Ashford School Magazine 2014 to 2015 by AshfordSchool

AD VEN TUR OUS LE ARN ING

2014 2015

CO NT EN TS

Page 4

Academic

Page 38

Facilities

Page 44

Awards

Page 50

Trips

Page 64

Activities

Page 68

Technology

Page 76

Music

Page 86

Art, DT, HE

Page 94

People

Page 100 Drama Page 116 Alumni Page 128 Sport Page 138 Boarding Page 144 Charity

10 YEARS OF ADVENTUROUS LEARNING September 2015 marks the 10 year anniversary of the new Ashford School. It is 10 years since the then Ashford Junior School merged with the then Friars Prep School and co-education was introduced in the Senior School. This magazine gives you a flavour of how the school has transformed since 2005. I was appointed as Head of Ashford School in February 2005 having been attracted by the advert which spoke of “A New School for Ashford”. At the time, the two predecessor schools were largely introspective and stuck. Both had strong cultures and significant heritage. It’s rare to be given an opportunity to create something new, if not from scratch, and it was this that tempted me to uproot my family and home from our comfortable life in Highgate. There were times in the early years when I questioned my decision! The culture of an organisation needs to be clear in every interaction. The corporate world is littered with failed mergers as a result of trying to force together conflicting cultures of disparate organisations. This was the key challenge we faced rather than the largely but not totally accepted move to co-education. Fortunately, there was a core body of staff who were ready for the challenge and the significant changes it would entail. So, the phrase Adventurous Learning was born as an easy means of encapsulating what was to be at the heart of the new Ashford School. In simple terms, Adventurous Learning is a mindset of continuous challenge and willingness to take measured risks. It applies as much to the adults in the school as it does to the children. Whether teacher or support staff, all adults act as role models showing children how to learn, think, act,

perform and reflect. These days you can see the adventurous spirit wherever you look; from the classroom to the playing field; from the Head to the minibus driver; it runs through the school. Of course, having an adventurous spirit means you can never be still for long. You may be familiar with our five-year plan (available on our website). We’re making good progress towards the 2018 goals including developing leading approaches to the use of technology for learning, expanding our alumni network and planning a campaign to raise further funds for bursaries. We expect to rebuild much of the teaching accommodation on East Hill if not by 2018 then in the years beyond. Schools, state-funded and private, face two significant challenges in the coming years. State-funded schools will see a decrease in their income of more than 10% by 2020 at exactly the same time as a boom in the number of school-age children; the consequence of this being fewer teachers, larger classes and a reduction in what can be offered. Independent schools face the challenge of keeping fees down or reducing them if private education is to be available to more than the most wealthy. All schools face an imminent shortage of highly qualified teachers as fewer join the profession and many retire. We are conscious of these external pressures and have been anticipating them for some time so that you can be confident that the new Ashford School will continue to flourish for the next 10 years and well beyond.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

AC AD EM IC The academic provision at Ashford School is enormous; from the individual approach to teaching in and outside the classroom to the plethora of opportunities to extend and delve deeper into subjects, the changes over the last 10 years have been profound. Data now consistently shows that the value added to a child’s education at Ashford School helps them to achieve better than they might otherwise have done.

ACADEMIC LEARNING

EPQS

ADVENTUROUS LEARNING

EXTENDED LEARNING

A LEVELS AND GCSE RESULTS

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

AC AD EM IC

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A ADVENTUROUS LEARNING V TU OU

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With the new Head came a new concept:

And gradually the school began to see a move away from traditional classroom-based learning to one that pushes the boundaries of education. The ethos is this: school is not a place in which to get comfortable; rather it is a place of challenge, opportunity and discovery.

“We gently move children out of their comfort zone by giving them countless opportunities to try new ventures, whether it be finding the confidence to sail a boat or to deliver a presentation in class,” said Head Mike Buchanan. “It is this approach that turns out capable, creative, confident and determined young adults who are more than prepared to take their place in the world.”

At Ashford School you will find this ethos at the centre of everything we do, whether it’s a classroom lesson, a practical hands-on Viking Day, the opportunity for staff to go back to school, or the celebration of every child’s achievements.

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

e comfort zone th m o fr ve o m e it n fi A de of staff grabbed the

Around 30 members ff the , pianists w we have violinists every member of sta opportunity and no The Head has given for s son Drama les d an ma sic dra r books. Mu mental or and guitarists on ou chance to take instru ing be d for ce die en stu eri wn exp Bro can a they Andre Administrator Mrs a couple of terms so ed iev ach d an m exa a Grade 4 LAMDA a pupil again. 95/100. ence le eri ab exp ark s thi rem e a tak l y wil The hope is that the r how lly made m and to remembe pupil again actua She said: “To be a back to the classroo d, ne in ipli isc ing f-d be To go from learn to be sel me feel vulnerable. a student needs to ive a uct ite str qu is con m ain fro learn ag will learn charge to having to and how a student it. This did I d gla so am I But frightening thing. criticism. is life w de me realise ho t that achievement has ma lieves it is importan be ing n tak na w cha no Bu ke I’m t Head Mi much so tha do so they an adventure – so rning as the pupils lea ce en eri exp ff sta s!” ective. saxophone lesson and the pupil persp can better underst ny which Learning, the compa again Staff from United position of a pupil d by this sse pre im so “Being put in the re we and a deeper ns Ashford School, ow ity ios cur , lity video mi encourages hu e down to make a venture that they cam to learn - or relearn like is it e staff at pir wh ins of empathy will be used to documentary which d. sai . up he gro ll,” a ski ools in the in the 32 other sch staff model the r ou , ost em en part in for d “First an staff who have tak ether Other members of ect in our pupils, wh exp d join an we rn ur lea vio to ha be tinuing or the the initiative are con , a love of learning lude inc ey Th ls. rsa ea it is good manners sic reh ge. I am delighted the students at mu llen cha w ad’s ne He , a of excitement n on the euphonium Head Mike Buchana decided to take up ve s ha Mr ff ar sta istr ny Reg ma that so ds on the flute, PA Mrs Anne Rylan ron He l .” che Ra nts s me Mr d tru ins ’cello an Rachael Cox on the lin. vio the on

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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d with a crime ised to be greete Year 7s were surpr y lesson. arrived at a Histor scene when they ed that, in or Quinton decid Teacher Dr Elean an effective skills needed to be order to learn the tectives. de me co eded to be historian, they ne tective,” essentially a de “An historian is d try and an ck ba you look she said. “When ally sifting st you are basic uncover the pa day’s d evidence. So to through clues an e skills th th wi uip Year 7 lesson aims to eq book xt te e th nd go beyo they will need to e to be lik is it at wh d rstan and really unde an historian.” ir lesson they 7s arrived for the So when the Year door and a m oo ross the classr found red tape ac ir initial the ce On . not to enter sign telling them on explained d down Dr Quint confusion had die y were en a death and the that there had be aim the th for the lesson wi to be detectives . ed at happen of discovering wh

ADVENTUROUS LEARNING WEEK At the end of every academic year the whole Senior School is treated to a dedicated and wide-ranging Adventurous Learning Week. Students go on trips and turn creative in ways they haven’t explored before. Every lesson at Ashford School centres on making learning adventurous and encouraging creativity in pupils. Adventurous Learning Week gives them a dedicated chance to learn practically. Plans are made for every year group to broaden horizons and challenge intellect. Here’s a snapshot of what they got up to this year:

DAY IN TH E S-O N CR EAT IVE IT WA S A HA ND TM EN T FO R PAR DE AN D MATH S DT WO RKS HO P CR EAT IVE EIR TH ED OL TH EY PO YEA R 10 WH EN RN AB OU T 3D TAL EN TS TO LEA

YEAR 7 BECOME CLASSROOM MEDICS

Ashford School put a new spin on Junior Doctors with a day dedicated to medical activities. Year 7 turned into Classroom Medics - with help from Biology Teacher Mrs Claire Miller and the company classroommedics.co.uk The boys and girls used a real ultrasound machine to see inside their bodies - bones, muscles and internal organs!; took pictures of their retinas with an iPhone; used a real needle to take fake blood out of an arm; tried their hand at keyhole surgery; and recorded and printed their own ECG. The day also involved presenting their hospital ideas to an audience. “I really enjoyed doing the ultrasound scan because we got to see the bones and muscles inside our body,” said one of the students, Issy Cufley. “We got to do all kinds of exciting things that we wouldn’t do normally.”

A DAY OU T FO R YE AR 8 IN CL UD ED HI ST OR IC AL GR OU P IO NS AT HA MP TO N CO UR T PA LA CE

IN VE ST IG AT

Year 10 learnt how to change the world when they we re visited by 7B illionIdeas. Other activities included a poet ry workshop at Le eds Castle for Year 7 and a day of ac tion at Chatha m’s Historic Dockya rd for Year 9 wh ere they were give n an authentic WWII shelter experie nce. They also explored a collection of some of the wo rld’s most famous ar tworks at Lond on’s Tate Galleries

AD VEN TUR OUS Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

THE ASHFORD SCHOOL SPELLING BEE

The pressure was on for Years 6 and 7 when they were put on the spot with their spellings. The two groups gathered in the Senior School’s Brake Hall for a Spelling Bee, hosted by Head of English Mrs Joanne Russell. They were tasked with spelling words such as ‘territory’, ‘frugal’ and ‘mightily’ without the benefit of being able to write them down - in a University Challenge style competition. The students were all eventually knocked out apart from the winners: Alessandro Voce from the Prep School and Freddie Russell from the Senior School.

JUST HOW MUCH COULD YOU DO WITH FIVE POUNDS?

Ice lollies and car washing? What have they got to do with Adventurous Learning? The challenge was this: take five pounds and see how much you can turn it into. Year 6 took part in the Fiver Challenge, which is run by Young Enterprise, and which saw them set up a mini business to create products or services to sell at a profit. The children had to plan their budgets and then buy the equipment and resources they needed. So, for the whole of June, the Prep School was a hive of business activity which saw a host of clean cars from the car washing business team, a nail painting offering and a business selling jam.

There were numerous other businesses and children were judged on their planning, teamwork, marketing, advertising and selling skills.

Year 10 historians visited the Science Museum in London to learn more about the history of medicine. Year 12 were shown how to crack the UCAS application as well as immersing themselves in London culture with a trip to the capital. Year 10 student Molly Bishop kept a diary during the week:

h the 7BillionIdeas dayanwigitng n i rt pa k too I ay nd Mo ch “On d to come up with lifewh ole my year group. We haem the t bu le, b i ss po im ideas which might se to realise that the impossible point of the day wasyou really want it to be. It might be possible if and was a great chance to get was fun, challenging t with others in the year group. involved and to interac the p to London. We visitedMe dicine’ “Tuesday was our triloo of y tor s i H ‘ the at Science Museum to nkekd to what we have been section which was li ar in History. Later on in the learning about this ye film about things that the eye day we saw an Imax the film was really clever and cannot see. I thoughted that it was in 3D. interesting and I lov Day which is always “Wednesday was Sportson and off throughout the day competitive. It rainedr high spirits. I competed in many but this didn’t ruin ou and it was great to get involved. events for my Housey I felt very active and jubilant At the end of the da e managed to come last. even though our Hous

ma Competition so on “This year we had the House Dra ughout the day. The thro g n Thursday we were rehearsi House Franklins had the play theme was Disney stories. My sals were hectic but fun. of Alice in Wonderland. The rehear happy with how the play By the end I was really tired but was turning out. se Drama competition. It “Finally on Friday we had the Houwat ch, however I was quite to was very humorous and fun to per form. In the end it nervous when it was my turn had many laughs from the worked out really well and we audience. h interesting and fun “This whole week was packed wiotnal the week was cati things to do which were edu from but y year. I really bus a n dow d n still a good way to wi last n year.“ enjoyed it and it was even better tha

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CHILDREN COMPLETE SAILING N IO T A IC IF L A QU control of a s like to be given Imagine what it’ . The chance just 10 years old boat when you are dence and huge step in confi to go sailing is a this year seven d r Prep School an adventure for ou their Level ed let mp ccessfully co children have su ation. One RYA qualific le a boat as to steer and hand They learnt how knots and y rules, how to tie well as basic safet y. basic terminolog e and have d a wonderful tim “The children ha e Dodds nis De ll,” said Mrs all done really we much a is his course. “T who organises the y summer er ev n ru is at ity th anticipated activ erful nd the children wo term and it gives . ion at fic hieve a quali confidence to ac s.” lve se em th proud of They should be

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

It’s all about learning that nothing is impossible! History came to life for Year 3 when they travelled back to the time of the Vikings. Luckily their day was free from any fierce battles, but they did undertake a momentous task: to build a Longship in just a day. Not only did they put the frame together, they designed a mast head, weaved the sails and made shields and oars – and at the end of the day they all sat in the boat and rowed off to conquer distant lands. It was a similar lesson for Year 5 who built a Tudor house in a day; Year 4 when they emulated the slaves who built the pyramids; and Year 3 when they became Romans for the day, building a road and making medallions. The children dressed in appropriate costume for their workshops and loved every minute of the challenge.

THE CHALLENGE? TO BUILD A VIKING LONGSHIP IN A DAY

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

NO PENS DAY

LEARNING

AD VEN TUR OUS TEACHER IN A BIN It may sound extreme, but teachers at Ashford Prep will do anything to encourage children to read – even if that means sitting in a green Shepway District Council recycling bin with a book. Mrs Stickland assures us that she cleaned it out first! The scheme – Extreme Reading Challenge – was devised as a crafty and very fun and creative way of encouraging children to think about books. They were asked to take a picture of themselves reading in the most unlikely place possible. The initiative was a great success with some very funny pictures being contributed.

OUSE COULD YOUR H LOOD? WITHSTAND A F signed and challenge and de Year 8 rose to the orporating Inc s. od flo d hstan built houses to wit hnology and hy, Economics, Tec Science, Geograp w on every dra dents had to Maths skills, the stu ir work was the e for y could be creative option the put to the test. four and ided into teams of The year group div ir project ancial plan for the each drew up a fin nd on spe given a budget to before they were various materials.

Someone came up with the idea of removing all pens from the Prep School and it gave rise to some creative ways of learning. For example, Year 2 learnt values, measuring and balance by making cakes and Year 6 learnt about proportion and measurement by creating skeletons.

said: Mrs Claire Miller, Head of Biology, nt as they lle ce these are ex “Workshops like vital to are ich wh skills draw on so many d of en the At .” rld wo l success in the rea very co achieved their Dis the day all pupils CREST Award.

CAN THE BRIDGE SUPPORT THE CAR?! Year 9 were charged with forming their own company to build a bridge to support a car as part of the school’s annual Science, Technology, Economics and Maths day (STEM). They divided into teams and drew on every skill they had to design and build the bridge which was then tested in front of everyone. Members of the team were assigned different roles, including Marketing Manager and Finance Officer, and they had to come up with a company name. As well as showing their product worked, they had to market it and make sure they didn’t exceed their budget when building it! “It was certainly a challenge as we had limited resources, such as straws, sticky tape and paperclips,” said pupil Zak Jefferson-Pillai. “But it was really good fun, especially as we didn’t just design and build - we had to look at it from a proper business perspective.”

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

IT’S A CRYSTAL JUNGLE OUT THERE Year 6 were put through their paces when they took on a series of challenges as part of the Crystal Maze challenge.

A TASTE OF THINGS TO

COME

Years 7 and 12, as well as other new pupils join ing different year groups enjoyed ice-breakers bef , ore the Michaelmas term started where they had use all their powers of pro to blem-solving to conque r various team challenges .

As they start their last year at Prep School, the day is designed to help the children work together to solve complex problems - skills that will help them as they move on to Senior School in under a year. The day began with a discussion of the qualities that make a good team before they moved on to a competition to work their way through hoops while holding hands. They made the most of the good weather with outdoor activities including walking on a plank but the only way to make it work was to do it as a team!

SURPRISE DEBUT FOR JESS One of Ashford School’s aspiring actresses had a surprise West End debut when she was called on stage to be part of The Play that went Wrong. Jess Newall was on an English Department A Level trip to the theatre to see the play as part of their studies of comedy as a dramatic genre.

NUANCES OF CHARACTER Our Drama students were challenged to develop different characters in a specialised workshop with Fourth Monkey Theatre Company. They spent the afternoon putting themselves in a variety of roles, such as ‘trickster’ and ‘shy person’ and exploring how they would act in various scenarios.

The premise of the show is an amateur dramatic society at the polytechnic who are putting on a murder mystery. The play opens with the stage crew rushing around trying to get the set ready and throughout the play, everything that can go wrong, does. English Teacher Mrs Jennie Single said: “We had front row seats and one of the cast asked Jess on stage to help her put a shelf up. At one point Jess was holding up a shelf, keeping a door shut and trying to unravel gaffer tape. She had to lift a tool box that was stuck to the floor and was a given a broom to sweep the stage and, of course, the broom fell to pieces! She rose to the challenge admirably.”

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ENGAGING WITH THE POETRY At Ashford teachers are always trying to find ways to take pupils that extra step, and help them to truly engage with what they are learning. So when Year 10 studied the poetry of the war poet Wilfred Owen in English, they were treated to a special Drama workshop, given by Orange Tree Theatre Company. The aim of the workshop was to take students out of the classroom and help them understand better the emotions behind the words. They were encouraged to reflect on how the soldiers really felt and the situations they were confronted with and to come up with words to describe those emotions.

RENCH SINGING IN F N AND GERMA Hawker and

, Mrs studying French Sixth Formers ol choir in a ho , joined the sc e Mlle Boulanger f version of Th oo sp a French of w ne 12 e performance in th g ratin Christmas celeb ol. ho Sc Twelve Days of d or hf As t to e year brough the year things that th at the end of ce pla ok to t ngs A similar even of a variety so students sang when German t. concer Extravaganza at the Summer

SHOWCASING LANGUAGES Years 3-6 Ashford Prep pupils welcomed the A Level Spanish students who planned, wrote and performed scenes from Harry Potter before teaching pupils (and some staff) how to dance the Macarena. They had been challenged to entertain the children, bearing in mind that Spanish is not taught at the Prep School.

DISSECTING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING Dissection is not taught in many schools but at Ashford School it is considered an essential part of a scientific education. It pushes students to a deeper understanding of Biology and this year they have seen a real ox lung in action and studied the various parts of a fish. Psychology students welcomed Dr Guy Sutton, a lecturer in Neuroscience, for a ‘Brain Day’ where they learnt some incredible facts about the brain’s ability to grow new pathways and watched him dissect a sheep’s brain. It was passed round the class for them all to have a look at.

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LEARNING & CHALLENGE

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

There’s a real focus on reading at Ashford School, not just for the ability to read but for the enjoyment and experience as well as to encourage a lifelong love of it. This year has seen all kinds of activities and events devoted to reading, from Teacher in a Bin (see page 14) to Book Week as well as very many other activities to ensure our pupils excel in their learning.

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THE ASHFORD SCHOOL READING CHALLENGE How do we get children to read novels? This is a question often posed by English teachers and parents alike. Time is given for private reading in English lessons each week, but children often say they either don’t have time to read outside of school, or simply don’t know which books to read in the first place. With this in mind, the English department introduced the Reading Challenge this year as a competition for Years 8 and 9. The Learning Centre (LC) is stocked with hundreds of books and librarians Ms Hayes and Mrs Davidge set about creating fiction lists for the English department Firefly pages. After this, pupils were presented with a challenge: read up to 12 books in four months to win not just an individual prize, but recognition for the winning House as well. Pupils chose titles from a variety of genres and books ranged from modern novels to more challenging 19th century texts. Once they completed a novel, pupils received a special stamp on their Reading Challenge page in their school planners. After finishing four novels pupils earned a Bronze Award; for eight novels, pupils gained a Silver Award; and those who completed 12 novels received a Gold Award. Amberley Odysseas in Year 8 is an avid reader and completed all 12 novels in the Reading Challenge within three months. “I wanted to do the Reading Challenge for multiple reasons: to experience new books, particularly the classics; to help my House; and to use the school library more,” she said. “It was also an opportunity to do well, and I take as many opportunities as I can.” Joshua Westwell in Year 8 also took part in the Reading Challenge. “I thought I would do something for my House and I also enjoy books that have been made into movies,” he said. Joshua’s top reads included The Hunger Games trilogy, but has the Reading Challenge led him to read more? “I have read more books than I would normally,” he said, earning his Gold Award by 1 June. Ms Jo Hayes said the Reading Challenge has been very interesting from a librarian’s point of view, especially in terms of seeing which books really engage the students. “Exciting action series such as those by Anthony Horowitz, Robert Muchamore and Chris Bradford have been extremely popular, while March’s author talk by Frances Hardinge has made Cuckoo Song the most-read title of the challenge,” she said. She added: “The reading lists are a great way to raise students’ awareness of authors old and new, and to tempt them to try something different.” The success of the Reading Challenge has prompted the English Department to broaden the scheme to Years 7-11 for the 2015-16 academic year.

USING READING

TO ENCOURAGE

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH The English department held its annual Year 12 Reading Week in June. In this week away from lessons, teachers encouraged students to use the Learning Centre to undertake independent research on an aspect of The Gothic. Students spent time reading critical material on this aspect of literature, initially applying their findings to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper. They then went on to explore a number of extracts from classic Gothic texts, from Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Ontario to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. Following this week of independent study, students presented their analysis and findings to their peers during English lessons. English Teacher Carly Summers organised Reading Week this year. She said: “The aim of the week was to give students a taste of the study approach used at university level and to encourage them to explore critical and literary material independently.”

INSPIRATION FROM AUTHOR Frances Hardinge, author of Fly By Night, Cuckoo Song and A Face Like Glass, visited Ashford School during Book Week to discuss her books with Years 6-8. Frances is an internationally renowned and award-winning author whose work has been translated into many languages. Year 8 pupil Sam Austin, who bought a novel at the event, said: “I enjoyed learning about how to write a book and the different stages involved.” The author talk was one of several events during the week to celebrate World Book Day on 5 March.

BECOMING A MILLIONAIRE In the Prep School reading has really taken off since the introduction several years ago of the Accelerated Reading Scheme. For every book they read, children take a test and the computer clocks up the total number of words they have read. There are awards in assembly for reaching certain milestones, such as 100,000. The ultimate aim used to be to become a millionaire for having read an enormous 1,000,000 words. But in recent years children have gone even further and this year Barnabas O’Neill topped five million! This has meant the introduction of a colour-coded award scheme. Ella Johnson became Year 2’s second ever millionaire. By February there were more millionaires than ever before. By March there were 23 millionaires, four of which were double millionaires. Head of Learning Support Mrs Wheezie Cottrell believes technology has been instrumental in this achievement. She said: “This is an extraordinary achievement for these children supported by a number of things: the brilliant team in the library and all the staff encouraging the children to read. I think the iPads for Years 5 and 6 have had a significant impact and the competition is really hotting up.” In May we calculated the total number of words read by the Prep children over the last three years and the figures demonstrated clearly how children are reading more and more. 2012-2013 28,617,130 2013-2014 32,605,306 2014-2015 84,335,801

CELEBRATING THEIR FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Book Week gave every child â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and member of staff â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the Prep School the chance to come in dressed as their favourite book character. This year saw a fantastic array of costumes from the Queen of Hearts to Harry Potter. An exciting programme of events was held throughout Book Week. Each year group was given a theme and their activities centred on this. Year 3 for example celebrated Roald Dahl and activities included a debate between Mrs Fox and the farmers; Year 4 looked at Magic and Potions in books which made their Science lessons fun!

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

NURSERY SCIENCE DAY

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basics of Science Children in Nursery learnt the l experiments. They through some very practica nce Day where they Scie l enjoyed their inaugura were introduced er, wat of s learnt the propertie electricity, and to the concept of wires and riments which watched some very visual expe they absolutely loved.

UK LINGUISTICS OLYMPIAD From January to February 2015 Year 8 pupils spent English lesson time trying to crack linguistic codes, often in languages they had never seen before. The Breakthrough Challenge is a good starting point for pupils before they move on to the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Levels. The event was a great success with three Year 8 pupils winning gold awards, three silver and six bronze. German and French Teacher Liz Hawker helped to lead the Breakthrough Challenge in the Senior School. “Year 8 really got their teeth into the UK Linguistics Olympiad and it was fantastic to take part for the first time in the UK division of this worldwide competition,” she said. “We looked at counting systems in African Bambara and German, timetelling in Estonian, Japanese phonology and the connections between Romance and languages.”

WORLDWIDE COMPETITIONS A regular feature of the school year is the Olympiad, a subject-specific competition for school children across the world. This year we’ve tackled languages, Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

She added: “This was an opportunity for pupils to step back from their own language and the modern foreign language they were studying, to see what patterns they could spot and what connections they could make.” Year 8 pupils who took part in the event this year will enter the Foundation Level in 2016.

UK LINGUISTICS OLYMPIAD The English and Modern Foreign Languages departments joined forces this year to run the first Linguistics Olympiad at the school. The competition is an annual event for students and the aim is simple: to encourage pupils to find patterns in linguistic data and work out how underlying language systems work.

PHYSICS OLYMPIAD Year 13’s Zekai Zhang demonstrated his formidable Physics ability by earning a gold medal in the Physics Olympiad which places him in the top 100 Physicists in the country. In Year 12, Sam Zhang achieved a gold medal in the AS Olympiad, and a further eight AS pupils: Fiona Bell, Toby Clifton, Angel Huang, Jack Huang, Jessie Li, Ivan Smirnov, Zidan Wu and Hillary Xing all achieved the bronze medal, so they could all be set to follow in Zekai’s footsteps. Well done all.

TOP FIVE PER CENT OF 6000 ENTRIES A group of Ashford School Sixth Formers picked up medals and certificates in the national British Biology Olympiad. Jaz Stoddart, who has a place to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge, won a silver medal and came in the top 5% of the 6000 entries from across the UK. Gleb Yaskov, Erica Yan, Toby Pei and Fiona McAllister all won bronze medals; Abigail Thomas, Miranda Stracey, Lauren Kennedy, Katherine Keet, Danielle Bucknall and Elizabeth Aviss were Highly Commended; Sumayyah Muhammad, Sam Taylor and Jack Barham were Commended. The British Biology Olympiad challenges and stimulates students with an interest in Biology to expand and extend their talents. In offering a wider syllabus than A Level, it allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and to be suitably rewarded and publicly recognised by the award of medals, certificates and other prizes. To take part, students sit two one-hour multiple choice papers taken online in schools in January and are tested on knowledge that is not covered in the mainstream curriculum.

ONE OF THE UK’S TOP MATHEMATICIANS An Ashford School mathematician was placed 44th in the UK after taking part in the British Mathematical Olympiad round 1. Sam Zhang was awarded a silver medal and book prize for his success and was presented with them in assembly by Head Mike Buchanan. Fellow student Katrina Bai was also congratulated after achieving Distinction and is placed in the top 25% nationwide. Sam was just one place away from achieving a gold medal and there were only 100 book prizes and medals awarded this year.

“It is hoped that competing in the Olympiad will encourage students already interested in this valuable, wide-ranging and rewarding subject to continue their study beyond A Level,” said Head of Biology, Mrs Claire Miller.

CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD Gaining a medal in this problemsolving competition is quite a distinction but this year we won two silver and some bronze. This year had a particular success though with our first ever gold medal – a very rare award. Congratulations to Jaz Stoddart for this notable achievement.

EXPLORING THE PROPERTIES OF WATER What better way to learn than to see it in action. The Pre-Prep playground became home to a beautiful multi-coloured castle but not for long, as it was made of ice! Pupils in Year 2 each arrived in school with an ice ‘brick’ to build the castle as part of their Science project which involved exploring the properties of ice.

POETRY COMPETITION WINNER Two Ashford School students impressed the judges in a Kent-wide poetry competition. Year 8 student, Lucas Kimber, wrote a moving and heartfelt poem entitled The men, they still come forth and won his category. Year 10 pupil Grace Kinnersley entitled her poem Floating and was named runner-up in her category. The competition was run by the Dover Transport Museum to mark the World War 1 commemorations and the students’ work will now be displayed at the museum for the next year.

COMPETING FOR TOP PLACE A team of our best mathematicians from Years 8 and 9 travelled to Dover to compete in the regional final of the UKMT (UK Mathematics Trust Team) challenge. At stake was the chance to progress to the national final and all that was standing in the way - was a day’s worth of Maths problems to solve. Not only are these problems challenging in their own right, but the team must also work together to answer them under time pressure. The Ashford team of Zak, Victor, Amberley and Bianca made an excellent start, making only two mistakes in Round 1 to be in contention at the top of the leader board. Round 2, the Shuttle, was particularly challenging this year, and all of the teams struggled to score highly. Ultimately, this round cost the Ashford team dearly because, even though they scored very well in Rounds 3 and 4, they never quite recovered the points lost in the Shuttle. Overall, the Ashford team finished in a creditable seventh place, but were left rueful at missed opportunities. Preparation for a better result next year started on the train back to Ashford!

Lucas and Grace attended a special presentation ceremony at the museum during the Easter break.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

PREP SCHOOL WINNERS

LEARNING

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French is a very successful subject at the Prep School and this year the children proved it on a regional scale when they won a prestigious languages competition, which was entered by schools from across the South-East. The group of Year 6 children beat off competition from 14 other schools to be crowned winners of the Love Languages Competition which is run by the City of London Freemen’s School in Surrey. “I am incredibly proud of the children,” said teacher Mrs Dorothy Hamilton. “Their level of French is extremely high and they acted with confidence and spoke clearly and with good projection. They have worked very hard to achieve this and they certainly deserve it.”

USING TOYS TO

PRACTICAL FORCES

UNDERSTAND CULTURE

Practical learning makes it much easier for children to understand so Year 2 put the theory into practice when it came to ‘forces’.

AND HISTORY Children in the Pre-Prep expanded their understanding of the world and its different cultures with a workshop on toys. They learnt how toys have evolved over the centuries, the different materials that have been used to make them and how fashions have changed.

They put their art skills to good use to design and build boats which they then used for their Science lesson - with the addition of straws - to discover more about the forces of push and pull.

The workshop was a cross-curricular interactive day that pulls different strands of learning together - and it also included some drama, giving children the chance to be their own toys!

The children wrote and performed a play on the theme of shopping - in French. They started rehearsing just three weeks before the competition after working on the play with Mrs Hamilton who based it on the traditional Wizard of Oz story. They treated the rest of the Prep School to a performance in assembly, after winning the competition the day before.

YR 8 DELIVER SOME INSPIRING PRESENTATIONS MATHS AND THE LAWS OF PHYSICS Nursery made the most of the late autumnal sunshine to take their learning outside the classroom. They spent time foraging for twigs of different shapes, lengths and widths and used them to create a variety of artwork.

THE JOYS OF POETRY Ashford School pupil Peta Stamper was named a runner-up after competing in the Poetry by Heart competition at the Gulbenkian Theatre. The Year 13 student made it through to the county finals and impressed judges with her recitation of three poems from memory: one pre-1914, one post1914 and a poem about World War 1. “Studying poetry is important because it allows pupils to be experimental with language, to draw on their senses and to explore human emotions,” said Ashford School Head of English, Mrs Joanne Russell. “Pupils recite poems in English lessons which helps with not just their memory skills, but also teaches them how to appreciate the rhythms and richness of the English language.”

As well as creating pictures they made tripods and experimented with balancing - all helping in their understanding of the basic laws of Physics.

Passions ran high in an English lesson for Year 8s who delivered some inspiring and persuasive presentations - using Head Mike Buchanan as their inspiration. Each student chose a subject they felt passionate about and spent the week researching every argument they could to make their case and change the views of their audience. And as part of their guidance in learning the very best presentation skills, students were asked to emulate Head Mr Buchanan and they were even given a microphone for the occasion. “What we saw were some excellent presentation skills by Year 8,” said teacher Mrs Jennie Single. “All the presentations were well researched and were delivered with real feeling. These are skills that will take the students far in life and they should be very proud of their performances.” After their presentation each student faced a question and answer session from their peers.

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG When it comes to learning History, there’s nothing like experiencing the real thing - so Year 3 took to the sandpit in a hunt for Roman coins and artefacts. They even donned proper hats for the occasion as well as equipping themselves with all the equipment needed to carry out a proper dig. The event was part of their study of the Romans and they learnt how historians have made their discoveries over the centuries.

RACE OF THE VIKING LONGSHIPS At Ashford Prep we find that a life-long habit of curiosity comes from making learning meaningful which is why we try to combine teaching across subjects where possible. Year 3 put that into practice when they raced Viking Longships - that they had painstakingly designed and built - across the learner swimming pool. They had been learning about the Vikings in History and they found out more about forces and good design when they set them afloat. “The children had great fun cheering each other on,” said History Teacher Mrs Paula Leyden. “There were a few disasters but most of the ships made it across to the other side. It was an experience that the children will remember for some time to come.”

BEN’S FLAG FLIES OVER ASHFORD Year 6 competition winner, Benjamin Francis, attended a special ceremony at Ashford Borough Council to see his winning flag design become reality. Benjamin entered a competition run by ABC to design a flag to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. He was announced as the winner, along with two classmates - Daisy Hawker and Alessandro Voce - as the runners-up.

HANDS-ON LEARNING Year 1 took their Maths studies into the playground and enjoyed trying not to get wet when they used an innovative way of learning about capacity.

They all attended a dedication ceremony at the council offices in Tannery Lane which was hosted by the three judges: Leader of the Council Cllr Gerry Clarkson; Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Environment Cllr Jessamy Blanford; and Head of Cultural and Environmental Services Mark Carty.

CHANGES OVER THE YEARS Ten years ago, Psychology was not taught as a subject at Ashford School but now it is a thriving and popular option for Sixth Formers. It was first introduced in 2008 at the request of a number of Ashford students, one of whom, Hannah Gregory, is now studying for a Masters in Forensic Psychology. She was also awarded a scholarship to study Psychology in America, as she had proved herself to be a highly able student whilst at Stirling University. Beyond the already exciting curriculum of A Level Psychology, students have also benefited this year from attending conferences in London featuring highly acclaimed psychologists such as Dr Philip Zimbardo and Dr Elizabeth Loftus from the USA, as well as Dr Richard Wiseman from Hertfordshire University. Dr Markus Bindemann from the University of Kent at Canterbury has given a Wider Horizon lecture at Ashford School on Cognitive Psychology and for the last few years Psychology students have visited the Psychology department at UKC and had hands on experience of the equipment which is being used there in research. Dr Guy Sutton has given several of his dynamic Brain Days to Psychology and Biology students, as well as lecturing on developments in Neuroscience. Both staff and students have taken part in Psychological research and the students have had a taste of what it is like to be researchers themselves in their practical work, inventing questionnaires and experiments of their own choice.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

GOING FOR GOLD

LEARNING

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Jaz Stoddart became the first Ashford School pupil to complete a Gold CREST award and in light of his fantastic research and commitment has been awarded the UST Biology Student of the Year prize. Jaz will continue his success at Cambridge University where he will be studying Natural Science specialising in Biology.

RELATIVE TO LIFE Senior students have been discovering just how relevant Geography is to the future of our planet and current political issues. Year 9 have found out more about energy issues, Year 8 have been studying coastal management with each team investigating a different section of the UK’s most vulnerable coast to assess its management needs with respect to risk of sea flooding and coastal erosion, and bidding for money to improve ailing defences. Year 7s have explored the newsworthy and emotive topics of the UK’s ageing population and migration to the UK and elsewhere.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES The Prep School runs an academic extension programme which covers subjects from Drama to Language. This year’s activities have kept a wide range of children – and staff – challenged and entertained. The Saturday morning Drama Club resulted in two performances: one at Christmas and one to end the Trinity term. Find out more on page 109. Many pupils have chosen to learn Mandarin or Latin which has been a tremendous opportunity for them. There has been a Chess Club, Rubik’s Cube Club and Magic Club which have all been tremendous fun as well as challenging. Year 6 have had the opportunity to develop their writing skills at the most challenging level in extra lunch-time sessions in the English Extension group. French Drama clubs have continued for both Year 6 and Year 5 resulting in performances of Ciendrillon (Year 5) and Le Magicien d’Oz (Year 6), the latter winning a competition in February. Year 3 have had the opportunity to discuss current affairs at the Newsdesk Club after school and there has been a super General Knowledge Club for Years 4-6, soon to be extended to all year groups. It culminated in a whole school Inter-house General Knowledge quiz at the end of the Trinity term.

Maths A Level 2015:

92% A*/B

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

LEARNING & CHALLENGE

EXTENDING

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There are numerous opportunities for pupils to broaden their horizons, to further their knowledge and to take on extra challenge.

House competitions and co-curricular clubs and activities, special talks and workshops – they are all part of the bigger picture: the education of the whole person.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

LEARNING & CHALLENGE

EXTENDING

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CLUB FOR YOUNG

INTERPRETERS Members of the Senior School’s Young Interpreters Club worked with Prep School children who speak a foreign language. Over the course of the year they spent several lunchtimes working with French, Arabic, Russian and Mandarin speakers to help the children understand what they were reading in English, through asking questions about the words and pictures, and with their pronunciation through repetition and practice of the words. Members of the Young Interpreters Club, which was set up to give students practice in translation, also help show overseas visitors around the school, translate notices and various documents and generally help EAL (English as a Foreign Language) speakers settle in. Highlights from the year include the assembly they ran on the benefits of bilingualism. Written by Emily Reynolds in Year 8, it highlighted the variety of languages found in the school.

WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER?

sts enjoyed a lively talk Students, staff and gue r entitled: “Who wants from a university lecture y defy death?” log Bio to live forever - can lecture as part of Dr Peter Klappa gave the s series which sees izon Hor er the school’s Wid h term on different a variety of speakers eac topics. biological advances Dr Klappa explored the his explanation of the that can prolong life and animated discussion an to biology of ageing led the ethical issues with the audience about ulation. caused by an ageing pop students to develop “These talks encourage g of their subjects a broader understandin s with other fields and to make connection mson, Director of Tho er Oliv of study,” said Mr the Sixth Form.

USING ART TO Y STUDY BIOLOG Club and Photography The Botanical Art all Biology corridors has decorated the tic tas fan e ve been som year and there ha b Clu s dic logy Me drawings. The Bio ars e students from Ye pir ins to es nu nti co ltants nsu co al loc m fro 10-12 with talks rience offering work expe giving advice and opportunities.

DEBATING:

CHALLENGING IDEAS Debating ideas is important to learning in all subjects. It is only by questioning ideas that you can really begin to understand them. Students are encouraged to challenge facts and interpretations, create their own informed opinions, then to defend these against other points of view. By challenging pupils out of their intellectual ‘comfort zones’, debating is one way of experiencing Adventurous Learning. Our Debating Society takes part in formal debates throughout the year, both in school and externally in national competitions. Formal debating is academically rigorous. Students have to assume an intellectual position at short notice, preparing a logical and persuasive argument. During the debate, students need to pay close attention to what their opponents say, in order to challenge their arguments. And finally, they have to stand in front of others to make their case eloquently and succinctly. Debating helps students to hone their thinking and gives them the confidence to present their views to a critical audience, both vital academic skills. As the Debating Society continues to grow, we hope that more younger pupils will get involved. It is not always easy, but debating can be incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun!

LITERARY TRIP TO THE THEATRE Members of the Sixth Form Literary Society enjoyed their first trip of the year to the Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury. They went to watch ‘An Evening with Carol Ann Duffy’ where the poet laureate read from her various collections, including The World’s Wife. The society exists for Sixth Formers to take their love of the subject beyond the classroom and throughout the year they enjoy talks from various visiting speakers and trips to places of interest and the theatre. It is one of several subject extension societies which include Medics Club and Spanish Film Club.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ASHFORD SCHOOL MOCK ELECTION

TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER – LET’S TALK IN FRENCH

The whole Senior School gathered in Brake Hall to stage an engaging and passionately fought mock election.

In February 2015, four Sixth Formers went to Saint Paul’s Girls’ School to participate in a French debating competition: ‘les joutes oratoires’. In preparation they had to research three topics: reinforcement of business and political integration of the EU, three-parent embryos and the best religion is the absence of religion. Nick Smelt, Elona Leskaj, Scarlett Spicer and Mahnaz Haque all worked hard to gather arguments on the topics and debated against some long-standing finalists and winners of this competition. They did the school proud as they debated intensely.

Each political party, from Greens to UKIP, was ably represented by a Sixth Former who were each given two minutes to convince the pupils to vote for them. “Even though the majority of our pupils are not old enough to vote it is important for them to engage with politics,” said Economics Teacher Mr Alan Masters, who organised the event. “They have some strong and very worthy opinions and are able to make their argument well. I hope events like these will form the basis of a lifelong engagement and interest for them.” Candidates had formed a canvassing team complete with badges and had decorated the corridors with posters in an effort to attract as many votes as possible. Staff manned the election booths and each year group took it in turn to cast their votes - even the staff were given a vote! It was a tense and nail-biting time as the candidates gathered on stage to hear the Returning Officer announce the result which accurately predicted the outcome of the real election – with a Conservative win.

QUESTION TIME P OLITICAL

Ashford School hosted a fascinating evenin g of political debate wit h guests such as Lor d Carey and Damian Gre en MP. The Question Time style event, which had been months in prepar ation by the studen t Debating Society, wa s ably chaired by two Sixth Form students, Nick Smelt and Becky Gardner. It was a lively evenin g with topics including the threat of terrorism , the rights of international studen ts and the NHS. The panellists were held to account by the audience, with cha llenging questions and opinions raised by students, parents and staff. Director of Sixth For m, Mr Oliver Thomson , commented: “We cha llenge our students to follow their passi ons and to aim hig h. It is wonderful to exp erience such a high quality event that was initiated, organised and hoste d by our students.”

DEBATE

Our guests who sat on the panel and sha red their experiences and views were: The Right Reveren d and Right Honoura ble Lord Carey of Clifto n - life peer and forme r Archbishop of Cante rbury

Damian Green MP (Conservative) - Me mber for Ashford, former Min ister of State for Im migration and Minister of State for Policing and Crimin al Justice Brendan Chilton (La bour) - Deputy Leader of Ashford Labour, Camp aign Director of Lab our for a Referendum, Parish and Borough Counc illor for Stanhope and The Lim es and PPC for Ashfor d Gerald O’Brien (UK IP) - member of the Church of England’s govern ing body (the Gener al Synod), representing the Diocese of Roches ter, PPC for Ashford Mandy Rossi (Green ) - Co Chair of Ashfor d Greens and the Co-Ch air of Kent Green Par ty, PPC for Ashford Chris Took (Liberal Democrat) - PPC for Woking, stood in gen eral elections for Ash ford in 2005 and 2010

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

LEARNING & CHALLENGE

EXTENDING

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TAKING THE FLOOR FOR THE HOUSE House competitions provide some excellent opportunities for intellectual thinking and team effort. This year has seen many, including the House Debating Competition.

MAKING THEIR MARK ON THE NATIONAL SCENE Following their success in the regional final, the Ashford School debating team of Nick Smelt and Daisy Carter competed at the Finals Day of the Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition. Hosted at the renowned Oxford Union, the top school debating teams from across the UK (as well as some from the Netherlands and Canada) debated in four rounds over the course of the day, with the top eight teams progressing to the semi-finals, and then the top four to the grand final in the evening. In their first debate of the day (proposing the motion ‘This House would use torture’) they came fourth of the run. Not to be put off by this, the team upped their game and went on to secure three second places. Unfortunately it was not enough to progress to the semi-finals stage. Director of the Sixth Form, Mr Oliver Thomson, commented: “Nick and Daisy should be proud of their performance. Among the best school debaters in the country they held their own and showed real flair and determination. Ashford’s student-led Debating Society has grown enormously in strength this year and we look forward to even greater things next year.”

NATIONAL SCHOOLS’ DEBATING COMPETITION Ten students competed in London at the SOAS Schools’ 2015 debating competition. They each competed in four separate debates during the day, in a pool of around 70 teams from other schools including Eton, St Paul’s and Westminster. All enjoyed the intellectual cut and thrust of the debates and they achieved some noteworthy successes. Daisy Carter and Mo Onafowokan, in the first debate together as a team, defeated team s from King’s Canterbury and Eton. Ben Simpson and Nick Smelt also won their debate in the first round. Particular mention must go to Jonathan Cho and Patricia Zeng, both novice debaters and debating in a foreign language, who persevered and improved significantly during the day to win their third debate.

The subjects were wide, varied and controversial but they were well researched and arguments were delivered with passion and belief. This year, the motions included ‘Foreign languages should not be taught in schools’, ‘Children under the age of 12 should not be allowed to own or use mobile phones’ and ‘Human genetic engineering is a step too far’. The students are expected to research their arguments thoroughly and then debate against another House in front of an audience of their peers. Director of Sixth Form, Mr Oliver Thomson, said: “The House Debating Competition was one of the best ever this year. It is fantastic to see the pupils arguing passionately and persuasively about their allocated topics.” Congratulations to Merchants who were the overall winners of the competition (and also winners of the Senior section); also to Knights and Franklins, who won the Junior and Intermediate competitions respectively.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

POETRY PLEASE

The inaugural Prep School House Poetry Competition resulted in Headley House being crowned winners. Each House divided into Yea rs 3-4 and 5-6 to recite two poems. They were judged by Senior School Head of English Mrs Joanne Russell who was looking for quality of performance, voice and the difficulty of the poem. Poe ms ranged from The Ning Nang Nong by Spike Milligan to The Charge of the Ligh t Brigade by Lord Tennyson. “There were some very engaging interpretations ,” said Mrs Russell. “I tho judging the competitio roughly enjoyed n and was impressed by the high standard across all year groups.” Results were: Most enjoyed poem from the whole competition: Headley, Years 3-4; Overall winner Years 3-4: Nightingale; Overall winner Years 5-6: Headley. Houses overall: 1st - Headley with 82 poi nts; 2nd - Mountbatten with 76 points; 3rd - Nightin gale with 75 points; and 4th Lendrum with 70 points.

All six Senior School Houses convened in Brake Hall where they put forward teams, made up of two pupils from each year group, in a bid to take the House General Knowledge title.

So, where are the Islets of Langerhans? In your pancreas!

Creative Writing Club meets every week with the aim of letting students develop their skills and interest in writing. Budding writers from Years 7-11 have planned, written and honed their creations. Here is an excerpt from one piece of writing: “Running”, by Emily Reynolds, Year 8

Life is a great wave of emotion; it’s like standing in a running rapid trying to stay firm. I guess what I’m trying to say is that life is hard, but life is even harder when you’re all alone and running. I used to live in Baltimore, my life was a game. It never really fell into place. My parents were great and awesome. Despite this, they acted weird sometimes and they never were sure about me. But that was then and this is now.

DRAMA AND STORYBOOKS IN FRENCH

WHERE ARE THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS?

Each year group was asked specific questions and all teams sat on the stage with the rest of the school supporting them. In between rounds there were logic puzzles for the rest of the school, the results of which counted towards the final scores. Squires House were victorious.

OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP CREATIVITY

SKILLS FOR BUSINESS Ten students joined the school’s Young Enterprise Club this year setting up a company called Surprise. They produced a variety of products which included Lego hearts for Valentine’s Day and speciality gift boxes for Christmas and boarders’ events. They sold their Lego hearts outside ASDA on a cold evening in February and overall made a significant profit from all of their ventures. At the Business Area final they won the Best Presentation award and were close to gaining the Best Overall Company award. Motunrayo Onafowokan entered the Area Public Speaking final, which she won, and then she went on to win the Kent final against strong competition from five other area winners. Mo was invited to speak at the Kent Business final and wowed the assembly with her delivery.

guages House The Modern Foreign Lan ts the chance to Competition gave studen guages. Several perform in different lan sed, some involving ani org competitions were storybooks, but all drama, some involving guages. Who would involving a variety of lan Potter could speak have thought that Harry Urdu?

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

EPQs

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What are EPQs? And why do they inspire such passion and interest in our pupils – and staff? EPQ stands for Extended Project Qualification and they are run by the exam boards AQA and Edexcel. They are highly regarded by the good universities and can give a real boost to a student’s application.

AC AD AC EM AD IC EM IC

EPQs LEARNING & CHALLENGE

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Last year Ashford School pupils who completed EPQs achieved 100% A*-A grades. With 27 pupils having chosen to complete them they remain an extremely popular form of study.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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GOING GREEN

EPQs

My EPQ is based around the idea of green technology and renewable energy sources.

DEEPER INVESTIGATIONS ghterhouses My EPQ project is about slau stick to the EU UK the in e thos and whether that many legislations. There are rumours laws set for the king slaughterhouses are brea to treat and wed allo ’re they them regarding how d to visit and nee will I this For als. anim hold their slaughterhouses contact people concerned with d to do my own nee will and rescue animals and as PETA. I’ve such ces sour ted research from trus because I mer sum this EPQ an do decided to pendently. inde want to learn how to work fully do this as to how know It is important for me to ugh thro me e guid to e eon I will not have som ionate pass very am I , Also life. my the rest of doing and feel it is about the project that I am tion as there is rma important to know this info er than learning bett it ut abo no way to find out . rself about it you By Kendra Gattiker

I originally wanted to explore the idea of the entire planet running on renewable energy and whether this is possible or just a fantasy. After some brief research, I decided to take a slightly different approach, and instead I started looking at different examples where communities and nations had tried to do this individually, why they succeeded and failed, and then based on this evidence I am going to create my own plan of converting the whole planet to using renewable energy. I have always had an interest in green technologies since I believe that, in my own future especially, green technology is going to be an extremely influential aspect of the future of our planet, and is going to need creative minds such as my own as well as scientific minds in order to succeed. By Dan Johanssen

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

THE BRIEF: Choose a topic Go beyond the curriculum Carry out an independent research project Write a 5000 word essay OR Create a product + a 1000 word report Deliver a presentation Am I: Self-motivated Curious to find out more Exceptionally creative Good at planning – or willing to learn Organised Confident Up for a challenge In the Sixth Form Yes? Then, let’s go.

THE CREATIVE WORLD OF FASHION I am captivated by the innovative and inspiring creative industry. In breaks in the school day I find myself locked away in the art rooms sprawling my work across the floor, sketching future sculptures and plans. I attend evening life drawing courses which are not only an outlet from academic work but improve my fashion illustrations by studying the human figure. Nonetheless most certainly the biggest influence, which completely reconstructed the idea of fashion to me, were the placements I attended at Jimmy Choo and The Sunday Express Fashion magazine. They not only allowed me to clarify how passionate I really am to achieve a place studying fashion in the future, but also helped me distinguish key skills in the workforce: PR, Press, Editorial and by far my favourite, the Styling. In my EPQ I will specifically focus on the Styling element of fashion, moving from the 1940s to postwar 1950s. I have chosen to investigate this segment in time as the drastic change which history imposed on garment design shocked me in the V&A fashion exhibition when I first visited several months ago. I am enthralled by the fast paced change which happens within the fashion industry and feel, whilst vintage clothing has become more popular in the 21st century, that I would like to educate others about other eras and where some of our modern trends have rejuvenated from. I plan to host a vintage event with another student, Ellie Elam who is an aspiring hair stylist. While Ellie will create 40s and 50s classic housewife hairstyles on models, I will source and style their clothes to portray the gradual changes, which came about through the era in garment design. The models will act as waitresses at our vintage event, representing the definitive housewives of the ages and serve the traditional tea and baked goods which the 40s and 50s are renowned for. Ellie and I will host a flamboyant afternoon with tea, cakes, games, dancing and vintage education where we will also give a brief speech about the model styles and our findings from the EPQ. Any profits made through selling tickets or donations at the event will be given to the British Legion Charity, which coincides with our wartime theme. By Jess O’Shaughnessey

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

GCSE

RESULTS

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At A Level, our students outperform those of similar ability at the most selective grammar schools. Over the last 10 years, they have notched up some pretty impressive results. Read on to find out how they did this year.

ALEVEL

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A LEVEL RESULTS 2015 Nearly 90% of Year 13s who applied for a place at university for 2015 gained either their first choice or insurance choice university - with the vast majority achieving the grades needed for their first choice. Of the remainder, almost all picked up places through the clearing system including at universities such as Warwick, Loughborough, de Montfort, Birmingham, Surrey and Nottingham. Overall, just under two thirds are off to the most selective Russell Group universities to study courses ranging from Neuroscience and Medicine, through to Architecture, French and Nursing.

ie made it on to the Rebecca and Soph h. The Daily Telegrap

front page of

THE STATS

A*/A with all papers were graded At A Level, nearly half of Extended the . All students taking 20% at A* and 74% A*-B student one and A A*/ Q) achieved Project Qualifications (EP ntific scie his for rd awa ST gold CRE achieved a prestigious research. for entry into achieved the threshold Two thirds of students nts gained B, B). The number of poi the elite universities (A, rly one Nea A. equivalent of A, A, per student at A2 is the des; gra A A*/ e thre t ieved at leas third of all students ach A grades; A*/ two t leas at d ieve ts ach nearly half of all studen d at least s of all students achieve and nearly three quarter one A*/A grade.

lity range 25% of the national abi Our students in the top achieved t) Ken in s grammar school (equivalent to those in students the h wit par a on which is 66% A*/A and 88% A*-B ntly better the country and significa in the top 50 schools in s. than all grammar school (outside second quartile nationally Our students within the almost n tha ter ge) performed bet the grammar school ran 74% and A A*/ 57% h ool peers wit all of their grammar sch A*-B. sist individual stories of per Behind all these stats are ns. ectatio hard work and high exp

Head bo y Will wit h A*, A*, place at A* is taki Imperial ng up a C ollege to Enginee study Ch ring. Jaz emical with A*, study Na A*, A, A is tural Scie going to nces at C ambridg e.

ent

Bath and Meghan: off to Cameron, Nick, Ellie iversity Un and ay al Hollow Spa, St Andrews, Roy ly. of Sussex respective

for Teddy, Daisy and Matching set: A*, A, A

Rebecca.

With A*, A, A, Nick is off to St Andrews to study French and Spanish. He hopes to join the Foreign Office one day – as well as achieving his dream of playing tennis in the Paralympics.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

S 2015 T L U S E R E S GC

ts or more subjec ed A*/A in five ev hi ac s nt to de ich be of all stu and one of wh Over one third t achievement an fic ni sig a ar in GCSEs this ye very proud. sis on which are a good ba : “These results id sa an an king forward ch loo are Head Mike Bu d our students an rm Fo ful of th in the Six excellent hand to start study ve achieved an ha ey Th l. ve Le at A to specialising n them.” ee tw be lts su re three A*/A in at least dents achieved stu all of s . /A ird st one A* Nearly two th achieved at lea of all students subjects; 84%

LEAVERS’ DAYS

Our Year 13s marked the end of their Ashford School education with an atm ospheric black tie event at the beautiful Wes tenhanger Castle. The event rounded off a day of department celebrations, which included a champagne breakfast on the lawn with speeches from staff and students.

well to emotional fare Year 6 said an ol as they ho Sc ep Pr at e their happy tim ucation. ed rt their senior prepare to sta dition now ething of a tra 60s Day is som school in to e ildren com and sees the ch ey enjoy Th ts. tfi rful ou a range of colou tivities, titions and ac a day of compe e off. s-themed danc including a 60 ecue for es with a barb Their day finish lots of th and staff wi parents, pupils g and a in m im ch as sw fun activities su . rounders match

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

F AC ILIT IES

The last 10 years have seen a host of new facilities and the improvements continue. From a brand new Prep School to a smart new Sports Centre, investment in the school enhances the pupils’ experience and learning. We’re looking forward to the forthcoming opening of our latest development – 25 acres of sports fields and an AstroTurf.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

F AC ILIT IES

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

IMMEDIATE CHANGES

e old remember as th What some may it and ll-l we , nt w a vibra staff room is no staff a th wi re nt ning Ce resourced Lear e and ag hand to encour of Librarians on two to e m s. It is also ho advise student of e on s wa is ters. Th rooms of compu hool, Sc r nio Se e th s to the first change . 06 20 in ing en op space e, a poorly used At the same tim s loo s and Victorian of locker-room for b hu l cia into a so was transformed e Th . m riu At e ff – th students and sta l of the bo m sy a e m ca Atrium soon be bringing ol, focused on new, fresh scho s. the best to pupil as ll we as Now, being packed at e break times, th ed us o als Atrium is l cia so of st for a ho e Year th m fro ts, en ev Tea, to 6-7 Christmas nts re pa welcoming nings. or M en Op g durin

R IN THE LAST YEA

We welcomed Lizzy Yarnold, Olympic

The games uniform

Gold Medallist

from more than 10

years ago

s officially opened ool Sports Centre wa The new Ashford Sch dallist Lizzy Yarnold by Olympic Gold Me sports in September 2014 nificant impact on , it has made a sig and, just a year on provision. h oon of activities wit ony saw an aftern which The opening cerem e qu pla ld go the w the curtains on Lizzy before she dre houses a Sports to the centre which nce tra sits in the en a classroom with nging facilities and England size hall, cha over the AstroTurf. viewing balconies -14 on Champion, 2013 14 Olympic Skelet 2012 Lizzy, who is the 20 n, pio am Ch rld n, 2012 Junior Wo World Cup Champio dallist, arrived at Championship Me rld Wo and 2013 FIBT After meeting MP of the school day. Ashford at the end and other VIPs, she Mayor of Ashford g Damian Green, the g different sportin g the students durin spent time observin rugby and hockey. activities, including was the Question afternoon for many hing The highlight of the izzed her on everyt n where students qu her k and Answer sessio too she l to where to win a gold meda from what it’s like inspiration from. ing “Lizzy is an amaz Jefferson-Pillai said: made y Year 7 pupil, Olivia all sic ba e sh d a great speaker an t inspiration. She’s dreams. You’ve jus can achieve your u yo t us realise tha .” and keep focused got to work hard was really inspiring Tony Wilde, said: “It and Director of Sport, Mr t Lizzy’s experiences letes to hear abou !” top for our aspiring ath y ver the ch rea ilience required to in particular the res

Work begins on

The Senior School in summer

the new spor

ts facilities

THE FUTURE BEGINS

at nt of 25 acres of land in on the redevelopme beg rk wo saw ool 5 sch 201 ole Trinity academic year, the wh at Chart. In the next ll as we as urf roT the Prep School in Gre Ast full-size floodlit enjoy use of another se, a ros lac and ll (Senior and Prep) will tba foo h as rugby, pitches for games suc a further seven grass s. ket wic ket cric r fou 400m running track and g ool is a key and stron “Sport at Ashford Sch d: sai an han the y Buc atl e Head Mik ent will enhance gre cation. This developm edu ’ pils .” pu do of to nt le me ele of what we are ab d hence the quality facilities available an ys a major h their paces. Sport pla certainly be put throug ght in tau ng The new facilities will h ball skills bei ford School student wit . By ion ept part in the life of an Ash Rec in l and netbal progressing to hockey rs of hou f hal Nursery, with children a and five oy p School children enj Pre the in are y from the e ose the tim ricular activities to cho ek with a host of co-cur curriculum sport a we on top of that.

s swimming afternoons a week, plu there are two games h as rugby suc es In the Senior School ng sessions in gam ll as specialist coachi school’s the in g and PE lessons as we inin tra ms see the swimming tea gs rnin mo ly Ear . t of ool par as after sch kwondo are on offer h as Fencing and Tae suc ies ivit Act ls. poo two mme. y co-curricular progra the school’s compulsor

The new Prep School

F AC ILIT IES

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

R E H T E G O T L AL

Friars ior School merged with Soon after Ashford Jun jor ma a ns were drawn up for Preparatory School pla rt. Cha at Friars site at Gre building project on the cers, ions with planning offi After months of discuss first sod the 8 200 in head office, architects, builders and ich wh ent pm elo dev nd n pou was dug on a multi-millio Great the of tion rma sfo tran would see a complete Chart site. a new aged 3-11 moved into In 2010 boys and girls cialist Art, spe ng udi classrooms incl building with 18 bright ching tea sic Mu and y Technolog Food Studies, Science, sed on the hou is y, rser Nu the ng udi areas. The Pre-Prep, incl first floor. in Years 3-6 are on the ground floor and pupils losed Nursery enc m, a new dining roo There are two libraries, g fields. yin pla ive ens ds and ext and Pre-Prep playgroun tes helped ior School, Richard Yea As Head of Ashford Jun He looks s. ent pm elo dev its new oversee the merger and back on the project:

to a school large enough “It took time to build ging both brin but n ldre chi accommodate all the cerned, much better for all con schools together was on and ati nic mu com h but wit not only with facilities, teaching. and g rnin lea of ent em leadership and manag e enough larg r there was nowhere Also, after the merge ool and sch al ion entry, co-educat to house a three form growing. demand was already worked and cheerful and we “The design is bright to achieve m tea ign des ect and closely with the archit learnt from of other schools and this. We visited a lot we aknesses but in the end their strengths and we and rs rido cor e feel with wid aimed for a bright, airy t. ligh ximum white walls to give ma many sets m start to finish, after “It took 15 months fro gs and ens of planning meetin of plans (11!) and doz design discussions. on eventually took place “The opening ceremony Lord y, bur Archbishop of Canter 8 June, 2010. Former new the and ony ted the cerem George Carey, conduc then the r, rpe Ha an Ew after Sir glass hall was named ool Sch s Trust. ive of United Church retiring Chief Execut nts from parents were “The positive comme lar the all loved it, in particu overwhelming. They t that they fac entrance and the welcoming open-plan s. om all the classro could easily see into onal in it to be transformati “The staff also found There was nt. me iron work env terms of attitudes and ool and sch the und aro m cal of an immediate feeling ht and brig ays remark on its prospective parents alw airy feel.” ARTIST’S IMPRESSION

WORK IN PROGRESS

THIS PARKING AREA OUTSIDE THE OLD BUILDING HAS NOW BEEN LANDSCAPED

ILITIES

THE OLD DINING FAC AT FRIARS SCHOOL

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

STUDENTS AND STAFF WELCOME THE STEINWAYS IN OCTOBER 2013

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES Another major investment – this time just two years ago – has seen the Senior School say hello to a fleet of the world’s best pianos – Steinways. With three Grands and eight Uprights, our students are learning on the very best and the investment is paying off too. Ashford School pupils are regular winners of the Kent Festival Pianist of the Year competition (this year was no exception) and Year 11 pupil Govind Dhiman won a place in the finals of the highly prestigious Marlowe Young Musician of the Year.

FIRST STEPS Bridge Nursery has been under the same leadership since its inception in September 1997. During this time it has grown into a thriving full to capacity early years provision. The ‘outstanding in all areas’ Independent School Inspectorate judgement is mirrored in its reputation in the local community. The nursery caters for 65-75 under 3s each day who enjoy the stimulating environment provided by the dedicated Early Years Practitioners. The qualified well trained staff welcome their designated key children into the nursery, and make sure that their well-being is as high as possible in order for them to explore an environment that ignites their inquisitive minds.

ECTION N N O C L A B O L AG

thetically use has been sympa The old Bridge Ho e. ntr Ce al prove their on im ati our Intern who are working to the doors open to m across the world fro nts August 2015 saw de stu of er numb w home to a small restored and is no rse. cou dy stu r ea e-y English with a on

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A WA RD S

Ashford School is a regular player on the awards circuit and this year we have picked up some impressive endorsements. They focus mainly on the professionalism, dedication and excellence of our staff.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A WA RD S

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A WA RD S

F O R A E Y A N E E B S ’ IT S D R A W A G N I R E T T GLI D R O F H S FOR A … F F A T S L SCHOO D DEPUTY HEA L IS NATIONA F TEACHER O THE YEAR

R E D A E L S R A E Y Y L R A E OF THE YEAR

sparkling awards rs Leader of the Year at a tes was named Early Yea Head of Nursery Sue Yea Starkey. eminent historian David ceremony hosted by the Group Awards ion at the Kent Messenger commitment and dedicat She was recognised for her t. teaching staff all over Ken which attract entries from ly Years team that the work of all the Ear say that she is delighted d of Ashford Hea an, “Sue would be the first to han Buc e Mik gnised by this award,” said reco n bee has ool Sch at Ashford School. a second Ashford School picked up ch was whi award at the ceremony e for tim this tle held at Leeds Cas the ing gnis reco r, Yea Team of the ip ersh lead s ool’ sch the of work team. that This is not the first time e been hav Ashford School staff er Form rds. awa singled out for won er Turn Rob logy Bio Head of Year the Archant Teacher of the ie Ros logy while Head of Psycho a of ner win Ball is a former Good Schools Award.

Head Mrs School Deputy l Ashford Prep ed the nationa m na en has be . Penny Willetts ng ni ar ited Le e Year by Un Teacher of th r leadership of ed out for he in She was singl contributions learning, her with teaching and rk wo r he d e classroom an and out of th ly. ng more wide ni ar United Le her and has inspiring teac “Penny is an the school to g in lp role in he played a key ng status and tional teachi ” achieve its na st inspection, tings in our la ard ‘excellent’ ra ch Ri r M r te ol Headmas said Prep Scho Yeates.

the d is down to said the awar e Mrs Willetts ol of the wh d dedication ’s hard work an ks to everyone an th is t “I ded: work team. She ad to g in m co at hard work th support and .” re is a pleasu Everyone heme, Best in The awards sc ning which ar Le d by Unite s Awards, is run ll as academie School, as we the owns Ashford ss ro ac s ol pendent scho ns and other inde 90 nominatio chosen from s wa her th UK. Penny wi d presente oup and was of e us across the gr Ho e th y at ecial ceremon award at a sp . Lords in June

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

FIVE PUPILS WIN NATIONAL AWAR DS

FINALISTS L A N O I T A N IN TEACHING AWARDS , ike Buchanan proud that M s ar Ye We are really of Early e Yeates, Head s ist al Head, and Su fin as cted hool were sele ds. ar Aw at Ashford Sc ng hi ac Te ious Pearson tig es pr e th r fo n rs, the Pearso cars for teache m fro l Dubbed the Os fu nd ha a ds select just UK. Teaching Awar m across the minations fro no of thousands hford School, , as Head of As Mr Buchanan eative and for showing cr was selected a sustained adership over imaginative le period. said that Mr Awards judges sion The Pearson setting the vi d focused on ha an an ch se Bu school, clo ly pment of the ills for the develo loping the sk ality and deve e monitoring qu th n ai st su able them to of others to en . es lu ethos and va nding team as ads an outsta r Mrs Yeates le ed practitione an accomplish well as being ht. in her own rig to contribution ed that Sue’s s ha s “I am delight ar Early Ye d the world of ue “S the school an . an an ch d,” said Mr Bu of been recognise highest levels e th g in id ov is driven by pr ildren ch e th to ng and learni care, support ry special is Something ve . ol ho sc in the ery day from our nursery ev happening in all learn.” which we can

Five Ashford Schoo l pupils were select ed as winners in Un Learning’s annual ited Best in Everyone Aw ards. They were open to all pupils from the group’s 54 schools academies - some and 30,000 students in total - and were spl and senior categori it into junior es. Our subject award winners for the jun iors were Amberley (ICT) and Zak Jeffer Odysseas son-Pillai (RS); for the seniors they we Phillpot (History), re Jessie Michelle Tamura (RS ) and Jaz Stoddart (Biology).

CHAIR OF THE HMC Head Mike Buchanan has been elected Chair of the HMC (The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) for the year 2016-17. The HMC is a pro-active association of the Heads of the world’s leading independent schools and the Chair is often called on for comment and advice from the press and other bodies. This is a tremendous accolade and well deserved and we look forward to hearing more from Mike Buchanan in his new role.

A WA RD S

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

NAL O I T A N A G TEACHIN L SCHOO

the selected by has been g l o o h Sc Te al achin Ashford e a Nation le to becom ro t g en in d m a rn a le gove hools take n, aching Sc e professio School. Te th to ts n a tr en ew d n n a talent in training leadership h nurturing d n a g in e g researc identify leading ed ndertaking . u ls , o o lly h a sc er gen rt for other ing suppo and provid has been Buchanan time, Mike e m ader of sa Le e l a th n At le of Natio ro e th to ff in their appointed g with sta NLEs alon ). ool LE (N n o o p p rt Sch Educati ational Su N a d te a ign alism to school - des profession . ccess and su r ei er schools th th se o -u support in ip sh er d a provide le that the delighted id: “I am sa n a n a t Ashford Mike Buch gues do a my collea rk o w l a as been n exceptio Learning h ithin United w d to play n a er l g o Scho We are ea y. a w is th in tional ing excep recognised in develop le ro g n si l seeks an increa ner schoo ever a part en h w ause ip ec leadersh ily do so b . We happ ce n ta ies for is it n ss u a our the opport it enriches ly ere.” h te a w se im el lt u d School an rd fo sh A pupils at al s a Nation s chosen a a w l o o h n ta ding Ashford Sc of its outs l because o o h Sc g excellence Teachin providing ng nsistently co f o rd oping you reco and devel g in rn a le g, schools in teachin rting other d in suppo g. By so in rn people an a Le hin United it w d n hool have a locally Ashford Sc ployees at em e elopment th , ev g d d doin allenge an ch r fo s ie ools and opportunit f other sch n capacity o e th d n e o th childre well bey work with pport our ool h su Sc g in rd o fo d in so School. Ash at Ashford t schools in and pupils dependen in w fe a ly n ol status. is one of o ching scho ranted tea g e b to d Englan e utive of th Chief Exec , e th r, o d yl a Le ership Charlie Ta ching and ge for Tea d u lle o ro C p l a ry n ve Natio l should be ed ford Schoo n recognis ee said: “Ash b s a h It t. en m ve h ie it an of this ach its area, w cellence in ex f o record e tr ck as a cen and a tra erformance p g are at in ls d o n o h outsta aching sc Te s. rd a d n system, sta school-led of raising creasingly in n a f o lit a y the heart ng the qu in improvi y a w e th o h ols in leading ing the sc s and help Like er ch a te r u en better. of o ecome ev b to ip ntres sh ce er e become their partn ls, they hav a it ing sp ct o u H d Teaching untry, con cross the co a ce n lle ” of exce g teachers. nd trainin research a

SHARING IDEAS WITH OTHER SCHOO LS As part of our role as a National Teachi ng School, the Prep hosted a visit from School 20 teachers and stu dents from other loc al schools. They took part in a workshop focusing on Literacy, Languages and Phonics as well as touring the schoo l and undertaking les observations. son

NT INDEPENDE RDS A SCHOOL AW

e tegories for th ated in two ca ol was nomin ho Sc d or hf As Awards. ndent School 2014 Indepe ship nding Leader in the Outsta ed st tli or sh s. s rie catego The school wa tegic Initiative tstanding Stra Ashford y, on Team and Ou m re ce same awards e th at 1, -1 the Year. In 2010 ent School of ed Independ m na s wa ol Scho

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

T RI PS

Why do we take our students on trips? The answer is simple. Because learning is all about real life. Trips and visits inspire, educate and cement learning. Most of them at Ashford are included as part of the curriculum because we know how vital they are to our students’ personal and academic development. You’ll see a host of examples on these pages but there are many more. Others include Hampton Court for Year 8, the Tate galleries and the Historic Dockyard, Chatham for Year 9. Year 10 have found out more about the History of Medicine at London’s Science Museum and Year 12s chose their own destination during a trip to London to find out more about culture. Attractions included the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

T RI PS

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

IN SEARCH OF PARTICLES THE PHYSICS TRIP TO CERN By Lizzy Aviss and Fiona Bell As part of our Physics A Level we had the opportunity to visit CERN, the largest particle accelerator in the world, which is located in Geneva, Switzerland. After a 4am start and a drive to Gatwick, we were surprisingly awake, all of us being too excited to catch up on sleep. The first day in Switzerland involved a visit to the Natural History Museum where we met Janus (the two headed tortoise), followed by a cable car trip half way up a mountain, only to discover we had to hike to the top for spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Dinner and our beds were much appreciated that evening! Early the following morning we headed off on a long cycle ride, despite looming clouds. Soon we were drenched, despite the copious amounts of waterproof clothing we had all brought with us. We carried on in high spirits, even standing under the huge fountain in the centre of Lake Geneva! After treating ourselves to some hot chocolate, we visited the History of Science Museum and enjoyed playing with the different optical illusions on display. In the evening, we went out to eat in an Italian Pizzeria where the food was delicious! Finally, on the third day, the place we had all been waiting for. We visited LHCb, one of the main detectors, where an experiment is set up to explore antimatter and what happened after the Big Bang. This was an absolutely fascinating experience, with experts from all over the world explaining the history of the project and how it all works. This really helped us understand and put into context the section of our syllabus on particles. We were lucky enough to go underground in order to be able to see the actual detector, the scale of which was truly astounding. We visited the CERN canteen, and were spoilt for choice, with options ranging from steak and chips, to a brie and potato bake, all with the largest salad bar any of us had ever seen. We finished the day with a visit to the CERN museum, and set off for the journey back to England. We came home absolutely exhausted but incredibly happy, with an experience none of us will ever forget.

HOW DO MATTE R AND ELECTROMAGNE TIC RADIATION INTER ACT?

This year saw the ina ugural Year 12 Chemistry field trip which made use of the spectroscopy labora tories at Greenwich University, adding pra ctical experience of these crucial analyti cal instruments to the theory the students had learnt in class.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A STORM OF ACTIVITY

THE PHYSICS TRIP TO ICELAND by Jaz Stoddart

Our first impression of Iceland was a snow blizzard so sudden and intense we were confined to the plane until it passed. Every day was a storm of activity, exhaustingly busy and similarly exciting. Outings varied from geothermal parks where we indulged in meals cooked in the boiling waters of the many springs within the grounds to the world’s only geothermal combined water and power station. Energy released by radioactive decay within the Earth’s mantle heats water that is pumped down boreholes several miles deep to where the Earth’s crust meets the mantle. The resultant superheated steam is used to turn turbines and also heat water so that both electricity and an almost unlimited supply of hot water is produced. This hot water is then piped straight into Icelandic homes and under the streets of Reykjavik to keep roads clear of snow.

Each night the group would indulge in the geothermally heated outdoor swimming pools adjacent to where we were staying, experiencing swimming outside in 30 degree water while it snowed and the wind howled. The constant cloud cover from the snow prevented us from observing the Aurora Borealis. Nevertheless, as Physicists we felt privileged to have the opportunity to observe the vast potential of the safe, renewable energy resource that is geothermal energy in its many forms: through the power station, geyser fields and Blue Lagoon. It was a fascinating experience that couldn’t be found anywhere else on Earth.

T RI PS

THE BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A TW LIGHT Day One – 8:30 on a Tuesday morning and we were still half asleep. Wellies were on and there was a promise of sunshine for the week ahead. Despite the bribery of extra KitKats in our lunch bags, the prospect of counting ants and identifying seaweed did not appear to be the most enthusing way to spend four days out of lessons. However the arrival of the long-anticipated hoodies sparked a little more excitement among the group - with it more like an award ceremony, we were presented with our named hoodies and trustingly handed our equipment and then off we went to our first field location - Brockhill Country Park. It was here we began our series of field investigations, focusing on correlations between abiotic factors and our surrounding environments; sampling both the lake water and streams for species diversity of invertebrates. This was the first time we could apply what we had learnt in the lab practically in the field. Day Two – Botany Bay. The day was spent exploring more sampling techniques on the shore and on land, breaking for lunch on the cliff top looking over the panorama of the bay. Zonation skills were tested and our ability to identify algae tested to the limits.

Day Three – A trip to Wildwood which included mammal trapping, with Mrs Miller’s passion for identifying the sex of the mouse being extremely entertaining for us all. Back on the minibus, exhausted from the three days of what we considered hard work, we set off into the sunset. And with no exaggeration, we arrived at our overnight stop in The Elephant Lodges, located at Port Lympne, timed perfectly with the sunset. We were treated to a twilight safari, trekking across the park and examining the area in preparation for our personal investigations the following day. What was now our Ecology family, dinner was served on the veranda which was followed by an evening around the campfire. On behalf of our whole team, there is no doubt that this trip was much more than the field course we were all expecting at the beginning of the week. Despite our war with broken ankles and what will be stacks of paper work, it was a very special trip to say the least. In essence that is what school should be about, having the experiences to open you up to a different way of learning but more importantly sharing a passion for a subject not only with the students but the teachers as well.

“In essence that is what school should be about, having the experiences to open you up to a different way of learning but more importantly sharing a passion for a subject not only with the students but the teachers as well.”

SAFARI by Scarlett Spicer

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

T RI PS

G N I V I V R U S E H T IN WILD

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

hlight of ely the hig n as definit w ft ry early o a cr ve l Bush e at schoo b . to d ey a rn h u e Year 5. W s a long jo ause it wa n ec o b y em a d th with the first ht pillows t. ple broug nyone slep a Some peo k in th ’t into our , but I don t h ch a ig co ra e st th we went very got there yone tried When we ilding. Ever u b e re fi er w y, s it iv re fi first act ause the mainly bec , is th t a hard ch! ok our lun going to co es for the three trib ided into ap’ iv d e er w ea ‘t cher tr We e made a ib tr r u o O d n activities. r balance cold wate f o et them ck t u p with a b bar to tem chocolate a for d ck n a a b e a tree id Mr Hyd initely pa is tiger ef h d tchinson in is ll h a T . s u in Molly Hu terrifying y d b n a t u o jumping onesie. n, t afternoo on the firs rs te el lthough a sh , We built to sleep in ed id ec d e e yon nd night w which ever n the seco to the e tents. O in er t w en e w er th er which ed a badg . even spott ok around a h d d a lo n a r te el boys’ sh ally woke up re p late and ee sl the , to d t We wen e were tire though w en d ev ke t, a u b b , early ggy bread open reakfast (e n b a s n u o io d ic ke del eggs) coo d n a n o co h w to beans, ba We learnt r the day. fo p u s er u w e brave fire set ur people er on and fo lm sa eyes. Oth re a sh prep gusting fi is d e e m th ti t le ea o at the wh enough to d was gre o fo t e sa th e w t, gs than tha the evenin nd ere, and in ocolate a ch t we were th o h h mpfire wit ca e th d n rou stories. listened to ost rward to m looked fo e n ke. yo la er l ev the natura The thing imming in uch sw y m el ’t it sn was defin , there wa g, though ped n m ki ju ea st sp ju ll Strictly cold we a it was so – g in m swim ut again. straight o covered uddy and me back m ca e h it for n rt yo o w Ever but it was , es it b o Mrs it in mosqu nk you to . A big tha ip tr Dodds g n rs zi M an ama afidis and V r M e, less r Hyd got even Willetts, M lly as they ia ec p es s, u for taking n us! sleep tha

BUSHC YEAR 5

RAFT TR

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

YEAR 6 AT OSMINGTON BAY By Mrs Ruth Clarke We arrive; the “Oohs” and “Aahs” when the children catch their first glimpse of the beautiful cliff top setting are quickly followed by “Whoa!” “Mega!” and “Awesome!” as they see the dizzying heights of the telegraph-pole trapeze and the free-fall drop of the giant swing. Even Ozzy bear was impressed. Expectations of fun are as great as the challenges ahead. The bunk bed accommodation passed muster and was rated as luxurious compared to previous experiences in Year 5! Supper in the restaurant with the generous portions and numerous choices on offer reassured all that none would starve. After a chance to soak Emma our group leader in the water bomb challenge it was bedtime and time to chat excitedly to roommates until the teachers insisted on quiet! The prize for the nightly room inspections was the most hotly contested I have yet known, with frantic window and doorstep cleaning beforehand, and artistic floral arrangements and themed decorations greeting the inspector when he called. Wonderful weather stayed with us for the weekend and made all the outdoor activities an absolute pleasure; the ups and downs of the geology walk from Durdle Door provided stunning rock formations and coastal views and certainly merited the cooling ice creams at

Lulworth Cove. The Dragon Boat racing on the turquoise blue waters of Weymouth Harbour was once again fiercely competitive, between the leaders as well as the children, but the worthy winners earned their victory through excellent team work. The activities on site certainly stretched the pupils physically and mentally as they steeled themselves to face the challenges. Most threw themselves at everything with gusto whilst, with lots of support from their group, the less confident surprised and delighted themselves and all of us with their daring and determination, whether abseiling and climbing, conquering the telegraph pole or zip-wiring; many even requesting a second attempt to go even higher, determined to be fastest up the wall, or beat Mrs Mullaly’s trapeze time. A bouncy session of aero ball revealed some hitherto unknown shooting talent and once again we decided we need a cage for school! The Sherwood Hoodies also had a chance to show off their legendary archery prowess. After a windy night Monday dawned cold, wet and blustery, so the rifle shooting took the place of the trapeze for some whilst the others braved the elements to climb and glide. Then we loaded our bags on the coach and headed home again, exhausted and elated in equal measure. Another highly successful trip.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

T RI PS LANGUAGE FIRST-HAND There is plenty of activity in the Modern Foreign Languages department with links to schools abroad which all help pupils understand a country’s culture as well as experiencing the language in action. Twenty years ago, the German department developed a relationship with a partner school in Durmersheim and in July they welcomed pupils from the school. They spent time in lessons as well as visiting Tenterden and enjoying a boat cruise to Bodiam Castle. They finished their trip with a very British cream tea. The annual Sixth Form discussion day with our partner school in Saint Omer, France, is also something of a tradition. In December, our French students hosted the day which was an opportunity for discussions on the British education system and for the French to introduce us to French comedians. The students also practised language skills with tongue twisters and taboo games.

ents from rama stud ht lucky D erica, m Twenty-eig ster in A 3 spent Ea cisco, an Fr Years 10-1 n Sa ore about m g in er discov industry. and the film es el ng A s Lo headed land, they Alcatraz is of ur to rey, a te After king in Mon e coast ta th n Row and w ry do f ne of Can einbeck’s St hn Jo nny home to ood and So Clint Eastw re he sited w vi el Carm s. They also both mayor e William er w of o e Bon orate hom ab el e th e, Orson iration to Hurst Castl d the insp an st ur H Randolph izen Cain. sic film Cit Wells’ clas

R E V O C S I D

re, olby Theat ured the D to ey e th th d es el ke In Los Ang y; they wal ar ceremon sc se O ne e hi th C ’s home of d Grauman e e and visite the stars ar of ts walk of fam in pr nd ha e th here Theatre w pavement. cast in the trip included a nture also ve ad d ry ke ac bservato The jam-p e Griffith O n LA and th al Studios rs ve to old tow ni ood sign, U w ly ol H e near th l talks. and severa

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

D O O W Y L L O H G IN

T RI PS

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

n the Victorian woma Year 1 decided that the at day after a had a rather hard life . Life t Ken of m seu Mu

There is an amazing co llection of so the world’s me of finest conife rs at Bedgeb Pinetum an ury d Year 3 lear nt some inte facts on a da re sting y out.

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There was definitely no escape for the bugs and pond life when Rec eption took their investigations beyond the classroom at Singleton Environmenta l Centre.

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you might discover You never know what r 2 certainly did their Yea lurking under a rock. trip to Reculver. best to find out on a

y ng a Knight or a Lad It wasn’t all about bei re mo d r 2 discovere in the old days… Yea Leeds Castle. at by e gon life about

that a Have you ever thought lays disp d children’s playgroun ign des ive ress imp some pretty more out find to t wen 1 r Yea work? t par as en on a day out to Tenterd y the n The . ject of their Design pro ir own! came back and built the

5 AY 1 M 2 1 5 AY 1 M 2 1

Year 4 found out more ab out how we culti vate the land and use nature to survive on a trip to Living Land.

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Year 6 broadened their History studie s with visits to the Im perial War Museu m and Dover Castle.

Geographers have enjoyed several trips to improve their skills and embed their learning. The photo shows Year 10 enjoying a glorious day at Fairlight in East Sussex exploring coastal processes, landforms and coastal management. Other trips include the River Darent, and a London visit to see urban regeneration first hand. The trip proved so successful that Dr Wood led a similar trip for another school in the United Learning group.

slopes hit the re a xcuse to e n a ip d tr s we er nee nior ski e S sh d e n You nev rep a rning fr th the P one retu ry e v and bo e h wit uccess d! great s xhauste e d n a faced â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

fe s to li tudie s se. h r s ar Ho Engli their tc h W t a h w g u to 8 bro ndon Year to Lo ip r t a with Our hockey boys we re the only schoo l team taking part international hocke in an y tournament in Ho lland. It attracts the from around the wo best sides rld and Ashford pla yed the Belgium na side. It was a great tional U16 learning experienc e for the boys.

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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students found out Design Technology design culture before and more about art nts controlled assessme embarking on their m seu Mu ert Alb & ia tor with a visit to the Vic in London.

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Year 7 unearthed secrets in Canterb ury when they explo red the historical, religious and ge ographical aspe cts of the city, using th e information th ey collected to prod uce a project on Canterbury Cath edral. Ashford School’s First XV rugby team took their training and experience to a new level with a trip to Barcelona. They spent part of the October half term enjoying the sights and attractions of Spain as well as playing several matches against local teams. They visited the home of AC Barcelona as well as having a lot of fun at the Porta Ventura theme park.

ARD

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5 AY 1 M 2 1 5 AY 1 M 2 1

Economics students Year 12 Business and debate when they the of were at the heart ur e in Paris entitled ‘Yo attended a conferenc n Eva ed lud inc akers Future in Europe’. Spe the main UK political m fro s MP and s vie Da parties.

met the s 10 and 11 Pupils in Year ound gr actors of a director and Junge mit er D w drama, , breaking ne the Suitcase) (The Boy with dem Koffer te itu st In the Goethe organised by play, which ue iq un is Th in London. war refugee y of a young told the stor followed by country, was . escaping his and director with the cast ce en di au an

Head coach Mr Marc Boyd said: “Rugby is all about exceptional teamwork and tours like this are excellent team bonding opportunities. The boys work and play hard and Barcelona was a wonderful break and a new experience for them.”

ir keep the nts like to e d ok u to st 3 y 1 osoph 12 and Our Phil oth Year emic B d a t. c n a e y rr b cu nce led re learning fe n o sia and c a n Ethics f euthan issues o part in a re e day e h th w n , o Vardy iscussed d re e Dr Peter w ies . rson bab tter topic three-pe on the la d te o v t en parliam

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

WHEN IN ROME Senior Art students enjoyed a wonderful research trip to Rome where they visited the Colosseum, the Grand Palais, the Vatican, the Palatine Art Museum, to name but a few. Other Art trips have included the Turner Contemporary for Year 5, the British Museum and the Tate galleries.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A CTI VIT IES

We aim to give new passions that first spark, grow those seeds that have already been planted and to give each and every child the chance to discover what they love. Introducing the vast and eclectic activities list that has grown enormously from what it was 10 years ago into a choice of clubs and groups that is considered so important to a proper education that it is part of the curriculum – hence the term ‘co-curriculum’.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A CTI VIT IES

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A WHOLE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

given a termly ool, parents are , In the Prep Sch on to Newsdesk es, from Pentathl l oo choice of activiti Sch the Senior magic; while in se from cricket to se from and the oo ch to 80 n tha there are more tivities Ac al nu an the students at are presented to Fair.

can read about academic – you – Some are more arning section the Extended Le some of these in ess, TV Ch , ths Ma t, Ar , Sport, Music others focus on u name it. yo – g tin sen pre t of what we’ve es for a snapsho Browse the pictur year. been up to this

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

TE CH NOL OGY

Just over 10 years ago, we were embracing our first whiteboards but the most important items for students in the classroom remained the notebook and pen. Now, iPads are being rolled out for every student and are beginning to form the basis of many lessons. How did we get there in just 10 years?

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

TE CH NOL OGY

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

THE EVERTE CH NOL CHANGING OGY FACE OF TECHNOLOGY Laptops and whiteboards (rather than the old chalk blackboards) were part of the learning landscape at Ashford School 10 years ago but it is now that the use of IT is firmly integrated into the vast majority of lessons and embedded in the curriculum. This year we have appointed our first Director of E-Learning, Dr Neelam Parmar, who bases her ideas on the concept: “E-Learning: anytime, anywhere, anyhow.” She explains: “The more directive, traditional model of a teacher imparting knowledge to children in a passive rote-like fashion, has turned itself around. In a world shaped with technology, children now find themselves in a digital empowered landscape and are often found as independent learners, who are confident in seeking answers to their questions online to bring it back into the classroom. “The concept of e-learning at Ashford School includes the combination of several technologies to access the e-classroom. These range from a common Virtual Learning Environment to the 1:1 iPad scheme for all students to preparing children with 21st century skills and learning to be safe online. “As our children are entering their new world, it becomes our responsibility as teachers and parents to equip our children with up-todate knowledge in order to make intelligent decisions about their use of technology and the impact it can make on their lives, both educationally and personally.”

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

TEN YEARS AGO – AND MORE

ve changed. These Look how times ha rs ago more than 10 yea m fro pictures date ough thr ge ma er a rum and were found aft our archives. h computer room wit They show the basic erest int an o als t bu – s ter big, clunky compu s work with how computer in getting to grips ps? y Pi perha – an early Raspberr ed. Facebook was found In February 2004 you n Ca rn. bo s ail wa On 1 April, 2004, Gm h us wit en be ly on s ha e believe that YouTub ; and on 13 April, 05 20 was launched in for nine years? – it the shop shelves. Apple eMac was on 2004 a rather large

2014 -15

HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS SHAPED LIFE IN SCHOOL IN THE PAST YEAR.

MUSIC FOR THE FUTURE In Music, students have a MAC suite with state of the art software to help them in composition. No more writing it down – and starting again – on manuscript paper. In lessons an iPad is used in an aural test instead of a clunky machine and cassette.

DESIGNS IN 3D

From sketching designs on a pie ce of paper, to a mini 3D versi printing on of the finish ed product – tech has moved on nology in the Design Te chnology works hop.

TE CH NOL OGY

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

800 YEARS AND GOING DIGITAL Using the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta as a theme, Year 9 wrote clauses for a Digital Magna Carta. They created posters and news reports, expressing their thoughts on their digital rights.

PROGRAMMING FOR THE FUTURE Pupils at both the Prep and Senior schools are delving deeper into computer programming with new activities on the list. Ashford School firmly believes in teaching every child to code and promoting computational thinking. The learning involves Maths, logic and algorithms and teaches a different way of thinking about the world. The boy sitting at the computer is downloading software on to a Raspberry Pi which will be used to control a robotic arm.

LEARNING TECHNIQUES OF STOP-MOTION ANIMATION Adventurous Learning Week gave Year 8 the chance to spend a day polishing their stop-motion animation techniques. They attended a workshop where they learnt how to use the software and animated an object. They worked in groups to come up with a story idea and to develop a storyboard before producing their characters and props. The pupils then produced a short animated sequence; they added sound and effects before showing it to the whole group. “The activity was practical and hands-on and gave the pupils an unforgettable experience, improved their teamwork, confidence, self-esteem and creative expression,” said Mr Chris Newth, Head of Computing.

ENTS D U T S E IV T A E CR FINAL IN NATIONAL

in a national ugh to the final nts made it thro Two Year 9 stude build an app. competition to rial an entrepreneu m-Jones entered du La n ua eas Ie Id d on an Harry Jones arning and 7Billi run by United Le ion tit pe m co ign app-des 1 teams. entries from 18 which attracted d an app nes’ and designe m ‘Think Tank Jo tea eir th just 10 ed of m e on They na ming. They were g people on far were held un yo ich e wh at uc als ed fin to eir school at the th t en res rep to ro, who teams chosen are company Xe countancy softw ac of s ter ar qu at the head . ar’s competition sponsored this ye

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

MATHS WIZARDS

ARS ON E Y 0 1 : S H T OL MA PREP SCHO d here is

g time an Maths for a lon used to teach en be s ha y Technolog last 10 years: loped over the how it has deve numeracy with to consolidate mputer room co e th in s PC We used s to solve. les and problem questions, puzz netbooks which with portable rther enhanced wifi could fu en th s iti wa e in al school This room which th ss cla y ws XP an do in could be used used once Win ger able to be lon no to take le re ab we t e no reach. Thes netbooks were orted and the pp su r ge lon was no an upgrade. rs for as lesson starte n were useful sio es pr Ex tiv iPads. Ac ertaken by the The handheld tually were ov en ev e es th t a few years bu ns th Maths lesso in the school wi re he yw an fi to access wi enable pupils The iPads now ls’ learning. pi pu e th to technology in is th g in at gr inte

Prep School children are taking adva of a new ap ntage p designed by a parent helping them which is with their M aths. Maths Wizar d enables th e children to their times test tables agai nst the cloc have just fiv k. They e seconds to answer each question an d once they ’ve got 12/1 on each ta 2 ble - plus 20 /20 on two rounds - th mixed ey become true wizards presented w and are ith a wand.

wton

By Mr Phil Ne

BUILDING OU R OWN

Our teachers de signed and built their first teachin learning app. Ye g and ar 1 class teache r, Mrs Helen Ga Bennet, teamed rsedup with a pare nt, Mr Pratt, to a spelling app create which has 50 lev els and is based on phonics system the . It was tested by a range of pupil s from the Prep School and it is hoped it will be rolled out for us United Learnin e in all g schools and ev entually availab the Apple app le on store.

APPS

Symmetry

by Fatima

IPADS IN LESSONS

iPads are us ed througho ut the scho in many le ol ssons. Year 2 fo r example have writte n an inform ation book castles usin on g the app ‘B ook Creator they used ’; an app calle d ‘Morfo B to transfor ooth’ m themselv es into a fa person in hi mous story; and they retold story of Th the e Three Billy Goats Gruff using the ap p ‘PuppetP als’.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

HEAD OF COMPUTING TE CH BECOMES NOL RASPBERRY OGY PI CERTIFIED EDUCATOR Chris Newth - Head of Computing at Ashford School - is a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator following a training course in Cambridge with “great minds and great ideas”. “On the course I learnt more about the art of the possible - as well as meeting the founders and developers of the Raspberry Pi,” said Mr Newth, who has taught at Ashford School for six years after a career in the Royal Navy where he finished as Lieutenant Commander Information Systems Engineer. “They were incredibly inspirational, not only about computing, but about education and how coding and computing can be creative and accessible to all.” Ashford School has had Raspberry Pi for about 12 months, using them in their basic form to explore boot up, coding and to learn about Linux. Mr Newth’s journey to the next level with the Raspberry Pi started in the Christmas holidays when he began exploring physical computing projects such as coding the Pi to flash some LEDs - and he transferred what he had learnt to a course of lessons with Years 8 and 9 in the Lent term. The two-day course in Cambridge, which was held at Pi Towers, helped Mr Newth develop his coding skills and gain more knowledge of physical computing projects.

THE FUTURE

By Dr Neelam Parmar, Director of E-Learning Ashford’s e-learning strategy moving forward is to adopt appropriate and best technological practices that will motivate teachers to enrich students’ learning with relevant 21st century digital skills. From the next academic year, all students in Years 3-10 will receive their own iPad. All teachers have already had an iPad for a year and therefore are now in a strong position to deliver lessons using classroom based apps to encourage interactive learning workflows. While the iPad will be considered as another resource in the pencil case design, it is also an extremely powerful tool which can complement new and innovate practices in the lessons. It is hoped that through interactive one to one use, the iPad will encourage independent learning, provide for more collaborative work, and enable personalised feedback for better learning outcomes. In the long term, it is envisaged that the number of paper textbooks will reduce as we progress towards more digital means.

He explains: “For example, I connected the Pi to a temperature sensor and a float switch so it could detect fires and floods on a warship. It flashed LEDs when certain warning conditions were met and tweeted a message to the Captain. It was an amazing experience and I’m really looking forward to tackling similar projects at school.” With a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator in place at Ashford School, students have begun working on a variety of Raspberry Pi projects and activities such as the ‘AstroPi’ Competition, which involves a Raspberry Pi being sent to the International Space Station.

DEEPER ANALYSIS

used Websites and iPads are and rt increasingly in Spo h Drama, particularly wit ps hel ich wh s lysi ana video tand the students to unders better how they can improve. mer The photo shows for es Jam er, ket cric England age ant adv ing tak , ley Kirt of this.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF IT IN LESSONS… Year 10 students rounded up a year of learning with a media project where each group had to interview and record people’s views on a chosen RS GCSE topic to create a short video, using many skills across different subjects. The results were incredible pieces of work, showcasing our students’ ability to undertake a challenge, work hard and be creative. The competition was fierce with each project displaying a different stand-out quality (for example – some went to London to interview people; others brought in external research to develop their interview questions) and there was a tie for first place. Their finished products can be accessed via the Ashford YouTube account and via Twitter (@AshfordRS).

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Web page design

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

M US IC

The last 10 years has put Ashford School firmly on the musical map. From a spectacular performance of African Sanctus in Canterbury Cathedral in 2010, to the arrival of the Steinways in 2013, our Music department is buzzing. Read on to find out what we’ve been up to this year.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

M US IC

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

MUSIC TO INSPIRE A STORY

M US IC

The Pre-Prep were visited by Winston again for an afternoon of inspirational story-telling and music-making. Here are some of our Nursery children trying new instruments.

MUSICMAKING Every child has music in them and school plays an important role in helping those seeds take root. From Bridge Nursery, when babies and toddlers join us from age three months, they are sung to and enjoy singing themselves, and experimenting with ‘instruments’ that make a noise. In Nursery there is a structured approach to combine rhythm, music and movement with learning about the instruments themselves. Children try string, brass and woodwind instruments and are inspired by solo performances from children further up the school. So why is it so important to enjoy music with small children? The benefits are actually numerous. Not only does learning nursery rhymes imbed a sense of culture and passes on traditions, music-making has been proven to increase listening and concentration skills and to enhance a child’s ability to discriminate between sounds. This improves phonetic awareness – essential skills for learning to speak and read. Music education has been found to have a positive impact on spatial reasoning which helps with Maths and physical co-ordination, ie handwriting skills. Group work, such as quartets or trios, promotes teamwork and leadership skills and the sense of achievement a child takes from succeeding in learning or performing a piece of music is indisputable.

SHOWCASING ACHIEVEMENTS Prep School pupils have shown their classical and modern musical expertise in three superb concerts this year. At the end of each term they showcase what they have learnt to parents and family.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

SINGING THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Every year group from the Prep school (Years 3-6) helped to make the carol service a magical event. Held in Great Chart Parish Church at the end of the Michaelmas term the service was attended by parents and led by the Canon Timothy Wilson. The service featured many traditional carols as well as the Friars Carol which was written several years ago by a parent. Each year group sang a Christmas song and there were readings from pupils, staff and parents.

M US IC

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

The Senior School has also staged three end of term concerts. The highlight of the Michaelmas term concert was a special appearance from teacher Will Powell on the sousaphone. There was a tremendous variety of music-making covering the full spectrum of music – renaissance through to jazz, choral and instrumental – and the whole of Year 7 took part. In March we reignited an old Ashford School tradition of performing the great choral works when we performed Vivaldi’s Gloria. It featured our students, staff and friends in the choir and our soloists were Year 13’s Camilla Quinton, former Ashford School student Hannah Pinney and Charlotte Webb, an undergraduate from Canterbury. The choir was supported by a professional orchestra and there was a lot of really excellent singing and a good choral sound. The year ended in style with the Summer Extravaganza which featured Maxime Mulliez playing the Vivaldi Guitar Concerto and plenty of jazz. The Year 13 leavers proved they have grown up with an adventurous spirit by taking up a new instrument – from cymbal to triangle – to perform L. Mozart’s Toy Symphony. The evening ended with some outstanding jazz from both the school’s Jazz Band and the Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra, while the audience relaxed with food and wine.

HIGHLIGHTS

IN EVERY TERM

M US IC

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

A CONCERT IN A DAY Two hundred young musicians from across East Kent gathered in Brake Hall for this year’s Prep Schools Music Day. Some came with instruments and formed an orchestra – which included ukuleles as well! – and others formed a choir. After a day of rehearsals – with time for a barbecue – the children performed to parents to much acclaim.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

AMONG THE VERY BEST Pianist Govind Dhiman gave an immaculate and polished performance of part of Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini at the prestigious Marlowe Young Musician of the Year competition. His performance, which opened the evening, was met with a standing ovation and described as “stunning” by the judges. A pupil of Stephen Dandridge, Govind was one of just six musicians who made it through the tough auditions to earn a place in the final, which involved a 15-minute performance as a soloist with the Kent Concert Orchestra. Although he did not win this year, he has been named as one of the best young musicians in Kent.

REACHING THE TOP James Short became the third Ashford School student in a row to win the prestigious title of Kent Festival Young Pianist of the Year. The 15-year-old took the trophy for the 13-19-year-old class at the competition after stunning the adjudicator with performances of pieces by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. James also won the Avery Cup for his performance of the Brahms. This is the third consecutive year that an Ashford School pupil - and student of Stephen Dandridge - has won the competition. At the same competition, Year 8 pupil, Tamera Harper, celebrated a first place in the Juniors class (12 and under) where she was also awarded a distinction in one class for her performance of Bach’s Prelude in B flat. She also came away with two second places and commendations for her performances of Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor and Kabalevsky’s First Sonatina, Presto.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

M US IC

”We are investing in more classroom instruments – ukuleles, electric guitars and basses, and guitar amps, all serving to ‘draw in’ more students to music-making. It is very much a ‘roots-up’ on-going development.”

AN ASHFORD SCHOOL TRADITION

It may have been a chilly May Day but our hardy Chamber Choir turned out in force to uphold the Ashfor d School tradition of welcoming the start of spring. Supported by a crowd of onlookers , they gathered outsid e Coronation for a ren dition of cheerful madrigals expertly and beautifully sung, and conducted by Direct or of Music John Ha ll.

Mr John Hall, Director of Music

AN ADVENTURE IN MUSIC At the beginning of the Michaelmas term, many of Year 7 picked up a musical instrument for the first time; in the Trinity term they performed to parents, friends and staff as part of an orchestra. The Year 7 Informal Evening was an event that demonstrated extremely well the impact of motivational teaching on the personal development and achievement of pupils. Every pupil, irrespective of their starting point, was able to make music and to sing together. Years 8 and 9 also presented informal musical evenings. During the concerts there were orchestra, choir and several group performances, including solos from pupils who are not music scholars. When pupils join the school in Year 7, and also in Year 3, they are given the chance to learn a brass or string instrument for two terms as part of a scheme subsidized by the school. The Year 7 evening was the culmination of all their hard work.

RAISING THE ROOF Our Chamber Choir performed to an audience from all over the world when they gave a short lunchtime concert in Canterbury Cathedral. They loved the inspirational performing space and acoustic that the cathedral offers.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ART DT HE

Children discover their creative abilities in all kinds of ways at Ashford School. From freedom with the brush in Nursery, to exploring different techniques in the Prep School - by the time they reach the Senior School there are some exquisite and imaginative pieces of work produced each year, and this year was no exception.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ART DT HE

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ART DT HE

E DESIGN CHALLENG

Senior School where nt is the Year 5 visit to the A much-anticipated eve in time for the ing and building a vehicle they spend a day design of the day. competition at the end s built with the help of tty impressive submarine This year saw some pre package. ign l 3D computer-aided des SpaceClaim, a powerfu lt and all successfully 17 submarines were bui The day was great fun; rfacing. ugh the water before resu propelled themselves thro

DESIGN Y G O L O N H TEC N WORK IG COMPETITIVE DES

g Animal r 5 setting up a Movin the Prep School with Yea for ng ngi e-ra x. wid eni n Pho bee a DT studies have ranging from a dog to children their creations and ff sta g win sho Museum and of ancient and made a selection as hats and designed istm Chr ir the h wit ive but they thoroughly Year 3 got fest k brace had to be worn t was so big that a nec ule am e On ry. work. elle ted jew ple Egyptian wing the class their com lots of materials and sho h wit g rkin wo d oye enj h nd Prix was held for eac for their buggies. A Gra ards Year 6 to create badges Aw by e. d rac use s the wa of re rt sta twa 2D sof h as they lined up for the and adrenalin were hig class and anticipation severance. per igns, technician and were given for best des s ter. The Robot Race wa book and a card for Eas up’ p ‘po ot, rob a de Year 4 designed and ma amazing. the final designs were eagerly anticipated and

There have been some innovative designs coming out of the Senior School Design Technology department this year. The last 10 years have seen a new workshop built and the number of computers in the department grow from four to 17. The Trinity term 2015 saw the first paperless project, with Year 8 using their iPads to complete the process for their clock project. This year has also seen pupils experimenting with electronics resulting in some very jolly, flashing Christmas decorations from Year 7 and alarms from Year 9. Students had great fun programming the departmental traffic lights, and learnt to communicate graphically using traditional techniques and computer-aided design software. Inventive GCSE and A Level projects ranged from a domestic garden watering and lighting unit to multifunctional furniture for the modern home. Year 11 were inspired by a visit to local company ITL who specialise in the design and development of medical equipment.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

FUNDRA IS WITH FO ING OD

Carrier ba gs full of sw eets mark beginning ed the of the Mic h aelmas te Year 6 as rm for they start ed work o and decora n making ting ginger bread hou ribbons an ses, while d decorati ons filled ready for the room Year 5’s C hristmas ca were also kes. Biscu designed its – some wit ingredien h unusual ts! Colder day s brought warming so Year 4 and ups for the annua l Anzac bis helped rais cu it sale e £200 fo r the Roya Legion – a l British long with poppy bro by childre oches ma n and staff de . A week of fundraisin g for the R well to ch NLI tied in ildren’s Fo od Studie about foo s. They lea d on board rnt a ship, the a ship biscu delights o it and foo f d p re servation. Y 3 made fr uit cockta ear ils a n d sa sea shanti ng to es as they learnt abo importance ut the of Vitamin C and the James Lin work of d. Children also cooke and due to d at home their hard work a co £278.58 w mmendab as raised. le Projects su ch as Fairtr ade and b around th reads from e world w er e also covere Studies an d in Food d Year 5 en joyed des planning igning an their own d sandwich and drink.

S E I D U T S D FOO AS M O R A G N I S I T E APP

ar with department this ye the Food Studies in s ge an ch of mp lot co leted the a There have been . All students have s Carrie-Ann Bates Mr er, ch tea w ne etitions. the arrival of been several comp ard and there have Sainsbury Chef Aw mic Relief, raise money for Co School Bake Off to rd hfo As n done to ll ow y We . ver de We held our creative cakes ma competition and hy alt he of s lot which saw elt. Jones winner Rebecca Sm 9 Yule log. Harry ults was the Year res ve ssi pre im th . tion wi general outcome Another competi n, decoration and nners for his desig wi the of e on dies s wa from the Food Stu ing smells emitting tis pe ap e g: som rin en plo nly be ups have been ex There have certai ipes the year-gro at some of the rec room. Take a look , Layered Desserts Vegetable Soups, s, Flapjacks, es, Apple Crumble, ke thi ca oo n Sm ea – 7 h/B ar Fis Ye es, Fruit Cakes, ury Scones, Pancak Shortbread, Savo . rry Cu lad, Fruity Coleslaw/Potato Sa and Potato Pie, coration, Cheese Fairy Cakes and de , cks sna za secake and Piz ee , Year 8 – Bread se, Rocky Road, Ch sta, Macaroni Chee Pa es, ak nc Pa d, Gingerbrea Mini Quiches. ffins, Yule log, ies, Vegetable mu naise, Pastry/Past log Bo tti he ocolate Muffins, ag Sp Ch , Year 9 – Q Sauce, Cookies Pizza, Pancakes, BB rs, rge Bu le, od no Pot Flavoured Bread.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

ART DT HE

ART W ITH AN INTER NATIO NAL THEME

The high light of Prep Sch an inspir ool Art th ing and is year w educatio as for m nal Inte ost rnationa The who l Art Day le schoo l, . fr om Nurs sunny d ery to Ye ay with ar 6, spe paint bru pencils. nt a shes, scis Every m sors and ember o colourin Senior S f staff h g chool Art elped, in departm cluding from tw the ent. The o extern re were al artists also visit Wright – – Baljit B s who ran alrow an w o d Jonath rk differen sh o p s a an nd deep t skills. er insigh ts into The chil dren exp lored a ra the day nge of a and crea rt throug ted seve hout includin ral diffe g a gian rent inst t a allations, n d colourf front law ul ‘spide n. r’s web’ on the They ma de art fr o m P anama (M (house-p ainting), olas), So Polynesi uth Afric of the D a (Tiki H a ead Sku eads), M ll s) , North A exico (D weaving merica (D ay (Land Art reamcatc ), African Aborigin hers), masks, A al Art, a ustralian nd art fr They als om India o made with Tote some be m poles. the style autiful p of Mone aper flow t and sta ers in of Chag in ed glass all. in the st yle

ART

SUPER SNAPS

Ashford pupils took a number of first places in the Ashford Photographic Society competition. The picture shows Sailing into the Unknown Voyage by Eleanor Triance. Other winners were Wesley Hovelmeier, Charlotte Ramsey and Joshua Fell.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

STYLES IC T IS T R A T N E R DIFFE

try st, you have to d materials? Fir style, texture an tic tis ar ur yo oose been doing. How best to ch ep children have is is what the Pr t them all and th m clay and learn eir own leaves fro th de ma ed d us an 6 ar e most of autumn Gaudi; while Ye Year 4 made th ds in the style of – they ar 5 it was lizar em Ye po r fo an ; ym em wa th r The High how to glaze , n illustrations fo e poem’s author devise their ow ich celebrates th wh , pen and ink to um se Mu ing ep Ke e Th visit to also enjoyed a . ing ep Ke les ar Ch reating his style. had a go at rec ar 3 when they Ye n from r fo ion at pir kin ma g their ow an ins les and enjoyed L.S. Lowry was oy rg ga of rld ed into the wo uced They also ventur of Life were prod d personal Trees an ul tif au d be ha clay. Some mt; and Year 6 dying Gustav Kli stu re we o wh 4 by Year funky pop art. ucing some very a lot of fun prod

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

GH U O R H T S E IL T ART TEX DT THE CENTURIES

6 ably machine, but Year d used a sewing ha y the e given tim s t wa the firs ng test’ certificate For many, it was ship bags. A ‘drivi nd frie me so de designed and ma the challenge. children enjoyed at the end and the g in his ated a wall-hangin for Year 5 who cre us foc the s w wa ne embellisher William Morris the department’s citement at using ex at gre s wa style. There ferent textures. lped to create dif machine which he duced an example designed and pro es for Year 4 who tim r do faces was quite Tu to the ck of It was ba tration on many en nc co of k loo . The of Tudor Blackwork a picture. bile , ‘Eye of God’ mo ms, a CD weaving ite n ve wo l era sev Year 3 produced Reception area. installation for the and a sunflower

STAFF EXPERTISE

ral Staff Art Exhibition This year saw the inaugu ctic styles and ecle which showcased the nt’s teaching staff. me art dep passions of the eption. “There is a It opened with a VIP rec ong our staff,” said am nt tale huge range of ith. “The exhibition Head of Art Mr Roy Sm students as it showcased proved inspirational to ctic range of styles.” ecle our passions and our

REACHING OUT

We welcomed children from Eastling Primary School for a day as part of our outreach programm e. They spent the morning making ceramics, painting and print-making.

MAKING OUR MARK

Work from our students was chosen to feature on the SAATCHI mus eum website – a fantastic showcase of students’ work from all over the country by a very prestigious gallery.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

AR E Y F O END N O I T I B I H EX

ibited by wa s e x h ar work of e y f o d n ny hours quisite e cted ma Some ex . It refle ly Ju in udents Senior st work. detailed d n a hard

Ashford School Magazine 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

PE O PL E

Ten years ago there were just over 500 children in the school. Now, there are over 1000 in the nurseries, Prep and Senior schools. With higher pupil numbers comes more investment, and at the same time the school has only enhanced the intimate, individual approach which is at its heart. But there is no better way to discover how the school has changed over the past 10 years than to talk to the people who have lived through it.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

PE O PL E

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

PE O PL E

CHANGES OVER THE YEARS Head of Learning Support Mrs Carol Pay took up the role in September 2006. She reflects on the changes she has seen over the years. “The school has grown in a myriad of ways. In 2006 the ratio of boys to girls was greatly in favour of the girls….hardly surprising as it was a girls’ school! It has been very satisfying to see, as the years have gone on, that many of the events we staged and for which we had to ‘borrow’ boys, are now fully populated by our own boys and girls and every bit as strong and vibrant as they were. “The facilities have improved greatly, particularly for Sport with the AstroTurf and Sports Centre. Also the library, with the introduction of the Learning Centre in 2006, continues to go from strength to strength with great attention given to modern fiction in the young adults and adults section. We now have a space which is great for study, research and private reading. “We have a dynamic staff body with a range of experience. Having the teacher training status has enabled us to attract young teachers with great potential and huge enthusiasm. “I have most enjoyed teaching in a coeducational environment. The boys bring different interests (and challenges!) and more thought has to go into teaching styles to ensure that the learning is optimised for both boys and girls. “The activities programme has created a wealth of opportunities for students; also for staff who have a chance to lead sessions in areas for which they themselves have a passion.”

the rs – including a e y 0 1 in n e p d A lot can hap to teacher. Fin r, il p u p m o fr n ache transformatio ool History Te ars h c S r io n e S m Fri out more fro lso a pupil at a s a w o h w , is f the merger. o e Mr Tom Vafid m ti e th t chool a Preparatory S

P U P M O R F ver to reveal hers ought ne said that teac tly en all in print. qu of t fre as “It is al details – le on rs pe r ei t my th ore (or at leas too many of retion, theref sc di of s y st pl re e), let’s sim In the inte my ancient ag de hi t too to no pt , m ng ni vain atte e spring mor that on a fin ced -fa ng er yi sh sa fre by ly n begi , a considerab m iu nn ille te m e e ga s of long after th st time at th ed for the fir riv ar is fid epping st Va Master T. the place is st memory of fir y M – then . y ol or ho ct re Friars Sc or of the old avy white do e he th e d th an h ug om thro a dimly lit ro trance – into unding me rro Su h. the main en lis t of old po me cloying scen ds – handso wonderfully wooden boar of s rie se . a od ed go nt d ou an eat were m e school’s gr t in g charting th se in t er es tt cr le ht ld go carpet, a brig t of the dark Looming ou e. ew the ey the middle dr been starts - having smoothest of e th my s at ap th rh ed It wasn’t pe politely inform ons office, I was tt e bu th he to (t in er d ushere in a girl’s blaz e m nt se ch ct su in fa world where parents had d this was a an e sid ng le ro ab w with justifi were on the as therefore noticed). It w r 5) form room ea things were (Y IB II entered the I at th n wooden tio trepida alien world of e. Met with an tim t admit st fir us e m I th s for flannel blazer d an s rd oa m day one. desks, blackb I loved it fro or not) that (girl’s jacket ntric tedly an ecce rs was undoub ia Fr , ed at iti Roman For the unin numbered by groups were ueur in place rig place – year de e er r briefcases w Year he at le s, al er e school until num stayed at th u yo d an , trance gs of school ba Common En rm VI) to sit Fo ly er op pr 8 (or more Exams.

nds. Break ere the grou to my eye w ic ot ex t os m to trainers Perhaps u changed in ent where yo ev an pretty e er in w s ld times nd on the fie to race arou its ently su qu ck fre tra d as an rly, lunch w eather. Simila d dining ol e th in much any w er t togeth y - everyone sa lge in as man an occasion eeded to indu oc pr e, ac gr r ed te st af ge d, in an hall d humanly be onds’ as coul ur) French rounds of ‘sec (and three ho se ur co e re th e th f for this r I remembe ssary pay of fondly. A nece rly la cu finished rti ol pa lunches er day – scho life was a long of s were ce on pa ss d le xe uble rela nior years, do se e th r ever fo VI exams an at 5 o’ clock our for Form rig ic again em in ad ck ac ba the norm, ne would be - and everyo ity ss ce ne t presen activities! morning for on Saturday is point cked up by th s may have pi er ad the place. re ds nt ar va w to Obser tle nostalgic lit a an th e or eation that I am m d and the cr r with Ashfor ge er m e th was both Thus when d in 2004 it as announce w ol ho sc w of a ne

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

R E H C A E T O T L I P

tion that a some trepida self r, it was with te la de is found him ca fid de A ced Mr T. Va old-style -fa an sh g fre in at ss ly le m gh ly hi rsial. Amalga considerab rview. I was and controve for a job inte or schools unexpected hich fed seni g up East Hill hool, but w sc , kin e al ys th w bo of tly en d se ising mos that operated ith what I ha prep, compr girls’ school e could have impressed w ancien regim ational an all-through e N th e ith w of th d 9, lic an re ar a ng if ni at Ye d ar re edn’t have Le de d ne on I te w ? brellas of Uni . Friars ic new school ky um m e ris na th ly r dy gh is de hi rrent th un bold and a place in has, in its cu peared both fiercely itution which st so in al t an ility and bu r ab fo d, Curriculum ap st – le y, sett worried 10th birthda ily blished and its m ta d fa es he as ly w ac on it re t just shy, was no incarnation, g far from cu which by side. t. Whilst bein ed enterprise sit easily side ar independen sh ism a m d, na or g dy w e th of d e re ns ca se nt and excitin d in the truest both a pleasa invested in an is ike 15 al f 20 af of a st ol rents and looking and uently carried Ashford Scho students, pa the forwardhool conseq ople ; a true mix of t. The new sc pe be ou d to ab an e ly e best of the ac s te th pl er n na ld ke passio n on its shou ccessfully ta io su s at s ct ha st pe It re . ex te al neously of the form st carry its in whilst simulta heavy burden w it would be preceded it, ho at e th se ns to rritory. To ly te tio g institu watched keen w and excitin school into ne e that the best th g ve in lie ov be m ly forward. ber 2005 to e mast, I firm th em to pt s Se ur in lo a little to or School nail my co e more than r Ashford Juni e schools ow As a membe tiv s. va ge no an ht to see in The arrival of ch t lig e and mos ng in th -Friar, it’s a de my e certainly ru as a proud ex d, w girls joined ell into an ne w the Friars sit s no ot so t, ro r ar ed Ch thei gacy integrat ostly ar 8 at Great e school’s le ents – we m ic and th ud of the last Ye m of st s na e dy ad nc , re nt tra th w so confide Common En pective, rs no as is d pe d an at fie – th re n ar ra ye an institutio . From this . old teachers of the new its own right retained our ird’s eye’ view ‘b distinctive in a t go es to e nc ag re nt ffe vi di y e m bl ol continues of ea pupils e most notic ell, as the scho W Th . ? e us re th ith a w tu w w lo fu d sa e g be As for th and secure, an mmer activity school formin e successful a flurry of su or – flannel m ic w ht er et fe ig ev a sm br e , e, co m ds lin beco were initially ill in the pipe ive whiteboar H ct st ra te Ea r in fo w e rm the sit t with ne wouldn’t do hi-tech new practical unifo place fitted ou merals surely ore modern, m nu A an s. m et Ro en rp new ca blazers and modern scre colours and flannel and a rm!” ld buttoned est that cr go rs e ia th Fr place any ha r ed te ac as repl tentatious) pl os ly to ht ed lig (s us were replaced the ose of us who e in the hall. Th room, and th a d re te formerly hung en f af st n he w e th ng in , standi ves blinking Latin graces found oursel es lin of at p. re th issive setu omnipresent w, more perm edom of a ne newfound fre hool. brand new sc t – this was a Be in no doub a allow in sepi t simply to w t of all this no the in e po ad a m e ho ak w Im te to those came t to pay tribu ng problems nostalgia, bu anges, teethi ch l al d– ith ge w er As em k. or kly w ic merger nities also qu rtu po op w ed by t ne erly dominat and went – bu rtment form pa de es m of new ga ra a ay to a pletho for example sport gave w l na ming tio im di sw tra e cricket and , an extensiv try, biathlon un high co a s to os cr ed : ay activities nal sports pl ess well as traditio cc as su e ’s m ol m ra ho prog arks of the sc tradition inctive hallm Friars’ choral level – all dist bo so omed as al ts ar rtment. e pa tiv de today. Crea ord’s Drama mism of Ashf just na ills dy st e di th st ith be met w oment which m e th is e 05 20 the light of th To my mind, hools were. In sc o scale tw e e th th d, how different ol has enjoye Ashford Scho . s ed es at cc im su st us re tremendo is easily unde 10 years ago d ce fa sk ta of the

PE O PL E

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Many of our pupils started their education in either Ashford Junior School or Friars Preparatory and lived through the merger. They look back on their time at school.

AMIRA RAYNER BY ALEX MCCARTHY oved over How do you feel the school has impr your school career?

CHLOÉ ANSPACK BY ALEX MCCARTHY How do you feel the school has improved over your school career? Well, I think the school has been able to give us more experiences in ways that were not previously available; for example the school has been in touch with and has a good relationship with Camps International, which allowed me to go to Borneo for a month and help those in need. Do you think that the schools benefited from merging? I definitely think that it’s a good thing that the school became co-educational because in the real world we work every day with people of both genders hence we get to know how to work and communicate effectively with them. Do you think the school’s expenditure on the improvement of the grounds and facilities available to you are beneficial? Of course! It gives us more things to do, keeping the school more active and lively. For instance the new Sports Centre is available for all students as well as giving boarders something to go to in their free time. With the new facilities it allows us to compete with other schools in and around Kent which motivates the students in a way, because you want to be the best school, to work hard and be courteous towards one another, boosting the school’s image.

’t here for two Well it is hard to say because I wasn I do have here, been have I years the in years, but one in every to say it has improved with involving as you that think I s. things like charities and event ucing introd at good very is l get older, the schoo to go from new topics, for example. It’s a big leap and the , Year 9 to GCSEs and Year 11 to A Level school does it very well. fited from

Do you think that the schools bene merging?

AN INTERVIEW WITH...

and boys was Um, having the divide between girls it has in a rating integ by and ion, a very old tradit of students, body l’s schoo the rnised mode sense selves to each allowing students to accustom them life that you in on later skills other, and it gives you . ration integ ut witho wouldn’t have re on the Do you think the school’s expenditu ties facili and nds improvement of the grou ? ficial bene are available to you

and grounds Yes, I think by improving the facilities of Ashford idea rn it really encapsulates the mode as the new ion tradit with ng School while still keepi ings. build older the to next s stand e Sports Centr the fun that I think it improves the education, and nts have to students can have here. We as stude goes to to l schoo the t effor truly appreciate the me outco al ation educ and ies abilit better the of pupils.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

DAISY LANCASTER BY SCARLETT SPICER What makes your experience at Ashford School special to you? The people - definitely the people. Although I have only spent a year at the Senior School, I have realised that Ashford is a family. Moving from Year 6 at the Prep School to Year 7, you would have expected it to be daunting; there just seemed so many people and so many doors, but just like the Prep School, everyone made you feel so welcom e - I felt safe and completely at home. I think it is also the teachers; they are friendly, enthusiastic and want to make you the best person you can be. They will always encourage you to explore differe nt topics and experiment with them in different ways. Both the Prep School and Senior School are known for their enthusiasm and energy for the performing arts; how important is this to your school life? For me, my favourite part of school is Music and Drama, and I have been playing the piano for years and singing for as long as I can remember. Ashford provides me with so many opportunities to perform and sing in order to improve my confidence as a musician and showcase my talent to my friends and family. I am part of Junior Drama and I cannot wait to be a part of the big musicals in Year 10. Just recently, the whole of Year 7 took part in a musical concert where we were given the chance to perform in a group or solo. That is what Ashford is so good at – they help you find your passion and they enable you to pursue it. For example, everyone in Year 7 has a chance to learn a musical instrument for free which gives you the opportunity to discover a hobby you had never even thought of. I chose the trumpet but let’s just say, it wasn’t my thing and I think I will just stick to piano.

ZAK JEFFERSONPILLAI BY SCARLETT SPICER What has made your experience at Ashford School worthwhile? I would say my friends and the teachers. It is definitely the atmosphere the school has that creates such a positive outlook towards learning and school. I personally love Sport but I am also really keen to do well in my academic studies and the wide range of activities the school offers allows you to be flexible and take part in as many clubs and experiences as possible. I can do debating but also be a part of the hockey team, travelling to Holland for the annual hockey tour. Activities Week is probably the best part of the school year; it is time where Adventurous Learning reaches its peak. We have a whole day dedicated to Sport, another for Drama and Music and the rest of the week is flexible to explore subjects in whichever way you want to. You say you have a love for Sport; do you think the new sporting facilities have helped your performance? Not necessarily improved my performance, but I would say they have definitely encouraged my enthusiasm for Sport, especially sports I had never considered like badminton and basketball. But even playing football on the lawn with my friends is good enough for me. It is the safe and almost home-like atmosphere we have at school which allows us to enjoy it so much.

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Performance pervades every element of the school, from making presentations in class, to celebrating Easter with a special assembly and taking a central role on the sports field. Drama teaches our pupils to be comfortable in their own skin and well-prepared to take a leading role in life.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

D RA MA Our outstanding Nursery has a well-deserved reputation for giving children every opportunity to flourish and to grow their confidence, a practice that has put down very firm roots over the last 10 years. Part of that provision comes from numerous performance opportunities which of course delight family and friends, but also plant the seeds of true confidence in the three-year-olds. From harvest and spring assemblies to a special Christmas Nativity production, the children love singing, trying out instruments and getting dressed up.

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From form assemblies to special performances to mark spring and Christmas, children in the Pre-Prep see performing as a natural part of their education. They end their time in Pre-Prep with a special entertainment afternoon for Year 2 and a spectacular Dance Production, put together by the sports staff. This year’s saw the girls in cowboy costumes and the boys performing a dance based on football. For the whole school there is the weekly Playford’s Palladium, which was established by retired teacher Flo Playford. Children can perform anything they like – from jokes to small sketches and music, and parents are welcome to watch.

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NG TR AS

N O I T A D N U FO a te ticip y an bin l r e Ro eag was ren hild ar’s the c e n y d w n a is i ve a ep a ion. Th which s r P t o g s i ca l . e t s s c h e t e u i u to rod o o d l c o s t u m i ca l m On r 6 p ood H Yea urfu the com w r o e l e h o ory t Sh of in c d st the nce ar 6 Hoo rn – a e n and m Y i r f Rob ode nces erfo le o nal ym who nding p ma d i t i o a n d ve r a a r t rfor t s out e pe word the g– h n n t i , s o i rty ed ery rpr hea bas e su d ev was It is th som t an n g e n i i d w ing onfi but he s lly c ts. T ona . i t p twis ce ear e ex d cl wer d an u o l was

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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t a lo ave I n h lub n. aC ctio ge ram produ allen D r h r o c i o an t h e h ave Jun a maj . l’s on t o i g k o n o too S c h s ta g i e y t o n l y d i d l v e d r o o r i h ye a e r m t . N o t o n g i n v Sen , st The n each lyi dy f a n don s m e l a u Lon he hae and W ere w of f m c t i o fr M m th n t fro red Los the ter Pa ript – t hi mbers , the c e s e P s s f e p o bl ou age st me ake-u ora biti l st a em am cia em s, c m e e m p a s um rceso ave ha ost Wit rful c nd fie mily g tale. e to u a a f o ic tag , 8 col ass ns orm y and l 7 F o c d th ear ed he Six , Wen of t s us astic Y ixth a e s c w i S B oy r m a n l ve hus ng nopy evo d ent y stro fo ca al r n per b a c a i ’ n d der wn n o cha erlan l u f e ‘ ll e. A m t Nev were ke Ha acl ic ils ra ect p B p u dep s d 9p oun terrific and ers ar a as m r Fo it w ; k l i of s

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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s blie ssem nt a form ainme are rt ere h e n te t ps n e Prep ages a ksho r e o h t ar th w t s t s p u u u o o i s ye e r i o h r h r g a T g u r n. so v und T h r o c h ye a ildre e al ay’ ea e ch e ar aD r h d t e n te a m i n h h s a T g oac eare School c ing. p s s n ttin t e e r ev hak d in y pu h xpe S n a e ‘ E d e d r st e us Ea c whe stag the We enturo am. t h ey ren v D re and child ce from t an ad ight’s e n e n n c s e a rN for a ent g u i d t h ey s p u m m e day ffer i s e e d d h r i t a whe AM d of rsed ther e en hea toge roup re er at th rg geth ye a e to m a c e. all anc orm f r e p

in ar 3 al g Ye n usic o he M t am T n e k e r citem n to Sh f ex ry. zz o dow u u e b d b r e t a of th ante oun C was c n role e y i r is e e e h h r h t t t c i The s a d a The n wh nde ary o e a u i l t w n c Ja had arlo odu eM ates y pr ssm nterbur at th a l ds c eir Ca ndre to of th k in the g hu n e ad o n h e O am hr she , ng S from ebe here UK. o n w you e e h s s P h n t o . l o h i g e c t i n n i dule ud pa was tour of a sche ht tion erts c y y b s e a l o u d e g R s ab g ni the ter a ebe , had openin Pho ls af read to e u f m i e f d et op the eo of h ance an en at th before inut v r ry m d e e , e s h v g t e f n s si ju ad o e loved was ahe sh who rsals and a e – h ary u of re r b 1 Fe ces. on 1 rforman e p the

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n nsio e x te s c i dem m Year a ca o fro the f ren o in tw r. d t l hi ar part ea e y As p mme, c k s ra to ta ons thi g e l o r i b r p ea uct thei we r prod taged r o 3-6 j s , to r ma t h ey i t y a n d othe istmas v i t mily id hr e Na ear, fa viv At C y f th o c i to a to n m io te d ade a ve r s er c e t r a t Le re t the orld s we on of A end d n n i e i W t fri set duc s o i r and p ch oor whi outd nches e r T the . Two War

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SUCCESS IN COMPETITIONS Ashford School students continue to make their mark both in exams and on the competitive festival scene. In the Trinity term, for example, all LAMDA exam results were either Distinctions or Merits. At the Kent Festival of Speech and Drama, Rebecca Blundell won Best Senior Performance, beating off competition from schools across the county. Chantal Weller and Isobel Roberts took first place in the Duologue (12-13 years) and Rebecca Blundell also won first place in the Shakespeare Monologue. The Ashford School public speaking team were runners-up at the English Speaking Union Canterbury and East Kent Branch Public Speaking Competition. Facing strong opposition from six other teams, the team held the floor well and gave rise to a confident and informed debate. Team members were Lizzie Triance, Jai Shah and Harriet Rogers. Jai won the prize for the Best Speaker of the evening. Ashford School is now part of a cluster of schools chosen to work closely with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Marlowe Theatre to develop exciting and challenging ways of teaching Shakespeare to both Prep and Senior schools. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students and as a member school we have privileged access to a wide range of exciting opportunities.

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Ashford School has a strong tradition of musicals – and one is produced each year. Over the years students have staged the big names, from Les Misérables to Sweeney Todd, and the spectacular production photographs are displayed on the walls of the department. This year’s was no exception to the rule of excellence and we were treated to a threenight run of Little Shop of Horrors. Members of Years 10-13 took to the boards and displayed exceptional talent. Dexter Marchant’s flamboyant portrayal of the grisly and gruesome dentist was a real hit and the two main characters, Seymour and Audrey, were touching in their timidity.

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D RA MA The whole Senior School came together at the end of the Trinity term to write, produce and rehearse a play in just two days.

This year’s winners were Knights who, incidentally, won the bi-annual House Music competition last year!

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N I L A C I S U AM

Divided into their Houses, the bi-annual House Drama competition is an event much anticipated by students. This year the six Houses rose to the challenge admirably and performed hugely entertaining and exceptionally creative ‘musicals’ on the theme of Disney. The audience were treated to scenes which included Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.

S L A C I S U M E H T M O R F S G N SO Before they go to the Edinburgh Fringe, there is plenty of planning to be done and this involves fundraising to cover the costs. This year, students from Years 7-13 displayed extraordinary talent when they staged a special evening entitled Songs from the Musicals to raise money for the Edinburgh trip. The students performed scenes from My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins and Matilda, involving dance, singing and acting.

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School – Ashford a tradition of ng hi io pt n… ing somet as no exce It is becom his year w T . ge in Fr burgh at the Edin

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R E H T O NO THE S I . E T R I E T “TH TO PU FRINGE ...” G Y H N A I G Z W R A U B M EDIN IVAL IS A T S E F

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

Ashford School’s 8pB Theatre Company spent an exhilarating week in August 2015 performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. The play - Marching for Necie - was written by the group and performed by students. Here, the lead, Lulu Ogunnuga, tells us all about it: So, this year, 8pB took 11 young drama fanatics to participate in the all-famous Edinburgh Fringe. 8pB has taken part in the Fringe for three consecutive years and each year we expose new members to the festival. We devised our play using a series of improvisations and story boarding techniques looking at valued white members of the Jackson Mississippi community and their attitude of growing support of black rights in 1963, leading up to Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s March. We wanted to remind our audience that freedoms and equality are still worth marching for! Other than producing, writing and performing the play, 8pB experienced the full Fringe! The dancing, singing and open drama antics that took place on our front door meant that there was never a dull moment, from the overbearing muscles to the psychotic business man. The fact that there were so many actors / comedians / dancers in the same boat attempting to get their show noticed by the many flocking Fringe followers meant that you couldn’t help but see as many shows as possible. Although there was so much to do within the city, sometimes there was a call for a night in with Monopoly and an attempt to culture our palettes with ridiculously hot Thai - which meant the survival of the fittest as many were left with their lips permanently wrapped round the milk bottle. The locals welcome the Fringe so openly which means that local independent businesses can thrive with their authentic culture. There is no other way to put it. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is amazing and, with it taking place in Edinburgh, it allows Fringe buffs to not just be engulfed by the arts, but to consume Scottish culture.

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By Carolyn Chamberlain, President of the ASA

This year’s magazine is celebrating “10 Years On” so, in welcoming you to the ASA section, here are some thoughts about how the association has changed since 2005. As many of you will know, I wrote and edited much of our own School Tie which in those days was called “The Old Girls’ Association School Tie”. But, of course, with boys coming into the school in 2005, we renamed it the Ashford School Association. Thanks to Susan Petitpierre in her role as sub-editor and to Howard Baker, responsible for the lay-out and reproduction (as well as getting it all printed so expertly), we managed to produce a decent publication I think. But times move on and handing on the responsibility to the current committee and Liz Leonard, the magazine editor, has not proved to be a hardship, exactly! But I do miss my three days each year in Capel-le-Ferne with Howard, getting it all knocked into shape; a very interesting and rewarding experience. The other major change, finally, is that there are no membership subscriptions to administer and the school now finances everything. This, of course, means that every leaver becomes a member of the ASA automatically and an ever-increasing former pupil body is being established. I had campaigned for this for years and we have Mike Buchanan to thank for this. The Ashford School Association Charitable Trust, which came into being thanks to dear old Tom Watts, has expanded greatly over the past 10 years and now administers bursaries for some current pupils and gives financial assistance to some ex-pupils preparing for their chosen career. With your kind support this fund increases from year to year. A large archive is now up and running thanks to the auspices (and hard grind!) of Sandra Noel and there are exciting plans for the future. Many ex-pupils continue to send their own offspring to Ashford School and the current ASA committee meets regularly and is ‘holding the fort’ extremely well on your behalf, and must be thanked accordingly. So, one cannot but wonder, what will the next 10 years bring?

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A VISIT FROM ALUMNAE

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Nearly 40 ‘old girls’ returned to Ashford Senior School for the annual Autumn Lunch and to catch up with old friends. The alumnae were pupils at the school over a time period spanning 1949 to 1987, at a time when the school was all-girls.

David Young, Director of Development

KEEP IN TOUCH

They shared many memories over a buffet lunch in the Head’s Dining Room, enjoyed reminiscing over a wonderful display of archive photographs set up by our Development Office, and toured the school with our current prefects.

The ASA Committee meets with the Alumni and Development Office once a term and is in regular contact by phone and email, but we still rely on all our members to keep us up-to-date with news, change of address and email details, so please do keep in contact via development@ashfordschool.co.uk. If you know of anyone from Friars or Ashford School who is not signed up to receive our Newsletters and the School Magazine, and would like to be, do encourage them to contact the Development Office.

GOING SOLO Former Ashford School pupil Emmanuel Adeagbo, who is studying at Durham University, has recorded a single with his ‘a capella’ group. Emmanuel, who left Ashford School in 2012, appears as a bass soloist. During his time at Ashford School, Emmanuel took one of the lead roles in the musical Evita. The single – Dancing in the Moonlight – is the first ever recording of the Durham University Northern Lights band and it was recorded in the university’s Trevelyan College in February. Scan this link with your smart phone to hear it.

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A good turnout for the Staff vs 1st XI vs Old Boys – well done to the staff team who won both their games. But there was victory for the Old Boys when they played the pupils.

ROOTS ACROSS THE WORLD Bournemouth Conservative Councillor, Rae Stollard (née Sasson), left Ashford School in 1961. She recently travelled to Australia to visit family and met up with an old Ashford friend, Janet Richer. After leaving Ashford, Janet graduated in Geography and has made her mark at Melbourne and Monash universities. She is currently Senior Administrator at Monash.

90th birthday celebrations: Former pupil, Marian Wise, celebrated her 90th birthday in March with a cake depicting two of her favourite memories – Kent and Ashford School. Marian, nicknamed Dan, was a pupil between 1939-41 and went on to Canterbury Art School. She remains a keen and successful amateur artist.

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By Julie Piper

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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK AT THE LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION? ‘. . . If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same. . .’ Rudyard Kipling The above is an excerpt from Kipling’s poem ‘If’ and is above the doorway to the entrance of Centre Court, Wimbledon. For me, walking into the grounds at SW19 means as much today as it did nearly 40 years ago when I was a 13 year old school girl. It was then I decided I wanted to do something within tennis and, being barely able to hit a ball over the net, resigned myself into getting involved on the admin side. I joined the Lawn Tennis Association in November 1980 and, having spent three years in the general admin part of the organisation, moved into what was then known as the Events & Tournaments Department. As the name suggests, the (then) team of five or six people were responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of various national to international, team to individual events and tournaments. Over the years, as the game developed and became much more professional so did The LTA and in February 2007 The LTA moved premises from The Queen’s Club in West London to the newly built National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. The team (Major Events & Competitions) responsible for the running and organisation of various national / international events is now made up of approximately 20+ people! My particular remit involves the planning, organising and delivery of the seven intercounty competitions which range from 9U to open (normally players aged from 17 to early 40s) and three professional events. The oldest of the County Cup Events is ‘County Week’

which, at 120+ years, is the oldest event on the domestic calendar. This longstanding, traditional week-long event, is purely doubles and is played on grass – over the course of the week a player could potentially play 45 sets of tennis! For all the County Cup events, counties are placed in groups according to how they did in the previous year’s event and the players are not only playing for promotion and to avoid relegation but for the pride of representing their county. For many, this will be the pinnacle of their tennis careers. There is no prize money involved. The three professional events falling under my remit are at the other end of the scale of tennis and players compete in these events, commonly known as Futures or Challengers, to gain prize money and WTA or ATP world ranking points to climb the ladder of professional tennis to hopefully get into bigger and better tournaments and ultimately (hopefully for some) the Grand Slams such as Wimbledon, the French Open, etc. The beauty of these tournaments is that I have had the opportunity of meeting and helping many of today’s top players before they became household names and, occasionally, some have gone on to win a Grand Slam title. Like all jobs, there have been good days and bad but I count myself very lucky to have been involved with something I love and to have had the opportunity of meeting so many interesting people. As you can imagine, after 35 years I have many memories – some happy, some sad. I have made countless friends and, after all this time and a variety of opportunities, I still can’t hit the ball over the net!

GOODBYES BEFORE UNIVERSITY Former Sixth Form students returned to school for the annual Back to University Breakfast in September. They met in the Atrium for a bacon roll, pastries and coffee and enjoyed chatting to friends and former teachers. The September 2014 event saw a range of students attend. Some were off to study Medicine, others were off to specialise in Sport - but whatever their destination there was a palpable feeling of nostalgia mixed with excitement.

TREADING THE BOARDS

o played Mary in Philippine Velge, wh n of Jesus Christ our 2014 productio offered a place at Superstar has been of Dramatic Art. y dem The Royal Aca nary achievement This is an extraordi ,000 people from as approximately 11 dition (up to five au all over the world ces. pla 16 t rounds) for jus

HISTORY

MAKING

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The Reverend Jan Brookshaw was the first pupil at Ashford School to gain the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award – in the 1960s. She looks back on her life and her time at Ashford School. Why did you and your parents choose Ashford School? With my father in the army and having attended nine different schools by the time I was nine, I started at Ashford in 1957 as a boarder to provide some educational stability. My mother, June Chitty, had been to Ashford in the 1930s/1940s.

What did you do after leaving Ashford School? I left Ashford in 1966 and went to University College Hospital, London to train as a nurse but ill health ended that career and I moved into hospital management. That work took me to Abu Dhabi where I worked at the Al Corniche Hospital. Moving to Australia in 1976, a lucky break got me into HR management and on my return to England in 1983 I worked my way up the corporate slippery pole in HR management ending up as HR Director for an international retail company. Then ‘God got me’ and I trained for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon and went on to receive my Master’s degree in Theology. I retired from full time ministry at the start of 2014 and now I serve in a voluntary capacity as part-time associate priest in a nearby parish and as a part-time chaplain at HMP Winchester.

What did you enjoy most about the education and opportunities at Ashford School? To the teachers’ and my parents’ astonishment I passed all the seven O Levels that I sat. I was only expected to pass four at most but Ashford certainly got the best out of me educationally. My most famous achievement whilst at Ashford was that I was the first pupil to gain the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

What did you not enjoy?

Saturday afternoon crocodile walks which were compulsory and oh so boring. Sunday morning Matins which was also compulsory and equally boring. I heard the same ‘flowers have feelings’ sermon every year during the bluebell season for nine years.

What did you think of the atmosphere and ethos of the school? The strong Christian ethos is much appreciated. Although I stopped going to church as soon as I left Ashford clearly the seeds were sewn for my calling to the priesthood almost 30 years later. Generally in my day Ashford was a happy place to be. It was very supportive when I did not fit the mould.

Did you always feel you had the support to achieve and do what you wanted to? Yes. I was really supported with the Duke of Edinburgh’s award which was in its very early years. I think Ashford did its best for me academically. It laid the groundwork on which I built in later years. It also encouraged a range of interests. For example, I was a cadet in the Red Cross and in that capacity I was used as an assistant nurse during a major flu epidemic in, I think, 1965 when almost half the boarders were ill. My greatest (only) sporting achievement was in Fencing which I kept up for many years.

Any interesting memories / events / teachers that will always stay with you? Miss Pat Earlham taught History and was Housemistress at Brooke. She instilled in me a love of History and was pastorally very good. I was weak in Mathematics. This was not helped by the only male teacher in the school who taught my Maths stream. His idea of encouragement was to throw the blackboard wiper at us! I can’t remember his name – possibly a good thing. The boarders had to do cleaning duties every other day between breakfast and assembly. This was generally disliked for obvious reasons. However, for a couple of years I cleaned the Science lab under the supervision of Miss Angus. She treated me like an adult and I really enjoyed my time with her.

Last word I know I was not the perfect pupil: I acquired many more stripes than I did stars. I still remember the humiliation of having to walk to the front of the gym at the end of the whole school assembly to hand the blue stripe form to the Headmistress. Stripes were counted against our House in the Cock House competition. Despite this I left with a great foundation for entering adulthood and hopefully having given something to the school particularly in my last year.

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ONE HUNDRED YEARS ON

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By School Archivist Sandra Noel

We know from a letter written by Mrs Edwards when she purchased the school in 1910, that she would maintain high Christian values and set high academic standards. Throughout, the principles upon which Mrs Edwards had built the school remained a high priority – ‘Our Watchwords are to be Service and Sincerity’, sentiments reflected in the two school mottoes – ‘Ut Prosim’ (in order that I may be of service) and ‘Esse quam videri’ (to be rather than to seem to be) which were incorporated in the Coat of Arms, granted in 1946. Mrs Edwards was also very anxious to provide an education and a stable environment for as many children as possible whose parents lived abroad. With this end in view, she advertised widely, making use of her many contacts abroad and within a very short time the boarders began to outnumber the day pupils. As the school was based on strong Christian foundations, she offered special terms for the children of missionaries.

From the hand-written editions of the School Tie produced in 1915, we glean an insight into school life in the war years. Initially, there were three editions each term but, by early 1915, due to an increase in postage and a shortage of paper, it was decided to produce only two editions each term.

The effects of the war were beginning to tell – the 1914 Prizegiving and Sale in aid of Dr. Barnado’s Homes had been postponed, due to a lack of contributions, and a plea went out to Old Girls: ‘The Homes are fuller owing to the war, yet income is diminished, so we must all help.’ There were many money-raising efforts for the Young Helpers League, The Alexandra Rose Day Appeal, and the various missionary organisations worldwide which the school supported. The first edition of 1915 proclaimed: ’Please note that we are being careful with paper; hence fewer pages, but about the same amount of matter. In war time, it behoves us all to economise in things both small and large.’ Academic successes were listed and accounts of hockey matches recorded, the results of a concert in aid of the local Belgian Fund was noted and much appreciated, especially as some wounded from the Ashford Voluntary Aid Detachment attended. Knitting socks for the war effort was popular and girls went to the Ashford hospital every day to help in the kitchens.

ENTS V E E R U T FU

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t o’s Lunch a er: Quaglin b m ve o N 8 idday, Saturday 2 the bar at m in t ee M . n o Lond 16 Bury St, hamberlain il Carolyn C a Em . m p 1 lunch at wanadoo.fr) amberlain@ h .c n ly ro a (c ur place. to reserve yo at AGM. Starts : The 2016 h rc a M ed 9 w 1 hool, follo Saturday the Prep Sc f o r u to a h pm. 2.30pm wit hool at 4.30 the Senior Sc t a s M G b A e by th and mem er afterwards ed rv se e b l oo Tea will ding the sch tion of atten pm. 0 .3 7 have the op t You, a e Will Rock W , n io ct u d pro

Saturday 9

Adventurous Learn

July: Found

ers’ Day

But a great shock was, perhaps, finding a detachment of the West Lancashire Regiment occupying the hockey field! Luckily, the County School (now Highworth) was happy to allow Ashford girls to use their field and, due to a cutback on travelling expenses, there were no away matches, apart from against the County girls. There were personal impacts also; the brother of Edith and Kitty Avery was killed on active service; two girls were stranded in Switzerland where they had gone to further their education; and one girl, who was spending a year in Germany, had great difficulty returning to England. Participation in the Hastings Music Festival sadly had to be abandoned due to the travel expenses involved, which was a great shame as the school had won the 1914 competition in Dover. Another great influence on Mrs Edwards’ personality was Mary Somerville. Mary Fairfax Somerville (26 December 1780 – 28 November 1872) was a Scottish Science writer and polymath, at a time when women’s participation in Science was discouraged. She studied Mathematics and Astronomy and was nominated to be jointly the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society at the same time as Caroline Herschel. She had been informally taught elementary Geography and Astronomy, but found her education limited compared to what her brother might receive. To supplement this, therefore, she was taught Latin by her uncle, Dr Thomas Somerville, who described her as an eager student. Once, listening in to her brother receiving tutoring in Mathematics, she answered when he could not; impressed, his tutor allowed her to continue with lessons unofficially. In 1812 she married Dr William Somerville (1771–1860), inspector of the Army Medical Board, who encouraged and greatly aided her in the study of the physical Sciences. During her marriage she made the acquaintance of

the most eminent scientific men of the time, among whom her talents had attracted attention - having been requested by Lord Brougham to translate for the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge the Mécanique Céleste of Laplace, she greatly popularised its form, and its publication in 1831, under the title of The Mechanism of the Heavens, at once made her famous. She stated: “I translated (Pierre) Laplace’s work from algebra into common language.” Mary Fairfax Somerville’s scientific investigations began in the summer of 1825, when she carried out experiments on magnetism. In 1826 she presented her paper entitled “The Magnetic Properties of the Violet Rays of the Solar Spectrum” to the Royal Society. In 1835, Mary Somerville and Caroline Herschel became the first women to be admitted to membership of the Royal Astronomical Society, and in the same year she was awarded an annual pension of £300 by the government in recognition of her work in communicating Science to a wider audience. The term ‘scientist’ was coined by William Whewell in an 1834 review of her On the Connexion of the Sciences. Mary Somerville was a strong supporter of women’s education and women’s suffrage. When John Stuart Mill, the British philosopher and economist, organised a massive petition to parliament to give women the right to vote, he had Mary put her signature first on the petition. Somerville College in Oxford was named after her in 1879 because of her strong support for women’s education. Thus, Mrs Edwards, herself a Mathematician and a graduate of Somerville College, held Mary in high regard, for both her academic achievements and her high moral standards; so, when, in 1915, a new schoolroom was to be added to the original building, Alfred House, it was no surprise that it was to be known as Somerville.

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Here are some of his thoughts as he recounts the events of that crucial minute.

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2 seconds: Minor engine vibration, probably engine ignition but power is available therefore I’m thinking I must land ASAP. Put out an emergency call.

His father was a bush pilot in Kenya, so it seems only natural that Lt. Commander Chris Götke developed an early love of machinery and the way things worked.

Lt. Commander Chris Götke

Now, at age 44, the former Friars pupil is enjoying a successful career in the Royal Navy and made headlines in June 2015 when he was awarded the Air Force Cross for valiancy in the air after his engine failed and he successfully landed an historic plane, avoiding crowds and choosing not to parachute to safety. “I was very surprised to get the award,” he said. “The Navy has given me some fantastic training.” It came after a dramatic half hour at what should have been a spectacular day out for spectators but not quite so for the pilots. It was July 2014 and at the Culdrose Air Day in Cornwall Lt Commander Götke was taking part in an aerobatic display, flying a Sea Fury T20, in his role as Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy Historic Flight.

But when the engine started vibrating he knew something was wrong. The crowds knew the situation was a little more serious as they could see the smoke billowing from the engine. “I was having a lovely time – it is a fantastic aeroplane to fly,” said Chris. “But I had just come out of a loop and the engine started vibrating as I flew down. “I knew then that I had to land the plane and the quickest way to do that was to head over the crowd to the runway minimising risk.” What happened next took a minute but, for Chris, it seemed much longer as he remembers every detail.

15 seconds: I didn’t know the engine was smoking and put the gear down. I wouldn’t have done that had I known. Reduced speed to 145mph and started to lower the nose. 18 seconds: Angle I needed was double what I thought. What looked like a piece of cake was not going to work. Put on full power but the engine had failed. Could see where I was going to crash – by a wood and with no one there. Was a third of a mile away looking at the ground. I had to jump out – knew I couldn’t land. Jump out and get away? No, I decided I could still try and rescue the plane.

22 seconds: Put aeroplane into neutral, ie feather the propellor. Decided to stay with the plane as the wheels locked up. 28

seconds: Aiming for small field for a wheels up belly landing. Decided to go for the airfield perimeter, runway not an optio n. 45 seconds: 130mph. Over grass on airfield waiting for aeroplane to touch ground. Still floating. See runway is half a mile away. 60

seconds: Aircraft touched down. Wheels were one second from locking down but collapsed at landing. 80 seconds: Time to make a quick exit. It was a massive heart attack for the engin e. Not only had Chris rescued an historic aircraft, he had avoided the crowds, kept his cool and shown extraordinary courage by sticking with the plane in a situation that could have ended very differently. He has been awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions that day.

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THE PATH TO THE SKIES Chris was a pupil at Friars Preparatory School from 1977-81 when John Stevens was Headmaster. He says he has many fond and happy memories, remembering in particular the school’s strength on the sports fields. But the road to his chosen career was not always an easy one. In a twist of fate, which could have ended very differently, his secondary school told him he could not be a pilot because he was dyslexic. “I always wanted to be a pilot and so that just made me determined to prove them wrong,” he said. And a few years later, Chris had picked up a gliding scholarship to university from the Royal Navy and went to study Engineering at Hertfordshire.

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a pigsty and learning Science with no She may have spent time studying in qualified in 1949 as a dental surgeon labs, but Heather Crease successfully universities that took women. She after being accepted by one of the few d in Tenterden – which had been founde went on to join her father in practice by her grandfather in the 1880s.

June 14th: Moved furniture in the morning to the Clock House (a former hotel). It has a super garden with a tunnel under the road. Five canaries and a tortoise!

n and whose Heather, who still lives in Tenterde three sisters to her wed follo maiden name is Tait, a boarder. She as 1938 in 11 Ashford School aged tful her time even how just t poin that didn’t know at there was going to be.

In their first term there, the girls enjoyed walks, swimming in the river, picnics and, for studies, some cleaned out pigsties! They were taught a song to

n the school’s She joined Cranmer House whe ever soon after How e. Brak Lilian Headmistress was e out and it was Heather had settled in, war brok . She kept it up for in 1940 that she started a diary g insight into a year and it gives us a fascinatin g a turbulent durin attitudes, thoughts and feelings

keep their spirits up by Music Mistress, Linda Rowe.

To Countess Wear In Devonshire We’ve come in time of war And here it seems to rain and rain As it ne’er rained before!

period. Here are some excerpts in the run-u evacuation to Devon.

p to the school’s

id warning May 22nd: Had an air -ra hed up Rus ht. nig t las at 10.30pm Bro oke er und lars (cel to ‘Refuge’ kname nic ls’ gir (the rub House). Che her in ght cau was ke) for Miss Bra a and r hou an re the bath! Stayed k tuc Ate p. slee to go to half – trie d and biscuits… id at the May 23rd: Another air -ra been has end of prep. Half term cancelled. (Bo o Hoo!)

us into May 28th: Cherub called k – pac to all are the gym. We rs) going rde boa eas ers ‘Abroad s’ (ov crying… to Somerset – everybody e for hom t sen e wer rs (We boarde was ion dat mo om acc le 10 days whi r – a Wea ss nte Cou in us found for Exeter). village two miles out of

ly said June 11th: Cherub sudden going to e wer at breakfast that we London, in d Devon at 11am! Stoppe drunk of lots ver y long journey – soldiers.

House (a June 12th: Mount Wear a ver y dirty is tel) Hos th for mer You batches of sort of place. Two more of a sort. people arrive d – lessons

We go about in mackintosh And soggy pixie hood Until such time as the sun will shine Oh! How we wish it would.

Chorus Oh! Ashford, Ashford, How we long for home Three cheers for Ashford Tra-la-la-la-la-la Tra-la-la-la-la-la What’s the use of grumbling? We’ll all go home one day So let us sing ‘God save the king’ And shout ‘Hip-Hip-Hooray!’

Other memories of evacuation include the Exeter city air raid in 1942. Heather wrote: “It was the

middle of the night – out of bed – and under tables in the dining room of Clock House. Very noisy, rather frightene d. Next morning no water. We made a chain with buckets to fetch water from the river and filled baths! Scraps of burned paper scattered over garden – we were told it was from City library.” Despite this upheaval and the very many obstacles, Heather went on to take her School Certificate in subjects that included Botany and Chemistry. She said: “I was determined to do Dentistry but we had no Science labs

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in Devon although we had very good Science teachers including Mary Nightingale.

“So I left Ashford School in 1943 and returned home to study for the Pre-medical exam, required for entry to a dental school, partly by correspondence course - with tuition and lab work at Cranbrook School where I was the only female student. But

that’s another story.”

Heather entered King’s College Hospital Dental School in 1945 where she met her future husband, John Crease. He too joined the family practice where they remained as partners until their final retirement in 1989.

The couple celebrated their Diamond Wedding in 2009 and now endeavour to keep track of their five children, 16 grandchildren and seven greats. Heather keeps in touch with several Ashford Old Girls, sharing memories of the years at school and of Cherub, “our wonderful

Headmistress, who had such a lasting influence on all our lives.

“It is understandable that we were both delighted when our daughter, Dr Sue Childs, joined the Ashford School staff, later becoming Head of Maths!”

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SP O RT

The contribution by all pupils, staff and parents in supporting the school’s ‘competitive sport for all’ ethos should not be overlooked. The sporting programme at Ashford School is vast, and the expectation that pupils contribute and subsequently benefit from all that we have on offer is at the heart of all that we do.

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HOCKEY The U11 mixed hockey team won the first tournament at the Senior School, with exceptional performances from Amelia Lall, Amelia Wright and Tom Barton. With five U9 teams of varying ability there are plenty of competitive matches. The U9A and B teams completed the season almost unbeaten in every fixture. The Prep School also held their first ever mixed inter-House hockey tournament. The popularity of girls’ hockey at senior level is now at an all-time high, with 48 girls from Years 11-13 choosing to play on Thursday afternoons during the Michaelmas term. The 1st XI greatly impressed in the annual Granville tournament, winning all their games without conceding a single goal. Not be outdone, the boys’ hockey season included a full indoor hockey programme for the first time and a dedicated weekly drag Flick masterclass to ensure the team could capitalise on short corner opportunities. Our invitation to a Dutch U16 international tournament helped provide our players with a further opportunity to experience hockey at an elite level. Finishing a creditable 11th in a tournament that included national junior teams shows the potential of this talented crop of Year 10 and 11 boys. Our reputation as one of the strongest hockey schools in the County is evidenced not only by our fixture list and results, but also by the increasing number of pupils gaining selection for County and Regional teams. A masterclass session by GB’s Suzannah Townsend is just one of the opportunities for our pupils in this fast paced team game for both boys and girls of all ages.

KWIK CRICKET AND ROUNDERS

rwood Cup girls won the Calde In rounders, the U9 school’s the first time in the at Junior Kings for ous accolade. history – a tremend nville runners-up at the Gra Our U13s finished 5s U1 d an with the U14s League tournament e group. winning at their ag ik Cricket – o saw a move to Kw The Trinity term als child the ch ea es giv me which a more inclusive ga field and bowl. opportunity to bat, ik Cricket stages, the U11A Kw Although in its early rnament e off’ C rounders tou team played in a ‘on to win ted ligh ool. They were de at Hazelwood Sch rt of sta the e, lleg Co ating Kent their first match be . son sea t Cricke a prosperous Kwik

Emily Brightling made her debut for Ashford Hockey Club’s Ladies’ 1st team in another successful year in which she was also selected to represent the U16 County team in all eight of their league fixtures and helped them finish a creditable 3rd. Others playing a leading role in their club teams as well as gaining selection for the Kent squads this year include Alex Sharp, Elliot Carter, Harry Webb and Ryan Williams. Having progressed through the County squads in recent years, Max Howitt, Hamish Roberts, Lauren Piper and Sophie Pinney have all played adult league hockey this year and have progressed from County to Regional squads.

NETBALL AND ROUNDERS Every child again had the opportunity to compete for Ashford Prep School in matches suited to their ability – something that is fundamental to our ethos. After completing pre-season netball training at the Senior School and netball shooting club at the Prep School the U11A girls started the season on a strong foot. The U9A girls began the season with a loss, but sheer determination saw them win the U9 district netball tournament at Kent College. The Senior School 1st team continues to play weekly matches in the adult league and this has had a positive impact on their performance level, with the 1st VII taking the cup in the Granville League tournament. Enrichment opportunities included a trip to watch a super league netball match, while a number of pupils completed the Youth Netball Umpire Award, improving their communication and leadership skills in the process.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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FOOTBALL The Prep School held their first ever football tournaments for U11 and U9 teams. The tournaments were a huge success and the school played host to many teams from various schools across Kent. The U11 boys’ team had a near perfect season and in November they participated in the Leyton Orient Football Club tournament where they were only narrowly beaten in the quarter finals. Similarly the U11 and U9 boys played many strong sides in a fantastic season during which the teams showed they had the knowledge and ability to perform at a very high level. Year 13 pupil Sophie Ledger played for Gillingham Ladies in the Women’s FA Premier League this season. Sophie left in July to go to America where she is attending a college in Indian Hills, Iowa to join a multi-national squad on a football scholarship and studying towards a degree in Business Studies.

The U12 and U13 school team s successfully progressed to the semi-finals of the County cup and the U12s made it through to the final, finishing runners-up. Masterclasses by ex- England player James Kirtley and professional Charlie Hemphrey (Queensland) have greatly aide d the progress of our increasing number of com petitive cricketers, many of whom play at District level or above, including the U14 District capt ain, Luke Perkins. Harry Stracey and Luke Perkins have both gained selection at County level, with Harry making the winter training squad in a very competitive age group. Luke is an established County player, having first gained selection for the high performance squad at U12. In another first for the school this year, the U11 cricket team qualified for the first round of the SKC tournament. All U11 and U9 boys are enjoying full fixtures.

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Edward Estcourt added to his athletics and swimming successes with a hard earned silver medal at the County Gymnastics championships.

SWIMMING Year 7’s Edward Estcourt is County champion in backstroke at 50m, 100m and 200m as well as 50m freestyle. Qualifying for the Regional Championships in nine events, Edward made two finals and has since been called up to the regional talent camp and ranked 4th in the country for backstroke. Qualification for the English Summer National Championships in August was assured for Tom Wilton following an outstanding swim in the 1500 Freestyle Regional Championships where he was placed 4th. He went on to secure 5th place at the championships. Tom had a busy Kent Championships that included a 2nd place in the 200m butterfly, 3rd in the 400m Individual Medley and 4th in 200m freestyle. Tom’s older brother James is another pupil on the Ashford School Swim Programme who achieved qualification for the South East Regional Swimming Championships, competing in the 50m and 100m freestyle events. The Prep School has hosted nine galas. New opposition saw them beaten against Somerhill in January but victorious against Claremont in early March. With the introduction of the Prep School Swim Programme at the start of the Lent term there was a new focus and interest in swimming. The Prep School had its best performance ever at the Kent Primary Schools Swimming Championships. The boys’ team of George Coles, Tom Barton, Harry Mayes and Elliot McKenzie competed in a number of events. George Coles came 2nd in the boys’ butterfly and Tom Barton came 2nd in the boys’ freestyle. The boys competed in two relays, finishing 1st in the freestyle relay and 2nd in the medley relay overall. The girls’ team of Amelia Lall, Mia Gower, Claudia de Vivo and Sienna Bates also had similar success. Amelia Lall came 3rd in the girls’ freestyle, Sienna Bates came 3rd in the girls’ breaststroke and Claudia de Vivo came 3rd in the girls’ butterfly. The girls competed in two relays, finishing 3rd in the freestyle relay and 3rd in the medley relay. The Prep School was also picked to represent Kent at the Regional Relay Championships, where both relay teams made the finals; an excellent achievement. There was similar success in qualifying for the National IAPS swimming finals for Tom Barton, Amelia Lall, George Coles, Jessica Stuttle, Sienna Bates and Claudia de Vivo.

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RUGBY

Our affiliation with London Irish Rugby Club has continued to enhance training for our boys. The U14 team were at their best on the Holland tour, holding Bassets Rugby Club to a draw in a thrilling encounter that showed each side at their attacking best. The 1st XV greatly enjoyed their tour to Barcelona and with strong club players such as Tom Porter and Charlie Vigar excelling at Ashford Rugby Club, the prospects for the 2015/16 season look good. Presley Farrance and Ieuan Ladums- Jones have both gained selection for the County teams and a further three players have been nominated by school and/or club for next season. Prep rugby players also did well on the field this season, entering the national rugby tournament for the first time.

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BIATHLON, TRIATHLON AND MODERN

PENTATHLON

From a pentathlon development day to success at championships, Ashford School is establishing a well-deserved reputation for excellence at Modern Pentathlon. Children train in each discipline of pentathlon every week with clubs such as Pistol Shooting, Pony Club and Fencing on offer and we now have a specialist pentathlon coach, working with Pentathlon GB. As well as holding our own biathlons, in November we took six children from the Prep and Senior Schools to the Schools’ Pentathlon Finals. We came away with one team medal (U10 girls) and one individual silver medal (Sienna Bates). Tom Wilton came 13th nationally and he and his brother James have both been selected for the talent programme for Pentathlon GB.

THE NATIONAL E EN TRIATHLON SC

national de their mark on the ool siblings have ma mpetition in Co lon Three Ashford Sch ath l Tri ting in the Nationa pe com er aft ne triathlon sce ls in March. alified at SE Regiona Solihull, having qu run-shoot and the combined ming, static shoot im sw in g tin pe awarded After com Wilton family were ee members of the thr all ll lihu both the So in at d event ng event and secon e 1st in the swimmi r in second he t pu nt trophies. Jess cam ot-run. Her point cou sho ed bin com the his swim, shooting and Tom came 2nd in national category. 1 U1 the in l ral the line in place ove d he was 4th over a very high score an h wit ot sho the in l. James excelled in 2nd al 4th place overal nt giving him a fin ed an the combined eve ot d best combin best swim, best sho h wit ay aw e cam all events and ion for 2015. U17 national champ shoot-run and is the g have and Laura Brightlin via Jefferson-Pillai Oli t tha ted ligh de We are also l Tetrathlon team. ion for the Regiona both gained select

ROWING

SKIING

Following a rigorous selection process, Molly Bishop gained selection for the WJ15 squad at Maidstone Invicta rowing club. Qualifying for the National Schools Regatta in Nottingham the girls achieved a personal best time and finished a creditable 29th out of the 50 boats completing the 2000m time trial. Katie and Megan Lillington were ranked 10th in the UK in the National Schools’ Regatta.

David Williams Gravener flew down the slope at the snowdome in Hemel Hempstead, racing in the U16 category at the Independent Schools Association Ski Championships, even though he is only 13. Not only was David placed 3rd in the U16 race, he also came 3rd overall out of 250 skiers from 50 different schools.

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ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY Ashford School pupils have continued to excel in athletics on both an individual and team level this year. Our Year 10 boys finished 1st in their age group at the District Athletics Finals thanks to an incredibly strong team performance. Kian Crawford and Joseph Whitby were key to this significant achievement that showed that despite having the smallest cohort of pupils in the competition, Ashford School can upset the odds. Following victory in the Kent Independent Association of Prep Schools finals, Edward Estcourt secured a 2nd place finish at Birmingham’s Alexandra Stadium in the national finals. Year 9’s Dubie Joe-Ejim showed incredible natural aptitude in securing a 2nd place finish in the Discus at the Kent Schools Championships. Five Ashford School pupils competed in the Kent Schools Cross Country and special congratulations go to Euan Nicholls who finished 6th in the Senior Boys event; also Sienna Bates who won the Year 5 girls’ event. Our Year 3 and 5 girls also won the fastest teams at the same competition. Grace Paine, Laura Brightling, Caitlin Royle, Fran Heron and Euan all ran well in frozen conditions, competing against more than 100 runners. Euan Nicholls made a strong start to the cross country running season, gaining selection for

the Kent team at the Southern Inter County Championship placing 10th overall and part of the winning team. Following his 5th place finish at the Kent Schools Cross Country Championships, Euan finished in 84th place (out of 300) in the English Schools Cross Country Championships. As a Year 12 student, Euan was up against boys nearly two years older than him. His great effort helped the Kent Senior Boys retain the trophy - a win over 40 other counties. Euan has also competed in the prestigious UK School Games in the 1500m steeplechase coming 5th for the England south team. After focusing on 2000m steeplechase for the track season Euan became the U20 County champion in May and is ranked 15th in the UK. Year 10 pupil Kian Crawford is ranked in the top 10 in Kent for both Hammer and Discus. His selection as a young official for the English Schools Athletics Championships is important recognition of his commitment to this aspect of athletics competition. And, despite only trying the event for the first time in recent months, Year 9 pupil Jordan Nock is being fast tracked in Pole Vault and already has a UK rating of 29th.

KENT IAPS ATHLETICS

S CHAMPIONSHIP

rated and 6 children celeb A group of Year 5 ics let IAPS Ath success at the Kent Tom abeth Thorne and Eliz . ips nsh pio am Ch ats for the he g yin alif qu ir the Barton both won race; ished 3rd in a close 200m finals. Tom fin . Elizabeth came 4th 0m and 3rd place in the 80 Sienna Bates took alified qu d an e rac a superb Daisy Hawker ran ls relay gir 2 U1 r Ou al. fin for the 100m sprint a , Daisy Hawker, Mi team (Sienna Bates the for ed alifi Wright) qu Gower and Amelia l. ral ove final and finished 6th

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

THE ABBIE MIFSUD MEMORIAL CROSS COUNTRY This year’s event – which is held in memory of a former Prep School pupil – saw 140 pupils from six primary and prep schools running for the cup. Every competitor was awarded an Abbie’s Army medal on completion of the course and the overall winners were Ashford Prep.

TENNIS

The Prep School pitted its pupils against each other in various tournaments. The overall winner of the boys’ tournament was Joshua Smith (after playing his brother Myles in the final) and the overall winner of the girls’ tournament was Amelia Wright. They then played each other for the cup and it was congratulations to Joshua. In the rounds, the winner of the girls’ Year 3 competition was Gabriella Izzard-Hurran, Year 4 was Carolina Stutchbury, Year 5 was Peighton Hyde Harrison and Year 6 was Amelia Wright. Year 13’s Nicholas Smelt was selected to represent Great Britain at the Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester in September 2015. He finished runner-up in the second draw of the British Open in Nottingham this year and gained qualification for the main draw in 2016. His victories in the Kent Open in both singles and doubles, alongside reaching the semi-finals in the junior section at the Flanders 25 Open in Belgium, have boosted his World Junior ranking to 19th and 3rd in Great Britain. Already ranked 9th in the men’s GB rankings, Nicholas is sure to continue to make an impact on the international wheelchair tennis circuit for the foreseeable future.

The Prep School competes in numerous cross country events at other schools as well as running inter-House competitions for the Pre-Prep and Prep. At the Dobson Cross Country at Claremont School the girls’ teams took 2nd place.

GOLF FENCING

ry was named the Carolina Stutchbu g Champion after cin U10 British Fen petition. an eight-hour com petition in which It was a tough com at strength of Carolina showed gre numerous matches character, playing y. m across the countr against players fro ld tition, which was he During the compe arter final qu a t gh fou ina in Telford, Carol number 1 on the against a girl ranked al rnament; a semifin national series tou r he in ss tle en rel s wa against a girl who who l gir a st ain ag al attack; and a fin n her. was a lot taller tha nd Carolina had The previous weeke County U10 title defended her Kent from last year.

James Wright in Year 9 has continued to excel on the golf course, achieving wins and other top three finishes in Junior Stableford competitions at Ashford and Chart Hills Golf clubs. He retained the Ashford Golf Club order of Merit Trophy for the third year running and also went on to win the Captain’s Trophy, Chairman’s Cup and The Linsdell Cup for the lowest net Ashford boy in the Junior Open. James is currently leading the Ashford Order of Merit for the 4th year running and has set his sights on selection for the England U16 team.

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idge Nursery to the From the first days in Br rm, the sporting last days in the Sixth Fo titive Sports Day. In year ends with a compe n enjoy traditional the nurseries the childre co-ordination skills fun races based on good competitive spirit, and nurturing an early tting their basic by Pre-Prep they are pu rints, long-jump and skills to the test with sp Senior Sports Days ball-throwing. Prep and d other athletic see relays, high jump an are fiercely fought competitions – and they ate prize being the contests with the ultim House cup.

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With technology increasingly breaking down barriers and creating a global world, the top UK British boarding schools are ensuring they reflect this in their communities. Offering a whole education means ensuring children grow up with an international perspective. With nearly 45 nationalities represented at Ashford among students and staff ours is a fully integrated and cohesive community where the world is a small place.

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

THE S ’ D L WOR L L A M S A … E C A PL 87 there were ber 2005 the n o In Septem course, all girls of o tw boarders, e in th They lived d Brooke. n a school roll. e rn u o b ouses, Bra h g in rd a bo ed we welcom ber 2015 ke up a In Septem m o h w s 0 boarder – and around 17 ior School n Se e th f ool a third o fo sh rd Sch e entire A th f o h ft ov n ated one fi use was re . Alfred Ho n o ti la cational u u p po ame co-ed school bec om fr s when the 63 boy is home to and now it world. across the the g taught in darin bein Club in g n From Man ki o o C to Korean l, o o h Sc change Prep om our ex r School, fr io n Se many, e er th ools in G e with sch ship n o ti programm la d a re France an h Film is n a Spain and Sp to a, ol in Afric o h sc reters, a rp h te wit r young in fo g in in a tr its Club and -looking in is forward l o o h r Sc fo Ashford s students reparing it p to ch a appro . the future joined ong Kong ng from H o W ia d e Sixth u Cla year in th House last e rn u o e has b sh ra B ins how e she expla ture… n ve Form. Her d a g e boardin th to in d settle

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CH AR IT Y

Ashford School’s House system is based on the principles of teamwork and empathy. All children, from Prep to Senior, are encouraged to understand what is happening in the world and to plan ways in which to try and make a difference. Hence the numerous charity events that are held throughout the year, some of which are mentioned here, and are so generously supported by parents, staff and students alike.

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CHEQUE PRESENTATION FOR ABBIE’S ARMY

CH PRINCIPLES OF AR TEAMWORK IT Y

A special assembly was held at the Senior School to present a cheque to the charity Abbie’s Army.

Teamwork? Well, what better way to encourage competitive spirit than to run a series of House contests. You can read more about these in various sections throughout the magazine, but well done to Squires for coming first in the House General Knowledge Competition; to Pilgrims for winning the Senior Boys’ Rugby and the Years 9 and 10 Girls’ Hockey; and Yeomen for knocking out the competition in the House Science, MFL, Maths and Debating competitions. Mountbatten U9 girls proved dangerous on the sports field, winning every inter-House competition – the House also won the Prep House General Knowledge quiz.

An amazing £790 was raised by a Wild Westernthemed day and an afternoon of fun events including the Bucking Bronco, to bring in money for the cause. Georgina Bishop, Franklins Deputy House Captain who helped organise the event, said: “We are so proud to be able to have supported Abbie’s Army for our Franklins and Knights charity day. “Abbie’s parents were overwhelmed by the amount of money raised and I, and the other House Captains, would like to thank everyone for their generous support on the day.” Abbie’s Army was set up by Prep School parents, Amanda and Ray Mifsud, to raise funds for research into children’s brain cancer after their daughter Abbie died of the disease aged just six. They attended a special assembly to accept the cheque. The Prep School held their own event to raise funds for the charity. Children were challenged to wear clothes to show what they would like to be when they grow up. There were all kinds of costumes, from diver to doctor.

D RAFFLES AN HATS FOR CHARITY

by two t was organised A fun Quiz Nigh hool in aid of Sc ep ff at the Pr members of sta sell out and search. It was a Brain Tumour Re m John Hall t raffle, music fro featured a grea s paella. The ou is and an enorm and Tom Vafid Thank you to 1. ,59 amazing £2 event raised an for organising d Mary Morley Rachel Heron an supported it. and to all who ch Tumour Resear in aid of Brain r Another event fo t ha a ing ar Prep School we g saw the whole some interestin to e ris ve ga the day which cially! pe es ff sta e th e part of creations on th

LEADING THE WAY Christmas Jumper Day got a little competitive this year with our two Heads sporting the latest fashions. The jury’s still out as to who gets the style prize.

NEVER FORGOTTEN On Holocaust Memorial Day Head Mike Buchanan placed a simple pair of shoes on a stone bench as a poignant reminder of the horrors that occurred in the Nazis’ concentration camps. He invited anyone to add to the pile – which grew enormous in just a few days.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

CHANGING THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER Ten years ago few students at Ashford School would have heard of Amnesty International. From a humble beginning of only two students in 2008, the Ashford Amnesty group is now thriving.

And since its humble beginnings, it has won three different national awards for its numerous fundraising activities. Members have also visited the Human Rights Action Centre several times and enjoyed workshops there on different human rights issues. Teacher in charge, Mrs Rosie Ball, gives a snapshot of what have been the main excitements this year. “This year has been an amazing one as so much else has happened beyond fundraising. We have written to local MPs about women’s rights in Afghanistan and gathered hundreds of signatures about the ratification on an International Treaty on the rights of the child and also about torture in the EU. “Mo Onafowokan and Millie Quinton had an amazing time at the Amnesty AGM at Warwick University, with Mo bravely voicing her opinion on stage in front of hundreds of Amnesty members. Claudia and I were invited to help judge this year’s national Amnesty Youth Awards and following that we were invited to the final ceremony where Claudia helped present some of the awards along with Nick Bright, Radio 1xtra presenter. “I was also extremely honoured to be invited to an evening celebrating 10 years of the Human Rights Action Centre, with speakers including Jeremy Irons, Bianca Jagger and Sir Patrick Stewart. Four of our group took part in research on Positive Psychology about what they have gained from their involvement in Amnesty. We have also raised money through selling candy canes at Christmas, Chinese calligraphy and roses at Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day and hosting a hilarious Minute to Win It competition between staff and students. So all in all it’s been a very busy and successful year.”

FOR G N I L WIGG Y CHARIT

of staff embers m l ra e v p - and se le Pre-Pre gling. The who reak wig b ty ys chari morning spent a appy Da H e th r r fo fo y dance g funds that the re raisin s e . a w ly w y g t e n h ig T w uireme mething only req lding so o h and the ly b fera tes - pre 20 minu

JEANS FOR GENES

ol Pupils and staff across the Prep Scho for Jeans ty chari the for funds raised Genes. They wore jeans to school in exchange for a £1 donation.

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Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

CH AR IT Y

ALWAYS AN EXCUSE FOR AN EASTER EGG

HOMEMADE STILTS AND A UNICYCLE Squires and Yeomen Houses organised a fantastic charity event which saw the whole school in home clothes.

This year’s Mountbatten fundraising event, the Eggstravaganza, was a fun affair with plenty of games for children to have a go at. Members of Mountbatten House were the brains behind them and the event, which boasted assault courses, colouring competitions and Easter egg rolling, raised £267.60 for Demelza House and Brain Tumour Research.

At lunchtime, Somerville Lawn was set up with a range of fairground based activities including a coconut shy and bouncy castle. Members of the Houses spent their lunch hours the week preceding the event in the Design Technology department making stilts and on the day pupils were challenged to walk (wobble) a route. There was even a chance to try a unicycle. Teachers and pupils had a go at Strong Man and fishing ducks - all in the name of raising funds which were shared between Alzheimer’s Care and Bliss charities. The House system at Ashford encourages a strong empathy for the needs of others and part of the remit is to choose a charity and to fundraise. The event raised more than £900.

RED NOSE DAY FUN ACROSS THE SCHOOL Red Nose Day was a lot of fun at Ashford School with fundraising activities being co-ordinated from Nursery to Sixth Form. The whole school wore home clothes for the day with a hint of red, donating £1 for the pleasure of doing so, and there were all kinds of activities from a Bake Off to face painting. Some courageous Sixth Form boys braved their legs and had them waxed. The event raised more than £1000.

Ashford School Magazine 2014 • 2015 • Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence

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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Remembrance Day commemorations touched the whole school, from Nursery to Sixth Form. In the Prep School, every child made a poppy which was displayed in the entrance hall and the children attended a service at Great Chart Parish Church, while the Nursery gathered in the playground to mark the two minute silence. The Senior School heard a first-hand account of tragedy from PE teacher Mr Phillip Leonard who, until recently, served in the British Army. He told the moving story of his friend ‘Bob’, Sergeant David Thomas Monkhouse, who was killed by a mine while on patrol in Afghanistan. He said: “For him there was only one achievement in his life greater than earning the right to wear that uniform and that was becoming a father to his only daughter.”

IT’S THE MINI-OLYMPICS An eagerly anticipated annual event, the Headley Mini-Olympics is organised by members of Headley House who plan their own ideas for stalls and activities to raise funds for charity. This year saw hurdles, score-a-goal against Mr Hyde and a hockey obstacle course, to name but a few.

10 YEARS OF ADVENTUROUS LEARNING

Ashford School, East Hill, Ashford, Kent TN24 8PB Admissions: +44 (0) 1233 739030 Ashford Prep School, Great Chart, Ashford, Kent TN23 3DJ Admissions: +44 (0) 1233 620493 The school is open for enquiries Term time: 08.15 - 17.00

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“ADVENTUROUS LEARNING IS A MINDSET OF CONTINUOUS CHALLENGE AND WILLINGNESS TO TAKE MEASURED RISKS. IT APPLIES AS MUCH TO THE ADULTS IN THE SCHOOL AS IT DOES TO THE CHILDREN.“ MIKE BUCHANAN HEAD