Canons Life The Summer Term 2013 at North London Collegiate School
Focus on sport at Canons
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First School Sports Day
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Message from THE HEADMISTRESS The summer term at Canons remains, as always, a vibrant time of year with many splendid events and activities taking place. As you may be aware, last term the School underwent a full inspection as part of the regular schedule of inspections conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). I am delighted to tell you we have received the official report and that NLCS was judged ‘excellent’ - the highest possible rating - in every single category, from the quality of teaching, pastoral care, and extra-curricular activities to the level of pupil achievements. The full report is available on our website. We have also celebrated successes in a range of fields, from art to drama, music to sport. You will see from the feature on sport, later in this edition, the achievements of pupils in a wide variety of sporting endeavours. The elegance and confidence displayed by the girls in our second whole-school gym and dance display, featuring girls from Yrs 2-13, was thrilling. Pupils have also excelled in the fields of drama and music, showcasing their talents in numerous music concerts and drama productions. A busy season of performances ended with two productions in the Studio Theatre from students in Yrs 10 and 11 and, of course, Canons Follies in the Performing Arts Centre.
SPORT
Lacrosse World Cup 2013 Three ONLs and one current member of staff will be taking part in the Lacrosse World Cup in Canada this summer. Natasha Taberner and Lucy Wray (ONL) will be playing for Wales, while Nicole Sawdaye (ONL) will be representing Israel and Katie Bohane (ONL) Ireland.
This term, girls have again enjoyed lectures from a series of distinguished visiting speakers. In the Nicholson Lecture series, teaching staff share their love of their subject by giving talks on topics as diverse as conservation, heroism in classical literature and political ideology. The girls also enjoy a full programme of academic symposia and partnership events. These events allow pupils to work with their peers from a variety of different schools, providing opportunities for the development of intellectual curiosity and subject enrichment. I was delighted to be able to take a number of staff and sixth form students to the Prince’s Teaching Institute’s Summer School at Cambridge University in June. This gave the opportunity for both pupils and staff to hear leading academics in a range of different fields and engage in stimulating academic debate. This also served as excellent preparation for the students for university. The spirit of internationalism has flourished again this term with exciting trips and student exchanges taking place to broaden pupils’ educational and cultural experiences. At the end of term a group of Yr 12 pupils will travel to The Flying Angels School in Zambia, where they will have the opportunity of assisting in the teaching of classes and running extra-curricular activities. Our first set of exchange pupils departed for Korea in late June, where they will spend the final two weeks of the summer term at NLCS Jeju and the first week of the summer holidays with their exchange families. Community Service again played an important part in the pupils’ extra-curricular life this term, with girls successfully hosting events such as our annual Mencap Fun Day and the Livability Homes Summer party. To celebrate the wider NLCS community, we have organised many events for parents, Old North Londoners and Friends of the School. In the summer term, the Alumnae Office hosted the annual ONLA AGM, reunions for the Classes of 1983, 1993 and 2003, and the annual ONLA Picnic. Work on the new buildings is progressing well. The new facilities will benefit the entire School community, with extra space for teaching and extra-curricular activities, together with dedicated social space for girls in the Upper School. We are looking forward to the opening of the buildings with a celebration in the Spring Term of 2014. I would like to thank warmly all those who have to date supported the development of these projects with gifts to the School. As this very busy term ends, I wish you all a happy and restful summer holiday.
Bernice McCabe, Headmistress
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Lucy Wray
Natasha Taberner
Katie Bohane I’m so excited to be representing Ireland in my first Lacrosse World Cup this summer in Canada. As a team we are fit and ready and I can’t wait to be amongst the sport’s most talented and athletic players from all over the world.
Lacrosse Tour 2013 During the Easter holidays 37 Yr 9 & 10 students travelled to California to play lacrosse. Five days were spent in the San Francisco area sightseeing as well as playing lacrosse. The girls visited the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and Alcatraz. The next stage of the tour was in San Diego, where more matches took place as well as a visit to the zoo! This was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to travel to this part of the world, play lacrosse and make some great new friends.
Nicole Sawdaye The Lacrosse World Cup this summer will be my first international tournament and it’s a massive honour to be representing Israel. The training has been tough but I’m ready to be in Canada and start what I know will be an amazing experience.
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SPORT Canons Life reporters catch up with
Mrs Ansell Director of Sport What inspired you to be so involved with sport? I guess it has to be my school sporting career. It wasn’t really until senior school that I realised I was pretty good at sport. I fell in love with lacrosse and just knew from the age of 12 that I had to be a P.E. teacher. Has sport changed during your time at NLCS? Sport has changed hugely over the past 9 years here at NLCS. There are certainly more girls out at extracurricular clubs than ever
before. The range of sports on offer is vast - from the classic sports of lacrosse and netball right through to ultimate frisbee, trampolining and table tennis. We have also worked hard to improve standards at the highest level. We have a number of girls competing at the top level in their own sports but also have teams which have progressed further than previously. What makes sport at NLCS stand out? I believe we have a fair balance
between sport for all and pushing the top performers to be their best. I am also extremely proud of our older girls who give up so much of their time to help run practices, matches and tournaments for the younger years. What are your plans for sport at NLCS in the future? I would love to provide more and more sports for the girls to ensure that everyone can find an activity to play now and into the future. I also hope to build on our successes with our teams.
Sports Captain
English Schools Track & Field Cup County Round 2013
Sport in the Junior School
performed exceptionally well in
Sport in the Junior School has continued to be as popular as ever and the introduction of new activities within the curriculum have been a real hit! Extra–curricular clubs and squads have continued to thrive with a good uptake for golf and fencing.
141 and Stormont 97.
The U10 & U11 rounders squads have had an exciting season, with a number of matches for the different teams. Both the U10A and B teams had fantastic wins against Radlett Prep where some accurate and fast bowling and great catches in the field led to a well fought victory. The U11 athletics squad are training hard at their weekly sessions and are looking like being a very strong team. They
their first match against Stormont where the final scores were NLCS
The Yr 5 and 6 swimming squads have swum with speed and spirit in the pool
with several personal bests achieved. For the first time, we chose several Yr 4s who have worked well in their lessons and shown a prowess in the pool to participate in a swimming gala against Royal Masonic School. NLCS girls won convincingly against a strong team.
“The role of Sports Captain is an amazing opportunity to give back to the school. Having been involved in a range of sports since Yr 7, it is great now to have an input in organising events for the whole school. I am looking forward to September, in particular the start of the lacrosse season, when girls in Yrs 11-13 play matches together, forming strong friendships with team mates across the different years.” Emily Mort, Sports Captain
Gymnastics and dance continue to thrive at NLCS and the girls are now working extremely hard to choreograph and learn routines to perform in the annual Gym and Dance Display along with the Senior Gym and Dance squads.
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Summer term trips
Yr 8 Chambéry
exchange
Yr 7 pupils in Picardie making croi ssants
Yr 9 & Yr 10 girls take part in the Ludwigsburg exchange
Yr 10 trip to Paris
Yr 8 girls enjoy the sights
of Seville
Yr 8 trip to the Rhineland
CHARITY
Zambia Trip 2013 Perfectly Purple Mencap Fun Day Sixteen children with special needs attended the annual Mencap Fun Day. Guests were able to choose from a range of activities, including arts and crafts, swimming, outdoor sports and playing on the bouncy castle. It was lovely to see so many smiling, delighted faces and it was great to welcome back children who have attended in previous years.
Livability Summer Party 2013
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This term the Junior School has been raising money for Young Epilepsy. The charity aims to improve the lives of children and young people with epilepsy. A group of 14 girls travelled to Lingfield in Surrey to visit St Piers School and the Young Epilepsy base. They were given a tour of the site and met some of the students living there. One of the events organised by the girls for this charity was Purple Day. Pupils dressed in purple and bought and sold purple cakes. It was a fantastic day which raised £531.49.
This summer, 18 girls currently in Yr 12 will be visiting the Flying Angels Community School in Lusaka, Zambia, to build relationships which have been established between the two schools for the past 6 years. The girls will work within the school, helping with senior and junior school classes, as well as visiting the Flying Angels Orphanage and a trip to the Victoria Falls. “This annual trip is such an amazing opportunity. I’m really excited about not only having the opportunity to teach but also being able to learn more about Zambia’s diverse culture!” – Amber Moore Yr 12
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performing arts review
Animal Farm Audiences were amazed by the maturity and talent displayed by the cast of the Yrs 7 & 8 play Animal Farm. Performed over two nights, this exciting and challenging play was brought to life with remarkable flair and energy. Combining wonderful costumes, a totally believable farmyard setting (complete with hay and mud) and incredible vocal and physical performances, this was a powerful and compelling production.
Music Update Music is very important at NLCS. With a huge variety of choirs, orchestras and bands both in the Junior School and the Senior School, music is made available to all. There are over 500 private music lessons taking place every week! This term the Music Department has embarked on a number of new initiatives. Aside from the termly Middle School and Senior
School concerts, this term has seen the introduction of new, smaller musical recitals and Tuesday lunch time concerts, both of which have proved to be hugely popular among the girls. We have also celebrated some notable successes. Congratulations go to Tiffany Cheung and Anoushka Sharp in Yr 9 and Inis Oirr Asano in Yr 8 who have won the prestigious UK Chamber Music Competition, held at St John’s, Smith Square.
Lower School Concert The Lower School summer concert was a soaring success. Around the world in 80 minutes! Stops on the way included Mexico, Germany, Austria and Japan and the girls sang in Hebrew, Finnish and Russian. The journey ended in London, where the arrangement of London-based songs was nothing short of spectacular.
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ONL Events DEVELOPMENT UPDATE For over 160 years, North London Collegiate School has sought to offer the best possible education to young women from a wide variety of backgrounds. To meet this goal, the School has relied on the generosity of its supporters: the Buss family opened their own home at the School’s founding; Frances Mary Buss’s supporters raised the funds for Sandall Road; later supporters helped purchase Canons; throughout the history of the School, generous benefactors have helped raise funds for scholarships and bursaries. The Development Office works to raise funds from today’s supporters and to foster NLCS’s great sense of community. Currently NLCS offers approximately 20% of the pupils in the Senior School some help with fees. Throughout the year, we have had generous donations towards bursaries from a number of individuals. During the Summer term, Parents of 2013 Leavers are raising funds for a Sixth Form bursary place. Together these efforts help make excellence in education available to girls whose parents would not be able to afford the fees. This economic
Jeju News
diversity has been an important part of the School’s ethos since its founding. At the moment, our biggest project is to raise funds for two new buildings at Canons. The new buildings, one replacing the ICT block adjacent to the Hall and the other on a paved area near the Medical Centre, will benefit the entire school community, offering space for NLCS’s curricular and extra-curricular activities, without taking away from our green space. To date, we have raised nearly £1.25 million for this project from parents, ONLs, Friends of NLCS and grant making trusts, including a grant from the Wolfson Foundation. We will continue fundraising for this project in the Autumn, looking forward to the opening of the buildings with a celebration in the Spring Term of 2014. The School has historically been the beneficiary of planned giving from its supporters. The Frances Mary Buss Fellowship exists to recognise those who support NLCS through planned giving. They gather annually for lunch, followed by a concert and tea. week with their partners and their families, in some cases on the South Korean mainland, which added an important cultural dimension to the visit.
A group of girls departed for Jeju on Saturday 22 June and spent two weeks boarding at NLCS Jeju and participating in classes with their exchange partners. They participated in the annual Arts Week and other summer term activities in Jeju. After the end of term they spent a further
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ONLs studying at universities in London, Cambridge and Oxford were reunited with staff over drinks at the annual ‘University Drinks’. These are always a wonderful opportunity for staff and old girls to mix socially and hear each other’s news. On the 29th April, NLCS hosted a memorial service for the friends and family of a much loved ONL, past NLCS parent and Governor, Ennis Brandenburger.
Ennis Brandenburger memorial service
In May, the Alumnae Office was delighted to host the annual ONLA AGM and reunions for the Classes of 1983 (30 year), 1993 (20 year) and 2003 (10 year). The event was very well attended with over 120 ONLs filling the corridors and grounds with laughter and reminiscences.
ONLs from across the generations, with children and grandchildren enjoying the grounds and games laid on by the Sports Department. The Class of 2010 reunited on the 3rd July for their ‘Pimm’s Party’ in the Drummond – ending just in time for the evening performance of Canons Follies.
Career Networking Poorvi Smith (ONL 1991) runs a Careers Networking Service for ONLs. This popular and ever growing network should be the first port of call for any ONL looking for career assistance. By working with the broader NLCS community, including ONLs, parents and other contacts, the Service can help offer internships, work placement and specific career advice to any ONL, regardless of where they are in their career. Please contact Poorvi Smith, Alumnae & Development Officer, at psmith@nlcs.org.uk
Forthcoming ONL Events: Class of 2012 Reunion Monday 9th September 2013, 4.30pm-6.30pm Class of 1973 Reunion Wednesday 11th September 2013, 11.00am-4.30pm
Class of 1983
Mrs McCabe hosted a lunch for members of the Frances Mary Buss Fellowship in June. On Sunday 23rd June, over 120 ONLs, their friends and families flocked to Canons with their picnics for the annual ONLA Picnic. Like last year, we welcomed back Asha Yr 10 “I am excited about various aspects of the exchange, such as experiencing the different culture of Korea and witnessing how this impacts upon the lives of students at NLCS Jeju.” Eve Yr 10 “I was eager to take part in this first ever exchange to NLCS Jeju. I have never visited Asia before, so I
Class of 1963 Reunion Monday 16th September 2013, 11.00am-4.30pm ONLs are always welcome to visit and tour Canons. Please contact Emma Maltz, Alumnae & Development Officer, at emaltz@ nlcs.org.uk or on 020 8951 6475 for further information or if you would like to join any of the upcoming events.
wanted to experience the culture in this part of the world.” Tahnee Yr 10 “I know that I will have to adjust to many differences but I am absolutely sure it will be an incredible experience.” Libby Yr 9 “After seeing numerous pictures and hearing assemblies informing us of all the steps in Jeju’s development I was curious and excited about seeing the real thing.” Rhea Yr 9 “I can’t wait to see Jeju’s equivalent of Budge Square and to explore the beautiful island.”
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Inaugural International Baccalaureate Conference NLCS IB students hosted the School’s very first IB conference this term. Five schools visited NLCS including Charterhouse, George Green’s, Godolphin and Latymer, Haileybury and St Helen’s. The agenda for the day was very busy with three speakers from King’s College London, Oxford and Cambridge providing the assembled audience with some fascinating ideas to think about. These included talks on the evolution of logic, research into child development and the devices used to gain consensus. Students really enjoyed the day and found it very helpful. It is anticipated this will become an annual feature of the IB Diploma programme calendar.
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Cliff McNish visit Cliff McNish, a successful author, visited NLCS this term to talk about his life as a writer. He spoke about how he formed ideas for his books as well as giving top tips for budding young writers.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Yr 1 girls enjoy Grounds Day
Yr 4 at Bushcraft
Yr 6 trip to France
Yr 3 Roman Day Lower School Concert 2013
Yr 5 at Preston Montford
Yr 3 having fun at the Verulamium
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Celebrating Success Yr 7 student becomes English Youth Chess Champion Elizabeth has become the English Youth Chess Champion for 12-year-old Girls 2013. Part of her prize is to play for England in either the European Youth or World Youth Championships.
Yr 10 student publishes her second novel Click
Yr 8 student performs with the London Children’s Ballet Sasha performed in the Secret Garden with the London Children’s Ballet. “Being part of LBC was an incredible learning experience. My ballet and performance ability improved and throughout the performances we learnt what it would be like to dance professionally.”
Yr 12 student commended in the Peterhouse College Vellacott History Prize Nadia has been commended for her essay which incorporated Science and History entitled ‘Why was Copernicanism controversial?’
Yr 11 student runner-up in Master Photography Awards Phoebe has been named runner-up in the Young Photographer’s Award in the Master Photography Awards.
Click by Jasmine Beer. This is a story of family, friendship and facing reality and explores the strange sequences of events that lead to life-changing discoveries.
Physics trip to CERN During the Easter holidays, Yr 12 Physics students travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to visit the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The girls were lucky enough to see inside the CMSb detector, one of the four detectors on site. This was followed by a fascinating talk on the history of CERN. They were also given the opportunity to look around the museum, which explained some of the physics behind the Large Hadron Collider.
The Canons Life team
www.nlcs.org.uk
Production: Sophia Breslauer (Yr 10), Sophie Hiscock (Yr 10) & Rianna Shah (Yr 10) Journalists: Jasmine Beer (Yr 10), Meher Iqbal (Yr 10) & Claudia Mulholland (Yr 10) Photographers: Amber Abrahams (Yr 10), Dina Khadum (Yr 10) & Ella Steinert (Yr 10) Photographer and Picture Editor: Ms Larraine Bristow Editor: Dr Hazel Bagworth-Mann