Chief Scout Award, for which he worked extremely hard in several areas. Huge congratulations go to Max for all his ongoing dedication to scouting. n
Old Chigwellian in Cenotaph Guard of Honour on Remembrance Sunday Last year’s Head Boy, Richard Stavri, (pictured second row centre in green scarf) was selected to be in the Cenotaph Guard of Honour on Remembrance Sunday. After the First World War King George V invited London based Queen’s (then called King’s) Scouts to form a Guard of Honour along the walk to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in recognition of Scouting’s efforts and sacrifices during the War. This tradition
Other activities...
continues today and this Remembrance Sunday Richard was invited to be a part of it – having also gained this highest award in Scouting (roughly similar to a Gold DofE Award). Richard commented, “Whilst certainly an incredible honour to be right at the centre of the National Service, it was also incredibly exciting to be within touching distance of the Queen and Royal family, the Prime Minister and countless other dignitaries!” n
Colne Valley Railway Gardening Club
Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood
Year 6 Gilwell Park Activity Day
Pre Prep Reception at the Chigwell Riding Trust
Year 6 Geography trip to Dawes Hall 18 | 19
SPORT
Cricket success Portia Blogg (Year 11) had a very successful season taking nearly 50 wickets overall. She played for Essex U15s where she was the joint leading wicket taker and also played and toured with the Essex U17s.
The U15s qualified for the National U15 Finals and Portia played a leading part in the team. She played men’s adult league cricket for Fives and Heronians CC and topped the 4th XI bowling averages. For the ladies team which she plays for, Portia was the leading wicket taker and took
a hat-trick and six wickets in an innings to finish off an excellent season. Portia was listed in The Cricketer magazine for taking six wickets in an innings in their Bowling Honours Board! During the winter months she has played in the indoor leagues for several different sides. n
with Harry Butler in The Manor of Groves Junior Open. He shot 2 over par which was 6 under his handicap and won the net prize by 5 strokes. Jasper
participated in the county Leslie Wood competition adult team for Chigwell GC and won 7 out of 8 matches. The Club went on to win the tournament
for the first time since 1986. In addition, he has been selected for the U15 Essex County squad. n
Golf News Former Chigwell pupil Harry Butler has been invited to join England Golf U18’s regional squad. He has also been asked to play for Chigwell in the Halford Hewitt competition next year. Jasper Carr (Year 11) has won five competitions this year including a tied 1st
Tennis We were delighted to hear that Year 8 pupil Elbert Barr was the winner for the second year running of the Lawn Tennis Association 2014 Summer County Leaderboard. To achieve this success once was good but twice is most impressive as he had to fight off tough opposition to remain at the top for the Competition Season. n
Cross Country
SPORT
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
Football Chigwell School’s 1st XI footballers hosted Greenhouse Under 18s this season. Greenhouse are a charity based in south London who
aim to develop social, thinking, emotional and physical skills for young people in London’s communities through high quality, intensive sports programmes delivered by inspirational coaches. Greenhouse run a strong football programme with a
large number of teams ranging from Under 9s right up to their first team who play in the Essex Senior League. The match itself was played in an excellent spirit by both teams and although Chigwell ran out winners at the end, the match was very competitive
throughout. The boys who played enjoyed a meal in the dining hall afterwards which allowed the boys to mix socially and get to know one another. The match will become an annual event which next year will be expanded to include younger teams. n
Chigwell School runner-up in national six-a-side tournament Chigwell School was host to the prestigious annual Independent Schools FA national sixes tournament. Thirty-two teams from across the country competed in this event which saw group matches played in the morning and knockout matches for the cup and plate competitions in the afternoon. Due to victories over Kimbolton, RGS Newcastle, John Lyon and Lancing College, Chigwell were through to the last four. City of London School were the opponents in a tense encounter which ended in penalties. Chigwell had their keeper to thank as he saved three penalties to see
ISFA Success
Chigwell through to the final against Bradfield College. Unfortunately, Bradfield proved too strong and eventually ran out 2-0 victors. The last time Chigwell had made the final was 2005. This was an outstanding achievement considering the smaller size of the school compared to the large football schools which enter every year. Chigwell School bursar David Morrison said: “There was universal acclaim for the school’s extensive grounds particularly from ISFA which publicly congratulated our grounds staff on their fine work which has established Chigwell as the leading school for national tournaments.” n
Three Chigwell School pupils were selected to represent the Independent Schools FA national representative sides this season at the FA’s St George’s Park.
Year 9 pupils, Tommy Redhead and Jake David were selected for the Under-14 squad, whilst Alec Osborn represented the Under-15 team, having represented ISFA at U-14 level last year. The three pupils were chosen after a training event at Oakham School at
half term. Both squads faced tough opposition as they played matches against Leicester City FC and Watford FC academies. This was a fantastic opportunity for all three boys to play at England’s training centre. n 20 | 21
SPORT
Chigwell School hosts Under 11s Football Festival
Chigwell School hosted its annual football festival featuring twenty-one teams from sixteen local primary schools. The aim of the festival was to give all participants the opportunity to play in a fun, safe and competitive environment in a child centred competition.
Chigwell School’s U10 Futsal Players Chigwell School’s U10 Futsal players were very honoured to play in the ‘Copper Box’ at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sixteen Year 5 boys
went along to play Futsal in matches against several local schools. They all really enjoyed the experience and had a memorable time. n
Each school was placed in a pool with other schools of similar ability, with each team playing six matches which were all close affairs. The standard of football from all schools was impressive and many parents and pupils commented on the relaxed atmosphere of the event and the positive environment which was set. n
FOOTBALL REMEMBERS...
The U18s and U14s took part in the ‘Football Remembers’ campaign
Chigwell School hosts U11 Netball Tournament Chigwell School hosted the annual Under-11s netball tournament which involved 16 teams from local schools, with some 160 girls taking part. Miss Sam Dick, Head of Netball at Chigwell School said: “It was a fantastic morning, providing the players with opportunities to develop both individually
and as part of a team at the very start of the season. Chigwell came third overall
which was a fantastic result for a very talented group of players. We would like to
thank every team that took part for making the day enjoyable and successful.” n
SPORT
News From Chigwell | Spring 2015
Netball County Representation Congratulations to Annie Redmond who has been selected to play for Essex at U16 level and to Nina McCausland and Stevie Southall who represent Essex at
U14 level. Stevie and Nina are also playing for Essex Open in the ladies league along with the U16 netball squad who represent Leyton in the Essex Met league. n
L-R: Annie Redmond, Nina McCausland and Stevie Southall
Girls Hockey Chigwell girls have enjoyed one of their most successful seasons of hockey and have celebrated many triumphs throughout the term across the age range. The 1st XI achieved their best ever finish at the U18 Essex tournament, reaching the semi-finals of the competition and narrowly losing out 1-0 to Coopers, conceding in the last 30 seconds of the match. They have been almost unbeatable throughout their season. Notable performances have come from Goalkeeper Hannah Leiper, Captain Georgia O’Connor and midfielders Alice Melvin and Megan Wells. These girls have often been the catalyst of strong team performances and the others have followed their positive and competitive attitude on the
1st XI Hockey
pitch. Following on from this, we must congratulate Leiper, Melvin and Wells on their continued involvement with their respective age groups of Tier 1 Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPC) – this is a great achievement. The U14s have been the flagship team of the season in hockey. The U14As went undefeated all season in their fixtures, winning 8 out of 9 matches and the other result ended in a 2-2
U14 Hockey
draw. The girls notched up a staggering 33 goals whilst only conceding 5. Following their great performance at the U14 Essex tournament, where the girls finished 2nd, the squad travelled to Bedford to represent Essex at the East of England round. They beat Kings Ely 2-1, Sutton Valance 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Bedford Girls School. They faced Felsted in the final and lost 3-1. The girls were disappointed not to have progressed to the Nationals but were extremely pleased with their efforts and achievement at such a prestigious tournament. Further hockey honors outside of school go to Venetia Bailey, Charlotte James-Pajwani, Chloe Stack, Stevie Southall who have all been selected for U14 Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPC) Tier 1 and Zoe Wright who has been selected for the county side, U14 (Junior Academy Centre) JAC.
In the Junior School, hockey continues to grow from strength to strength with both the U13s and U12s doing very well at the IAPS tournaments. The U13 squads have always been a keen and enthusiastic bunch of girls but have recently added an element of strength and competitive drive to their game too now. Again, we are proud to have two girls involved with the county from this year group, Eleanor Ahern in the U13 Junior Academy Centre (JAC) and Kitty Howson in the U13 Junior Development Centre (JDC). n
Junior Hockey 22 | 23
Dates for your diary 27 February: A Level Drama Monologues, Drama Centre, 5.00pm 4 March: Middle School Public Speaking Competition, New Hall, 7.00pm 6 March: Dance Showcase, Drama Centre, 4.30pm 14 March: Choral Concert – Mozart Requiem in D minor K.626 and Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Op. 37: Soloist Katie Marshall (OC), Christ Church, Spitalfields, London, 7.30pm 18 March: GCSE Drama Devised Performance, Drama Centre, 5.00pm 25 March: A Level Drama Performance, Drama Centre, 5.00pm
MAIN OPEN DAY
Saturday 19th September 2015
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26 March: Chamber Concert, New Hall, 7.00pm 18 April: Evensong, Trinity College, Oxford, 6.00pm
TRINITY TERM... 30 April: Chigwell Musician of the Year Finals, New Hall, 7.00pm 7 May: Year 10 Play, Drama Centre, 7.00pm 19 & 20 May: Middle School Play, Drama Centre, 7.00pm 11 June: Junior School Concert, New Hall, 7.00pm 20 June: Sports Day, OC Association AGM and OC Day 2 July: Scholars’ Play, Drama Centre, 7.00pm 4 July: Speech Day and Summer Ball 7 July: Senior School Concert, New Hall, 7.00pm
Letters or Enquiries to: The Editor News from Chigwell, Development Office, Chigwell School, High Road, Chigwell, Essex IG7 6QF Telephone: 020 8501 5748 Email: development@chigwell -school.org Website: www.chigwell-school.org
Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, number 1115098.