Winter Connections 2017

WINTER 2017 www.culford.co.uk

Productions & Shows…

This term has seen an array of entertaining performances from the youngest to the oldest Culford pupils. The Senior School production of Great Expectations was a sell-out success in November, while in December, the Nursery performed their annual Nativity. Read more on pages 3 and 5…

Academic Activities

Autumn Highlights

Read about the latest academic activities including Senior debating and The Battle of Hastings re-enactment on page 9…

Culford welcomed sporting stars Tim Henman OBE and Laura Unsworth MBE to open the new state-of-the-art sporting facilities. Read more on page 7…

Culford Connections is a bi-annual newsletter for Culford School bringing together news from Senior, Prep and Pre-Prep Schools

5 minutes with…

The new Housemaster of Edwards and the new Housemistress of Fitzgerald James Holiday-Scott and Lydia Bryant took up their Houses in September 2016. We spent some time getting to know them…

JAMES HOLIDAY-SCOTT

LYDIA BRYANT

What did you do before you came here?

■ I was a Housemaster at Lincoln Minster School and before that I was Assistant Housemaster at Warminster School in Wiltshire.

What did you do before you came here?

■ I worked at Gordonstoun School in the Highlands of Scotland.

What attracted you to Culford?

■ Nearly 500 acres of parkland to run in? That was definitely one of the reasons. It’s also the friendliest and most caring school I’ve ever experienced and the students are great to teach.

What is the best thing about being a Housemistress?

■ The best thing is joining in with all the fun: the games, dance routines and baking.

What is the best thing about being a Housemaster?

■ By far the best thing is helping the boys squeeze the most out of life, to encourage them to seize new opportunities and embrace growth.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

■ Sleep on it.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

■ Years ago, a wise woman advised me to say “yes” to new experiences, especially if they make you nervous, because that way, you’re always growing and getting stronger.

DAVID VENABLES

Tell us about your plans to run the Cambridge Half Marathon as the Pink Panther ■ The Pink Panther is the Edwards House mascot so it’s a meaningful symbol for me of solidarity and strength (which I will need if I’m running 13 miles underneath a massive foam head).

What made you pick Cancer Research UK as your chosen charity?

■ Everyone knows someone who has faced cancer, or has done so themselves. CRUK is at the leading edge of cancer research and is saving lives every day through rigorous scientific research. Simply put, the more funding they have the more lives are saved.

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What attracted you to Culford?

■ The beautiful grounds and the friendly people.

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What has been your best memory so far from your time at Culford?

■ The night the internet went down and all the pupils were playing board games, dancing and having fun together.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

■ Go for long walks with my dog Skye and listen to my audio books.

Can you tell me something your pupils do not know about you?

■ I used to play the double bass when I was at school.

joined the Prep School as a Science teacher in September 2016…

What did you do before?

■ I was a Chemistry teacher at IES Breckland in Brandon. Before that, I made synthetic strands of DNA for Cancer Research.

What has been your best memory so far from your time at Culford?

■ The science trip to Colchester Zoo. It was absolutely amazing feeding the giraffes.

What makes Culford such a special place to teach?

■ The sheer enthusiasm of the pupils, whether in lessons or after school activities and the absolutely beautiful surroundings are stunning!

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

■ Don’t work hard, work smart.

Can you tell me something your pupils do not know about you?

■ That I’m addicted to playing the gameshow Pointless.

Culford School, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX Email: communications@culford.co.uk | www.culford.co.uk

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Great Expectations Senior Play

Culford drama department’s latest production of Charles Dickens Great Expectations was a sell-out success, demonstrating the students’ inventive ensemble theatre and masterful individual performances. It was performed for three nights in the School’s stunning state-of-the art Studio Theatre, to an audience of over 100 a night.

Senior School performers beautifully captured the emotion, delicacy and required wit of the characters they portrayed. Pupils should be congratulated for the originality of their interpretations, multi roles, empathy and the strength of their performances.

Director of Drama, Maria Jackson said: “It is always a pleasure to work with young people who bring such energy to what they do and Great Expectations was a case in point. I’m proud of the way they worked, with the courage to create their characters, and listening carefully to direction.”

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Arts

Prep: Music at Culford The second half of the Autumn term was incredibly busy for Culford musicians, with over 75 individual public performances, from the House Music Competition to the Christmas Concert and Nativity play.

The range of instruments and styles has been huge too, from the harp to the drum-kit and from Beethoven to Justin Timberlake.

The programme of Soloists’ Concerts goes from strength to strength, showcasing some beautiful and sensitive playing from across the full age-range, while the Christmas Concert brought together over 50 Prep School musicians.

Senior: International Artist Visits Scholars Wintery View for Christmas Card The photograph of the river Cul looking towards Culford Hall was taken by Sixth Former, Jono Le Grice, and was used as the Christmas Card image for the Foundation. Born in Australia, Jono came to Culford for a term in Upper Fifth. However, he enjoyed his time so much that he decided to return for Sixth Form. A talented young photographer, Jono has exhibited in the Foundation Gallery at Culford and one of his images was shortlisted for the Royal Academy A Level Summer Exhibition Online 2016.

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Culford Scholars were invited to a seminar with an internationally acclaimed Textiles Artist, Michael Brennand-Wood. Lucie Buisman, (U5), said:

It has certainly opened my eyes to how I can develop and present my textiles work in a more creative manner, through using a variety of media.

In December, Pre-Prep and Nursery pupils put on a shining performance of their annual Nativity.

Theo Tattersall was the biggest star in the sky that evening, but he was struggling to shine. The smaller stars, Emily Dodd, Luka Zukaite, Bronwyn Fairley and Louisa-Bella Foster told him jokes and sang loudly to him, but nothing helped him shine.

Calista Truman was the beautiful angel who sent word to everybody that Jesus had been born. The Shepherds, played

by Aurelia Truman, William Hicks and David Markesteign, alongside their sheep, were sent to find him.

Unfortunately, Bethlehem was clouded in darkness as the big star was still not shining. With the help of all the animals, the wise men, and all the other characters, the big star was able to shine so brightly that everybody could see the newborn king.

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Pre-Prep & Nursery: Nativity

Pre-Prep: Dance Show The Pre-Prep children took part in another spectacular Dance Show, led by Ms Mandie Rogers, in November.

The pupils are taught ballet, modern and tap dance throughout the year.

The dance show gives them a chance to display their newly acquired skills and teaches them how to perform in front of an audience.

All pupils involved worked extremely hard and were able to execute their performances wonderfully.

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Sporting Highlights Prep & Senior: Tennis Players in the UK Top Four In December, Culford’s U13 girls and U13 boys took part in the AEGON Team Tennis Schools National Tennis Championships. After playing some superb tennis, the girls finished in 2nd place with the boys finishing 4th.

David Hall, Director of Tennis said: “All the players were magnificent and should be proud of their achievement, finishing in the top

four in Great Britain. These National Championship events are what the players train for all year and it is so pleasing to see them rise to the occasion and perform so well.”

Senior: Spectacular Swimming at Regional Championships Seven swimmers competed in the annual East Region Winter Short Course (25m pool) Championships.

Pupils qualified for 29 events between them and put in some fantastic swimming, following the summer break.

Annabel Heywood (L6) competed in the gruelling 800m Freestyle event finishing with a 10 second personal best time (pb). Annabel picked up further pb’s in three other events.

Senior: Kylie wins Young Sports Personality of the Year Award

Taylor Bowen (U5) got off to a flying start with a blistering 100m Butterfly swim. He then took part in the 100m IM, gaining his first national time and Taylor wrapped up his weekend with a pb in the 100m Freestyle event.

Senior School pupil, Kylie Bilchev, won the prestigious Suffolk Sport Young Sports Personality of the Year Award at Trinity Park, Ipswich.

Niamh Perry (L5) achieved a new short course pb in the 200m Butterfly and in one of the toughest

The award is given to an U18 sports performer in the County who has made great progress over time and achieved significant success.

Some of Kylie’s achievements include coming 6th in the World Junior Championships in Florida; representing Great Britain throughout the year; and U18 Suffolk LTA Junior Player of the Year.

Andrew Richardson, Culford Performance Tennis Coach and Kylie’s individual coach said: “Kylie deserves recognition for all her hard work and commitment to being better every day. I hope she will continue to strive to be her best in the years ahead.”

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events on the programme, the 400m IM, Niamh swam to another pb.

Hannah Brecknell (L6) competed in 5 events: 50m, 100m, 200 Backstroke, 50m Freestyle and the 100m Freestyle.

Qualifying for two events each, Jack Bowyer (L5) and Charlie Whyte (L5) both set new best times on each swim. Jack qualified for the 50m Butterfly and the 100m Backstroke, with Charlie racing in the 200m Butterfly and 400m IM. Jake Clarke (U5) also competed over the weekend, finishing just off his best time in the 50m Freestyle event.

Senior: Girls Take the Wicket Last term, Lottie Kent (L6) and Lowenna Clarke (U5) were selected for the Essex County U17 girls’ cricket squad. They are both part of Culford’s High Performance Cricket Programme and with the help of Andy Northcote and Guy Robbins they successfully secured a place in both the Essex Squad and England Player Programme (EPP). The girls begin their training this month and we wish them good luck.

More News! Culford has celebrated so many sporting achievements over

the past term. To discover many more fantastic sporting highlights, please visit our website: www.culford.co.uk and go to News and Events.

Rio Gold Olympian and Wimbledon Star Open New Sports Facilities

Tim Henman coaching

Culford welcomed sporting stars Tim Henman OBE and Laura Unsworth MBE to open its new state-of-the-art sporting facilities at the beginning of September.

GB’s Olympic hockey gold medallist, Laura Unsworth, took part in a hockey masterclass with Prep pupils, sharing some of her tips and tricks on how to reach national standard. She then officially opened the new all-weather hockey pitch, in partnership with Bury St Edmunds Hockey Club.

On the same afternoon former Wimbledon semi-finalist and world

Rio Gold Olympian Laura Unsworth

Culford coaches and pupils with Tim Henman (centre)

top ten tennis player, Tim Henman, unveiled two new seasonally covered outdoor tennis courts. These will add to Culford’s superb tennis facilities, including the Indoor Tennis Centre, which was also built with significant support from the LTA. Julian Johnson-Munday, Headmaster, hopes that the opening of the new facilities will inspire a generation:

Senior: Boys Rugby Tour to Scotland

Our vision at Culford is to have all children involved in sport, whether as elite performers or recreational players. We were delighted to have Tim and Laura with us to inspire our pupils and their support made this a fantastic way to launch our new facilities.

The 1st XV Rugby team were outstanding throughout the Autumn term with six wins, and only three narrow losses. The season kicked off with two wins, followed by a superb Scotland tour enabling the boys to develop as players. A victory over Dundee was one of the highlights of the season, as well as the final match against St Joseph’s.

The annual tour to Scotland is highly anticipated throughout the year and the Culford boys U17 and 1st XV teams enjoyed a fantastic trip, during the October half term.

The teams undertook three matches against York (27-26), Stirling (25-18), and Dundee (14-15).

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Latest From Fieldgate Winter Wonderland In December, the Pre-Prep children joined the residents at the Risby Care Home to enjoy an afternoon of magical fun at their annual Winter Wonderland. They rode colourful horses on the carousel, skated along the ice rink, bounced inside a giant snow globe, met Santa’s reindeer, drank hot chocolate and visited Santa and Mrs Claus in their grotto.

Fashion Show Pre-Prep held their first Catwalk Show in December, with over £600 raised by the Pre-Prep PTA. Pre-Prep and Prep children joined together for an evening of fashion, walking and dancing down the catwalk in gorgeous clothes provided by local boutiques. At the end of the catwalk all pupils finished by striking a pose, accompanied with a smile.

Prima Poppets at Culford Pre-Prep and Nursery Every Monday in term time at 10.30am • • •

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For children aged 2+ Music and dance focused Part of Culford’s Parent, Baby and Toddler sessions To book a place or to find out more, please contact Pre-Prep and Nursery on 01284 385412

Academic Senior: The Battle of Hastings Comes To Culford Culford’s history department marked the battle’s anniversary in October by organising a large-scale re-enactment on the North Front.

Pupils were briefed on the battle, one of the most significant events

in English history, and given armour and helmets to represent the leaders of each side.

Marcus Rackowe, Head of History, said: “The re-enactment was designed to aid the history learning

5 minutes with… the new Head of History

Prep: Languages Day

Marcus Rackowe joined Culford Senior School in September 2016.

We spent a few minutes getting to know him…

What attracted you to Culford?

■ Working in a beautiful environment with a powerful sense of history and the chance to run a department with innovation and a lot of enthusiasm.

What did you do before you came to Culford School?

■ I taught at Colchester High School and before that at schools in Malawi, France, Spain and Wales.

What has been your best memory so far from your time at Culford?

■ Seeing 50 Fourth Form pupils charging up a hill towards me, ready to do battle.

What makes Culford such a special place to teach?

■ As a boarding school, I very much enjoy engaging with pupils outside the traditional classroom environment and seeing them develop in many different

for our GCSE pupils and has been staged appropriately on our celebration of European Languages Day. The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the battle through experiencing this historic event.”

In October, Prep School pupils and teachers all took part in European Languages Day. They enjoyed traditional games as well as some French cuisine, served by Prefects.

ways. Pastoral care is excellent and it is my job as a Head of Department to ensure that the academic side of school life is just as enriching.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

■ Don’t try and stare down an African elephant.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

■ I spend my summer weekends hitting people over the head with swords (modern health and safety dictates that they wear medieval helmets), and in the winter holidays I ski swiftly but with a spectacular lack of technique.

Can you tell me something your pupils do not know about you?

■ I can name every castle in England just by the layout of its walls.

Mountaineer Inspires Pupils Film maker and author Matt Dickinson visited Culford to speak to Third and Fourth Form about his experiences in Antarctica and on Mount Everest.

Matt captured the pupils imaginations with a fascinating presentation showing the difficulties and challenges of filming in extreme environments, including showing his frostbitten fingers, and just how tough it is to climb Everest.

He rounded the day off with a book signing.

Senior: Debating Success The Debate Team recently took part in Round 1 of the ESU Mace debating competition. This was the first time the team had competed in the national competition. Mary Godfrey (U5) and Luigi Murton (U6) took the floor to debate the legalisation of physician assisted suicide.

After a hard-fought 45 minutes, Culford were incredibly pleased to learn that they had come second, beating The Perse and coming closely behind King Edwards Grammar School.

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Charities Senior: Culford Provides Life Changing Support to Library in Malawi and other projects Every July since 2009, a group of Lower Sixth pupils, and teachers, travel to Malawi for three weeks to carry out voluntary work. The work involves building classrooms and teachers’ accommodation at two village schools, providing materials and resources for several children’s homes and visiting other projects funded by the money raised by our pupils.

Their last visit took place in July 2016 and included work on The Good Food Project, Project My Girl, Woodland and Changu Changu Stove Project, a school classroom renovation and giving blood.

This term, Culford has been successful in a bid for a literacy grant of £1,000

from Better World Books, for the library at Good News Orphanage in Malawi, which we set up in 2014.

This money will enable the team in Malawi to install solar lighting so they can use the library in the evenings and buy a laptop with internet capability to provide access to online resources and help with library management. They will also be able to buy a bicycle and trailer so they can take books out into the local community, and buy more books and resources.

It will make a huge difference in increasing literacy and access to books in a very poor area where there are no community libraries and few schools.

Senior: Charity Restaurant in aid of Himalayan School During a Culford Expedition to the Himalayas in 1999, pupils and teachers visited Kailash Bodhi School in northern India.

The School had been running for ten years, providing basic teaching for children of Tibetan descent who had no right to education in India.

Prep: Prep Pupils Present Cheque to Local Charity Prep pupils presented local charity, GeeWizz, with a cheque for £305 this term. The money was raised at the Summer Fayre, where a variety of games and activities included bouncy castles, limbo dancing and a Hog Roast.

On their return to Culford, the pupils were keen to set up a scheme to provide regular income for Kailash Bodhi. The Charity Restaurant is held in November each year, when pupils act as

‘front of house’ serving a delicious three-course meal to guests in Culford Hall.

This year’s Charity Restaurant saw Culford’s chef, Mr Marchant, and his team kindly volunteer to prepare the meal and the result was a spectacular 5 course taster menu which was widely appreciated by all customers.

Both evenings were well attended with nearly 100 guests, who generously donated almost £2,000 towards Kailash Bodhi.

The children’s charity was set up by Old Culfordian, Andrew Long (1969–1978) and his wife Gina. As well as providing crucial equipment for poorly children and young adults, GeeWizz helps to fund sarcoma and breast cancer research.

Teachers and colleagues enjoy an evening at Culford’s Charity Restaurant

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Trips & Activities Sixth Form: Freshers’ Week Lower Sixth students started the term in a unique way this year, going straight from the classroom to the Peak District, marking the start of Freshers’ Week 2016.

This week is the start of Culford Sixth Form’s enrichment programme, focusing on team work, leadership and communication skills. It aims to extend students’ learning far beyond the classroom, showing that Culford is challenging, enriching and fun.

By the end of the trip, everyone had bonded as a year group, and begun a development journey testing their leadership and teamwork skills.

Prep: Pupils take over West Stow In November, Upper First and Second Form were invited to West Stow to take over the new Grendel Trail as part of Kids in Museums day.

The children prepared short presentations or plays that were inspired by each of the

statues around West Stow, and performed them to an audience that included the local Mayor, Julia Wakelam, and MP Matt Hancock.

West Stow is an Anglo Saxon Village with 125 acres of unspoilt countryside, trails, heath and woodland walks.

Senior: Culford Divers Head to Tenerife During the October half term, seven Culford divers along with pupils from the Spanish department visited Tenerife for a fun-filled trip. Under the guidance of Mr Arbuthnot, Miss McCarthy, and Mrs Waghorn, everyone enjoyed a week in the sun, improving their diving skills, and exploring the island.

For two of the divers, this was their first experience of scuba diving. Three pupils purely dived for fun while Leo and Gabriel Williams completed their Rescue Diver course. Lots of Spanish was spoken by all involved and everybody successfully completed their qualifications.

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Highland Ball In December, Sixth Formers celebrated the end of term with their annual Highland Ball. A committee of extremely helpful students arranged the event and turned Centenary Hall into a blue and white winter wonderland.

The evening began with a mulled wine reception in Old Hall and everyone enjoyed Ceilidh dancing after dinner.

Prep: Boarders’ Formal Dinner Cadogan House held their annual formal dinner in December to help get the Prep School boarders into the Christmas spirit. With pupils and staff dressed to impress, the evening was full of Christmas crackers, Christmas hats, musical performances and even a comical act from Mrs Tattersall and Mr Calvert.

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Editorial contact: communications@culford.co.uk