The Moulsford English Department proudly presents:
The Art of Writing Letters Letters from the pens at Moulsford Prep School
Letters from: 7T - Sam Hayes-Newington 7M - Antonio Perez Quane 7N - Will Parry 6B - Oliver Hodgson 6E - Charlie Hodgson 6F - Timme Knaapen 5O - Jackson Andreae 5L - Henry Cotton 5S - Tom Lebeau 4A - Alex Richardson 4F – James Hart 4S - Luca Palmer-Endean Y3 - Thomas Mosely and Matthew Mullins Y3 - Jools Bucket and Billy Bain Lions - George Wildblood Cubs - George Beesley
Introduction Our children are growing up in a dynamic, hyper-connected world, where everything, it appears, is available at the click of a button. As educators and parents it is important to embrace the wonderful opportunities for connection and learning that exist in the 21 st century. However, it is also important to hang on to some of those traditions that may be in danger of being lost in the wake of progress. Letter-writing is a creative art (hence the title of this anthology) and something to be cherished and protected. However, there can be no questioning the fact that, like any piece of art, constructing a letter takes time, effort and thought; it is not as simple as a couple of clicks. There’s the pen, the paper, the quiet room, the envelope, the stamp, the thought (!) and the trip to the post-box. However, there is also undoubtedly something special, rewarding and life-affirming about writing and receiving a letter. Perhaps part of this comes from the effort involved; perhaps it is to do with the personal element of the form. Actor and comedian Steve Carell writes that “there is something visceral about opening a letter – I see her [his mother] on the page.” We have a responsibility to encourage the next generation to enjoy this special form of communication. Indeed, it has been so encouraging to read through this anthology and see the wonderful writing at Moulsford. Whilst the tasks change depending on the year group or class, the letters are all engaging, interesting and importantly, personal. To quote the wonderful Japanese author, Haruki Murakami, “How wonderful it is to be able to write someone a letter!” Letter writing is a joy. I encourage all of you, boys and parents, to pick up a pen and write. As the summer approaches, what better time to follow the lead set by the boys at Moulsford? Who knows, letter writing could catch on as the next social phenomenon. Richard Martin Head of English
7T – Sam Hayes-Newington Pupils were asked to write an ‘open letter’ to discuss an issue currently being covered in the news. An impressive range of stories were chosen including the Zika outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, the awarding (and possible removal) of knighthoods, and whether graffiti artists should apply for licenses to tag walls. Dear Undecided Voters of the General British Public, In 1973 Prime Minister Edward Heath lead Britain into the EU. Now, in 2016, Britain has been given the chance to decided whether to leave or remain in the EU. You do not know which way to vote. This is why we should leave the EU. Did you know that we spend 350 million pounds a week (the cost of a hospital) to the EU, this means that we give the EU 19 billion pounds a year. This our ‘membership’ price. This money that we throw away will not come back into the country’s budget. Also, we have no say over what this money is spent on. Instead we could spend this money on the slowly collapsing NHS or any other public services. We want our health care to remain free. The only way we can do this is by saving money from the EU Membership and using it to improve our public services like the NHS and schools instead of letting the EU do whatever they want with it. Education and research is very important and everyone should have a good education where they reach their full potential. We can still achieve this without the EU. Only 3% of the total R&D (Research and development) budget is funded by the EU. This may seem like a lot but if we leave the EU then we can use the membership money to replace that 3%. If you are worried about the number of foreign scientists from the EU that work in this country then don’t. If we leave then we will be able to fast track the most promising of these scientists into the country. One of the main issues in the world today is immigration. Sadly many people have to flee their countries due to many contributors. As much as we want them to be safe we can not take all of them into our country as we simply do not have the space. At the moment it is very hard to control immigration as the EU decide how many immigrants we take in. Due to the amount of immigrants we are taken in it means that our public services are being affected in a bad way. Vote Remain campaigners may say that if we leave the EU our wages will go down but that isn’t true. The immigrants are, by no fault of their own, are making our wages lower. Our security has been upped recently due to the unfortunate events in Paris and Brussels. These acts of terror are absolutely sickening. We can prevent this from happening to us by leaving the EU. If we leave we can control our borders instead of the EU controlling them. This means that we and we alone decide who enters the country. It is also very hard to deport some very dangerous and violent criminals. This is because of the way the EU Supreme Court works. It means that very dangerous criminals are staying in our country. If we leave the EU it doesn’t mean that we will not fight terrorism with the EU. We are not in a group with the US but we still fight together.
Currently there are regulations in our workplace created by the EU. If we leave these regulations will not be applicable to us and we will be able to create more jobs. More jobs makes less homeless members of the UK. The EU also change the rules on maternity leave and holiday pay fairly regularly but if we leave then we will only change these factors if we need to. At the moment, because we are members of the EU, our investment links are restricted but we can change this. I am fully aware that I will not be able to convince all of you and in the end it is your choice but just think about the points I have made and if you really want to be controlled by the EU. Kind Regards,
Sam Hayes-Newington
7M – Antonio Perez Quane The group were asked to write a persuasive letter, relating to ‘The Great Depression’ of 1930s America, based on our studies of Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ The boys chose how closely they wanted to link the letter to specific characters and moments from the book.
23 Picadilly Street London England 20th June 1935
Dear Ambassador, I am writing this letter to you to express my particular concern about certain things I have seen on my journey in California. These are elements of society which worry me personally and should worry you and your country too. I am currently a singer songwriter living in London, and I felt the need to go over to another place, maybe somewhere where the people are not as privileged as I am right now; this would help me get hold of a better understanding of the world from a different perspective, for my next song. As a whole, I had not heard much about the life of a Californian, or of that as an American in general, other than the idolised ‘American Dream’. The only other information which I had obtained was from one of my old friends, Curly, who said that things were tough but could be worse. I’m not sure how much worse it can get. Feeling the soft ground underneath as the plane landed on the runway was probably the most enjoyable moment on the whole of my journey. This may seem unbelievable, although if you had been out there and you had seen all the things that I had, you would understand me. Let me propose to you a little example. Back in England, we do our best to treat everyone with respect; black or white, man or woman. I feel that as a country we are skilled in this area. The one thing that scared me, in fact it still does, is the lack of rights and respect for different races and for women. Why do they deserve to be pushed around and made to do the things everyone else wouldn’t? I thought that the practice of slavery died out decades ago? I just find that this is utterly disappointing and you should be disgraced by the actions of the rest of your country. Unfortunately, I do have other concerns about the conditions and environment that the people of America are being forced to live in. Living back in London can be quite hazardous with all the cars and the fumes flying past, constant pollution always hanging over the edge of the street. I would have thought that in an instant no other place could have a more dangerous environment than where I was and yet again I have been proven wrong. After the disaster of a ten year long drought, everything seemed to have been starting to go down hill, and not all that slowly. The living condition of many started to fall because the dust
bowl was starting to surpass its boundaries, allowing less room to be used for farming and such. Many people have been forced to go on the run and change from job to job, trying to earn money but not being able to hold onto it for very long. Overall, I do not think that this is a very healthy or beneficial way of living and it does not benefit the country or the rest of the world as a whole and could cause many problems and may even lead us all into a war. So to conclude Ambassador, I do sympathise with you in the way that I know that it is not entirely your fault that all of this is happening, But i do believe that you could do a better job of protecting the economy of your country, the people of your country and the future of the rest of the world. You should be aiming to set an example for the rest of the world to follow, to make the ‘American Dream’ come true. Thank you for your time, Sincerely yours,
Antonio Perez Quane
7N - Will Parry
7N were asked to write thank you letters to anyone they wanted. There were a number of lovely letters conveying the boys’ sincere thanks; it really was heart-warming to read! In this letter, Will writes to his good friend Mason.
Orchard Cottage 2 Little Wittenham Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4QX Wednesday 15th June 2016 Dear Mason, Is there anything more inspiring than watching people fulfil their dream (and ours) at the highest level? Well, on my birthday, 3rd September 2015, you gave me an experience of a lifetime when you took me to Pennyhill Park (the England Rugby Union camp). The best moment was following the tough training session, when the players came out to meet us; it was just like a dream. Do you remember all the players signing my rugby ball and my Rugby Attacks, which I had been collecting for ages? The players all laughed at the different statistics on the cards, and we saw a side of them that is hidden on the rugby pitch. It was amazing! I remember having lunch with James Haskell and Mike Brown opposite us; their food was a mountain! The atmosphere was great with all the players and coaches discussing rugby, having conversations that we were desperate to be part of. Sadly all good things have to come to an end, and soon it was time to go home. I thought that the day couldn’t have gone any better, when on the way home we saw Anthony Watson, the best winger in England. I screamed out his name and my Dad stopped the car. We both jumped out; it was exhilarating! We got his signature and photo before heading home. Thank you so much for inviting me. It was the best day of my life and I was sad when it came to an end. Thank you, Will
6B - Oliver Hodgson As part of their desert island project, 6B were asked to write a ‘message in a bottle’ asking for rescue from their island. Dear Reader I was sent out on the Mary Celeste 43 days ago on June the 18th. I was the first mate of the boat but now I am nothing. A whale cracked my life and my boat apart. It stole everything I had: my friends, my job, my life. If you are reading this please send for help. I have no idea where on earth I am but I know we were sailing for whale blubber in the Western Atlantic. We left the British port of Hamilton in Bermuda several weeks ago riding the trade winds and making good progress selling our oil. I am stranded and have been surviving on the left over rations for the last few days. The island is 340 acres involving swamps, caves, volcanoes, forest and sand pits. It also has a lot of wildlife, a new breed of bird I call the branzi bird, tigers and coconut trees. Please send for help. Kind regards,
Jimmy
6E – Charlie Hodgson The boys were tasked with writing a forceful and persuasive letter, with freedom to write about any contemporary issue that they wished. Thatchwell Moulsford Oxfordshire OX10 9JD
Mr R McDonald The Gherkin Ketchup Place Friers Town UK 22 June 2016
Dear Mr McDonald, I am writing to urge you to close down your filthy McDonald's fast food shops! As Mayor of Friers Town, I am sick to death of the daily deluge of complaints about there being rats in the kitchens, rubbish littered along the streets, fat clogging up the sewers and traffic blocking up the streets for your drive through! If all of this were not bad enough, people's health is at risk from fake fingernails stuck in burgers, hair all over the chips, and you don’t have to look too hard to find a large fella wobbling down the street dipping his nuggets into barbecue sauce. As delicious as your food maybe, we should be encouraging the public to be fit, eat healthy meals and consume less fast food. We all know the dangers of eating too much red meat and how there is not enough meat left to continue feeding the world at this rate. I don’t know about you, but I don’t what to be eating a cockroach sandwich anytime soon because all of the meat has run out! I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss this further, perhaps over a strawberry milkshake? Sincerely yours, Mr F Iveaday (5 a day) Mayor of Friers Town
6F - Timme Knappen Under the tree Lagoon lane Desert Island Somewhere between USA and Brazil Don’t know my postcode Someone By the sea, maybe on the sea Hopefully on a beach, or on the sea Mainland Just Mainland Don’t know where you are so I don’t know your postcode Monday 20th June 2016 Dear someone by the sea, or on the sea, I am stranded, with no one, no food, no phone, no crafting materials like saws and axes, and no one else. I am stranded alone. I found a bottle in my wet jacket and I am writing on a piece of paper I had in my pocket (just incase you thought where I got the paper and the bottle from), the pen I found in my pocket too. I have no phone so I can’t call anything, I wouldn’t be able to call anyway, I have no signal. I won’t live because the food is to high in the trees which I can’t climb, I can’t make anything, like axes, so I can not cut down the trees with the food in it, and things to make weapons, so I can’t make a bow and arrows to kill animals. Also the animals are too fast to catch them. I can’t drink because the water is too salty, and there aren’t any fresh water lakes, the lagoon up the track is to dirty for my liking to drink from. I can’t make juice because the fruit is out of reach. I have a family at home in Miami, which are my wife and two children, my wife will run out of money, because she will have to pay for school fees and food, which is a lot of money. There are people where you are who can help me, can you call them that there is someone stranded in between Brazil and the USA. That will really help me, and you will save someone’s life. The story is that I was walking on the deck of a boat from the US to Brazil, I was going to Brazil for work, I was on the deck all by myself, but suddenly, this man walked up to me , he was dressed in black. Before I knew what was happening the man picked me up and threw me overboard. I think I was knocked out by me hitting the sea, because when I woke up in the water, I was really close to an island, the island I am on. That is how I got here.
One last thing: PLEASE HELP ME, JUST HELP ME!
Timme Knaapen
5O - Jackson Andreae Boys were asked to write a letter about a recent event or trip.
Moulsford Prep School Moulsford Oxfordshire OX10 9HR 17th June 2016
Hi Nidsy, You’ll never guess what I did at school yesterday; I went on a trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park! We saw all sorts of different animals like: lions, zebras, rhinos and monkeys. It was sad because I know you would have loved it. We started at the reptile house where all the scaly, cold-blooded animals are kept. First we saw the snakes and then the alligators … it was hilarious because Aldy nearly fell in! Then we went to see the giraffes and lions. It was really weird feeling the giraffe’s rough tongue against my soft palm. Next we shuffled off to the lion enclosure, which was really disappointing at first because we couldn’t see any lions. However, we soon saw his bold, muscular body and it was funny because I imagined it on Pride Rock. I hope you do well in your A Levels and see you on Saturday. Lots of love,
Jax
5L - Henry Cotton
The Bermuda Triangle The Caribbean Atlantic Ocean 21st June 2016 Dear Percy, I don’t know if this scrunched up piece of paper in a bottle, is at the bottom of the ocean, found by a random person, or maybe, just maybe you found it. I’ve prayed with all my heart to the gods that it would reach you, and I hope it has. I’m somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle, we got attacked by a massive sea monster, and I mean MASSIVE. It all started when I was having fun on a big cruise ship. Chiron let me have a two weeks’ break. What I didn’t tell him was that I stupidly was going for a trip to the Bermuda Triangle on a cruise ship. I can’t believe I forgot the Bermuda Triangle was probably the most dangerous place on earth for us half-bloods, I know, stupid me. Anyway I was looking out to sea, like the way you and me sometimes do because we’re kind of brothers. Then the most massive sea monster you’ve seen in your life, came bursting through the surface, and crushed half the entire ship! The mortals had absolutely no idea what was going on, thank the missed they probably thought the monster was a submarine or something. Less than half of the crew survived. It smashed the entire engine system and boats to pieces and none of us can get any signal. We’re also running out of food. More monsters are attacking all the time. I had a close encounter with some bronze bulls the other day. I have to do all the fighting while everyone else stays under their beds whimpering, typical. The worst problem is the water. If I said in front of Dad, I would probably get kicked out of Poseidon’s junior sea scouts. It’s true every day a new floor gets flooded, and even if I’m the son of Poseidon, there’s millions of monsters at the bottom, hungry for blood and for once in my life, I’m afraid of the water. Don’t let me die Percy! From Henry
5S - Tom LeBeau Boys were given the opportunity to write to someone they admire and write them a piece of fan mail which we will then pop in the post to see if we get a reply! I’m hoping youtube vloggers have postal boxes…!
Field House Rectory Lane Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 6BX 18th June 2016
Dear Mo Farah My name is Tom, I am 10 years old and I love running, especially the 5k and you have been my hero forever! I run a 5k in 22 minutes but I’m working on getting that time down. I also love running a snappy 1k in 3:56 minutes around my local field. I am sure I could do those times better on a track! I admire all of you performances:3k, 5k, 10k, half-marathons and I’d love to know which is your favourite distance now and which was your favourite at my age? Also, what was your personal best when you were ten? At the moment I’m reading your autobiography and I’m enjoying it so much, especially the start when you wre a young boy living in Djibouti. **It’s funny reading about your past because one of my most special memories was watching you at the ondon Olympics in 2012. I was lucky enough to be in the stadium to see you smash the rest of the field to win the 5,000 - what a priviledge! I would love have the chance to watch you run again and meet you in person. When I’m older I want to run in the GB squad, just like you. Best of luck in Rio and with all your running in the future. Yours sincerely
Tom LeBeau p.s. What are your thoughts on Arsenal next season? I’m for the Hammers!
4A - Alex Richardson The Year Four boys were asked to write a letter home to their parents pretending they were one of the four children from Narnia. Dear Mother and Father, I am having a lovely time apart from Edmund was teasing me, he used to think that what I was saying was a lie so did Suzan and Peter. They thought I was lying that there is a country in a wardrobe, called Narnia, there's a faun, it is half goat half human. There is a white witch that says she is queen, she set a spell on Narnia, that makes it always winter but it is never Christmas. Edmund was in Narnia and met me there, then he lied to Suzan and Peter and said that we were just playing a game. Mrs Mccready is a person who helps out in the big house that I am staying in, she has grey hair, a wrinkled face and wears round glasses too. The person who owns the house is an old grey man with a long beard and he wears small half moon glasses and old fashioned clothes, he also carries a stick around to help him walk properly. . We were playing hide and seek in the library, when Mrs Mccready came along with some visitors, we ran to the room where the wardrobe is, she followed us we all hid in the wardrobe, Suzan and Peter said it was cold we all took down some of the coats, put them on and entered Narnia. Then we went to the faun’s house he had been kidnapped the house was in a state I felt like I was going to cry. We all followed a bird that led us to a beaver, we followed the beaver. It took us to a small house and Mr Beaver’s wife ( Mrs Beaver) gave us tea and we stayed for lunch. That is all that has happened so far. I hope you are all right and so is dad, I miss you loads and I quite want to come back, have a nice trip to Canada, miss you Lots of love, Lucy.
4F – James Hart Dear Mum, Firstly me and the others really miss you but we are having the most wonderful time at our new home. The home belongs to a professor. Sometimes there are tours that go around the house. As we were exploring the house one day, we went into a room that had a wardrobe; now as we found out this was no ordinary wardrobe, but as we were leaving the room Lucy walked into the wardrobe without us noticing. As we exited the room Lucy jumped out the room and was incredibly weird for the rest of the day and kept saying that she had been in a magical land and had tea with a faun. Now at first we didn’t believe her (who would?) but time went on and Lucy seemed to think Edmund had been there with her. Edmund said he hadn’t been there, so we turned to the professor for help; he talked in a way that turned my view completely. A few months later, it was a rainy day so the four of us decided to explore more of the house. Mrs Macready was doing a tour of the house. All of a sudden, we found ourselves in the room with the wardrobe and Mrs Macready was approaching. We had to go into the wardrobe and as we walked through it got a lot colder and lighter so we put some of the fur coats on and proceded through into the supposive back of the wardrobe and into a snowy landscape. There was only one conclusion. We had got into Lucy's world. You could tell that Lucy was happy. Lucy lead us through the woods but a scene awaited us at the supposive faun’s house. Walking on to find a beaver who we are working together with to find Aslan a lion who can save Narnia from the white witch who Edmund has betrayed us to. I will inform you of any more action in more letters. When you write back tell us how you are. Your son, Peter xxxx
4S - Luca Palmer Endean Dear Mother and Father, I am having a wonderful time in the house we are living in. The professor is really interesting. He gave the four of us a nice room to share and lovely food. Last week we were playing ‘hide n seek’ and Lucy found this really old wardrobe that lets you into another world! It has a forest and there's snow and pine trees everywhere. I know you don't believe us but it’s true! We didn’t believe Lucy either until we went there ourselves. Lucy met a faun there called Mr Tumnus but an evil Queen (called the white witch) took the faun away to her castle. She’s not really a Queen because she put a spell on the land of Narnia that made it always winter and never Christmas. She also put a spell on Edmund by giving him turkish delight. Edmund is not the same these days, he is really mean and horrible to all of us. We also met a couple of beavers and they told us what the White Witch did. They said that she turns her enemies to stone - she’s horrible! The only way to stop her is to find Aslan the King of Narnia. He’s at the stone table and so that’s where we are going now. Early this morning Santa came and gave us weapons to fight her army - the White Witch’s army. Santa gave me armour, a shield and a sword! The only reason he came is because somehow we managed to stop winter. We don’t really understand how! We are all worried about Edmund and a bit scared about having a battle. I really hope you are okay in London and that this letter manages to reach you. Please send a letter back to the professor’s house when you can. Love always Peter
Year 3 After reading Simon James’ picture-book ‘Dear Greenpeace’, Year 3 were inspired to write a series of letters to tell a similar story of finding an unusual creature in the home. From tarantulas to wolverines, the boys researched a great range of species and worked in pairs to swap letters as they changed their writing style to respond as Greenpeace.
Lions - George Wildblood Year Two were asked to write a letter to put in a bottle and throw into the sea in the hope it would find someone who could rescue them. Dear Jack, Please come and save me. I’m stuck on a desert island with a massive volcano. I have a little hut made of logs. Please come and save me. The crew forgot me. The island is full of palm trees and sand. There are crabs on the beach and sharks in the water. Please come and save me! From George
Cubs - George Beesley Year One helped out a few fairy tale characters by drafting letters to the Fairy Godmother asking for advice about their problems. In this letter Humpty Dumpty writes to the Fairy Godmother asking for help putting his shell back together again. Let’s hope she has the power! The Wall Kings Hill Dear Fairy Godmother I was having a rest on a wall when I slipped and fell. Ouch. All the king’s men and horses couldn’t put me back together again. Do you have any magic dust? If you do that would be great. Please help! Humpty Dumpty Wisewords Cottage Helpham Dear Humpty Dumpty Thank you for the letter. I do have some magic pixie dust. It’s chocolate flavour. That should do the trick and should stop your shell bleeding. I hope that works but if that does not work I will give you some super glue. Fairy Godmother