HM Letter October 2018

HEADMASTER’S LETTER OCTOBER 2018

T0 PARENTS

Dear Parents Every time I draw together the information for this letter, I am amazed at just how much has been packed into a few weeks by so many pupils and this half term has been no exception.

The pages that follow summarise just some of the highlights.

Contents Page 1

Open Day

Page 2

Open Day

Page 3

Girls’ Hockey

Page 4

Girls’ Hockey

Page 5

Boys Football

Page 6

Rowing

Page 7

Drama

Page 8

House Music

Page 9

House Music

Page 10

Prep and Primary Music Festival PSHE Dinners

Page 11

Williams Project

Page 12

Higher and Extended Project Qualifications

Page 13

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Page 14

Visit by Stuart Innes, O.C.

Page 15

Careers Convention Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition The Pilot, issue 11

Page 16

Visit of Stasi Georgieva

Page 17

London Academy of Excellence Tottenham Roof Replacement

Page 18

Peer Mentoring

Page 19

Cars on Site Staff News And Finally

Page 20

Message from the Chaplain

Page 21

Message from the Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

Open Day Once again, we have had some busy open

events for entry at all points. I would like to thank all pupils who helped by guiding

or taking part in demonstrations in departments, and who were such positive representatives of the School.

1

Open Day

2

Girls’ Hockey There has been a successful start to the

Another win against Bromley (3-0) saw

some pleasing results and performances

group. In their last match versus Culford,

Chigwell sit comfortably at the top of their

girls’ hockey term across the board with

Chigwell were held to a 1-1 draw, but

from all. Participation at the senior end of

finished as group winners. In the final

the school has led to Chigwell fielding a

they faced a well drilled Hockerill team.

1st, 2nd and 3rd team, a first for the

Going 1-0 down, Chigwell ignored their

School. The 3rd team have enjoyed a number

of

fixtures

against

tired legs and pushed on giving

local

everything. A well-struck penalty corner

opposition and with it, some winning

saw the score tied at 1-1. However, in a

score lines. The 1st XI has historically

game which flowed from end to end, it

been a strong squad and this year has

was Hockerill who struck in the final

been no different. Dominant at the U18

couple of minutes to take the lead, and

county tournament, they played the day

allowing no time for Chigwell to respond.

undefeated, scoring sixteen goals and

The girls came away from the match

conceding only two, Chigwell qualified for

frustrated with the loss, knowing they

the subsequent round in the regional tier 4

were good enough to progress further in

competition. After an early start and a

the competition, but equally satisfied

long drive to Norwich for the East of

with their performance and knowing they

England round, Chigwell started the

could not have given anymore. Thank you

daybrightly against Lincoln, winning 4-0.

3

Girls’ Hockey to all the parents who made the long trip

has been extremely pleasing from the

currently preparing for their indoor

players are showing a tremendous

younger teams in the School. Technically,

to support the girls. The seniors are

season, training Tuesday evenings in

amount of potential, and mixed with their

after half term.

winning combination is developing. The

enthusiasm and competitive spirit, a

preparation for the County tournament

U11, U12 and U13 sides all have their Essex

In the Middle School, teams have had a

Schools Tournament during the first week

tough start to the season in terms of

back after half term, and we wish them all

results, but they have stuck with it and

luck at these.

as a result produced some excellent performances

and

results

against

Outside of school, we continue to have

Bancroft’s recently. With a long string of

excellent club links with Old Loughtonians

fixtures after half term, training will be

HC and as a result, our girls are playing

vital to continue the good progression

more and more hockey. Individual honours

both squads have made in recent weeks.

go to Charlotte James-Pajwani who

represented Saxon Tigers at the Future

In the Junior School, exuberance is high,

Cup and England at the School Games.

and the overall quality of performances

4

Boys’ Football The U13s have been working hard to

We have had a successful and progressive

start to the 2018 season with lots of results

produce results and continue their

term. After four weeks of pre-season, the

Mr Richardson. There have been glimpses

transition this year under the guidance of

for the senior sides in the early part of this 1st XI started well producing strong results

of potential, in particular the IAPS

remain unbeaten this half term in “league”

quarter finals of the plate competition.

tournament where the U13s lost in the

in the ISFA Sixes and ISFA Cup. The 1st XI

games and continue to impress, building

Chigwell has hosted a record number of

again from last year. More exciting news

tournaments this year including the

has been the introduction of a Leyton

national

Orient coach who has worked with KS2,

IAPS U13 regionals and Chigwell’s very own

which has resulted in increased numbers in

tournament. It has been an honour to host

the senior fold.

such prestigious national tournaments and is largely due to the dedication and hard

The ISFA Cup has sprung its usual surprises

work of the grounds, catering and various

with the 1st XI losing after dominating the

football staff. I would like to take this

game to UCS 0-1. The U16s have got off to

opportunity to thank them for all their

a great start beating Rickstones Academy

efforts and professionalism in maintaining

in the English Schools FA Cup 3-1 and a

our nationally recognised reputation.

repeat result against last year’s quarter The

Hall

(twenty-four

country), ISFA U11 Regional Tournament,

provision for senior sides after school,

opponents

Sixes

independent schools from around the

3rd XI, 4th XI, and 5th XI. There is now

final

ISFA

School,

We continue to develop individuals, with

Wimbledon 7-1. In the U15s ISFA Cup, a

success for Oliver Irow and Blake Irow

young Chigwell side eventually lost to

continuing at Tottenham Academy, George

Farringtons School after leading 1-0. The

Coton with West Ham, Evan Perry at Millwall

only losing once to City of London and will

also been a large number of nominations for

Thursday 18th. We have high hopes for

Essex representative teams and we wish all

U14s continued their impressive record

and Louie Gibbons at Watford. There have

play The Kew School in the ESFA Cup on

Chigwell School boys to ISFA and Herts and

this group.

nominated every success.

5

Rowing

Some pupils from the Removes and Lower

Fifth have been able to opt for rowing for the first time at the Lee Valley Rowing

Club in games sessions. Although some

were a little nervous, the conditions were

very good and those involved enjoyed the new experience.

6

Drama Drama this term began with a trip to see

and styles and were able to ask

the acclaimed production of Martin

theprofessional actresses how they first

Inishmore” starring Aidan Turner. This was

candidates also enjoyed a full days training

McDonagh’s

“The

Lieutenant

of

got into showbiz. GCSE Make Up

a stunning performance of this dark satire

with Rosemary Swinfield, professional

on Irish Terrorism that was thoroughly

make up artist and author of our course

enjoyed by the Middle Sixth A level drama

text book. Finally, the Upper Fifth drama

group. Next, the Lower Sixth enjoyed

GCSE sets performed their devised pieces

Kate Williams of “East Enders” and “Birds

seven short dramas created by the

workshops on Stanislavski and Laban by

in the last week of school. These were

of a Feather” fame. This was swiftly

students using improvisational techniques.

followed by two visits by crime writer,

Themes ranged from Anorexia, the NHS,

former police officer and actress Kate

Isolation, Divorce and a Sherlock Holmes

London. Kate took workshops on Le Coq

spoof. Candidates were able to offer

and Commedia Dell’Arte. The Lower Sixth

acting, sound, set design and costume and

found these workshops a great insight into

make up, showing a real breadth of talent

key theatre practitioners

and skill. Well done to all involved.

7

House Music

each of the four Houses arranged and performed Charles Wood’s Oculi Omnium for item 1. Next came item 2, again

arranged by pupils, and the four ensembles performed Beyonce’s Love on

The annual House Music competition took

Top, Somebody to Love by Queen,

place at the start of term and provided a

Everglow and Skyfall of Stars by Coldplay

fun, lively and polished evening of musical

and Evanescence’s Bring Me to Life.

entertainment in which all Senior School

Finally, in item 3, all members of each

pupils participated. Small groups from

House danced and sang their chosen house song. In the limited space available

on stage, perhaps not every dance step

would have been awarded a 10 by a Strictly Come Dancing judge, maybe not every note was sung in perfect tune, but

no one could doubt the enthusiasm of the members of Caswalls’, Lambourne, Penn’s

and Swallow’s Houses who treated the

audience to Can’t Stop the Feeling, You’re the one that I Want with We go Together,

I Wanna Dance with Somebody and I Want You Back.

8

9

Prep and Primary Music Festival A hundred and ten pupils from a variety of prep and primary schools attended the annual music festival where there were workshops for strings, brass, guitar, percussion and music

tech. This gave the children the opportunity to develop their playing or to try a new instrument, and I am very grateful to all the music and peripatetic staff who worked so hard

on the day. The finale was a concert in which all children performed either in the large orchestra or in the combined choir. We were pleased to see younger Chigwell pupils involved and a number of older pupils supported the staff throughout the day.

PSHE Dinners

Once again, Remove pupils have worked

very hard to prepare and serve a meal for

their parents, tutors and guests for the Remove PSHE dinners. This is a House competition and, therefore, the dinners

took place over four successive weeks.

They were excellent occasions, with

superb food, entertainment and company,

and we hope that the pupils will put their culinary skills into action at home.

10

Williams Project

Once again, there has been an interesting variety of Williams Project sessions each fortnight.

Human and animal rights

campaigner, Peter Tatchell, spoke about why LGBT issues should concern all of us;

Professor Priscilla Alderson of UCL asked

whether “Children have international inalienable human rights?�; and Professor Ray

Monk

of

the

University

of

Southampton spoke about Wittgenstein

and why he remains important. If they have not done so, please encourage your

sons and daughters to attend the Williams Project sessions.

11

Higher and Extended Project Qualification Thirty-four Year 11 and 13 students showcased their projects and research

at the Higher and Extended Project Qualifications

presentation

evening

recently. Working on their own, each

student had designed, researched and executed a project on a topic of their own choice.

From their eye-catching

stands, students talked enthusiastically

about their chosen topic to an audience

which included pupils, parents, teachers and governors. HPQ and EPQ projects

covered a huge range of disciplines

encompassing science, medicine, law, economics, politics, art and history, as well as focussing on pertinent issues such as Brexit, plastic pollution, anorexia, veganism, and even Harry

Potter. The efforts of the Year 11

students will be rewarded with an extra

half GCSE, whilst for Year 13 students

their projects allow them to develop

their interest in a particular area and gain a qualification equivalent to half an A level.

12

Royal Parks Half Marathon Congratulations to the parents, staff, Old Chigwellians and friends who competed in the Royal Parks Half Marathon last weekend. Nearly one hundred joined the Chigwell group to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

13

Visit by Stuart Innes, O.C. Thirteen Lower Sixth students interested

London and due to start life as junior

medicine were treated to a General

Centre to run example scenarios past our

doctors next year, came to the Sixth Form

in finding out more about a career in

pupils and gave a question and answer

Practice Simulation Experience over lunch

session. We were very grateful to both of

on Wednesday 26th September. Old

them, who stayed longer than they

Chigwellian Stuart Innes and colleague

thought they would to answer questions.

Charles Southey, both currently in their final year of Medicine at King’s College

Fundraising The Islamic Society has raised over ÂŁ1,200 for the Pakistan Dam appeal, made by new

Prime Minister Imran Khan, which is set to become the largest crowdfunding project in

history.

14

Careers Convention

(rdarkin@chigwell-school.org) She would

Unfortunately, the careers convention will not take place in November as per the calendar but it will be on 25th March. As always, we are delighted to have offers of help from parents who would be willing to talk about their areas of work to Senior School pupils. If you would be willing to do this, please contact Miss Roxanne Darkin

also be pleased to hear from any parents

who could offer older students work experience or work shadowing.

In addition, mock medical interviews will

take place on the evening of Wednesday 14th November.

Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition Congratulations to this year’s winners of our sixth-form essay competition: Mitchell essay (sciences):

Howard essay (arts):

Charlotte James-Pajwani - “Will a cure for type 1 diabetes be found through stem-cell research?”

Sophia Mouzourides - “When does a human cease to be human? Shades of grey within global human rights”

Both winners will be presenting their essays from 5:30pm on Tuesday November 20th and all are very welcome to hear them.

The Pilot, issue 11

We are delighted to announce that issue 11 of the Pilot, the School’s journal, is out now. Pilot 11 is a collection of academic essays, poems, and other articles written and edited by students and staff. Topics range from banking (including the 2008 crash), the arts (modern versions of classical sculptures), and medicine (personalised medicine, anorexia,

placebos), to politics (Margaret Thatcher),

law, and the ancient world (Herodotus).

Last year’s winning and commended Howard and Mitchell Essays can be found in this edition.

The Pilot can be read electronically, or you can buy a printed copy for £1 from Senior School Reception

15

Visit of Stasi Georgieva Old Chigwellian Stasi Georgieva visited

Chigwell to share her experience of life

NEW

after leaving school as part of the ‘Meet

MEET T THE HE F URE! FUTURE! !

The Future’ series of careers talks. Stasi

outlined her path to discovering what she wanted

to

study

at

Confused about life e after Chigwell? higwell?

university

(International Management with Spanish

Informal lunchtime unchtime chats with people e who’ve been through it all and got out the other side.

at Plymouth University). Students were

28th September tember Stasi Georgieva orgieva (marketing, ng, pr)

fascinated by the Spanish element of the

course as, surprisingly, Stasi had not studied Spanish before, and had no

Chigwellians s from the past, living ing your future! re!

16th November ember 5 5th October Rachel Lund d (Head Helen len Macinnes of Insight t and (event nt management) ) Analytics cs at & Chris Jones British Retail ( (novelist) Consortium) ium) 23 3rd November Bella Bird & James J es Harrington n (Civil ivil Service)

experience of the language. She also spoke about the modules she took and

MONDAY Y! 26th November ember Jessica Beagley agley (policy director, rector, medical research) search)

30th November mber 7th December r Alice Beagley gley Rupe Deol l (Bank of England) gland) (surgeon)

how she eventually specialised in marketing and PR.

Mostly Fridays, ays, always 1:25-2:10 :25-2:10 in R4 (6FC)

In terms of her career following university, Stasi initially followed her original dream

and worked in a large advertising agency, but she then switched to a smaller PR

consultancy where she works now. In light of this, she spoke of the enjoyment of being in a smaller firm and “being a bigger fish in a smaller pond”.

16

London Academy of Excellence Tottenham Sixth Form students and staff hosted a visiting group of A level psychology students from the London Academy of Excellence in Tottenham. Lower Sixth students from each school worked together for part of the day and, over lunch, Head of Psychology Mr Stephen Hirst gave a talk about the study of psychology at university. Chigwell students hope to make a

return visit later this year and we are amongst the group of independent schools that work with LAET, which opened a year ago.

Roof Replacement As you will have spotted, the extensive work to replace the Old School roof continues.

We hope you will see the benefit of some of the renovated rooves shortly after half term.

17

Peer Mentoring

Earlier in the term, twenty of our Middle Sixth students completed their peer mentor training. The session was run by Val Barritt, a specialist in mentoring and befriending programmes. Val provides mentoring workshops and training courses for schools, universities, businesses and charities. The session was extremely interesting and insightful, equipping our pupils with the necessary skills to effectively mentor our Upper Fifth pupils. We think this experience will be extremely useful for all involved.

18

Staff News

Cars on Site

We send our congratulations to Mr Edward Gamwells and his wife Natalie on the birth of their daughter Eleanor. We also congratulate Miss Rosie Pettingill and her partner Phil on the arrival of their baby daughter Anneliese

Please can I remind parents to drive very carefully when they come on site in the interest of safety of all pupils. The barriers open for parents to drop off children at 7.30am, although we have had reports of cars trying to pass through the barrier earlier than this. Thank you for your help.

And Finally

Over half term, pupils in the Upper Fifth and above will be preparing for the exams that take place on their return but we hope that all pupils take some time to refresh as well.

There is also the senior football tour to Madrid as well as the expedition to Everest Base Camp. We hope that all pupils and staff have a safe but fulfilling time, and we look forward to hearing about their adventures on their return. Likewise, I look forward seeing all families again after the break.

With best wishes Yours sincerely Michael Punt

19

Message from the Chaplain

It’s hard to believe that we are already at half term and looking back we seem to have crammed a huge amount into the first few weeks of this new academic year. The Chapel refurbishment programme continues. Following the rewiring and new lighting which was completed over the summer, an updated sound system has now been installed. First to get the full benefit of the improvements were the Pre Prep who held their Harvest Thanksgiving service in Chapel at the beginning of October when the new radio microphones and speakers were thoroughly tested.

Our weekly services for the Senior School in St Mary’s Church each Monday have been an opportunity for our new Praefects to read lessons and lead the prayers. We have also enjoyed the singing of the Chapel Choir who will now take a formal part in these services on a more regular basis.

The Charity Committee met early in term and planned events and activities for the year.

Charity Week will be the first full week in December and each House is planning a separate fundraiser at some point through the school year. We are grateful to all who contributed so generously to the Harvest Festival celebrations. Gifts of food and essential supplies have been donated to the Streets2Homes charity in Harlow who support the homeless and those struggling to make ends meet. Thanks also go to our sixth form students; Catherina Liyanagama, Stella Kearin, Tess Kelly and Adrianna Wojtyna who spent a busy few hours loading and unloading the harvest gifts.

I was told this morning that there are only seventy-six days to Christmas so the next few months will only get busier. I hope you all have an enjoyable and restful half term break.

20

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

Back to school feels like a distant memory now. The FoC met for the AGM on 18th September to summarise the previous year; during the previous academic year, the team hosted thirty-seven events, raised £19,805, donated £19,000 towards the Junior School Playground and funded Easter Egg hunts and Pre Prep Christmas classroom gifts. This is a fabulous achievement, only possible due to a fabulous team and support from all of the Chigwell families.

On Friday 12th October, we held our second Family Quiz night, at which one hundred and twenty Chigwell students, parents and family members gathered for a fun evening. Ten rounds of family friendly questions and delicious dinner served by Chartwells, a fun evening to compete and meet other Chigwell families.

Ways to help this term: •

•

Buy firework tickets from either Mrs Horn in the Pre Prep, Mrs Corey in the Junior School or Mrs Scannell in the Senior School.

The event is on Friday 9th November.

Donate any uniform that your family no longer needs.

At the AGM Lindsay Dawson and I shared our plan to step down as Co-Chair and Chair of the FoC. We have had an amazing time leading a truly inspiring team, but feel it is time to step aside and let the next leaders shine. We are actively seeking these wonderful people!

Please do not be shy, we are a pretty friendly bunch of parents and if you would like to get involved or more involved, please drop me an email (lewis.innocent10@icloud.com) We are looking forward to another eventful half term and in the run up to Christmas, the FoC will be hosting the Christmas Market on Friday 7th December, where parents are welcome to come along for refreshments and festive cheer.

Wishing you all a restful half term.

21

2019 TERM DATES 2018 Lent Term TermINSET on Monday 7th January StaffMichaelmas meetings and Friday 14th December FirstTerm day:ends: Tuesday 8th January Half term: Saturday 16th February to Sunday 24th February 2019 Term ends: Wednesday 3rd April Lent Term Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 7th January Trinity Term First day: Tuesday 8th January (Easter is 21stSaturday April) 16th February to Sunday 24th February HalfDay term: FirstTerm day:ends: Wednesday April Wednesday24rd 3rd April

Half term: Term ends:

Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June Wednesday 10th July