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