HM Letter to Perants October 2019

HEADMASTER’S LETTER OCTOBER 2019

T0 PARENTS

Dear Parents I hope that all pupils and parents are able to look back over the last seven weeks with a sense of pride at what they have achieved, even if they are now more than ready for a break over half term. I am particularly impressed at how well pupils new to the various sections of the School have settled in and how much all pupils have achieved.

As I write, I can hear the angelic voices of Senior School pupils rehearsing for House Music and I appreciate that this is a highlight of the school calendar.

Contents Page 1

Primary Schools’ Music Festival Careers Network

Page 2

Music

Page 3

The Annual Eren Pars Football Match

Page 4

PSHE Dinners EPQ and HPQ Evening

Page 5

Open Day

Page 6

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Page 7

Heavy Metal and Still Life Painting with Dr Tom Cardwell

Page 8

Girls’ Hockey

Page 9

Girls’ Hockey

Page 10

Boys’ Football

Page 11

Basketball Cross Country

Page 12

Drama Staff News And Finally

Page 13

Message from the Chaplain

Page 14

Message from Sana Abbas

Page 15

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

Primary Schools’ Music Festival More than one hundred children from local schools spent an entire day here for

this year’s music festival for children aged

7 to 11. They took part in a variety of

workshops, from music technology and

song-writing, to introductory string experiences. In addition to this, children

had a day of orchestral coaching, culminating

in

a

late

afternoon

celebratory concert. The day presented the children with a chance to try out a

new instrument and gave our own music scholars the opportunity to introduce and encourage them.

At the end of the

concert, the children formed one big choir

to sing ‘Saltwater’ and ‘This is the Greatest Show’.

Careers Network

We continue to work to expand our

would like to be part of a network

very grateful to parents who provide work

Chigwellians and parents in particular

careers guidance provision and we are

designed to connect students with Old

experience, carry out mock interviews and

attend

our

annual

employment areas with a view to

careers

facilitating

convention. The opportunities they offer

work

experience,

shadowing and advice.

are very much appreciated by the

job

If you would

like to be part of this network or to find

students they support.

out more, please look out for the message or contact Miss Darkin directly

Miss Roxanne Darkin, Head of Careers,

(rdarkin@chigwell-school.org)

will shortly be sending out a School Post message asking parents whether they

1

Music

We are immensely proud of our Chapel

Choir for their performance of Evensong

at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Visitors

from all over the world come to experience a moment of serenity at the Cathedral. This year, the Chapel Choir

sang ‘Like as the Hart’ by Herbert Howells, along with his setting of Psalm 26 and Charles Villiers Stanford’s ‘Evening Canticles in A, op 12.’

2

The Annual Eren Pars Football Match The annual Eren Pars memorial football

sixth form teams in his memory and this

between the Lower and Middle Sixth

Middle Sixth side.

year it was won by only one goal, by the

match was fiercely contested once more

Mr and Mrs Pars

generously gave money to the School to

students. Eren died from cancer on 25th

be donated to the charity of choice of the

May 2012 three years after leaving

winners and this year the Down’s

Chigwell. His parents and the School

Syndrome Association was selected.

inaugurated the match between the two

3

PSHE Dinners

EPQ and HPQ Evening

PSHE dinners which are prepared by each

who, in addition to their GCSEs or A levels,

We have enjoyed attending the Remove

Pupils in the Upper Fifth and Middle Sixth

of the four Remove form groups, supported

have taken the Higher or Extended Project Qualifications, presented their work at the EPQ and HPQ event.

This was well

attended by parents and friends, and indeed other pupils in younger

years who are considering carrying out these independent research projects themselves. Well done to all concerned.

by Chartwells’ staff.

Once again, the

standard of the meals has been excellent

and thank you to the families who have supported the events. We hope that the

pupils’ newly acquired catering skills will not go to waste.

4

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.

5

Royal Parks Half Marathon A team of almost eighty staff, parents, Old Chigwellians, a Governor and other friends ran in the Royal Parks Half Marathon last weekend. Congratulations to them all on their achievement and the funds that they have raised for Cancer Research UK.

6

Heavy Metal and Still Life Painting with Dr Tom Cardwell On Open Day, pupils in Year 7 and above

conference at the Royal Academy of Arts,

practical painting workshop led by Dr Tom

been exhibited widely and in these images

had the opportunity to participate in a

London. His own meticulous paintings have

Cardwell.

Tom has explored themes connected to Dutch still life painting of the Golden Age,

Tom is a senior lecturer at Wimbledon

subcultural symbolism and expressions of

College of Art and a recent graduate of the

personal narrative and identity in popular

University of the Arts London (UAL). In

image traditions. A book based upon his

2017, he completed his practice-based PhD

research will be published next year.

in painting and his doctoral thesis ‘Still life and Death Metal: painting the battle jacket’

For his workshop at school the pupils

employed painting practice to examine the

investigated new ways of representing the

customised jackets made by heavy metal

theme of ‘still life and produced a series of

fans. His research has been published in

stunning, collaborative paintings that

several academic journals and he recently

reinterpreted images from contemporary

presented elements of his work at a

visual culture.

7

Girls’ Hockey

Girls' hockey has enjoyed lots of fixtures this half term with a record number participating in Senior School teams.

The 1st XI finished a credible third at this year's County tournament, only losing out to the regional qualifiers. This year's 1st XI girls, led by Captain Ellie Ahern and Vice

Samantha O'Connor, have really stepped

up to the challenge after losing a number of strong players to university this year. The

squad's work ethic and commitment has been outstanding and as a result, the team’s

performances

have

steadily

improved. The 2nd and 3rd teams have had a fantastic start to their season, with the 3s unbeaten and the 2s having only lost

competitive spirit, but the number of goals

pleasing as regards these teams is not only

leading team in terms of goals scored and

scored too. The 2nd XI is already the

1 match to a 1st XI opposition. What is so

wins.

the high number of players and their

8

Girls’ Hockey

The U13s are the high-flying group this year with the As beating Royal Hospital School in

the ISHC. The hockey this team is playing is well beyond its years, and the mature style of play can only mean positive outcomes for

The U15s continue their strong run on the

the rest of the season. With a large squad,

back of last year and remain a very tough

rotation between the As and Bs is frequent

side to play against, winning the majority of

and the opportunity to play for the As is

their fixtures this year so far. The U14s,

competitive. Teams from the rest of the

although having a disappointing County

Junior School have enjoyed many fixtures for

tournament, their performances and results

all girls, with A to D teams for the Third Form and U10/11s, giving every child the

opportunity to play competitive team sport is something we value highly.

Before the start of term, the School organised an Old Chigwellians women’s

hockey match against the Old Loughtonians

HC. With twenty-two OC ladies playing, it was a fabulous occasion to see old faces back

at weekly fixtures have been excellent,

out on the hockey pitch and everyone

topped off with a 5-0 win at New Hall last

involved had a very enjoyable afternoon. We

week. They are a squad full of enthusiasm,

plan to host another OC match towards the

talent and competitive spirit, and we predict

end of term.

good things for them over future years.

9

Boys’ Football

The season has started with great pace once

We hosted the annual U11 football festival with

competitions this year as well as the English

taking part. Teams were placed in three pools of

twenty-four teams from local primary schools

again. We have entered the Essex County Cup Schools’

and

Independent

eight teams and played seven friendly matches

Schools’

against the other schools in the group. Each

competitions. The 2nd XI and 3rd XI have also

game was competitive in its own right but the

entered competitions for the first time.

event was a festival of football in which all

played the same number of matches over the course of the morning. There was an excellent

relaxed atmosphere around the event, which allowed the boys and girls to play in an environment suitable for their development.

The 1st XI team has worked hard and is building

well for the future. So far they have hosted the Old Chigwellians 1st XI (0-2), Old Chigwellians

2nd XI (1-0), and the Corinthian Casuals (0-2), being complimented by all at the increase in

standard. We are always proud to host these sides. Corinthian Casuals are renowned for their famous technical ability which is revered and

admired around the world. It is important that the values of the Corinthian spirit are alive and

Once again there has been a number of Chigwell

should be played.

Perry, George Evans – Millwall; Oliver and Blake

students representing football academies: Evan

they provide a great example of how football

Irow – Tottenham; George Coton – Watford;

This year we are fortunate enough to have

and Louis Gibbons – West Ham. We have also

Leyton Orient forward, Matt Harold, joining the

had an influx of boys at development centres:

coaching staff as well as two sports scientists

Ewan McGinlay – West Ham, and Sonny

who are working with players from across the

Williams – Crystal Palace. All boys have thrived in the professional environments and continue to develop and progress well.

School. The football this season has seen an

increased number of fixtures with a series of impressive results.

10

Basketball

Congratulations to the Chigwell basketball

Frank Griffith who took the team described

a match at Bancroft’s School last week. Mr

balanced game, the final score was 16-16.

the boys’ play as outstanding and in a finely

team who gave a wonderful performance in

Cross Country

Over the last few days, many pupils have competed enthusiastically in the annual cross country competitions. Congratulations to all, particularly those who left the event with a sense of achievement.

11

Drama

Staff News

headed off to see the world premier of

Tomsett and his wife Hannah on the arrival

At the start of term the drama department

David Mamet’s latest play, “Bitter Wheat”, a dark farce that explores the Harvey Weinstein

debacle.

Starring

John

We send our congratulations to Mr Will of their second daughter Matilda Mary.

Malcovitch, this was an amazing theatrical

And Finally

Sixth talking. Next was the GCSE make-up

pupils are participating in the football tour

tour de force that really got the Middle workshops by Rosemarie Swinfield, author

of our course book and highly experienced

make-up artist. Over two days, Lower Fifth

and Upper Fifth pupils had introductory workshops on make-up and some advanced work on aging, wounds and

special effects. We enjoyed seeing former student Odette Clark who has just

graduated from Bath University who led a

workshop on Brecht with the new A level drama students. It is always good to see old students return

Over half term, Third and Fourth Form to Barcelona whilst older students are

undergoing Duke of Edinburgh Award

training. We hope these trips go well and

we also hope that all pupils manage to have some well-deserved rest. Thank you

to all parents for your support again this half term and I look forward to seeing you at the start of November.

With best wishes Yours sincerely Michael Punt

12

Message from the Chaplain Our normally tidy Chapel has seen a

brought to chapel for our harvest services.

this first half of term. The organ was

mini-bus and taken to the Streets2Homes

These were then loaded into the school

procession of furniture come and go over

charity in Harlow. All the donated items

removed for renovation during the

will be used to support those living on the

summer leaving a large gap where the instrument used to be.

streets or finding difficulty providing

As with all

themselves and their families with the

available space in school this quickly

daily necessities of life. I am grateful to

became a storage opportunity for musical

Ben Kearin, Olivia Rose and Alice Simpson

instruments, books and the parts of the

for their valuable help with loading

organ left behind. We started with a

and delivery.

piano to provide music for our daily services but have recently brought in a

Plans are now being prepared for

borrowed electronic organ which has the

the second half of the Trinity term.

necessary volume and range to support

Christmas services, Charities Week and

singing, choir practice and lessons for our

Remembrance will make it a busy few

organ scholars.

weeks. I hope everyone has a restful half term in preparation!

As I write we have just celebrated harvest

festival and have been very moved by the

generosity of Chigwell students and

With all blessings

families in donating harvest gifts. A vast range of dried and tinned food, cereal,

The Chaplain

tea, coffee and bathroom products were

13

Message from Sana Abbas My name is Sana Abbas and I have

dazzling firework display. Tickets are now

FoC. I have been an active member since

Senior School, Mrs Harriet Corey in the

recently taken over as the chair of the

available from Mrs Myrtle Scannell in the

my daughter joined the School and I am

Junior School and Mrs Kerry Horn in the

excited and honoured to be part of the

Pre Prep. We will also be selling tickets

team delivering events. I have got lots to

outside the Drama Centre over the

learn and would appreciate any help I can

coming weeks; times and dates will be

get from parents. If you are interested in

published in the Chronicle, via Parent Mail

becoming part of the team, please let us

and on Instagram and Facebook. We will

know; our mail address is foc@chigwell-

need lots of help to set up and deliver the

school.org

event so please get in touch if you are available.

We held our Family Quiz Night on Friday

4th October which was great fun and

The aim of our events is to connect

competing in fourteen teams. It was a

We raise money for the School and

involved around a hundred people

parents and strengthen our community.

tough competition with quite challenging

provide

questions. However, team ‘Nobody

equipment

where

needed.

Through our efforts over the last year we

Knows’ won and were presented with a

have raised £15,500 which has been spent

bottle of champagne and a £50 dinner

on items for the School including a PA

voucher.

system for the Junior School and a beach house for the Pre Prep.

Our next major event is the annual fireworks night on Friday 8th November.

Hopefully, with your help we will be able

This is a big event with about 1,200

to do even better next year.

parents and guests in attendance, lots of

food, entertainment and, of course, a

Sana Abbas

14

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell So, this is my final message. I have had a

with Sana this term to deliver our

past years, and have had the privilege of

Fayre, two of the FoC’s biggest events.

Fireworks Celebration and Christmas

fabulous time leading the FoC over the working with an awesome team. Now it is

For those who have supported the FoC,

time for Lindsay and I to step aside and let

please do continue to do so. We are

a new team take the reins. Sana Abbas

always grateful for the time that you give

was voted in as the new chair of the FOC

up to support the team and the activities –

at our AGM at the end of September; she

thank you.

brings new energy and determination.

Lindsay and I will continue to work closely

Sarah Innocent

15

2019 Term Dates 2019-20 Lent Term Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 7th January Michaelmas Term 2019 First day: Tuesday 8th January Half term: Saturday 19th October to Sunday 3rd November Term ends: Friday 13th December Half term: Saturday 16th February to Sunday 24th February Term ends: Wednesday 3rd April Lent Term 2020 Staff meetings and INSET on Monday 6th January Trinity Term Tuesday 7th January First day: (Easter Day is 21st April) Half term: Saturday 15th February to Sunday 23rd February Term ends: Friday 27th March First day: Wednesday 24rd April

Half term: Term ends:

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