The Cantuarian 2010 - 2011 by OKS Association | The King's School, Canterbury

The cantuarian

Autumn 2010

Vol. LXXVI

The Cantuarian Contents: Autumn Editorial

This and That

Focus

Art and Writing

Trips and Expeditions

Drama

Music

Miscellany

Societies

Sport

The Interview

108

Overheard... and Howlers

110

All photographs by Matt McArdle unless otherwise stated

Editorial Olivia Lyster (6a JR) The start of a new academic year is always a source of excitement. For the new Shells, it is the prospect of an entirely new school and experiences, whereas for every other year group it is the joy of being slightly higher up the totem pole. 6as also have the added stress of starting their university applications, or planning what to do in their gap years. Despite the feeling of GCSEs and A levels being obscure moments in the far future, academic work starts right away, along with sport, music, art and drama. This term was filled with many extra-curricular achievements, with drama ranging from the fun and often-ridiculous Shell house plays to the sophistication and expertise of all those involved in Dracula. Before half term there was the House Song Competition, which stimulates the competitiveness of every each house, and always ends up being an entertaining and raucous event no matter what. The Purple’s song, although always humorous, was particularly well choreographed and amusing this year, so they deserve a mention.

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Despite a warm start, snow came particularly early this year, hitting us in November. In the first flurry of snowfall, the delight of snowball fights and home clothes, as well as the fact King’s looked like Hogwarts, could be felt throughout. Yet, after whiteness had turned to sludgy brown but the chill remained, we were once again left wishing global warming was working in our favor. People continued to solider on in the face of a series of power cuts, until Christmas came around. This year’s 6th form ball, hosted by Bailey, was a great night, with fantastic music throughout and lots of crazy costumes. The highlight of every autumn term must be the Carol Service on the last night, when both pupils and parents push the capacity of the Cathedral to its maximum. This year was no different, as the lights turned off and everyone’s candles were lit, King’s felt a special school of which to be a part. The Cantuarian aims to showcase every aspect of the talent and opportunities King’s has to offer, so even though it is lengthy and sometimes frustrating work, it is very fulfilling to see the finished product. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the making of the Autumn term publication, especially to the central team. Everyone thoroughly deserved the Christmas holidays after such a long and productive term.

New Headmaster

This and That

This and That was delighted to hear in October of the appointment of the new Headmaster, Peter Roberts. Educated at Tiffin Boys’ School and at Merton College, Oxford, Mr Roberts was on the staff of Winchester College from 1986 before becoming Headmaster of Bradfield College in August 2003. He is due to start at King’s in September 2011 and we look forward to welcoming him, his wife Marie and his daughters, in September 2011. There is already keen competition within the writing staff of our magazine as to who will be the first to ask him to agree to an interview for The Cantuarian.

‘Culpa rubet vultus meus’ It was only during INSET at the beginning of this term that This and That’s attention was drawn to the absence of any news in The Cantuarian about Mark Lascelles’ illustrious and most welcome presence in the King’s School Common Room from September 2009. Various people have been blamed but everyone is refusing to

take responsibility. This is particularly shameful as Mr Lascelles has been a gallant supporter of the magazine since his arrival. We hope this isn’t because he was pleased we had we forgotten about him because his salvete now appears below. Welcome, Mr Lascelles and family.

Joining the Common Room 2010 (and 2009!) Mr Mark Lascelles arrived at King’s as the new Lower Master in September 2009. He joined us from Shrewsbury School where he was a housemaster. Mark was educated at Shrewsbury, and then took a gap year in New Zealand where he travelled and taught Geography, Maths, football and cricket at Rathkeale College. He read Geography at Durham University and after completing a PGCE was appointed to teach Geography at Shrewsbury in 1992. Mark is keen sportsman who has played football for the English Universities and for the non-league Crook Town, and cricket for Middlesex Under 19’s and the Shropshire League. Before his appointment as Housemaster of The Grove in 2003, he was

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Master-in-Charge of Cricket for seven years, and Master-in-Charge of Fives for ten years. Mark is now Master-in-Charge of Football, and coaches Fives and Cricket. He is married to Amber and has two daughters, Alexandra and Georgina. Mark is also Acting Headmaster until September 2011. Mr Jonathan Bass, who joins the History department, grew up in Dorset where he was educated at Canford School. He then went to St. John’s College, Durham to read Ancient History. After graduating he worked at Dean Close Prep School in Cheltenham for two years before undertaking a PGCE in History at the University of Gloucestershire. Jonathan is a keen sportsman both as a player and coach and also enjoys camping and more adventurous outdoor pursuits such as surfing. He is a tutor in Meister Omers. Miss Alanna Fraser joins the Religious Studies department from Marlborough College and is no stranger to King’s. An OKS herself, Alanna was in the second intake of Shell girls to the school and her love of theology and philosophy was nurtured under Janice Reid and Geoff Cocksworth’s expert tutelage! After completing both her BA and M.Phil in Theology and Religious Studies at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, Alanna returned to King’s for a year to teach in the RS department before pursuing a media career for three years, highlights of which included being part of the development team responsible for Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, launching national women’s magazine Look and working for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s production company. However, the call of the classroom was too loud to ignore and a stint at Benenden School preceded three years in Wiltshire at Marlborough. Alanna assumes responsibility for debating at King’s and is also a tutor in Harvey House.

Autumn 2010

Ms Kristin Fredricksson joins the Drama Department until the end of the Lent Term 2011, replacing Mrs Rebekah Beattie during her maternity leave. She read Philosophy and Art History at Cambridge University and went on to train with Jacques Lecoq at his International Theatre School in Paris. She has worked as a performer and theatre maker for 15 years, principally in France, Portugal and Japan. Returning to the the UK in 2008, she completed an MA in Drama and has been touring her solo show ‘Everything Must Go’ in Britain and Germany, including a run at the Barbican. Her theatre company, Beady Eye, is an Associate of Theatre Royal Margate. Kristin has also taught at the Universities of Kent, Essex, Queen Mary London and Liverpool and the Conservatoire of Champigny (France), and she is a trained Feldenkrais practitioner. She joins Harvey Mrs Harmony Johnson joins the Classics Department, having spent the past two years at Junior King’s. She grew up in Hong Kong before moving to Britain in 1997, boarding at Heathfield School in Ascot and then going on to South Hampstead High School in London for the Sixth Form. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, where she read Classics. When she wasn’t worrying about her weekly essays she spent her time cycling between Girton and Cambridge, singing for the College Chapel Choir and playing the violin in the University Chamber Orchestra. After graduating she worked for a year in the Special Collections and Archives department at the University of Liverpool before deciding to return to Cambridge to do a PGCE. She is a tutor in The Grange. Ms Eirian Mitchell, who joins the Biology Department, grew up in Edinburgh and was educated at St George’s School for Girls. She then went to St Hugh’s College, Oxford to study Medicine and Clinical Medicine at Green College, Oxford. After graduating, she worked at St George’s School as an Assistant Housemistress

before joining the Teach First programme, to gain her PGCE at a girls’ school in London. Her interests include music, travel, cookery and exploring the countryside. She is a tutor in Jervis. Ms Jill Moorcroft has joined the Educational Support department having been Head of Learning Support at Downe House School, Berkshire and latterly a part-time support teacher at St Edmund’s School, Canterbury. She taught in Canada for ten years where she also trained to be a Speech Pathologist and, most importantly, produced three children. She is an avid quilter and painter of watercolours. This summer she took to the road for the first time in a rather ancient camper van and loves it! Miss Sophie Randles joins the Design and Technology department as their Designer in Residence. She is currently studying for a degree in Product Design at Brunel University and is spending her placement year within the department. Originally from the Lake District, Sophie has completed two years of study at university and will be returning to Brunel to complete her degree in September 2011. Now living in Harvey House, she runs one of the senior girl’s hockey teams alongside her design interests. Mr Chris Roberts joined King’s as Director of Rugby and Master i/c Boys’ Tennis from Eastbourne College, where he was also a pupil. In between he worked in Sports Events Management on a number of major golf events, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne. Sport and Rugby are his main passions. As a player he represented Scotland U19 before playing for a number of clubs around the world, including the USA and Hong Kong. He is an RFU Level 3 coach and has coached representative Rugby at several counties. For the past two years he has coached the National Schools Barbarians, with the recent season including an unbeaten tour of the Far East. Recent coaching trips have included time spent the Wellington Lions in New Zealand, and The Sharks Super 14 side in South Africa. He is married to Milly and joins Carlyon as a tutor.

Mr Robert Stuart has taught in a wide variety of different schools. He was, for eight years, Head of Mathematics at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham but, prior to that, he spent a number of years abroad. For two years, he was an A level teacher at an Islamic boarding school in Kuantan in Malaysia and then spent over five years as Head of Sixth Form at Hillcrest Secondary School in Nairobi; his two older sons were both born in Kenya. Mr Stuart is originally from Winchester and now lives in Ospringe just outside Faversham. He is a tutor in Tradescant.

More Common Room News... Dr Arnott and Mr Cameron enjoyed sabbaticals in the Autumn term, with their places being taken by Tony Hermes (again) in the Chemistry Dept and Marlowe, and Nathaniel Fowles in the Art department and School House. Many felicitations and congratulations to Rebekah Beattie (Drama) who gave birth to Persephone Eleanor Beattie on 2nd September 2010 weighing 7 lbs 4 oz. At Christmas we said farewell to Jane Crosbie , MO Matron for five years . It’s been a case of the Bionic Women and the Six Million Dollar Men in the Common Room this term: Mrs Sue McConnell (Girls Games) has had both knees replaced; Karen Pears (LX Matron) had one new knee as did Mr Paul Newbery (M.O Housemaster). Mrs L Cousins (IT) also had surgery over Christmas for a hip replacement. There has been a spate of crutches in evidence as both Miss Sam Clark and Miss Kerri Bradley suffered ankle injuries from umpiring or playing. Thankfully Graeme Tyndall’s knees were sound and This and That was very pleased with his magnificent score minutes before the end of the game which gave the staff team a 3-3 draw in the Hockey match against the Girls 1st XI, who were county Champions!

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Photograph by Edward Hands (Fifth MO)

Promotions A number of members of the Common Room started new positions at this term. Catherine Cox has taken over from Janice Reid as Head of the RS department, Alister Stewart is the new Head of Chemistry, Mike Finn is Head of Politics and David Perkins the Head of History. An interview with him can be found at the end of this edition. Congratulations are also due to Catherine Shearer – a past editor of The Cantuarian – on her new role as Housemistress of Broughton. Matthew Gardner, Mike Cox and Kim Dover are the new deputies of The Grange, Tradescant and Walpole respectively. Well done to all.

The Telegraph This and That was interested to read a letter in The Telegraph about Canon Shirley’s introduction of a new uniform in 1935. SIR – Your comments (Leading article, December 28) about boys at Christ’s Hospital retaining their traditional clothes reminded me of the occasion when Canon F J Shirley arrived at the King’s School, Canterbury, in 1935.

Autumn 2010

He introduced sports jackets, soft collars and grey flannels to replace black jacket, striped trousers and stiff wing collars. After 12 months, the head boy went to him and explained that the feeling throughout the school was that they wanted to go back to the traditional outfit. That is why I wore the same uniform as my father (1906-11) when I went there in 1954, and I am pleased to say it is still worn by today’s generation of King’s boys. At first, I felt rather conspicuous in the town but, after a couple of months, I realised that nobody took any notice of us. One took great pride in one’s appearance – except when seen in a place that was out of bounds, such as the pub opposite the cathedral gate. Francis Hussey Pease Pottage, West Sussex

Offcuts This and That has been greatly enjoying the recent Offcuts publications and congratulate Stephen Woodley on succeeding where The Cantuarian failed by managing to persuade the

notoriously modest Lee Rigley (Printer) to give them an interview.

Rugby Club The King’s Rugby Club saw many exciting developments over the course of the season. Jan Bonney, the Saracens Academy Manager lead weekly sessions with some of the schools top players. The 1stXV were used as guinea pigs by none other than Nike who used the players to help develop a new fitness testing package that will released nationwide in the coming months. Pride of place must go to Charlie Kingsman who has been selected for the England U17 squad and will aim for a starting spot in the upcoming matches against France and Ireland in April”

Congratulations Frances Houghton (Walpole 1993-98) has won her fourth world title in the women’s quadruple sculls in New Zealand. Frances, who won silver medals at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, had taken a year off rowing, but returned to regain her place in the quad. The final was a difficult race in very blustery conditions, and reigning champions Ukraine went into an early lead. The British crew of Annabel Vernon, Debbie Flood, Frances, and Beth Rodford overhauled them and held off challenges from Ukraine and Germany. Frances thus added this title to those she won in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Kent Champions The 1st XI won the Kent Under 18 Hockey Championship for the fourth successive year. Many congratulations to the team: Sophie Knight (capt.), Hope Kilmurry (vice capt.), Cleodie Swire, Aurelie Kent, Poppy Coleman, Isobel Berry, Steph Crampton, Emily Davis, Nicola King, Lucy Balicki, Dom Masters, Francesca Berry, Hannah Todd, Lulu Freemont, Lucy Logan Green and Eliza Brett. The U14 Squad also won the Kent title, for the second time in the last four years. The team was made up of: Amelia Baker (Capt), Eliza Cocksworth (V Capt), Lily Begg (V Capt), Madeleine Irwin, Helen Woodward, Scarlet Pughe (GK), Lucy Hogg, Rhiannon Jones, Phoebe Lundy, Annabel Pattinson, Willa Briggs, Olivia Simpson, Emma Torkington, Tabitha Killingbec Well done to all concerned

Luxmoore Reunion In October Luxmoore hosted its 65th Anniversary Reunion. A great time was had by all and Dr Liz Pidoux’s wonderful speech as well as memories from Richard Roberts (Common Room1956-67, Luxmoore 1960 - 67) and Fiona E. Tennick (Common Room 1981-2005, Luxmoore 1991 – 2003) can be found in Offcuts.

“It was an absolutely fantastic race. That’s why I row, to row a race like that”, said Frances. Tom Ransley (Marlowe 1999-2004) won a silver medal in the men’s eight.

THE CANTUARIAN

Autumn 2010

focus on: shooting

Amanda Thomas (6b CY) The King’s Target Shooting Club premises occupy a non-descript position at the edge of one of the pitches at Blore’s, and from the outside one can normally see only a couple of warning signs and a tall yew hedge. But as I discovered when I was invited to look round, on a day when shooting is in full swing, with the red flag flying, the atmosphere is anything but uninteresting. I had already found out something about the sport from Mr Franks and Samuel Gearing (6b GL), and the skill and companionship evident on the range made me understand the attraction of the sport. The intense concentration of the shooters is remarkable, and their steady progress seems to make the sport truly worthwhile and rewarding. The Target Shooting Club was founded fairly recently, about two years ago, as a result of a happy coincidence of timing. The arrival of Major Vintner as the new Commander of the CCF meant that Mr Franks, who had been intending to start Shooting at King’s for a while, had more time available, and at around the same time, Mr Keith Jeffries offered his services as a coach. Also, a very keen youngster , Sam Gearing, a crack shot from his prep school days, had been ‘pestering’ the school about starting a club as he hadn’t been keen to wear green and become

a member of the CCF. As a result, the club was started then. Despite initial difficulties – such as having to use CCF rifles for the first year (as you can’t just start a club and purchase firearms without appropriate Home Office approval), it has grown hugely in popularity and prominence in the school, thanks mostly to the high quality of the coaching by Mr Jeffries, who coaches at various local clubs as well as at King’s, putting in hours to get the best out of each shooter. Mr Franks was keen to tell me how pupils can get involved in the sport, although he warns that spaces are limited. ‘We look first for people who have shot at their prep school, like Sam, then for ones in the CCF, and in the third case, pupils who are just very keen.’ It goes without saying that to achieve great heights in the sport you must be more than keen – skill and practice are essential. Anyone who wants to shoot at a high level must commit a lot of time to the sport. ‘It can take up to twenty minutes or half an hour to shoot the required 10 rounds on just one target, especially in a competition.’ And with only four lanes at the range, that means a lot of waiting, even though the number of people at a session is limited. All this talk of lanes and targets – how does the sport work? The range is a strip of grass, divided into four lanes, with targets at one end and a shed at the other. The shooters lie down here

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and fire at the A4-sized targets, each of which has ten roundels. The aim is to get one shot through the middle of each roundel; achieving this earns the perfect score of 100. ‘We use .22 rim fire rifles, which are competition rifles. Some use the Club ones, which cost on average about £1000 each, whereas individuals like Sam who purchase their own, can cost in excess of £3000. The bullets have a charge, they aren’t just air rifles.’ These rifles are impressive in size and intricacy. It isn’t surprising that they are very precise instruments, which means that shooting them takes a lot of skill and patience. ‘There are lots of techniques, but the main thing is patience. To shoot well, you have to take all the tension out of your body,’ Mr Franks says. ‘It’s like yoga or something – you have to be really relaxed and in tune with how you are positioned,’ adds Sam, the Captain of Shooting and one of the school’s most successful shooters. He has recently competed in the British Schools’ competition, as well as representing Kent and even England, in matches against New Zealand and Denmark at Bisley (the home of British target shooting). The other current star shooter of the school is Ella Kelly (6a WL), who has also competed in prestigious events, including the Kent Ladies’ Team. This is a remarkable achievement, as she only started shooting a year ago, and is now in a team with women who have been shooting for many years.

Autumn 2009

The members of the Target Shooting Club, especially those who are more experienced, compete a lot - boys and girls can shoot in the same competitions. Competitions can be either shoulder-to-shoulder, where the competitors travel to the same range, or postal. This involves shooting a target at the school range, then sending it off to the organisers. Some Fifth Form shooters, Katya Ignatiev and Maude LeighPemberton (both Fifth JR), have recently taken part in a postal competition. ‘Those two both shot at their prep school, and they’ve come on a lot since getting here,’ says Mr Franks. It sounds like the sport is going from strength to strength at King’s. At the moment there is one regular session, on Friday afternoons, but as the range is improved it is expected that in the future that will change. Since Sam and Ella were awarded school colours, the reputation of shooting has increased. ‘A lot of people see my jumper and then ask why I’ve got it – so I think more people know about the sport than they used to,’ says Sam, with a smile. That can only be a good thing, for a sport with such potential here. If you are experienced from being in a prep school club, or are just very keen, then why not have a chat with Mr Franks about having a trial. Remember though, it’s tougher than it first appears!

the MUSIC challenge: Ed

Challenge Ed Whitehead Willian Allen (6b TR) Photo of Ed at the Charity Rock Concert taken by Rachel Phipps (6a HH) In his four and a half years at King’s Ed Whitehead has more or less done everything of a musical nature that one could imagine. Whilst The Cantuarian admits that it would be difficult to find something Ed hasn’t contributed to, led or indeed founded, it refuses to call it impossible. However, due to a shortage of existing musical enterprises in which Ed hadn’t had some sort of role, The Cantuarian realised it would have to invent one and so fell upon the idea of locking Ed into a recording studio, armed with only a collection of the most obscure instruments one could imagine, the pressure of great expectation and a witness.

a ukulele, a didgeridoo, a kind of percussive circular panpipe, an African coconut thumb piano, wind chimes and a peculiar wooden frog which made a pleasant rasping sound if manoeuvred the right way. As one of utter technical incompetence I will always have a certain admiration for anybody who can cajole the complex mound of pulsating wires and flickering lights that is the Music School Recording Studio into doing anything of any use. Watching Ed Whitehead’s hands dance across the leather-panelled bank of cables and switches seemed, in many ways, to be an art in

The challenge was proffered, the gauntlet thrown down and Ed manfully accepted his task. He had an hour in which to produce a single track in the King’s Music School Recording Studio. Ed was given a mere 60 minutes in which he had to familiarise himself with a variety of strange instruments before composing and writing lyrics for a song which he then had to mix and record. The instruments given were:

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whitehead

itself and left me feeling inferior and unhelpful before we had even begun. As a kindly gesture Ed agreed to let me help him with the setting up and asked if I could perhaps set up five microphone stands. I strode into the recording room and set to my task with diligence, arranging them into an elaborate semi-circle. I then trotted back to Ed, with a proud smile on my face expecting praise and a pat on the head only to be told, with the same kindly yet slightly pitying smile, that it had in fact been microphone stands, not music stands, that he had wanted but he was grateful for the thought. After that I sat quietly on my swivelling chair, content with watching all the pretty lights and listening to the lovely sounds.

instrumental outcasts into producing a poignant, powerful and deeply professional song complete with chorus, lyrics and melody. The song would have been a remarkable achievement had he had all the time in the world and an entire orchestra at his disposal but given that he was pitched against a horribly unhelpful array of instruments and the constant pressure of the clock, Ed’s ‘Silent Evil’ falls nowhere short of outstanding. A challenge met, beaten and derided. To listen to ‘Silent Evil’, Ed’s 60 minute challenge piece, please have a look on the website.

After a brief period of disgracefully byzantine technical management Ed was ready to start. What followed was a demonstration of musical talent, technical wizardry and sheer instinctive creativity such as I had never seen before. Ed raced from the vocal booth to the mixing room to the live room, pausing only to mix his newly crafted sounds together into the form of song. After using beat box to create his bass line, Ed recorded his chorus – a haunting but decidedly catchy refrain rich in soul and spirit. He was then faced with the rather daunting task of combining the instruments provided. To make any sort of sound from them would have been achievement enough but Ed managed, in just one hour, to manipulate this motley crew of

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FOCUS: WHAT THE PAPERS SAY What The Cantuarian’s equivalents have been talking about Amanda Thomas (6b CY) This feature is, to the best of the author’s knowledge, a new venture for The Cantuarian. The aim is to compare the magazines of various other schools to this one, and hopefully bring some of their interesting articles and ideas to the attention of our readers. For the purposes of this particular piece, the publications under scrutiny are the St Andrew’s Day edition of Eton’s Chronicle, and the 2010 Elizabethan, which is the school magazine of Westminster. The former differs from this magazine in that it is considerably shorter and published much more often – ten times each year, of which two are special issues. These two, of which the St Andrew’s Day is one, are an altogether more ny trips die you commercial affair than The Cantuarian, as parents can purchase them, and they include advertisements. In general, the Eton magazine contains many features that are unlike those in this magazine, and it seems more related to a newspaper supplement than a normal school magazine! The Elizabethan is superficially more similar to this magazine. It is published annually, so is of a comparable length to our magazine. Its editorial team, like The Chronicle’s, is smaller than the King’s one, but it has a great number of photographers – approximately sixty, which explains the great preponderance of photographs. The Elizabethan also has much in common with The Cantuarian in terms of content – there

are the numerous trip reports and the familiar ‘salve’ and ‘vale’ sections, as well as reports on musical, sporting and dramatic activities. It does seem to be more successful at getting reports on the multiple societies, though; despite repeated requests, our editors find it hard to collect these reports. One of the trip reports was particularly interesting as it documented a sixth form Art History trip to none other than Canterbury Cathedral. This edition is rather out of the ordinary, as 2010 marks Westminster’s 450th anniversary, and therefore it contains several items about commemorative events, along with a fascinating article about the school’s royal connections. ‘TJPE’ writes that: ‘This has been a royal foundation, in fact, not merely since 1560 but from 1540, when, following the dissolution of the Benedictine Abbey of Westminster, Henry VIII established “the King’s newe College” and made provision for two masters and forty scholars to carry on the tradition of the old monastic school.’ So there are some similarities between the history of Westminster and that of King’s – but undoubtedly we can still boast of our more ancient roots. A part of The Chronicle that is probably less recognisable to a Cantuarian reader is the traditional St Andrew’s Day feature about the ‘Wall Game’. This year’s version consists of four pages of photographs of ‘Wall Game’ teams in varying states of dress. An element of the magazine that stands out for its humorous value is the ‘Eton Archetypes’ column. This edition’s portrait of an Oxbridge applicant strikes a chord at King’s as well as at Eton. More comedy was found in the piece called ‘Parlance’– this time, ‘The New Master’s Guide to Unacceptable Excuses’, the subject of which is instantly recognisable. A short extract will hopefully prove the point:

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Covers of The Elizabethan (Westminster) and The Chronicle (Eton College)

‘In an attempt to provide new Masters with a clear understanding of the parameters for punishing a boy for late work, a guide to the multitude of excuses used by boys on a daily basis has been compiled. [...] ‘“Sir, so sorry, I left it back in my house, it’s sitting on my desk...” & “Sir, printer not working, what could I do...” ‘These prolific excuses, employed school-wide, should be combated thoroughly. Usually delivered with much gesticulating of hands, the boy may seem almost to be accusing you of somehow being responsible for his failure to produce the work. [...]

Book to stymie any further attempts at using the same excuse.’ The school vny ocabulary may differ, but the sentiments are just as applicable. Unfortunately we are unable to say exactly who wrote this article, as it only claims that ‘the guide is entirely produced by Masters.’ The Cantuarian’s thanks go to Mr Sandy Crole of Westminster, and Oliver Randall of Eton, for permitting the use of their magazines.

‘Punishment: Boy should be sent back to the House, with a time limit, to either email or pick up the work. If the boy spends over 15 minutes away (hastily doing the piece of work) or claims an email problem, they should be given Tardy

Autumn 2009

art and writing

From bottom left clockkwise: ‘Cloisters through window’, Mr Fowles working with a Shell on a combined construction castle, ‘Bell Harry’ and ‘Bike in Cloisters’

‘Layered Lady’ and ‘Dr Perkins’ by Will Fenning

the shell creative writing competition Lucy Logan-Green (6b ?WL During the second week of a grey and dismal November, posters went up advertising the Shell Creative Writing Competition. An assembly was scheduled for a cold Tuesday morning on the second day of those cumbersome November exams which would promote the competition and, to ensure that all of the Shells were aware of the theme and of some basic rules of school competitions; that ‘whatever you submit will be published so: Keep it clean – and by this we mean – if you think that it would shock Mrs Wakeham, then it probably can’t be published.’, James Hearn and I wanted diversity and originality from the Shells, but within reason of course! We received eleven entries from a large crosssection of the Shells and the entries make me confident and optimistic about future creative

writing entries that this talented group will submit in the future. In picking our winners, James Hearn and I were looking for someone talented who showed flair, originality and potential. Joint runners-up are Meagan Scantlebury and Annabel Pattinson. Meagan’s moving poem ‘Shattered Memories’ was well constructed and her use of metaphors demonstrated a lot of literary talent. Annabel’s short story ‘Bring Him Back’ was unusual and imaginative, her use of rhetorical questions and of onomatopoeia to describe the passage of time were engaging and innovative. First place is awarded to Harry Vavasour for his poem ‘TIME’. Harry demonstrated his skill using simple 4-line rhyme in his poem that lends itself as something of a riddle in which he explores the meaning, purpose and complex that is time. Congratulations to all entrants and we look forward to reading your work in senior competitions in the future.

‘Skulls’ by Lucy Baker

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TIME So where does it come from? And where does it go? This thing on a journey, To where? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know.

It fills our lives, Without it weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be dead, Does it exist? Or is it in our head?

A clock can record it, But nothing can control it. We love in it, we hate in it, We do everything we want in it.

Without this clever thing, Your alarm clock would not ring, The birds would not sing, And there would not be a thing.

Harry Vavasour (Sh LN)

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the runners up Bring him Back Annie Pattinson (Sh CY) Time, what is time? Something that whirls endlessly around space, belonging to no one: That is time..... Tick tock, tick tock; head pumping, heart racing: It’s time. The clock, why is it staring at me? It’s haunting me. Two loud strikes: Ahh, It’s time. I heard a banging at the door and my head started to hurt, a horrible feeling filled me. I rested my head between my knees and screamed. “No!” I shouted, but my yell was muffled in the thick air. Why is time not my friend: this thought made me inconsolable, even time didn’t like me, but time isn’t even a person, it’s merely a concept that life depends upon. How I hate time, it’s always telling me what to do, where to go; it controls my life and I hate to be controlled. I banged my head on the table, once every minute; bloody time... “Bring him back” I shouted to the clock. It didn’t respond, just kept ticking. It was trying to take me, I screamed again. Frustration filled me, right from my head, to the ends of my fingers. I stood up and smashed the clock fourteen times; the glass of the grandfather clock shattered to pieces. Battered and bruised it carried on ticking; it was mocking me. We were staring at each other, face to face. Bloody time; why is it following me everywhere? I went and sat, slumping back on my chair. I folded my arms to show my negative feelings towards it. But it didn’t care how I felt; it ticked and ticked and ticked. I roared and cried and fell on the floor beating my fists down: “Bring him back!” But I knew this time, he wouldn’t come back. Time had taken him, killed him, his time was up. When would my time be up? My head raced with thoughts of my life passing, slipping through my fingers. “Barry come home!” I yelled, kicking the floor then collapsing in hysterics. “When is it my time then?” I yelled even louder. “When are you going to take me then, bloody time?” God help me, I thought, when will my time come to an end? I grimaced at the clock. It still had so much power over me, even when it was shattered into pieces. Time had taken its course and destroyed everything. It wasn’t even sorry; disgusting thing, I thought; it filled me with anguish. “Barry, come home...”

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Shattered Memories It’s like tiny shards of glass scattered on the floor, Countless memories no longer bound together, Loving, laughing, living were the times we had together, I try to forget the past and move on, but I can’t.

Countless memories no longer bound together, I can’t open up to anyone else, I try to forget the past and move on, but I can’t, The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy.

I can’t open up to anyone else, You walked out of the door and I knew you weren’t coming back, The wall we build around us to keep out the sadness also keeps out the joy, When you left my heart dropped.

You walked out of the door and I knew you weren’t coming back, Loving, laughing, living were the times we had together, When you left my heart dropped, It’s like tiny shards of glass shattered on the floor.

Megan Scantlebury (Sh WL)

Autumn 2010

trips and expeditions

Photograph taken by ARW

Trips and expeditions The Amazon Expedition to Peru Ben Hamblin-Pyke (6b MR) and JAW Photos by ARW Our expedition to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon Basin actually began almost a year before our departure. We spent many months raising money for the expedition by making House mugs and special T shirts, organising cake sales, and selling raffle tickets. It was to be no ordinary expedition but rather a unique opportunity to take part in an active conservation programme to do our bit to help protect this fragile region of the Peruvian Amazon basin for future generations. Mrs Watson, the expedition leader, ran a year-long activity in preparation for the expedition and we had 20 hours of briefings in advance, to make certain that all requirements with regard to health and safety were satisfied. The school medical centre and the nurses arranged for us all to have the many vaccinations that were needed for this tropical area and they also gave us very thorough briefings on how to cope in the jungle with such incidents as snake bites, sprained ankles and cuts. The expedition was coordinated in the field by a company called Wallacea which specialises in conservation data gathering in the fragile environments throughout the world. They sent speakers to tell us all about the expedition, the preparations we would need to make and they gave us constant support throughout the extensive preparation period. Representatives from Wallacea also helped most of us produce a portfolio as part of the COPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness) programme. This programme allowed us to gain accreditation for the preparations we made in advance and

also for the work we did in the field. Once we achieved the Level 3 standard we were able to gain 70 UCAS points which is quite an incentive to many of the pupils. We were all very excited at the prospect of doing original research with Dr Richard Bodmer who is a Professor at Kent University and a world authority on the ecosystems and management of resources in the Pacaya-Samiria National Park. The night of our departure on 16th July 2010 was so exciting that no one really went to bed and the early departure of 1.15am from school further compounded our anticipation. We met at Heathrow at 3.30am and then began our 36 hour journey to Iquitos via Madrid and Lima. With many an hour spent in transit we had time to chat and catch up on sleep. Airport lounges took on a brand new meaning. After having been told to expect sauna-like weather, we were more than a little surprised when we stepped out of the aeroplane to find cloudy weather, and 20 degree heat. The expedition hoodies that we had taken mainly for the air conditioning on the plane came into their own as we experienced freak ‘cold’ weather conditions. A short bus ride and we were at our hostel in Iquitos. This was a former rubber Baron’s house which provided us with rather basic accommodation. We were shown to our rooms, which felt at the time a bit like prison cells, with minimal furnishing, and little to no natural light. By the end of the trip, after our experiences in the jungle, however, they felt like Balmoral. After unpacking our clothes, and inspecting the other rooms, we all left to look around Iquitos itself. In our walk around the city, it became clear how different this was from what most of us had previously experienced. We saw a lady walking her pet monkey on a lead, few cars but many motorised rickshaws and a crowd of hundreds of Peruvian children, suddenly appearing in a city race, running and spinning hula hoops along the road. We walked around

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Trips and expeditions

the shanty town and to the banana markets. Iquitos is a town that has no roads leading to it and can only be reached by plane or boat. Despite this it is a thriving city with a jungle feel to it. Although it has a big shanty town it was not at all threatening and we enjoyed being able to walk around easily with time to interact with the local young people. It was also then that we had our first look at the Amazon itself. Even from a distance, we gained an idea of the magnitude and beauty of the river, and the sheer scale of everything in Peru. Following our two day stay in Iquitos, we took a not-so-short bus journey to a village called Nauta on the Amazon river bank, where our boats were waiting for us. We were to travel for two days up stream on a hundred-year-old rubber boat that had been done up. Upon reaching the boats, it gradually became clear that this was no luxury cruise ship. Our group was put on the smaller boat attached to the larger

boat. The eight girls had the upstairs room, wallpapered, with pictures on the wall, and an en suite bathroom. The five boys, however, were confined to what resembled a U-boat command room, and became lovingly referred to by those staying there over the next few weeks as ‘The Pit’. Fortunately, they were also given access to one of the rooms on the main boat, to which the King’s boat was permanently attached. While we travelled up the river to reach our final destination – deep within the national park – Dr Richard Bodmer gave daily lectures about the animals, the indigenous people, the region, and the nature of the conservation work we would be doing, and about the strategies that were used to co-manage the national park area with the indigenous people. It was interesting to learn that, since co-management, wildlife numbers have increased and the local people have been allowed to develop responsibility for the area and to take part in future planning. There

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were two other schools on the boat and our pupils were ‘randomly’ assigned into working groups with the pupils from the other schools, in order to mix up the pupils and to encourage integration and the chance to work with others. All pupils rotated around each activity; counting macaws, observing dolphins, catching and counting fish, catching caimans and walking through the jungle along the fixed transects. Everyone agreed that the caiman catching at night was the most exciting activity – we left the main boat at 8.30pm and headed down the river for exactly 5km – usually we were out until midnight. As we travelled down river we used the spotlight to observe the red glow of the caiman eyes. The local people were very good at catching the smaller caiman which we took on board – measured length of snout, eye distance, length and then weighed them. The largest we caught was 2 metres long although we saw the glow of red eyes of many larger ones intent on staying in the water! Two of the most tranquil activities were dolphin spotting and macaw counting. To do this we travelled a specified distance but then turned off the engines of the boat and as well as observing the expected animals we also managed to see many other animals such as sloths and sea eagles. Dolphins and macaws are indicator species and high numbers indicate that the ecosystem is thriving and healthy. Drifting down the river listening to the sounds of the water and the jungle allowed us all the chance to unwind and to truly live in the present.

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Georgina Davies and a small reptile

Fishing provided much hilarity and fun – especially when some of the piranhas that we caught managed to get off the line and escape into the bottom of the boat. We did both line fishing and net fishing and managed to catch a good number of fish which indicated that the area was very healthy ecologically with abundance of fish as well as many different varieties. It was very satisfying to be able to return to the boat at night and eat the piranhas that we had caught. We were surprised at how little flesh they had on them and were impressed by the size of their teeth. Walking through the jungle for six to seven hours at a time provided us with the chance to get close to a wide-range of wildlife. We were in groups of four with two indigenous guides so we had a very good chance to see the wildlife and managed to get enough information to do good estimates of numbers of species. Tracking the howler monkeys, watching the night monkeys and observing the antics of the capuchin monkeys provided the most entertainment. It was also satisfying to help with the catching of new species of frogs and to observe the wide-range of insect and plant life as well as plenty of fungi. We also had the chance to look at what the fixed cameras had photographed each days although we were horrified to learn that poachers had stolen one of the cameras while we were there.

Trips and expeditions The opportunity to take part in original research in such a unique area was never taken for granted. Everyday revealed new wonders and made us realise how lucky we were to work in such a exceptional area. Getting up early for the macaw spotting at 5am each morning might have been an effort to start with but once we were used to it, the chance to watch a splendid sunrise was never lost on any of us. We had our funny moments with both pupils and staff getting badly stuck in mud, loosing wellies and generally being covered in mud only to be washed off by the sudden strong downpours. Two birthdays on the boat meant that we had some cake which gave us all relief from the relentless rice which appeared at every meal – even breakfast. We realised that the hygienic conditions in the boat kitchen and the simply cooked meals meant that no one became ill – that was a true credit to all the cooks! However it all made us really appreciate the access we all have in our normal lives to a variety of food. A party on the last night – Peruvian style with salsa dancing – was a truly fitting end to a fabulous river trip. Sadly it was all too soon that we had to turn the boat around and head

back down the river to Iquitos again. On the way back we stopped off in several villages and the guides we had worked with in the jungle, proudly showed us around their villages. This gave us the chance to truly appreciate the selfsufficiency of the people who use the forest as their supermarket and their pharmacy. We felt it was a privilege to work with them and to share their lives and to be able to help them maintain it for the future. The red glow of deep sunsets and the throbbing sounds of the jungle gave an extra dimension to the nostalgia of parting. We were pleased to be able to help Dr Richard Bodmer with the wonderful conservation work he has done in the area for the past 25 years. It is a credit to Dr Richard Bodmer’s organisation as well as that of Wallacea that no one became ill and that the whole expedition was so successful, without any hitches at all. The only difficulties were with Iberia airline as we flew home, on 1st August, where a technical problem delayed us by 24hours and subsequently we arrived back at Heathrow without our luggage. The fact that we arrived back at all was due to the quick thinking of our school bursar,

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Mark Taylor, who managed to organise our flight back for us. We did however enjoy the luxury hotel in Lima while we waited; hot showers after two weeks of cold ones were sheer bliss!! The expedition would not have happened at all without the hard work, all year, by Mrs Watson. She got us through the tricky moments and gave us all the inspiration we needed to persevere with the nasty vaccinations and complicated preparations. Mrs Watson was well supported by Mr Sanderson and Mr Watson whose joviality and efficiency were appreciated by all. We particularly enjoyed the card games that helped while away the hours as we travelled long distances. Thank you to all three members of staff who gave up their holidays to give all of us an experience of a lifetime which we will never forget. Thanks also to our parents who supported us on the way.

The Sixth Form French Trip to Paris Isobel Parrish (6b WL) The sixth form Paris trip made its debut during the last few days of the Summer Holidays. Come Sunday 29th August, Mr Armstrong, Mme Corps, Mme Davies and nine girls were on the Euro-star from Ashford International heading into Paris Gare du Nord for six days immersion in Parisian culture. We were there to gain a well-rounded education in the language, customs and culture of France’s capital. In order to improve our language, we spent each morning from 9am till midday in French language lessons at the Paris Langues language school. We were separated into groups according to our ability and joined up with other students, of many different nationalities, in classes of around fifteen. All of the teaching was done in French and any conversations held with other students were all in our mutual language of French. In this way, we were speaking French all morning, whether

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with our teachers or simply with the people sitting next to us. We were staying in pairs with families who were all situated in different areas of Paris. Most evenings and mornings we ate our meals with them whilst speaking in French and exchanging stories about our different cultures. Through this we were able to improve our ideas about the French culture and their customs whilst gaining a more realistic insight into French phrases and colloquialisms by experiencing life in a French family, if only for six days. Mr Armstrong was keen to get us to experience Paris from a cultural point of view and so it was organised for us to do various different sightseeing activities each afternoon so that we got a feel of ‘Paris through the Ages’. Throughout the course of the week we, under his trusty guiding, visited the majority of Paris’s most famous attractions. Monday afternoon took us to Roman and Medieval Paris and, once lessons were over, we visited Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame and Cluny. We were given a relatively free rein to wander through these sights whilst the most important moments were highlighted and explained by Mr Armstrong. Our next age was the Renaissance and so our metro ticket took us to the Louvre where, due to its overwhelming size, we were given maps which had pinpointed the best rooms; we could go to where we would see the most famous pieces of art work. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was top of the list, and after viewing the world’s ‘most famous painting’ we made our way around the rest of the museum for most of Tuesday afternoon. After an exhausting few hours of art, we took a relaxing boat trip aboard the Bateau Mouche, travelling up the Seine and back in order to get a feel of the city’s structure and the way it changes through its different quarters. At the beginning of the week we were given a metro card which allowed us to travel across most of Paris which was how we chose to travel for the majority of the week. However, after lessons on Wednesday we had to take the RER out of central Paris into beautiful

Trips and expeditions Versailles. Here we passed a stunningly warm afternoon in the palace and gardens and enjoyed being able to relax on the green lawns of Louis XIV’s former residence.

teachers spent nine days in Morocco, studying and comparing different geographical features in each of the places we visited. Day 1: 15th October

Friday was our final day of lessons, and we said goodbye to Paris Langues before heading to Musée D’Orsay and the classic Tour Eiffel. Albeit in very different ways, these two sights were wholly impressive, the Musée D’Orsay is much smaller than the Louvre but is in some ways more pleasant as the reduced crowds allowed us to enjoy some of the most recognisable pieces of art in the world without the hassle which can often be encountered in the Louvre. While the Eiffel Tower may not be in the nicest area of Paris, surrounded by tourists and pickpockets, the views across ‘la Ville-lumière’ were spectacular and well worth the crowded lifts up there. On our final day, as a result of general exhaustion across the group, the teachers agreed to let us do some exploration of our own, and we were given Saturday morning to see what we could get out of the Parisian shops before meeting at Gare du Nord for a 3 o’clock train home. That this trip will be making a repeat next year indicates its success and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone in the sixth form who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the French language and of the culture of Paris.

The Geography Trip to Morocco Pedro Lain (Fifth LN) Photographs by RPS During the first week of the October half term 49 of the Fifth Form Geography students and six

After having been to morning lessons, soon after lunch we travelled to Heathrow airport on a coach in order to catch a flight to Casablanca where we would get another flight to Ouarzazate. At Heathrow we all thought Adrian wasn’t going to be able to fly with us and would have to stay in England because of a problem with his passport. Finally it was sorted out and Adrian was able to re-join the group. After endless hours of travelling and waiting around in airports we arrived at Ouarzazate airport, which looked very isolated from anywhere; our plane was the only plane there! We waited again whilst the policemen at the airport checked our passports and we filled out our travel forms. Finally, with all our baggage intact, we were able to get on the buses that were waiting for us there to take us to the hotel where we spent the night. Day 2: 16th October We got up quite early in the morning to have breakfast – Moroccan pancakes and juice. Andrew, who was very keen on swimming, got up half an hour before everyone else to go for a swim in the pool. The weather was good and the start to the day was fantastic. After breakfast we packed our bags and got on a 3-hour bus journey to Zagora. As we travelled through the desert Mr Sanderson explained to us what desert varnish and other geographical features were, and how the valleys were formed from dried up rivers. During the journey we made a couple of stops; at one we were able to touch some lizards as we looked

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Emily Champion

Dawn in the desert Katya Ignatiev Nesta Wigan Dominique Masters Sigrid Koerner

Trips and expeditions Dominique Masters, Emma Laing and Isobelle Whitaker in the Sahara desert

over the desert to where there was a beautiful oasis. Once in Zagora we stopped for lunch and ate some tagine. Then we swam in a swimming pool before getting a ‘shesh’ each (a scarf to protect us from the sun) and embarking upon a two and a half hour camel ride to the tents in the desert where we slept the night.

After having had breakfast we packed and travelled back on the camels to Zagora. At Zagora the boys went to a public Turkish bath, also known as a Hamam. We all thought it was foul, as it was very humid and dark, and men rubbed dirt off each other. The girls instead went to a swimming pool. Day 4: 18th October

At night we had dinner and once again, it was tagine. Later on we danced around the fire with some nomads whilst they cooked bread on the sand without an oven, using just sand, rocks and wood. Then we watched shooting stars from the top of a sand dune and went to sleep in our sleeping bags under the stars.

We all got up very early in order to arrive in time at Imlil, a small village in the mountains. It took us about 8-9 hours in the bus to travel from the desert to the mountains. During the journey we had tagine for lunch, again.

Day 3: 17th October

After having arrived at Imlil, we set off to a small village in the middle of the mountains. Throughout the hike it rained but we all managed to arrive safely.

We got up very early, at 5.45 am, to watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain. The climb up was terrible as we were all very tired and there wasn’t a path, just a steep face of sand. The sunrise was spectacular, and the view was great. We overlooked the desert and at the very end of the desert there was a large plateau from where the sun rose.

Day 5: 19th October

Day 6: 20th October The hike back to Imlil: It was a very long day due to all the hiking but at least the weather played in our favour. The hike was 4 hours long

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but it felt longer as the path seemed to never end. The hike took us from 2,500m of altitude back to 1,700m (Imlil). Day 7: 21st October We needed rest after the long days behind us so we got a lie-in. We had a very chilled out day. We played football in the sun, relaxed and went to town. After lunch, tagine once again, we set off on the bus to Marrakech. Fortunately it was only a 60km journey. We arrived at the hotel, situated next to Jemel el Fnaa, the main square in Marrakech. We swiftly had a tour of Marrakech and in the evening we chilled out in the hotel. Day 8: 22nd October Being our last full day in Morocco, we were taken to the tannery by some Kalesches, horses and carts. The tannery was not the nicest of places because of the gruesome smell but it amazed everyone how much effort had to be put into making leather and how people made a living. Later on, we were allowed to go shopping and people bargained their prices down to make a good deal with the locals. The football shirts were very popular and most of the boys got some: they were cheap and looked quite realistic. In the evening we went once more into Jemel el Fnaa to have a final look around. There were people with snakes and monkeys on the street and it was amazing how different it was from the UK. People raced through very narrow spaces with their motorbikes and it was a miracle how no one got run over! Day 9: 23rd October In the morning was the flight back home and it all ran very smoothly.

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Our time in Morocco was great and we were fortunate that no one got ill. As Mr Sanderson said, we were there to experience Morocco and not for Morocco to experience us. Without the members of staff it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been possible to experience such a different country and culture, so many thanks to them.

The Remove Spanish Trip to Seville Camilla Johnson and Isobel Forbes (both Rem MT) For some of us it was our first time in Seville, and we were all very excited to experience the culture and to practise our Spanish. After a comfortable flight, we were warmly welcomed into the houses of our Spanish families. We were all looking forward to seeing what was in store for us. We had our first proper taste of Seville when we walked to the school in the early morning. Once we had been greeted by our teachers for the week, we jumped straight into exercises and games that would gradually improve our Spanish. When lessons finished we had another opportunity to eat a traditional Spanish meal with our host family. That afternoon we went to the spectacular Sagrada Familia allowing us to compare the differences to Canterbury Cathedral. Getting to the top meant an exhausting climb, however it was well worth it as we could see all of Seville then we had some free time and explored. With the normal bad weather we get in England we loved the sun and after the first full day in Seville we were all beginning to have a great insight into the culture. Within the following few days we were given the opportunity to visit a huge Bull Ring, visit some beautiful gardens, try out some traditional Spanish dancing and go

Trips and expeditions on a memorable tour of the city by horse and cart. By the time we got to Thursday evening our Spanish was really improving and we were becoming familiar with the centre of Seville. The following day our hosts made us a packed lunch and we headed off to an animal park, where we were able to see some interesting animals and a fantastic seal show. All too soon it was the final day. We said our goodbyes to our Spanish hosts and had one last activity arranged - a theme park - which was a fun end to the trip. We arrived back in England late that evening exhausted from a unforgettable trip.

The CCF Coast to Coast Cycle Ride ARV Six of the senior cadets signed up to take part in the CCF’s yearly excursion to cycle the Coast to Coast. This is a 130 mile trip cycling the width of England, starting from the Irish Sea in

Workington through the Lake District and North Pennines to the North Sea at Tynemouth; it is largely off-road and on cycle and bridal paths. This trip was run over the first four days of the October half term. We left the school at 5.00 am; it was dark and very cold and the thought of driving 400 miles in a minibus, to then get out and start cycling, did not fill all onboard with a great deal of excitement. Once at the start point in Workington, the group had to cycle to Keswick YHA; the approximate distance for the first day’s cycling was about 25 miles. This was designed to be a short leg although Perry Andrews, who is a natural sprinter, would like to disagree. However it is an ideal way to sort out initial problems with bikes and to get used to cycling in groups. Since the floods of last year the Lake District is slowly recovering and making repairs to paths, bridleways and bridges within the area. A few detours had to be made which extended the original cycle time by about one hour, much to the disappointment to all on bikes. On the second day, after a healthy breakfast, consisting of a full English fry-up at the Youth Hostel at 7.00 am and some pre-ride admin, the group were ready for the off. This was not as

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smooth as it could have been and the thought of sitting back on a saddle for another day was a mental battle all cyclists had to overcome. A theme ran throughout this trip which is that every start began with a cheeky hill to climb. The first of this long day was to lead out of Keswick, past the Old Stone Circle and onto a major off road section known as the Coach Road. Although it is clear that no coach would attempt this nowadays as it is a very long steep gravel track that requires a great extent of skill to cycle up, a fine balance has to be found between downward pressure on the bike to prevent your front wheel lifting up and enough force to allow you to actually move forward. Walking up this is the best option but a choice no one wants to be seen to take. The cadets delighted greatly in the fact that Major Vintner’s bikes brakes were locking on, so he had double the trouble. This was only the first quarter of the day and the downhill section that followed this horrible climb was enjoyed by all. The group reached Penrith for a lunch stop in good time and after a snack and a hot cuppa, we were all set for the afternoon’s ride. Hartside was the goal, but it was still a long ride away and it was all that everyone was focusing on; it is the largest climb of the Coast to Coast ride. The saving grace was that the cafe at the top sells the best hot chocolates with squirty cream and marshmallows; the only incentive was to get to the top before it closed. This was achieved by all, with Major Vintner and Henry Allingham finally making it in just before closing time. The cloud cover was in, visibility was minimal and the wind was blowing across the hill, so little time was spent resting at the top. The final stretch of the day was all downhill for four miles; this was completed in double quick time with George Plews and Mr Sykes leading the way. The distance that was covered was approximately 45 miles. This day was the hardest day, covering almost the complete width of the Lake District. The third day began with another fry up. This day is difficult as with any endurance event because you can remember the past two days and know you still have the same again to complete. However, with the Lakes behind

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the group it could only get easier. The cyclists started with yet another climb on a cobbled road out of Alston and then into the mines of Nenthead, before hitting the North Pennines. This leg is approximately 40 miles, peaking at Black Hill at 609m. From midday onwards the hills start to decrease and after a good stop for lunch and a steak baguette that barely touched the sides with Max Judge and Mr Hill wanting more, the ride became very enjoyable passing some great scenery until the cyclists reached the day’s destination of Derwent Water. The final day was to take the group to Tynemouth. This leg is 30 miles completely downhill (well, sort of) to the finish point. George Moss, a veteran from last year, knew the way and wanted to get it over and done with, but Jack Dykstra-McCarthy did not share his enthusiasm and to be honest could not be blamed. 30 miles is still a long way, especially when you have already cycled 100 over the past three days. The route follows a disused railway line and there are no cars in sight, until it hits the outskirts of Newcastle, where it becomes very industrial. Keeping the River Tyne on the right hand side, the group followed the track through Newcastle

Trips and expeditions and onto to Tynemouth a further nine miles on from the Millennium Bridge. At the finish point the obligatory photo was taken and the stone picked up from the beach in Workington was discarded as far as possible into the North Sea. The minibus and support vehicle were ready to be loaded and Major Franks, who had been with us throughout the trip, quickly sprung into action to load all the bikes and kit. He was the unsung hero and the group’s morale booster at each stop; he was always on hand with food and fruit pastilles to ensure the cyclists were getting the energy they required. This was an excellent trip, a very rewarding experience and one that will hopefully become an annual event for the senior members of the King’s School Canterbury Combined Cadet Force.

The Shell Trip to Ypres On the seventh of October, the whole of the Shell year group went on an all-day outing to Ypres, which was an extremely worthwhile trip. Of course, the idea of getting up at such an early hour did not appeal to many of us, but with the use of hindsight was incredibly necessary! At the start of the day we visited Tyne Cot, an incredibly moving cemetery which poured rows and rows of white remembrance onto the surrounding Belgium countryside. The second site that we visited was ‘Sanctuary Wood’, this visit helped give us a true image of just how ridiculously muddy, unhygienic and poor life in the trenches must have been, and this was without shells dropping from all angles! The surroundings still haven’t fully recovered from the battering they sustained with heavy artillery and rain from around 100 years ago. The few members of our group who were brave

enough (and had remembered wellies) dared to walk through the surviving remains of trenches, which was an unforgettable experience. Following this, we went to Hill 60 which was a site that the British seized from the Germans in 1915 using small mines, but the Germans recaptured at the second battle of Ypres; the craters of the mines used can still be seen today. After seeing the glorious view of Ypres from the top, we all sensed just why Hill 60 was fought over so frequently. Essex Farm was the next place we visited. Essex Farm is a cemetery containing 1,185 graves and was used as an Advanced Dressing station during the war and where battle casualties would receive their first treatment. Interestingly, Doctor John McCrae wrote the world famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ in one of the shell bunkers at this very vicinity. Our penultimate visit was to the only cemetery dedicated to German soldiers who lost their lives in Belgium. The sight of this cemetery was as memorable as that sight at Tyne Cot but in a very dissimilar way. Compared to the first place we visited it was incredibly cramped, dull and dark. At the end of our busy day, we went to the actual town of Ypres, and after treating ourselves to a true Belgian chocolate and supper, we attended the memorial service situated at Menin Gate which was memorable. This helped us appreciate and remember all those soldiers whose lives were lost in action. The overall day was an extremely beneficial experience and outing.

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Jane Phillips and Rosie White on their way to Pen-y-Fan

The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition to Brecon Beacons ARW Back to Wales for our Gold Qualifying Expedition. It had been a tough four days in Snowdonia back in March, this time it was Brecon Beacons. Juan Ong (OKS) flew in from Malaysia, Rosie White (6a JR) from Qatar, Kim Dunn (6a BY) and Georgina Davies (6a JR) had recently returned from the Amazon and the other team members living in London, Surrey, Sussex and Cambridge were picked up by Mr Watson at Clacket Lane M26 and Reading Services on the M4. We kept our fingers crossed for good weather and it seemed our prayers were answered as we approached ‘Grawen’, a stone barn situated on a farm with campsite midway between Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon. This was the centre for MW Guiding Services who would watch over us as we plotted our route, organised our expedition kit and took part in our four day venture.

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After a Chinese take-away and a decent night of sleep in the bunk house, boil-in-the-bag breakfast and pre-expedition briefing we were off. First through two forests each side of the main A470, a climb to Garn Ddu and across the bridge between the Pentwyn Reservoir and the larger Pontsticill Reservoir. The weather was fine but we enjoyed the shade of yet another forest as we skirted the contours and followed the path around Talybont Reservoir, crossed the dam and arrived at our first camp site, pleased to have navigated the circuitous route. Day two proved a little more tiring as we retraced some of our steps before branching off on Taff’s Trail, skirting more forest before beginning the steady climb to Bwlch ar y Fan, Cribyn and our highest point of Pen y Fan. Then it was a drop down to y Garn and eventually the relief of our second campsite at Cumely Isaf. After time spent cooking we needed to consider writing our poems or songs for assessment as it was decided that these would take the form of an oral project. Time was devoted to this between debate and putting right the world’s wrongs. On day three, the early farming country gave way to the ridges of Fan Frynych, Fan Dringarth and Fan Llia and the continuing good weather provided

Trips and expeditions excellent visability of the Beacons Park, which was beautiful in the autumn light (but not if you were an SAS recruit doing a survival course for days on end!). Camp three was at Penllwyn Einon on the edge of our next and final forest walk. Undulating countryside on day four gave way to further forest and the Llwyn-on Reservoir. We all took heart as we were close to completion, morale was high and we were relatively free from blisters. We performed our songs and poems to our Assessors, Mike and Dawn, and felt a great sense of achievement. What joy to stand in the shower at the Grawen campsite. Mr Watson drove us South and East for a few days respite at home before the start of term. A great time and great memories.

The 6b Spanish Trip to Madrid Amanda Thomas and Jamie McPhie (both 6b CY) In the first week of October half term, a group of 15 sixth form students led by Señorita Crawshaw and Señorita Cerda, along with Señorita Crawshaw’s family, made the journey to Madrid to improve their Spanish and experience Spanish culture. The trip was greatly enjoyed by all those on it, and the range of activities we took part in over the six days definitely improved our knowledge of all things Spanish. Our mornings were taken up by Spanish lessons in a language school very close to the Parque del Retiro. Although these may not have been considered the most stimulating part of the trip, the students found that the formal teaching in these lessons, combined with the informal

learning which comes from being immersed in a different language, resulted in a clear improvement in our comprehension of native speakers and our fluency in speaking. Visits to various art galleries, including the famous Museo del Prado, were an important part of our stay in Madrid. We were able to see works by celebrated Spanish artists, including Picasso, Velazquez and Goya, and benefitted from detailed explanations by a member of the language school’s staff. We also saw two films, one of which (Didi Hollywood) certainly demonstrated the difference between Spanish and English censorship. Three of the boys, along with Señorita Crawshaw’s partner Rob, went to a football match at the Estadio Bernabéu where they found a very different type of culture. Jamie McPhie writes: ‘In a week that involved Wayne Rooney’s transfer saga, it seemed appropriate that four of us should go to the Estadio Bernabéu to watch Real Madrid take on AC Milan. Having bought our scarves and programmes, we then went to collect our tickets. After a slight scuffle involving Milan fans taking on the police we took our seats behind the Real Madrid goal. The match didn’t disappoint us, with Cristiano Ronaldo reminding Manchester United fans what they are missing with a trademark free kick. A Mezut Ozil goal followed, and at full time we left feeling we had seen a team with all the potential to win the Champions League.’ During our stay we were hosted by Spanish families, many of whom were experienced with having students living with them, and therefore everyone found the set-up worked very well. We didn’t spend very much time at the houses, but on several occasions we were able to have dinner with the families, which meant we could get a taste of normal Spanish food as opposed to ‘restaurant food’. We also had various delicious meals in restaurants, and tried many typical Spanish dishes, such as paella, tortilla, jamón ibérico and chiperones.

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The 6b trip to Madrid

The weather did not disappoint us; even though the early mornings were surprisingly cold, the afternoons were hot and sunny, so much so that we even had a picnic in the Parque del Retiro one lunchtime. On the final evening we were able to experience Madrid’s famed nightlife in the Barrio de la Latina, which was an exciting way to end the week. Our thanks go to Señorita Crawshaw for organising our trip; we all learnt a lot of Spanish and had a great time.

The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition to the North Downs ARW This term saw three Bronze Expeditions to the North Downs of Kent, one being a CCF training exercise involving camping, navigation and a walk-in preparation for the Qualifying Expedition in Anglesey at Easter.

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Expedition one for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group took the form of a practice along the Elham Valley; walking the Downs via the village of Elham itself, then Rhodes Minnis and eventually back to the campsite at Knowler Farm from where we had started in the village of Stelling Minnis. Mr Watson supervised as the group took turns to lead and navigate through the undulating countryside, woods and footpaths of this part of Kent. It was fun leaving school behind and spending time out under the stars in the blackness of the countryside, cooking the noodles and curling up in a warm sleeping bag at night. However, the drawback was having no reception for your phone! A few weeks later on our second (Qualifying) Expedition we were split into three groups and this time we were on our own being observed by Mr Jones our Assessor. After his briefing we left the village of Nackington, a few miles out of Canterbury, and were heading once again for the campsite at Stelling Minnis via Kingston and a place called Bladbean. There were two groups going in this direction, but they left at staggered intervals. Another group would walk in an opposite direction via the villages of Petham and

Walsingham. Navigation was tricky at times and there were several arguments within groups in relation to direction and choice of route. However, we all managed to arrive at the campsite before dark (but with aching shoulders and sore feet in some cases). Getting the tents up and lying down on your camp mat was a joy and further revival came after firing the stoves and cooking our boil-in-the-bag meals of Lancashire hotpot, beef and dumplings or chicken curry followed by chocolate pudding or spotted dick! The horrible job of cleaning up mess tins was followed by long chats gazing at the night sky while lying out on a plastic sheet provided by Mr Watson.

arrived from Walsingham and Petham were headed forKingston and vice versa. The weather was kind and all groups made good progress. Sticking to the planned route was compulsory, but we had to sign Mr Jones’s orange tags at given map references anyway. Notes and observations for projects were taken and we marched on to reach our goal. We felt great satisfaction when Mr Watson announced at the end of his de-brief that we had all passed. The next immediate thought was of hot showers!

An early night to sleep followed by an early start to the following morning meant lots of condensation on the tents, which unfortunately we had to carry. We set off walking in the direction in which one group had come the previous day and somehow it seemed easier, or perhaps that was just in the imagination! Those who had

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DRAMA

Autumn 2010

Drama: dracula

Dracula Hector Fraser (6b TR Mr Sinclair and his team always set themselves incredibly high standards, and once again King’s Drama has exceeded all expectations. Dracula was brought to life on a cold November night. As the audience entered St Mary’s most were more occupied in gazing at the fantastic set than getting to their seats. As the lights dimmed there was an expectant shuffle among the audience expecting to be suitably scared. The staging for the play was dynamic; huge grey sheets covered St Mary’s, with three diagonally raised sections at the back and smoke stealing through the theatre. The play had varying focuses, each one constantly interplaying with the other. The young, soon to be millionaire, Mina,

and her fiancé Jonathan Harker, were played by Emma Lazell and Edward Gilmore. Emma Lazell played her part exceedingly well, with a variety of tones and emotions that made her pain and loss clear for all to see. Jonathan Harker was the man who first encounters Dracula, and Edward Gilmore played the part with admirable composure, his cheerful nature diminishing throughout out the play to sheer terror as Dracula’s evil became more and more apparent. Part of the play was set in a mental institution with the attention focused on one patient and his carers. Patrick Demir (pictured left) was incredibly strong as Renfield the patient. His schizophrenic nature was brilliantly portrayed, with some powerful acting that kept the audience captivated to his every movement. One particularly enjoyable moment was when he caught a fly and ate it, plucking it out of the air and devouring it, with a slow grin spreading across his face. Amelia Putt played the part of Doctor Seward, with Grace Johnson and Beetle Gage playing the parts of Nurses Nisbett and Grice. All these characters were suitably austere, and treated their patient with disdain, with the possible exception of Nisbett, whose show of kindness was literally thrown back in her face. The head of the mental institution, Doctor Seward was played by Rory Wilson. His love for Mina’s younger sister Lucy was poignantly expressed, and his wretched grief was measured, yet true to life. Lucy was played by Emily Champion, her endearing nature and her vulnerability were moving, and this made

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Emily Champion and Emma Lazell

Autumn 2009

her death even more distressing. The play was set at the turn of the 19th century and maids and servants were a necessity rather than a luxury for the rich, and Kitty Davis played the part of the two sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; maid, Florrie. This part was a challenging one, and Kitty made the part hers. Her private dilemma about the loss of her lover was a lovely addition to the principal focus of the spread of Draculaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terror. Jamie Edgecumbe-Rendle playing Count Dracula brought a thrilling menace to the role, his constant movement and subtle intensity was excellent. His vampire brides were a nice touch; although they were only small parts, appropriate vigour was thrown into the roles and the same can be said for all the minor parts. Harry Wilson was an admirable Van Helsing, Draculaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arch nemesis. The character was a hard one to play, he is the one who formulates the plan to put a stop to Dracula and finally kills him, and Harry performed with commendable aplomb, he brought a seriousness and dignity to the role. The whole cast can be proud of a brilliant performance that held the audience spellbound. They deserve all the plaudits they get; the play was a real highlight of the winter term.

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Pictured opposite from bottom left: Lily Carr; Kitty Davies and Emily Champion; on this page: Rory Wilson; Jamie Rendle,

MUSIC

The OKS Concert Jane Ellard (6b LX) On a Saturday evening in early October, the Shirley Hall hosted the OKS choral and orchestral concert. The evening opened with Gounod’s ‘Petite Symphonie’ performed by a small wind ensemble. This was a relaxed piece, well performed by nine OKS wind players. This was followed by a Glee Club ensemble, which added an amusingly light-hearted note to the evening. It was well rehearsed and presented a high quality of vocal ability from this handful of old King’s boys. Next the audience heard Ridout’s Flute Concerto, again showing a neat and lovely performance from flute soloist Patrick Williams, incidentally a contemporary of Stephen Barlow’s while at King’s. The tone of the flute rose above that of the supporting orchestra through the Shirley Hall to bring the concert to an intermediate conclusion. After the interval, the audience reassembled for Bruckner’s ‘Te Deum’ performed by a choir consisting of musicians who were previously the current student and staff body, as well as OKS choristers and instrumentalists. Three of the four soloists were OKS music scholars, and two of them would have been musicians in the early years of Mr Ionascu’s career at King’s. After this, the current Crypt Choir took to the stage to treat the audience to further musical excellence, demonstrating how a stream of further musical excellence still flows through the school. The concert concluded with Stanford’s ‘Te Deum in B flat’, conducted by Stephen Barlow. This arrangement, familiar to generations of OKS from the Sunday matins service took a slightly different tone this evening as it was accompanied by the OKS orchestra, with some support from current members of the school Chamber Orchestra.

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All in all, it was an enjoyable evening, which demonstrated the great musicianship, which the school continues to produce.

The Carlyon House Concert Bobby Sebalao (6b CY) The 2010 Carlyon House Concert can best be described as a cosy affair. The compact nature of St Mary’s Hall allowed for each of the performances to shine, and it was a wisely chosen venue. After a few words of greeting by Mr Holland, celebration of the musical talent of our house remained very much the focus of the night. The slight pressure of the opening performance was deftly handled by Lizzie Morcom, Joy Selous, Emma Young and Amanda Thomas, who were the first to take to the stage. Their tuneful performance of ‘Lullaby of Birdland’, a soothing jazzy piece by George Shearing was an instant crowd pleaser, and indeed a relaxing way to start the evening. Amanda remained on stage afterwards to play Satie’s Gnossienne No. 3 on piano, with the haunting resonance of the piece being interrupted only by much deserved applause for Amanda’s performance at the end. Soon after was a faithful cover of the song ‘Free Falling’, originally by John Mayer, with Alex Rose performing vocally whilst Toby Sinclair accompanied on the guitar. The pair gelled well together, both clearly at ease in the spotlight. A contrastingly brassily warm piece was expertly handled by George Pughe on the trombone, who filled St Mary’s Hall with more great sound. Without doubt, the true enjoyment of the evening came from the enthusiasm with which each and every performer delivered their act.

music The spirited tone of Edward Thomas’ interpretation of the clarinet piece ‘Stomping Stella’ was simply infectious, and Charlie Sinclair’s soulful rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Bold as Love’, accompanying himself on the guitar, was admirably ambitious; perhaps even more so than his earlier performance of ‘Gorky Park’. Likewise, effort was equally evident in a moving clarinet arrangement of Saint-Saens’ ‘The Swan’, performed by Nicholas Charlton. From the perspective of somebody new to the school, who had not attended any of the House Concerts in previous years, each display of musical ability by the Carlyon pupils was a fresh discovery. John Gabriel, in particular, displayed amazing breadth of musical talent, pleasantly surprising many members of the audience with his commanding delivery of Mozart’s aria ‘O Isis Und Osiris’, and later on, with a classical performance of ‘Vivace’ on bassoon. Alex Rose’s second performance of the night of Five For Fighting’s Superman, on the other hand, went expectedly well, as the sound of him practising this piece on the piano in the house common room had been a common one during the weeks leading up to the concert. The practice certainly paid off as, without diminishing from the emotion of the piece, he made the singing and the piano-playing look like a doddle! The evening’s entertainment was rounded off nicely with performances by a couple of group ensembles. The first of these was a melodious rendition of ‘On The Street Where You Live’ (originally by Frederick Lowe), courtesy of our 6a singers. The second was of course a performance of the House Song, which this year was a camp but fun number: ‘YMCA’ by The Village People. The closeness of the House Song Competition to our House Concert (they were within a week of each other) had meant that we were already fairly practised with singing the tune, although of course there were still some creases

that needed ironing out. Even so, it did seem to hit all of the right notes with the audience, with some pockets of parents even clapping along with us! More importantly, it was enjoyed by all, including the performers. It was admittedly a song that didn’t demand to be taken too seriously (unavoidably being the brunt of a joke or two by Mr Holland), but this was in no way a bad thing; a healthy amount of laughter only added to the strength of this year’s Carlyon House Concert.

The Luxmoore House Concert Jane Ellard (6b LX) This year’s Luxmoore House Concert was the first for some time, and happened on the evening of Remembrance Sunday, after a somewhat soggy day. The first performer of the evening was Alison Cheung, expertly playing a jovial tune, ‘Alligator Crawl’ on the piano. After this, Maisie Briggs played ‘L’après Midi d’un Dinosaur ’ on the bassoon, which demonstrated how the bassoon could be a solo instrument, as well as its more conventional position as the bass of the wind section. Following on from this was a violin and guitar duet from Isobel Jamieson and Eliabeth Trelawney-Vernon, who played a traditional Spanish ‘Bolero’. Natalie Yip followed this on the piano, playing the first movement of Ravel’s Sonatime beautifully. Natsuko Saeguso and Maisie Briggs brought us into the Christmas mood by playing a trombone and bassoon duet of ‘Silent Night’. This theme was continued with a Shell triplet of Willa Briggs, Sophie Honychurch and Honoury Cheung, on flute, violin and piano, playing

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‘Walking in the Air’ (from The Snowman), a tune we all know well. Rebecca Spayne played us ‘The Cowherd’s Song’ on the piano, which was a short but characterful piece, before Elizabeth Trelawney-Vernon played her guitar again, this time for a solo performance of ‘Gallop in G Major’ by Sor. Emily Wiltshire sung ‘Sweet Polly Oliver’ accompanied by Natalie Yip, before Charlotte Wickham played the well known ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from the film Titanic. We were then given a rendition of ‘Lollipop’ by five girls across the year groups: Laura Bartley, Hannah Goldsmith, Emily Wiltshire, Madalé Jooste and Isobel Jamieson. This held together well, particularly considering that it was only added to the programme at fairly late notice. Following this was Rebecca Spayne, combining her talented skills on the piano with her voice, and accompanying herself singing ‘Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal’. Jane Ellard played a movement from Germiniani’s Sonata in E Minor before Natalie Yip concluded the concert with ‘Sonata Pathétique in E Flat Minor’ by Beethoven played on the piano.

The House Song Competition Georgina Davies (6a JR) For many, students and teachers alike, the House Song Competition is the highlight of the year. It is an opportunity for the entire house to unite, as bonded by one initiative, everyone becomes deliriously excited when the slightest improvement can be heard but sink into the depths of despair when they have been reprimanded by the 6as for talking too much. As always, the atmosphere before the competition was dizzying; we were all full of tense excitement and nervous butterflies. Most people’s first sight of the Shirley Hall as they

Autumn 2010

approached was intercepted by the Tradescant boys who were standing in their ritual formation of solidarity. Arms around each other to encompass the whole house, the boys were unified in their unashamed shout of ‘T.R.A.D.’ Repeated again and again; they finally grew weary and instead settled down to silent rocking. The interior of the Shirley Hall was in similar anarchy. Over-excited Shells to over-emotional 6as filled the large room with a hum, unequalled by any other special occasion. Eventually the hall was calmed by Mr Ionascu as he introduced the adjudicator who was dressed in a controversial shade of yellow! He was an instant success as he led us in an unknown and highly amusing warm-up provoking much chatter and titters of amusement. Grange was first to perform. Lead by Christopher Loyn, the Grange boys demonstrated superb harmony on their ‘no no no nos’. Rory Wilson and Shaun Wood shared an extended solo which proved very catchy although no one seemed to enjoy themselves as much as Piers Webb whose legendary head-bop will be remembered for years to come. This triumphant performance was followed by Mitchinson’s with their performance of ‘The World’s Greatest’. With their disadvantage of being a day house – making rehearsing more complicated – they did themselves justice and won much respect as they attempted a five-part harmony. Harvey was to follow. Their entry was very animated and kept in sync by the conductor Camilla Hamilton. This year, Linacre’s traditional Shell dance had allegedly been choreographed by Fuad Ogunsanya. Their chosen piece, ‘The Cave’, originally by Mumford and Sons, was extremely meditative; it was quiet and very sweet despite the fact that the Shells were detracting from its seriousness with their obscene gestures. I felt the audience thoroughly enjoyed the music as they joined in the clapping towards the end of the song and a special mention should be given to Will Phillips for his excellent guitar playing.

music Luxmoore followed Linacre and gave an equally memorable performance of ‘Never Let You Go’ which stirred nostalgia in most of us who remembered the film ‘Parent Trap’ – in which it featured - from our youth. School House’s ‘I feel Pretty’ was hilarious; I have long felt sorry for the exceptional music personalities of School House who have had the difficulty of sculpting the rest of the apparently tone-deaf house to become borderline presentable. This year, Ed Whitehead followed in Julius Carboni’s footsteps to produce the recital although this year I felt that Ed had had more success than his predecessor. As he played the piano accompaniment from below eye-level, a very young but promising conductor, Llewelyn Cross, led School House in a perfectly enunciated act. All in all, it was a very good spoof. MO gave an excellent rendition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s ‘Ompa lumpa’. The piece fitted seamlessly together and the boys’ change of tempo at the end was especially admirable. For the two people I was seated either side of - one a student and the other a member of staff - it was their favourite piece so far. Next was Jervis, with Jane Phillips leading the magnificent choir they maintained a fantastic dynamic range throughout Matisyalu’s ‘One Day’ and attempted material that was perhaps more challenging than other houses. Now to Marlowe. Although the singing was highly questionable, Tristan Smith, the conductor, was a joy to watch. Reminding me of the formidable conductor in ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, he used every camp and unusual way he could think of in order to try and keep his choir under his command. It was a very funny performance from a talented dancer…of sorts. Normally the whole of The House Song revolves around Galpins’ performance. They spend the entire build up to the House Song practising false modesty so that the only way of determining their standard is to catch a snippet of their

obviously mesmerising song around Mint Yard; this is not a difficult task as the majority of their spare time is spent rehearsing. As ever, this year’s performance was of outstanding calibre. With impressive energy, the boys neatly tailored their song so as not to disappoint Mr Hutchings who was undoubtedly watching the performance with a furrowed brow and an unmistakable twitch. Walpole also had very impressive ‘tightness’ with their choice of ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’ which, although incredibly fast remained in control without seeming to rush. After this, Carlyon performed the classic ‘YMCA’. It was evidently a fantastic song choice, although Carlyon did not perform the song with the actions which caused a line of Galpin’s 6as to stand up in protest and take part in the dance instead. Tradescant finished this year’s House Song with a very well choreographed head movement. With two conductors clicking – Jacob Ewens and Jack Masters – ‘Barbara-Ann’ was the perfect end to a marvellous evening. While waiting on tenterhooks for the judge’s decision, we were entertained by the King’s Swingers who had many new recruits since last year and were now introduced to the school in their renaissance. On top of this, Chevonne Wong had been invited to accompany the singers on the double bass; it proved to be a fantastic musical interlude. Even more drastically changed were the King’s Men who had lost all of their members, bar one – Jack Masters - to University and future life. It was extremely exciting to meet the new King’s Men although their nervousness was tangible as they became conscious of the enormous shoes they had to fill. All of the solos were

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exceptional and they really have nothing to fear; they will be as popular as previous years.

Finally he announced that this year’s winner… JERVIS!

Then came the adjudicator’s comments. He began by thanking all houses for their magnificent participation and spoke of the high quality of the entrants. He said also that he would award the ‘sheer entertainment award’ to School House’s ‘I feel Pretty’ and Marlowe’s ‘Four Chord Song’ if such a thing existed. There were two runners up for third place.

The entire house rose as one, in screams, floods of tears and hugs. They evidently had not been expecting victory and for what seemed like a full ten minutes, the euphoric girls celebrated and were, all in all over-dramatic about their win. Jane Phillips, arranger and conductor extraordinaire disentangled herself from a pile of friends to collect the trophy from the stage. The girls screamed once more as she grasped the prize and having been warned by Mr Ionascu to be considerate of the other residents of the Precincts, everyone left the hall to completely ignore his counsel and begin a much deserved party.

‘First of all,’ he said, ‘it was good to hear the trebles being fully used in the texture. This made for a good use of ensemble.’ The second house ‘had immaculate tuning, good cross rhythms at the end and a good harmonic variation’. Third place was thus won by Walpole and Meister Omers. The girly screams of Walpole lasted far longer than those of MO. For the house to whom he gave second place, he said this: ‘Fantastic opening, good stage setting. It had excellent energy and an excellent blend’. To many people’s surprise, second place was awarded to Galpin’s. This made the whole hall buzz once again with confusion and anticipation as there appeared to be no clear winner as Galpin’s had seemed a cut above the rest. The winner he pronounced had a ‘beautiful introduction’ but still no one was any the wiser.

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Jervis made history this year as the first ever girl’s house to win House Song.

The Christmas Concert JVB Oh come all you faithful. Indeed, we came, but a cold coming we had of it, with several inches

music of snow recently on the ground. Undoubtedly the conditions affected numbers; but undoubtedly also the programme affected the spirit, for this was a programme to warm the preChristmas heart. Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances framed the first half: lusty Gaelic stuff, with sumptuously full horn tone, rhythms snappy to match the weather, and Emily Wiltshire’s tipsy bassoon as lurchingly happy as any Glaswegian making free in a bonded warehouse. It never snows but it Rutters: this year’s seasonal offering was ‘There is a Flower’. This flower manifested an initial insecurity in the tenor tendrils, but the general impression from almost 120 singers on stage was of beautiful tone and astonishingly confident tuning. The numbers on stage more than made up for any deficiency in the audience: I counted 160 in the next, of whom the programme (and librarian) seemed only to have kept track of 153 or so. The Waltz from Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony was a brave and noble choice: Mr Ionascu explained that the aim was to have the whole symphony ready for King’s Week. The wind playing was of notable distinction throughout. By the time we get to the summer, doubtless the chromatic passage work so taxing for every section of the strings will go with a bit more of a lilt, and every bow move in the same direction as that of Rose Barton. Enter the King’s Men, with real rhythmic assurance and impeccable blend: many of us could have done with more than two numbers from a group which sang with such distinction. If there was a fault, it was probably caused by the occasionally flaky footwork: a firm bass (or tenor) requires a firm base.

An energetic performance of Prokofiev’s Troika started the second half. With a neat glissando, Christophger Loyn, whose trombone had romped amidst the ringing sleigh bells and jingling tambourines, slid into the tenor solo of the next number, Darke’s ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, where he was joined by the equally distinguished vocal contribution of fellow soloist Lucy Knight. Further carols, in ascending order of predictability, provided a festive conclusion and drew a warmth of final reception which seemed to surprise its performers. In the 18th century, orchestras were status symbols. You couldn’t be a proper potentate unless you had your own. Perhaps it’s a bit like that with schools. But whereas potentates can buy their players, schools have to mould and teach, a trickier process. It’s easy to forget just how much goes into any orchestral concert. The rehearsal time, and all the administration, are fairly easy to compute, and of course the players have their other commitments - why shouldn’t they? The real marvel is actually the one we take for granted: the fact that you somehow have to find all the instruments. This means not just the harp (there was nowhere to hide for Evangeline Kanagasooriam, and how well she acquitted herself), but the tuba too (special compliments for the input to the Stewart), all those string players who have to get their fingers around notes in horrible keys which Tchaikovsky designed for the finest Russian professionals, and even a percussion player capable of performing on an instrument whose name I don’t even know. Any orchestra with all the instruments is I guess a bit of a marvel, but the King’s Orchestra, rising to such heights in the bleakest of midwinters, moved well beyond that. All of which of course brings one round to the primum mobile, conductor Howard Ionascu. This was a programme carefully designed, seasonally appropriate, artistically satisfying, introduced with the deft humour in words of

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admirable sparseness, and conducted with unfailing attention to accuracy of every kind. Every court orchestra needed its own court composer, and here too the analogy holds. As Mr Ionascu pointed out, this is the 27th year at the school of Stephen Matthews, and his composition ‘Carol Medley’, composed for the performers and the occasion, put the Rutter to shame.

Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas MAJT

with the preceding congregational hymn ‘Of the Father’s Heart Begotten’ which has its origins in fourth century Latin. The first offering from Chapel Choir was a thoughtful rendition of ‘Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child’. This choir, however, really came into its own with a rousing pair of ringing carols. ‘On This Day Earth Shall Ring’ was sung to Haldane Campbell Stewart’s music, rather than the more usual Holst version known as Personent Hodie. (Incidentally Haldane Stewart was a successful Kent county cricketer as well as being composer and organist at Magdalen College, Oxford). This joyful tune with enthusiastic brass accompaniment was partnered very aptly with a splendidly exuberant’Ding Dong! Merrily on High’ which reached right to the vaulted ceiling of the nave.

It is unusual for the first flurry of snowball fights to have broken out on Green Court during the rehearsals for the Carol Service, but despite some interruptions to schedules, this year’s event was, once again, the choral showcase we have come to expect.

An arrangement by a former King’s choirmaster, Barry Rose, of Boris Ord’s ‘Adam Lay Ybounden’ provided a good opportunity for the Chamber Choir to show that there is also plenty of choral talent at the younger end of the school.

There is a sense of anticipation with the first quiet strains of Palestrina’s ‘Advent Responsory’ and the familiar, timeless sense of the Carol Service beginning with the solo first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, this year sung by Emily Wiltshire.

As always the choral highlights were balanced with strong congregational favourites and the familiar lessons, read by some very well-chosen readers, telling the familiar story that sends us home for Christmas with the delight of the music still ringing in our ears.

One of the perennial joys of this occasion is hearing unusual settings and less frequently heard Christmas music. Two real treats for 2010 were Madrigalia’s evocative rendition of Hassler’s ‘Verbum Caro Factum Est’, a sixteenth century composition which provided full opportunity for this choir to show their range of talents, and the Crypt Choir’s hauntingly enigmatic rendition of Morten Lauridsen’s setting of ‘O Magnum Mysterium’. Although this was a very modern setting, composed in 1994, the timeless words filled the cathedral with serene spirituality. The Crypt Choir also produced a well timed and carefully enunciated ‘Mary’s Boy Child’, the 1950s African-American song contrasting well

Autumn 2010

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miscellany

Autumn 2010

miscellany An Interview with Mrs Watson and her trip to Peru Georgina Davies (6a JR) I arrived at Costa at our agreed time to discover Mrs Watson already upstairs, deep in conversation with her Thursday activities group consisting of two people: Kim Dunn and Julius Carter. She explained to me as they left how they were all helping Kim to research some aspect of Biology in great depth; it struck me how maternal Mrs Watson was having run Walpole for thirteen years and how she was now nurturing the interests of these A level students. As we settled ourselves on the sofas of the coffee shop, I asked

Mrs Watson what had inspired her expedition into the jungle. She told me that not only was the conservational aspect of the trip applicable to the A level course but also that she had shown ‘these terrible videos about the rainforest’ and that it had got so depressing that she had had to stop for a while Appreciating how inspirational Mrs Watson had been by acting on her strong feeling, I asked her how she even begun to plan such a mammoth trip. She replied, ‘I got really involved in the planning and then remembered I’d forgotten to ask the permission of senior management!’ I was not really surprised to hear this; having been on the Amazon trip myself, I knew Mrs Watson could be described as a little scatty - as soon as we disembarked from the plane in Iquitos

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she realised that she had left her laptop on the plane. It could not be found which invoked a sigh from her husband who rolled his eyes and said quietly, ‘It’s the third one she’s lost!’ Anyway, she said that she had originally heard about Richard Bodmer’s river boats on the internet and it seemed a really good idea to go into the national park. Dr Bodmer is a conversationalist who has a PhD specialising in the peccary – an Amazonian pig-like creature. He spends roughly ten months in Peru and the rest of the year lecturing at the University of Kent and is married to a Peruvian. Mrs Watson said that she began planning in August –the trip was the following July – and when the Autumn term began, Kim Dunn and Anna Clinch joined with her on a Thursday afternoon during activities. As the term progressed, the three of them became really devoted to the research of the trip; they did some reading, went up to Kent University, and got some books out by Richard Bodmer in order to find out more about his research. ‘So,’ Mrs Watson continued, ‘we actually tried to contact Richard who was in the Amazon the whole time which made it a bit awkward.’ At this point, the conversation turned to funding-raising and I inquired how much we managed to raise and what it had been spent on. Initially, Mrs Watson and her team had wanted to try and buy some of the land in the rainforest as private land cannot be touched and the school would have helped preserve a specific area. Apparently, the school already owns some land although ‘we’re still trying to track that down’. Kim and Anna made some house mugs and Anna’s brother –Jack Clinch – drew the illustrations. Impressed by the devotion of her disciples, Mrs Watson then founded the CoPE, ‘Certificate of Personal Effectiveness’ which seemed like a good idea as it gave people recognition for their fundraising and hard-work. They then masterminded the T-shirts which Patricia Murphy decorated and sold them at the Summer King’s Week fete. Mrs Watson said in surprise, ‘Do you know, in the end we had twenty hours of briefings?’

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I remembered the long hours spent in the Gateway Chamber and Mrs Watson must have been thinking along similar lines as she said that ‘during the discussion about the equipment and the medical talk, I became really concerned about the extremity of the environment we were going into’ I recalled the same trepidation as I watched a first-aider from the recreation centre couch us through how we should respond to a snake bite, how to bind a severe wound and how we should deal with malaria. Luckily, the boat was much more luxurious than we thought it would be and there was no need for these extreme precautions; perhaps we were lucky because we were so wary of illness. Mrs Watson confessed that she had did not worry about taking a bunch of teenagers into the wilderness as she had been on trips with King’s pupils before and had only ever experienced sensible behaviour. However, she says that she remains impressed by our conduct as we were under a considerable amount of stress given our lack of mobile phones and how we had absolutely no choice in food. It was a choice between rice and starvation. ‘I think the interesting thing about your group,’ she reflected, ‘was that you were from eight different houses and yet you came together, were pretty open to mixing and probably made different friends than you would have made.’ It was an amazing trip: life changing. You realise things about other people and yourself as well. We continued chatting about Mrs Watson’s time in Walpole and how four out the five current housemistresses underwent her guidance having been tutors in Walpole under her reign. I was very impressed how much the Watson family have given to King’s as Mr Watson is in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh award and Mrs Watson shared the griefs and triumphs of Walpole girls for thirteen years.

miscellany The Proustian Questionnaire [Faridah Folawiyo and Georgina Davies (6a JR), inspired by Vanity Fair’s feature of a series of questions famously asked of Marcel Proust, volunteered to approach two very different members of the school to see how they would answer. We have presented their answers anonymously, but if you wish to see if your guesses are correct the individuals are named on the last page] Questions

A Shell Girl

A 6a Boy

Favourite virtue?

Honesty

Courage

Favourtie qualities in a man?

Good pecs.

Favourtie qualities in a woman?

Friendly, it helps if she likes chocolate

Funny, good-looking, intelligent.

Your chief characteristic

Bubbly, cheerful, happy and a bit crazy.

Focus and drive.

What do you appreciate most in your friends?

To be caring and not shorttempered so that they can put up with me.

Support.

Your main fault?

I’m a worrier and a perfectionist

Grumpy!

Favourite occupation?

Reading. I read nine books over Christmas

One with a large salary.

Your idea of happiness?

Everyone says you need friends which you do but I also think you need money to do things. If you want to do research and travel the world you need money.

Knowing that people look up to me.

Your idea of misery?

To be bullied and friendless

Injury.

If not you, who would you be?

I’d probably like to be Jane Austen although her life wasn’t that great but I like that era, especially the dresses

Batman.

Where would you like to live?

I’d like to live in Thailand or America. It’s sunny and warm there.

South of France

Favourite colour and flower?

I like roses or tulips. Baby blue and pale yellow. I also like navy.

Pink and to-daisies (tulips and daisies)

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Questions

A Shell Girl

A 6a Boy

Favourite prose authors?

Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, I really like his writing. I’ve started reading Hamlet and I’ve already read Romeo and Juliet. I also really liked Frank Herbert.

Favourite poets?

I like the person who wrote Macavity in Cats. (T. S. Eliot)

Rudyard Kipling and Tupac Shakur.

Favourite heroes in fiction?

Iron man definitely.

Heathcliff, Hamlet and Chuck Bass.

Favourite heroines in fiction?

Emma because she’s a meddler and she goes through a lot of realization.

Hermione Granger.

Favourite painters and composers?

I like Eric Bernet and George Benson

Bansky and Enya.

Heroes in real life?

Probably my Dad because he came from nothing and had to work his way up in life; he’s shown me that you have to work hard to get anywhere in life.

Justin Bieber.

Most disliked historical figure?

I don’t really like William the Conqueror very much because he was quite controlling although achieved a lot. He achieved it in a despicable way though.

Wayne Rooney.

Your hero of world history?

Natasha Richardson.

Favourite food and drink?

(Eyes light up) Ice cream and cheese. I like Mountain Dew; it’s a caffeine drink from America.

Sushi, and orange juice.

Favourite names?

Victoria, I like that name and the name Helena.

Jack and Xavier.

What do you hate the most?

I don’t like it when people just can’t be bothered to do things. I don’t like bad manners and ignorance.

Bananas and clutter.

Most admired military event?

Probably the Civil Wars because I like the side of Cromwell, the revolutionist. I like his strategy and how he created a uniform army.

Whan Platoon is on television.

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miscellany Questions

A Shell Girl

A 6a Boy

The reform you admire the most?

I don’t know.

The Bohemian Reformation

What natural talent do you wish I’d like to have been smarter you were gifted with? than I am. (I interrupt: How is that possible?) Mum says I’ve got a gift but you always want more.

Can’t think of one...

How do you wish to die?

Happy.

I’ve like to die somewhere nice and hot. Somewhere exotic, after a successful life with money and pass away peacefully in my sleep.

The King’s School Combined Cadet Forces Report ARV We had a very busy Summer Holiday with several CCF events being run. Cadets took part in an Annual Summer Camp at Wathgill, the Cadet Leadership Course in Frimley Park and the School Boy Commando Course. The routine training quickly got under way with the Contingent now split into five platoons at various stages within the syllabus and all progressing well towards their Army Proficiency Certificates. We were unfortunately unable to host the Army Acquaint Day ran last year as our local unit from the 5 Scots had recently deployed on tour to Afghanistan. We did manage to organise a visit from the Army Presentation Team (3 PWRR) who gave a valuable insight to life within the Armed Forces;

this was headed up by Lt James Sexton, a very dynamic young officer from 2 PWRR, who had recently served in Afghanistan. The CCF has now fully embraced running D of E alongside its routine training and the Remove cadets were focusing their skills towards the Bronze Award. As a prerequisite to their Easter Qualification Expedition they have to attend a series of teaching and practice weekends where they get to practise their skills in navigational work to successfully pass this award. This was carried out along the North Downs and was a very enjoyable weekend out. The yearly trip to cycle the Coast to Coast was run over the first four days of the October half term, and the cadets who took part in this gained much satisfaction and a sense of self achievement by completing the 130 mile trip. A group of senior cadets were also fortunate enough to be offered places on a school-run Gold D of E expedition in the Lake District. This was organised by Mr Watson to whom they were very grateful.

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The senior cadets took part in the Remembrance Day Service. This is a very high profile occasion attended by the entire school, members of the Junior King’s School, parents and other members of the school community. The cadets provided a banner party with the Head of Corps, Cadet CSM Chris Loyn laying the wreath; this is considered a great honour. The cadets took up the central position for this service and conducted themselves brilliantly throughout and were praised by those in attendance for their part within the parade. The parade was followed by a formal dinner in St Augustine’s Gateway Chamber and since its introduction, this has proven to be a very pleasant way of rewarding those within the parade for their efforts. The Autumn Term proved that the training programme in place was robust and with the ever growing contingent that the implementation of new events, lessons and staff has ensured that the CCF is going from strength to strength.

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The Galpin’s and Harvey Charity Dinner Henry Wilson (6a GL) The Galpin’s and Harvey Charity Dinner as always proved to be a very enjoyable and extremely successful evening. The parents that attended the dinner were treated to musical performances by students from both houses, which served to showcase the considerable musical talent in Galpin’s and Harvey. To raise money for the chosen charity, Cancer Research UK, many parents kindly donated lots to be auctioned on the night, such as a week’s stay at the Four Season’s Hotel on the island of Nevis and tickets to various sporting events. This auction, and a raffle, helped to raise in excess of £10,000 thanks to the generosity of King’s School parents, a record for any house event. The dinner was accompanied by singing from the Duncanson sisters, the Harvey Close Harmony Group, a duet from Henry Pritchard and

miscellany Will Pargeter, and both House’s House Songs to name a few. Understandably, the parents were extremely impressed by each and every performance, and I would like to thank everybody that contributed to the evening and helped to make it so successful.

The Bailey Sixth Form Charity Ball Louisa Dearlove (6b HH) The sixth form ball was once again an incredible success. It was organized by Bailey House, led by Kim Dunn, who gave everyone in the house a specific area to monitor and organize. From the results of the night, it was clear that everyone in Bailey put a lot of effort into creating this fantastic event, particularly as they had to work around the difficult conditions of the snow. A significant amount of money was raised which was donated to the charity Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, which builds support centres for anyone affected by cancer, and provides mental, physical and general help for patients and family. This is a truly worthy cause for the amazing amount of money raised by the event. The ball was held in the main dining room, which was completely transformed as the tables, and chairs were moved aside for the dance floor. The theme of the ball was ‘Alter Ego’, and as usual students showed their originality when it came to dressing up. There were a huge variety of costumes ranging from superheroes

to geeks to Goths to rock stars and even Barbie; even Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles were to be found among the amazing outfits. A small area of the room was cornered off and became the ‘Neon Room’ with ultra violet lights, bubble machines and inflatable chairs as well as refreshments if people wanted to take a break from dancing and enjoy themselves with their friends. Also it cannot be denied that a highlight of the whole evening was the music led by DJ Cupcake and Max Judge who kept everyone dancing throughout the event and even though there was a power cut half way through the evening (which Bailey were quickly able to fix) it all continued to get better and better as the night went on. Overall the night was described by the students as one of the best events in King’s so far and, as usual in King’s, there was lots of gossip created from it for everyone on Monday morning. The ball would not have happened without all the hard work from the Bailey girls, all their tutors and especially Mr Warnick.

The History of Art Trip to Rome and Florence Georgina Davies (6a JR) At the start of the Christmas holidays, an elite group of nine History of Art students accompanied by Mr Felton, Mr Ocock and Miss Frederickson eventually managed to get to Rome. While waiting for Mr Felton to arrive on the last plane, we went to the Galleria Borghese where

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we saw many Bernini sculptures, including his ‘David’ and the incredible Daphne alongside the current Bruegal exhibition. Hungry and exhausted, we contented ourselves that night with the first of many delicious dishes of pizza and pasta before settling down to a much need sleep; we had been up since half past two that morning! The next day was incredibly enjoyable as Mr Felton had arrived. He was not only the fount of knowledge during the trip but also the source of all humour, our favourite joke was: ‘You wear your Gucci belts, I wear my gastric belt!’ We laughed especially hard at this gaff as it came from the lips of a tall, skinny athlete who we had all seen on countless occasions in his running tights. We went around the Vatican city that morning and marvelled at ‘the Sistine Chapel’ as well as ‘The Ascension’ which the 6as had recently studied. It was extraordinarily exciting to see the artwork in the flesh as we could experience the artists’ intended impact first-hand rather than having to squint at our poorly reproduced photocopies. It was also really enjoyable to wander the rooms of the Vatican where map of regions and states were painted on the walls and have the opportunity to admire them without the pressure of having to write about them in an exam. We were given free time in the afternoon. Our stay in Rome continued in a pleasant fashion so that we saw the Farnese Palace, the Villa della Signatory, the last surviving equestrian statue of Ancient Greece, the Roman forum and the Coliseum. We stayed a total of three days before leaving in the morning to go to Florence via train. Unfortunately, one girl fell ill on the morning we were meant to leave although once again, Mr Felton sacrificed himself to stay behind in Rome with her until she was fit to travel. He is to be commended on his incredible clear-headedness during times of stress and discomfort; he really held the trip together with his common sense and sensitivity.

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If possible, I enjoyed my stay in Florence even more than in Rome. Our hotel was ideally positioned next to Medici Chapel and when we first arrived, we were given free time to get our bearings and give us some rest as we had had another early morning due to the re-location. I went round the fantastic leather stalls with a friend and managed to spend a lot of money on beautiful Italian purses. While we were in Florence, we saw Michelangelo’s David - the real one as well as the fake - in the Galleria degli Uffizi Gallery where we saw most of the 16th century paintings Miss Francis had taught us about in the last term, including ‘Venus of Urbino’ and ‘The Madonna of the Long Neck’, as well as some well known classics such as Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’. Every room held a surprise and we were excited afresh to see another painting we knew; it made us feel very well-educated and it was gratifying to see our hard work during the term time pay off. My favourite part of the whole trip was the Bronzino exhibition as I had never heard of him before and I found his work to be completely inspiring as his characters were so meticulous through his attention to detail that they appeared life-like. It was also thrilling to realise that Cosimo di Medici, the self-appointed ‘Grand Duke of Florence and Tuscany’ commissioned many of his portraits and so depicted himself and his family. We already knew the duke from his patronage of ‘Persius holding the head of Medusa’ in the Palazzo Vecchio. It is impossible to believe how exciting it is to make connections such as these. Very kindly, the staff took us to a bar on the last night to celebrate our successful trip which was much appreciated as they granted us respectable freedom. On the last day, we journeyed to Pisa where we went to see the leaning tower and the duomo before having our last gelatti and taking the train to the airport. It a fantastic trip where friends were made, teachers became heroes and appetites for Art were cultivated.

societies Blaxland Society Report RPS The Blaxland Society meets on several Monday evenings each term, and is hosted by the Geography department. Its prime objective is to provide interesting talks, outside of the restrictions of any subject syllabus, which will stimulate and enthuse pupils into new areas of Geography. These lectures are hosted in the St. Augustine’s Gateway chamber, following a dinner in the Gilbert room for sixth form pupils to join in a meal, and glass of wine, to meet the speaker prior to the talk. One of the talks we had this term was given by Tanya Dimitrova of Queen Mary College, University of London. She had spent seven years in the US army as a medical assistant and then entered into the world of environmental studies. She travelled for a further 10 years participating in various research projects and NGO aid programmes before returning to the University of London to further her research into climate change. Tanya gave wonderful insights into the possible climate scenarios of the future, as well as very wise advice on travel, aid programmes and gap years. On November 8th we had a truly fascinating and enthralling talk by Tom Lynch entitled “In Shackleton’s footsteps”. Tom had re-enacted Ernest Shackleton’s incredible journey across South Georgia in 1962 (fifty years after Shackleton himself did it on his way to finding help to recover the rest of his team left stranded in Antarctica in 1912). Tom spoke of his own adventures as a mountaineer and alpine survival expert with the army whilst recounting Shackleton’s incredible adventure. We all know that Shackleton was one of the greatest leaders and

explorers of the twentieth century and Tom was able to enlighten us all of many of his amazing moments. From the very start of the talk, to the very end (and beyond into our dreams) we were all transported into the world of -50 degrees Celsius temperatures and great hardship and survival. To hear such exploits from a man who has actually traced Shackleton’s footsteps was truly a privilege. Each term we take a small group of sixth formers up to London to hear a talk at the Royal Geographical Society and have a look at some of the historic articles kept in their vaults. This term a group went to hear a lecture on “The Lost land of the Tiger”, whilst last term we went to hear Michael Palin speak of his travels around the world. The Blaxland society is thriving and continues to push the boundaries of the pupils to learn more about the world we live in.

Cranmer Society MJWS The Cranmer Society continued to meet on Thursdays in our house in Broad Street. As has become the tradition, we began the term with a BBQ in the garden. It was quite a tight squeeze with more than 50 coming for food and to hear an excellent talk by Oxford undergraduate Felicia Page, who began our series looking at ‘Jesus: The King of King’s’. The lure of a thought provoking talk or perhaps it was the homemade brownies or simply a chance to spend a short time away from school brought pupils back week by week. We were challenged to consider Jesus’ authority, we marvelled at his Passion and compassion, and considered the evidence for and consequences

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of the resurrection. Towards the end of term we heard some excellent talks on what it means to be a Christian – ‘harder than you think, yet more wonderful than you might imagine’ was a summary of the memorable talk given by Dave Puttick. Pupils ventured out in the snow and ice for our finale – the Christmas party. We enjoyed a curry sitting beside the fire, followed by brownies, ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. I challenged the 30 or so attending to consider how one might sum up Christmas in 3 words, choosing ‘historical, joyful and essential’ as my own three. The subsequent game of ‘Rapidough’ was as noisy and hotly contested as ever. Pupils found modelling ‘William and Kate’ in the play dough somewhat tricky. My thanks, as always, to the speakers who often travel long distances to come and address the assembled crowd. If anyone would like me to email them a term card, do get in touch. mjws@kings-school.co.uk

Jewish Prayers Freddy Clode (6a TR) ‘Shalom’, Jewish Prayers, which was the brainchild and creation of Felix Cohen and Simon Englander, has gone from strength to strength since its birth in 2005. Jewish Prayers takes place every Friday, at 6pm in the School Synagogue. The main purpose of Jewish Prayers, is to give the Jewish community at King’s the opportunity to celebrate the passing of the Sabbath, however it is also somewhat an elite ‘social’ group, with a waiting list not to dissimilar to the size of that of the ‘MCC’s’. Mrs. Reid who retired at the end of last term was essentially the ‘President ‘of Jewish Prayers, she was the lady who really fought for the Jewish community to be allowed this society, and she got the society into the school diary and really

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stressed the importance of students of Jewish faith being able to practice Judaism. She was a great President and a great role model for the Jewish Society, and we all appreciate how liberal she was and also how she undertook everything with an open mind. This year when I took over, as ‘Chief Rabbi’ and Chair of the Society, the first thing I did was arrange a meeting with Mr. Lascelles, and I secured an attractive weekly budget for the society. Now, under the new Presidency of ‘Miss Tyndall’, who has been like the Australian’s in the recent Ashes series a lot more on the back foot compared to Mrs. Reid, possibly just taking time to understand the mechanics behind Jewish prayers, and also trying to understand what is and what is not ‘Kosher’. Even though she won’t admit it, she seems to be gradually enjoying herself as the weeks go by and we appreciate her time and effort. The two main highlights of ‘Jewish Prayers’ this year have been ‘Mysterious Moses’ and our recent ‘Hanukkah Party’. ‘Mysterious Moses, is a Jewish take on ‘Secret Santa’ it takes place on the penultimate Friday of the Autumn term, and is when members have to buy a present costing between one and three pounds respectively. We then collect the presents in a big bag, and the Chair goes around the circle and one by one people pick a present out the bag. This year I won, sugar paper money and also a fake ten pound note, showing that there is a lot of light hearted humour flying around the place. The Hanukkah party took place on the final Friday of term, and many thanks must go to Mrs. Godden for baking and buying in such diverse traditional Jewish delicacies and also for helping further our knowledge on the importance and symbolism of traditional Jewish food. I would like to thank Miss Tyndall for her everlasting support, in modernizing Jewish Prayers, and also allowing me to tweak with things, to make Jewish Prayers more conventional and also a more attractive outfit to the school. Also thanks must go to Mr. Lascelles and the Bursar for providing us (finally) with a generous budget.

societies I would like to thank past Chairs and Chief Rabbis for showing me the ropes and mechanics behind Jewish Prayers, and also the core of the society who have helped me with posters, and organizing food and wine. Special thanks must go to Kola Lawal for being in charge of the economic side of things and also too Junior Rabbi Todd and Cohen who are the future and core of this wonderful society. I would like to wholeheartedly thank Louisa Dearlove and Flossy McAslan, the only girls on the senior committee, for kindling the lights every week, but also for attracting many young Jewish men to the group, increasing numbers and also in my second week in charge, helping gain more people then ‘The Cramner Society’ and ‘The Arabic Society’ combined. Also many thanks must go to my right hand man, Jordan Godden, who leads the service every week and who has been very supportive with my slight alterations.

Debating Society

‘Toda, Tzeth’a Leshalom VeShuvh’a Leshalom’.

The debating society has changed from a secretive, ambiguous group of 6th formers into an open community, involved with much more than inter-house debating. Weekly debates are held in Miss Fraser’s classroom and teams will have competed in three national competitions by the end of the term – Oxford Schools, Cambridge Schools and ESU Mace. Ed Gilmore, Jacob Hamblin-Pyke, Tristan Smith, Laura Galloway, Angus Barry and Isobel Wingrad made up the three pairs debating in the Cambridge competition, in which two teams won their respective tables and qualified for the regional final. King’s has hosted a local round of a competition – the ESU Mace – in which Archie Todd and Marcus Cohen qualified for the regional round after a strong performance speaking against banning religion from school. Lovers of logic, Oxbridge hopefuls, idealists, feminists, Christians, Confucians, radicals and, especially, existentialists are all welcome every Friday evening to come and have a debate.

Past Rabbis and Chairs of Jewish Prayers. Est 2006. Felix Cohen – Chief Rabbi and Chair – 2006-8 Jeremy Godden– Chief Rabbi and Chair - 2008-9 Sebastian Cohen – Chief Rabbi and Chair – 2009-10 Frederick Clode – Chief Rabbi and Chair – 2010 –11.

Angus Barry (6a GR) Inter-house debating was born again this year. Rhetoric and prepared speeches gave way to logical coherence. Reflecting a new focus on national competitions, debates have a new, structured and often controversial format: speeches are written in the last 15 minutes; each speaker must adapt according to his position on the table; and teams are judged almost exclusively on the strength of their arguments. This year the Junior competition was won by Harriet Wilson and Rosanna Fenning. The senior competition is now into the semi-finals in which motions will only be released 15 minutes before the debate.

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‘Catching Father Fred’ Photo by Ed Hands (Fifth MO)

sport

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Team reports Rugby 1st XV CMR P9 W6 L3 The season began for the 1st XV on a hot day in late August as 28 boys reported for pre-season training. Foundations were laid at Birleys that would stand the side in good stead for the coming months, before the squad ventured north for training games against Uppingham and Royal Hospital School. Travelling away to Eastbourne first up is always a tricky test and this fixture had been a thorn in the side of King’s in recent times. Although there were errors from both sides, King’s adventure in attack and determined defence saw them to victory for the first time since 2002, with new England U17 fly half, Charlie Kingsman scoring all the points in the well deserved 17-5 win. A solid but unspectacular performance against Hurstpierpoint followed, notable for the start of Kola Lawal’s try scoring for the season. The side were unfortunate to meet St John’s on day when King’s were plagued with injury and the opposition playing their best Rugby of the season. It was a question of taking our hats off to them as they played some terrific Rugby, born from a successful tour of Australia in the summer. Despite the scoreline, King’s finished the match in the ascendancy and showed terrific character.

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Sport and Rugby can be cruel at times with the bounce of the ball the difference between winning and losing. This was very much the case in an absorbing contest with Haileybury, who had a star in the making as captain and flanker. Starting like a steam train, King’s raced to a two try lead, both of which were contenders for try of the season at any level, let alone in a schoolboy match. However Haileybury chipped away and sneaked the result with an opportunist and slightly fortunate try at the death. Confidence was restored seven days later with a disciplined and hard-fought victory over a much fancied Sevenoaks side, taking us into the half term break with food for thought and Tonbridge on the horizon. The match proved to be a thrilling contest with the final score in the balance up until the last few moments. Unfortunately it was again Tonbridge who edged it, but King’s had played some of their best rugby of the season. The realistic goal was set to finish the season unbeaten, and the boys set about this goal with a determination on the training pitch that had not been seen up to that point. This change in attitude showed immediate results with a comprehensive victory over a strong Eltham side. This performance was consolidated with another rousing performance against Cranbrook. The boys can be very proud of the restraint they showed in the face of provocation and history will show who the better Rugby side on the day was. Two down with two to go… and then the ice came! It was testament to the fantastic job that the King’s ground staff do that the game against Sutton Valence went ahead when many other games nationwide were abandoned due to the icy conditions. Although not a vintage performance, King’s again showed terrific character to come from behind, with the scoreline not reflecting the dominance of the team… and then the snow came.

RUGBY

This brought a premature end to the season with all matches against KSC cancelled, robbing the boys the chance to finish with the flurry they had been building up to (for the record, I was confident of a King’s win at Birleys!). Max Judge and Henry Allingham were ever present in the front row with both Henry Pelling and Giles Dean joining them, the former moving from his role in the second row. There was also a move forward for Thomas Arnott who formed a formidable partnership with Thomas Dixey in the engine room - watching the ‘Dixey Dummy’ was always a joy! Edward Gilmore grew into his role as No. 8 and showed great potential for next season. Harry Yeates went from not making the initial pre-season squad to being ever-present at open side flanker and was joined in the back row by captain Frederick Clode, whose passion for the game was infectious and was rewarded with the Players’ Player of the Season award. James Morpeth made the scrum-half shirt his own and improved hugely throughout the season. His service was received by Charlie Kingsman, who

had a superb debut season for the 1st XV, with two further years in the side to look forward to. William Howard-Smith showed glimpses of genius numerous times during the season and on his day is an unbelievable talent in the centre. He was joined by Christopher Lark, who took a change of position in his stride and proved what a versatile and talented player he is. William Allen and Charlie Roberts made appearances on the left wing berth, unfortunately they both suffered from injuries. Ayodele Marinho and Charlie Knox shared the full back berth, with the latter also making two appearances in the centre. Both gave an air of calm as the last line of defence and also showed adventure in attack. On the right wing Kola Lawal, scoring 25 tries in his two seasons for the 1stXV, showed consistent brilliance and his finishing was top drawer. He was awarded the Coaches’ Player of the Season. Jack Masters was awarded the Captain’s Cup. It was disappointing that injury ruled him out of

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his final season but his contribution to Rugby at King’s has been paramount to the success of the side over the past seasons. Thanks must go to Mr Hill, whose attention to individual skills and personal approach made him a formidable addition to the 1stXV coaching team. The ground staff deserve all the compliments that come their way. I am told Birley’s has never looked so good! Final thanks must go to the parents for their support on the sideline.

2nd XV

Team from:

The 2nd XV made quite a promising start to the season. We were lucky to have several of the preseason tourists in the team as there was very little time for preparation before the first match of the season against Eastbourne. The boys put in a brave performance away from home and were very unlucky to concede a match, losing a penalty five minutes before end of play. The narrow loss was followed by two convincing victories at home – Hurstpierpoint were dispatched comfortably and we managed to beat the Chatham House 1st XV for the first time in three years. We were expecting to lose some players, either to the 1st XV or to injuries, but this season we were hit more than usual. Several key players were lost during the first few weeks of the season and it was difficult to establish any permanent combinations. A grand total of 35 players earned 2nd XV caps and to their credit, all players that stepped up played with commitment and courage. Although there were some closely fought encounters, we lost the next six games and drew the last one of the season against Cranbrook.

Max Judge, Henry Allingham, Henry Pelling, Giles Dean, Thomas Arnott, Thomas Dixey, Harry Yeates, Frederick Clode, Edward Gilmore, James Morpeth, Charlie Kingsman, William Howard-Smith, Christopher Lark, Ayodele Marinho, Charlie Knox, William Allen, Charlie Roberts, Kola Lawal Also played: Henry Pritchard, Isaiah Osei-Baidoo, Henry Fryzer, Elliott Hunt, Fuad Ogunsanya

Results Eastbourne (a) Hurstpierpoint (h) St John’s (a) Haileybury (h) Sevenoaks (a) Tonbridge (h) Eltham (a) Cranbrook (h) Sutton Valence (a)

Autumn 2010

Won Won Lost Lost Won Lost Won Won Won

17-5 27-21 5-62 15-22 7-5 6-18 34-14 20-3 19-10

ES P 10 L 7 W 2

Overall, the team performed well in the set pieces. The short lineout worked well for us this season and a solid scrum provided some good first phase ball. Unfortunately, continuity was one of our weaker areas this season and we struggled to keep hold of possession for more than two or three phases. This meant that the backs had limited opportunities to attack in open play and they were forced to do a great deal of defending. They did so very bravely though, and impressed with some big tackles against stronger opposition. The team had some

RUGBY memorable moments on attack as well. Fuad Ogunsanya was a big threat off the back of the scrum and managed to run in eight tries in the first three matches. Giles Ross’s match saving intercept try against Cranbrook was another very memorable moment. This season’s captain, Frederick Acheson-Gray, led by example on the field. He was voted Players’ Player of the Season – an award richly deserved, for he has played with true commitment and aggression. On the field he received a lot of support from other 6as in the side. Alexandre Davis in particular was a true stalwart – he played in all the matches this season and was invariably positive at training. Henry Pritchard was accurate with his lineout throws and an asset in open play. He was effectively a fourth back row forward and eventually ended up playing open side flanker at the end of the season. Hector Dyer took charge of the backline and was one of the best defenders on the pitch. Although Golf Ratchakitprakarn has lost some of his pace over the years, his natural swerve still made him a dangerous runner. One of the best aspects of the season was the 6b representation. Many of them will probably go on to play 1st team Rugby next season, but a solid core should remain. The touchline support this season was greatly appreciated by the whole team. My thanks go to all the supporters who were there to encourage

the team (and provide half time fuel) throughout the season, no matter the results! Team from: Frederick Acheson-Gray, Olukoyejo Akinkugbe, Perry Andrews, Olafusika Awosika, Caspar Carter, Alexandre Davis, Hector Dyer, Henry Fryzer, James Hearn, Harry Killingbeck, Oluwateniola Mobereola, George Moss, Owen Muller, Fuad Ogunsanya, Isaiah Osei-Baidoo, George Plews, Henry Pritchard, George Pughe, Thomas Ralston, Pokkhet Ratchakitprakarn, Giles Ross, Fergus Ryan, George Whaley Also played: Charles Knox, Harry Yeates, Giles Dean, Henry Allingham, Charles Roberts, Jeet Ghose, Harry Gordon, Nicholas Hands, Theo Haynes, Elliott Hunt, Nikhil Jain, William Pargeter

Results Eastbourne (a) Hurstpierpoint (h) Chatham House (h) St John’s (a) Haileybury (h) Duke of York’s (h) Sevenoaks (a) Tonbridge (a)

Lost Won Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost

21-24 46-5 19-10 15-20 7-36 5-36 22-31 3-60

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Eltham (a) Cranbrook (a)

Lost Drew

17-20 10-10

3rd XV RWN P 11 W7 L 4 As the results show, this was a very inconsistent season and I think the statistic that does most to explain the inconsistency is the fact that 41 players put on a Third XV shirt this season. In our worst performances against St John’s Leatherhead and Cranbrook, we couldn’t actually get 15 players and when we went away to serious opponents without even the basics in place, it is not surprising that we were punished. Against the disappointment of those matches were some excellent performances. An away win at Eastbourne is never gained easily but very quickly after this the team changed due to injuries across all of the senior teams. The Haileybury match stood out as a close match that we had to

Autumn 2010

dig deep to win after conceding from kick off. We planned a grubber kick to just go the ten yards and try and catch Haileybury unawares. Unfortunately the chasing King’s player missed the ball and a Haileybury player picked up the ball and scored under the posts without even being touched. Despite Charlie Newman wanting to try the same ploy from the resulting kick off, because he didn’t think that they would expect us to do it twice, we didn’t try that kick off again this season! The Sevenoaks match was another pleasing win because Sevenoaks were more competitive than they had been in previous seasons. The 6a forwards led by George Courtauld and William Pargeter took the sting out of the Sevenoaks pack and the backs finished with real precision. The last game of the first half of term was a 6a team with a mixture of 3rds and 2nds players and was a hugely satisfying win against a St Lawrence side with a very aggressive and large pack. King’s did enough at the breakdown to win more than their fair share of ball and the backs took St Lawrence apart. Casper Carter deserves special mention for his intelligent kicking and Piers Brown also caught the eye for his powerful running.

RUGBY The second half of term got off to an excellent start with the demolition of Tonbridge. The score line was deceiving because Tonbridge were competitive in most areas of play, but some clinical finishing from the backs (Rob Daum in particular) and some good interplay with the forwards allowed us to build up an impressive score. After that high, the season ended disappointingly with us not getting out a good enough pack to compete at the break down and hence our backline didn’t come into play. The final two fixtures were victims of the weather. Ian Poon led the team by example and with a smile – win or lose there was a huge amount of laughter in this team. Team from:Ian Poon (capt), Matthieu de Gaudemar, Charles Newman, William Pargeter, Gerge Edmondson, Harry Killingbeck, Chukwunonso Oditah, Jeet Ghose, Harry Wilson, Julius Carter, Robert Daum, Theo Haynes, Nikhil Jain, Tobias O’Brien, Ruaridh Parker, George Plews, Olafusika Awosika, Piers Brown, Caspar Carter, George Courtauld, Harry Gordon, Owen Muller, Maximus Rex, Richard Seaton, George Whaley

Results Eastbourne (a) Hurstpierpoint (h) Chatham House (h) Leatherhead (a) Haileybury (h) Duke of York’s (h) Sevenoaks (a) St Lawrence (h) Tonbridge (h) Dulwich (a)

Won Won Won Lost Won Lost Won Won Won Lost

14-7 72-3 30-7 5-45 20-7 5-15 37-5 43-5 36-0 17-31

Cranbrook (a)

Lost

5-45

Colts A XV ARW P 8, W 7, L 1 A season of development, elation and frustration. The team produced some creditable performances, but the optimism for further success was blighted by the weather which saw the cancellation of our last two games. In terms of team and personal development we had reached a high point on the learning curve and had settled and moulded as a team. We opened our account with a ‘small deposit’ of three points against Eastbourne. Rusty in skill and application, we seemed to take time to adjust to the step-up to this higher level of Colts Rugby. The game was centred on a tough forward contest in both the set piece and loose play and although it was difficult to maintain dominance for the whole sixty minutes our pack provided enough ball for the backs to capitalise. Ben Simpson kicked the penalty to win the game and record the only points! An improved performance was evident against Hurstpierpoint. Arthur Chilcott made good use of hard won ball with good passing skills to give his outside backs space to run. Louis Guitton opened up the opposition defence and was able to put Fred Dakin away for a score after twice adding his own name to the scoresheet. Herbert Wigwe scored a bombastic individual try from the half-way line and Benjamin Simpson was able to find a hole in the opposition backline to touch-down to make his tally 20 points with six conversions and a penalty. Our forward control of the loose play, and security on our own

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ball at lineout and set scrum provided plenty of opportunities for creative Rugby. Frederick Catterall crossed the line after some darting runs from the back of the scrum and Toby Sinclair, with good support, found himself at the bottom of a driving maul to claim a try. In our game against St John’s the pack again raised the stakes, they played with determination and endeavour, constantly forcing the St John’s eight to take a defensive role. The backrow of George Gardiner, Axel Zerf and Frederick Catterall were outstanding in their work-rate, the front row of Ferdinand Rous, Harry Savill and Thomas French drove and carried, were solid in the set pieces, with Harry winning two strikes against the head. However, we conceded the advantage too many times through penalties, our backline defence asked questions, and we lacked patience and discipline in the final quarter when the John’s defence was resolute. It was clear that the better team lost, but we bounced back against Haileybury with some good individual performances despite a team performance lacking passion. Frederick Dakin on the end of a pass from Louis Guitton showed

Autumn 2010

pace and power on the wing to finish an excellent try under the posts. Frederick Catterall showed athleticism and competiveness to claim another five points, Benjamin Simpson blasted through the half-open gate in the Haileybury defence and James Baker, ever looking for an opportunity, found space to cross the line. Ben kicked three conversions and one penalty. The Sevenoaks game provided a more pleasing result for a perfectionist coach. In the forwards we committed fewer people to the ruck and maul when necessary and handling (in terms of off-loads) gave opportunity for the backs to create. Our first choice locks of Toby Sinclair - who was maturing into a proficient front of line jumper - and Hamish Courtauld - who was proving to be a physical force in his all-round play - began to put their stamp on the game. Hamish claimed a well deserved try from a pick and drive, and with good body position and force crashed over the line for a score. The pack became dominant and continually threatened the Sevenoaks line. We played controlled Rugby and Patrick Clews on the flank took his opportunity, from a driving maul, to touch down.

RUGBY Louis Guitton had performed well with clever footwork and acceleration to open the scoring, Herbert Wigwe had used his speed and power in scoring two tries on the wing, Fred Dakin had added another with great reserves for finishing, Arthur Chilcott showed speed off the mark and was able to find space, cross the line for a try as well as add two conversions and James Baker at scrum-half worked a neat move from his No. 8 Fred Catterall to score in the corner. The game had generated a highly committed and spirited performance. Our only mid-week fixture was against The Duke of York’s, in driving rain on the heights above Dover. Despite this we performed at a high standard and maintained a shape and cohesion to our play. Herbert Wigwe again claimed two tries, and George Gardiner, Ferdinand Rous, Fred Catterall, Axel Zerf, Dom Hamlyn all added their names to the scoresheet. Very pleasing was the contribution of William Richardson who successfully made the transition to inside centre from wing and scored two tries. After a long break between games, Tonbridge proved an epic encounter and the contest of the season. Played virtually 20 metres either side of the half-way line it was another very competitive match and although guilty of some basic errors we proved the better side. I could use all the superlatives associated with the human character in my description of the attitude and approach of the team who gave such an excellent performance. The only ‘real try ‘ came when the ball was won at lineout by Toby Sinclair, James Baker sent out a superb pass to Arthur Chilcott who saw an opportunity out wide. His miss pass put Louis Guitton through a hole in the Tonbridge backline to score. A superb try and a just reward in a tense game, which was highly competitive, exciting, and produced excellent Rugby.

It could be said that we took a step backward against Eltham by not playing at our full potential. Discipline and composure were evident for the first half against a heavy pack and a back line who seemed unaware of the off-side line. Two tries were scored by the ever present Dominic Hamlyn who gave a lesson in support play and lines of running from full-back. Dominic’s ability to hold on to stray passes and focus on the ball and deal with pressure provided a huge contribution throughout the season. In the second half Eltham made a number of changes to the composition of their team, as well as their approach in order to reduce the scoreline. However, it must be said that we were naive in our decisions at times and failed to be clinical in our approach. Sadly, our last game was against Cranbrook. It was a testing contest against a side who were both physical and aggressive. Our pack again played with commitment and discipline and were able to provide the platform for the backs to launch their attacks. We varied our game and on occasions exploited the blind side of the scrum, broke the Cranbrook defence through pick and drive and found spaces on the open side of the field. Maturity and thought now became facets of our play. Two scores came through the centre channel where Louis Guitton provided with quick ball was able to step and beat his opposite number, Frederick Catterall was tireless in his contribution, claiming two scores and James Baker took his one opportunity to find a gap and touch down. Benjamin Simpson was successful with three conversions and kicked two penalties. Hamish Courtauld gave a magnificent performance at lock and Arthur Chilcott marshalled and led the troops to a very creditable victory. Following this, snow stopped play and ended our season. In conclusion I would like to acknowledge the support of the Colts B XV this season in allowing us to take some of their first choice

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players, occasionally to sit on the bench on match days. Some have improved considerably and have become part of the A squad, notably Henry Gibbon and Charles Jamieson. Congratulations to Hamish Courtauld and Frederick Catterall who represented Kent U16s in the London &SE Championship and to Dominic Hamlyn for being voted player of the season. Benjamin Simpson was the highest points scorer with 62 points. My thanks to the players for their response in training and a particular thanks to my colleague Mr D Bowers for his massive contribution with coaching, his wisdom and expertise. Team from: Dominic Hamlyn, Frederick Dakin, Benjamin Simpson, Herbet Wigwe, Louis Guitton, William Richardson, Arthur Chilcott (Captain), James Baker, Ferdinand Rous, Harry Savill, Tom French, Toby Sinclair, Hamish Courtauld, Axel Zerf, Patrick Clews, George Gardiner, Frederick Catterall, Harry Gibbon, Charles Jamieson

Results Eastbourne (h) Duke of Yorks (a)

Autumn 2010

Won Won

3-0 56-0

Hurstpierpoint (h) Tonbridge (h) St John’s (h) Eltham College (a) Haileybury (a) Cranbrook (h) Sevenoaks (h)

Won Won Lost Won Won Won Won

55-12 7-5 13-22 17-5 29-0 37-5 49-0

Colts B XV ARV P 8, W 7, L 1 The team had a great start to the season and from the moment they started training they played with vigour and determination, displaying a real drive to succeed. Their first game saw them go head to head with a very evenly matched Eastbourne side. Thomas Brett had an outstanding performance driving the ball and opposition back. William Knox and Alexander Harris also made some very good driving moves resulting in tries being scored. The backs also had some very strong runners and William

rugby Stonehewer-Smith proved that a move from prop to centre this season was a great decision. The next game was against Hurstpeirpoint; the team already looked like they have spent a season playing Rugby together. They started with a real passion and a want to win, remained grounded and focused on the game in hand and did not let this go to their heads. Before long they were running some great moves in the backs, whilst battling hard in the forwards. When Hurstpierpoint did have a counter attack the defence was tight and ball was quickly regained by the King’s side. Archie Todd who returned to Captain the team had an outstanding match making some great runs, which resulted in him scoring four tries. All players played a fabulous running game, keeping the ball alive.

involvement and several phases being played, they worked in pods that had been practiced in training session. The Cs players integrated well into the team and really proved themselves. The game finished 20 – 5 to King’s, a very good game and an excellent way to finish a good half term of Rugby with five wins from six games.

The next game was against St John’s and this was to be our only defeat this season, from the start the team appeared to be on the back foot, with the St John’s team attacking our defensive line with real conviction although the team defended well, they never seemed to settle into the game. In the dying moments of the game with only two points separating the teams, St John’s broke from their 22 to score a converted try with the final score ending 3 – 12.

The start of the second half-term was against Tonbridge Cs, a game the team had been dreading due to previous years; however they were fired up and ready to play with the belief and confidence installed into them that a win was possible. From the kick off the Colts Bs looked determined to win and their first passage of play consisted of 14 phases, continually running the ball forward, getting to the break down and recycling the ball out for another line of attack. This pace remained for the first ten minutes resulting in Patrick Clews scoring an amazing try that saw him hand off several Tonbridge players and run 40 yards to score under the posts. The game then settled and both teams defended very well; the Colts Bs had the upper hand with their back row getting the better of the Tonbridge side and making the breakdown first every time. Special mentions should also go out to the other members of the back row, Alex Harris and Will Knox, for their efforts throughout the game.

The next few games saw the team growing in strength and confidence defeating both Haileybury (in a very close game) and The Duke of York’s Royal Military School (with a little more ease). Both games were played away from home. The team then had to face an unbeaten Sevenoaks team, and on a week when we had to call up 3 players from the Colts Cs to bolster the squad. The Colts Bs needed a good first 20 minutes in order to settle into the game, which they got. The team worked well and quickly got onto the score board, the passage of play was good, with both forwards and backs

The final game this season was against Cranbrook and proved a great way to finish an excellent season. The team secured a well deserved win; the team has come on tremendously, progressing from strength to strength. Good lines of attack, solid in defense, excellent pod work by forwards and backs alike. They played with real determination and zeal from the start and showed excellent discipline when the other teams tempers started to flare. Excellent tries were scored by both Alexander Harris and Charles Jamieson both running through the back line to score tries from over 40 yard out. The

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game was captained well by Harry Mann who converted six of the tries. Excellent work by all who played and a season of Rugby that will be hard to top as a coach with any other team that I am fortunate enough to have throughout my time at King’s. Team from: Henry Jamieson, Hugo Davies, William Stonehewer-Smith, Harry Gibbon, Dominic Hall, Thomas Acheson-Gray, Patrick Clews, Nicholas Simonds, Thomas Brett, Sebastian James, Charles Jamieson, Christopher Irwin, Fraser Morrison, Alexander Harris, Archie Todd (Capt), Harry Mann, William Knox, Jeff Tang, William Phillips, William Breeze, Barnaby Gliksten, Adrian Lai

Results Eastbourne (h) Hurstpierpoint (a) St John’s (h) Haileybury (a) DYRMS (a) Sevenoaks (h) Tonbridge (h) Dulwich (a) Cranbrook (h) Sutton Valence (a) KCS Wimbledon (a)

Won Won Lost Won Won Won Won Cancelled Won Cancelled Cancelled

Junior Colts A XV RPC P 11, W 2, L 9

24-10 71-0 3-12 25-12 22-0 20-5 7-0 65-0

Whilst this was not a vintage season by any stretch of imagination, the team should look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism. Performances were not always turned into victories and in a number of matches the losing margin was far narrower than it had been the previous year. Highlights of the season included a dominant first half display against Duke of York’s and a superbly committed team performance against a strong Eltham team, when only the last play of the game denied us a victory. A strong pack was very much at the heart of the team. George Maughan led from prop and put in countless outstanding performances. He made a massive number of yards for the team, stole ball in mauls that he had no right to win and made a huge contribution both in the tight and loose. His front row colleagues of Joseph Haynes and Chayapol Panichewa provided great solidity and, in Joseph’s case, some very useful go-forward. Edward Baker and Jamie Adams both contributed well from the second row with Edward (Teddy), in particular, coming on in leaps and bounds. Harry Pattinson and Jack Rampton foraged enthusiastically on the flanks and gave the backs some much-needed support, as did Thomas Wickers when he was fit. At No. 8, Dashi Nazarov made a number of hard yards. Many combinations were tried in the back line and things started coming together towards the end of the season. George Baker White worked hard to improve, showed pace around the fringes and put in some excellent box kicks. At fly half, Toby Block showed a real eye for a gap, as well as tackling solidly, when he took over from Louis Glynn-Williams, who showed glimpses of brilliance, such as his cross-kick against Eastbourne. Wai Lai Hung ran strongly in the centre and Charles Allen provided useful pace outside him. Peter Chiana on the wing was a very accomplished finisher, running in eight tries, and around him Patrick macLachlan, Samuel de Haan and Gaetan Brandt all made useful contributions in both attack and defense. With continued progress, hard work and the introduction of lifting in the lineout next year, I

Autumn 2010

rugby expect to see a far more pleasing set of results next December. If the team plays for the length of the match, rather than just patches, they can target, at the very least, the four very close games and one of the cancelled matches and develop into an accomplished side. Team from: Jamie Adams, Charles Allen, Edward Baker, George Baker White, Toby Block, Gaetan Brandt, Peter Chiana, Samuel de Haan, Louis Glynn-Williams, Joseph Haynes, Wai Lai Hung, Patrick macLachlan, George Maughan (capt), Dashi Nazarov, Chayapol Panichewa, Harry Pattinson, Jack Rampton, Thomas Wickers. Also played: Nicholas Charlton, Montel ChikaMbonu, Jamie Faure, Jonathan Mbu, James Meddings, Alex O’Neill, Harry Stacey, Patrick Swire.

Results Eastbourne (h) Hurstpierpoint (a) Chatham House (h) St John’s (a) Haileybury (h) Sevenoaks (a) Rochester Mathematical School (a) Tonbridge (a) Eltham College (h) Duke of Yorks (h) Cranbrook (a)

Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost

14-33 5-50 43-12 7-50 10-14 10-15

Lost

5-50

Lost Lost Won Lost

5-47 19-21 42-14 12-24

Junior Colts B XV JPB P 10 L 6 W 4

THE CANTUARIAN

This was a hard fought season in which the boys played some good Rugby against tough opposition. We had some pleasing victories and indeed should have had a couple more if only we had been more clinical in our finishing at times. We had a large pack which held its own in most matches and a backline that ran with real pace and purpose. But our weakness lay too often in our defence. We had no problem scoring tries but we conceded too many soft tries through sloppy missed tackles. However, the boys showed some real promise this season and are beginning to develop a competitive edge. Indeed the match against Cranbrook School was incredibly physical but each boy fronted up to the challenge and the score by no means did us justice. If the boys continue to play with this spirit then they should go on to do even better next year in the Colts. My thanks to James Meddings who captained for the majority of the season and led the team from fly half. Other special mentions go to Charles Barrois and James Faure who brought a great physicality to the pack that was recognised by them both gaining A team selections towards the end of the season. Team from: Edward Thomas, Simon Broadley, Nicholas Charlton, George Reid, Rupert Barton, Harry Stacey, Robert Gleave, Ben Methuen, James Faure, Max Zhukov, Thomas Dath, Max Luoma, James Meddings (Captain), Gabriel Hamlyn, Idris Kaplin, James Trigg, Charles Barrois, Alex O Neill, Montel Chika- Mbonu

Results Eastbourne College (h) Hurstpierpoint College (a) St John’s School, Leatherhead (a) Haileybury School (h) Sevenoaks School (a)

Autumn 2010

Won Lost

36-5 10-49

Won

27-25

Lost Won

12-14 57-0

St Lawrence College Boys (h) Tonbridge School U15C (a) Eltham College (h) Duke of York’s Royal Military School (h) Cranbrook School (a) Sutton Valence School King’s College School (KCS), Wimbledon

Lost

0-61

Lost

10-31

Lost

7-41

Won

24-0

Lost C

0-33

Junior Colts C XV MWB P6L3W3 The Junior Colts C team had an excellent start to the season, heavily defeating Eastbourne, led by Gaetan Brandt and Casper Fraser who scored three and two tries respectively. Gaetan was then whisked away to play for higher teams, but the Cs took their good form into a tightlyfought encounter against Hurstpierpoint, which we won 22-21 after destructive work from Jacks Rampton and Milligan, and some heroic defending in the last quarter of the match. A depleted Sevenoaks side were then thrashed by 50 points in fifteen minutes, with Eliot Evans and Jack Milligan the standout attacking players. After half term, things did not go so well. Injuries, loss of key players and some poor decision-making contributed to heavy defeats against Tonbridge, Dulwich and Cranbrook; but on each occasion, against bigger, quicker opposition the team showed fighting spirit and at times played some good Rugby. Cameron MacKinnon showed the rest how to tackle, Eliot Evans and Casper Fraser were key components of a mobile pack and Edward Bryant, the Player of the Season, was consistent and powerful both in attack and defence. Aaron Milton proved a

rugby responsible captain. Overall, the team can be very pleased with the season’s efforts. Team from: Tomiwa Adepetun, Jack Benton, Hugo Briggs, Maxim Del Mar, Henry Cross, Thomas Doyle, Eliot Evans, Casper Fraser, John Lavelle, William Lench, Cameron MacKinnon, Alexander Miller, Jack Milligan, Aaron Milton, Dominic Moore, Sam Rausing, Arjun Savalani, George Wauchope, Thomas White

Results Eastbourne College (h) Hurstpierpoint College (a) Sevenoaks (a) Tonbridge (a) Dulwich (a) Cranbrook

Won Won Won Lost Lost Lost

27-5 22-21 51-0 17-43 0-72 17-43

U14 A XV RALS P 13 W 6 L 7

It was a slow start to the season whilst the boys took time to get to know each other. We came up against some tough opposition with the likes of Eastbourne, Hurstpierpoint and St John’s who were much better organised than us. The team’s strength was in its forward pack. After the third week they really turned the corner and became a force to be reckoned

with. Their rucking was fierce especially from Alexander Preston. We had fantastic ball carriers in the tight in Ivan Prisyazhnyuk and Jin Park and devastating runners in the loose in Alex Sokolow and Hal Evans. Harry Vavasour stole more balls than I could keep up with in each game getting better and better as the term went on. He has a fantastic Rugby brain and has begun to link well with the backs. The backs took a little longer to take shape but began to start putting moves together towards the end of the term. They struggled with the idea of running onto the ball from depth, much to Mr Boyle’s annoyance. When they did get it right it worked exceptionally well scoring a number of well worked tries through the pace of Christopher Richardson and Mushi Wilkins, and the dynamic running of Milo Harper. Our strongest back, Charlie Sinclair, improved greatly over the term and I hope he can play his true position of centre rather than at fly half where he spent most of this season. The fact many of boys played out of position was difficult, so credit must go to all those who adapted to the new challenges none more so than Sebastian Knox at scrum half who improved each week. The team found great success in the U14 Kent Cup run beating Sir Roger Manwood and Simon Langton Boys on the way to the semi finals; however an impressive Skinners side were one step to far! These games gave the boys much needed confidence which allowed us to put in fantastic performances against Sevenoaks and a superb forwards performance against Haileybury.

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However the real test was always going to be an away match at Tonbridge. Even though the boys lost they played extremely well and proved how far they had come over the season. Mr Boyle and I have really enjoyed coaching the boys over the term and we will look forward to watching them play through the school and I am sure as seniors they will have a very successful time. Team from: Milo Harper (captain), Harry Brownlees, Hal Evans, Bertie Gibbon, Marcus Humphries, Todd Hunt, Chukky Iwuajoku, Bedhir Kaplan, Sebastian Knox, Callum Kolade, Jack Lee, Jin Park, Alexander Preston, Ivan Prisyazhnyuk, Christopher Richardson, Charlie Sinclair, Alexander Sokolow, Harry Vavasour, Mushi Wilkins. Also played: James Leggett, Loic d’Assier, George Hill

Results Eastbourne College (a) Hurstpierpoint College (h) Chatham House (h) St John’s College (h) Roger Manwood (KC) (h) Haileybury (a) Duke of York’s (h) Sevenoaks (h) Simon Langton (KC Quarter Final) (h) Tonbridge School (a) Eltham College (h) Skinners (KC Semi Final) (h) Cranbrook School (h)

Autumn 2010

Lost Lost Won Lost Won Lost Won Won

0-41 0-36 46-24 17-41 42-0 5-41 48-12 41-5

Won

58-5

Lost Won

10-32 17-12

Lost

0-50

Lost

0-19

U14 B XV WJF P9 L 5 W 4 The team struggled at the beginning of the season coming up against strong opposition who had more fluidity. As the season progressed the boys’ skills picked up and they got their first win against Sevenoaks just before half-term. After half-term this improvement in form continued, getting wins against Tonbridge, Eltham and Cranbrook. The win against Tonbridge was the most pleasing part of the season with good offloading out of tackles and powerful running, especially from Loic d’Assier, Hugo Simmonds and player of the season Will Parker, which led to a 24-19 win. Team from: Kumni Akanle, George BoothClibborn, Stuart Craig, Harry Churchill, Loic D’assier, Robbie Ellison, Bertie Gibbon, George Hill, Miles Holland, Marcus Humphries, Chukkie Iwuajoku, John James, Ben Lai, James Leggett, Rory Lennon, Charles Macpherson, Nico Man, William Parker, James Pye, Hugo Simmonds, Sam Van de Gaag, Edward Vinson.

Results Eastbourne College (a) Hurstpierpoint College (h) St John’s, Leatherhead (h) Haileybury (a) Sevenoaks (h) Duke of Yorks A (h) Tonbridge (a) Eltham (h) Cranbrook (h)

Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Won Won Won

5-43 5-12 0-72 5-33 12-5 0-31 24-19 17-5 7-5

HOCKEY 1st XI SMW

was the only time this season that the team did not play to its full potential resulting in a 2-1 loss to Chelmsford County High in the semifinal. The team ended third overall. This would be the only loss that the team encountered all season.

P9W8D1 The season started with an intense pre-season training camp, which prepared the girls physically for the season ahead. This was followed by the annual Birley’s tournament which was of one of the strongest tournaments to date. The team played some excellent Hockey for the start of the season and ended second to Queenswood. The first fixture of the season was against Felsted. This is traditionally one of the toughest fixtures that we encounter. However, the girls played an excellent brand of passing Hockey that led to an 8-0 victory. The team had set a standard like never before at this stage of the season, which would clearly bode well for the rest of the season. The team then went on to win the Kent U18 tournament with a resounding victory over Sutton Valence in the final. This qualified the team for the regional East of England tournament. Sadly at the regional tournament it

For the rest of the fixtures throughout the term, the team continued to get better and better, leading to a number of excellent victories over strong opposition. The highlight of the season was without a doubt a resounding 6-1 victory over St George’s College, Weybridge. During this match the girls played a fast-paced passing game that lead to goals being scored and did not allow the opposition to get a look in. This was the key to the success of the team this season. Each and every game they played, they played together as a unit and there was very rarely only one or two individuals that stood out. The statistics for Saturday fixtures this season are excellent. Having played nine games, won eight and drawn one, the team scored 49 goals and only had 9 goals scored against them. Sadly the end of the season was affected by the weather which meant that the final two games for the season were cancelled.

THE CANTUARIAN

Autumn 2010

HOCKEY Sophie Knight (Captain) and Hope Kilmurry (Vice Captain) were excellent role models and have been real assets to the Hockey Club throughout their time at King’s. This season the most improved player was Lulu Freemont and the Players’ Player of the Season was awarded to Francesca Berry. The statistics indicate that this was without doubt an excellent season for the 1st XI and considering that it is a young team, the future is bright for this fantastic group of girls who are determined, committed and exceptionally dedicated. Team from: Lucy Balicki, Francesca Berry, Isobel Berry, Eliza Brett, Poppy Coleman, Stephanie Crampton, Emily Davis, Sarah Duffy, Louisa Freemont, Aurelie Kent, Hope Kilmurry (ViceCpatain), Nicola King, Sophie Knight (Captain), Martha Knight, Lucy Logan Green, Dominique Masters, Cleodie Swire, Hannah Todd

Results Felsted (h) Cranleigh (a) Brighton College (h) St George’s College (a) Eastbourne College (h) Kent College (h) Sevenoaks (h) Sutton Valence (a) Cranbrook (h) Hurstpierpoint College (a) St. Bede’s (h)

Won 8-0 Won 6-3 Won 8-0 Won 6-1 Won 3-1 Drew 1-1 Won 4-1 Won 3-2 Won 10-0 Cancelled Cancelled

2nd XI AJH P10 W10 I’m a bit cross to be honest. It had been a fabulously successful season: unbeaten! A grand slam! And then the snow came along and spoiled it all. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cold white stuff as much as the next man, but it has meant that the season, rather than finishing with a thunderous crescendo, has fizzled out, a damp and somewhat frozen squib. We played and won all 10 matches, scored an impressive 37 goals and only conceded 5. It is the girls themselves who have been at the very heart of such a successful side. I have only had to stand on the touchline, blow the whistle occasionally and watch. What a privilege. Ably led by the captain, Alice Brady, the side oozed confidence and from the very first game against Felsted, quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Aurelie Kent in goal provided the safest of hands (or should that be pads?) at the back of the pitch, and although seldom troubled by the opposition, when required, was in characteristically superb form, dismissing even the fiercest of shots with aplomb. The back line comprised some of the most experienced members of our squad. Sophie Wilson played sweeper faultlessly, running out at defensive short corners and ‘injecting’ with pace and accuracy when in offence. Playing in front of Sophie were Hannah Morrison, Lucy Baker, Helen Parageter, Anna Gibson, Poppy Coleman and Alice Brady. Their experience, combined with hugely strong skills, provided the platform upon which the success of the season was built. Tenacious in the tackles, unflappable under pressure and completely

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reliable, the back line played some excellent quality Hockey. The mid-field with Laura Bartley on the left, Harriet Wilson and Martha Knight holding the centre and Sarah Duffy on the right, were exceptional. Our mantra was to do the simple things well. Accuracy of passing, ball pace, working off the ball, all the basics (but it was way that they did it), executed so faultlessly time and time again; it was only ever a matter of time before the opposition capitulated. The front line with Emily Steel on the left, Emilie de Bree as centre forward, and Flora ‘classic J’ Snape were fantastic. Subtle stick skills, pace and power all combined to give us an enviable average of over three goals per game for the season. Good results are not the only reason to play, but they certainly help! Our 8-0 win over Brighton showed the strength and ability of the team and we never lost our momentum at any stage. That they performed well is a reflection of the unity of the side, the seriousness with which they trained each week and the complete focus they maintained for every fixture. The assistant coach Hayley Brown (Canterbury Ladies) provided the inspiration and confidence to take the side the whole distance. I am sorry the 6a girls were denied their final representative games for the school, but I look back on the season with enormous pride at what they have achieved. It

Autumn 2010

is abundantly clear that girls’ Hockey at King’s remains in positively rude health. Team from: Aurelie Kent, Emilie de Bree, Emily Steel, Flora Snape, Sarah Duffy, Laura Bartley, Harriet Wilson, Helen Pargeter, Hannah Morrison, Martha Knight, Annabelle Gibson, Poppy Coleman, Lucy Baker, Alice Brady, Sophie Wilson

Results Felsted (Home) Cranleigh (Away) Brighton (Away) Methodist Ladies’ College (Home) St George’s College (Away) Eastbourne College (Home) Sir Roger Manwoods (Home) Sevenoaks (Home) Sutton Valence (Away) Cranbrook (Away) Hurstpierpoint College (Home) St Bede’s (Home)

Won Won Won

3-0 3-1 8-0

Won

4-1

Won Won Won Won Won Won

3-1 2-0 4-2 2-0 1-0 7-0

C C

HOCKEY 3rd XI SKR P 10 W 5 L 5 The 3rds had, as always, a wonderful Hockey season. With only five girls remaining from the previous year, the girls were very quick to adapt to a fresh team. Playing ten fixtures against teams of varying abilities including some very strong Under 16 squads, they showed maturity and determination in their approach to every match. The first Saturday fixture was against St Lawrence. Having only had three training sessions together, the girls battled hard but unfortunately came out second best. However their hard work paid dividends the following weekend, outplaying Felsted in every part of the pitch. The girls then had a run of away fixtures, facing two very strong Under 16 teams in

Cranleigh and Eastbourne as well as two very well matched teams in Brighton College and St Edmund’s. Unfortunately the strength in depth of both Cranleigh and Eastbourne was a little too much for the team; however a well fought victory against Brighton College in pouring rain showed the improvements the team had made so far. The trip to St Edmund’s on a Tuesday evening provided one of the more entertaining games of the season. The two evenly matched teams played some very strong Hockey, with King’s taking the lead. However fitness proved key in this match, and St Edmund’s scored two late goals to snatch it at the death. With the exception of a defeat to a very strong Sevenoaks 2nd XI, the girls remained unbeaten for the rest of the season. A very strong defence of Flossy McAslan, Amy Tudor, Saskia Barnard, Eleanor Thrupp and Francesca Kent, backed up by Rachel Phipps in goal, conceded just one goal in the other three fixtures as well as providing a solid attacking base. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the 7-1 victory over Sutton Valence. In front of a strong crowd of parents and pupils, the girls produced their greatest performance to date. Their passing was powerful and accurate and was backed up by

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determination to win every tackle. A hat-trick from centre forward Ella Gault and a remarkable penalty corner from Oriel Steel were the pick of the goals with Anna Heslop undoubtedly the player of the match after some storming runs down the left wing.

U15 A CFBVR and Genevieve Masters (Rem BR) P8 W5 D1 L2

Unfortunately the girls’ season was cut short due to bad weather conditions however, this was unquestionably a phenomenal season for the 3rd XI. Their improvement throughout the season is reflected in their results and, with this very talented team should be pushing for even greater performances next season. Team from: Rachel Phipps, Flossy McAslan, Imogen Moore (Vice-Captain), Harriet Hawksworth (Captain), Elizabeth Royce, Lucinda Knight, Eleanor Thrupp, Alexandra Pye, Amy Tudor, Saskia Barnard, Francesca Kent, Emma Laing, Ella Gault, Anna Heslop, Nosayaba Omosigho, Oriel Steel. Also played: Venetia Fryzer, Louise Augustine-Aina.

Results St Lawrence (a) Felsted School (h) Cranleigh School (a) Brighton College (a) St Edmund’s School (a) Eastbourne College (a) Sir Roger Manwood’s (h) Sevenoaks School (a) Sutton Valence School (h) Cranbrook School (h) Hurstpierpoint School St Bede’s School

Autumn 2010

Lost Won Lost Won Lost Lost Won Lost

2-1 3-0 5-0 1-0 2-1 7-0 2-0 8-0

Won

7-1

Won C C

4-0

The U15A Team have had a successful season this year, helped by their commitment. It began with a tricky match against Felsted which we lost 5-2. The team played well for the first match and agreed they were all getting used to playing together. The team decided that the only way from there was the winning way! As the term went on, we got stronger and stronger with wins against Cranleigh, Brighton College, Kent College, Sutton Valence and Cranbrook. The team was made up of 13 strong, committed players. Genevieve Masters led the team ably and displayed confidence and excellent skill work, scoring some stunning goals and terrifying defenders. Vice-Captain Isobel Forbes was a very strong link in the mid-field and worked to her maximum every game. Lucy Dean has been one of the key defenders in this team. She has stayed strong and taken on anyone that would try to get past her. Madeleine Phillips’ defence was intimidating, loud and strong, she stole the ball from anyone that come near her and used her powerful, accurate hit with much effect. Both Maisie Briggs and Sophie Bansal worked hard preventing opposition wingers from entering the D making many successful clearances. Finally in defence Sophie Nicholls was a phenomenal goal keeper and made some truly spectacular saves throughout the season. Lucy Duncanson always turned up with a smile…and jokes! She played her heart out on the wing and stayed strong, even after being taken out by the goalkeeper! Ilona Bushell and Molly Nainby-Luxmoore were quick in attack and pressured opposition defence with their pace. Anouska Newman was the top goal scorer, on the right wing; she had a superb

HOCKEY

season leaving many defenders wondering what had happened after scoring goal after goal. In the midfield the team displayed their strengths: Genevieve Masters in the middle, Isobel Forbes on the left and either Charlotte Hart or Isobel Brooks on the right. This group of players were exceptional at being the link between the defence and attack, setting up opportunities galore for goals. Isobel Brooks was a full hearted, committed player on this team playing either on the wing or in the midfield. Her pace and skills combined with a strong run down the right wing (losing her shin pads on the way!) saw her bury an impressive goal to win in the last 10 minutes against Kent College. Brooks won the award for Coach’s Player of the Season for her enthusiasm, positivity and flexibility in the team. Charlotte Hart was voted the Team’s Player of the Season. She displayed 100% effort in every minute of every game and was so determined even through injury niggles and exhaustion. Commitment like this is something to which every player should aspire and she deserves all congratulations for a terrific season.

Thanks go to Genevieve Masters and Isobel Forbes for their leadership, enthusiasm and hard work throughout the season. Team from: Genevieve Masters (C), Isabel Forbes (VC), Sophie Nicholls, Lucy Dean, Madeleine Phillips, Maisie Briggs, Sohpie Bansal, Isobel Brooks, Charlotte Hart, Anoushka Newman, Molly Nainby-Luxmoore, Ilona Bushell, Lucy Duncanson

Results Felsted School

Lost

2-5

Cranleigh School

Won

3-1

Brighton College

Won

5-0

Eastbourne College

Lost

0-1

Kent College

Won

1-0

Sevenoaks School

Drew

1-1

Sutton Valence School

Won

3-1

Cranbrook School

Won

2-1

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U15 B RPS P9 W8 D1 Undefeated! Not many teams can say that and yet this team can confidently shout it, knowing that they have been one of the best U15B teams the King’s School has seen. For the whole of the term we have had the privilege of training on the wonderful waterbased pitch up at polo farm where the Canterbury Men and Women’s premier division teams play against the other best teams in the country. I think some of that glory and ambition must have worn off onto our players as we trained up there, three days a week, in anticipation for the big match on the Saturday. We also had the great fortune of having Rupert da Silva and his calm coaching talent to help guide us on to victory after victory. Amelia Cook was a wonderful captain, showing the tenacity and aggression of a tiger on the pitch. As centre forward she was a fantastic talisman and target person for the whole team, scoring six goals in eight matches. However, Lucy Warr was our most prolific scorer with eleven goals, closely followed by Helen Ferrett with nine. As our front line of attack these three players posed many problems for the opposition, especially as we began to master the arrow-head formation; keeping wide and then ducking in to the inside channel within the ‘25’. However it was the match against Sutton Valence where we really mastered how to score a goal. For the training session the day before we had worked on creating a larger angle in front of the goal and passing the ball back to the penalty spot. It all worked like a dream; everything we did was polished like a 1st XI team. We just couldn’t not score a goal, even when we switched our front line with the defence.

Autumn 2010

Quite simply, everyone could smell glory and everyone wanted to share in it. Lucinda Royce burst onto the scene in the match against Eastbourne, showing her pace of a panther, vision of a hawk, and unending energy. She became an integral part of our mid-field to support the wonderful Amy Gault on the left (making penetrating runs into the ‘D’) and superb and dependable Lucy Tynan on the right (always feeding Helen the perfect pass). Another member of our incredible attack was Phoebe Hanson-Lowe. Able to play in any position, Phoebe was often like a giraffe – head and shoulders above the opposition - with skill, scoring desire and perseverance, superbly supported by Isobel Jamieson, our overall playmaker and classy centre half, destroying the opposition like paper in a shredder. Poor Georgina MacDonald, our goalkeeper, hardly ever got to touch the ball, especially as Alice Thompson was like a shark on the prowl if ever an opposition player got nearby. Along with Elizabeth Trelawny-Vernon, Emily Aisher and Gemma Taylor our defence was more like the Great Wall of China – impassable and awesome. However, in the Sevenoaks match we did have a frightening few moments as they scored a goal against us (how dare they!) and went up in the first few minutes. It took us another 20 minutes of fighting before Amy saved us with another super silky run and goal to level the match. From then on the game was end to end, and on several occasions Georgina made some dramatic saves, even to the extent of diving on the floor and laying her body on the line for the team. Sevenoaks never scored again and our season was intact. We remained undefeated and went on to finish the season comfortably, not forgetting that 12-0 victory two weeks later. The girls have all been great fun to work with. They have certainly improved in their ability but more importantly have grown in stature and confidence that only success can bring. Congratulations on an awesome term.

HOCKEY Team from: Emily Aisher, Amelia Cook (Captain), Helen Ferrett, Amy Gault, Phoebe Hanson-Lowe, Isobel Jamieson, Georgina MacDonald (goalkeeper), Lucinda Royce, Gemma Taylor, Alice Thompson, Elizabeth Trelawney-Vernon, Lucy Tynan, Lucy Warr

Sevenoaks School (a) Sir Roger Manwood’s School (a) Sutton Valence School (h) Cranbrook School (h)

Drew

1-1

Won

4-0

Won

12-0

Won

4-1

Also Played: Lucy Arbis, Illona Bushell, Lucy Dean, Sasha Grover, Anouska Newman, Anika Patel, Verity Sayer.

Results Felsted School (a) Cranleigh School (h) Brightong College (h) Eastbourne College (a) St Edmund’s School (a)

Won Won Won Won Won

2-1 3-0 4-0 4-0 5-0

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Golf Report Harry Yeates (6a TR) The season got off to a difficult start against the OKS at Deal, as our more experienced opponents mastered the wind to seal a 2-1 victory, Ali Lyons and John Cawdron the only victors winning their match 1 up. A return to Canterbury saw two well-earned victories against Sevenoaks in the first round of the Headmaster’s Conference foursomes (HMC) and a singles match against St. Edmunds, King’s winning 3-0 and 4-2 respectively. Ali Lyons’ 9&8 singles win was the pick of the results. Sadly our scheduled match against the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment was called off due to inclement weather conditions. The 2nd round of the HMC saw us travel to Royal Ashdown, a fantastic course set amongst the beautiful scenery of Ashdown Forest. There we faced Hurstpierpoint. The team secured a 2-1 victory to progress to the next stage but were appalled to find out they had won too quickly to receive the usual post victory MacDonald’s. The pairings of myself and John Cawdron and Ali Lyons and Will Wickham handed the team a win as we overcame some close contests.

Golf Our Independent School’s Golf Association (ISGA) singles campaign began late in the term with a trip to Tyrrells Wood to face Reeds Cobham. All matches were close throughout, John Cawdron played exceptionally well to win 3&2. The match went down to the wire as I teed up on the final hole all square with the match tied at 1-1 (Will Fabbro losing ‘2&1’). Sadly though I managed to three putt the final green losing out 1 down. The 3rd round of the HMC saw us face St. Bede’s at Rye. This time the opposition were too strong for all but Will Wickham and Ali Lyons who dominated their match, winning 8&6. The side once again lost out 2-1. Overall it has been a positive term for this young side as they hope to develop and go on to greater things in the coming years. John Cawdron and Ali Lyons have been the pick of the golfers, Ali remaining undefeated, winning 5 out of 5 matches, while John has won all but one of his 7 contests. My thanks also go to Will Wickham, Will Fabbro, Camellia Johnson, Charles Barrois and Josh Jolowicz for representing the side. Thanks must also go to Mr Phillis and Andrew Reynolds for coaching the side so well.

The next match saw a foursomes ‘friendly’ encounter against Tonbridge. The team struggled against some high quality opposition, but came close to snatching victory, Will Fabbro and Josh Jolowicz losing out on the final hole as the team lost 2-1. John Cawdron and Camellia Johnson earned the side a point with an impressive 3&1 win.

Autumn 2010

rowing Rowing Report Chloe Ellis (6a MR) The Autumn Term is the start of the head season where crews race down the course one at a time and the winner is the person who completes the course in the fastest time. The main aim of the term was for everybody to compete in single sculls to test their speed against others and also race in double sculls. For many people the start of the year means the first time they have taken part in the sport and the long learning process begins, as in Rowing it takes a lot of time and effort to learn the technique. Everybody gave singles a go and there were some impressive results from people who had only been rowing for a term. The basic technique was resolved before the Lent Term when we move into fours and eights and other bigger boats.

Girls’ Results WIM3 2x Chloe Ellis/Jane Ellard 4th of 4 WJ17 2x Svenja Perkins/Megan Rolph 1st of 2 WJ15 2x Camilla Johnson/ Victoria Mansfield 6th of 9 WJ18 1x Chloe Ellis 2nd of 3 WJ17 1 Svenja Perkins 1st of 4 WJ17 1 Vittoria Warszewski 3rd of 4 WJ17 1 Jane Ellard 4th of 4

Boys’ Results J18 2x Alistair Brown/Tim Perkins 2nd of 2

Maidstone Small Boats Head The term started with a head race at Maidstone which isn’t too far to travel from school, which meant that parents could come and support. The 2.5km upstream course challenged newcomers to the sport with the bends and different wind conditions between the divisions, causing some dispute over whether the race could be called fair! However we managed to come away with medals for Svenja Perkins who won the WJ17 single sculls and also the WJ17 double sculls with Megan Rolph who, although she doesn’t attend King’s, is willing to race with us and support us.

J18 1x Alistair Brown 3rd of 6 J18 1x Tim Perkins 5th of 6 J16 1x Jack Dykstra-Mcarthy 4th of 5 J15 4x+ George Edwards/Toby Sargent/Nicholas Hastings/ Louis Ewart/Stephanie Sy-Quia (cox) 2nd of 2 J15 1x Toby Sargent 3rd of 8 J15 1x Nicholas Hastings 6th of 8 J15 1x George Edwards 7th of 8 J15 1x Louis Ewart 8th of 8

Pangbourne Junior Sculls After half term we travelled to the 2.8km course at Pangbourne and managed to be

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the first people at the regatta despite the two hour journey to be there by 8.00am. Despite the freezing conditions and the long wait, we managed to finish in respectable positions with tough competition.

WJ152x Victoria Frye/Victoria Mansfield 22nd of 24 WJ181x Chloe Ellis 25th of 28 WJ171 Svenja Perkins 24th of 27 WJ151x Victoria Mansfield 16th of 21

Girls’ Results WJ18 2x Chloe Ellis/Amanda Thomas 4th of 6 WJ18 1x Chloe Ellis 4th of 6 WJ17 1x Amanda Thomas 9th of 13 WJ17 1x Svenja Perkins 10th of 13 WJ17 1x Vittoria Warszewski 11th of 13

Boys’ Results J15 2x Toby Sargent/Nicholas Hastings 22nd of 31 J15 2x Louis Ewart/George Edwards 23rd of 31 J18 2x Alistair Brown/Tim Perkins 22nd of 24 J18 1x Tim Perkins 43rd of 44

Boy’s Results

JNov 1x Alistair Brown 1st of 5 J15 1x Toby Sargent 12th of 25

J15 2x Nicholas Hastings/Toby Sargent 10th of 12 J18 1x Alistair Brown 19th of 29 J18 1x Tim Perkins 28th of 29 J15 1x Toby Sargent 23rd of 34

J15 1x Nicholas Hastings 15th of 25 J15 1x George Edwards 23rd of 25 J15 1x Louis Ewart 16th of 25 J15 1x Milo Reddaway 25th of 25

J15 1x Nicholas Hastings 25th of 34

Hampton Small Boats Head Hampton provided us with tough competition with 800 entries at the event, which takes place over a 3km course. With snow expected, the weather conditions were freezing, but everyone turned up for the event and parents braved the cold conditions to watch.

Girls’ Results WJ172x Svenja Perkins/Megan Rolph 5th of 12

Autumn 2010

British Indoor Rowing Championships Chloe Ellis and Amanda Thomas decided to travel all the way to Birmingham for the British Indoor Rowing Championships, to give themselves a challenge and raise money for charity. Entering the Women’s Junior 18 Lightweight category, Amanda came 5th and Chloe 6th out of 17 entries which they were very surprised at because some of the people had trialled for the GB team, and the person who came 3rd rowed for Finland. Despite the minimal practice of 2km racing as the aim of the term is long distance training, they were very happy with the result and managed to raise £300 for the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity.

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rowing Results WJ18 Ltw Amanda Thomas 5th of 17 WJ18 Ltw Chloe Ellis 6th of 17

Walton Small Boats Head A few days after the end of the Autumn Term a few people who wanted to carry on Rowing during the holidays travelled to Walton for the last race of the year before Christmas. With everybody busy before the end of term we hadn’t done much training but still went along to give it a go. Svenja and Tim Perkins (brother and sister) entered a mixed double as a different event against some tough competition who where a lot older than them.

Two members of staff who have recently left King’s, Julia Richards and Edward Birrell, had boats named after them in appreciation of their help with Rowing coaching during their time at the school. A mention should go to all the new Shells who have started rowing this term. Although they haven’t been able to race this term they have braved the cold weather and have seen great improvement throughout the term which will hopefully be continued throughout the year.

Girls’ Results WIM3 2x Chloe Ellis/Amanda Thomas 13th of 14 WIM3 1x Chloe Ellis 11th of 13 WJ17 1x Amanda Thomas 3rd of 4 WJ17 1x Svenja Perkins 4th of 4

Boys’ and Mixed Results: IM3 1x Alistair Brown 11th of 12 J18 1x Alistair Brown 7th of 8 Mx IM3 Tim Perkins/Svenja Perkins 4th of 4

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riding The King’s School Equestrian Team June 2010 CFA [Apologies, this article should have appeared in the Summer 2010 Cantuarian. Ed] On May 16th, the King’s Equestrian team embarked on their first competition of the year. It took the form of a one day event at Chilham Castle. The riders: Katie Burden on Supreme Flame, Laria Collister on Blimey O’Reilly, Olivia Highwood on Mr Thomas and Charlotte Wickham on Killian walked the course (without their horses) the previous afternoon and felt prepared for what (for some) was going to be challenging day ahead. It was a packed day; every competitor had to complete three disciplines. They all did well in their dressage test and also in their class for the show jumping. The cross-country proved to be slightly trickier for some of the younger horses as the course consisted of 15 quite daunting obstacles – but everyone finished dry! The competition was stiff and the course was already well known by a lot of the competitors; but Katie and Charlotte did well and both came away ranked in the middle of the final results for their classes. Our second outing took us to where we spend every Thursday afternoon – Rooting Street Farm. The day was blisteringly hot (not ideal conditions for the horses). Again, we entered as individuals though it was made clear we were from King’s as Fr. Fred had it plastered on his back! Everyone came away with a rosette: Charlotte Wickham 3rd for Working Hunter Pony, Aine Wright and Rose Barton both gained 2nd in show jumping and William Faust a

Autumn 2010

well deserved 5th in what was his first ever competition. In September, we decided to try something new and we took a group down to the Sussex Polo Club for a beginner’s lesson. As it was actually the last day of the season, we had the added bonus of being invited to the end of year BBQ cooked by the Argentinean coaches, which comprised of delicious lamb cooked in their traditional way. The lesson itself proved to be great fun and meant all riding discipline had to be thrown out the window. It has to be said, that a couple of the horse were already in ‘demob’ mode and did not want to play game. But for the majority, they quickly got the hang of it and proved they not only had good control of their horse, they also were equipped with good hand/eye co-ordination. Despite everyone feeling rather sore and stiff at the end, a good time was definitely had by all. It was a very memorable day and we very much hope to repeat the excursion again next year. The following weekend, a group of us went to Chilham Park for a one day event. We were entered in the Pairs competition and the Individual competition. Charlotte Wickham (5th) and Poppy Arvidsson (Sh) came 9th in the Pairs out of 35 tough competitors. You never know how things are going to go in cross-country and a pony that was fine last time out, just might not want to be fine the next. Victoria Mansfield and Rose Barton were very pleased to have finished the course in good time and without event as it was the first competition Victoria had entered on her new horse. In November, King’s enjoyed another successful day at Rooting Street Farm at the Inter-School Riding Competition against Benenden, North and Ashford School. This time, our team comprised of not only our experienced riders, but also novice riders who were able to borrow

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riding RTF ponies. The competition took place in the recently built indoor arena and comprised of eight jumps. The jumps were squeezed together which meant a lot of tight turns! But King’s were unfazed by this and the ‘B’ team which comprised of Áine Wright, William Faust and Charlotte Langridge came first in their team event. In the individual 2’3”, Olivia got a well deserved 3rd and in the event 2’9” we also enjoyed some success: Charlotte Wickham 3rd, Poppy Arvidsson 5th and Anna Fountain 6th. The day ended with a Puissance Competition which was won by Charlotte Wickham jumping 1m 20cm. As ever, thanks must be extended to the parents on the team as without their support and dedication we could not compete. King’s Equestrian Team is still in its infancy and is going from strength to strength and is working towards a great line up of competitions for 2011-12.

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sailing King’s Sailing Team HROM The 2010 season finished with a net gain of eight trophies, thanks to an enthusiastic squad of excellent sailors, impressive captaincy and great team work. This report therefore consists of a series of ‘Well Dones’ and, although it sounds trite I really do mean well done to this wonderful team of young sailors. They have been great ambassadors for the school in important ways, especially in their contribution to Kent and RYA sailing. Our events this term were all at the top level of school and youth competition: they included the Kent Schools Sailing Association (KSSA) annual regatta held at Bewl Water SC, National Schools topper team racing, the BSDRA autumn championship, hosted by King’s on Westbere lake, the RYA Youths team racing championship held at Farmoor reservoir, Oxford at half-term, and, in the sub zero conditions of late November, the UK Team Racing ‘Jack Cade’ Open held at Bough Beech SC. Well done, first of all, to Elizabeth Wauchope who, having previously won one of just five places in her class, byte CII, through the North and Central America qualifier, sailed in the 2010 Youth Olympics at Singapore. Then well done, again, to Elizabeth on winning two trophies as 1st solo helm and 1st girl helm at the KSSA annual regatta. She also became the first King’s sailor to be awarded Kent county colours. Meanwhile William Goldsmith, Captain for a second year, sailed his J80 successfully at Cowes and in Ramsgate week (finishing 2nd in his fleet). Well done, William, on that and also, on reverting to dinghies in the school term, for going on to captain the Kent team at

Autumn 2010

the RYA Youth Championship, an event which attracts more than 50 teams in youth and junior divisions from all over the UK. At county level Hannah Goldsmith and Tristan Smith, sailing a 420 at the KSSA annual regatta, won best school double handed boat. They were well supported at Bewl Water by Alexander McCulloch (laser vago), Nathan Howell and Edward Parnell (firefly), William Fairbairn and Henry Cross (420), Alexandra Barkshire and Benjamin Warnick (toppers). Well done, all! It was very pleasing that five King’s pupils subsequently sailed for Kent: Alexandra Barkshire, Alexander McCulloch, Elizabeth Wauchope, William and Hannah Goldsmith not only sailed and raced well as I expected, but also happily teamed up with other Kent Schools’ sailors, much to mutual benefit, and were as popular with other teams off the water as they were competitive on it. They were joined by Alexandra Pye and Benjamin Warnick for the UKTRA Open. King’s has helped to develop a growing interest in team racing among pupils attending other Kent schools and it is great to see more young people enjoy sailing in our training scheme. The link with KSSA was very evident at the Autumn Team Racing Championship, organised by King’s, which on October 9th saw more than 72 sailors in a dozen teams, including Ardingly, Ipswich, MCS Oxford, Oakham, Norwich Royal Hospital School, Sevenoaks, Winchester and Kent Schools Sailing Association, converge upon the Westbere lake. Some of the King’s A sailors on this occasion sailed for the KSSA team, which resulted in much jubiliation for the Bs when they won on meeting the As in the most keenly contested match of the 45 races sailed during the afternoon. A huge ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’ to all King’s sailors for helping to make such a success of the day.

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sailing The one disappointment of the term was the cancellation of House Sailing due to a brief appearance of blue-green algae on the lake. Fortunately the algae problem disappeared as quickly as it had arrived and was gone within 72 hours. We hope House Sailing may yet be held later in the academic year, if it can be moved from October to May. The exciting new development of the term was sailing Dart 16s at Whitstable Yacht Club, using a RYA set of catamarans provided for youth training. One of these sessions was sailed with an average wind speed of 26 mph and gusts to 36 mph - I have framed the local met print out. Catamarans in F6 – wow! The term’s events finished, as they began, with light airs on a Kent reservoir, but, ten weeks after the balmy late summer day on Bewl Water, autumn had become a very harsh winter as we raced among ice flows on Bough Beech. King’s entered the UK Open ‘Jack Cade’ championship re-united as a school team and at the end of the round-robin, winning six of eight races, were

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placed 3rd=. By then we were sailing very well, but the wind dropped before the top four teams could sail off the finals. Well done, again, to our sailors on a great performance and on representing King’s so well.

Results Autumn 2010 KSSA Annual Regatta:

1st single handed boat, 1st girl helm, 1st double handed school boat.

BSDRA Autumn Team Racing:

King’s B 6th/10; King’s A/KSSA 8th/10

NSSA Topper Team Racing:

King’s (sailing as Kent): 7th/32 county teams

UKTRA Open:

3=/10

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The Cross Country Race

Autumn 2010

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The Interview ‘Your Starter for 10’: Dr Perkins Lucy Logan Green (6b WL)

Why did you choose to become a teacher? ‘As a joke. Seriously.’ Any other reasons? ‘One day I was working as a tax consultant in the City and my face collapsed. I looked myself in the mirror and I began to wonder who I really

was. So, it was a look-at-yourself-in-the-mirror moment. One day someone suggested teaching just as a throw-away remark. It looks like the joke’s on me.’ This seems like quite a random decision - is there any particular reason why you chose history and politics? He says that he liked the subjects, and smiling says, ‘I thought I’d like to put the food back into the children’s mouths rather than take it out.’

What did you want to be when you were growing up? ‘I suggested to the careers adviser that I’d like to be a careers adviser. I thought it was funny; he didn’t. In any event, I considered the following jobs (in no particular order): palaeontologist, competitive cyclist, landscape architect, petroleum geologist, submariner, postal sack sorter, publican, policeman, stand-up comedian, blueberry-tuna-buzz-saw operator, lexicographer, aphorist. I never wanted to be a teacher. I always hated them. Never liked them.’ This is quite a wide and indeed random mixture of job possibilities. Which areas did he excel in at school? He replies that he was a ‘super-geeky historian and a cross-country runner’... although all hopes of a sporting career were halted with a succession of knee injuries in a sport that Dr Perkins calls ‘association spitting’ or ‘chav ball’. I ponder for a moment and decide that although interested, perhaps it would be wise not to enter into a discussion about the perils of ‘chav ball’.

What would you be if you weren’t a teacher? ‘A tax consultant designing - among other things - global stock option plans where existence comes in three basic states: in-the-money,

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at-the-money, under-water.’ This is extremely specific; why this in particular? It was his previous job. Why did he leave it if he now lives to regret it? One word, ‘Stupidity’. He says that it is a ‘debacle when surrounded by kids’. I don’t get the impression that he means anything he is saying – he is an actor giving the audience what they want to hear, in his case a bit of light comedy.

What appeals to you most about King’s? ‘King’s is a school unlike other schools. It has a world view which consists of not looking at the world. It invites you to join and escape.’

How would you describe your typical school day? ‘Every day is a great day at public school. Every day is a learning day, particularly at a school.’ Right. Good observation.

What has been the highlight of your time teaching so far? ‘Finding a crock of gold at the end of the rainbow.’ That’s certainly a great achievement and something that many aspire to. Whether this is a reference to some life-altering, astounding event that has happened we’ll never know.

What has been the lowest point of your time teaching so far?

What has been one of your strangest moments at King’s? ‘The avian debacle.’ This event seems to have had a profound effect on Dr Perkins, it transpires that he suffers from ornithophobia (a fear of birds).

What has been the most memorable lesson you’ve ever taught at King’s? ‘All my lessons are memorable in their own way. I could read out the phone directory and I’m sure someone would remember it.’ So there’s no particular pupil or class that has been memorable? Long pause... ‘Henry Downing is his own personal sweet shop so maybe him.’ He is clearly an outstanding pupil.

And finally, if the Common Room was burning down, which three members of staff would you save and why? ‘Decision-making can be invidious: So, I’d go hunt down the fire-starter instead.’ After some heckling, Dr Perkins opens up a can of worms... ‘None of the Modern Languages department because there are so many, they can fend for themselves. None of the Geology department because there is no point trying to raise a stone.’ So who would he save? ‘The Chaplain, DJA and MTF.’ The Chaplain so that he could giving a blessing afterwards, and Mrs Ardley and Dr Finn because they are a ‘good pair’ in the History and Politics departments. High praise indeed.

‘I will always remember that lesson when a pigeon got into the Durnford Library. Despite flapping wildly it couldn’t escape and the whole lesson turned into a complete debacle.’

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overheard... and howlers in the Dark Entry... “So I said but we haven’t GOT any meerkats ...” RS Class: “Jesus often betrayed the social constructs, for example, he communicated with tax collectors, haemorrhaging women and leopards”. Maths lesson: “Economics is just drawing graphs and then explaining why they don’t work” Geography prep: ‘“Frostbite: happens in boy parts furthest away from the heart”’ Maths teacher: ‘So that’s about equal to negative infinity in the woolly sense.’ Maths teacher, referring to AJWL sending the entire school a list of 5000 words: ‘I’m going to have my revenge and send the whole school a list of my favourite 5000 equations.’ Maths teacher, again: ‘A case of using a cruise missile to kill a squirrel.’ French teacher: ‘Scum! Don’t write on your text, that’s a dirty English Department habit!’ After Ed Whitehead’s virtuosic piano improvisation in assembly: ‘That boy has quite a good memory.’ In a Latin lesson: ‘It’s not Morse code – dosh dat dosh!’ In a Maths lesson: ‘Don’t you dare frisbee that floppy disk!’ ‘Do you have to be the same age as someone to be their twin?’ In the Undercroft: (in an outraged voice) ‘Some people have really bad table manners here... I saw one of the Purples licking his knife yesterday!’.

Cantuarian Editorial Committee Amanda Young (Editor-inChief) Lee Rigley, Matt McArdle, Faridah Folawiyo, Olivia Lyster, Amanda Thomas (Senior Editors) William Allen, Ashwin Bhadresha, Georgina Davies, Louisa Dearlove, Jane Ellard, William Fenning, Hector Fraser, Edward Hands, Anna Heslop, Olivia Honychurch, Harry Killingbeck, Edward Lawrence-Jones, Lucy Logan Green, Nicholas Ma Siy, Isobel Parrish, Amelia Putt, Florence Savage, Eleanor Thrupp, Eleanor Warr

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The cantuarian

Lent 2011

The Cantuarian Contents Editorial

This and That

Focus

Art and Writing

Trips and Expeditions

Drama

Music

Miscellany

Sport

The Interview

Overheardâ&#x20AC;Ś

Howlers

Editorial Faridah Folawiyo (6a JR) The Lent Term tends to be the one that gets away, passing by so quickly that it is difficult to take in all the events and occasions that take place. However, this year, with an unusually long ten week term, the school calendar was busier than ever and filled with unforgettable events. The term started off as we all returned from our Christmas holidays, most of us relaxed and well-rested, but with the Cambridge candidates anxiously awaiting the news of their decisions. There was a general apprehension in the entire 6a year as they weighed up decisions about their futures and as coursework began to take over the majority of their time. That said, there was a lot about this Lent Term that made it memorable for the departing year group. February was a particularly busy month. Walpole eased us in with their annual sale of Valentine’s Day carnations, which particularly excited the younger girls as they spent hours plotting and making decisions about who should be the lucky recipients of their flowers. That said, the boys’ houses also had abnormally high carnation sales! A week prior to the delivery of the flowers was the Charity Fashion Show, our focus this term, which took place in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. If there was anything that could raise the spirits that had hit such a low in the depressingly gloomy and cold January that we had this year, it was fashion and music, and this year’s fashion show did not disappoint. That same weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed 85 pupils from King’s and Junior King’s in the cathedral to the delight of many parents.

Lent 2011

As always the Lent Term was filled with several house plays and concerts which showcased the school’s exceptional talent and attracted not only parents, but also peers. In addition to house plays, Miss Dover and Miss Matthews decided to put on a sixth form performance of The Hothouse, done entirely in their free time. It was an outstanding play, and a welcome break from the daily school routine. Then came March, a little bit more sunlight and scholarhsip candidates. There is always a buzz around King’s when the scholarship candidates arrive, with the 6as realising that they are soon to be replaced and the Shells excited that they soon won’t have to be the bottom year. The downside of March, however, is that as end of term approaches, so do the coursework deadlines for the three top years, and the library seems to get more packed each day. However, there is no feeling like the relief of having completed coursework, and it was with that wonderful feeling that many of us headed off on our Easter holidays. The King’s schedule gets busier and busier each term, and great thanks must be given to The Cantuarian team which manages to keep up with and cover all these events. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind readers that more articles and many more pictures can be found on The Cantuarian website, along with the latest Archives. The site can be accessed through the school’s intranet or the Parent Portal.

This and That

Common Room News The Common Room Stork

Congratulations to Mark and Amber Lascelles who saw the birth of their third daughter, Romilly Amber Claudia Lascelles, on the 28th February weighing 9lb. Although this happened after the inspection it did not mean Mark could have any Paternity leave. Congratulations also... We send Mrs Susan Webber (Housemistress of Walpole House) our best wishes in completing her Masters before she is due to take up a post at Framlingham School, as a Deputy Head from September. Amanda Young – current editor of The Cantuarian – will replace Susan in September 2011 as Housemistress of Walpole. Congratulations and thanks to Mr Phil Fox on his completion of his 12 years as Housemaster of Mitchinson’s House; he will be handing over to his current Deputy Mrs Emma Ladd as from

September 2012. We wish her every success for her future tenure. The Spanish Department is to lose its Head as Marcal Bruna leaves us for Eton in the summer; congratulations to him and we wish him all the very best. Mark Smiley is to take over Marcal’s role as Deputy Housemaster at Galpin’s. During the term we said thank you to the matron of Linacre, Mrs Evelyn Andrews, for her dedicated service over the past five years, and welcomed Mrs Amanda Tapp into the vacant position. We said goodbye and thank you to Miss Kristin Fredricksson, who has been covering Rebekah Beattie’s maternity leave in the Theatre Studies department and as a tutor in Harvey House. Mr Sinclair writes ‘We have enjoyed having Kristin’s professional eye in the department and we wish her every success as she returns to the theatre where her performance talents will once more be available to the general public and not just to the privileged few of the Drama department at King’s’ and Mrs Cocksworth said ‘She was quick

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The King’s School Common Room 2011

to adapt to the regime, doing duty every Thursday without fail and her honest forthright style meant that the pupils knew where they stood and respected her honest approach. Kristin also proved invaluable in the HH/GL play and we are all very grateful for her time and effort since September.’ Old Friends and the New Zealand Earthquake The Common Room made contact with Andrew Taylor (CR 2000 – 04) and his family after the news of the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand and were glad to hear that they were all safe and well. In a letter to the school, Andrew wrote: ‘Very many thanks for your kind thoughts. I’ve been away in Fairlie (two and a half hours south) settling the children in to school there, with their cousins. The local super-market has just made all their staff redundant - the first of an expected wave of such personal aftershocks (personal disasters) - the place is wrecked, not easy to get to and so is now closed down. It will probably be months

Lent 2011

to years before all the repair work on our house will actually get looked at or started. Best wishes, and thanks, from those of us down under, Andrew Taylor. The Reverend Canon Lord Pilkington of Oxenford died on February 14, aged 77. Peter Pilkington became Headmaster of King’s and a Canon of the Cathedral in succession to the Reverend J P Newell in 1975. Whilst at King’s he oversaw a series of reforms, including the phasing out of corporal punishment and the permanent establishment of girls within the sixth form. He acquired St Augustine’s for the School, opened Tradescant, Broughton and Mitchinson’s and brought Luxmoore into the Precincts. The School flourished under his leadership. In 1986 he became High Master of St Paul’s School in London, leaving in 1991 to become Chairman of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and he was created a Life Peer in

1995. He devoted his life to the Church and to education.

Canterbury Kent CT1 2ES

His obituary is available through the Daily Telegraph online, and his funeral was held on 23 March in Ilminster, Somerset.

The Saatchi School Art Prize 2010

OKS Welcome to James Bartlett (GR 1979-84) who was elected as the new President of the OKS Association, succeeding Felicity Lyons (née Parker, SH 1975-77). The May edition of Offcuts contains a fascinating and informative insight into King’s Week over the last sixty years; members of the Common Room past and present as well as pupils share their memories of King’s Week over each decade from the 1950s up to and including King’s Week 2010. The online publication can be accessed on the OKS website.

Very well done to Harry Churchill (Sh LN) for winning the Saatchi School Art Prize. This is a global competition for U18s, with more than 18,000 entrants. The winners of the 2010 Saatchi Gallery / Sunday Telegraph Art Prize for Schools, sponsored by Deutsche Bank, were announced at a prize-giving ceremony at the Saatchi Gallery in London on 12 January 2011. Harry Churchill won £2,000 and his prep school’s art department was awarded £10,000 to spend on art and computer equipment.

Prizes The Calvin & Rose G Hoffman Prize for a Distinguished Publication on Christopher Marlowe Entries are now invited for the twenty-second Calvin & Rose G Hoffman Prize for a distinguished publication on Christopher Marlowe, to be awarded in November 2011. The closing date for entries to be received is 1st September 2011 Further details may be obtained from: The Hoffman Administrator The King’s School 25 The Precincts

Chemistry news The following Remove pupils were part of the winning team at the Royal Society of Chemistry South East Final of the ‘Chemistry Challenge’ Competition: Teddy Baker (LN), Fenella McLuskie (HH), Anika Patel (CY), Sam Slattery (TR) Late Science News

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Portrait by Dasha Loika

The Chemistry department’s ‘Avogadro Challenge’, run by Mr. Hermes (senior), took place at the beginning of November 2010. Six teams of two were set the task of determining the Avogadro Constant (the number of elementary entities per mole of substance) using a simple electrolysis method. They had to follow a given method very carefully and, using their own research, process their results to find a value for the constant (= 6.022x1023 per mole).

marks to go forward to the very tough three hour Paper 2. They each receive a certificate of merit. In alphabetic order they are: Benedict Bernard, Rachel Castola, Byron Chatzis, William Goldsmith, Nikhil Jain, Christopher Lark, Edward Leggett, Mateen Mohammed, Toby O’Brien, Danny Oh, William Pargeter, Tim Perkins, Oliver Tudor

The winning teams were: Jacob Hamblin-Pyke and Andrew Sultana (within 0.1% of the true value) and William Goldsmith and Nikhil Jain (within 0.5% of the true value).

Those of you who enjoyed Edmund de Waal’s (OKS 1977-81) novel The Hare with Amber Eyes might be interested to read a poem he submitted to The Cantuarian when in the Remove year entitled ‘Last Time’.

We thank Mr Hermes for his contributions to the Chemistry Department (and to Marlowe House) this term.

And finally... The Archives

It can be found in the online archives, Volume 43, 1978-79.

Paper 1 of the British Physics Olympiad was sat by 19 6a students, 13 of whom gained enough

Lent 2011

Focus on art: interview

Faridah Folawiyo (6a JR) When I first contact Fui about the possibility of an interview with The Cantuarian, he politely declines. He doesn’t want the attention, and doesn’t think he has anything worthy to contribute. I persist, and somehow persuade him to at least meet with me for one interview and convince him that if it goes terribly, there will be no ‘Fui Focus’ in The Cantuarian. I meet Fui in his mini art studio at Blackfriar’s, relatively messy, but certainly more organised than I expected. His area is decorated with his completed pieces, his incomplete ones and his notes and sketches: an authentic artist’s workspace. However, on my arrival to Blackfriar’s I am greeted by Fui’s sunny smile, and I realise the whole serious-artist-in-studio interview is not going to work. Why? Because Fui does not stop smiling. Ever. When I ask him an amusing question, he smiles. When I ask him a serious question, he smiles. When he describes his work to me, he smiles. How were we supposed to have a profound, meaningful conversation about art if all he did was smile? Somehow, we manage. Several things had changed since I last spoke to Fui about his art, namely, he had now decided he was going to be an architect rather

than a graphic designer. Why? ‘I find it really interesting,’ he said, ‘and it’s something that has actually gained my parents’ approval. I do enjoy it though and I enjoy studying about it and looking at old building styles.’ He is particularly drawn to the Chicago School architectural movement because it is ‘a simple, symmetrical style. They use ornamentation, but in such a subtle way that you don’t actually see it unless you go close, which is what I really like about it. The ornamentation doesn’t overpower the building.’ Does he wish he could have studied fine art at university instead of architecture? ‘Art has always been a large part of me. It’s something I’ve always done so I do want to carry on doing it. But it’s very hard to get into. If people don’t like your work, they won’t buy it. With some art, you like it, but you wouldn’t want it in your house.’ He doesn’t like the pressure of having to evoke such feeling with his art. He prefers the practicality of architecture where his sole job is to please the client, but with his art, he prefers to please himself. I notice a few photographs around his workspace and I ask him to tell me about his photography. His face lights up. ‘I like photography because it’s something I just enjoy.’ And you can tell Fui wishes that all his art was like that. He doesn’t like the restrictions imposed on him by the Art A Level, he doesn’t like the pressure to produce one final piece. In fact, at the time of the interview, he seemed to be slightly rebelling

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with FUI SRIVIKORN

against the system. I ask him if he ever gets artists’ block. He replies, ‘Well, actually if I have free reign it’s fine. But with A Level you have to relate it to something so I’ve just been drawing whatever I want even though it doesn’t really relate.’ That’s why he is so attracted to ‘sketchbook art’, a phenomenon that is based on the doodles and sketchbooks of artists; it is a much more organic process than say, the obligation to draw a piece based on the theme ‘fantasy/ reality’, which is what Fui is doing at the time of our meeting. He points to the portrait of

Lent 2011

Charlotte. ‘This is an interim piece for my A2 coursework unit. The theme is fantasy/reality and I was working on looking at the concept of drugs and alcohol and how they influence you and change your perception of things. But then she’s not actually doing anything, but your mind is fooling you into thinking that she wants you. It’s got quite a lot of the chiaroscuro type light. I don’t really know.’ He doesn’t like to talk about the technicalities of his art. And he doesn’t have to - the piece speaks for itself.

focus on art... What strikes me the most about Fui is his versatility - the work he shows me from this year couldn’t be more different from what he did last year. I ask him if that has something to do with him being such a multi-faceted artist (Fui is also a photographer, dancer and singer). He replies, ‘Maybe. I think I can make links between the different things I do. I wrote my USC application essay on the links between dance and architecture. I talked about how I can break down the barriers between the things I do and use different methods from my different fields to overcome any problems I have in architecture or art.’ Last year, and in fact for most of his King’s career, Fui has focused on graphics, typography and still-lifes. But this year, he seems to be addicted to drawing people. He mentions at least five times in this interview how much he loves portraits, recently inspired by Michael

Shapcott who paints ‘these really cool portraits’. I tell him I want to buy his portrait of Charlotte. He laughs. ‘I don’t really want to sell my work, but if I ever do sell, you will be my first customer.’ He is certainly not short of customers, ‘Someone offered to buy a piece of mine when I was 12 for 100 pounds, but I ended up losing it,’ but he is protectively careless about his art. He does not look after it very well, but he won’t intentionally let it go. ‘I get really attached to my pieces. They really are important to me.’ There is such an intimate connection between Fui and his artwork that I wonder if he is ever affected by outside influences. Does he feel any rivalry towards any other artists at King’s? ‘Not really. I don’t feel competitive with people. I just do my own thing.’ And that sums up Fui’s attitude to his art; he doesn’t need it to be critiqued, judged or even looked at, he just wants to do his own thing.

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Lent 2011

focus: the charity

Ed Lawrence-Jones (6b CY) With the awesome beats of DJ Cupcake once again reverberating through the Shirley Hall, King’s put on an incredible event with the 2011 Breakthrough Cancer Fashion Show. The show raised £5647.21 for research into and the treatment of a disease that had affected everyone involved in some way, making it a very personal triumph. Breast Cancer affects one

Anya Barker

in eight women on average, with it being the second leading cause of cancer death in women and so the money goes towards a worthy cause. If lucky enough pupils will see two fashion shows in their time at King’s. This year’s show, unlike those done previously, followed a specific theme just like real runway shows in order to keep it interesting, relatable and easier to style. The overall concept was a fashion-forward airport, with the runway styled to emulate a Heathrow airstrip. Within this a number of eras were presented: Paris 60’s, London Punk, New School America and African Prints. The audience were transported between locations announced by the in-flight crew. When you buy a ticket to one of the King’s shows you expect high-end stuff and this Saturday evening was no different. With an excited atmosphere building, the crowd amassed. Just about managing to squeeze in, I got a seat at the back with a good view of the runway (when everyone wasn’t standing on their seats cheering the models on!) The programmes, produced by Fui Srivikorn, kept with the theme and were designed as airplane safety cards; those lucky enough to have VIP seating received goodie bags that came in ‘airsick’ bags. The audience saw streams of beautiful, unforgettable outfits ranging from the chic style of Paris, the preppy look of New School America to the

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fashion show

full flowing evening gowns kindly leant to the school by London designer, Giles Deacon. The models were all made-up in the Pupil’s Social Centre by the Mac girls and, aided by the live video link would storm the stage on cue with roars of approval from the enthusiastic ‘passengers’. Emem Udom opened the show with a look inspired by Jean Seberg in Godard’s Breathless as she waltzed to Brigitte Bardot’s ‘Moi, je joue’ to huge cheers from the audience, and that set the tone for the night. A further stand-out moment in this theme was when Kola Lawal strutted out in a tuxedo with Miss Dover’s dog alongside him; the audience went wild! The next destination was London during the Punk Movement. Emily Steel brilliantly captured the mood of the era as she stomped down the runway with a fantastic faux-hawk created by the hairdressers of Mac Hair Salon. All the boys were expertly made up by Mac make-up as well as with mohawks of their own, some of them brightly coloured. Special thanks must go to Mrs Davies for providing the Idol by New Look clothing that most of the models were wearing. Following London Punk, there was an interval in which there was a hilarious interlude and raffle from Jack Masters and James Edgcumbe-Rendle and rock concert-esque music from Jamie and band (Frederick Holt and Thomas Ralston).

Lent 2011

We were then transported to Nigeria, where DJ Cupcake provided Nigerian music and eight models strolled down the catwalk in traditional clothing with a twist, designed and produced by Mrs Reni Folawiyo. Kunmi Akanle, a Shell, particularly impressed the audience with his confident venture down the catwalk. Then, on to America. Georgie Legg bounced onto the stage to open the theme, and the music was upbeat, and the clothing colourful. Many of the boys were outfitted in bright and bold Huxley jumpers and socks, while special thanks must be given to Ms Kirstie Smart for providing extremely chic tennis dresses for many of the girls. Following this, there was one final walk, and perhaps the most special. Mrs Davies, coming to the rescue again, provided eight fabulous Giles Deacon dresses to be worn in the last walk, and the finale dress won by Emem Udom was absolutely breathtaking. The organisers secured the services of Panache Audio Systems to stage and light the event in a way that easily surpassed other fashion shows I’ve seen. During the interval music was provided by Jamie and his band before Jack Masters and Jamie Edgcumbe-Rendle oversaw the charity auction. Huge thanks has to go to all the organisers namely Miss Dover for leading the event, to Faridah Folawiyo for her emotional pep talks

back stage and to all the shops who provided ‘goodie-bags’ and clothes, especially Giles Deacon for shutting up shop for the show (thanks to Jake Davies’ mother), and to all contributors to the raffle. Hairdressers from Mac Salons styled the models’ hair beautifully and the organisers are grateful to them for giving up so much of their time. Everyone is also very grateful to those who contributed prizes to the auction, including Dr and Mrs Folawiyo who donated tickets to see Manchester United. The 2011 King’s School Charity Fashion Show was a great triumph that achieved outstanding quality and raised a significant amount for the charity. The Fashion Shows at King’s have always been awesome, and the bar was really raised with this one. [For all the photographs of the fashion show, please go to the Cantuarian website. Ed] Clockwise l-r: Genevieve Masters, Jamie Rendle and Band, Emily Steel

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Lent 2011

art music and writing

Art & Writing The Cantuarian Creative Writing Competition 2011-06-07 Lucy Logan Green (6b WL) This year the Senior Creative Writing Competition generated an overwhelming number of entries and what was both pleasing and promising was not only the variety and originality that each of the entrants displayed, but the diversity of the pieces, which did not present vacuous and juvenile stories but showed maturity and depth. This fact was made even more exciting by the number of entries submitted by the younger years. The runner-up is Tom Boulton who submitted an intelligent and interesting short story entitled ‘Pinstripe Modernism’ which follows the life of a businessman who has become disillusioned and tired with the tedium of everyday life. He uses humour and a 1984-esque scene to create an eerie and uniform crowd of ‘monotone modernists’ with whom the protagonist is forced to co-exist. Tom’s short story asks some fundamental questions regarding the superficiality and conformity of modern-day society which make it both thought-provoking and a pleasure to read. Tom wins £30 of Amazon vouchers. ‘Highly commended’ is given to Will Allen for his poetry submission. The winner is Amanda Thomas with her ‘Seven Scenes of Contemplation’. As the title suggests it offers seven different perspectives which examine morality and life situations using poignant and emotive language. Her descriptive vocabulary and originality of thought are what distinguished this piece from the other entries; Amanda’s writing is powerful, evocative and

moving and I am sure after reading it you will recognise she was a clear winner. Amanda is the winner of the first prize which is £50 of Amazon vouchers. Congratulations to all entrants and we look forward to receiving many more entries in the future.

The Winner: ‘Seven Scenes of Contemplation’ by Amanda Thomas (6b CY) The fisherman sat at the edge of the lake, and looked across. The sky is blue as forget-me-nots, the trees breaking from ochre-yellow into April green, and the water has a surface of velvet and grey glassy cold below. The wind blew gently, just enough for the folds to become ripples which touched the bank with a lover’s gentleness. In the distance, the hill rose out of tawny reeds and timidly vernal branches. His eyes came to rest on that church tower out of a fairytale, all pale stone and smooth edges. Inside, the walls were cool. When your hand lingered on the whitewash you could feel the hardness and coldness of hundreds of years. The deep wooden pew was softer and smelt of polishing, and if you scraped the corner with your fingernail you could take off the top layer of black. How strange that so much cleaning makes that dirt, and how strange that warmth is so close to cold. There were so many there. They breathed as one body in the ancient sentences, and were made clean by the pure white walls. The lad alone at school thinks of what he needs. His actions are not quite like he makes them seem. If I take it from you it could be called

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stealing, but I will say I’ve borrowed it if anyone asks, and if they don’t, I will hide it when I’ve finished, and no-one will know that I took it from you. No-one will stop me taking it from there. And even if they knew it was yours, they wouldn’t mind, and they wouldn’t stop me. If I can get away with it, why shouldn’t I do it? It makes my life easier, and you won’t know it was me. He takes it, and no-one knows he did, but the girl has lost it, and will probably never get it back. Sitting in the shade of a spreading chestnut tree, she dreams away the minutes on a wing of fantasy. Imagining him being here, imagining herself being there, anywhere with him. Or just to see him. Seeing him is never enough, and neither is exchanging a few sullen words. A look across a crowded room means nothing, unless he wants it to mean everything. A word in the noisy hall says nothing, except when his eyes

Lent 2011

say everything. She saw him walking away, and that glimpse of perfection was worth more than the sum of her heart. Now, feeling the dents of last autumn’s broken chestnut cases through the cotton skirt, he is as far away and as close as a fading dream. Do you know what it is when you take something without asking and you don’t give it back, says the little girl perched on the wall, but her brother is scraping the edge of a piece of brick with a stick and isn’t listening. It’s stealing, and it’s naughty so you can’t do it. If you take my things without asking it is wrong, and it is wrong as well if you don’t give it back. And if you take it and then say you haven’t that is even worse. The orange dust settles on the boy’s trousers, but when he rubs it, the moisture of his fingers turns it to a paste that stains.

Art & Writing After a day of turmoil, when the sun had set and the final flourish of fire had whimpered away in the sky, the scene became grey. The trees made their harsh black silhouettes against the sky of slate, and the messy waves were everything between khaki and mahogany. Looking out of his window, he could find the place where he’d seen her last, and could watch and hope that her shadow would return. He could survive the ordeal of counting the days, but now the unsure crumples of the water’s surface gave him no answer, and he could only wait and trust. The seventh scene is here and now.

The Runner Up: ‘Pinstripe Modernism’ by Thomas Boulton (6b GR) That foggy London morning rolls around once again, and with it comes the achingly familiar sensation of shuddering fatigue known by so many as the mark of one cruelly deprived of sleep. Ted Johnson is no stranger to this feeling. He wakes at a quarter-to-five each and every morning, each day tragically identical to the last. Tolerant man though he is, Ted finds this particular element of his life more than a little irksome. Those of a sunny nature call this extortionately early wakeup call an opportunity to ensure organisation, or a chance to make sure that the house is in respectable order. Those of perhaps a slightly more dismal outlook label it a period of enforced exhaustion, a direct result of the pinstriped bigotry of the Square Mile. Ted himself is one of a more salt-and-pepper countenance, and, though his face is lined with wrinkles reminiscent of the tributaries of some

great river, no tangible bitterness resides underneath his leathery and weathered features. He is not one to indulge in bitter thoughts or schemes, nor does he much like gossiping, habit though it is of his amusingly superficial colleagues in central London. Ted often marvels at their stupefying shallowness, and at their obsession with all things trivial. He wonders whether they have ever truly looked at themselves; if they had, surely they would instigate at least some degree of self-respect? But Ted puts these thoughts aside hastily whenever they happen to pop by; those with a penchant for superficiality and gossip leave a sour taste in his mouth, and mouthwash has recently become disturbingly expensive. Today is no different to the countless thousands that have come and gone before it; they are all disturbingly similar regardless of the weather or the season. Every grey day follows an identical template: shatter blissful slumber at the wonderfully social hour of four forty-five ante-meridiem, rouse senses with a faceful of icy water, flip kettle on, step into cold, grimy shower, scrub leathery body clean with ragged soap and wiry flannel and embark upon quest for procurement of fresh under-garments. Ted is a man of simple concerns; he is happy so long as there is food, beer and meat in his fridge and clean boxers somewhere around the place. Ted spends precisely twenty-three minutes on his preparation for each day; blindly slipping through the relentless monotony as though it was the back of his hand. Not that Ted spends much time examining the back of his hand; he hasn’t the time for matters of such trivial insignificance. He wakes his children at a twenty to six, to allow them ample time, and indeed practice, to fully wake up and prepare for the day of unholy boredom that never fails to lie ahead. As a family of three, they are all dressed and, hopefully, sufficiently nourished by ten to seven, at which point Ted switches on their nineteenfifties wireless radio. Ten minutes of silent

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appreciation ensue, each one of them grateful for their chance at some vague pondering, on matters they know not which. The screeching violence of the BBC news countdown leaves every member of that humble family with a faint feeling of sadness, and scything remorse at not having listened hard enough to fully appreciate the crackling beauty of technology sixty years out of its time. That wartime wireless captures the beauty of this ordinarily unique family quite perfectly: old-fashioned with a rustic charm yet entirely functional, which is more than can be said for most of modern Britain. London is filling up with monotone modernists at a disturbing rate. Ted Johnson hates modernists. To exude negativity and depression is to symbolise the very worst of human nature, Ted says, and he simply cannot stand the sight of grey fabric, for connotations of realism and negativity abound in such dreary clothing. Granted, Ted is not much of an optimist himself; he is content to growl at the local youths as much as anyone else, but that is only because they so often wake his children at obscene hours of the night or indeed morning. That said, Ted does have a slightly peculiar fondness of the locals. Without them, who would there be to snarl at? Grey-suited modernists fail to warrant even the most contemptuous grumble of disapproval. Perhaps the real tragedy of Ted Johnson’s life is that he has never known anything other than the identically repetitive routine he has lived by for fifty-two years. He knows nothing of beaches or sailing or other such sophisticated pleasantries. His life is entirely void of all things amusing, and he refuses point-blank to cut loose even remotely. In all his years, he has only been to the pictures twice, and both times he hated what he saw. Ted never understood the apparent furore over the Jaws film he was dragged to that putrid day back in his teenage years. He is largely pragmatic about sharks. If you put a carrot in front of a horse, it takes an idiot to be surprised when the horse eats it. By the precise

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same token, if you place some loud and wholly anti-social human beings in a shark’s territory, one cannot be surprised if some limbs or heads are lost along the way. It is simple logic, and this enormous public outrage reminded Ted of the distinct lack of intelligence of modern society, as prevalent in the eighties as it is now. And, being a traditionalist, Ted is hard-wired to experience natural repulsion and loathing hatred at the mere sight of a hopping lamp, regardless of the fact that it symbolises the insignia of one of his company’s largest clients. His hatred is further distilled by the fact that this impossibly athletic lamp is the concept of some duotone suits in Silicon Valley. Still, at least his kids enjoyed it. Quite how they enjoyed two hours of pixellated fish and Rastafarian turtles, Ted will never know. His first trip to the pictures was thirty-five years ago, and his second was yesterday. Both were thoroughly forgettable experiences. Therefore, they warrant no more recollection. Today, Ted Johnson will miss as clear-cut an opportunity at change in his life as any that has sauntered his way for decades. And the tragedy of this story is not that he missed this exquisite opportunity, it is that he squandered it by sleeping through his alarm. His electronic, batterydependent, modern alarm. As it turns out, Ted’s mobile phone charger is broken. The one single piece of modern technology in the house, and it pitilessly dashes Ted’s last chance at revolution, at a break from the utter, utter monotony of his inner city life in accountancy. ‘Bloody modern technology, eh kids?’ growled Ted over his bowl of stale bran flakes. As he sat there fuming with frustration at the inadequacy of all things modern and electronic, the Sun rose somewhere over London. But not even the brightest optimist could see it for the allencroaching London fog. The sound of a blasted cartoon, no doubt concerning bouncing tigers or outrageously cunning mice, could be heard emanating faintly from the sitting room of one of his neighbours. Ted blames the pinstripe-modernists.

trips and expeditions

trips and expeditions Spanish Exchange Trip to Peru Joseph Bondatti (6a GR) In the summer of 2010, five of The King’s School Canterbury’s AS-level students embarked on the trip of a lifetime. Fui Srivikorn, Joseph Bondatti, Thais Martin, Rachel Castola and Laura Galloway took part in a three week long exchange programme with Markham College, Lima. This exchange was unique from the many others organised by the language department, given that the participants were not accompanied by a member of staff; they were instead the responsibility of their host families and of the college, resulting in a more complete immersion in the Peruvian culture and way of life. All too often on exchanges such as these, students group together and ostracise themselves for the duration of the trip; however the Peruvians were so ready to include the students in every aspect of their lives, both academically and socially, that at no point was this ever the case. Markham is a prestigious college in the heart of Lima, where most lessons, with the exception of Spanish Literature, are taught in English. As a result, many of the students are already bilingual, and have an interest in foreign languages and cultures. The King’s School students attended lessons over the course of two weeks, both in English and in Spanish. It was interesting to watch the Peruvians switching seamlessly between the two languages in both the classroom and the common room. Markham also has a budding music department. Although their timetable does not allow for music lessons, many students give up their own time to practise in the choir or band. The students were fascinated by the amount of scheduled music that

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the typical King’s student is involved in every week. Outside lessons, the students had the chance to get to know their host families, who spared no expense in providing them with a taste of Peruvian culture, whether this was in the form of visiting historical Incan sites such as Pachacamac, or the more modern shopping malls and restaurants. The families also sought out the best places to eat traditional Peruvian cuisine, such as Ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice and chilli) and Chicha Morada (a drink made using ears of purple maize and cinnamon). In the evenings, many of the Peruvians would meet up frequently outside of school, and were keen to invite the group of King’s students along. In addition to their time spent in Lima, all five members of the group also visited the town of Cusco, situated near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range, at 3,400 feet above sea level. The surrounding area is rich in historical sites which, given the nature of their location, have survived the test of time, and the indigenous people are a testament to their refusal to give up their cultural identity. Upon their arrival, the students were issued with a bowl of Mate de Coca (a tea derived from the Coca leaf) to prevent altitude sickness, and were promptly taken to wander through the town centre. The famous Incan site of Macchu Picchu was also

Trips and expeditions only a scenic train journey away, where A Level Photography students Fui and Thais were able to take some breathtaking photographs of the ruins and the surrounding landscape. Nearing the final week of their stay, the students flew to the town of Iquitos on the outskirts of the Amazon Rainforest, and proceeded to trek into the jungle the following morning, where they were to sleep for two nights. The lodge had no electricity, but an abundance of gas-fuelled lanterns that would appear as the daylight began to fade. The running water was sourced directly from the river, and had taken on a slightly brownish tinge; a nightmare for germfearing Laura, who maintained that she was probably cleaner before she got in the shower than when she got out of it. The students visited an animal sanctuary on the riverbank, where they were able to pet domesticated monkeys and snakes, and learn about the work of activists who were tying to prevent their exploitation. They also went river dolphin watching, and fishing for piranhas, using raw meat to bait the carnivorous fish. In the evenings, the rainforest teemed with tropical insects and tarantulas, which were the main spectacle of a private tour through the jungle. At the end of the three weeks, all five members of the group left Lima with a heavy heart. Their experiences at Markham College, as well as those at Cusco and Iquitos, were valuable and enriching, and certainly left an impression on all of them. The exchange was thoroughly unlike any trip offered by King’s, and the Peruvians’ arrival in January of 2011 is eagerly anticipated.

Spanish Department Trip to Barcelona Fiona Jenkinson (Fifth HH) On the 9th December, a group of Fifths went to Barcelona to improve their Spanish and learn about the local culture, as well as making new Spanish friends. We left Canterbury early on the last day of term and arrived at Heathrow at 11.00, where, after waiting for a while, we eventually boarded the plane that would take us to Barcelona. On arriving, we met two teachers from the school with which we were having the exchange, and went outside to find a bus, several times, before actually finding it. Despite the fact that by this time it was 9.00 in the evening, we found the Mediterranean climate warmly welcoming compared to snowy England and so shed the large jackets and winter wear which we were wearing. Eventually we arrived at the exchange school where we were greeted by the families with whom we would stay, and having met our exchange friends we went to our new homes, not knowing what the next day would bring. After our first Spanish breakfast, we spent the morning walking along the sandy beaches of Barcelona and saw the Olympic city under the unusually hot December sun. We then went to a shopping centre where we saw a giant Caganer (a man who is part of the Catalonian Nativity scene and is notoriously hidden due to his pose) which took us all by surprise and temporarily distracted the boys from going to McDonald’s. After having some free time, we went to the industrial port where we had a guided boat tour

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and learnt about the significance of Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sea trade. We then went to La Rambla where we had some time to look at the street acts before going to La Boqueria which is the biggest market in Europe and we were overwhelmed by the diversity of the produce there. For lunch, as was the same every day, we were fortunate enough to be taken to a Spanish restaurant where we tried a selection of the traditional local cuisine. Then, as programmed for all the week days, we had Spanish lessons at another school where we learnt Spanish and facts about Barcelona. For the evening, we explored the city and saw one of its cathedrals, before we were returned to our families to spend our only weekend in Barcelona with them. During this time we visited many more places and learnt much more Spanish - I for example went to the aquarium and several art museums - until, on

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Sunday evening, the majority of us went to see a football match at Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest stadium, Camp Nou, which for many was the highlight of the stay. On the Monday morning, the group returned to Camp Nou where we were given a guided tour of the museum and stadium and were shown places where many a celebrity had been. After lunch and lessons we were then taken to see two documentaries in 3D at the cinema in Spanish, the first of which, which was about whales, had such music and a narrator with a monotonous voice that I was the only one in the whole group, with the teachers included, not to fall asleep! After the second, we were taken back to the city centre and treated to churros and hot chocolate with cream which we quickly learnt was the ultimate indulgence after a long cold day.

Trips and expeditions The next day, we travelled to visit the well known Sagrada Familia which is the unfinished basilica by the architect Gaudi. We learnt a lot about it in Spanish from a guide before being taken to the top of one of the finished towers which is several metres lower than the finished expected height. All the same, the views of Barcelona were amazing and the building itself was worth coming all this way to see, although the descent via a seemingly infinite narrow spiral staircase was pretty daunting. We then drove to Park Güell which was also designed by Gaudi and although we didn’t have much time to enjoy the gardens, we managed to sit on the longest bench in the world. After the usual midday routine, we went back to the school where our exchange friends were and had an hour speaking to them and their friends, first in English, which they were very good at, then in Spanish. We had an early start to the penultimate day. We popped into one of Barcelona’s oldest cathedrals before visiting the Catalonian Government where we saw a lot of art and some amazing chandeliers. As we made our way to the

Picasso museum, we were again coaxed into the churros shop and then we learnt about how Barcelona influenced Picasso and saw some interesting paintings. On our last afternoon after lessons we had a chance to spend time with our Spanish friends before packing our bags for the last day in Barcelona. The final day eventually came and there were already tears as we departed from the exchange school for our last look around the city. As we walked up one of Las Ramblas, we saw some of the modern buildings that we had become so used to walking past in this unique city, until we reached Casa Milan, another building by Gaudi which was very much inspired by nature. From the roof of this house we could see the whole of Barcelona, where we had been, and beyond. After some last minute shopping we had our final lunch, before taking the metro and going back to the school where we met our Spanish friends. After saying our goodbyes, and with most of the girls in tears, we drove off literally into the sunset, back to snowy England – which caused some last-minute flight havoc – and back from an amazing Christmas trip to Barcelona.

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DRAMA

Amy Chapman

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Drama The Sixth Form Play: The Hothouse

‘Corrupt, incompetent and downright murderous the staff of the Hothouse may be, but they too are victims of the hellish system in which they are are caught up. They inhabit a world where patients are numbers not names and in which the blurring of work and life reaches even as far as Christmas Day.’

the staff at a mental institution working on Christmas Day when two patients cause a stir; one is dead and the other, more controversially, is pregnant. While trying to work out exactly which patient is which, Roote (Jack Masters, 6a TR - pictured below) and Gibbs (Tom Boulton, 6b GR) also must find the father amongst the staff. That is, at least on face value, the basic storyline. The challenging relationships between Miss Cutts (Amy Chapman 6a WL pictured left) and everyone else and the sordid experiments that go on within the institution cause the audience to be shocked, concerned and more often than not, wondering what is really going on with the doctors.

The programme greets us with this chilling message, providing an oxymoron between the cheery Christmas music playing and immediate morbid curiosity as to what Kim Dover’s and Charlotte Matthew’s interpretation of Pinter’s The Hothouse will bring. The plot is about

The scene was very accurately set with a minimalistic stage design, using white furniture against a black background to place them in a medical environment, also meaning that the audience’s attention wasn’t pulled away from anything but the characters. Having the focus

Milly Putt (6b BR)

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drama on them meant that the audience could pick up on those all-important suggestions of what was really going on in this hospital. The most interesting piece of the set was the pane of glass that divided the centre of the stage, used well to represent how nothing was hidden between the characters, in particular Miss Cutts and Gibbs. As the play progressed it began to imply the potential divide between reality and fiction for these characters. The real challenge with this play was ensuring that the audience were engaged, because it was one that really kept you guessing. At times it appeared a little confusing and the audience were lost, but the dramatic and grizzly ending of the fire and the abstract nature of the performance meant that at the end, people were still talking about it and evoked some quite heated debates as to who the doctors really were, some believed them to be mental patients themselves and the whole thing and illusion or façade.

There may have been one of the letdowns of the play; it gave us no definitive answer to our questions about the characters, just many suggestions, which was a tad frustrating. However, many considered it intriguing to work out the mystery of the characters themselves, becoming more involved in the events unfolding in front of them. Congratulations must be given to all the cast for their remarkable performances, particularly to Tom Boulton in his work as Gibbs, who maintained a powerful presence throughout his performance, as well as keeping the audience interested in him. The shocking events of the fire and he being the only survivor immediately aroused suspicion in his involvement. His ambitious intentions were also made very clear and he matched Jack Master’s wordy part well with his intense gaze and poise. Another exceptional performance was that of Hector Dyer (6a MO), playing Lamb, a truly creepy character

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who set the audience on edge. Although the victim of Miss Cutts’ and Gibbs’ experiments, he was never viewed as a victim. The focus maintained throughout the performance and the completeness of his character development meant that the audience responded to him- any laughs were more out of nerves and curiosity as to what his character would do next. Adding the comedic aspect of this play, which was effective in the contrast between the shocking developments, were Piers Webb playing Tubb and Teni Mobereola playing Lush (both 6b GR) were much needed in lightening the whole performance, with Teni’s strong physical work and expression, and Piers’ use of voice creating some great moments for the audience to respond to.

Luxmoore and Meister Omers House Play and Concert: Melodious Melodrama JVB An evening of two halves - and a challenge for the critic. Withering Expectations, or A Conflict of Clichés, was specifically written by Dr Pidoux to form the theatrical part of the evening. It wasn’t a cast of thousands, but there were at least 30 to be counted on stage, and another dozen or so providing backup behind-the-scenes. The script (in an ingeniously contorted piece of educational thinking which even Mr Sanderson might have admired for its far-fetched potential) posited that a posh headmistress from Kent went with her chosen male charges to preach

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the merits of Dickens to a Headmaster and his selected female pupils in the land of the Brontës. This was not just a House entertainment, but on many occasions a positively virtuosic exposé of the many variations rung by English 19thcentury novelists on the raw material of the 18th century Germanic Bildungsroman. But Dr Pidoux does entertainment too. Even the echoing acoustic of the Shirley Hall failed to repress widespread appreciation of a delightfully realized set of cameos, equally expert in linguistic and physical expression. There was the occasional and reassuringly welcome spot of typecasting in the selection of the school roles (Ellie Warr an exquisitely manicured Edwina Crisp, Harry Leadbeater an assured Ernest Braithwaite, George Courtauld a perfectly turned Tertius Troy-Magnum, and Zoe Bromfield relaxing confidently into the role of Wanda Kerves). The roles from the novels demanded less a sense of tenure than an arriviste desire to act as imposter. From the North we had a shapely Heathcliff from Andrew McCredie, in danger of putting the late Lord Olivier to shame; a set of rants from the Old Joseph of Ranulph Tees, which eclipsed anything of an evangelical nature ever delivered in the Shirley Hall by the late and eponymous Canon; and limp wristedness a plenty from the Young Linton of Jake Hewitt. Their Kentish counterparts gave as good as they got. Simon Broadley gave us a clear spoken Pip. There was a chilling Miss Havisham from Lucy Warr, and two delightful cameos from William Fabbro as Magwitch and Nathan Howell as a Creeping Servant. This was stimulating fare. It was also great theatre. We would all have happily watched

it again. Please, Dr Pidoux? Those double structures surely warrant a double hearing.

age, wrenched, slightly between gritted teeth, from an entirely different context.

Mr Miles, veteran of many a production, brought all his experience and skill to the first half. It would be wrong to mention names - and indeed rather defeat the demotic object of the evening. Rather, one was constantly impressed by how many people could sing in tune; how many instrumentalists could watch a beat and respond to it; how many pupils were expert in just how many instruments; and just how many staff could be involved in shaping those talents into a cohesive and highly impressive evening.

Thomas Arnold, so the educational mythology goes, started the great public school tradition. Arnold wanted to give a proper education to an emerging middle class. He wanted to Christianise his pupils and the nation. He wanted to invigorate the intellectual life of his charges at the same time. Posterity misunderstood Arnold and warped his message. Urged on by the false report of Tom Brown’s School Days it replaced Arnold’s emphasis on intellectualism with an emphasis on sport. Where Arnold wanted intellectual rigour, his interpreters wanted the troops of the Empire to play up, play up, and play the game. One party wished to promote the life of the mind; the other party wished to promote the dominance of the Gatling Gun.

Beethoven got as far as Opus 138. Mr Matthews, whose A Little Drama Suite received, in accordance with tradition, its world premiere to deserved cries of bravo from his colleagues, is now only two behind, and going strong, having had fewer run-ins with Napoleon, hearing aids (DV), invading armies, the Viennese Establishment -- and, by now, considerably greater experience of writing for diverse forces who may or may not get together at the last moment (doors for the evening opened only 15 minutes in advance). Of course both house songs eclipsed the standards of yesteryear. Of course, the company set about with enthusiasm and youthful charm Another Op’nin, Another Show. Of course stage management was perfect, introductory speeches exemplary in their lightness of touch, interval tapas chilled to perfection. But none of this is really the point. So bear with your challenged reviewer. The only performance of this entertainment took place on a night of great uncertainty in Libya. At one poignant moment, as the girls of Luxmoore gathered, the image of Monty, OKS, looked down with a measure of incongruity. There was a smile, to be sure. But a smile from another

The King’s School, the influence of Monty notwithstanding, has always resisted this imperative. It has never substituted sport for intellectualism but rather kept the two in simultaneous play. To these it has added an excellence in music and an excellence in drama which were to the good Doctor of Rugby completely unknown. The removal of Cathedral choristers from the foundation and the arrival of girls have consolidated the merits of this change. This was less an evening of the performance of a house entertainment than an evening of enjoyment of a whole school culture. Standards were high, and appreciation widespread, good relations ubiquitous. In the final speeches, staff were keen to hymn the efforts of the pupils. But in truth, the boot was on the other foot. There were 10 items on the programme. Eight of these were either an original composition, or a bespoke arrangement, by a current member of the teaching staff. The evening could only happen because of a belief in serving pupils, and

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drama Thaïs Martin

a giving of time to them, for which there is no contractual compulsion and yet for which there can be no educational or experiential substitute. NB, Mr Sanderson*. The evening represented the very best of boarding -- on which inspectors had only recently turned their backs. It is common to speak of going the extra mile. But to go this many Miles? No wonder Monty looked down and smiled. Desert and desserts met, incongruously but deservedly. This was a wonderful evening. Many congratulations to all involved. But, more than that, this was an expression of a wonderful culture. We all left appreciating just how much we should value and respect it. [Ed’s note: clarification for some readers: Frederick William Sanderson of Oundle, not our own RPS]

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Galpin’s and Harvey House Play: Skungpoomery Michael Hollihan-Salmiento (Rem GL) A riveting performance, ‘Skungpoomery’ is definitely one of the best comedies to have filled St Mary’s Hall. Thanks to Director Samuel Gearing and Assistant Director Kristin Fredrickson, the cast were able to perform for a full house and to perform flawlessly. Starring, were Galpinites Alexander Miller as Faz, Thomas AchesonGray as PC Wibble, Alexander Farrow as Mr Humbottom, Elliot Evans as Stuff, and Augustus Gould as Mrs Humbottom. The Harvinians were: Katherine Burden as Twoo, Anna Fountain as Mrs Wibble, Thais Martin as Bunkett, and Paige McCulloch as Snarhom. This wonderful group produced some excellent performances

and were deserving of the standing ovation they received. Even through the difficulty of a complex and interesting play selection the actors broke through any difficultlies, earning the respect of any critic. None of this would have ever been possible without the incredible dedication of director Samuel Gearing, who gave his heart and soul to a play which proved capable of reaching the demanding directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectation. An equally dedicated commitment from Assistant Director Kristin Fredrickson and from the rest of the crew made it possible: Rachel Castola doing Lights, Steve Bree Set Director, Fionnuala Halfacre as Properties Manager, Rachel Phipps as Costume designer, and Emilie De Bree as Sound Manager.

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Music

King’s Choral Society: Mozart’s Requiem JVB Soloists - Kate Valentine, Anne Marie Gibbons, Andrew Staples, Eddie Wade Conductor - Howard Ionascu Canterbury Cathedral , Saturday 26th March, 7.30pm What a programme! Mr Ionascu’s instincts did not let him down. We had Beethoven in C minor (the Coriolan Overture) and Mozart in D minor (the Requiem, K626). Neither composer used either key without singularity of intent and intensity of delivery. So (unreliable) legend has it, the Requiem is evidence of Mozart’s inability at self-preservation; in the adaptation of Shakespeare which the Viennese poet Heinrich Joseph von Collin prepared for Germanic audiences, Coriolan was to be an even more self-destructing force than his Shakespearean counterpart Coriolanus. The pieces rubbed shoulders most meaningfully - twin emblems of self-destructive instincts, in one symbolic reading; twin essays in daring exploitation of minor key sonorities in another.

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It was the end of term. The Cathedral’s resonant acoustic did few favours for the sparing details of both scores. On the other hand, it perhaps had the ability to conceal any blemishes caused by end of term tiredness. To begin with, perhaps Coriolan lacked full fighting force. The opening chords are military anvil blows more effective in a drier acoustic. But once launched, there was no doubting the intensity of the commitment or the precision of the execution. This is not an easy, or commonly performed, piece. It was a rare opportunity to hear - and for the pupils to perform - an undeservedly neglected part of the repertoire. No such verdict could ever be accorded to the subsequent item. Even before Peter Shaffer persuaded us - against all factual testimony that Mozart was buried in a pauper’s grave, on a day of appalling weather, at a low point in his career and in his personal relations, this extraordinary piece has exerted a unique symbolic and psychological grip. The Requiem is a pinnacle of the repertoire, to be approached with caution and with awe. Mr Ionascu had gathered together a truly impressive group of soloists. All too often, a late deputy steals the thunder. Formidable as the biography of the stand-in baritone, Benedict Nelson, was, this could not be the case. This was a truly unified group, and it could be

music invidious to pick out the true tuning and beautiful line of tenor Andrew Staples, and the equally sinuous and confidently delivered soprano of Kate Valentine. Jane Phillips led a tremendous orchestral effort. It was impossible not to notice that the ball was often thrown to the back of the lineout, where Messrs. Pollock, Tyndall, and Luck, reinforced by Mrs Johnson, got through kilometres of bow. There was formidable trombone playing from Christopher Loyn, George Pughe (soloist in the Tuba Mirum) and Edward Baker: this was particularly noticeable in Cum Sanctis Tuis. Limpid timing and sweet tuning characterised distinguished clarinet playing from Millie Aylward and Camellia Johnson. A large chorus, in which the tenor section enjoyed (unusually) particular prominence did more than justice to Mozart’s many demands. Why was there not more prolonged applause at the end? Well, in truth, we would all happily have had another item. Those two minor pieces had a major influence in Franz Joseph Haydn, who taught both composers, to differing amounts of appreciation. An Overture and a Requiem? Well, it was Lent. But next time, Mr Ionascu, an additional concerto would suit your admiring and faithful audience nicely. This concert was a real end of term tonic. Many congratulations to all who were involved.

The Chamber Music Concert Jane Ellard (6b LX)

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This term’s Chamber Music Concert, which happened on Sunday, 13th March, was an exhibition of some of the best musicians at the school, performing in a small orchestra, and also in the ‘King’s Brass Ensemble’, as well as some Soprano soloists from the Crypt Choir. Although this was quite a short concert by comparison to some others it was also a chance to showcase how much the music department is capable of doing. The concert started at 3pm, with Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D, ‘London’, which was played in two movements, perhaps mirroring the progress through the day as it moved from Adagio-Allegro and then to Andante which might have illustrated the calm start to a day, the busier middle, and then it becoming calmer as it moved towards the evening. After a short interlude for a quick reorganisation, the King’s Brass Ensemble came on stage to perform a jovial piece called ‘Two Brass Cats’, by Chris Hazell. As was to be expected, this was performed in a lively manner and there was plenty of contrast between the brass instruments mimicking the difference in personality between the ‘Two Brass Cats’. Following this, the orchestra returned to accompany Edmund Whitehead, as he played a solo piece called ‘Moses Fantasy’ on the double bass by Niccolo Paganini. This was a particularly clever piece as it used a huge range of notes for the double bass and was also performed on only one string, thus exploding the notion that a double bass can only murmur along at the bottom of an orchestral work. This must have been very hard work for Edmund Whitehead but it was extremely well performed.

This was not to be the end of the display of talent as the following piece was a premiere performance of ‘Themes on the Big Screen’ composed by a 6b music scholar, Jacob Ewens. This piece was drawn from his own experiences of listening to theme tunes from films, and so it was a copy of this style of music. It was played by the orchestra, with Jacob playing the piano and conducted, as with the rest of the concert, by Mr Pollock. From this outstanding rendition, the orchestra came full circle to play the last two movements of the piece that had started the afternoon’s performance- Symphony No. 104 in D, ‘London’ with the third movement ‘Menuetto- Trio’ leading into the final movement of the piece ‘Finale: Spiritoso’ which left the audience greatly impressed by the quality of musicianship on show at the school, particularly given that the Chamber Orchestra have comparatively very little rehearsal time with which they can

put these concerts together. Congratulations must go to the Chamber Orchestra and the Brass Ensemble and to Mr Pollock and Mr Abbot for rehearsing the Orchestra and Brass Ensemble respectively.

The Marlowe House Concert Anna Heslop (6b MR) On Saturday 22nd January, Marlowe House, parents and teachers came together in the Shirley Hall for an evening of music and drama, all student-run with the help of the House tutors.

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music The Concert opened with the Marlowe House Orchestra performing ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ followed by ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’. This year’s orchestra had a wide variety of experience from pupils playing instruments at near diploma level to Galvin Brady on the xylophone having never played before. The combination worked well and once again Mr Pollock managed to find a varied programme for all levels. The evening continued with Webster and Burke’s ‘Black Coffee,’ a slower and more relaxing piano piece played by Benedict Flett. Next the audience enjoyed a drama sketch by the Fifths, narrated by Emily Champion who managed to keep up a very credible northern accent throughout. Following this was Andrew Sultana on the saxophone, accompanied by Mr Matthews. After Andrew’s jazzy performance of Singelée’s ‘Solo de Concert No.3, Op.83,’ the audience was soothed by Bach’s mellow piano piece, ‘Prelude in C’, played by Sebastian James. The whole house then assembled to perform this year’s house song, ‘The Four Chord Song’. There was certainly no lack of spirit and enthusiasm! The Remove boys then gave a classic performance in their comedy called ‘2020 Olympic Venue Bid’, cleverly incorporating their different acting talents to play parts as ambassadors of particular countries. With laughs from the audience Jacob Furedi, as narrator ended the sketch and announced the winner. The concert continued with a solo from Natasha Methven of Dylan’s ‘Make You Feel My Love,’ after which she was joined by the rest of the Marlowe House Choir to give us an up-beat performance of ‘De Animals A-Comin.’ Evangeline Kanagasooriam then played a passionate rendition of Brahm’s ‘Rhapsody in G minor Op.79, No.2,’ The evening was finished off by the House Orchestra with their performances of ‘Summertime’ and ‘Danse Macabre.’

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The Grange and Walpole House Charity Concert Isobel Parrish (6b WL) The annual Grange and Walpole Charity House Concert and Dinner, this year in aid of The Starfish Greathearts Foundation and Royal Free Pancreas Cancer Research, held at the Birley’s pavilion, combines a delicious three course meal with musical interludes to accompany the break between courses. This year’s concert fell on Saturday 5th March, and thus an otherwise dreary March evening was lit up with a selection of hugely diverse performances from the pupils of The Grange and Walpole. As the concert opened, the entirety of Walpole stepped up to perform their house song, ‘Black Horse And A Cherry Tree’, which was a tribute to their placement in this year’s House Song Competition. Walpole, using the limited opportunities available, had prepared the popular South African folk song ‘Shosholoza’ which was performed by the whole house as a surprise thank you and good-bye to Mrs Webber who is leaving at the end of this school year. Once the concert had properly kicked off, the ‘whole house vibe’ dispersed into small groups and soloists with solo renditions of Fauré, Grieg and Schumann amongst others, scattered in between dishes of Scallops, Lamb and Cheesecake. There was a good variety between Grange and Walpole students, with vocal performances as well as those on the piano, oboe and cello. Soloists included Ilona Bushell, Shaun Wood,

music Camellia Johnson, Georgia Watt, Alexander Soul and Jessica Hill. On top of these solo performances were small groups. The whole concert is studentorganised and these groups executed their acts exquisitely which is even more impressive and well deserved after a hectic week attempting to squeeze in rehearsals amongst the already frenzied timetable. There were two singing duets in the evening – one from Margaret Tong and Sophie Nairac who sang ‘Night of Stars and Night of Love’ beautifully, and the other from Henry Downing and Christopher Loyn singing Bizet’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’, which was touching to say the least. Lucy Logan Green, Sophie Nairac, Christopher Loyn and Henry Downing made up The Grange and Walpole string quartet which played Purcell’s ‘Two Rondeaux’ to perfection. The last of the small groups was a self-arranged version of Mika’s ‘Happy Ending’ consisting of Autumn Withey-Stevens and Grace Johnson singing accompanied by Isobel Parrish. Finally, there was a selection of larger groups performing singing items. The Walpole Shell and Remove choir, conducted by Sophie Nairac, sweetly sang Mr Todd’s arrangement of ‘My Funny Valentine’. Both The Grange and Walpole had their own close harmony groups, The Grange singing ‘Send Me On My Way’ and Walpole Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and both were accomplished smoothly and successfully. The Grange and Walpole also combined harmony groups to create a small choir who sang ‘He Lives in You’ from The Lion King 2 which was superbly arranged by Chris Loyn, and Autumn Withey-Stevens’ voice stepped into the role of Tina Turner’s perfectly. The evening ended with everyone going home in high spirits after yet another diverse and enjoyable evening in the talented company of The Grange and Walpole.

The Tradescant and Broughton House Concert Florence Savage and Eleanor Thrupp (both 6b BR) Tradescant and Broughton’s evening of light entertainment showed off the outstanding musical talent of both houses. Congratulations to all those who performed and made the evening what it was. The Trad Trumpet Ensemble - Bertie Gleave, Jack Dykstra-McCarthy, James Bailey, Jacob Ewens and Julian Zu Dohna - opened the evening with ‘Londonderry Air’, arranged by Jacob himself. A particular highlight was Robert Ellison who shocked the audience with his impressive talent on the xylophone. As the evening progressed, performances ranged from Michaela Higham’s exquisite flute solo to Lucy Baker’s rendition of ‘On the street where you live’ from My Fair Lady. The Trad House Band shook up the atmosphere after Justine Lambert’s relaxing ‘Allegro con Affeto’ with ‘In Arcady’ written by Trad’s own Charlie Allen. Also featured were two of Frederick Clode’s own songs with the help of Lucy Baker, Harriet Wilson and Chevonne Wong. The evening drew to a close with the two houses joining to form a close harmony group bringing together Lucy Baker, Poppy Coleman, Jack Masters and Jacob Ewens singing ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ making the audience beg for an encore. Special congratulations should go to Poppy Coleman and Jacob Ewens for putting together such an impressive and enjoyable evening. Thanks also to Alexandra Gage and Frederick Clode for entertaining the audience whilst hosting the evening.

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miscellany

Miscellany King’s School Combined Cadet Forces ARV The term started with the routine build-up towards ensuring all cadets were qualified and safe to attend the range days that had been organised in the weeks ahead. A range day is the opportunity a cadet gets to fire a small arms semi-automatic rifle at targets from 100-300m. This year the CCF had decided to use two different locations, Lydd and Hythe, for the trips and additionally to use two separate ranges within each location. There is always a problem with the weather at this time of year as the ranges are on the coast, thus encountering strong wind and rain; the cadets were only exposed to the elements for small durations when they came to

fire, however the poor staff spent the day being drenched by some really ‘wet rain’. The cadets late on in the term were fortunate to receive a visit from the Royal Marine Display Team; this consisted of the three biggest Royal Marine Commandos you have ever laid your eyes on. They gave a formal presentation in the School Room about life in the Marines and how they train, where they deploy and this was very informative and captured the imagination of all who attended. The second part of their display was to carry out some basic Commando Physical Training. The cadets took to this far better than expected as it was very fast and reactive exercise, where the cadets had to listen carefully and carry out commands being given with a great sense of urgency. The Royal Marines thanked the contingent for their attention and commented that the school and cadets within it was one of the best that they had seen.

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The school ran a further Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition during the Easter break for 26 cadets to take part in Exercise Snowdonia Challenge 2011. Having reflected on previous years it was decided to extend this trip in order not only to ensure the cadets could qualify for their Bronze D of E Expedition, but also to ensure that they had an fun day at the end of this trip. The cadets headed to North Wales where once more they stayed in an Army adventurous training centre in Anglesey. The cadets were split into four walking groups and spent a day preparing for their expedition by carrying out some navigation work in and around Mt Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales. Two of the groups were to head up different paths to reach the summit and two groups were going to handle the mountain and work on some finite details of navigation. This was an enjoyable day and the weather was fair, thus making the cadets’ first experience of the hills very enjoyable. The cadets then had a night of preparation work; this involved planning and confirming with the assessor that they knew their routes in order that he grant them permission to set off on their two day walking expedition around Anglesey. The weather for this phase was to be a little bit wet to say the least, the wind had really picked up; the cadets were fortunate enough to be in

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the lower ground, rather than subjected to the weather system that had centred itself on Mount Snowdon. All the cadets completed the expedition in good spirits and injury free; the Assessor was very satisfied with what he had seen and was more than willing to pass all 26 cadets once they had handed in their reports. The final day was planned in the itinerary as a ‘wet day’; this was not because anyone in the group had the ability to co-ordinate the weather fronts, but because the cadets were going to spend the day in the water in one way or another. The weather was too inclement to spend a day coasteering around the coast line so it was decided to take the group gorge walking. Gorge walking consists of wearing full waterproofs, wellies, a harness and helmet, then spending the day climbing up a river, through waterfalls, going under sunken logs and rocks, jumping from boulder to boulder and diving into plunge pools created by the body of water as it forces its way down the hills. It was a very enjoyable day and it tested each individual in one way or another due to the diverse range of tasks to be completed on route up the river. This day was thoroughly enjoyed by all and really worked on teamwork, leadership and the other core values that are encouraged by Adventurous Training. The instructors praised the cadets for their behaviour and conduct throughout and thanked us for a fantastic days training that allowed them as

miscellany staff to actually enjoy an activity that can often be difficult and stressful to run. This once more proved that the King’s School, Canterbury have a delightful group of pupils within the school and largely increasing the schools profile. Once more the retention of cadets opting to remain within the CCF has increased and due to the large number of Shells volunteering to join the contingent, the King’s School Canterbury CCF Contingent has now increased to over 100 cadets.

The Lord Lieutenant’s Award Ceremony Chris Loyn (6a GR) We had both received awards for our services to the King’s School Combined Cadet Force, which has gone from strength to strength in the last few years. Numbers had risen from a measly eight to over one hundred cadets within two years, and the top brass had noticed. I was lucky enough to become one of the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets of the year, and Major Vintner had received a prestigious Meritorious Service Certificate. So we found ourselves, with the amiable support of my father and the bursar Mr M Taylor (our guests for the evening), in a decorated auditorium in Ashford Hotel surrounded by some rather impressive army types. Being a military occasion, we were drilled on how to collect our award, which involved a march up to the podium and much standing to attention. Then the fanfare started, announcing the arrival of Lord-Lieutenant himself.

This ancient title is given to the monarch’s personal representative in a region, and is a big deal. It is currently held by Allan Willett – a retired soldier and businessman – and it was he who awarded me my certificate and beautifully embroidered badge. The event was attended by some extremely senior ranks, including the Brigade Commander, Brigadier SP Wolsey OBE, who will be performing this year’s biannual inspection of our CCF. There were a huge number of ceremonial chains on show, and some soldiers had so many medals a substantial piece of wood was attached to their jacket to hold them all on. It was a memorable evening and was uplifting to see the support and success of the army in Kent, particularly the cadet movement. It was well attended and, at the risk of sounding dangerously jingoistic, thoroughly inspiring. I believe it showed the CCF and the ceremonial side of the army at its best. It was just slightly embarrassing when the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent

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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, at the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Confirmation Service

himself pointed out to me just after the official photo had been taken that I had been holding my certificate upside down…

The Confirmation Lent 2011 Jane Ellard (6b LX) This event, which happened on the 5th February this year, is undoubtedly special for anyone who attends. For obvious reasons, it is particularly significant for those who are getting confirmed - this year there were around 60 confirmations and 10 baptisms, done by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. Those who were getting confirmed this year were lucky in this regard as the Archbishop only does the service every other year. This confirmation service stuck with the format established only a year or two ago in that it now happens at five o’clock, rather than its previous format of a morning service, which makes it much easier for relatives and friends be part of the congregation.

For those who were getting confirmed (and for some baptised as well) this day marked the end of two to three months of preparation, led by Father Fred. For the confirmation candidates it is also a chance for their families to gather and watch this special moment in their lives, so the cathedral fills with families and friends of the confirmation candidates. As a result, it provides one of the few opportunities for so many parents to gather in the Cathedral and see a glimpse of this part of Cathedral life. It also represents a big event in the term’s musical calendar for Mr Ionascu and the Crypt choir; such a long service presented plenty of opportunity for their high quality singing - in this case where they sang the anthem ‘Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent’ by Edward Bairstow and the Schubert ‘Mass in G’ to accompany the service. For all the confirmation candidates, this service marked a special day and another turning point in their lives. They have been very lucky to have been confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it is indisputable that they will hold this day in their memories for years to come.

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miscellany Names of those confirmed

Junior King’s School

School House

Carlyon House

Tradescant House

Matilda Acton Similoluwa Ayinde Jennifer Hofmann Imogen Hurley Madeleine Jamieson John Jones Irina Mironosetskaya Luxmoore House

Henry Bettley Hugo Clews Patrick Clews Llewelyn Cross Max Luoma George Spain-Warner Archie Todd Kirsty Duncanson Lucy Duncanson Florence Hodgkinson Georgina Legg

Sasha Grover Molly Moffatt Constance O’Neill Annabel Pattinson Edward Thomas Áine Wright

Frederick Catterall George Edwards Robert Ellison Caspar Fraser James Meddings Fraser Morrison Alexander Preston Broughton House

Chloe Berliand Willa Briggs Lucy Hogg Sophie Honychurch Verity Sayer Violet Taylor Enita Dafinone Bailey House

James Adams Edward Baker George Gemma Taylor Booth-Clibborn Harry Mann Mitchinson’s House Charles Macpherson Nicholas Simonds Christopher Richardson The Grange Hugo Serisier James Griggs Hugo Briggs Joseph Haynes

Poppy Arvidsson Harriet Preston

Galpin’s House

Natasha Methven

Eva Wallis Walpole House Charlotte Hart Molly Nainby-Luxmoore Georgia Reyniers Lucy St John

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Linacre House

James Balicki Henry Cross Sebastian Knox Hugh Miller

Jack Rampton

Amelia Cook Flora Mockridge Aimee Serisier Olivia Simpson Nesta Wigan Marlowe House

William Richardson Benjamin Simpson Meister Omers Patrick macLachlan Alexander O’Neill Thomas Shepherd-Barron

Pater Society: 6b Latin Trip to the Canterbury Cathedral Archives William Allen (6b TR), Olivia Honychurch (6b LX) and Isobel Parrish (6b WL) A hidden gem amongst the Cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral, often ignored by the hurrying masses of scurrying feet, the resources of the Cathedral Library stretch back far into the distant yet fascinating past. So, our group of 6b Classicists made the journey around the misty expanse of Green Court towards the Archives, a place steeped in silence, secrecy and stillness. Despite the obstacles of heavy snow, a powercut and bomb-threats, we managed to salvage a precious half-hour with our guide, Dr Bateman. He started by showing us an Old English Latin dictionary. It was hard to read at first because of its intricate typeface yet it still retained a sense of legacy, history and ancient culture. Dr Bateman then showed us another ancient work of literature – a Bible printed in seven different languages – which demonstrated the cultural diversity which existed so many centuries ago. For the finale we saw the Archive’s ‘pièce de resistance’. More a magnificent example of art than a piece of literature, this ancient work was written on a combination of vellum and papyrus and served to show us the extraordinary levels of devotion and care which was put into these astonishing artefacts. The technology and attention to detail by the Archive in the preservation of the books was also astounding. From book weights to protect the delicate spines, to long-handled pointers to protect the pages, every detail had been taken care of and we were reminded of the importance of these priceless volumes. All in all we had a highly illuminating, interesting and

enjoyable time in the Archives and were all left with an appreciation of these antique books ‘imprinted’ on our minds. The Archives are an invaluable resource, and one so often overlooked by students who fail to realise the unique reserve of ancient books and documents on their doorstep. The visit was a fascinating opportunity to experience an antique world through the very manuscripts in which our history was first recorded. We were presented with a sharp realisation of the bonds between us, as modern schoolchildren, and those decades before us, who studied the same texts we study now. To see these texts, painstakingly and beautifully written out, was an insight into the sheer power, flair and talent of these authors whose works have remained relevant and circulated thousands of years after their first publication.

Chess Report JMH Chess remains a very popular activity at School with the club going from strength to strength. This year, King’s entered two teams in the Yateley Manor National Schools’ Championship. In the league section of zone 10 (London South East), the teams were unlucky not to progress to the zonal finals. Captained by Angus Barry, King’s A remained unbeaten and finished a commendable 2nd, whilst King’s B were placed 4th (out of 5 teams). In the Southern Section Qualifier tournament, played at Eton College, the teams faced very strong opposition yet finished a creditable 11th and 13th (out of 15). Several players also achieved ECF Rapid-play ratings for the first time.

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miscellany Congratulations to all the boys and girls who took part.

Chess: A Pupil’s View Edward Thomas (CY Rem) Every Monday lunchtime a group of students including pupils from all years meets in Mint Yard 3 to play chess. Led by Mr Hutchings, King’s Chess Club is open to players of all ages and abilities to improve practise and enjoy playing chess. The activity is a relatively new innovation, dating from the beginning of this academic year; although there has been an annual inter-house chess championship, this is the first time in recent years that an activity has been set up to coach the players. The Chess Club is a very relaxed environment, with no obligation for players to return. However, return they do, testimony to the enjoyment that the activity provides. The activity consists of playing a few timed games of chess, against either a fellow student or Mr Hutchings. The Club occasionally participates in inter-school competitions, often entering multiple teams. We have entered two events this term, one at Eton College and a more local tournament at Barming Primary, near Maidstone, with some success in both competitions. It is very pleasing to note that attending the club really does improve chess-playing ability. Various junior players with little previous experience have been to regular club sessions and, after just a couple of terms, are now armed with sophisticated tactics and strategies, all thanks to Mr Hutchings’s excellent coaching.

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This year’s Inter-House Chess Championship saw strong performances in both the Senior and Junior tournaments. In the junior final, Carlyon beat School House whilst in the Seniors, Linacre beat Tradescant.

Pre-Lenten Talks: ‘A Passion for Life’ MJWS The annual Lent Talks this year entitled “A Passion for Life” reverted back to the more familiar format of talks on 4 evenings alongside assemblies to the whole school and various other activities.The main speaker was Rev’d CJ Davis, OKS (Grange ’77-‘81), currently vicar of St Nicholas, Tooting. He was ably assisted by his curate Rev’d James Fletcher, Fiona Trevitt and Jessica Lewis. CJ spoke each evening from Luke’s gospel, giving the following talks: “The Person who gives life”, “The Problem that ruins life”, “The Death that means life” and “Coming back to life”. CJ spoke with great clarity and winsomeness, exhorting us to think beyond our lives at King’s, thinking back to the events in the 1st Century and how they are relevant to us now. Each talk was memorably moving, as CJ used examples and illustrations from his own ministry as well as further afield to appeal not only to our heads but also to our hearts . The talks were well attended by pupils from each year group. Two of the talks were preceded by meals in St Augustine’s Undercroft, which proved a real hit. The team were involved in many lessons, helped with games, spent a morning at JKS and even did a cheese and wine evening for the 6th form. All in all, it was a though provoking and exciting four days and I am grateful to the team for giving up thier time to come and join us at King’s.

sport

Sport: team reports

football 1st XI MJTh P 13 W 2 D 1 L 10 2011 was a genuinely ground-breaking year in King’s Football, not in terms of results as you will read, but the fact that all year groups had the opportunity to play the beautiful game for the first time in decades will hopefully mean that this year will be remembered as the start of something significant. Having junior fixtures on offer meant that new schools could be added to the schedule and the likes of St Bede’s, Worth, St John’s and this year Christ’s Hospital will ensure that Birley’s is bursting at the seams come Saturday and that the bar is set high for future King’s Footballers. The under 14 and 15 boys were the true pioneers, competing against well-established two-term Football schools like Westminster and Brentwood; tough experiences this year will undoubtedly serve them well as they rise through the ranks towards the top senior teams.

The term started with a pre-season at Birley’s followed by a full day at Fulham’s training ground with their academy coaches. With a lot of work under our belts, preparations then turned to the small matter of Dulwich College followed by Brentwood - not the easiest start to the year. With everyone fighting-fit and high in optimism, the second half against Dulwich and the first 70 minutes against Brentwood were probably as competitive as we would be for the remainder of term and my one criticism of the 1st XI this year is that we failed to push on after such an encouraging beginning. 3-0 down at half-time against Dulwich due to goalkeeping and defensive mistakes led to a half-time change of formation and approach and with two quick second half replies Dulwich suddenly had a game on their hands. Their response was to bring on an Independent Schools International and, much as an excellent late fourth goal settled matters, Dulwich were full of praise for our energy, strength and commitment. The following Saturday against Brentwood was probably my high point of the season, as King’s, after conceding the customary ‘nothing’ goal from a set piece, really tested a side full of serious representative Footballers. If not for their goalkeeper that day, who clawed away half a dozen goal-bound efforts from Ayodele

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Marinho, the score line would have been very different indeed. Most pleasing of all was that 1st XI found it possible to impose their pattern of play and tempo on a technically more gifted side. Next followed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Colfe’s, the second in two years after a 21 year drought. The 2-1 loss to Cranleigh was a game I’d like to have again. King’s were flat on the day but worked hard to establish a foothold after an early Cranleigh goal from a set piece (are you counting yet?) and after deservedly equalising were unlucky to hit the post at the end of a beautiful sweeping move – Carter the unfortunate player. Cranleigh’s response was to score a late winner and make off with the

spoils from a very even game. Next followed a wonderful 3-2 home victory against Ursuline College, a local Sports academy, where King’s were 2-0 down at half-time and lucky not to be further behind than that. After a gentle rollicking our superior fitness started to tell and Ayodele Marinho took charge of the game scoring a sensational late winner. A fixture against the OKS should have been put to bed long before the last minute equaliser scored by Pete Gardiner as the 1st XI were guilty of some profligate finishing, missing 2 penalties, and conceding once again from a set piece. The Indoor 5-a-side Futsal competition hosted

1st XI Football Team

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football by Sevenoaks was a most enjoyable aside from the rigours of 11-a-side and proved just the forum for Marinho to showcase his outrageous skills. Silly, avoidable losses to Sevenoaks and Wellington after beating St John’s and Brighton College meant that victory in our final game against Tonbridge would still leave us short on head to head records. Nonetheless we took great pleasure from a late Marinho equaliser which prevented Tonbridge winning the tournament. Special mention should go to Kola Lawal for scoring five goals in a format of Football that many thought would not suit his game. Before half-term an ill-tempered game against Worth ended in a 3-1 loss, and we experienced a 2-1 loss against Sevenoaks in a strange game where neither side really showed up. After half-term King’s lost to Brighton College 2-0 away in a very tight game where their late second goal was simply a result of us chasing an equaliser. Their first, a 25 yard screaming volley, was the fourth such goal scored against us and it seemed that many teams were saving their ‘goals of the season’ for us. Next followed a 4-0 loss to St Bede’s, the best side on our circuit, and in truth had they not taken their foot off the gas and rotated their playing squad the scoreline could have been much worse. Marinho remained exceptional and drew lavish praise from the St Bede’s coach who upon discovering that Ayodele was an Upper Sixth put his cheque book away. Marinho started to feel his hamstring during this game and, much as others were to step up in the remaining fixtures, Ayodele was the best Footballer on our entire circuit, having the ability to change any game at any time and we greatly missed the 100% fit Ayodele for the last few fixtures. Whilst on the subject of injuries our propensity to concede at almost every set-piece opportunity had much to do with unfortunate injuries to key members of the back four namely Nicholas Hands and Hector Dyer. I genuinely believe that if the treatment room had not seen the likes of Marinho, Hands, Dyer, Howard-Smith, Carter and Hunt the term would

have been far more successful. These injuries tested the strength of the 1st XI squad and the drop off in quality from 1st to 2nd XIs this year was perhaps greater in previous years. The term finished with losses to Westminster, St John’s and Tonbridge with Will Howard-Smith very much to the fore. Will played half-fit for most of the term but was magnificent against St John’s and Westminster whilst the 1st XI was missing several regulars. Special mention should go to Elliott Hunt and Ayodele Marinho for completing three full seasons in the 1st XI. Elliott deservedly being voted Players’ Player of the Year for the second year in a row and Ayodele was the leading scorer for the second year in a row. As we say goodbye to a large number of 6as this year thoughts turn to the future and a talented bunch of Under 16s coming through. King’s Football can hopefully start to gain momentum from this point with ever-increasing participation and technical ability. Finally I would like to thank all the members of staff that willingly gave up their time braving the usual Lent term weather. Team from: Elliott Hunt, Ayodele Marinho (CAPT), Nick Hands, Caspar Carter, Will Howard-Smith, James Morpeth, Mateen Mohammed, Hector Dyer, Kola Lawal, Fred Clode, Alex Proudlock, Vikram Chauduri , Ed Gilmore, Dom Hamlyn, Charlie Knox, Arthur Chilcott, Charlie Kingsman, Nonso Oditah, Fusi Awosika

Results Goals for: 13 Goals against: 31

Dulwich (a) Lost 2-4 Brentwood (a) Lost 0-2 Colfe’s (h) Won 2-0 Cranleigh (h) Lost 1-2

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2nd XI Football Team

Ursuline (h) Won 3-2 OKS (h) Drew 2-2 Worth (h) Lost 1-3 Sevenoaks (a) Lost 1-2 Brighton College (a) Lost 0-2 St Bede’s (h) Lost 0-4 St John’s (a) Lost 0-2 Westminster (a) Lost 0-3 Tonbridge (a) Lost 1-3

2nd XI ARV P12 W2 L10 The Second XI Football season started with an away fixture against Dulwich London who were always expected to be a strong outfit. As expected Dulwich 2nds proved to be a strong team and had clearly benefitted from their

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pre-season. The cobwebs from the Christmas holidays were ever-present, as the team lacked continuity and struggled to get themselves into the game. Things could only look up from here. A new formation and weeks more training under our belt and it showed against Brentwood. The 6-0 score line doesn’t do the match justice and Kings put up a competitive fight and starting playing some attractive looking Football but small errors turned out to be our downfall. After games on the road, the next three were on home soil. After a disappointing 4-1 defeated to Colfe’s, a side who we could have easily beaten, we at last recorded our first win against Cranleigh, where we dominated the majority of the game and played some good Football; the only sour note was the lack of goals on our behalf. The Worth Abbey game was one of the most frustrating of the season. The team created chances left, right and centre. With this possession and chances being created we fell behind to an unfortunate own goal. However a beautiful strike from Alistair Lyons from outside the box got us back level. Sloppy defending cost us dearly and allowed Worth not only to get the lead back but also to make it 3-1 as well. A late goal from Alistair Lyons gave us hope but it was too little too late, a bitter result to take because

the King’s side deserved more than this. The second win of the season came against Sevenoaks. A strong defensive display combined with capitalising on the few chances we had was key. The next few games had positive moments to take from but without getting the result it was hard to take. The last game of the season was against Tonbridge and the boys played their hearts out, on the back foot for most of the game to a very strong side. King’s held them for all of 70 minutes before Tonbridge broke the deadlock to score the only goal of the game. Despite the loss it was a good way to end the season with all the boys playing their hearts out. It was a pleasure to work with them, and despite the results not going our way, the team developed and started to play the beautiful game, and on another day in some of the fixtures the results could have easily been very different. Team From: Ruaridh MacLeod, Perry Andrews, Nonso Oditah, Henry Pelling, Charlie Roberts, George Edmondson, Timey Moju, Henry Allingham, Mateen Mohammed, Harry Yeates, Golf Ratchakitprakarn, Barney Senasinghe, Jamie Johnson, Rob Daum, Fusi Awosika, Alistair Lyons

Results Goals for: 11 Goals against: 38 Dulwich (a) Brentwood (a) Colfe’s (h) Cranleigh (h) Uruline College (h) OKS (h) Worth Abbey (a) Sevenoaks (h) Brighton College (a) St Bede’s (h) St John’s (a) Westminster (h) Epsom College (h) Tonbridge (a)

Lost Lost Lost Won Cancelled Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Cancelled Lost

0-8 0-6 4-1 1-0 1-2 2-3 2-1 1-4 0-4 2-1 2-3 0-1

3rd XI RWN

3rd XI Football Team

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football P7 W2 D2 L3 To use a classic football cliché this really was a season of two halves – in the first half of the season we didn’t lose a match, but in the second half of the term we lost all of the matches. The highlight of the season was the draw against Brentwood on the first Saturday of term as Brentwood is a two term football school. One could see that they were used to playing with each other and also that they were technically very good footballers. There was a strong wind running down the length of the pitch which we played against in the first half and so it was actually very pleasing to be only one-nil down at half time. Playing with the wind in the second half we managed to score and could have won the game when we got round the Brentwood keeper. There was also an excellent defensive effort in the second half (aided by the strong wind) when Brentwood really stirred themselves. To lose the Brighton College game was very disappointing as we could have won this game, but weren’t helped by arriving late, the rain and wind, allowing a soft goal and also having a goal disallowed. We couldn’t argue with the results against Tonbridge and St John’s as both of these teams were very competitive, physical and skilled footballers, but the margin of the defeats and our lack of ability to score were very disappointing. In the St John’s match we had large periods of possession in the second half but couldn’t score. Against Tonbridge we were in the match until half time and then their confidence suddenly came and we were buried in the second half. In terms of players who deserve special mention, Rory Wilson captained the side superbly by leading by example. Whether we were winning or losing he always gave 100%, was entirely positive in his encouragement of the team and never looked to blame the referee. Richard Kemp was our main threat in front of

Lent 2011

goal and missing him in the second half of term through injury was part of the explanation of our poorer second half of term. Harry Crosland provided a cultured touch in midfield and Max Rex and Isaiah Osei-Baidoo a solid centre back pairing. Team from: Rory Wilson (captain), Harold Crosland, Tom Arnott, William Scott, Isaiah Osei-Baidoo, Maximus Rex, Richard Kemp, Roshan Mohinani, Theodor Svedberg, Jeet Ghose, Lloyd Chapple, Jonathan Cheung, Matthieu de Gaudemar, Hugo Plunkett, Jake Sutton, William Berry Results Brentwood (h) Cranleigh (a) Worth (a) Sevenoaks (a) Brighton College (a) St John’s Leatherhead (a) Tonbridge (a)

Drew Won Drew Won Lost Lost Lost

1-1 3-2 2-2 2-1 1-3 0-4 0-7

U16A XI MJL P 11 W5 L6 The Under 16A enjoyed a largely successful season and are a promising side. Their attitude to training and playing was superb and they were uncompromising and competitive. The final record was a fair reflection of the season and a tough fixture list; an inability to defend as a team and some footballing naivety proved costly at times, despite the excellence of Dominc Hamlyn in goal. Going forward, though, the

football team always looked dangerous and scored an impressive 27 goals in just 11 fixtures. All the matches were fiercely contested and while it is unfair to pick out individuals in a strong team and squad, special mention must go Arthur Chilcott, the captain, to James Baker and Harry Mann who were exceptional throughout, and to goalkeeper Dom Hamlyn (again) who scored the most remarkable goal of the season, from his own penalty box. This is a very talented squad who will excel in the future, provided that they learn that what they do when they do not have the ball is just as important as when they do have it. It was a pleasure to work with such a talented group. Team from: Stuart Andrews, James Baker, Louis Bromfield, Arthur Chilcott, Sebastien Clark, Frederick Dakin, George Gardiner, Dominic Hamlyn, Christopher Irwin, Charles Kingsman, William Knox, Pedro Lain, Harry Mann, Patrick McGovern, Alexander Snow, Herbert Wigwe, Henry Woodward Results Dulwich (a) Brentwood (a) Colfe’s (h) Cranleigh (h) St Lawrence (h) Worth (h) Sevenoaks (h) Brighton (a) St John’s (a) Westminster (h) Tonbridge (h)

Lost Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Won Lost Lost Lost

1-3 1-2 3-0 3-0 4-1 8-0 1-2 1-0 2-4 3-4 0-2

P9 W3 L6 The team enjoyed the season despite collecting only three victories. With football returning to the Removes for the first time in over 20 years, the members of the team responded well to the training routine and developed passing skills and positional habits which will certainly improve their results next season. We started the season with an unexpected difficulty since our goalkeeper, George Reid, was injured and missed most of the games of the season. Fortunately, Harry Stacey replaced him with devotion. Our defence eventually became a harder block to beat. My thanks go to Max Zhukov for being a model for the rest of the team. Always ready to train and follow the coach’s instructions, his dedication to the team was exemplary! He became an undisputed captain for the team. I would also take this opportunity to praise George Baker White’s skills as a footballer. Not only did he show an excellent physical condition, but he also performed brilliantly in all games. Many of his team-mates will remember some of his powerful free kick shots. With a well-formed squad and some promising football players coming from the B team, the future looks bright for these young lads who will have certainly a lot to say next year. Team from: Harry Stacey, George Reid, Jacob Furedi, Charlie Allen, Charles Barrois, Lawrence Ng-Cordell, Tomas Dath, Toby Block, Idris Kaplan, Louis Glynn-Williams, Peter Chiana, George Baker White, Max Zhukov (captain), Montel Chika-Mbonu, Gabriel Hamlyn, Max Luoma Results

U15 A XI JGo

Dulwich (h) Brentwood (a) St Bede’s (a)

Lost Lost Lost

1-2 0-6 2-6

THE CANTUARIAN

Worth Abbey (a) Brighton College (h) St John’s Leatherhead (h) Westminster School (a) Bethany School (a) Tonbridge School (h)

Won Won Lost Lost Won Lost

1-0 3-2 3-5 0-4 5-0 1-3

U15 B XI ES P6 L6 W0 The U15 B team soon realised that they would have to learn very quickly when they came up against Brentwood at the start of the season. The opposition came into the match having played football for one term already this season, not to mention the experience they had gained last year. They were good technically and played together well as a team, while we played only as individuals when we were in possession of the ball. It was truly a steep learning curve, but with the help of coaching professional, Mike, the team made tremendous progress. They started to do a bit more when they didn’t have the ball, running into space and generating options. Although the overall work rate improved throughout the season, we didn’t work hard enough on defence and players were reluctant to sprint back when possession was turned over. Opportunities for the strikers were few and far between this season. Will Love made the most of his chances and managed to finish with precision on two occasions. Caspar Fraser captained the side well and never gave anything less than 100%. Bertie Gleave showed a lot of skill and a good understanding for the game on the left wing. Although some of the score lines suggest otherwise, a few players did

Lent 2011

very good defensive work. Edward Baker and George Maughan in particular were impressive, and Max Luoma demonstrated an exemplary work rate until he deservedly moved up to the A team. Cameron Mackinnon also deserves a special mention for stepping up and playing in goal for most of the season. Although it wasn’t his preferred position, we would have conceded many more goals if it wasn’t for him. There certainly is room for improvement and with more experience some of these boys will develop into fine footballers. Team from: T. Adepetun, E.Baker, G. Brandt, C. Mackinnon, C. Fraser (Capt), J. Jolowizs, M. Luoma, G. Maughan, A. Miller, J. Quinlan, S. Rausing, A. O’Neill, W. Love, R. Gleave Also played: W. Lench, L. Cross, H. Cross Results Brentwood School (h) Worth Abbey School (a) Brighton College (h) St John’s College, Leatherhead (h) Westminster School (a) Tonbridge School (h)

Lost Lost Lost

0-4 1-3 0-6

Lost

0-7

Lost Lost

0-7 1-5

U14A XI MCO P 10 W2 D0 L8 The first season of U14 football at King’s provided a steep learning curve. The U14A team had competitive games every Saturday and most Tuesdays during the Lent Term and

boys’ hockey many students in the U14 squad were given the opportunity to prove themselves. After receiving several footballing lessons in the first few games, in particular at the feet (and elbows) of Brentwood School, we scored our first goals (William Parker and Callum Kolade) against Worth Abbey providing a thrilling finish to a 2-3 defeat. Following this confidence boosting result we proceeded to score in every remaining game. Our first victory was a hard fought 4-2 against a persistant Brighton College followed by a 7-1 demolition of Bethany School. Performances of note include Knox leading by example as captain, Sokolow being a solid presence in goal, the defensive back four of Foss, Humphries, Maughan and MacPherson improving with every game and the blinding left foot of Hunt in the latter half of the season giving him the honour of leading scorer with eight goals. We finished the year a much more competitive team, showing team work, determination and strength. The team now looks forward to the U15 season where they anticipate avenging some of the results from the beginning of the term. Team from: Sebastian Knox (C ), Alexander Sokolow (GK), William Foss, Marcus Humphries, Harry Maughan, Charles MacPherson, Todd Hunt, Bedirkhan Kaplan, Ayokunmi Akanle, Thomas Shepherd-Barron, Muchwezi Wilkins, Olusola Okocha, Abraham Iwuajoku, Callum Kolade, William Parker Goals for: 17 Goals against: 37

Boys’ Hockey 1st XI RALS Played 14 won 3 lost 11 The 2011 season was very much a developmental year for the boys’ Hockey club. Only four 6as played in the 1st XI squad and two of them were disappointingly injured for the last part of the season. The boys had a tough start with large losses against Caterham, Tonbridge and Kent College. However, the boys continued to work hard in training and the coaches saw improvements being madel; they reached their peak around half term with good wins against Alleyn’s, Ardingly and Dulwich rewarding them for their hard work and perseverance. There were too many games this season when we left the pitch saying we could and should have won! The frustrating thing was the boys were able to reflect on this after the matches, but not during, and therefore not able to do something about it. Five matches fell into this category and if they had won them the season could have looked very different. The boys reached the quarter finals of the Kent cup, knocked out by a strong Kent College side. They also reached the quarter finals of the Frank Mason Tournament, which was particularly pleasing. There were two highlights that stand out of the season for me. The first has to be the way this group of boys improved over the term. The Hockey they played at their peak was as good as most teams on the circuit; they just lacked the composure to finish the moves off in front of goal. The second was Tom ‘barn door’ Ralston’s full on Rugby-tackling some one during a

THE CANTUARIAN

1st XI Hockey Team

pre-season tournament. When you think you have seen everything on a Hockey field something like that happens... The squad developed well over the season and in particular some youngsters who make the future look much brighter. Jamie Adams and James Meddings, both in Remove, played full seasons in the first XI; they stepped up well to the challenges of senior Hockey. They both represent Kent U15, and Jamie continues his training as a member of the JRPC system. Jake Davies and Will Fabbro were selected to play for Kent U17. Chris Lark captained the side exceptionally well until he picked up a shoulder injury and Charlie Newman deputised in his own manner but with no less respect. Will Fabbro was voted the players’ player of the season and Will Stonehewer-Smith was given the most improved player award. Team from: Christopher Lark (Captain), James Adams, Bertram O’Brien, Piers Brown, Jonathan Cawdron, Jake Davies, William Fabbro (GK), Henry Fryzer, James Meddings, Charles Newman, Henry Pritchard, Thomas Ralston, Benjamin Simpson, George Stacey, William Stonehewer-Smith, Piers Webb

Lent 2011

Also played: Alexander James Results Caterham (a) Tonbridge (h) Cranbrook (h) Kent College (a) Haileybury (h) Alleyn’s (h) Ardingly (h) Sutton Valence (a) St Edmund’s (a) Eltham (a) Dulwich (h) Duke of York’s (h) King’s School, Rochester (h) OKS (h)

Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Won Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost

0-5 0-4 0-1 0-5 1-2 3-1 3-1 0-6 2-3 0-4 3-2 1-4 1-3 3-6

2nd XI AJH

2nd XI Hockey Team

P14 W4 D3 L7 One is always biased and perhaps clad in rosetinted spectacles when reviewing the performance of one’s own side, but I can truthfully say, hopefully with no hint of mealy-mouthed excuse, that the season’s statistics do not accurately reflect the highly creditable performance of the 2011 2nd XI. A young side, Captain Oliver Tudor the only 6a, characteristically played a free-flowing, fast-paced passing game, working the ball down different channels of attack and with the confidence to ‘trough’, keep possession and rebuild from our own half. If pie charts were to be produced of territorial advantage or ‘time with ball’, they would frequently have been in our favour. It was, therefore, our inability to convert periods of dominance into a numerical lead that was responsible for a lessthan-best season overall. Refined short-corner routines, countless five yard practices and an almost evangelical commitment to shooting drills were not enough to secure us the goals from our many attempts. From our first fixture against Caterham to our last school game against King’s Rochester, we often came off the pitch feeling somehow cheated of a fair result. Against some very impressive opposition (Kent College springs to mind) we raised our game, played at a tempo

and with a skill level worthy of many a school first team, only to be denied the equalising goal. Ironically, when we played teams against whom we should have been comfortable, we snatched defeat or a lack-lustre draw from the jaws of certain victory, a careless mistake or momentary lapse in concentration, gifting the opposition a goal. To their considerable credit, all boys maintained a good-natured enthusiasm throughout the season, both in practice sessions and within matches. All of the side showed improvement in their levels of skill, Emile Poivet perhaps making the most remarkable of transformations and scoring the goal of the season in the Rochester game. The Gentlemen’s XI were great company to keep, playing in the spirit and with the temperament that one always hopes they will, and, putting the results aside for a moment, may in all respects be considered a skilful, capable and successful team. It is perhaps invidious to single out one player when team performance depends on just that, the team, but in my opinion James Bailey was the Player of the Season. There are three or four who might just as equally have been awarded the accolade, such was the commitment, determination and fortitude of the quad.

THE CANTUARIAN

boys’ hockey Team from: Oliver Tudor (Captain), Jamie McPhie, James Bailey, Jonathan Cawdron, Sam Hewitt, Henry Fryzer, Alexander James, Hugo Davies, Sebastian Leggett, George Moss, George Whaley, Emile Poivet, Edward Hands, Thomas Brett, Jordan Godden, Piers Webb Results Caterham (a) Adringly College (a) Cranbrook (h) Kent College (h) Haileybury (h) Alleyn’s (h) Ardingly College (h) Sutton Valence (a) St Edmund’s (h) Eltham (a) Dulwich (h) Duke of York’s (a) King’s Rochester (h) OKS (h)

Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Won Lost Drew Won Drew Drew

1-2 4-1 1-5 1-2 3-4 1-2 2-0 0-1 3-0 0-3 1-1 4-0 2-2 1-1

3rd XI MWB P10 L9 D1 This was a term of limited success for the thirds. The figures speak for themselves: seven goals scored, 54 against. This was unfair on a squad blessed with an abundance of pace, talent and enthusiasm; unfortunately, with a couple of exceptions, no two of those qualities existed in any one player. The match against Cranbrook was our only result of note, a game in which Ben Warnick’s own brand of goalkeeping lunacy

Lent 2011

resulted in the ball being attracted to him like iron filings to a magnet, and from which we scraped a creditable 1-1 draw. Tom Brett was our top scorer with three, despite the fact he belonged to a different squad, and his goal against Alleyn’s, when we were already eight down, was an exercise in unbridled ferocity: the kind of strike he could only have achieved by imagining the ball was his hapless coach’s face. Shaun Wood provided the best celebration of the season (pump a meerkat full of tequila and you’d witness something similar); Will Fuest was unlucky not to have played at a higher level; Will Pargeter, distracted by deeper forces than hockey, was outstanding when he did play; Jamie Loyn proved that sheer, bloody-minded tenacity is a passable substitute for talent; and Hector Fraser was a trustworthy, if occasionally angry, captain. This great bunch of lads deserved a better season.

U15A XI GPT P12 W4 D1 L7 The team enjoyed a more successful season than these results suggest. Although the early season’s fixtures against some strong opposition were tough, the team showed remarkable spirit in defeat. Willing to assess their performances objectively, the boys improved steadily, both individually and as a unit, throughout the first half of term, and just missed out on victories against Haileybury (a last-minute goal) and Kent College, where things did not quite go our way. However, a thrashing of St Edmund’s provided some confidence – we could score goals, and it was only a matter of time before we did so in the big games.

U15 A XI Hockey Team

The second half of term started creditably, taking both Alleyn’s and Sutton Valence to the wire, before getting our first tight victory over a solid Ardingly side away from home. With this momentum, and with the added fire power of Jamie Adams and James Meddings, spirits were high going into the Peter Ferminger tournament. This is a highly competitive tournament, and always a good measure of how far the team has come during the year. After managing the group stages fairly comfortably, the stage was set for a rematch with Kent College in the quarter-final, and an excellent team performance ensured a deserved passage into the semis, where only a last-second goal from a strong Tonbridge side saw us down on the sand rather than in the main final. The quality of this team was confirmed the next day with a convincing victory over Eltham. Unfortunately, the weariness of a long term was evident away against Dulwich, where we let a 2-0 lead slip. Nevertheless, the Remove Hockey boys have proved that there is a bright future for the sport at King’s. Although my thanks must go especially to Dominic Moore and Benjamin Methven for leading by example throughout the year, the most impressive feature of the term was the selflessness of a group of talented

and dedicated players, who knew and have proved that a team is certainly stronger than its individual parts, and who will go on to provide strong core of the first and second teams for the next three years. I certainly enjoyed working with them immensely. Team from: Jamie Adams, Jack Benton, Simon Broadley, Henry Collister, Samuel De Haan, Maximillian Desoutter, Thomas Doyle, Louis Ewart, Nicholas Hastings, James Meddings, Benjamin Methven, Aaron Milton, Dominic Moore, Harry Pattinson, Thomas Potter, Thomas White, Thomas Wickers Results Caterham (h) Cranbrook (a) Kent College (a) St Edmund’s (h) Haileybury (h) Alleyn’s (h) Ardingly (a) Sutton Valence (h) Eltham (h)

Lost Lost Lost Won Drew Lost Won Lost Won

1-6 0-5 2-5 6-0 3-3 2-3 3-2 2-3 3-1

THE CANTUARIAN

boys’ hockey Dulwich (a) Lost Duke of York’s (h) Lost King’s School, Rochester Won

2-3 2-3 3-0

U14 A XI RPS

P15 W2 D1 L12 This year’s U14 A team has been one of the nicest groups of boys I have coached. From the very outset they gelled as a team and created a thoroughly enthusiastic and enjoyable atmosphere. Christopher Richardson was very quickly recognised as the captain of the team as he led by example, proving to be one of the fittest members of the team, and equally one of the most skillful. Samuel Van der Gaag was also

right up there with Christopher, and was one of our most valuable players as he controlled the centre of the mid-field, and when asked to play centre forward in the last two matches of the season he proved his worth by taking us to victory with two goals. If one simply looks at our results on paper then you could be forgiven for thinking that we did not have a particularly successful season. However I would challenge that with all my might. Many of the boys had not played much hockey before, and so learning the new skills of having a 36 inch stick (no longer of wood, but now of carbon fibre and other complex manmade materials!) was never an easy challenge. However, I would like to commend every single one of the boys for having made huge advances in their skills and also their game-play. The team that defeated King’s Rochester at the end of the season was very much a different team to that of the dark afternoons of early January.

U14A XI Hockey Team

Lent 2011

The turning point was probably our match against Kent College which, although we lost, we deserved to at least draw. James Curtis scored two brilliant goals from crosses that had been rocketed from the right wing by Hugo Simmonds and the whole team had their heads lifted high by knowing that they had Kent College on the rails. At times we faced some superb opposition with significant county players in their midst, but tremendous credit must go to Harry Vavasour who could always be relied upon to play a magnificent game as goalkeeper. Harry was always wonderfully cheerful and committed, even to the extent of doing his own warm-up shuttle runs before the games, and we were all very lucky to have him defend our goal for us. Our defensive unit of George Booth-Clibborn, Patrick Knox, Richard Stonhewer-Smith, Milo Holland and Hugo Clews proved to grow in confidence vastly as the season went by. George was the master of the free push (though he was too humble to admit this), Patrick was the interceptor, Richard the reverse-hitter, Milo the runner, and Hugo the dependable tackler at all costs. When James Leggett played for us he added the altogether powerful dimension of his superb sweeping, and Alex Preston came on in the match against Tonbridge and scored a goal within 30 seconds, always giving us that extra element of strength and goal scoring potential. Up front James Griggs would often show his high level of skill, and Rory Lennon his excellent pace and killer instinct. In conclusion I must reiterate what a tremendous team this U14A team was. They improved by leaps and strides over the term, and were a pleasure to coach. They have been a real credit to themselves, always enthusiastic and determined to learn, and I look forward to following their progress next year. Team from: Christopher Richardson (Captain), George Booth-Clibborn, Hugo Clews, Stuart Craig, James Curtis, James Griggs, Milo Holland, Patrick Knox, James Leggett, Rory Lennon, Alexander Preston, Hugo Simmonds, Richard

Stonehewer-Smith, Samuel Van der Gaag, Harry Vavasour Results Goals for: 10 Goals against: 53 Caterham (h) Eltham (a) Tonbridge (h) Cranbrook (a) St Edmund’s (a) Haileybury (a) Alleyn’s (a) Duke of York’s Ardingly Kent College Sutton Valence Eltham College Dulwich College Duke of York’s King’s School, Rochester

Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Drew Won

0-13 0-2 2-3 0-8 2-1 0-3 0-3 0-1 0-3 2-4 0-3 0-1 0-6 2-2 2-0

U14B XI JPB P10 W2 D1 L7 Despite being short of numbers and Hockey experience, this was a very pleasing season for the U14B. Indeed, we were extremely competitive in all our matches and the team became a very solid defensive outfit especially with Stuart Craig, our excellent goal keeper, and Harry Churchill at centre back, the most improved player of the season. Over time our attacking play also developed and Alex Preston who regularly captained the side was our most potent attacking force with James

THE CANTUARIAN

lacrosse Leggett alongside him. Our performance of the season was against Haileybury on a day when everything came together and we played some super Hockey. The attitude in the team was very positive all term and despite few wins, the boys really enjoyed the Hockey they were playing and were a pleasure to coach. Team from: Stuart Craig (GK), Alexander ArdleyIngram, Henry Bettley, Harry Churchill, John Forsythe, Thomas Glynne-Jones, Patrick Ross, Charles Trumper, Alex Preston (Captain), James Leggett, Sam Buchanan Results Caterham (h) Duke of Yorks (h) Cranbrook (a) Haileybury (a) Alleyn’s (a) Ardingly (h) Eltham (a) Dulwich (h) Duke of York’s (h) King’s School, Rochester (a)

Lacrosse 1st XII JAD Autumn Term: P5 W3 L1 D1 Lent Term: P5 W2 L2 D1

Lent 2011

Lost Drew Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Won Lost

1-6 1-1 0-3 1-3 0-3 0-2 0-2 0-3 1-0 0-3

The 1st Lacrosse team was fortunate to have great leadership from captain Phoebe Calcutt, vice-captain Ally Fitzgerald, and all of the 6as, who took ownership of the squad and constantly worked hard to improve. Their effort and energy throughout training, games and tournaments was great, and their positive, team-first attitude often prevailed. The goal throughout the year, for each training session and game, was to get better every day. On the whole, the King’s 1st Lacrosse team succeeded and the girls deserve to be proud of their efforts. The first major event of the year was the Kent County U19 outdoor tournament. The team started the day playing hard, but had great difficulty passing, catching and executing the fundamentals. In the second half of the day, the confidence levels grew and they began to use their heads, see the field, and make plays. Overall, the tournament gave the team great experience and highlighted the things that we needed to work on throughout the term. They placed third of twelve. For the first full-squad game of the year, the team had a match against Caterham School in Surrey. In playing against a school that vies for the National Championship every year, the team did an admirable job and never backed down from the challenge. The Autumn Term was full of improvements as the team began to hit their stride and figure out team dynamics. As a unit, they succeeded at putting a full game together, however they typically started the game slowly but then played an aggressive and competitive second half. Despite losing to Walthamstow Hall, the second half was quite positive as they held an explosive attack to just 4 goals. They were much more aggressive, motivated, and confident in their own abilities and began to play with greater effort and intensity. On the other hand, mental lapses and fatigue caused a second half breakdown

and a loss against St Alban’s. Even in the rough spots, the girls remained positive and continued to learn and progress into better Lacrosse players and teammates. The 1st team’s second term was highlighted by a win against a talented Walthamstow Hall 1st team in its last, and best, match of the Lent Term and year. From the sidelines to the field, the girls supported one another completely and worked tirelessly to make plays, cause turnovers, and play smart Lacrosse. It was inspiring to watch and a great way to kick off the second term of the sport. Though the rain took a toll on many of the term’s fixtures, the girls continued to work hard and took advantage of the opportunities they had to play against other teams. In a triangular against Caterham A and Benenden A, the girls refined their midfield game, limiting their mistakes in transition and capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes. The attackers were effective with their shots and the defenders did their job, rising to the occasion when necessary. Although the 1sts drew to Caterham and lost to Benenden, the team has made vast improvements from outcomes last year.

to watch them succeed, and even in the rough patches, there was always reason to be proud of their effort and dedication to team play. Team from: Phoebe Calcutt (captain), Ally Fitzgerald (vice), Katie Burden, Rachel Castola, Emily Cox, Henrietta Talbot, Harriet Preston, Anna Gibson, Martha Knight, Georgia Watt, Lucy Balicki, Sophie Knight, Charlotte Wickham, Emily Wiltshire, Olivia Prince, Laura Bartley, Emma Henderson, Ella Walford, Hattie Wilson, Maya Kolade, Emily Champion, Rosie Vavasour Offensive Player: Olivia Prince Defensive Player: Sophie Knight Players’ Player: Hattie Wilson Coach’s Award: Rachel Castola Most Improved: Emily Wiltshire Autumn Term Results:

In the final event of the season, the National Tournament, the 1sts faced a tough challenge. With all of the best teams in the country in attendance, the girls had the daunting task of taking on many highly skilled and experienced teams. With a great deal of vigour and tenacity, they fought to raise their level of play and compete at a high standard. The team finished in the top four of Division II, just missing the championship game. Despite this, it was a great experience for the team and the girls worked together and with great effort throughout.

Goals For: 61

The girls were always working to improve and they took comments and suggestions on board to better their individual play for the good of the team. Because of this, the team continued to grow and mature into a confident unit with a common goal. The support that they provided for one another on and off the pitch was impressive and provided them with a unique advantage during close matches. It was a pleasure

Kent Tournament

Goals Against: 45 Caterham (a) St Alban’s (h) Coloma Convent Claremont Abbot’s Hill Tournament Heathfield (h)

Benenden A Walthamstow Hall B Benenden D Walthamstow Hall A Benenden C

Lost Drew Won Won 3rd place Won

Lost Won Won Lost Won

8-9 7-7 9-8 8-6 9-7

0-3 4-2 6-0 3-1 5-2

THE CANTUARIAN

lacrosse Benenden B

Won

2-0

Lent TermÂ Results Goals For: 37 Goals Against: 41 Heathfield School (a) Walthamstow Hall A (h) Caterham School A (h) Benenden A (a) Haileybury A (h) National Schools Tournament

Won Won Drew Lost Lost

11-6 7-5 6-6 7-12 6-10

3rd place Div. 2

2nd XII Maddy Booth Autumn Term: P4 W0 L4 Lent Term: P5 W3 L2 The 2nd Lacrosse team this year had its share of ups and downs but worked hard to the end of each match and the season.Â After a weak first term against tough competition, a new influx of girls and improved skill led to much better results in the second term. A number of cancellations due to weather could have muted motivation, but the girls remained positive and competitive throughout. With a number of young players, the first weeks of Lacrosse required a sharp learning curve in order to firm up the fundamentals. Despite good focus and effort from the team, the match

Lent 2011

results were somewhat lacklustre. Early in the season, following a loss to Caterham, the team competed in a Kent county tournament. Placing 7th in the county was an admirable finish, given their youth and inexperience! Despite a few humbling losses, the team persevered, continuing to hone individual and team play. The second term was a different story as the team was made up of solid athletes and a host of team players. It was an incredibly positive term from both a coaching and playing perspective as the girls took advice on board and continued to improve their play while having fun. A number took leadership roles on and off the field including Alexandra Fitzgerald, Harriet Lee, Lara Pedley, and Lulu Freemont. However, each team member deserves due credit for the successful term. The collective competitive drive pushed each individual forward, leading to improved team play and victories. Every single player improved and was integral to team play, chemistry, and camaraderie. A special mention must go out to the three newcomers Charlotte DeVitry, Nicola King and Nesta Wigan who picked up the basics quickly and soon made an impact on the pitch. Overall, the team was made up of a lot of large personalities and there was certainly never a dull moment! The Lent Term began with a decisive victory against a perennially strong team, Walthamstow Hall. In what was an impressive display of athleticism, awareness, spacing, and defensive pressure, the girls claimed a 9-2 victory. They simply outplayed the opposition and it was an excellent game to begin the term with. The second game of the term was against Caterham, a tough team with a number of strong individual players. The girls fought hard to the end but ultimately could not contain their biggest threats and dropped a tough, wire-to-wire game 6-5. In the next match, the team faced Benenden, one of the top programmes in the country. Despite

Lacrosse

Autumn Term Results:

an incredible amount of effort, teamwork and defensive pressure by Venetia Fryzer, their highly skilled opponents prevailed 15-0.

Goals Against: 55

After half term, the team played their two final games of the season. The first was a match against the local Kent University team. Despite having a few years on the 2nd team, the Uni team was no match for the team’s skill and speed. Playing a solid all-around game and showcasing a lot of the skills sharpened in practice, the girls emerged with a resounding 10-0 victory. In the final game of the season, the girls continued with the solid play in a match against Haileybury. After an average first half, the team responded with an excellent second half and phenomenal defensive play by Oriel Steel, to hold Haileybury scoreless and prevail by a score of 10-5. The opponents had no answer for Sarah Duffy, who worked tirelessly in the midfield and scored at will. To finish the second term with a record of three wins and two losses is an admirable feat and each and every member of the team deserves to be proud. The 2nd team was a pleasure to work with, providing countless laughs (and a few groans) and always fighting to the finish. Team from: Alexandra Fitzgerald (co-captain), Harriet Lee (co-captain), Alice Brady, Charlotte DeVitry, Nicola King, Sarah Duffy, Olivia Maisel, Alicia Barrett, Louisa Freemont, Venetia Fryzer, Jaya Melwani, Martha Naish, Lara Pedley, Flora Snape, Oriel Steel, Amy Tudor, Nesta Wigan Offensive Player: Lara Pedley Defensive Player: Venetia Fryzer Player’s Player: Ally Fitzgerald

Goals For: 5

Caterham (a) Kent Tournament St. Alban’s (h) Haileybury (a) Abbot’s Hill Tournament Heathfield (h) Lent Term Results:

Lost 7th place Lost Lost Lost Lost

0-15 0-10 0-20 5-10 5-10

Goals For: 34 Goals Against: 28 Walthamstow Hall (h) Caterham (h) Benenden (a) Kent University (h) Haileybury (h)

Won Lost Lost Won Won

9-2 5-6 0-15 10-0 10-5

U14A XII Sara Wood The Lacrosse season started back in September and for many of the U14s, Lacrosse was a brand new sport and with a match only three days after their first training session, they had a lot to learn. The girls faced some tough opposition early in the season, facing teams such as Caterham and St. Albans, but the girls never lost hope, kept their spirits high and continued to work hard. The final score of these matches did not reflect the effort and enthusiasm the girls put into their Lacrosse and they learnt a lot during these first few games.

THE CANTUARIAN

At Haileybury the girls’ dedication to their training paid off and gained a 6-11 victory. In the early stages of the U14s season, team camaraderie was always evident and at Haileybury it worked to their advantage and everyone had a great game with the goals coming from Chloe, Violet, Holly, Lara, Emily and Amaka. Usually a defender, Violet Taylor showed off her attacking talents scoring 2 goals while Lara, Holly and Chloe dominated the midfield and demonstrating some promising progression. Amaka, as always, was strong in defence and with her natural speed also managed to add to the score board. Their next win soon followed on home turf against Heathfield St Mary’s. This was a close, exciting match that could have gone either way but the King’s girls managed to hold their lead with the final score at 6-5. Heathfield had many chances to score, but Iryna was first class in goal and saved some very strong shots and her performance impressed the Heathfield girls as they voted her for the man of the match. The poor weather drew an early close to the winter season but many of the girls were eager to start where they left off and to continue to progress their skills into the new season as well as bonding with new team mates. The spring season brought many new players to Lacrosse and we had enough for two teams but the new players needed to be brought up to speed with the girls from the previous season. The first match of the new season was against Heathfield St Mary’s, whom we previously beat, but for King’s A, they proved too strong and beat us quite convincingly. The King’s B, primarily made up of new players, worked extremely well together and I was extremely pleased to see how quickly some of the girls had picked up the game. Pheobe and Honoury played exceptionally well and covered a lot of ground playing solid defense and also creating and scoring goals up on attack. Walthamstow Hall were our next opponents and they have always been tough opposition. The B team put up a good fight and with

Lent 2011

Constance scoring the one and only goal, Wally Hall were too strong. Lucy Fenwick displayed some fantastic defensive plays and was a key communicator throughout the match. The A teams match was nail-biting at times and it was impossible for me to choose a Most Valuable Player for this game as every girl gave their all. Scarlett and Jennifer remained focused in defense, Alexandra, Holly and Lara were solid in midfield all scoring goals and Emily was a key player in attack, also scoring. Michaella stepped up to play goal keeper, a very bold and brave decision, but she was a natural and with only a tiny frame she showed them who was boss and made some great saves. On 29th January King’s played Caterham and the girls were excited to see how much they had progressed since the previous match in September. The first half was very close and the girls had equal opportunities to score but strong defence from both sides kept the goals out and only until 2 minutes to half time Caterham managed to score making the half time score only 1-0. Michaela made some great saves including two penalties. In the second half tiredness set in and unfortunately Caterham began to sneak the goals passed us with the final score ending at 0-7. The B team faced another experienced team when we travelled to Benenden, but their attacking plays showed some great potential with Annabel, Olivia Simpson, Eloise and Constance all working well as a team and some great transitional play by Lucy Hogg in the midfield, while Olivia Goodey and Meagan tried to their best to keep out the speedy attacking players on the Benenden team. The A team managed to add another win to their season, which they reiterated against Abbotts Hill a week later, with Olivia Simpson climbing up to the A team and scoring 2 of the 3 goals. King’s hosted the Kent Schools U14 tournament on Saturday 12th March which promised to see a spectacular afternoon of Lacrosse. With a few girls off games both teams had to step up and perform to their potential. The B team had a tough draw facing Benenden and Walthamstow Hall A teams, but as usual the girls played hard

and enjoyed every minute of it. No matter what the result, the B team always had a smile on their face and the way they naturally encourage each other is so pleasant to see. The A team swept through the pool games into the semi final where they faced Wally Hall A. Having played and beaten them earlier in the season, the girls knew that the game could swing either way. Iona, Pippi and Eleanor rotated in attack and scored some great goals, Michaela made some crucial saves and the girls were through to the final. Benenden A were the opposition. With a packed side line, the girls gave all they had working on all the skills they had learnt in practise and communicating well on the pitch. In the second half King’s were down a few goals and Benenden proved too strong to come back and we narrowly missed out winning the tournament. I was so proud of the girls for getting this far and it was a great way to end the season. As a whole the U14 King’s Lacrosse team have progressed immensely as most were beginners at the beginning of the season and have now developed into a very strong squad with a handful of the girls showing some great potential for the future. Keep up the hard work next season!

Netball 1st VII KAB P17 W13 L4 The 1ST VII team have enjoyed a very exceptional season, only dropping four games all term. The girls enjoyed a very intense three days of pre-season training where we were proud to have Surrey Storm player Natalie Seaton

coaching the girls. This really gave the girls energy and enthusiasm and instilled a good level of competitiveness in them. We started the season with a very difficult triangular away from home and it was remarkable to see the level and talent of the team already on court against two very competitive sides, both of whom had played Netball the previous term. We played extremely well with both teams commenting on how skillful we looked on court, questioning whether we had been training in the Autumn Term! We came away with a stunning win against Cranleigh and lost to PGS by two, we later heard they had qualified for the Regionals – not a bad start to our season! We continued on our season with four excellent wins on the trot against Epsom (our first win ever!), Simon Langton, King’s Rochester and Cranbrook. This gave us the perfect preparation for the U19 Birley’s Tournament a week ahead. We trained exceptionally hard in the build up to the tournament and set ourselves a target of reaching the final! On the day of the tournament, we prepared ourselves mentally and played our first game against our new rivals Bancroft’s in our Pool. We only lost by two which was good but we then needed to win the rest of our games to stand a chance of making the semi-finals. In the second game of the pool however we suffered a major loss. Stephanie Crampton went over on her ankle and was unable to take part in the rest of the tournament leaving us without our Goal Attack for the rest of the tournament. This was going to be a tough order for us and required total team support. We moved Dominique Masters (her first year in the 1st team) into Goal Attack to replace Stephanie. The team battled through the pool rounds winning the rest of their games making it into the semi-final against Benenden. This was a remarkable achievement and the girls couldn’t believe how far they had come considering the rollercoaster of emotions they had had. We faced a very tough semi against Benenden but came through strong in the final minutes and winning, meaning that we had to face Bancroft’s again in the final! What a final it was... having been 4-4

THE CANTUARIAN

nETball after half time, we lost our rhythm slightly, giving Bancroft’s a lead which we were unable to catch up. A very tough final but exceptionally well played by King’s who took the Runners-up medals. Player of the tournament was awarded to Dominique Masters for stepping into some very tough shoes and playing extremely well. After the tournament, we were going to be without Stephanie for a while so we worked very hard the next few weeks on positions and player rotations. We had two very good wins against Brighton College and Sutton Valence which gave us confidence, however we were outmatched by height in our game against Haileybury. We had worked very hard and deserved the half term break for a rest. We came back into the second half of term with two very hard triangular back to back matches – Sevenoaks and Christ’s Hospital, and then Benenden and St Bedes. The shorter games tested our composure and ability to keep possession of the ball and we managed to win all four of these. We welcomed Stephanie back to the court and she picked up star player in her first game which was a real confidence boost for her. We were fast approaching the end of the season but had two tournaments remaining – the John Kelshall Tournament and the District Tournament. Lucky or unlucky for some, we met Bancroft’s in our first game at the John Kelshall Tournament and lost to them again by 2 goals. We then knew that if we won all our games we would face them in the final – a repeat performance of the Birley’s Tournament. We played some very tough teams beating Felsted, Greshams and Chigwell securing us a place in the semi-final. This wasn’t going to be as easy a game as Kimbolton; the other semi-finalist had won all their matches. The goals were scored end to end with very little mistakes made by each team. At the end of full time the score was even meaning that the teams had to play five

Lent 2011

minutes of extra time to determine a winner. The next five minutes were very tense with goals missed both ends and mistakes starting to creep in – with 30 seconds to go, we were able to secure a turnover in defence and score with only a few seconds remaining, winning the game 10-9! This took us into the final against Bancroft’s. We were a little slow to start giving Bancroft’s a three goal advantage after half time, however we decided to really go for it and take risks in the final half which began to pay off although a little too late. Bancroft’s looked a little flustered but held onto the win. We took away the Runners-up medals again but not feeling disappointed but very proud of our achievements. Zara Benjamin-Laing was voted Player of the Tournament for King’s. The next day we had the District Tournament. We were a little fatigued and struggled to find form initially. We played all our games winning two and drawing one which meant the trophy would go to the team that had scored the most goals. Luckily we had pushed for goals throughout the afternoon and we won by 6 goals! A very tight result with us taking the trophy. With two games left and the end of the season looming we continued to work and hard and faced Hurstpierpoint College at home and then St Bede’s away. We were able to beat St Bede’s, however the strength of Hurst pipped us in the final minutes of the game although a credit to both teams, scoring close to 100 goals in total in an hour. I cannot fault the girls for their dedication this term. Making up the defence has been Zara, Maya, Alexandra and Poppy who have worked very hard turning over numerous balls and often winning us the game through their crucial interceptions. The centre court of Rosie, Dominique and Emily has been outstanding. All players working to maximum intensity and the shooters this season have been quality. Francesca and

netball Stephanie and not to mention Dominique have been incredible this season and their shooting statistics have been impeccable. We say goodbye to Zara and Poppy who will be very big spaces to fill. Both players have been outstanding this season and their commitment to the team has been exemplary. We also say goodbye to Captain Rosie Vavasour. She has been the most fantastic captain: hardworking, professional, a good role model, a good teammate and inspiring to all. I wish all three players well and hope they continue to love Netball as much as they have done this season! Team from: Rosie Vavasour (*) (Captain), Poppy Coleman (*) (Vice-Captain), Zara Benjamin-Laing (*), Francesca Berry (*), Stephanie Crampton (*), Emily Davis (*), Maya Kolade (^), Alexandra Pye ( ^) and Dominique Masters (^) Most Valuable Player: Zara Benjamin-Laing Most Improved Player: Dominique Masters Star Players: Rosie Vavasour and Francesca Berry Portsmouth Grammar (a) Cranleigh (a) Simon Langton (h) Epsom College (a) King’s Rochester (h) Cranbrook (a) Haileybury (a) Sutton Valence (h) Brighton College (h) Bancroft’s (a) Christ’s Hospital (a) Sevenoaks (a) Benenden (a) St Bedes (a) Hurstpierpoint College (h)

Lost Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won Won Lost Won Won Won Won Lost

20-22 27-15 51-11 18-17 45-29 28-14 29-35 32-25 42-39 10-30 22-10 26-17 20-19 25-15 47-50

St Bedes (a)

Won

55-33

2nd VII LW The 2nd VII team have had a very successful Netball term, only dropping two games all season. One of the low points which happened very early on in the term, in fact our first game, was losing Jess Hill to a broken arm in the match against Cranleigh. This unfortunately put her out for the remainder of the season and we really missed her skill and personality on court. The standard of teams that we have played against has been exceptionally strong this year. Halfway through the term the squad played Christ Church University’s 1st team as a practice match which proved exceptionally beneficial. The girls really rose to the occasion and performed well. From that game on the girls had belief in their own team performance. We lost another key player, Emilie de Bree, through injury and this was a big loss to us in the defending end. What I liked about the team was that they were all prepared to play out of position to ensure the team did well. Florence Savage stepped up and played Goal Defence and did a super job. At first she found this position very daunting but as the weeks passed Flo improved so much and played a pivotal role in our many wins. For the last few weeks of the term, the girls played with versatility most of the time, showing a good strong team spirit and relishing the challenge of trying something new. Rose Barton has been an energetic and enthusiastic Captain, always leading from the front. It has been very exciting to see the progression of the girls’

THE CANTUARIAN

playing level; this bodes well for next season. I have truly enjoyed coaching this team. I believe that we have performed above my and their expectations and for some of our wins we have shown a great fighting spirit and have worked hard to the bitter end. With only two loses two draws and all the rest wins it has been a magnificent Netball season. Well done girls! Thank you for all your hard work determination and team spirit; I am very proud of you all. Team from: Rose Barton (Captain), Emily Champion, Emilie de Bree, Ella Gault, Stephanie Harper, Harriet Hawksworth, Jessica Hill, Ella Kelly, Fadekemi Ogunsanya, Florence Savage Most Valuable Player: Rose Barton Most Improved Player: Fadekemi Ogunsanya Star Player: Emily Champion Results Portsmouth Grammar (a) Cranleigh (a) Epsom College (a) Cranbrook (a) Haileybury (a) Kent College A (a) Sutton Valence (h) St Edmunds A (a) Brighton College (h) Bancroft’s (a) Christ’s Hospital (a) Sevenoaks (a) Benenden (a) St Bedes (a) Hurstpierpoint College (h) St Bedes (a) John Kelshall Tournament (a)

Lent 2011

Won Won Drew Won Won Won Won Won Won Lost Won Won Drew Won Lost Won 3rd in pool

15-11 12-10 13-13 22-14 22-18 20-12 24-19 35-6 26-20 26-16 18-15 18-15 18-18 21-16 34-28 36-24

District Tournament (a)

1st

3rd VII Samantha Astbury P13 W8 D3 L2 The 3rd VII team have had a fantastic season, not only winning eight of their thirteen matches, but also proving they could match the skill level of three strong teams. The team had a tough start to the season, numerous players fought for the same positions, the five shooters in particular. This determination aided them in their first match against Cranleigh, where the team learned to play and work together, ending in a successful, confidence boosting result. The next two matches versus Epsom and Cranbrook proved more difficult, for a newly formed team. These losses early in the season against two skilled teams highlighted the skills and tactics that could be worked on. All of which were put into practice in the successful Haileybury match, and the evenly matched games against Sutton Valence and Brighton College. A mid-week fixture against Canterbury Christ Church University’s 4th Team highlighted immediate nerves within the team. With a much faster game to keep up with the team struggled initially, but with the encouragement from Captain Rosie Fenning the team came together in defending the University’s faster attack. This win came as a massive confidence boost for the team who found a new enthusiasm for the game. The team faced their first triangular versus Christ’s Hospital and Sevenoaks. During the Christ’s Hospital match Rosie Fenning injured

her ankle and was unable to play. A big loss for the team, she was an asset in keeping the team in high spirits. Aurelie Kent moved from Centre to Goal Defence and despite dropping a few goals, the team united setting the ultimate goal of winning the triangular for their Captain. After drawing their first match the team knew they must win against Sevenoaks. The perseverance from Aurelie Kent paid off; in a new position she made many interceptions with the support of Izzy Whittaker, and received star player, demonstrating her skills as a defender. With Rosie injured we looked at the teams’ versatility in training. This was a great success; players demonstrated they could put the drills they had learnt into action. Nosa Omosigho stood out - having trialled as one of the five shooters, her speed and reactions would be an asset in effective defence. She stepped up to play Goal Keeper in the Benenden and St Lawrence College matches and her numerous interceptions made easy wins for the team. Our final matches versus Hurstpierpoint and St Bede’s were evenly matched games with both teams having accurate shooters. Despite the defence pressurising the oppositions’ attack, it came down to the hard work in centre court by Emma Laing, Kitty Davis and Laria Collister, who intercepted passes and sent accurate balls into Alex Barkshire, Aimee Serisier and Izzy Whittaker to allow them to score the goals. This has been an amazing season, not only through the results, although important, but also for the confidence of all 3rd team players, having progressed during the season, through their hard work. Many players - Aurelie Kent, Nosa Omosigho and Izzy Whittaker to name a few - have played in versatility when needed and put in 100%, which I have appreciated. I would also like to mention Emma Laing, whose hard work and enthusiasm has allowed her to shine in any centre court position. With some amazing characters on the team, it has been

down to Rosie Fenning to bring them together as a team, she has been a real team player and a great Captain through encouragement in keeping the team focused and also in her friendship to all team members. Well done to all the team, you are all fantastic. Team from: Rosie Fenning (Captain), Aurelie Kent (Vice-Captain), Kitty Davis, Emma Laing, Eleanor Christianakis, Alexandra Barkshire, Aimee Serisier, Isobel Whitaker, Emmyline Duffy, Laria Collister, Nosa Omosigho, Camellia Johnson, Simi Marinho, Isobel Hoppe Most Valuable Players: Emma Laing and Eleanor Christianakis Most Improved Players: Nosa Omosigho and Aimee Seriser Star Player: Aurelie Kent Results Goals for: 303 Goals against: 214 Cranleigh (a) Epsom (a) Cranbrook (h) Haileybury (h) Sutton Valence (h) CCCU 4th (h) Brighton College (h) Christ’s Hospital (a) Sevenoaks (a) Benenden (a) Hurstpierpoint (h) St Lawrence College (a) St Bede’s (a)

Won Lost Lost Won Drew Won Drew Drew Won Won Won Won Won

25-7 9-20 10-19 23-13 25-25 25-14 25-25 10-10 15-11 24-6 23-19 45-13 44-32

THE CANTUARIAN

U15 A VII JS P13 W5 L8 The U15 A team had a successful season. They had more wins than last year and also managed to reduce the losing margin against all the teams that beat them both years. I have seen dramatic improvements in individual players over the season. We definitely had loads of fun together, while learning valuable skills that would prepare them for the challenging senior years ahead. A main focus was on gaining possession in defence, and on set plays, which got increasingly better as their confidence grew and ball handling improved. The player that improved the most was without a doubt Lucy Duncanson. Charlotte Hart (Captain) was deservedly voted players’ player of the season and Maddy Phillips was awarded coach’s player of the season, not just for her confidence and skill on court, but for always working hard in training, taking every opportunity to learn, and then implementing these improvements in match situations. They were a joy to work with and I look forward to see them flourish as senior players. Team from: Madeline Phillips, Isobel Forbes (Vice-Captain), Isobel Jamieson, Lucy Warr, Lucy Dean, Gen Masters, Charlotte Hart (Captain), Lucy Duncanson, Amy Gault Coach’s player of the season: Madeline Phillips Most Improved Player: Lucy Duncanson Players’ player of the season: Charlotte Hart Results

Lent 2011

netball Cranleigh (a) Portsmouth Grammar (a) Epsom College (a) Kings Rochester (a) Cranbrook (a) Haileybury (h) Sutton Valence (h) Kent Collage (a) Brighton College (a) Sevenoaks (a) Christ Hospital (a) Benenden (a) St Bedes (a) John Kelshall Tournament (a) Benenden Tournament (a)

Lost Lost Lost Won Won Lost Won Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Won 3rd in pool 4th in pool

6-16 3-17 13-10 40-4 21-16 17-15 15-10 22-9 25-22 16-8 15-1 15-12 23-8

U15 B VII CFBVR P12 W6 D1 L5 It has been a really enjoyable season for the U15B team. The standard of play increased in leaps and bounds from January to March and despite finishing the season with losses (although some against A team sides!) the team finished the season with much to be proud of. In the shooting circle Natsuko Saegusa, Helen Ferrett and Phoebe Hanson-Lowe were excellent and their techniques for getting free in the circle and shooting success percentage improved no end. In the centre court Isobel Brooks, Flora Mockeridge and Victoria Mansfield worked extremely hard to link play from the defence down to the shooting circle and were agile and quick. Sophie Bansal, Elinor Sly and Amelia

netball Cook made up the defence in the team. Their interceptions and ability to put opposing shooters under pressure were very successful. Well done to such a versatile team! The players’ player of the season was voted as Natsuko Seaguso and the coach’s player of the season is Phoebe Hanson-Lowe; congratulations to both of those players. I would also like to thank Lucy Warr, Madale Jooste and Lucy Tynan for the matches they played for the team. Team from: Isobel Brooks, Phoebe HansonLowe, Natsuko Saegusa, Helen Ferrett, Flora Mockridge, Elinor Sly, Sophie Bansal, Victoria Mansfield, Amelia Cook Players’ Star Player: Natsuko Saegusa Coach’s Star Player: Phoebe Hanson-Lowe Results Goals for: 181 Goals Against: 149 Cranleigh (a) Portsmouth Grammar (a) Epsom (h) Cranbrook (h) Haileybury (h) Sutton Valence (a) St Edmunds (a) Brighton College (a) Sevenoaks (a) Christ’s Hospital (a) Benenden (a) St Bede’s U14 A (a)

Lost Lost Won Lost Won Won Won Won Drew Won Lost Lost

7-11 15-16 9-5 6-7 20-18 14-9 27-11 28-14 17-17 20-17 9-12 9-12

U15 C VII P5 W3 L2 The U15 C team have had a solid season. Although a large squad of twenty girls, they have worked hard to improve their skills and ended the season playing much more accomplished, expansive netball than they were in January. After a strong win against Epsom in the season opener, the team demolished Haileybury and boosted their own confidence in the process. The second half of term was more mixed, with a narrow defeat in torrential rain away to Brighton College, a solid win against Sevenoaks and a heavy defeat against a tightly drilled Benenden team. With many of the squad absent because of ill-health, and a number called up to reinforce the B team, the Benenden match was certainly a gallant effort but, with teamwork and positions in disarray, the outcome was an unfortunate inevitability. Sophie Lark and Lucinda Royce have been in impressive form throughout the season with a superb shooting record, whilst Sophie Nichols and Tomi Soyebo have been resolute in defence of the goal area and really hassled opposition players into giving away possession. The addition of Lucy Tynan to the squad from the Bs shored up the central court area, whilst captain Madale Jooste at Wing Defence and Wing Attack Florrie Hodgkinson showed their versatility with both aggressive attack and dogged defence. Other members of the squad made valuable contributions to matches, including Carmen Brown, Alexia de Montefort, Sophie Brown, Dasha Loika and Gemma Taylor. It has been a disrupted season in many ways for the U15 Cs with a lack of coaching continuity at times, but they have dealt with this with good humour and grace. They are to be congratulated on a good term’s work.

THE CANTUARIAN

Team from: Madale Jooste (c), Carmen Brown, Sophie Brown, Florrie Hodgkinson, Dasha Loika, Sophie Lark, Alexia de Montefort, Sophie Nichols, Tomi Soyebo, Gemma Taylor, Lucy Tynon Players’ player of the season: Madale Jooste Coach’s player of the season: Sophie Nicholls Results Epsom (a) Haileybury (h) Brighton College (a) Sevenoaks (a) Benenden (a)

Won Won Lost Won Lost

19-11 52-9 17-22 16-12 18-28

U14 A VII EP P17 L4 W11 D2 The U14 A team have had an excellent season. Having inherited girls with natural athleticism and good ball-handling skills, this season has primarily concerned the development of their tactical ability and movement through the court. The season started well with a 22-all draw against a strong Epsom team, signalling the girls’ intent. We have progressed well, developing excellent shooting partnerships with beautiful movement in and around the attacking circle despite frequent changes in the attacking pairings. In defence we have struggled a little, with communication being an issue at the start of the season although I do believe we have also improved here significantly as the season progressed with Amaka Oditah and Helena Barton becoming a key pair. Tireni Atoyebi has

Lent 2011

also worked hard to improve at wing defence, a position that is relatively new to her, with great success in the later stages of the season. The high point of the season must be our Birley’s Tournament victory, seeing off nationally qualified teams including Brighton College in order to win the title. Rhiannon Jones has led exceptionally well, particularly when keeping up team morale in the face of a crushing defeat later on in the season to Brighton College. Another mention must go to Ellen Kennedy who moved into the squad from the B team during the season and performed to a excellent standard. The team have coped brilliantly with their success as a year group which has meant, due to their Hockey Nationals qualification, that they were often training in several sports during the week. The girls have been a real pleasure to coach, enthusiastic in all training sessions and an exciting team to watch. I could not have asked for more. Team from: Rhiannon Jones (capt), Freya LoganGreen, Eliza Cocksworth, Emma Torkington, Amelia Baker, Maddy Irwin, Ellen Kennedy, Tireni Atoyebi, Amaka Oditah, Helena Barton Results Epsom (h) King’s Rochester (a) Cranbrook (a) Haileybury (a) Birley’s Tournament (h) Sutton Valence (h) Brighton College (a) Benenden (a) Christ’s Hospital (a) Sevenoaks (a) Bancroft’s (a) Hurstpierpoint (a)

Drew Won Won Lost 1st place Won Lost Drew Won Won Won Lost

22-22 38-3 22-12 18-28 P6 W5 25-19 9-34 15-15 13-10 15-13 26-22 28-30

U14 B VII SKR P11 W7 L4 The U14B team has had a successful season, playing some exciting and skillful Netball. A large squad of fourteen girls allowed us to play full matches within training sessions, implementing match plays and showing where certain skills could be used. The opening match against an exceptionally strong Epsom team came a little too early in the season for our girls. With the score at just 4-6 at quarter time, we felt we could work hard to push on for the win, however Epsom were fitter and had a huge height advantage, proving too difficult to overcome. This was a very positive start to the season though and the team was already starting to gel. The initial loss didn’t seem to affect the girls’ confidence and four superb performances against Cranbrook, Haileybury, Sutton Valence and St Edmund’s followed. The shooting from Tabitha Killingbeck, Jessica Hodcroft, Katherine Gardiner, Cherie Cheung and Catriona Jenkinson was improving every week although it was difficult for the girls to form partnerships with so many talented shooters being rotated into the team. After half term the girls suffered two losses. Brighton College hosted us on what looked to be a glorious day only for the rain to interrupt halfway through. This seemed to affect our team a little more than theirs and we allowed them to take a lead just after half time that proved too great to claw back. The second loss to Benenden seemed to spur the girls on, though, and their commitment to training the following week was remarkable.

This group of girls were very much lacking in height compared to many of the teams we faced so the training and game plans focused on playing the ball around opposition with lots of short passes rather than throwing high overhead passes. The girls’ hard work in this area of training proved to be the deciding factor in a well-fought double victory over Christ’s Hospital and Sevenoaks in a tough triangular fixture. The second match, against Sevenoaks was undoubtedly the best performance of the season as the girls showed a maturity and composure in their play that they hadn’t shown before. They followed up this impressive triangular fixture with victory over a Bancroft’s side that never looked like posing a major threat. This was a very strong defensive performance from Tzeamara Goddard (voted player of the match) and Lily Ford, their interceptions proved vital in what was a hard earned victory. The final game of the season proved to be a task too great for the girls, losing to a very strong Hurstpierpoint side in blazing sun. The girls have had a very successful season, led from the front by their hard-working captain, Ellen Kennedy. With so many girls in the squad they all worked extremely hard to earn the chance to play in each fixture and were a delight to coach. Good luck next year girls! Team from: Ellen Kennedy (Captain), Helen Woodward, Tzeamara Goddard, Lily Ford, Jessica Hodcroft, Tabitha Killingbeck, Catriona Jenkinson, Cherie Cheung, Katherine Gardiner, Jimena Lain, Lucy St John, Sophie Honychuch, Jemima Chesterfield, Poppy Arvidsson Results Goals For: 137 Goals Against: 141 Epsom (h) Cranbrook (h) Haileybury (a)

Lost Won Won

7-21 12-5 14-9

THE CANTUARIAN

rugby sevens Sutton Valence (a) St Edmund’s (a) Brighton College (a) Benenden (a) Sevenoaks (a) Christ’s Hospital (a) Bancroft’s School (a) Hurstpierpoint (a) St Bede’s (h)

Won Won Lost Lost Won Won Won Lost Cancelled

10-4 21-1 10-21 8-17 13-11 11-8 24-14 7-30

U14 C VII KJG P7W1L6 The U14C VII team have worked hard this term and have significantly improved their skills. Initially captained by Catriona Jenkinson, and then by Katherine Sorab, the group were quick to bond as a team. Every match began with a positive outlook and the team always fought right until the last whistle. They were keen to develop their own tactics and were confident to execute them in game situations. Tenesan Arenyeka and Jemima Compton provided a strong defence, playing well together. Tenesan was a trustworthy Goal Keeper and her interception skills developed throughout the term to the point where she was awarded player of the match in the penultimate match of term. Kanapath Oungpasuk was an extremely enthusiastic Wing Defence who often appeared out of nowhere to gain flying interceptions! Katherine Sorab provided stability playing Centre. Her ability to read the oppositions’ play proved valuable to the team. At Wing Attack was the ever-optimistic and ceaselessly energetic Charlotte Ward who provided a sunny outlook,

Lent 2011

even on the coldest and wettest days. Georgiana Prior and Georgia Piper provided a good attacking team, with their shooting skills improving throughout the season. There have been many more unnamed individuals that were great assets throughout the season and it has been a pleasure to coach this lively group. I hope that they have enjoyed the season as much as I have, and I hope they continue to play Netball next year. Team from: Katherine Sorab (Captain), Tenesan Arenyeka, Jemima Compton, Eliza Cooke, Kanapath Oungpasuk, Madeline Parker, Georgia Piper, Georgiana Prior, Dupe Adeagbo, Alisha Sadhwani, Elizabeth Van Liew, Charlotte Ward Results Epsom (h) Cranbrook (h) Haileybury (a) Brighton College (a) Benenden (a) Sevenoaks (h)

Lost Lost Won Lost Lost Lost

5-22 9-15 22-3 10-46 7-15 15-21

Rugby Sevens Team Report CR Although not the traditional Rugby term, the 7-a-side version of the game has proved to be a happy hunting ground for King’s sides during the Lent Term.

squash The U15s put aside their tough 15-a-side season to win their pool at the Kent U15 7s - Wai Lai Hung was the stand-out player. At the QE Barnet 7s, the U16s produced the finest 3 minutes of Rugby I have seen from a schoolboy side, destroying Wellington College, with the final result being a resounding 26-0 victory. This game proved to take too much out of the side as they lost by one try in the cup quarter finals. The 1st VII started their campaign by winning the bowl competition at the Reigate Charity 7s, with Louis Guitton producing a sublime performance in attack and defence in the final. This was followed up by finishing as runners-up at the Kent U18 tournament. Fine margins at the Surrey 7s meant that despite a satisfying win over Eastbourne College and a 52-0 thrashing of Hurtwood, the side missed out on a last 16 place by a mere three points. Late withdrawals and inconsistence attendance at training ultimately cost the 1stVII the chance to win their group at the Rosslyn Park tournament – a disappointing way to end the season for them. The U16s, decimated by injuries to key players, should be delighted in the first instance by winning their group at Rosslyn Park – never an easy task. However, they must be disappointed to have lost in the round of 32 but should remain optimistic knowing that they have the talent and potential to do well at U18 level in the coming two seasons.

Squash Team Report TH P 19 W10 L9 This has been a very enjoyable and successful season. At the forefront of the team were Tim Humphries, Ashwin Bhadresha, Jonny Cheung and Fergus Ryan. Once again the team made it through to the knock-out stages of the National Schools’ competition. Other notable achievements include the away wins at Brentwood and the beating of Tonbridge. Tom Dixey proved a very useful player in his second season of squash. Jamie Edgcumbe-Rendle was voted the team’s most improved player but it was a shame he suffered an injury this term. Ashwin Bhadresha was named the most valuable player and Tim Humphries has been outstanding as captain and was named the player of the season. We look forward to next year which looks promising with a number of younger players coming through. Team from: Tim Humphries (captain), Jonny Cheung, Ashwin Bhadreesha, Fergus Ryan, Jamie Edgcumbe Rendle, Tom Dixey, Richard Seaton, Louis Bromfield, George Baker-White. Results

Sevenoaks (H) Coopers (H) Bedford (H) Kent Uni (H) Tonbridge (A) St Edmund’s (H) Borden Grammar (A)

Won Won Lost Won Lost Won Lost

5-0 4-1 2-3 5-0 1-4 4-1 1-4

THE CANTUARIAN

cross country St Edmund’s (A) King Edward IV Grammar School (H) Brentwood (A) Tonbridge (H) Epsom Independent Schools Tournament Borden Grammar (H) Guildford RGS National Schools Knockout Top 32 (A) Sevenoaks (A) Eton (A) Jesters (H) Tonbridge (A) King’s Staff (H) Christ’s Hospital (A)

Lost

2-3

Won

5-0

Won Won

3-2 1-4

4th place Won

4-1

Lost

1-4

Lost Lost Lost Won Lost Won

0-5 0-6 0-5 3-2 1-5 4-1

Girls 1st V TH Girls’ squash continues to grow and get stronger. The first team has shown pleasing progress as evident in the matches played. The highlight of the season would have to be the commanding win against Sevenoaks and the home victory against a strong Benenden team. Seiya Grant was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player which is a fantastic achievement as a Shell and Lucy Baker the team’s Player of the Season. The club says thanks and farewell to Hannah, Franzi and Lucy who have played in the first team for three years. Team from: Hannah Benton (captain), Franzi Gabbert, Lucy Baker, Hannah Benton, Seiya Grant, Joy Selous, Annabel Mockridge, Lucy Wallis

Lent 2011

Results Sevenoaks (H) Benenden (A) Sevenoaks (A) Wellesley (A) Benenden (H) Christ’s Hospital (A)

Lost Lost Won Won Won Won

0-5 0-5 5-0 4-1 3-1 3-2

Cross Country DJF 711 pupils participated in the annual Inter House competition run in late September on the Scotty Hills by kind permission of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Milo Harper (TR) won the Junior Boys from Ivan Prisyazhnyuk (MO), while Jessie Hodcraft (BR) triumphed over Helen Woodward (HH) in the Junior Girls. Competition was fierce in the Inters, with Freddie Catterall (TR) and Isobel Brooks (WL) victorious, and Charlie Kingsman (TR) and Fenella Chesterfield (MT) runners up. Emily Steel beat fellow Walpolite Grace Johnson in the Senior Girls with Izzy Berry (MT) third, while Senior Boys winner Caspar Carter (LN) held off Piers Webb (GR) and Derek Ho (SH). Trad were irresistible in retaining the Boys’ Cup, finishing 112 points clear of Mitchinsons, and additionally earning both Junior and Inter cups; School House won the Senior Boys’ cup by 9 points from Grange. Harvey finished 18 points ahead of Walpole to claim the Girls’ cup, pipped Broughton by a point to the Junior Girls’ and ended eight places clear of Luxmoore to take the Inters’; Senior honours went decisively to Walpole. The Lent Term saw committed running from a numerous squad of girls and a thinner group of boys. After finishing 23rd in the Knole, captain

rowing Emily Steel defended her Kent Schools League title with dedication and finesse, winning four of her five races (DYRMS, UKC, Dover 2 and Tonbridge). Grace Johnson showed grit and spirit in securing second spot, with two runnersup finishes at UKC and Tonbridge. Izzy Berry ran to two third places but was narrowly beaten into fourth overall. With contributions from the squad, notably from Hannah Todd (who was 41st at the Knole) and Rose macLachlan, the girls retained the team title for the third year running. Captain James Hearn disastrously limped out of the Knole, leaving a gallant Harry Bruges (306th) to bring up the rear and (alas, vainly) attempt to salvage a team finish behind George Plews (169th), Freddie Catterall (194th), Alex Goss (277th) and Hamish Courtauld (298th). It was a cruel blow for our captain who was effectively sidelined for the season, and, although George and Freddie were competitive, the boys’ season was mediocre, with a fourth place finish the lowest on record. My thanks go to my colleagues JC, JG, BCe, SPO and JGo (sadly injured), who have been so enthusiastic in helping the team develop.

Rowing Team Report Girls Chloe Ellis (6a MR) The Lent Term is the time for winter racing. Despite some cold weather leaving the lake

frozen at times, we managed to get out on the water most of the time and only one of our Head Races was cancelled due to poor weather. Much of our time was spent in the gym doing spinning and weights sessions every week. Due to our personal trainer Tom suddenly increasing the intensity of our fitness sessions, there has been great commitment from members of our team by showing up to these extra spinning and gym sessions outside normal games times. This term was the first time anybody had done sweep-oar rowing, as we had previously done sculling only. Everybody was enthusiastic about learning something new and we enjoyed the experience. There has been great commitment from everybody this term. Whenever Svenja Perkins or I get competitive in a race there are always Amanda Thomas and Vittoria Warszewski with their relaxed, smooth rowing technique, giving a good balance to the crew. Our cox Eva Wallis always motivates us during training and racing, helping with her excellent steering and guidance on and off the water. Special mention should go to Jane Ellard who was there all term but unfortunately injured her wrist, which prevented her from rowing. However, she always turned up to training and cheered us on. Lauren Rix started rowing at the beginning of the year and decided to carry on. She has enjoyed coxing the Shell boys’ quad this term, as well as doing lots of sculling herself. Also Victoria Frye and Victoria Mansfield have improved a lot this term and will hopefully get to race next term. We appreciate the work the coaches have done this term. Julian Fox, as Acting Master in Charge of Rowing, coached the Shell boys to their impressive 10th place at the National Junior Sculling Head. William Fox joined us this year coaching the senior boys. Also we are grateful for Tom’s help with our spinning and gym sessions. Last, but not least, Andy Turner

THE CANTUARIAN

as our main coach helped us improve a lot and we very much appreciated his encouragement and the chance of racing in an eight. Hampton Head Hampton Head was the first sweep-oar race for the whole of our crew. Despite only one outing in a coxless four before the race we were pleased to come third which was 5 seconds behind the crew in second place who had probably much more experience than us as they were the winners of the coxed four event. We threw all our enthusiasm into the coxed four event but we unfortunately clashed blades with another crew and broke a rigger [Ed.: We are told the opposition’s boat regrettably remained unscathed], but commendation goes to the whole crew who carried on all the way to the finish and still made it only 20 seconds from first place against much more experienced crews.

Year 12 Open

3rd

Year 12/13 Team

3rd

Svenja Perkins Svenja Perkins / Amanda Thomas / Vittoria Warszewski / Chloe Ellis

Hammersmith Women’s and Juniors’ Head We travelled to Hammersmith to practice on a short distance of the Schools’ Head and Women’s Head course for our main upcoming events. We are not used to rowing on the tideway so it was good experience for us.

WJ18 4+

4th

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Chloe Marshall (Kent Uni) (cox)

Burway Head WJ18 4- 3rd

WJ18 4+

6th

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Eva Wallis (cox)

Kent Schools Indoor Rowing Championships We went to the Kent Schools Indoor Rowing Championships with an aim to win medals. We all managed to win two medals each and were thus very pleased. Svenja Perkins did very well against her much taller opponents and Vittoria Warsweski and Amanda Thomas made it look easy, beating other people by over a minute. Year 13 Lightweight

1st

Year 12 Lightweight

2nd

Year 12 Lightweight

3rd

Lent 2011

Chloe Ellis Vittoria Warszewski Amanda Thomas

For Burway the coxed four of Svenja Perkins, Amanda Thomas, Vittoria Warszewski, Chloe Ellis and Chloe Marshall (cox) joined with a University of Kent girl’s four to make up an eight. This was our first experience in an eight and we really enjoyed racing with other people from a different club. Despite the bendy course our cox did very well and we were pleased to win our first ever race in the eight.

WNov 8+

1st

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Ali Farrell (Kent Uni) / Erin Robinson (Kent Uni) / Sarah Moseley (Kent Uni) / Jessica Stoddard (Kent Uni) / Chloe Marshall (Kent Uni) (cox)

WNov 4+

3rd

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Chloe Marshall (Kent Uni) (cox)

WJ18 4+

12th

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Eva Wallis (cox)

Women’s Eights Head of the River Maidstone Small Boats Head Due to other people’s school commitments only Svenja and I travelled to Maidstone to race in our single sculls. We raced at the earliest possible time in the morning so never got to see our competitors, but were both pleased to come second. WJ17 1x WIM3 1x

2nd 2nd

Svenja Perkins Chloe Ellis

The best event of the term was going to be the Women’s Head of the River. We all enjoyed the experience of this huge event, overtaking nine eights in the race and only just missing out on double figures. Credit goes to the cox, who spent the whole race asking other crews to move out of the way, for her great enthusiasm and motivation during the race. Coming 8th of the 65 Novice crews will hopefully mean future crews from King’s can start nearer the front and won’t have to race a slalom course to overtake other crews!

Schools’ Head The main event of the term was the Schools’ Head. The long 4.25 mile course takes some skill from the cox on the tideway, as it is necessary to find the fastest stream of water in the middle of the river. Eva Wallis was wellinformed and steered us well with great motivation for our crew. We were pleased with 12th as this was the first time the school has entered a girls’ coxed four at this event.

Thanks go to Andy Turner, our coach, for asking the University of Kent girls to join with us because we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

WNov 8+

8th

Amanda Thomas / Svenja Perkins / Chloe Ellis / Vittoria Warszewski / Ali Farrell (Kent Uni) / Erin Robinson (Kent Uni) / Sarah Moseley (Kent Uni) / Jessica Stoddard (Kent Uni) /

Svenja Perkins, Chloe Ellis, Vittoria Warszewski and Amanda Thomas at Hampton Fours and Eights Head

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rowing Eva Wallis (cox) Medway Head We travelled to the Medway Head in the hope of winning our last event in an eight before the holidays. Despite rowing all the way to the start, a decision was taken to cancel the event because of the windy conditions, meaning that we were denied this last opportunity.

Junior Boys JTHF The Shell and Remove boys have raced in three head races this term. Hampton Head At Hampton Head 2 crews performed well with most of the competitors racing for the first time.

J14 4x+

J15 4x+

9th

Harry Best Shaw / Charlie Sinclair / Jack Lee / Galvin Brady / Edward Vinson (cox) Toby Sargent / George Edwards / Edward Bryant / Edward Thomas / Jane Ellard (c0x)

Hammersmith Women’s and Juniors’ Head At the Hammersmith Women’s and Juniors’ Head the Remove Quad came second and the Shells won in their age category. The winning crew was Harry Best Shaw, Charlie Sinclair, Jack Lee and Galvin Brady, coxed by Edward Vinson.

Lent 2011

J14 4x+

1st

J15 4x+

2nd

Harry Best Shaw / Charlie Sinclair / Jack Lee / Galvin Brady / Edward Vinson (cox) Toby Sargent / George Edwards / Edward Bryant / Edward Thomas / Sarah Beevers (c0x)

National Junior Sculling Head

J14 4x+

10th

J15 4x+

22nd

Harry Best Shaw / Charlie Sinclair / Jack Lee / Galvin Brady / Lauren Rix (cox) Nicholas Hastings / Edward Bryant / Louis Ewart / George Edwards / Quillie Erskine (cox)

Most recently two crews also raced at the Junior Schools’ Head at Dorney Lake, the venue for the 2012 Olympic regatta. The Remove crew came 22nd and the Shell Crew came 10th out of 50 crews racing in their division.

Senior Boys JTHF Maidstone Small Boats Head With few senior boys rowing this term, there have been few events to compete in, but at the Maidstone Small Boats Head Alistair Brown and George Pughe competed in the J18 double sculls and finished 3rd in their division. J18 2x

3rd

Alistair Brown / George Pughe

the interview: ‘Your Mr Graham

only difference being they are paid a hundred times more.

Ed Lawrence-Jones (6b CY) and Louisa Dearlove (6b HH)

What do you most like about King’s?

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

(Laughs) The lovely pupils. What do I like about Kings? Well it’s a very long period. The place has changed enormously and I like the fact that it has been four different schools. It’s never the same, which makes it so interesting.

… It was a long time ago. Family connections perhaps? It just seemed as if might be fun. Are you glad that you made that decision? How do I know? I mean I could have done other things but I didn’t so I don’t know what would have happened. I would have been richer had I become a barrister or a journalist and I would have kept my silver Bentley. What did you want to be when growing up? (Chuckles) … I simply cannot remember. Fireman? Policeman? Soldier? No, no and good God no, I’m not that daft. Most people I know (parents) who have got to the top of the army didn’t want to be there when they were younger. No, I don’t think I had any growing career plans. Nothing mapped out, just took it as it came. Don’t plan your life, spontaneity is everything, dear boy. What would you do if you weren’t a teacher? I probably would have been a barrister or a journalist because they are both similar. Barristers enjoy arguing the toss, talking a lot and yes I do love talking and talking fluently. It’s all like teaching. Journalism obviously involves writing and making things up off the cuff so again it’s like teaching. They’re very similar the

It started off as a very old-fashioned boys’ school. Then it became, under Canon Pilkington, an extremely fashionable sixth form girls’ school with boys all the way through. So real co-education, as in those days the girls lived in the boys’ houses. In Tradescant we even had a female head of house. Young Miss Selina Cox (OKS) was the fiercest Monitor in Broughton, I tell you. If the Shell boys thought they could have a joke by running around in their towels with the girls on duty they were soon sorted out. The girls bossed the boys about so it was real co-education. Then the school became fully co-educational, with girls all the way through, but in a funny way almost less co-ed as the girls moved out of the boys’ houses. The final school is what it’s like now. It has never stood still. How would you describe a typical day? Hopefully there’s no such thing. The whole point about King’s is, and I know it’s a cliché, that every day is different. The real pleasure, wipe that grin off your face, is that you never know what is going to happen in lessons. Teaching any of the kids, you go to the lesson knowing what you’re supposed to do and something surprising happens and everything changes. If it didn’t, if things weren’t new, I’d give up like a shot.

THE CANTUARIAN

Starter for 10 Have you ever had a favourite student? Well, I don’t know. When I was a housemaster you tended to choose your favourite each year for Head of House and I had some excellent Heads. You have to work with them to run the house, and they absolutely keep you in the know. It was always a shock to the pupils when, at the Christmas party, I gave some indication that I knew exactly what was going on. And that’s the game: they must think you know nothing when in fact you know everything. But no you don’t have favourites; that is just silly. Yes it is more enjoyable to teach bright, hard-working pupils because it is more stimulating and fun. Ooh, I do like the witty ones who answer back a bit rather than sitting there like sponges. What has been your most memorable moment? In 1991 my 1st VIII got to the Henley final which hadn’t happened since the war. I was asked to do the eulogy at the memorial service for an OKS, who had been killed in an accident in the Far East, just weeks after leaving King’s. Over a hundred recent sixth formers turned up – far more than we could get in the Upper Chapel at St A’s. Most were in tears. The boy’s parents asked me to make the speech a happy celebration, not a cause for tears. That was a real challenge as I was not far from tears myself! I hope I rose to it. What has been the strangest moment in your time here? I’ve had forty years, boy, and you ask me for one strange moment. Well there is one. It was the weirdest and scariest moment of my entire career. It was in the staff revue written by the then housemaster of Galpins, Dr Hands, in the 90s. He wrote a brilliant pastiche of ‘Alice

Lent 2011

Through the Looking Glass’ and ‘Cinderella’. It was the moment when I, dressed in Dame Edna Everage full fairy attire, stood on the Shirley Hall stage behind curtains waiting with absolute dread, more scared than I have ever been, to unveil myself to the school. The curtain went up and I looked at 800 people but thank God it worked. It was hysterical. Only 20% of the school ever knew it was me, which made it slightly less embarrassing. What is strangest thing a pupil has ever said to you? At 10.30 pm: ‘Sir, Rob is up in a tree doing an impression of an owl.’ If the Common Room was burning down which three members of staff would you save? Three? (Yes three) Do I have to? Well… Mrs Wakeham. She has been a great friend for many years. When I moved to Tradescant and she took over Broughton we always used to complain about our houses over breakfast. She’s done so much for the school and deserves a wellearned retirement in safety away from burning buildings. Braving the flames for a second time, who would you save? I don’t think I would. I’d go off on my own retirement, one act of audacity is enough thank you. The rest can fend for themselves. Finally I have to say that my forty years here have been one big happy adventure.

Overheard… and Howlers 'The Roman Catholic view on motherhood is that women are best for it.'

'The best thing about Fifths is that they know they're scum.'

‘This poet moved away from conventions established by such poets as Byron and Wandsworth.’

'Macbeth actually killed the King; but remember, behind every good man lies a woman.'

Completing a stanza of Wordsworth: 'Rolled round in earth's diurnal course with rocks and frozen peas.'

'Jesus, mother of Mary!'

'The employment in big cities literally pulls the people to them.'

THE CANTUARIAN

The cantuarian

Summer 2011

The Cantuarian Contents Editorial

This and That

Valete

Trips and Expeditions

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Week

Miscellany

Sport

The Interview

104

Overheardâ&#x20AC;Ś and Howlers

106

Editorial Amanda Thomas (6b CY)

Just eleven years after the first edition of The Cantuarian, the writer of the editorial in April 1893 was lamenting that: “History repeats itself” it is said: unfortunately it must be owned that the Cantuarian editorials repeat themselves also, always the same old beginnings, always the same old complaints... While we must feel privileged to be writing for a publication in which the avoidance of clichés has itself become a cliché of editorials, it does occasionally leave present-day editors wondering what they could say that has not been said many times before. Perhaps the best effort we can make is to avoid lookalike generalisations about the nature of the school year and instead bring forward some old material for consideration with the new. Fortunately readers may discover that we no longer have the ‘same old complaints’ of ‘dearth of material‘. Far from being short of subject matter, this year King’s students have found it in themselves to produce another magazine quite different from this distinguished one. Although some at The Cantuarian did not initially relish the prospect of a rival, in the form of Mind’s Eye, it soon became clear that Tom Boulton’s publication, whose principle aim seemed to be the avoidance of Cantuarian-style introspection, could coexist happily with our own.

This year it has been encouraging to see the increasing interest in the magazine’s website, as well as the steadfast support for the printed version. Notwithstanding the true reactions of the long-suffering readers, we editors are pleased to see our publication apparently enjoyed in two media. Each has its advantages; coming across a crowd of people in the house common room looking through the hundreds of photographs on our website would be unthinkable in a paper-only magazine. But as an OKS recently remarked, ‘for some of us it is still much easier to hold the thing in your hands’. As clichés have now become a theme of this editorial, it seems we can eat our cake and have it too. 2011 marked the sixtieth King’s Week, and as ever it was met with enthusiasm by organisers and audiences. The recognition of ‘the value of a strenuous period of rehearsals’ was made in these pages in the very first King’s Week, in 1952, and anyone who performed this summer would surely agree with this sentiment. Now, as then, we may not always achieve the perfection promised by the practice, but standards, if one is to believe the Cantuarian reviews, have improved from the days when one reviewer could remark that in a certain performance ‘intonation and chording were not good’. Or perhaps we are now too kind, or too afraid of causing offence to our peers, to make such blunt judgements. It is worth noting that the ongoing success of King’s Week has been matched by an increase in Cantuarian coverage; no more is ‘The Music of King’s Week’ covered in a single article. Although the 1893 editorial’s final note of aspiration and encouragement is applied only to the affairs of the football team, it is just as pertinent to the school in general. A new year, with a new Headmaster, beckons. We may look back on the successes of this year, but as the writer of the 1893 editorial wished, may we also succeed better next year!

History repeating itself brings to mind another familiar phrase. We may remark ‘how times have changed’ when the thought of the 1893 editor looking for a ‘new ball-pointed pen’ with which to write his article seems quaint, let alone the fact that he finds only a ‘stale old quill’. Quills and even ball-pointed pens gave way to the word-processor long ago, but other things certainly do not change; the feeling of ‘waiting and waiting for the proverbial inspiration which never comes’ is familiar to this author.

Summer 2011

This and That

Common Room News

Congratulations to Ernest and Riette Sykes and welcome to Jean Pierre born 24th April 2011 weighing 3.43 Kg. The Headmaster’s PA, Alison Kelly is also to be congratulated on the birth of Eve on the 18th April weighing 3.22 Kg. The following members of staff are also be congratulated on their promotions within the Common Room. The newly married Charlotte Cornell will be the new Head of Sixth Form; Alanna Fraser, who rejoined King’s recently, is to take over the role of Head of Oxbridge and Extended Projects; Mark Orders is now Head of Middle School and Keri Bradley takes over from the departing Samantha Clark as Head of Girls’ Sport. This and That wish them all the best in their new positions and look forward to seeing them flourish.

King’s Week Summer 2011 This year marks the sixth decade of King’s Week and as always the standard and variety of the performances was impressive. From an adventurous and strikingly original Bacchae by the Shells through a student-led production: Party to the increasing success of a relative newcomer the King’s Week Restaurant, there was certainly something

for everyone. The evident quality and talent of many pupils seen this Summer means that This and That has high expectations of the Drama Department’s West Side Story which is appearing at the newly-opened Marlowe Theatre next year.

Rivals As mentioned in the Editorial, the Summer also saw the publication of a new school magazine, Mind’s Eye. Written entirely by pupils with the focus being on articles about the world outside the school, it has proved an immediate and well-deserved success. This and That has even heard that is was one of the number one selling magazines in the local Waterstone’s. Many congratulations to Thomas Boulton and his team.

Cantuarian Website The Cantuarian website continues to go from strength to strength and This and That would urge people to have a look where they will find articles and hundreds of photographs which we couldn’t fit into the magazine.

THE CANTUARIAN

The Blackfriars Art Exhibition at Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Week

valete

Dominique Davis by Ed Hands (Fifth MO)

Dominique Davis TJA

Dominique joined the King’s School in 1979, having been ‘talent-spotted’ by Mike Davis, who was then Head of German. How much has changed since those days when female teachers were not allowed into the staff Common Room, or to wear trousers, and there was only one ladies’ toilet in the school which was not of easy access! The school’s transformation into a successful mixed school where the contributions of both sexes are respected equally is very much due to the contributions of teachers like Dominique who have simply got on with their work in a quiet, resilient and utterly reliable way, breaking down bastion after bastion of masculine prejudice by means of subtle, Fabian tactics. Dominique has played important roles in many walks of King’s life, teaching French to the highest levels, running Social Services for twenty years, tutoring in Mitchinson’s, taking part in trips, contributing to the Café Théâtre and the Cercle Français, and working on the Common Room Social Committee. To all these she has brought considerable gifts of intelligence and kindness. Dominique’s quiet ability to listen constructively and defuse potential problems in a unique, no-nonsense way, have always been a massive asset to the school. This has stood her in very good stead in the classroom. Never one to look down snooty Gallic nostrils when silly mistakes are made with French, she has always been keen for her pupils to enjoy learning from her, and in this she has been entirely successful. Her lessons are always well-crafted and creative: she has the ability to listen and correct non-judgementally and without causing offence. Pastorally too, her powers of empathy have made her a popular teacher to turn to in difficult times, amongst pupils and staff alike: she possesses in abundance the power to make people feel better about

themselves. In adversity she comes across as cool and in control, but where there is fun to be had, she is always there, taking part is staff reviews as a cancan dancer, a seductive ‘‘Ello ‘Ello’ béret-and-leather-coat-wearing resistance worker. She is always ready to contribute to departmental, House, and Common Room events, from being social secretary to smaller autonomous gestures like wearing a special hat on the day of the royal wedding! Her elegance is legendary, a constant topic of conversation and admiration amongst the more stylish older girls in her classes. She inspires loyalty and affection amongst her pupils, who not only respect her but show tremendous affection in the form of cards, cakes and picnics whenever there are birthdays or other causes to celebrate. She has endless fans, from Captains of School and Head Scholars down to the most benighted bottom-setters of whom she has often made special projects, achieving incredible results not only in terms of public examinations but, more important still, educationally. Her approach is always fresh, always seeking new ways and new materials.

THE CANTUARIAN

Attempting to write leavers’ speeches, it is usually easy to find amusing peccadilloes. Dominique’s foibles are relatively few, though some deserve mention: her fear of the Eiffel Tower, a certain roughness with doors, and an infamous iPhone with a mirror screen-protector rendering buttons all but invisible. Dominique will be sorely missed, and we wish her a very happy retirement, on our own behalf, and that of many generations of staff and pupils. Dominique has always been a lovely friend and colleague, as well as a wonderful teacher, and we have been fortunate to have her in our midst for so long.

Pat Wakeham SJG

It is very difficult to write briefly about Pat because she has been involved in so many different parts of life at King’s – so I will make this a personal reflection, with apologies for the many things which I miss out.

lunacies of Headmasters and the Senior Management Team. I remember after one fraught week, we found out we had both written letters of resignation on our computers, so from then we often greeted each other with ‘have you pressed the print button yet?’ So many things happened of course. There was the summer night in which we bumped into each other on the late patrol to find courting couples, and stood listening to an owl hooting in a nearby tree. We debated if it was an owl or a pupil and eventually agreed it was an owl. It turned out it was Robert Van Allen. Then there was one of the many memorable evenings after our joint Christmas party, when Pat, inspired with joie de vive and possibly just a touch of wine, took to the floor with a Trad lad to show her disco moves and ended up with a badly sprained ankle. Not that she then took any time off – oh no! As time went on I developed a great admiration for Pat. She combines honesty and clarity of thought with real firmness and sheer common sense. The parents of the Broughton girls soon learned that Pat would not bend the rules to suit their whims. She even won (eventually) a struggle with one Broughton tutor who operated a 9 – 5 attitude, which Pat could not stand, or understand. This firmness was combined with a genuine concern for

I knew little of Pat when she first arrived, on her way to becoming the Doyenne of the Geography Department. But my informant tells me she was soon holding it all together as Heads of Department came and went - some rapidly. Her conduct of Geography field trips is a bit of a legend. Trundling along to some god-forsaken dump, driving the horrible LDV/Sherpa buses we had in the old days was not fun. Pat was then bringing up her own young family, but she would never use that as an excuse for not pulling her weight; she probably holds a record for having more moonies flashed at her in a minibus than any other Senior Mistress of an HMC school. I first met Pat not in the happiest of circumstances; she had just replaced me in Broughton! So I felt a bit frosty – it took her all of two days to win me round. From then on it was a happy time – certainly for me. Every day we each arrived at breakfast in St Augustine’s and put the world to rights. Then St A’s was a rather separate kingdom – as we saw it, in association with the King’s School, but far away enough to feel independent of the more spectacular

Summer 2011

her girls, which made Broughton a very happy House. Because, as well as these other qualities, Pat has a huge sense of fun. This is why St Augustine’s was such a happy place. Fun, allied to common sense. One summer we were all getting up-tight about the 6as having ‘champagne breakfasts’ before Commem. Pat just transformed them by presiding over the Broughton one herself – so ensuring good fun and good behaviour. It was a typical combination for her. And of course we must never forget that keeping her grounded was Laurie. I can’t escape the image of Mrs Thatcher and Dennis. Pat can swing a mean handbag when provoked but, ever-supportive behind her, there was always Laurie; Laurie lives in the real world, so was sometimes, I suspect, baffled by the weird goings on at King’s. But there he was, through endless concerts and barbeques and plays and dinners and, I suspect, behind the scenes, year after year, backing Pat no matter what came along. But after her huge success as a Housemistress, the sunny uplands of freedom called. Pat left Broughton at the end of her term of office, was elected President of the Common Room and could relax and wind down... Until the day came when Headmaster Canon Wilkinson suggested she replace Anne George as Senior Mistress. And (typically?) gave her all of five hours to decide! Thanks heavens she said yes. But I don’t think the next few years were exactly relaxing! It’s lucky Pat is not afraid of hard work or managing the matrons! Then she had to house-train a new Lower Master and finally face the tsunami of paper know as the Inspection. Need new guidelines? Compliance guidelines? Bizarre obscure topic guidelines? Revised revised guidelines? Call on Pat! She went at it like a photocopier going thermonuclear. And of course, and as usual, with huge success. Did she run the School? No, she was part of a vital team. Though when I once asked her if she found her job impossible, she replied no, it was just what any mother has to do – tidying up the mess the boys have left behind. Tactfully, she didn’t name the boys...

But in truth she worked so hard for King’s that at times she must have been totally exhausted. And yet there was no thought of compromising her high standards, ever whatever the effort. She was that rare sort who always led by example, rather than just by words. We all recognise this and I really do not think there has been anyone in my time at this school more universally respected, admired and liked than Pat. Recently I faced a Cantuarian interview and one daft, traditional question is ‘Who would you rescue if the Common Room went up in flames?’ Well, that was an easy one – my unhesitating answer was Pat Wakeham, on the grounds that no-one has ever deserved a long and happy retirement more than she!

Christine Coleman DC

Coming to King’s from teaching at Kent College some 12 years ago, Chris patiently and skilfully taught and guided all those who had the good fortune to be in her care in the Art department at Blackfriars; this includes pupils and staff alike. She has been a kind but inspiring figure, wonderfully well-organised but with a great sense of fun, who will be immensely missed by all. Although she originally specialised in Graphic Design for her degree, Chris’s skills are multi-faceted. During her time at King’s, she taught all aspects of Art and Design and was in charge of Textiles within the Department. Although nominally ‘part-time’, Chris’s contribution to school life has been immeasurable; whether it was making banners and other paraphernalia for King’s Week or helping with set design and construction for a variety of performances, she was always unstinting in her contribution. She was a much-loved tutor in Harvey House throughout her time at King’s, immensely valued by Housemistress, Bernie Cocksworth, and no less by those in her charge and by their parents. Chris was caring and supportive of her tutees and was always ready to fight their corner

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Valete happiness in the years ahead. It will be very strange not to have her cheerful presence in the Art Department. I know that she will miss Blackfriars but I am sure it may take us more time, however, to come to terms with her not being there.

Marçal Bruna TJA

when necessary; in fact she is very positive and sees the good in everything and everyone. Staff, pupils and parents all found her very easy to get on with and very welcoming; she is good at making people feel at ease. Chris has always shown tremendous sympathy and is a great listener; being a very caring person she is genuinely interested in everyone. She also has a lively sense of humour but she is capable of keeping a level head when most other people are in danger of losing theirs. Chris is extremely efficient and likes to get things done; she also seems to have had the best memory of anyone in the Art Department, though maybe that is not difficult! We have already increased our expenditure on ‘Post-It notes’ dramatically in preparation for the future. Chris is to be thanked tremendously for looking after the Art Department so well during the Autumn Term of 2010, covering my sabbatical. We are delighted to know that she has now begun to enjoy her own un-timetabled period of re-invigoration for the next phase of her life together with Barry, her husband. Having spent a large part of her life inspiring others and passing on her knowledge and skill, she is now free to immerse herself in producing her own artwork, when she isn’t too busy gardening. We wish her every possible

Summer 2011

Marçal was spotted (by Paul Newbury) on the Maidstone Grammar School games fields playing football in 1998 and soon recruited to the King’s School’s Modern Language Department, principally to teach Spanish, but also French, a language at which he also excelled. It was immediately apparent that Marçal was a star, and he played a major role in shifting the balance of language teaching at the King’s School away from an approach in which grammar and writing predominated, to one in which classroom oral work also played a major role. His expertise in this area has really helped make the whole of the King’s School Modern Languages Department, not just the Spanish Department, such a lively and interesting place in which to work and learn. Marçal is man of extraordinary energy and dedication, excelling on the sports field and in pastoral contact with pupils every bit as much as in the classroom, so it was entirely logical that he should be appointed Head of Spanish and Deputy Head of House. As Head of Spanish, Marçal fought tirelessly to achieve the best possible results, to expand the role of language assistants, and to multiply the number of Spanish trips and exchanges. In all this, he succeeded with great panache. Though hard-working and dedicated, modesty is his key quality, and he would rarely leave himself enough time to enjoy one success before moving on to pursue the next. His fascination with different language teaching techniques has never waned. He loves observing others’ lessons, being observed, and trying out new methods and techniques.

Valete Pastorally, Marçal’s work has been characterised by an enthusiasm, dedication and lightness of touch which have proved invaluable both to the Grange and Galpin’s. His work amongst boys present in the house has been matched only by his ability to charm the mothers of potential recruits when showing them round! To Marçal, hard work is second nature, and he unquestioningly expects hard work from his pupils. At a time when the temptation to take the easy option was all too great, this approach has been refreshing. Marçal does not need to argue that there are no quick fixes, and that pupils have to work to achieve success: his whole manner of life embodies this ethos. There is nothing self-immolating in this: on the contrary, learning languages and boarding duties are to be approached with the same zest and lust for life as football, running, travelling and Marçal’s other passions. For Marçal, the division between curricular and extra-curricular is not as clear as many would have us believe. His accounts of life on the inside of Barcelona FC, where he has mighty connections, and his passion for learning languages (Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German and Russian at the last count!) are all manifestations of the same energy, as they should be in a true educator Intelligent and legendarily good-looking, he was and remains immensely popular amongst pupils and staff, inspiring admiration, affection and perhaps some envy. As he moves to Eton, Marçal will leave behind many indelible memories and a fine example. The Spanish Department has flourished spectacularly under his leadership and countless pupils have enjoyed and gained from the experience of being taught by a wonderful teacher, a true force of nature!

Iain Bentley MJM

From first thing in the morning, greeting pupils arriving at an already-labelled-up Nave or Shirley Hall, to last

Summer 2011

thing at night, throwing out the JCR stragglers before meticulously cashing up, Dr Bentley has become a mainstay of the daily life of the School over the last 11 years. Appointed to take over the Pupils’ Social Centre (in a typical piece of Wilkinsonian lateral thinking) from a previous existence as lecturer at a northern horticultural college and minister in the United Reformed Church, Iain had little idea of what he had walked into, despite his being the younger brother of the founding Housemistress of Luxmoore, Fiona Tennick. Once he had recovered from the shock of realising that there were few clear guidelines and no obvious precedent when it came to sorting out the chaos of the PSC or acting as Assistant Chaplain in Father John’s delightfully idiosyncratic one-man band, Iain quietly and determinedly got on with creating a Bentley-shaped role which has been so much greater than the sum of its many parts. As with Tom Drake, the Shirley Hall has been his safe refuge and main stage, but his efforts and influence have permeated through the entire fabric of our institution. In the PSC, he not only got a proper grip on the finances, rotas and amenities, but also made sure that all decisions reflected the real needs of the pupils. It is a testament to his achievements that he leaves his team of ladies able to carry on his system without him or any ‘master-in-charge’, but there will be a hole at the heart of the Centre, for dispensing food and drink in a welcoming (but firmly controlled) environment gave him a wonderful chance as a Chaplain to get to know most of the pupils and to dispense discreet pastoral care, not least to some of those who found social interaction less easy. This was equally true in the JCR where, as duly elected Steward, he barely missed a session in eleven years: and a session for him started with preparations and potato-baking long before and ended with painstaking accounting long after the opening hours. He enjoyed playing the jovial ‘myn hoste’, even if (with typical Scottish self-deprecation and ’70s wordplay) he preferred to describe himself as a ‘mean barsteward’. He was very clear about the standards he expected, but always demanded more of himself than of others, carrying on the JRP legacy of witty conversation, plain-speaking advice and inventive little extras. Two events in the final term

Valete Iain Bentley by Ed Hands (Fifth MO)

were characteristic of his approach and stick in my mind. When the membership turned out in force to present him with their gratitude and an engraved hip-flask (containing his favourite, Scottish night-cap) Iain was visibly moved to tears (‘job done’ as they say!); and when, close to the end, his own barstool collapsed under him from old age and a shelf of empty bottles then rained down upon him to add further indignity, he burst out laughing at the funny side and appropriate symbolism. Parents and colleagues saw him in operation on his home ground providing refreshments and encouragement at Parents’ Meetings and Shirley Hall events, but from organising King’s Week interval drinks to year-group ball or disco refreshments, he beavered away behind the scenes as well as in public ensuring that all ran smoothly and sensibly for the good of the community. In his view of hospitality, as in his increasing enjoyment of Anglican ritual and liturgy, this not-so-dour Presbyterian was clearly influenced by our goodly Benedictine heritage. I have already made reference to his excellent and down-to-earth pastoral work as a Chaplain, but Iain was also the backbone of organisation for School

Worship, not just drawing up seating plans to squeeze human quarts into stone pint pots, but supervising gangs of pupils moving chairs and then fronting the public operation: given all that he had to do, I forgave him the regular solecism of inviting congregations ‘to please stand’ and shared his frustration at the inability of pupils (and, dare I say, staff and parents) to follow simple instructions. As the workhorse of the team he attended every Assembly and usually took it once a week, delivering short homilies from the heart as well as the head in classic, non-conformist (no notes!) manner. Those paying proper attention to his talks could not fail to be aware of his other interests and involvement, even when not touched by them directly. Iain loves his golf, and he much enjoyed helping with it at King’s, but even more obvious was the especial affection he had for his Kit-Kat girls, the 4th XI hockey team that he coached for many years. He also regularly reported back to the School on our successes in charity fund-raising, and (as Chairman) I am keen to record and thank him for the many hours of hard work and common sense freely given to the Charity Committee. He would sometimes draw on his PSHE classes for inspiration on the stage of the Shirley Hall, and he clearly rejoiced in the chance

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to discuss crucial issues with small groups, sharing his wisdom and responding to their views and questions: his high-level science qualifications and pastoral training as a clergyman were probably less significant here than his avuncular directness and life experience. The last includes having three daughters of his own, and if references to family only rarely came into his sermons, it would be wrong here to ignore the quiet, unsung support of his wife Sylvia throughout his time at King’s: a JCR widow, who will now reclaim her husband as they ‘tak’ the high road’ up to Scone. There remains one source of both joy and homilies still unmentioned, yet perhaps greater than all the rest, and that takes us back to the roots whence we plucked him: gardening. Come rain or shine Iain ran his gardening activity every week, but the culmination of many years of planning and negotiation fittingly came this King’s Week when he was able to hold the Official Opening of his Tradescant Knot Garden behind Saint Augustine’s. That makes it a lasting memorial to more than just eponymous King’s gardeners, and it seems appropriate to reverse the rhetorical tables and consider Iain’s wider contribution to King’s in terms of gardening. He is a man for all seasons and all weathers, who patiently does the spadework (having first drawn up a clear plan based on science, experience and down-to-earth common sense); he is never afraid to call a spade a spade (even, at times, ‘a bloody shovel’) but he has earned that right through his meticulous toil, and the odd thunderstorm is rapidly followed by the dappled sunlight of self-deprecation and infectious humour; he nourishes his plants lovingly, and he knows that someone else’s weed is perhaps potentially a fine plant in the wrong place, just needing a little attention to relocate it. Above all, as the old song has it, ‘You are nearer God’s heart in a garden / Than anywhere else on earth’, and Iain’s Ministry to the School ended on a real high in King’s Week with characteristic podcasts and a wonderfully entertaining, plain-speaking and thought-provoking Matins sermon. With his cornerstone, the Bible, held in one hand, he preached the value of Truth even when it gets you into trouble, and coined at once his own epitaph and job description as Chaplain: ‘to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed’. We shall have to strive hard for savour, now that we are losing the very human salt of the earth.

Summer 2011

Susan Webber NLP

There can be few who have had such an impact at King’s in as short a time, nor progressed through the ranks as quickly, as Susan Webber, and as she did so she gained the respect and admiration of all who had contact with her. She arrived from a warm South Africa in January 2004, and with the sand of Cape Town’s beaches still between the toes was coaching the Under 15 boys’ hockey team on the frozen astro at Canterbury Hockey club. Very quickly the boys learnt that listening to Susan made a difference to their game. Sometimes those who are very good at what they do - and as a South African Hockey player with nearly 150 caps, two visits to Olympic Games and Captain of her national side Susan most certainly was very good at what she did – are not as good at imparting that knowledge. Not so with Susan. She was inspirational, knowledgeable, open to new ideas and tactically astute, passing on what she knew with ease and clarity. Her

coaching sessions were well planned, took account of the players’ ability, and fun. It was not long before Susan was coaching the girl’s 1st XI and subsequently the boys’ 1st XI too. She set high standards and those she coached wanted to meet them. As an accomplished team player who knew how to lead, the considerable success that came her teams’ way was always achieved in a most convivial atmosphere; quite simply people loved being coached by her and flourished as they were. The statistics prove that she was a hugely successful coach, especially with the girls; not a season went by from 2004 when they did not win a county title of some description, going on in 2007 to win the national indoor championship. There were regional titles at other times and a whole host of representative players who will be able to point to Susan’s coaching and inspiration as the reason for their success. In my conversations with those she coached one of the most common themes in their appreciation of her was that she was a laudable role model. Susan is keen to do the best she can no matter what she does, making the most of her talents and taking every opportunity that comes her way. Whilst coaching hockey and looking after the girls of Walpole she managed to squeeze in an MA in educational leadership and keenly and successfully entered triathlons and ‘ironman’ events; the training and preparation of which being a fine example of time management, focus and drive, let alone ability. Whether coaching the boys or the girls the qualities that were to make her an excellent Housemistress shone through bright, for it was not within her make-up to ignore the pastoral side of such a commitment - it was no surprise that she was appointed to take over Walpole in September 2007. During her time in the house the girls flourished. There was a sense of fun, but never empty frivolity; the times the girls had in her flat sat around the table will be remembered by all for being relaxed and full of laughs. With the fun came an approachability that allowed all to talk to her freely about anything, safe in the knowledge that discretion was assured and help when needed and in whatever form would be freely given. Girls grew in confidence, tried new things and would always be encouraged to make the most of every opportunity that came their way. And at every stage Susan would be there to support. They also knew where their Housemistress stood, what she expected in terms of behaviour and the treatment of others which helped to build a happy house where all felt valued. There was much sadness when it

was announced in the house that Susan would be moving to Framlingham, a true reflection of the affection and esteem in which she was held. But there was also delight for her, but no one was surprised for all could see the qualities that had made her such a good Housemistress would also make her an excellent Deputy Head. There is no doubt that the success of Susan’s housemistresship has much to do with her snappily dressed husband Grant. His support of her has been hugely important and his patient understanding of the demands of the job have allowed Susan the time to do what needed to be done. Not only has he been a source of much laughter around that dining table but his sensible advice to the girls about interview technique and what happens in the world of business and outside the Precincts, has given them confidence and helped in them achieving success. Susan spent time teaching both practical and academic PE and more recently Geography. Those she taught had absolute confidence in her and benefitted from a very thorough approach that prepared them superbly for exams. There are many at King’s, pupils, staff and parents who have very good reason to be grateful to Susan for all that she has achieved and given to the place and the people within it; she has made a difference in the School and those she has coached, taught and been Housemistress to will have richer and more purposeful lives as a result; all will want to wish her the very best in her new role at Framlingham College.

Sam Clark SEA and LAH

Sam has spent four years at King’s as Head of Girls’ Games, Mistress i/c Girls’ Hockey and Girls’ Tennis. During this time she has made a great contribution to girls’ sport and ensured that it reached the excellent level it has now. Sam’s main love is Hockey. Over her time at King’s she has developed the Girls’ Hockey structure and moved them towards a more competitive fixture list, with

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Valete Activities Fair and was willing to spend hours on completing lists. Sam has been an excellent tutor to some diverse and interesting characters within School House. She is, like all good PE teachers, a no-nonsense kind of girl and has risen to the challenge of teenage boys. She has always been keen to volunteer help for House events, proving to be a seamstress extraordinaire for House plays and eager to organise the House stall at past School fetes. When the chips are down she is not just full of good intentions she follows them through with gusto and some of School Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most disorganised have benefited from her time and efforts. She will be missed by the entire House, the two smallest occupants in particular, and we wish her well for all future endeavours.

the results steadily improving as the years went on. The Hockey club regularly wins the county tournaments at U18, U16 and U14 level and competes well at Regional level. This year the U14 team coached by Sam made the National Finals. This was a testament to her commitment and hard work in pushing the girls towards their overall aim. As well as outdoor success she has been instrumental in the development of the indoor achievement. The U16s reached the national finals in 2010 and again as U18s this year. Her knowledge and understanding in this area have developed greatly. She copes well under the pressures of this fast pace version of the game and makes good tactical decisions in order to make the difference in tight games. Sam oversees the female graduates in the department. She has taught both GCSE and A level PE during her time here as well as helping with the Oral Presentations at A2. She has also taught Shell and Remove PE. A huge thank you must go to Sam for undertaking the Activity Programme for the 5th and 6th form. Trying to get staff to volunteer for Activities that will be popular, apart from Soccer, has been a thankless task as has chasing the pupil body to sign up. Sam instigated the idea of an

Summer 2011

Katy Griffiths CC

At the end of last term the RS and Philosophy Department reluctantly said goodbye to Katy Griffiths who has gone to be Head of Philosophy at Ibstock Place School in London. She has been a brilliant member of the department throughout the last two years and we will all miss her immensely. As her students will know she is an excellent teacher who takes great care over lessons and has a gift for explaining ideas with clarity. She has been generous with her time in both academic and co-curricular activities and has always been willing to give extra individual help to those that need it. As a tutor in Walpole, Katy contributed greatly to the positive atmosphere of the house with her approachability and on her duty nights many girls would congregate in the study for a post-prep chat. Katy is not only an excellent teacher - she can also be a model student. Christ Church University were so impressed with her dedication to the GTP course that they

Mike Finn MJM

From the viewpoint of a large gaseous planet in the King’s solar system it has been a thrill and a delight to observe the furry, fiery passage of so bright and intriguing a comet, arcing all too briefly through our corner of the educational universe.

summoned her back as an example of excellence to all their new intake. Any student who has been told that their folders need to be better organised should take a look at Katy’s colour-coded, cross-referenced, lovingly-ordered GTP folder. If I were writing a tutor report for Katy I would draw to a close by saying that she has thrown herself willingly into the life of the school and immersed herself in the cocurricular opportunities that the school has to offer. The only target which I would be able to give to Katy would be to keep up the good work. We wish her well at Ibstock Place and congratulate her on her promotion.

It was in January 2010 that Mike Finn first appeared dimly, from a nebulously impressive region of PhD research and speech-writing for Charles Kennedy, filling a gap in the Politics Department. Before he knew it, he was not only Head of Politics but also overseeing Oxbridge Applications, shining brightly for all to see in the September sky. Simultaneously he was also teaching History and Philosophy, and coaching U14C Rugby: a huge load even for an experienced teacher, which he was not. The highest standards that he typically set himself in fulfilling all these roles, and that of being a School House Tutor, were met with flair and his customary blunt self-deprecation, but at a cost to his health, which, not untypically of classic schoolmasters and mistresses, gave way at the end of term. By January, of course, he was back hurtling through the sky. For all the beard and liberal socialist principles delivered in assertive but engaging, demotic, Liverpudlian tones, Mike is a born schoolmaster; and sandals and dither are certainly not his thing. Having studied Theology as well as History and Politics at both Oxford and Cambridge, with teaching experience at both, he was perfectly placed not only to teach a range of subjects with crosscurricular understanding but also to advise on what Oxbridge Colleges are really looking for. He also had the self-confidence and self-critical capacity to listen to and accept advice from colleagues as he adjusted to secondary school teaching. With his continuing connection to the ‘real’ world of politics, and his infectious, combative enthusiasm for discussing issues, he really galvanised pupils in and out of lessons and was an exhilarating interlocutor for colleagues. Politics flourished under his

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Valete Mike Finn by Ed Hands (Fifth MO)

is with his time and care’: I know that from his dealings with my own tutees, not least over Oxbridge, and I was amazed, and then on reflection not at all surprised, to see him offering on a report to look at a Remove boy’s extra History work if sent by e-mail this summer holiday – i.e. after Mike had left the School. That really is going the extra mile for the pupils, and that is what both they and he have so much enjoyed. It is no coincidence that his ‘farewell’ was made, in effect, to pupils from the stage of the Shirley Hall at a morning assembly and greeted with spontaneous, prolonged applause – and that when he had effectively told them that they needed to be hungrier for success. I have an abiding image of him dancing away at the Leavers’ Ball and then being dragged off in a minibus to go clubbing with the ex-Sixth Formers: a Party-man, indeed, and tolerably liberal. This traveller will go far, and in the short term that means to the Wellington College solar system; but in time even Dr Seldon may find himself eclipsed.

leadership, with ‘Boston Tea Party’ meetings as well as the King’s Parliament and, in due season, a mock election. A former day boy at Merchant Taylors’, Crosby (an Independent School background that he tends to keep quiet, lest it spoil the image!) he understood perfectly the academic aspirations at King’s, but also really appreciated the chance to enjoy full boarding: not just the curriculumrelated extras, but also the apparently thankless, but oddly rewarding world of lower-team coaching. In addition to the Rugby (‘prowling the touchline in excited manner with a bottle of Pepsi always in hand’ as ISM puts it), he also coached Football and even revived Girls’ Football, leading to an OKS game for the first time in many years this last King’s Week. MJT is enormously appreciative of his work as a Tutor in School House, setting standards as ‘one of the most eloquent and intelligent men to have been associated with the House over the years’ but more significantly being a hard taskmaster when on evening duty, full of energy and drive, and happily staying on well after 10.45 pm. MJT hits the nail precisely when he comments that ‘his greatest quality is how generous he

Summer 2011

Feature: royal wedding

Focus: The Royal Wedding Day and Fete

commissioned music in the ceremony itself, it was an entirely beautiful affair that really brought out the best that the British have to offer.

Milly Putt (6b BR) and PAW

And the festivities didn’t end there... In a typically British fete that emulated a street party, all the school Houses set up stalls on the Green Court in celebration. We were fortunate with the weather as the sun beat down, making it a day to remember. The strawberries with cream, cupcakes and tea were welcomed by all, along with the cardboard cut-out of the newlyweds themselves presenting a photo opportunity to commemorate the day.

While the first of the spring sunshine slipped out from under a cloud, all of King’s was inside, avidly staring at the television, waiting with bated breath for the event of the year. The Common Rooms were aquiver with excitement over what exactly Catherine would be wearing on her special day. The tension broke as her sister stepped out to precede her and the ceremony began. The traditional gasps and exclamations were expressed when Catherine appeared at last in a gorgeous lace dress by Alexander McQueen. Despite a tiny moment of concern about whether the ring would fit, it was a glorious ceremony that was appreciated by all. Doubtlessly re-played over and over again was the traditional kiss on the balcony, where the couple went forward for a cheeky second, much to the delight of the roaring crowds. A real highlight of the day was the young couple driving down the mall, in one of Prince William’s Aston Martins, aptly decked out by his brother, Prince Harry. There were, of course, the stealers of the show in the form of one of the bridesmaids, who was caught on camera clearly overwhelmed on the balcony by the noise of the celebrations beneath her. From the policemen egging on celebrations jovially as they controlled the masses, to the lovely hymns and

The tug of war attracted a crowd with many taking part as well as spectating, cheering on their friends and enjoying the sport, as well as a little, but not much sympathy held for the victims of the stocks, being rained down on with wet sponges. More timid, but arguably more skilful was the face painting, adorning students with Union Jacks and ‘I love Wills’ on their cheeks. The charity balloon release was the climax of our festivities, bursting out over the Cathedral in an explosion of red, white and blue (luckily none of the balloons themselves exploded!). In total, 500 balloons were sold and then released during the afternoon. A prize of £25 was offered to the person whose balloon label was returned from the greatest distance. We had 82 labels returned and, because of the strong south-easterly wind blowing that day, many of these labels came back from Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. However, the one which travelled the furthest belonged to Sam Gearing (6b GL) and it managed to reach Horsley in Gloucestershire, a distance of 234.3

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day and fete

kilometres. It was found by Mr Tim Ryan on the evening of the Royal Wedding Day. The money raised by the sale of the balloons went to William and Kateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chosen charities.

Many thanks go to all involved in making the day run so smoothly and such fun for all.

Peter Livesey : Local Artist - Painting of Green Court celebrating the Royal Wedding Day

Summer 2011

Trips and expeditions

Trips and expeditions Duke of Edinburgh trip to Snowdonia ARW

When the wind is predominantly westerly on the British mainland and particularly when blowing up from the South West, you can bank on inclement weather. The moisture carried by these winds is deposited on the first hills they meet, these being the Cambrian mountains and in particular Snowdonia, in North Wales. Moisture can be in the form of persistent drizzle or rain that falls in ‘bucket loads’. Incessant downpours saturate the ground and fill the streams so they become rushing torrents, paths become waterlogged and form tiny rivulets of their own and the landscape is closed down by mist. So it was for us in Snowdonia at Easter 2011. Waterproof clothing was a necessity and sturdy boots a prerequisite.

We left King’s to journey up to YHA Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel in the Ogwen Valley, which allowed time to read, text and dose off on motorways, chat in the snaking valleys and offer advice on the roads of Mold, Merioneth and Gwyneth. Our first night in North Wales (and our last of comfort ) was at the Youth Hostel with our ‘Bangor fish and chips’ and a cooked breakfast the following morning. It was then out to tackle the walking routes beginning in the Ogwen Valley itself and at Capel Curig . The party was split into four groups , three of seven and one of six people. Navigation was testing despite the reasonable visibility but conditions under foot for the ascents up to the ‘Devil’s Kitchen’ and the walk over to Dolwyddelan and on to Nant Gwynant were hard work. Carrying a pack with four days of kit and food was sometimes a struggle and it was hard not to think of finishing on day one and other creature comforts such as a hot shower and a warm tent. The bad weather came in the late afternoon and continued into the next day, but we lightened a little of our loads by consuming the boil in the bag food and some of us slept well. Four groups shared

Snowdonia Fighting the Wind’, Tom Acheson-Gray, Will Knox, Ferdi Rous, Seb James, Hugo Davies.JPG

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two different campsites and they no doubt compared their experiences which must have included reports of sore shoulders and aching limbs. We did not relish packing up our wet tents in the morning but faced the task and set off fearing the worst from the weather forecast. This turned out to be well founded as there was no ease-up in the wind and driving rain which really tested our equipment and it must be said our morale. The ground under foot was soggy and finding shelter proved very difficult. By mid afternoon conditions had deteriorated to the point where retreat from the mountains seemed a sound decision to make and we were all directed to the Llyn Gwynant campsite by Mr Watson and Mr Jones, where we spent the night. The showers were appreciated and between breaks in the weather we endeavoured to dry out sodden socks and kit in the toilet block, but this proved to be a token gesture with the damp and low air temperature. On day three all four groups were given revised routes to walk and navigate, as we were too far from our original objectives. We trekked over hills and forests with renewed vigour and made it back to camp in the late afternoon at staggered intervals. Morale remained high and was further boosted by the occasion of Lucy Balickiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday. We were able to share her cake and sing our chorus as she with wind-assistance blew out her candles. Day four concluded the venture and the unenviable task of cleaning up, dodging the mud and handing the equipment back for Mr Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maintenance was a relief. In conclusion, it was tough, but a learning experience and interesting how mixed groups seemed to work together in adversity. It was certainly a time not easily forgotten. Thanks to Mr Sanderson for his assistance and morale boosting, Ms Smit for her care and administration of the sore and lesser wounded and to Mr Jones for his expertise. Nepal bring it on!

The Cricket Tour to Dubai RALS

Straight after the end of the Lent Term seventeen pupils and three members of staff flew to the United Arab Emirates for a nine day tour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The first thing that struck us (except for how hot it was) was how new everything was. An eight-lane highway links Abu Dhabi to Dubai and goes straight through the main part of Dubai where we stayed. Day and night it was always busy. This city never sleeps, this could not have been any more evident when we went out for dinner at 11.00pm the first night and small children were still out having their dinner! The first morning saw a practice session at Dubai College, one of the older schools in the city, right on the beach front. Mr Ealham was a little shocked (as were the boys) to see the concrete nets at the practice facility! It took us a while to realise that grass wickets were at a real premium out here. After a good two hour session in around 35 degrees and 30 litres of water later we made our way out to the Sevens Ground, where the Emirates T20 trophy was taking place. They boys watched the end of the semi-final

Participants who completed their Practice Expedition were: Thomas Acheson-Gray, Lucy Balicki, Frederick Catterall, Emily Champion, Fenella Chesterfield, Eleanor Christianakis, Emilie de Bree, Hugo Davies, Alexandra Fitzgerald, Rosie Ffoulkes, Hannah Goldsmith, Fionnuala Halfacre, Sebastian James, Max Judge, Nicola King, William Knox, Hannah Presdee, Ferdinand Rous, Harry Savill, Joy Selous, Aimee Serisier, Rebbeca Spayne, Cleodie Swire, Hannah Todd, Annabel Mockridge, Eleanor Thrupp and Benjamin Warnick.

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Trips and expeditions and then the final between Notts and Sussex. The boys got to meet Monty Panesar, Saraj Ganguly (playing for the MCC side), Steve Harmison as well as the majority of the Notts squad thanks to Mr Ealham’s contacts! Our first match was against the British School of Abu Dhabi at the beautiful Emirates Palace cricket pitch. It was a stunning hot day and the boys went to work amassing 300-6 off the 40 overs with Jack Masters holing out on the boundary on 97 in the last few overs. James Meddings played a superb anchor innings with Jack. A very mature innings indeed for an U15. King’s looked good taking the field for the first time. There was some excellent bowling with Mateen Mohamed taking 6 wickets in 4 overs to wrap up a 150 run victory. The following rest day was spent at the Atlantis Water Park at the end of the Jumeriah Palm, a truly amazing setting. Everyone except Mr Ealham braved the ‘leap of faith’. The second match followed the morning trip up the impressive Burj Khalifa Tower. The experience is hailed ‘at the top’ and the boys and I felt quite cheated to only go

two thirds of the way up. The attendant on duty assured me that it was the highest observation deck in the world! The game at the 7s ground was a ‘day nighter’ against Repton School, established for only three years in Dubai. King’s batted first amassing 305 for 7 off 40 overs against some reasonably average bowling. Jack Masters again chipped in with the highest score of 93 missing out again on a century, however he was a broken man as the heat had taken its toll. James Hearn also batted well, scoring 65. In response Repton’s openers batted well for the first part of their innings until Sebsatian Leggett and Frederick Holt stepped in taking two wickets each; this then lead the way for James Hearn to take 4 for 20 off 5 overs to finish the game. King’s won by 151 runs. Extras were the main thing on the coaches’ minds at this stage, and how important they would turn out to be... The next morning we were up early and off to Dubai Modern High School (right); a large school of over 2000 passionate Indian pupils. The cricket pitch was an Astro wicket with an Astro football pitch around it with a running track around that, which made some of the

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fielding in this match interesting. Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s batted first and made 158 for 8 with Barney Senasinghe top scoring with 67. The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innings lacked a bit of flair and pace at the top with a couple of batsmen making good starts but then not pushing on. In response Dubai Modern batted well, helped along by 24 fielding extras! They reached their target, with great jubilation, in the last over of the game six wickets down. There were valuable lessons to be learnt here in these testing conditions. After some good rest and relaxation time at the hotel in the we returned to Dubai College for a fielding training session before heading out to the desert for our safari. A couple of the boys were asking what kind of animal we might see on the safari, whilst clutching their long lens cameras. Mr Ealham took great delight in telling them they would be driving up and down sand dunes at ridiculous angles but they might catch a glimpse of a camel if they were lucky! At the end of the drive we were whisked in to a Bedouin camp where we had our BBQ and were entertained by a spinning man who took a liking to Vikram (who was sporting the silly outfit of the

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day; pink shorts, vest and fairy wings) and a belly dancer, which some of the boys particularly enjoyed! With two tough games to go we set our sights on finishing the tour strongly. Dubai College were our opposition once again at the sevens ground. DC batted first and scored 208 for 8 in their 40 overs. Again some indiscipline with the ball cost us 27 blowing extras something this team will need to sort out come the start of the season. The pick of the bowling was Nicholas Hands taking 3 wickets for 42 runs from 8 overs. In reply Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made a shaky start losing Nicholas Hands in the first over. Jack Masters steadied the ship scoring 63 before being bowled following a very tired looking shot. Others made good starts but found it very hard to get the ball away on a very low, old wicket. Dubai College played the conditions well, bowling straight making it hard for our boys to score, after a few rash shots and an entertaining quick fire 12 not out from William Fabbro to give us some hope we were all out 20 runs short of the target.

Trips and expeditions That evening we were invited to Paul Gent’s house (OKS) for a dinner and to catch up with some of the ex-pats now based in the Middle East. Some flew in from Oman and other areas which made a nice gathering, everyone discussing the changes that have taken place in the school since their time. The final Match against Stowe school, at the impressive Zayed Cricket Stadium (left), was always designed to see where we were before the start of what we hope will be a good season. King’s batted first with Nicholas Hands and George Baker White getting us off to a solid start, before scoring became a little more difficult. Jack Masters once again got the top score with 61 as we amassed 200 – 5 from our 40 overs. With what we felt was a relatively under par target we knew we had to bowl well and Sebastian Leggett and Casper Carter did just that as Stowe were restricted to 22 from 11 overs; a superb effort. However we let things slip in the following 10 overs and Stowe got themselves back in the match. The game went right down to the last over with Liam Gough (son of Darren Gough), needing 10 of the last over to win, hitting the winning runs. Extras again proving our downfall with 23 wides conceded! Although we left with a bit of a sour taste in our mouths the boys can certainly bring a lot back to Birley’s with them. The need to bowl with consistency and control, the need to keep the scoreboard ticking over to keep giving the team momentum and finally to have the desire to always work hard as a team whatever the conditions, are the fundamental messages. We all had a fantastic time in Dubai and relished to opportunity to see where ‘east meets west’ and the cultural differences that brings. Many thanks go to Arabian Cricket for organising the tour as well as to all sponsors and parents who made the tour possible. Tour Squad Jack Masters (Captain), Casper Carter, Vikram Chaudhuri, Nicholas Hands, James Hearn, Mateen Mohammed,

Barney Senasinghe, William Fabbro, Edward Gilmore, Jordan Godden, Frederick Holt, Ruaridh MacLeod, George Stacey, Louis Bromfield, Sebastian Leggett, George Baker White, James Meddings Mr RAL Singfield, Mr MA Ealham and Mr TG Hill

Shell Spanish Trip to Salamanca Lily Begg (Sh CY)

On Sunday the 29th May 2011 the Shell Spanish trip group landed in Madrid to start the half term week. After a bus journey and a quick tour around a nearby town called Avila, we arrived tired but excited at our destination, Salamanca. We immediately were introduced to the Spanish families we would be staying with for the week. After a warm greeting and a kiss on the cheek, we were led to our apartments which were all fairly close to the town centre. At first we were all nervous to try out our Spanish away from the classroom but the families were very understanding when we sometimes struggled to communicate over dinner. The first morning we were woken up quite early to go to the Mester language school in town. After experiencing a Spanish breakfast we walked through the shop-filled high streets to arrive for our lessons at nine o’clock. We had two daily lessons which were grammar and communications. We all learned a lot because the teachers spoke no English at all so it was really full immersion. At two in the afternoon we had to be back in our houses to have lunch with our hosts. After a quick chat we left the house to meet with the teachers who revealed to us our activity for the afternoon. We did many interesting tours inside and outside of the two cathedrals and the famous university. Of course, these tours were all taken by a Spanish guide and so we had to pay even closer attention. To help keep

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us focused, Senor Gallardo gave us a quick test after every tour and whoever could answer won a lollipop! This tactic worked and we learned a lot of Spanish. Other visits included the biggest theatre in Salamanca where we saw all around the backstage and greenroom, an Art Deco museum which was full of toy dolls, the cave of Salamanca which has a myth about the devil teaching children and the garden of Calixto and Melibea whose love was destroyed by the evil witch Celestina. One day, we visited the closest mountain range to Salamanca – ‘La Sierra de Francia’ and we wandered around a small village called Alberca. We were told that the village was a typical Spanish village and that for thousands of years the inhabitants used to feed stray pigs during the year and then slaughter them in the winter. This is why cured meats are so famous from the area. Between activities and mealtimes we were allowed to shop in the town and market but also the teachers organised some fun activities for us all to do. We painted tiles, went bowling, learned to dance salsa and ate churros – a specialty which closely resembles doughnut sticks with hot chocolate. The trip to Salamanca was fantastic and we all really benefitted from speaking so much Spanish. I thoroughly recommend it to next year’s Shells!

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Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s week 2011

King’s week 2011

Music and Lunchtime and the Piano Recital Amanda Thomas (6b CY)

Once again, the Music at Lunchtime concerts demonstrated the depth and breadth of musical talent at King’s. Musicians from the Shells to the 6as took to the stage in the Old Synagogue and produced performances of the highest calibre. As noted last year, it was pleasing to see the ease and skill with which the instrumentalists worked together in wind, brass and string ensembles. They showed that their musicianship made them more than worthy of taking on the complex chamber music repertoire. The soloists, too, demonstrated great levels of finesse. One of the highlights of Music at Lunchtime 1, which this year had the honour of being the first concert of King’s Week, was Fenella Chesterfield’s violin solo. She brought superb intonation, even in the remarkably high notes, to her rendition of ‘Chant de Roxane’ by Szymanowksi, arranged by Kochanski. Another of the audience’s favourites from this concert was the guitar duet performed by Andrew Sultana and Elizabeth Trelawney-Vernon, Giuliani’s ‘Polonaise Concertante’. The two musicians brought to life the lilting tune and inter-twining rhythms with understated talent. From the second Music at Lunchtime concert, those behind the King’s Week Podcasts chose the piano quintet

of Hope Tong, Jane Phillips, Jessica Hill, Sophie Nairac and Amelia Parker as a highlight. Their performance of the Allegro brillante from Schumann’s Piano Quintet was exquisite and was clearly the result of innate talent, plenty of enthusiasm, and a knack for thinking and working together. Edmund Whitehead, who dominated not only the lunchtime concerts but the whole of King’s Week – it was suggested at one point that the latter should be renamed ‘Ed Week’ – gave a wonderful demonstration of the potential of the double bass in this concert. He played the four movements of Eccles’ Gamba Sonata No. 11 with great depth of emotion as well as the consummate technical skill we have come to expect from him. The third concert in the series had a larger proportion of younger players than the others. The Fifths were especially well-represented, being evident in six of the seven items. The string quartet made up of Fenella Chesterfield, Evie Kanagasooriam, Will Fuest and Alex Soul showed that even the most familiar pieces, in this case the Allegro from Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, can be given new life by the energy of a group of young musicians. More intricate Mozart magic came from the 13-strong ensemble who performed the Menuet and Rondo from the Serenade for 13 Wind Instruments. These players handed the tunes effortlessly from one instrument to another, with great precision and attention to detail. The fourth concert, the Piano Recital, with a guest appearance from some harpists as well as a solo singer, again showed a great variety of musical styles. From Shaun Wood’s jazzy ‘Black Coffee’ to Millie Johnson’s excellent Chopin ‘Nocturne in C sharp minor’, the pieces delighted

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the audience and showcased the players’ musical gifts. Once again, the 6as’ performances were the high points. Amelia Parker brought exceptional fluidity and grace to Brahms’s ‘Intermezzo in A major’, while Ed Whitehead’s rendition of ‘The Dance in the Village Inn: First Mephisto Waltz’, by Liszt, was a virtuosic whirlwind which made everyone wonder how it was possible to play so many notes so accurately and so fast. Again, this review is much too short to dwell on every item of every concert, but with luck it will have conveyed what a spectacular series of lunchtime concerts were given this King’s Week. The audiences were always keen to hear more from the performers, and certainly this year’s 6as, an exceptionally musical group, will be missed very much. Let us hope that next year’s concerts live up to the brilliant standard set by that of this year.

The Bacchae CTN

The choice of piece for the Shell Play is always a careful decision, one that will clearly showcase the talents of the Shells, whilst not being too difficult or confusing. Mrs Cornell stripped these pre-conceptions away with the announcement that the Shell Play this year was going to be the Bacchae. The Bacchae is an incredibly demanding production, not just due the content and storyline, but the emotions that run throughout.

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The staging for the play was simple, but therein lay its effectiveness: two overlapping jagged wooden screens, with each screen split down the middle, and red rope interwoven between them. As the audience glanced appreciatively around the stage when they shuffled to their seats, two newspaper vendors gave out papers, with the headline ‘King Pentheus Declares Dionysus A “Fraud” As Angry Male Mob Riots!’ It was clear this was not going to be a half-hearted production. The lights dimmed and haunting music echoed around St Mary’s, as the Bacchaes’ eerie chanting and slow pacing opened the play. The Bacchae were the female followers of Dionysus the Demi-God, who claimed to be the son of Zeus, played by Alex Sokolow. It was a very tough role, played with admirable aplomb by Alex; clad in a leather jacket, knee length boots and a black wig, he inspired various catcalls and wolf-whistles from the multitude of Shells crammed into the back of St Mary’s. His performance was impressive due to the changes in tone and expression, at one point nonchalant and cool, offering wine to a sole woman in the audience, the next moment vengeful and angry. The subject of Dionysus’s anger was King Pentheus, played by Charlie Sinclair. Brooding, angry, but overall fearful, he conveyed suitably the torment of a leader who nobody, not even his own mother, played by Jemima Chesterfield, will listen to. His frustration grew and grew as Dionysus caused riot and ruin in Pentheus’s city. He transfixed the women into a mad frenzy, including Agave, Pentheus’s mother. The Shells who made up the Bacchae (Sophie Honychurch, Lily Carr, Lucy Fenwick and Lara

Olszowska, led by Eleanor Hartland as Coryphaeus) were all playing the hardest group of characters in the whole play. The subject matter and the lines were the cause of this, and the girls pulled off their roles without so much as a giggle, they kept straight-faced and were completely in the zone throughout. Anything less would have shattered the belief of the audience. Eleanor Hartland was so confident as Coryphaeus that it was hard to believe that she was a Shell. Her repertoire and control over the audience was brilliant, throwing withering looks of disdain left, right and centre. A humorous addition to the play were the roles of Teiresias and Cadmus, played by Patrick Ross and Alexander Farrow. However, even Cadmus was left in a state of abject horror at the end of the play due to the spell cast over the city by Dionysus. As the play neared its climax Pentheus’s confusion was thrown into sharp relief by his secretary, Pam, played by Helen Woodward. Helen poignantly expressed Pam’s love for Pentheus, more so through actions then through words, and it was responded to very well by Charlie Sinclair, it was a tribute to his acting that

the progression of his thoughts and emotions were played out so clearly on his face. The play’s climax was the best scene of all; the use of flashing lights, gruesome props and consistent acting, as Agave kills Pentheus and realizes she has done so through the wisdom of Cadmus, was most powerful. The play was superbly directed by Mrs Cornell, who ensured the Shells gave a performance far beyond their years. Congratulations to all involved, a brilliant retelling of one of the greatest myths.

Lab on the Lawn Chidera Ota (6b BY) and Amanda Thomas (6b CY)

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king’s week Lab on the Lawn has a unique position in King’s Week, representing a set of interests quite removed from the normal emphasis on creativity and the arts. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the exhibitions of scientific wonders attract so many people – not only an enthusiastic band of volunteers, but also a fascinated audience of all ages. The Lab this year certainly lived up to its claim to be ‘Brainiac meets the Royal Institution’. The exhibits varied on each of the Lab’s three days, meaning that every time there was something different for the fans to see or do. There were plenty of interesting activities for the younger participants, such as the rocket-building that was so popular last year, and the DIY hovercraft. Every day young children were able to ride on this, which was made by King’s pupils from a few basic materials: a wooden disk, tarpaulin, a leaf blower, and a lot of duct tape. They were also able to build their own roller-coasters and test their strength; it seems that pulling apart two interleaved books was a lot harder than it looked! There were also lots of more intellectually challenging activities; for example, there was a quiz where entrants had to name diseases based on their symptoms. There was also a name-the-molecule quiz as well as one where the aim was to guess what object was visible in several X-rays. Another unforgettable feature of the Lab was its demonstrations of science at its most shocking. As well as tame exhibits like the miraculous wine-bottle holders that seemed to be impossible but in fact used basic Physics, there were plenty of exciting explosions. On the first day, Thursday, guests were able to make their own ice cream using simple ingredients and liquid ice – a truly unique and delicious experience. The liquid nitrogen seems to have had an impressive impact aside from the ice cream as well. The experiment with a balloon went down very well. When an inflated balloon is submerged in liquid nitrogen, it deflates and becomes solid, but gradually re-inflates as it heats up again. It was also demonstrated how liquid nitrogen can make everyday objects, such as flowers, become brittle enough to snap.

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On the final day, Lab on the Lawn had a medical theme; parents and children compared the strength of their lungs using a spirometer, and checked for colour blindness using medical charts. Later on in the afternoon, guests were invited to attend ‘Lester’s Amazing Science Show’, which was filled with plenty of loud bangs and blasts, and vast amounts of foam and sparks; it was greatly enjoyed by all. The striking displays of scientific curiosities, decorated with plenty of balloons and coloured bunting, were full of interest. The Polaroid film, which creates special effects when held up to the light, was one example. The more active exhibits, popular with the younger visitors, included an ingenious object called a ‘Hoberman Sphere’ which shrinks and expands depending on how it is moved. There was also a ‘whirly tube’ which produces different tones when swung faster or slower. Luckily for all those who needed to brush up on their science knowledge, there were excellent explanations of what things were and how they worked written by the Lab on the Lawn team. These students, conspicuous in their official T-shirts, did a great job giving helpful advice to the

king’s week visitors and assisting with the practical activities, such as the building of paper rockets. All in all, the Lab on the Lawn was crammed with interesting exhibits and things to do. Those who attended were very impressed by the knowledge and keenness of the volunteers, and a great time was had by all. It was a lot of fun for all involved, including the demonstrators and teachers, and the tradition will surely be continued in future King’s Weeks.

Jazz on a Summer Sunset CTN

The ever-popular opener of King’s Week is, with our British climate in mind, the optimistically titled Jazz on a Summer Sunset. This optimism is invariably repaid with a glorious evening which is always accompanied by the meeting of old friends and excellent Jazz. This year was no exception with Ed Whitehead and his Modern Jazz quintet proving that even as pupils pass through the school this is one event which will never dwindle. Opening with a few jazz standards Ed’s dry wit and ease in front of the attentive audience linked the pieces seamlessly and made the whole evening pass with alarming speed. As in previous years, the quintet was joined by various guest singers, all of whom brought their own style and interpretations to the evening. The rich tones of Laura Galloway and Poppy Coleman were contrasted with Rory Wilson’s, not very ‘jazz’, interpretation of Electric Feel by MGMT before the first set came to a close and the audience indulged in more chat and their ploughman’s supper. Before long the performers were back, starting with the now customary drum solo, this year from Olivia Mastin. On bass was Chevon Wong, trumpet Jacob Ewens, trombone Chris Loyn and making up the ‘Fab 5’, Ed Whitehead on piano. The second set was peppered with a mixture of old favourites and displays of virtuosic

brilliance. Bringing additional colour to the stage were Lucy Baker and Emma Henderson and we were given a sneak preview of what will be on offer in King’s Week 2012 as the next generation of Modern Jazz took to the stage. On entering the marquee there is a buzz of excitement as King’s Week is about to be launched once again. By the end of the evening, darkness has fallen undetected and one can’t help but feel that the last seven day’s of the school’s year has already gained an unstoppable momentum and we are all, as performers or audience members, in for an exhilarating ride!

KiDaCo Eleanor Thrupp (6b BR)

This year’s KiDaCo was full of many talented dancers and congratulations should go out to all those who were part of such a brilliant production, both in organisation and performers. The first act certainly stood out from previous KiDaCo productions as it was cleverly put together through the telling of a story. It began with a performance of ‘Funhouse’ which was lively and full of colourful clown outfits, followed by Emily Champion’s more mellow dance of ‘Doll on a Music Box’. The audience weren’t expecting the sudden vibrancy which came shortly afterwards with a performance of Katy Perry’s ‘California Girls’ creating a buzzing atmosphere in St Mary’s Hall. The second act didn’t follow a theme as such, but contained a number of individual dances beginning with a fantastic performance of ‘Loose Control’ by James Garn and Kumni Akanle. As the afternoon progressed, performances such as Lizzie Morcom’s tap dancing as well as a stunning performance of ‘Turning Tables’ by Harriet Lee were just a couple of the highlights. Rachel Min and Fui Srivikorn ended the show with ‘You’re a Jerk’ which they had choreographed themselves indicating the

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Madal Jooste

king’s week talent which is all around, in a growing group of dancers at King’s.

The Serenade Lucy Logan Green (6b WL)

Tickets for the Serenade are eagerly sought after each year, and its star billing did not, as anticipated, cause disappointment. Thankfully the weather was fine and clear as the audience assembled in the Cloisters of the Cathedral, and as usual, not a spare metre of the grass was empty as the King’s Brass started proceedings with a majestic rendering of the Music for the Royal Fireworks. The Serenade Choir gave the assembled gathering an enchanting performances of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, ‘In Youth is Pleasure’ and Samuel Barber’s ‘Agnus Dei’ before

Catriona Casha treated the audience to a magnificent performance of ‘Laudamus te’. A particular treat was the Choir’s performance of ‘Suogân’, a Welsh Lullaby which certainly lulled a number of the audience who may have had a tipple on Green Court beforehand into a gentle slumber, followed by a very fine performance of ‘My Spirit Sang all Day’. Picking the pace up a little and thus disturbing a number of people in the audience, the Choir gave a very lively and amusing performance of ‘Miss Otis Regrets’. Changing the mood Poppy Coleman, accompanied by Jamie Edgcumbe-Rendle on the guitar, gave an enthralling performance of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’. The Serenade always succeeds in showcasing the immense talent at King’s, whilst also demonstrating the diverse ranges of interest within music. Indeed throughout the evening, the audience were kept on their toes with each change in mood.

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Moving centuries again, Madrigalia performed two Monteverdi Madrigals, beguiling the audience with the most excellent intonation, their sound floating around the Cloisters. The Madrigalia performances are always impeccable and slightly surprising because they are not heard as often as other ensembles throughout the school year; this only makes their renditions at the Serenade more special as the audience is often caught unawares of the ability of these dedicated King’s pupils. We were treated to a magnificently self assured performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Silent Noon’ by Emily Wiltshire which provoked tumultuous applause and cheers around the Cloisters at the end followed by an equally virtuosic duet of ‘O Mimì, tu piùnon torni’ from Puccini’s La Bohème which produced a similarly ecstatic reaction from the audience. The King’s Swingers’ medley of more modern tunes had toes tapping. The group is noted for showcasing premiers, and they did not disappoint in the Serenade, performing among others, Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’. The Serenade Choir reappeared and were again the focus, singing Amelia Parker’s (6a BY) setting of Wordsworth’s Sonnet, ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’. Amelia Parker’s composition illustrated what I believe to be the true essence of King’s Week, her commitment to music, and particularly music at King’s. Her opus showed why King’s Week can always attract hundreds of different people each year. I am sure that this will not be the only performance of this fantastic piece. After this the King’s Men took centre stage and delighted the audience with their mixture of serious and more light-hearted repertoire. As a precursor to the finale, the Choir’s version of ‘The Bare Necessities’ had a number of members of the audience wanting to join in. Always a crowd pleaser, they ended the evening with the most captivating performance of Lauridsen’s ‘Sure on this Shining Night’.

OKS Fencing Jamie Johnson (6b MO)

The annual OKS Fencing match was again a success, being held on the Green Court in front of a vociferous and sometimes over-exuberant crowd. The King’s team was entirely new to the surroundings and featured some of the younger members of the squad. The OKS team on the other hand called upon the services of seasoned veterans of the sport, all of whom had taken Fencing to a high level at King’s. For the Foil match, Kings was represented by George Maughan, Justine Lambert and Evan Lum, whilst William Jennings, Frazer Hughes and Alex Sanné lined up against

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them. In a tough fight, the OKS proved superior and ran away 45-22 winners. The Epée was a very closer affair, with Seong Jin-Park, Justine Lambert, incoming captain Lawrence Ma, and outgoing captain Jamie Johnson, fighting hard against Chris Uhde, William Jennings and Frazer Hughes. The match was very evenly poised for the most part, but as the Green Court started filling up the OKS turned on the pressure and edged the match 45-33. The event was very well run by Marc Chapman, in his fifth year as coach at King’s whilst Jamie Miller was the match referee in his ninth full year at the school. Thanks are also due to the OKS supporters and their families who came down to watch, regardless of whether they were fencing or not, and added a lively atmosphere. The match lasted over two hours and captured the attention of people who may never have given a second thought to the sport. The tradition will continue next year, and I’m sure the King’s team will be closer to a winning result.

King’s Week Cream Tea CTN

The Cream Tea is one of King’s Week’s calmer ‘gigs’, set in the Archdeacon’s garden with the fantastic backdrop of the Cathedral. It gives the parents a chance to calm the electric buzz that is King’s Week and see some of the best musicians that the school has to offer. The catering staff genially spread delectable, if a little sparse, supplies across the garden. The beautiful setting seemed perfect, in theory, yet it was the locale that was to be the music’s downfall. Without a chair I witnessed the young Chamber Choir, with its melodious tone and messy garb, sing a George Gershwin medley. Then came the bells as well as the belles: The King’s Swingers, with the backdrop of an incessant tolling, began ‘The Long and Winding Road’ for the second time (due to a tuning mishap). Again the performance was at the mercy of the Cathedral as the Swingers graciously exited and on came the King’s Men (the usual highlight). With the sweet group collected underneath the vast willow their collective voice, across the expansive field that was the audience, reached my ears by a whisker. They breathed out the classics of ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘The Longest Time’ before

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king’s week they serenaded the Pargeter family (the son a member of the outfit) with a sugary lullaby. When lumped with the task of reviewing the ‘Cream Tea’ I was told of its brilliance. Perhaps my opinion was clouded by my expectation but I left wanting more. Much more.

Virtuosi ASt

This year’s Virtuosi concert entitled ‘From Moscow to Manhattan’ was based around two main works: Bernstein’s musical On the Town and Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin. Henry Pritchard (tenor) gave a sensitive performance of Lensky’s aria, excellently evoking Lensky’s contemplative mood as he sings of his past life and his probable fate at the hands of Onegin. In the second instalment from the opera Catriona Casha (soprano) gave a most passionate and beautiful rendition of Tatyana’s Letter Scene; a piece that showcased her powerful voice which was at its most enchanting in the upper register. Lastly came William Pargeter (bass) who gave a splendid performance of Prince Gremin’s Aria. He showed great vocal dexterity, especially at the bottom end of his range, and he imparted a lovely lilting quality to the aria. As a complete contrast the chamber orchestra played Three Dance Episodes, an orchestral concert work based upon music from Leonard Bernstein’s musical On the Town. The musical tells the story of three sailors on shore leave in wartime New York and the dances portray their exploits and emotions over the course of 24 hours. The Three Dance Episodes are precisely what we would expect from Bernstein and the King’s Chamber Orchestra coped with his peculiar and fresh blend of symphony, jazz, pop and Coplandesque Americana with ease. The first sketch, ‘The Great Lover’, allowed the orchestra to showcase Bernstein’s strutting, jazz-influenced writing for the woodwinds which was full of witty dance flavour. The string section of the orchestra came to the fore in the

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second episode entitled ‘Lonely Town: Pas de deux’. They played the lush, sensual music with great passion; Harry Bruges on cor anglais providing a hint of bittersweet melancholy at the end of the movement. The final sketch ‘Times Square: 1944’ saw the orchestra come to life and portray the young sailors’ youthful exuberance through the brash, rugged harmonies; Bernstein reserving the bestknown theme ‘New York, New York’ for this final episode. The first of the stand-alone works in the concert was the Concerto for Two Oboes, Op. 9 No. 3 by Albinoni. The two sartorially splendid soloists, Catriona Casha and William Pargeter, seemed very much at ease with each other and this relaxed feel came through in the music. The strings were very sympathetic to the oboes allowing the light and shade to come through. The ornamentation in the oboe parts was crisp and perfectly synchronised; a very enjoyable and memorable rendition of this charming work. The King’s Brass – a regular (and very popular!) contributor to Virtuosi – played the Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky by Anton Arensky. Originally a piece for string orchestra, our very own Mr. Matthews arranged it for brass ensemble; the trombone section being a particular highlight in this arrangement. The Chamber Orchestra played Promenade: Walking the Dog which Gershwin wrote for the score of the film ‘Shall We Dance’ which featured the infamous Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The jazzily carefree clarinet melody (played by the excellent Millie Aylward) was humorously and skilfully accompanied by the orchestra. The final individual work was Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Edmund Whitehead, a truly remarkable musician, was the cellist on this occasion and he dazzled the audience with a virtuosic show of skill and dexterity, especially in the cadenzas. His very impressive playing was also coupled with some sublimely expressive moments in the slower more melancholy variations. The reduced orchestra played sensitively and there was some lovely conversation between the soloist and the ensemble in the second variation. The blazing speed of the finale ensured a fiery end to this concert hall classic! Many congratulations to all the soloists, the orchestral/ ensemble musicians and especially to the conductors Andrew Pollock (King’s Chamber Orchestra) and Kevin Abbott (Brass Ensemble).

king’s week Pygmalion Isobel Parrish (WL 6a)

Being greeted with the instrumental score from My Fair Lady while entering St Mary’s Hall is enough to give anyone a good first impression but as the Remove play, Pygmalion, unfurled you could see this first impression would be lasting. The challenge with Pygmalion, aside from the haughty accents and heavy costumes (which incidentally were wonderful) is to successfully understand and master the various stages of transformation in Eliza and to make sure that they are understood and mastered at the appropriate moments in the play. Laura Meek was able to adapt herself in such a way that this seemed to be effortlessly achieved and she made the transition between Covent Garden flower-girl to a lady mannerly enough to own her own flower shop perfectly. Charlie Allen managed to achieve a seamless portrayal of the focused and not exactly sweet nature of Professor

Higgins alongside a comically brilliant Colonel Pickering played by Benedict Flett. As well as the main characters, the supporting cast members were all brilliant, James Trigg as Alfred Doolittle maintained the comedy of his role whilst Amelia Cook gave a brilliantly cutting performance as Mrs Higgins. The level of work put in by Miss Dover through her direction of the play was made apparent through both the effectiveness of the group scenes, such as those in Mrs Higgins’ home and the afore mentioned late night gathering in Covent Garden, and also the attention to detail in the more intimate scenes such as those inside Professor Higgins’ house. The set was hugely impressive as the backstage team transformed the stage of St Mary’s from a bustling Covent Garden to beautifully decadent London town-houses each with various different props in the form of crystal carafes and glasses being wheeled from backstage swiftly by Sophie Nichols, Victoria Frye and Joanna Patten-Martin. The performances of all involved in making this a fantastic production were superb and the audience left feeling confident about the future which is held in the Remove year.

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kings week: revolver

Revolver Ed Lawrence-Jones (6b CY)

Revolver was the Beatle’s seventh studio album. Released in August 1966, it stayed at number one in the UK and US charts for seven and six weeks respectively. It was always going to be hard for King’s to pull this off but the band did it with style. This year’s music choice was particularly surprising and difficult because the Beatles themselves never performed the album live. This increased the pressure on the band and manager alike, forcing the creation of live music from studio recordings, which all musicians know is particularly hard. I had the pleasure of going to the gig twice. The first was in St Alphege’s, set up with mood lighting; while the second performance I saw, the fifth and final of the show, rung out across the St Augustine’s green, with crazed hippies swaying to and fro in trance letting me experience the true 60’s world of Beatles-mania. The band opened with ‘Taxman’ and brought alive this timeless first song for an audience in the hundreds. They followed with ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and true to the original had an accompanying string octet. After comfortably bashing out the tunes ‘I’m Only Sleeping’, ‘Love You Too’ and ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ (with Alan Civil’s Flugel Horn solos played by Jacob Ewens), the classic ‘Yellow Submarine’ echoed down the street, with the unforgettable Jamie Edgcumbe-Rendle whipping the crowd into

song. ‘Good Day Sunshine’ succeeded ‘She Said She Said’, with Fred Holt recreating one of Ringo Starr’s most iconic drum tracks and, as it should be, it radiated optimism and good vibes. The hard-edged rocking dual guitar solos came from Jamie and Olu Akinkugbe in ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’. By this time the diffidence had left and the entire audience were begging for more and were graciously rewarded with a Flugel Horn solo from Jacob in ‘For No One’. ‘Doctor Robert’ flowed into ‘I Want to Tell You’ with the Jamie and Rory duo echoing the McCartney-Harrison epic. The rest of the album surged out of the nine strong group finishing with the blaring brass fanfare of ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ and the powerful, almost drone-like, syncopated drum beat from Olivia Mastin in ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. With notebook in hand, I was ready to congratulate the combo but I was awed back into my seat by the encore of ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ’Paperback Writer’. Although this concert clearly involved vast amounts of work from the students it would not have been possible without the genius of Nick Parvin. He was the petrol to the Beatle’s bonfire and acted with complete professionalism; I hope King’s can be graced by such concerts in years to come. If you have you not been lucky enough to go to one already it is my pick of the day that really made King’s Week 2011.

Pictured Right: Edmund Whitehead

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Harry Wilson as Sir Toby Belch

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Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s week blackfriars art exhibition

Katya Ignatiev - (Fifth JR)

Isobel Wingrad (Fifth JR)

CCF Skills Display

The Wind Band Concert

Edward Thomas (Rem CY)

Jane Ellard 6B

The CCF Skills Display is intended to give parents and non-CCF pupils an impression of what goes on in the King’s School Canterbury Combined Cadet Force. This year, the display consisted of four main exhibits.

This year’s Wind Band concert was the usual wonderful display of young musical talent in the lower half of the school, carefully trained, both by visiting music teachers, but also by the hard work of Mr Todd. It is particularly good to see that a wide range of wind instruments are being taken on by the younger half of the school- thereby keeping up a steady stream of musicians throughout the school.

The first display showed one of the tents used by the CCF on exercises and expeditions. The tents are remarkably light, easy to assemble and strong - they provide good protection from the elements in all kinds of weather conditions. Next up was a selection of photos from the annual summer camp and bi-annual inspection day. The summer camp runs for a week during the summer holiday and is designed to teach cadets useful new skills in activities such as weapon handling and survival, whilst the bi-annual inspection is organized by the army to check that the CCF is running as it should. The weapon handling display showcased the two rifles used by the CCF: the .22, which is used for target shooting; and the SA80 A2, which is used on both exercises and the firing range. The A2 is one of the Army’s standard weapons so proficiency in its handling is vital for cadets. The display included a demonstration of the Normal Safety Procedure (NSP), which is carried out every time the rifle is handed from one person to another in order to check that the weapon is safe to use. The final exhibit showed how the members of the CCF – and, for that matter, the Army – sustain themselves in the field. Each cadet, or soldier, is given a 24-hour ration pack, which contains snacks and three main meals. All that is needed to prepare the meals is boiling water, which is heated on a compact stove. One ration pack contains all the nutrients a soldier needs in a day – and, somewhat surprisingly, the food tastes good (if it’s well-cooked)! The display was wide-ranging and informative, excellently put together by Major Vintner and his team.

Starting at 4:30 in the afternoon, we were fortunate that the weather held out nicely, so the ensemble didn’t have to battle against rain on the marquee’s roof- although this would not appear to have been a problem from the outset, as we started with a lively rendition of Rod Temperton’s ‘Thriller’- a piece that was at times rhythmically challenging, particularly for the brass section. However, training throughout the year from Mr Todd enabled the players to perform this admirably- starting the short concert in an upbeat manner. Moving on from this was ‘A Tribute to Ray Charles’ – again a piece with several episodes of complicated rhythm, but the wind band were successful in filling the marquee with a good sound, undoubtedly keeping the marquee full on this late Sunday afternoon. Their next piece was Duke Ellington’s ‘It don’t mean a thing’ – again a very rhythmic piece, which had required much concentration from all the different sections of the Wind Band, in order to keep the ensemble true. This was swiftly followed by Cole Porter’s well known ‘Anything goes’ from the Broadway musical, which enjoyed much input from the brass section as well as some quieter sections from the woodwind. After a small pause to sort out the microphone, Eleanor Hartland took centre stage, to sing George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘Someone to watch over me‘ accompanied by the Wind Band. This was a beautiful performance, which was followed by a very contrasting piece, ‘British Invasion of the 60s’, which had some very upbeat sections, and allowed the Wind Band to demonstrate their perseverance, as the piece would have taken some time to put together. The Wind Band’s next number was ‘Caravan’, which was

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king’s week a return to Duke Ellington’s work, and a shorter piece, which fitted in neatly before ‘A Tribute to Count Basie’. The finale of this short Wind Band concert was a resounding performance of ‘America’ from West Side Story- which gave an opportunity for everyone to look forward towards this February’s school performance in the Marlowe Theatre of West Side Story, which will certainly be a great success. Thanks must go to all the music department, but in particular to Mr Todd and to the visiting music teachers, for enabling the younger end of the school to be a part of, and to gain some experience of what ensemble playing is like, so that many of them will be trained up to play for the school’s Symphony and Chamber Orchestras later in their time here.

Café Théâtre Agathe Don Simoni

“Attention Mesdames et Messieurs, ça va commencer…” I hope you are prepared for this year’s Café Théâtre. The theme: French cinema; the performers: the talented French-speaking students; the audience: anyone who might enjoy a good glass of wine, a Parisian café atmosphere and the eclectic selection of passages from French cinema. It is true to say that the Café Théâtre seemed to be at odds with the rest of the very English performances displayed during King’s week. But the astounding show presented by the students would make it impossible for to you regret having booked a front seat table. During this year’s Café Théâtre, the students surpassed themselves and gave us a series of very good performances. You were welcomed to the sound of Jacques Audiard’s music from the film The Prophète played by

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king’s week Theo Adler at the piano. From that moment you were surrounded by French cinema. What was to follow, none could have expected it: an hour of brilliant performances such as “La partie de cartes” proficiently played by Hector Dyer, Jake Sutton, William Allen and Piers Webb. With this act, you were transported in Marseilles where you could imagine yourself hearing the cicadas, drinking a glass of Pastis and enjoying very heavy southern accents. After Marseilles, you were blown away by Thomas Dath’s performance of L’Audition by Coluche. A skillful act delivered with wit and cleverness. The audience will also never forget the passage from “Les bronzés font du ski” presented by Aurélie Kent, Tara Fitzgerald and Matthieu de Gaudemar or the songs from Les Choristes delivered by the very talented choir singers such as Sophie Nairac, Amelia Parker or Georgina Davies. The acting and singing exceeded our best expectations and as the show drew to an end, the audience was asked to take part in a French cinema quiz. Questions flew and so did answers. And when it was time to say “au revoir”, the whole cast, presenters, wardrobe masters, teachers and the audience were asked to sing together along the notes of “Un homme et une femme” by Nicole Croisille. Everybody left with French in their heart and with the impression of having experienced an afternoon in a Parisian Café.

The Jazz Concert Roger Mallion

Ed Whitehead, the Jazz Club’s Musical Director, walked onto the stage (wearing a white ‘Humphrey Bogart’ style of white dinner jacket) and, without further ado, he and the King’s Jazz Orchestra went straight into Ran Kan Kan. This was a great, syncopated wall of sound and was an excellent start with opportunities for very slick and punchy solos from Laura Galloway, and from Andrew Sultana (saxophones), as well as a very controlled and accurate solo from trombonist Chris Loyn. The personnel of the King’s Jazz Orchestra is: Laura Galloway, Camellia

Johnson, Laura Bartley, Chris Irwin, Toby Sinclair, Andrew Sultana, and Henry Cross (saxophones); Chris Loyn, George Pughe, and Teddy Baker (trombones); Jacob Ewens, Will Phillips, Lorcan Halfacre, and Llewellyn Cross (trumpets); Will Fairbairn (piano); Chevonne Wong (bass); and Olivia Mastin (drums). The big-band was directed and conducted with much vigour by Ed Whitehead, who was dynamic and involved and generally ‘moved well’ in order to indicate his requirements, by means of his body language. Altogether, it was a splendid beginning to the concert that immediately drew the enthusiasm of the audience. After a brief, ‘no-none-sense’ announcement – I was relieved to see that Ed Whitehead was addressing the audience directly this year, rather than attempting to communicate via a compère – the Orchestra moved on to Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. This began with a lax and languid statement of the familiar theme – and there was soon featured a very ‘laid-back’ and soothing trumpet solo from Jacob Ewens. There was then some nice trumpet and saxophones in very ‘swinging’ unison, with trumpet soaring over very appealing saxophones. It was indeed a most agreeable, balanced sound. Piano was also heard in this number but it sounded more like an electronic keyboard than the ancient and venerable Shirley-Hall Steinway. The Modern Jazz Group then assembled, to start with Take the ‘A’ Train. This sub-set of the organisation consisted of Jacob Ewens (trumpet), Chris Loyn (trombone), Ed Whitehead (piano), Chevonne Wong (bass) and Olivia Mastin (drums). There were two features about this year’s Modern Group that were immediately apparent, both of which pleased me considerably: first, it was novel to have a trombone in the front line instead of a saxophone – this gives a crisper, more ‘brassy’ sound to the whole ensemble; second, although there have always been a goodly number of girls in the big-band, it was excellent that the small modern group – which is usually a more ‘maledominated’ affair – was this year 40% female. Considering that King’s is these days (I believe) something like 55% boys and 45% girls, a boy:girl ratio of 3:2 is effectively as representative as a group of five can, in practice, get! Take The ‘A’ Train began with Jacob Ewens intoning the theme, with Chris Loyn taking over, both confident and firm in their long and faultless solos, which stuck largely to the main melody, and, although there were some

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embellishments, they were without too many improvisations. Ed Whitehead on the keyboard – still sounding somewhat more ‘electronic’ than I would expect from the Steinway – produced a torrent of wonderful notes, including a nice, humorous ‘quote’, all infectiously enjoyable. The next piece from the Modern Jazz group was a vocal, delivered by Thais Martin. When I heard the title Crazy, I was expecting the ‘Nashville’ country number made famous by the late Patsy Cline. This, however, was a different piece called Crazy – much faster and more furious and (if I am to be honest) somewhat too loud and piercing for me. It did, though, no doubt, go down very well with the young! It was certainly much enjoyed by my neighbour (who, I think, was the mother of a King’s pupil) who described it as ‘fascinating’ and who declared that the vocalist ‘certainly had attitude’! This was followed by an instrumental, the ‘period piece’ Someday My Prince Will Come (from the 1937 Walt Disney Film Snow White, whose title character was said to be based on the then very infamous Mrs. Wallis Simpson/the Duchess of Windsor). Jacob Ewens initially stated the theme and was followed by lots of splendid sliding and glissando from Chris Loyn. Then Jacob Ewens took over again with some satisfying improvisation, followed by very melodious contributions from Chris Loyn. We were then treated to a splendid tour de force from Ed Whitehead (with the piano

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this time sounding more ‘piano-like’) before trumpet and trombone returned for the final chorus of the melody. The King’s Jazz Orchestra then returned for My Funny Valentine, with vocalist Autumn Withey-Stevens who had starred in King’s Week’s Twelfth Night. She began with breathy, clear diction, with good balance. The vocalist was very audible over the band – but all could have been a little bit quieter, for me. The Orchestra’s ensemble was nicely relaxed, with especially agreeable contributions coming from the trumpets. Autumn Withey-Stevens had a very mature voice, but she was (understandably) somewhat nervous and presented the piece without too many smiles – except at the end, when she smiled broadly and uttered a sigh of relief! This was much appreciated by the audience who encouragingly gave a big cheer. Next came The King’s Swingers, now each with her individual microphone. The Singers were Lucy Baker, Catriona Casha, Poppy Coleman, Emily Davis, Hannah Goldsmith, Grace Johnson, Sophie Nairac, and Emily Wiltshire. The first piece was called Masquerade, and the second was a jazz medley comprising two or three standards – I think one of them was All the Things You Are. I especially liked the double-bass arrangement (the said instrument being supplied and beautifully played by Chevonne Wong) which was very effective, as was the

solo voice of Lucy Baker. The second piece was without bass. This was a very soothing close-harmony piece, with an agreeable ‘doo-wap’ part and an extremely polished ending. After some slick stage-managing on the part of Chris Loyn and Jacob Ewens, the stage was arranged for the return of the King’s Jazz Orchestra, to close the First Half. Miles Davis’ Milestones exhibited a jaunty, full, ‘big-band’ sound – swinging, staccato saxophones, then good, impressive forward-brass and then the whole ensemble coming in. This was altogether a very ‘busy’ piece, with lots going on. However, the second trumpet solo was rather drowned out, and so the audience was not really ‘on cue’ with deserved applause when it was finished. The same was true of the saxophone solos; in addition, they were quite complicated solos, and so the audience was a little bemused at this stage as to what was going on. (I myself brazenly started the clapping in my area of the Hall at the appropriate time!) I think that this was because the sound balance this year was not quite as finely tuned as it usually is. Managing the sound in concerts like this

is an immensely difficult job, and that it has to be done at all is largely due to the unfortunate removal of the Shirley Hall stage-curtains sometime in the late 1990s – for years, those curtains had kept the infamous Shirley-Hall acoustics in check by preventing sound (especially that from drums) bouncing around the proscenium arch. The sound tracks of film that is still held in the School’s Film & Video-Film Archives of King’s Week Jazz Concerts up to about 1998 are testament to how much better the acoustics were in those days – at least for the jazz performances. In any event, Ed Whitehead was certainly dramatic in his ending to Milestones– he literally jumped up and actually left the ground, in order to bring the band down onto the last note! The second half began with Ed Whitehead introducing the King’s Jazz Orchestra one by one, as they came on-stage. The names couldn’t be heard over the applause, but that didn’t matter as the whole exercise essentially just constituted a way of getting the atmosphere right for the start of the second half. They then went into the Glenn Miller classic Chatanooga Choo-Choo, in the familiar, original

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king’s week arrangement, with an exuberant flourish from Chris Loyn, at the start, and then lush saxophones, backed by the trumpets and the trombones. I had forgotten that this was quite a complicated arrangement but it had some good ‘riffing’ at the end and a slick, powerful finish. Next came Come Sunday which, to me, was new material – rather strange at first but I came to like it, as Ed Whitehead anticipated in his introduction. Laura Galloway provided a gentle, pensive, yet confident opening, followed by the ensemble band and a piano solo featuring slow chords, followed – also very slowly – by saxophones and brass. One could see why the Director had thought this a difficult piece. Laura Galloway was then back again, with a luscious saxophone solo, very evocative and mellow, which elicited much-deserved applause. Then came the piano again, with a paucity of notes, which was, nevertheless, very effective. We were then treated to deliciously mellifluous and synchronised saxophones, à la Glenn Miller, with trumpets soaring over them, followed by quiet piano chords and then the whole ensemble, to finish. The Modern Group returned at this stage, with vocalist Louise Augustine and a group of female backing-singers to present Mama Said, originally recorded by The Shirelles. They began, and they had a great feel of the authentic sound of The Shirelles, from the early 1960s. However, something went wrong and the performance was suddenly, but temporarily, stopped. Ed Whitehead, being the gentleman that he is, graciously announced that he took all the blame for this and apologised to the audience. In the end, in my view – and, I think, in the opinion of those around me in the audience – this turned out to be the best number of the concert. In the long-standing traditions of King’s Jazz, the audience were really encouraging – knowing, as they did, that this concert was a pupil-directed production, they were willing the performers on, as they always do. Enormous applause was offered at the end – I was rather hoping that Ed Whitehead might invite Louise Augustine back to make a second bow, after she had walked off stage. There was then a chance for Ed Whitehead himself to shine a little in the spotlight for Bach’s Prelude in C Major (‘48’ – Das Wohltemperierte Klavier). He provided

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crystal-clear notes in a mesmerizing (and agreeably long) opening section, which then became syncopated and swinging. It was good to hear this when it came but, for my part, I could have done with hearing even more of the ‘original’! When the improvised section came, there were some delightful and amusing ‘quotes’ amidst the genuine Bach. It was good to have the opportunity once again to hear Ed Whitehead just ‘delivering the notes’. There was a lot more of this in concerts in his younger days in the School – when his predecessors as Musical Directors chose to highlight the (then) ‘child prodigy’ that they had in their midst. However, at the end of his time at King’s, now that he is in charge, Ed has unassumingly afforded himself fewer of these ‘star feature’ spots, much to the chagrin of this reviewer, for one. He received extremely enthusiastic appreciation for his efforts, but was too modest to ‘milk’ his applause for the length of time that he could have done. Next we had Jack Masters singing the Jamie Cullum number Twenty Something, and looking what these days would be called ‘cool’, in the way that only a young man can, with shirt unbuttoned and bow tie (already) undone (and all this after years of expensive education!) I especially liked Ed Whitehead’s glissando and the contributions from Jacob Ewens (trumpet) and Chris Loyn (trombone). Jack Masters had great stage presence and displayed considerable panache. The ending was especially polished and it was certainly a performance ‘with attitude’. The King’s Jazz Orchestra then offered what Ed Whitehead called ‘an Elizabethan hit’, the piece Greensleaves, which was reputedly composed by our (Re-)Founder, King Henry VIII whose portrait was, as Ed Whitehead reminded us, looking down on the proceedings, from the walls. There was a trombone statement of the original theme, followed by the whole brass, then saxophones, trumpets and then saxophones again, culminating in a pleasant ensemble and an infectious syncopation, with the saxophones rampant. Andrew Sultana had a solo spot, followed by piano and all saxophones, and then there was a very well-coordinated ending. Next came one of my favourites of the evening in which vocalist Afope Atoyebi gave a tremendous rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Respect, with a great vocal backing à la The Supremes and wonderful brass in the style of the late

king’s week Otis Reading’s support group. The brass were boisterous and Andrew Sultana again had the saxophone spotlight, all splendidly supporting a really exciting and pungent vocal from Afope Atoyebi, who had a fantastic voice for this number; on top of all this, the whole was expertly held together by Ed Whitehead’s confident direction. After a contribution of the all-female King’s Swingers in the First Half of the concert, Mr. Ionascu’s King’s Men next took to the stage (all, I am glad to say, with ties – not one undone!) The personnel of The King’s Men are: Jacob Ewens, Samuel Hewitt, Chris Loyn, Jack Masters, William Pargeter, Harry Purvis, Maximus Rex, and Ed Whitehead). They performed an arrangement by Ed Whithead of Jamie Lidell’s Multiply, and the original arrangement of Rob Thomas’s I Don’t Wanna Be Lonely No More. In the first, Ed Whitehead himself did the soloing, the others being much occupied largely in finger-snapping. In the second, which was very syncopated, the main soloist was Jack Masters – this time, with his tie on! I was impressed that they all did a very professional and well-synchronised bow, at the end. The final section saw the return of The King’s Jazz Orchestra, starting with the familiar Georgia on My Mind, by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. This had a nice opening, with prominent brass and general ensemble, followed by a solo saxophone feature from the ever-reliable Andrew Sultana – though the sound balance was such that his contribution wasn’t sufficiently isolable, for my liking, from the brass that was overlaid on it. On sitting down, he did, though, get some well-deserved applause for his efforts. Then there was a splendid ‘drummer’s freak-out’ from Olivia Mastin – she did eventually get her moment of glory (much appreciated, of course, by the audience). The final piece on the programme was one with an infectious South-American lilt: A. C. Jobim’s Agua de Beber (Water To Drink). This typically Jobim piece afforded a definitively-stated theme which, after being introduced by the brass generally, was soon taken up by the trumpets alone, followed by the saxophones, with trumpets soaring above. There was another solo opportunity for Andrew Sultana; although, even here, he was slightly drowned by the complicated manoeuvres emanating from the

rest of the Orchestra, this was much more audible than before. The finale evinced a splendid ensemble with brass sympathetically in unison above them. This was indeed a complex arrangement, but Ed Whitehead had it well under control. That was officially the end of the program, but one encore piece was offered: following what Ed Whitehead claimed was a long-standing Jazz-Club tradition, they gave forth with a popular ‘lollipop’ – namely, Glenn Miller’s In The Mood – delivered very much ‘on the double’. This inevitably induced clapping in time (more-or-less), on the part of the audience. I much enjoyed the ritual ‘saxophone dual’ in this piece, ‘fought’, on this occasion, between Laura Galloway and Andrew Sultana. Jacob Ewens was as clear as the proverbial bell in the nerve-racking high trumpet-note at the end and, throughout, Ed Whitehead, as the conductor, was extremely animated and added just the right amount of ‘showmanship’ to this final number. This was a very synchronised, well-rehearsed bonus for the audience, and an excellent piece with which to end the concert. Deservedly, it generated a standing ovation, a tribute to all those who had performed, and a fitting finish to Ed Whitehead’s distinguished career in the King’s Jazz Club. Next year, under the eye of Dr. Scott, the Master-inCharge of the Jazz Club, the post of Musical Director passes, I am informed, to Jacob Ewens. His splendid contributions to this evening’s proceedings augur well for Jazz Club in the Session 2011/2012.

Choirs in the Quite Emma Young (6b CY)

A relatively large audience gathered for the annual Choirs in the Quire. The Chamber, Chapel, Crypt and Madrigalia choirs came together with the Wind Ensemble to showcase Kings’ impressive vocal and musical talents in the stunning Cathedral venue. The Chapel choir began the event with a wonderful performance of Ralph Vaughan

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Williams’ ‘O Clap your Hands’, followed by Bruckner’s ‘Ave Maria’, and the audience was then treated to Madrigalia’s rendition of Schultz’s ‘Selig sind die toten’, and later Gombert’s ‘Lugebat David Absalon’. The event also included magnificent performances from the Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble, featuring some of Kings’ finest musicians. The occasion was brought to a close by the Crypt Choir, with three outstanding pieces by Jackson, Lloyd and Bach, all of which were equally memorable.

Party Isobel Parrish (WL 6a)

For the first time in the four years I’ve been at the school, the King’s Week brochure 2011 included a student-run play. Tom Basden’s Party was produced, directed by and performed solely by King’s students (with help available on the side from Mr Sinclair and Miss Dover) and amidst the stress and pressure of public exams and other King’s Week commitments, Ali Lyons and Will Allen directed their cast of six to success.

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The play is a comedy satire following four young adults as they endeavour to create a political party with the help of the fifth (Duncan) who is invited as a result of his father’s involvement in the printing business. They gather in the garden shed of Jared (played by Ali Lyons) which formed the basic set of this production of Party. This, while maintaining the simplistic, amateur nature of the party and keeping within how Basden wrote the stage directions, meant that the emphasis was all on the lines and their deliverance – something which caused no problem for the cast whose timing and blocking (as directed by Ali Lyons and Will Allen) was perfectly in tune with Basden’s fast-paced script. Despite the benefit of a very-well written script, it was the acting and portrayal of the party members which had an audience of all ages in raptures throughout the performance. The humour of the character was different in each and thus there was something for everyone, from Duncan, played by Teni Mobereola whose naivety and ignorance induced a mixture of sympathy and hilarity amongst the audience to Jones (Will Allen) whose irritability and sparring with Mel (Izy Wingrad) in various episodes throughout the play caused breakouts of laughter across St Mary’s. The side plot of Phoebe (Rosie Fenning) and her mystery boy, Short Coat (Charlie Carr) adds an extra dimension of amusement and, as you watch the party

defend themselves against the one person who just might know something about politics you gain a sense of perspective of how these strong-minded ‘politicians’ are behaving through the eyes of a bewildered Short Coat who stumbles across this scene which to us causes great hilarity but not so much to him. The play ended with all on high spirits and wanting more as Duncan’s last line tied-up his main concern of the party, the lemon drizzle cake. The achievement of being able to produce a play of such a high standard is an impressive feat and that it went down so well bears well for the possibility of a future of student-run productions at King’s.

The King’s Week Restaurant Lucy Logan Green (6b WL)

Whilst many people are merely enjoying the fantastic food on offer in the King’s Week Restaurant, they perhaps do not realise the time, effort and ethos that goes into each mouthful of food that they enjoy. The restaurant – run by OKS Mark Gilchrist – requires meticulous planning and dedication from both Mark and aspiring King’s chefs. This is the restaurant’s third year and it is clear that it is becoming something of a King’s Week attraction, much as the Serenade is frequented by students and parents both old and new, the King’s Week Restaurant is now also developing a name and is a sought-after spectacle. Indeed, on Sunday 3rd July, the restaurant served seventy people which is the record for the most customers served in one night. The King’s students who contribute hours of their summer days to the restaurant are perhaps the unsung heroes of King’s Week. Their enthusiasm and faithfulness to the schedule is impressive – they must be in the restaurant at 7am to start preparations for the day, and from that point on it’s all go! Mark Gilchrist runs a tight ship and expects every pupil to pull their weight in terms of preparing the food, and the fresh bread which is served on the side of all orders.

When I went to the King’s Restaurant one lunchtime, I have to admit I was slightly sceptical of what may appear before me on the table, I ordered the smoked widgeon to start (which for me and those who don’t know specific terms, is a medium-sized duck). The widgeon was tender and very enjoyable, and for having skipped breakfast and all mid-morning snacks in preparation for the meal, I wished that there had been a bit more! For my main course I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli, and was very impressed with the hard work that had gone into its preparation. My guest had the Venison burger which although difficult to fit in one’s mouth, was a larger and very welcome portion of food! For the finale of this three course meal I had a classic Tarte au Citron. I had been told in advance by certain food connoisseurs to watch out for the pastry, which I have been told can turn soggy if not cooked properly before the addition of a filling. However, the tart that I was served had delicious dry pastry – for which I was grateful! Congratulations to all people involved in the King’s Restaurant this year, and particularly to Mark Gilchrist who really showed that you don’t have to be an actor or musician to excel in King’s Week.

King’s Week Bicycles Jane Ellard (6b LX)

This year’s King’s Week was, as always, accompanied by the usual display of vintage bikes, which are brought in to provide an area of interest for some of the quieter times during an altogether very hectic King’s Week. It was particularly lovely to see that whole families were using the vintage bikes together, showing that this is something that can be enjoyed by younger siblings and teachers alike, even if some exhibits, such as the skate bikes, are difficult to keep on the right track. It is nice to see that the bicycles can be enjoyed both on the level of racing them around the outside of the Green Court – something which is more likely to be seen in the more modern bikes – or alternatively those who prefer to opt for a gentle pedal across the grass, perhaps on a more difficult unicycle or penny-farthing. Happily, the bikes were able to benefit from some fairly good weather this year, meaning that

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king’s week they got some heavy usage, and it is always nice to see them being used throughout the day, right through into the evenings until everyone goes back to their houses, or on to see or to take part in various different performances. We were undoubtedly fortunate in this regard, as, although this year’s King’s Week could hardly be described as one which bathed in glorious sunshine, it is undoubtedly also true to say that any heavy rain would do considerable damage to some of the working parts of the vintage bikes, making it more likely for them to suffer lasting and irreparable damage.

including one of the invalid carriages. Alas, the others were suffering from their recurrent technical difficulties; perhaps next year they will return to service. This display of vintage bikes would not be possible if it were not for all the help that goes into supervising and maintaining them throughout the week. For this, thanks must go to Miss Bradley, as well as the other staff who supervised the Green Court each afternoon, and the team of pupils who assisted in putting them out and packing them up each day.

Unfortunately, however, this year’s fleet of bikes was slightly diminished. The collection of skate bikes was slightly reduced, as some started to suffer from mechanical problems which were increasingly difficult to fix as the week progressed. However, that is not to say that they did not still have considerable presence on the Green Court; there were still many of the old favourites,

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king’s week: twelfth

Georgia Watt as Maidservant The Mint Yard has seen many of King’s Week’s finest performances and this year was no exception. The atmospheric setting particularly in early evening provided the ideal backdrop for the transportation of the audience into the world of Illyria. Not even the nightly attacks of low-flying swifts could disturb the audience’s appreciation of another well-performed Shakespeare production from King’s. Perhaps what made this year outstanding was the interweaving of musical pieces throughout the play, starting with a scene setter by Orsino’s men (Dmitri Gripari, Olukoye Akinkugbe and Shaun Wood). Jamie Rendle’s songs in the role of Olivia’s fool, Feste, also added to the good nature of the performance and this success must in part be attributed to Stephen Matthews’ wonderful and interesting arrangements.

Twelfth Night

The set, impressively constructed and designed by Steve Bree, was perfectly simple and provided the ideal stage for the complex plot. The theme of mistaken identity is common in Shakespeare but perhaps never more comical. The audience grimaced at Viola’s love triangle, hoping as much as she did that the confusion would resolve itself before she was discovered. The harmonic performances of Autumn Withey-Stevens and Alexander Rose as Sebastien and Cesario made the tale of twins separated at sea, reunited by fate enthralling. Autumn particularly, in her compromisingly androgynous role, made the chaos believable.

Katrina Blanthorne and Ellie Warr (both 6b LX)

Her allegiance to Duke Orsino (played handsomely by Toby Sinclair) was evident. She fitted elegantly into his

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night

bachelor pad, in contrast to her discomfort in the chaos of Lady Olivia’s household. Olivia, brilliantly portrayed by Ellen Arvidsson, remained superior and disdainful throughout, despite her terrible mistake over Cesario’s identity. The story is interlaced with the comical subplot of the play which was tautly choreographed to great effect. There were several mischievous characters – the blustering Sir Toby (played by Harry Wilson), baffled and vain Sir Andrew (Sam Gearing), incredulous Fabian (Charlie Carr), the entertaining Feste, and the impish Maria (Emmyline Duffy) who all conspired to trick the pompous Malvolio into thinking Lady Olivia was in love with him. Tom Boulton’s self congratulatulatory speech on finding their letter, punctuated by the comic antics of the four hiding behind the bush was hilarious, particularly Fabian’s uncontainable disbelief at Malvolio’s gullibility.

Demir) for his intervention in the duel between Cesario and Sir Andrew. But with one love knot already tied (Olivia and Sebastian), two more swiftly followed with the marriages of Maria and Sir Toby, and Viola and Orsino. Thus the servants’ sub-plot, which revealed the chaotic love connections of their superiors, was united with the rest of the story and everyone’s grievances were resolved. Feste’s following lament for loss of youth was a feeling the audience shared with the loss of two of 6as finest actors, and they certainly left the crowd wanting more. The whole cast were impeccable, the show seamless and all in all affirmed the school’s capability for producing crowd-pleasing, spirit-lifting Shakespeare.

Tom Boulton’s performance was, throughout, unforgettable; from his quivering with indignant rage, night-capped, when ordering Olivia’s household to go to bed, to his capering around in luminous, cross-gartered, yellow stockings, all for his lady’s love. In contrast, Jamie Rendle’s casual approach, cavorting about, outsmarting his betters and controlling the frivolity, was equally as funny. Whether it was his singing, his impression of a quack doctor or his quick wit, it was a true performance of an all-seeing fool. The play ended with an explosion of truths as the twins came face to face over the arrest of Antonio (Patrick

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Harry Wilson as Sir Toby Belch

Clockwise from top left: Jamie Rendle as Feste, Tom Boulton as Malvolio, Ellen Arvidsson and Autumn WitheyStevens as Viola

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King’s week The Gala Symphony Concert ASt

After an exceptional six days of music and drama during this year’s King’s Week it was with eager anticipation that I donned my dinner jacket and attended the Gala Symphony Concert; the traditional platform to showcase the very best musical talent that King’s has to offer. The Symphony Orchestra opened the concert with a fine rendition of the Festival Overture by Dmitri Shostakovich. The overture, written in 1954 to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution, provided a fitting start to the concert and it showcased, in particular, the impressive woodwind section whose players coped with the fast flowing melodies with great aplomb. The opening fanfare was played with sparkling brilliance and the orchestra skilfully accomplished the change to a more lyrical style before the fanfare was re-sounded in the brass section and the piece brought to a close with a rousing coda. The first soloist of the evening was Millie Aylward (pictured right) , who showed impressive dexterity in the Rondo from Weber’s Clarinet Quintet in B flat major, Op. 34. Millie coaxed a deep, rich tone from her clarinet and she had excellent control in the upper register of the instrument. She also coped with the many virtuosic scalic passages with ease. Next up was another fine 6a musician: soprano Lucy Baker. Lucy gave a charming performance of ‘Voi che sapete’ from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The small chamber orchestra which accompanied the soprano was very sympathetic to the singer and there was some lovely, characterful playing in the winds. To follow Lucy was another fellow 6a, William Pargeter. William gave a spirited interpretation of Mozart’s ‘Ha! wie will ich triumpieren’ from Il Seraglio. This piece allowed William to show the wide range of his bass voice and his innate ability to interact with the orchestra. Last to take to the stage before the interval was Christopher Loyn, a very talented music scholar who joined King’s in the sixth form. Christopher gave a passionate and contemplative rendition of the Allegro from the Cello Concerto

in E minor, Op. 85 by Edward Elgar; a cornerstone of the solo cello repertoire. There were moments of great expressiveness and it was clear that Christopher had a deep understanding of the elegiac nature of this piece. The ending was skilfully accomplished with Christopher reiterating the main theme of the fourth movement, whilst allowing the tension to build until the final three chords. After a glass of fizz on Green Court, Jane Phillips performed the Allegro from Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14. Jane opened the piece with a very lyrical rendition of the first subject (without any orchestral introduction) and then, growing in confidence, she tackled the melodic upwards leaps with great finesse. A very unassuming performance from a very level-headed and talented violinist. The baritone Harry Purvis was up next with his very enjoyable and light-hearted performance of ‘Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja’ from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Harry’s exceptional lyricism was matched with some superb playing on the piccolo. Next was the soprano Lucy Baker who was making her second appearance of the evening to sing the infamous ‘O mio babbino caro’ from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini. Lucy gave a more confident performance on this occasion and this classic favourite was enjoyed by all in the Shirley Hall. The full Symphony Orchestra closed the concert with two firm favourites in the classical repertoire. Firstly the orchestra performed the 2nd movement from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Poppy Coleman, a horn player of the highest order, gave a confident performance of the hauntingly expressive horn solo that provides the first theme of the movement. This was followed by some impressive solo work in the woodwinds; again highlighting the calibre of players within the section. The concert was brought to a close with a rendition of William Walton’s Crown Imperial; a nod to the recent nuptials between HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The whole work was underpinned by very strong brass and percussion sections and it was their superb playing which gave a real sense of occasion to the piece and to the concert in general. The tuned percussion provided the icing on the cake and Mr Nall was kept incredibly busy with the cymbals throughout the splendid orchestral march. This British classic was a very uplifting and fitting piece to conclude the 60th King’s Week. Many congratulations to all the soloists, the orchestral musicians and especially to the conductor, Howard Ionascu.

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miscellany music

The Charities Report MJM

This year was the fifth to be overseen by the Charity Committee as it is presently constituted; and it was good to observe that, while on the one hand the charitable giving and fund-raising of the School has fallen into a well-oiled process and pattern with clear accountability, reporting and coordination of effort and experience, on the other there is no let up in the quantity and variety of individual initiatives, nor in the general enthusiasm for charitable ventures. The three (‘Purple’) pupil representatives on the Committee made a particularly strong contribution this year, working hard to achieve much broader pupil input into the suggestions for possible Charities of the Term and also to push through their own initiatives such as collecting boxes in the Houses for loose change. Our thanks in this regard go to the Captain of School, Nicholas Hands, and his fellow School Monitors Kimberley Dunn and Hope Kilmurry. I must also pay a huge tribute and express deep gratitude to two stalwarts of the Committee as they leave us to move into retirement: Dr Bentley and Mrs Wakeham. The long Autumn Term had two Charities of the Term, as is now customary; and largely from collections at School Services and from Home Clothes Days we were able to send £2,934.20 to Five Talents (a charity set up at the 1997 Lambeth Conference to offer micro-financing, a hand-up not a hand-out, to some of the poorest people in the world) and £1,986.49 to Canterbury District Citizens’ Advice Bureau (much needed as the recession bit). Harvey House and Galpin’s House raised over £11,000 for Cancer Research UK primarily through their Dinner and Raffle, and the Bailey Sixth Form Ball and breakfastin-bed service raised over £2,000 for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre. The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Fund received £1,000 from the Carol Service collection and a further £200 voted through at the JCR AGM. Rapid Response Funds at the discretion of the Committee were used to send a £1,000 immediate donation to help victims of the Pakistan floods. The traditional Poppy Appeal raised over £800, and over £700 was raised by Harvey’s Pink Ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Smaller sums went to Peach (Autism), to MACS (Malawi mosquito nets), Send a Cow and Kent Kids’ Miles of Smiles thanks to the Common Room Christmas Card, the efforts of Mitchinson’s

Summer 2011

cake-bakers, Mr Phillis’s Geography set and a Support Staff Raffle. The Salvation Army benefited both in money and kind from the Day Houses’ Harvest Eucharist. In the Lent Term, services, House boxes and a Home Clothes Day raised £2,471.37 for Canine Partners (training dogs to help the disabled) and the Fashion Show resulted in around £5,700 going to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The Walpole Valentine’s Carnations split some £2,785 between the National Autistic Society, the JWS Memorial Fund and Kyandali School in Sereolipi, Kenya. The Grange and Walpole Dinner and Concert raised £2,117 for Starfish Greathearts Foundation (HIV) and pancreatic cancer research at the Royal Free Hospital. The Day Houses collected used clothes to help British Humanitarian Aid (Ukraine) and Jervis and School House sent over £500 from their Quiz Night to the Genesis Research Trust. £1,000 from the Confirmation Collection went to the Archbishop’s Discretionary Fund, and smaller sums were collected for Marie Curie Cancer, the Red Cross Japan Earthquake Appeal and Water Aid. The Summer Term is always quieter on the charity front, but it kicked off in style with our celebration of the Royal Wedding, and that included a balloon release which brought in £180 for the Princes William & Harry Foundation. The usual Carlyon summer event raised £1,360 for SSNAP, and an enterprising Angus Barry made £150 out of selling ice-creams to help victims of the Japanese earthquakes. A total of £1,712.93 has been sent to the World Land Trust, the Charity of the Summer Term, and £1,000 from the Commemoration Service is ear-marked for Madagascar, though Bishop Roger is sadly no longer there. There remain a few loose ends to tie up, as I write this, and there are doubtless many very meaningful acts of individual and collective charity which will never come to our attention, but it is good to be able to record so much positive achievement for charitable purposes on the public stage, and to be able to thank all those who have given of their time, ability and energy (as well as of their capital) for the wider good.

Miscellany into the medical profession, and also to help prepare them for University.

The Cranmer Society MJWS

We enjoyed another term of good talks and delicious home-baked chocolate brownies. The term’s theme was ‘Divine Opposites’ where the speakers considered the contrast between the ways of God and the ways of the world. Dr Bentley kicked off the term speaking on ‘wisdom in foolishness’, describing how over his time at King’s he chose God’s wisdom rather than the world’s. The following week was a trip to Benenden for a joint meeting with Tonbridge where Mickey Mantle, who did the Lent talks in 2010, spoke . In subsequent weeks we had though-provoking talks on ‘Freedom in Surrender’ (RPS), ‘Imitation not conformity’ (Alice Gerth, OKS) and ‘Strength in Weakness’ (Dr Alan Loveless). The Summer Term also provided a chance to say thank you and farewell to our leavers and to dust off the barbeque. Each week after half term we welcomed more than 30 pupils into our garden for both physical sustenance and spiritual food. Ashley Naismith (6a SH) gave the final talk ‘The end and yet the beginning’ – a fitting way to finish the year as he enters a new phase in his life. We will miss the great bunch of 6as who left at the end of the year. We hope they will drop in to the Cranmer Society again one day to see us. As always, term-cards and further information are available from mjws@kings-school.co.uk.

Linacre Medical Society Cleodie Swire (6b MR)

The Linacre Medical Society was established in the Autumn Term of 2010 to give King’s students an insight

During its first year the society attracted a variety of speakers, each representing different stages in medicine. Two students from University College London came to talk about what life is like both at University and as a medical student. There was the opportunity to ask questions that allowed us to better understand exactly what studying Medicine involves. Another of the speakers was Dr Barker, a Junior Doctor. Her presentation was focused on the years following the degree when doctors are still in training for between five and eight years. The realisation that we are not going to reach the end of our training for more than ten years helped to convey the determination and hard work required in order to become a Doctor. Dr Allan Fox, a local general practitioner (GP), spoke about his role in a village surgery. Most students planning to study Medicine think that they would like to become surgeons or consultants, but Dr Fox successfully showed us that there are advantages to every genre in medicine. During the Lent Term, Miss Mitchell organised a really enjoyable and insightful trip to Oxford University so that a group of Sixth Formers could see where students study both pre-clinical and clinical medicine, meet tutors, and talk to current students. The day started in Queen’s College, where we met an interviewer who explained the system to us, and we then questioned a group of undergraduates about their interview experiences. These showed to us that, in these cases at least, the interviewers attempt to make prospective students demonstrate an ability to think problems through, rather than enjoy watching them struggle. After lunch at the college, we walked through the city to visit the pre-clinical teaching buildings, where we saw the impressive modern lecture theatres and laboratories as well as the more traditional sector with portraits of many famous alumni including Ernest Chain and Howard Florey. We then took a bus to the John Radcliffe Hospital to meet a group of clinical students who took us on tours in small groups. Once we had asked more questions, visited some wards and looked around the Osler House Club (a building in the grounds of the hospital for the University students) wetravelled back into the centre of Oxford. In the evening, we went to

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Green Templeton College where a tutor summarised what we had heard throughout the day, and a doctor talked to us about his experience of doing a PhD within a career in medicine. We finished the day by having pizza in the college whilst interrogating students with any queries that were still unanswered. At the final meeting of the year, Mr Winrow-Campbell and Miss Mitchell acted out some stereotypical interviews to demonstrate how to come across as a strong candidate. We then practised interviewing each other in preparation for University applications in the winter.Throughout the year, students of all ages were able to see whether they would like to pursue a career in medicine by learning in depth about each stage of the profession. Christopher Loyn was the President of the Linacre Medical Society for the 2010-2011 academic year.

the constraints of exam syllabi. In particular sixth formers who wish to read Geography at university are encouraged to come along and widen their understanding and enthusiasm for the subject. This year we have been lucky enough to have the following talks: • ‘In Shackleton’s footsteps’ by Tom Lynch – a chance to hear how Tom retraced Sir Ernest Shackleton’s amazing adventure in the Antarctic, and on South Georgia. Tom retells his own experiences from 1957, tying them in dramatically with the history of Sir Ernest Shackleton. • ‘Environmental Studies and Gap Years’ by Tanya Dimitroba following seven years in the US army and seven years on gap-year style projects focused around climate change and human insecurity.

RPS

• ‘Human Security and the Environment: lessons from the carbon margins’ by Professor Michael Redlift (King’s College London) – a talk on the fragile nature of our climate and the ever-increasing threat of global warming.

The Blaxland Society is set up to give Geographers an opportunity to learn more about the world outside of

• ‘Sustainable infrastructure in expanding urban areas: Kent towns as case-studies’ by Joe Radcliffe from the Kent County Council – Joe gives us first hand

The Blaxland Society

The Blaxland Society Trip

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Miscellany insight into the planning issues in Kent, concerning roads, Pfizer, the fast train link, a new town built near Bluewater, and much more. • The Blaxland Society also organised two trips to the Royal Geographical Society in London, as well as three Geography Pub Quizzes – one for each of the Shell, Remove and Fifth years. There were also two film nights for the younger years:

The Blaxland Society continues to be a thriving club for Geographers.

The CDT Inter-School Competition CTN

• Autumn Term Film Night – ‘End Day’ – 5 ways in which the world might end. • Lent Term Film Night – ‘Human Planet: Jungles’ Tropical rainforests teem with more species than anywhere else on the planet, but for us humans they can be very hostile environments. The complex nature of these unforgiving forests takes a lifetime to master and people can only survive here through embracing a life as part of the forest system.

In the summer of this year the CDT department organised a regional inter-school competition which called upon school teams to produce a working high speed car, designed to race across the length of the Birley’s tennis courts. Each team was given a kit with the relevant parts and were asked to built a chassis and aero dynamic body. Certain teams chose between super small and light and

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others for stability and strength. While there were a few (somewhat comical) teething problems associated with organising a new event, the day was a resounding success. The team representing Carlyon House won the overall prize for the fastest car, which was a mounted part of the Rolls Royce Trent engine, used in the euro fighter typhoon and the Project Bloodhound car that tinspired this project. Project Bloodhound is the British attempt at breaking the world land speed record, which is now in the development stage. The day was finished off with a supper and talk in the pavilion from STEM net and an educational representative from the Project Bloodhound team, who talked about just a few of the problems that have been overcome. Many lessons have been learnt this year and I am sure that next year will become hugely more popular with more competitors, I know that the Physics department have pledged to put out a team next summer.

Young Scientists’ Journal Nicky King (6b HH)

The last term was a busy time for the Young Scientists Journal members. We had an intake of new members meaning we had over ten editors working weekly on the ever-increasing number of articles, under the lead of our new editorial team leader, Cleodie Swire. The hard work paid off with the release of Issue 9. The issue concerns the problems of climate change, containing articles such as ‘Can nuclear power save the climate?’ by Christopher Loyn and Top ten easy-read books on climate change by Hannah Todd.

A few members including Cleodie Swire, Hannah Todd and Nicky King visited two schools to promote and inform the school members about the work we do on the site, the value of joining the group as an editor and how they could get involved. We first visited the Queen Elizabeth School in Faversham on 29th June where we spoke to a sixth form biology set, followed by a visit on the 4th

Summer 2011

July to King Ethelbert’s School, where we addressed a variety of science classes of younger pupils. Both visits were successful and we recruited new members and found some interested, bright new scientific minds! After a successful term we hope that the next will be just as promising for the journal.

The King’s School, CCF Report Summer 2011 ARV

As always the Summer Term started with a new intake of keen and enthusiastic Shells; once more the contingent was well over subscribed and with the new members of staff who were shortly going to be on board in the Autumn term it was decided that the intake this year would be of 55 cadets, thus taking the Contingent establishment to over 100, the healthiest it has been in many years. The cadets were quickly processed through the first few weeks of admin, being sized into green kit and they were quickly going to realize that the uniform is very similar to that found in bargain/sale racks in shops and that one size fits no-one. After only a few weeks into the CCF the cadets were to play a major part in the School’s CCF Biennial Inspection and our inspecting officer was the 2 (South East) Brigade Commander, Brigadier SP Wolsey OBE. The Biennial Inspection was going to take the format of a field day where the new cadets were taken through similar stands that were run last year. They went through a round robin of how to cook a 24hr ration pack, basher building, obstacle course and camouflage and concealment. The senior platoon were trained on basic section level fieldcraft skills and drills by a team from the regular army. The contingent stopped training for lunch and held an informal parade in the field in order to make a few presentations. The first presentation was made by an OKS ex-serviceman John Allchurch, who reflected on his time in the forces and reflected on time at the school, he presented his Mons cane to most improved cadet to Cadet Sergeant Thom Arnott. The second presentation was made by the outgoing Cadet Sergeant Major Chris Loyn, who presented the Alan Booth Award “Pace Stick” to the

Miscellany new Head of Corps Cadet Sergeant Major George Moss. After these awards the cadets were given a formal address by Brig SP Wolsey OBE on the importance of the cadet movement within the British Forces. After the brigadiers address we had a contingent photograph and then the cadets were given an opportunity to speak with our guests prior to training starting again in the afternoon. The day was enjoyed by all who attended and the Brigadier wrote a very complimentary report which highlighted the enthusiasm of the pupils and staff and also the support given to the CCF by the Headmaster and the Senior Management within the school. The following weeks were taken up with various introductory lessons for the new Shells, whilst the more senior year groups worked towards Bronze DofE award expeditions and were in preparation for the forthcoming Annual Camp to Crowborough, East Sussex. The contingent had a very strong year and will look forward to 2011-12 being even stronger still with more staff becoming involved, a large contingent of cadets willing to learn and the focus will be put on retention and improvement across the field. All that remains is to

thank the staff who have worked incredibly hard to make the CCF as strong as it is, additionally the support from parents and House Staff in ensuring that each event that is run is well supported and attended by the cadets.

Petits Pingouins DD

During the first two terms of this year Madame Davis organised a new activity with the help of Mademoiselle Zanardi and Madame Geoffroy teaching the children of staff some fun French outside of their lessons. They were divided into different groups of twos and threes depending on their level and age, which ranged from about four to eight. We met once a week on a Thursday afternoon and covered topics that they would also be looking at in school such as numbers, colours and animals but we aimed to encourage them through games and songs.

Nina Etherton and Alexandra Fitzgerald with the Petit Pingouins

THE CANTUARIAN

Traditional French snacks and sweets became a popular reward after their hard work. At the end of the autumn term there was a Fête de Noël where we looked at the differences between the French and British customs. We finished the year with a final celebration to say “au revoir”, and we hope to see them all again next year. Other assistant teachers Alexandra Fitzgerald, Segolène Guitton, Olivia Maisel.

Social Services Report DD

The Social Services activity offers pupils an opportunity to help others in the wider community. This year 56 pupils from the fifth and the sixth forms took part in a wide range of activities in Canterbury and beyond. Helping in schools such as Pilgrims Way or JKS has been very popular and gives pupils a unique chance to work with young children. They learn to have a responsible attitude and behave in an adult way in work like situations, sometimes even enforcing discipline. Thursday afternoons (Hattie Wilson (BR)reports) saw eight pupils travel to the Junior School to work in the pre prep classes as assistants to the teachers. Activities ranged from helping with reading and writing, to class outings and playground supervision. W e were able to try our hand at teaching which was a great experience in working with children. The thought of looking after a reception class seemed slightly daunting at first but it soon became clear what they enjoyed doing, such as building sandcastles and singing numbers in order to learn to count. Overall I have throughouly enjoyed social services; the children were responsive and engaged and it was great to view the progress they made over the course of the year. Thank you very much to Senora Garces-Ramon for organising the weekly visits and I hope to return next year.

at the school whilst others went swimming with them after lunch at Kingsmead. It is a rewarding experience as volunteers have reported on the joys of encouraging these children to achieve their goal. You learn patience and form a bond with the children you help. They look forward to seeing you every week and your support makes a big difference to them as learning from other teenagers is exciting. Charity shops have been a popular option and teach valuable retailing skills. Emily De Bree( HH) and Ed Kendal (TR)l went to the Cathedral shop and their accountancy skills were most appreciated by the staff there. Such shops also give you an opportunity to learn other skills such as dealing with the public in a businesslike manner and working as a team. Constance O’Neill, Alicia Barrett and Hannah Morrison (CY) helped an autistic teenage boy with a special talent for Maths by making specific material for him to use in different subjects. Their visits were reportedly a ”ray of sunshine” to his mother. I would like to thank all the Social Services volunteers who over the past 25 years have helped in the Community. It has not always been easy but their contribution and commitment have been most appreciated and has made a real difference to other people’s lives, especially those who are less fortunate than we are. Senora GarcesRamon will be taking over and I am sure Socials Sevices will thrive under her direction.

Lucy Balicky and Fran Berry( LX) helped with Hockey at JKS which is a good way assisting others whilst practising something you love. Another group was sent to St Nicholas School and was involved with aromatherapy with disabled children

Summer 2011

sport

Sport: team reports

cricket 1st XI RALS

After a successful tour to Dubai (see separate report) we felt the team were well prepared for the season ahead. The National T20 tournament took place over the first two Sundays of term. King’s hosted one of the first rounds at Birley’s. It was a knock-out draw with four schools taking part. King’s played Dover College in the semi-final beating them comfortably with Casper Carter scoring an impressive century. We than beat St. Edmund’s in the final. The following weekend was the regional final at Tonbridge. The standard was noticeably higher and fielding errors in the first innings against a strong Portsmouth side cost us dearly, mainly dropping their top run scorer on 15 before going on to make 95. We then played Brighton in a closely contested game in the 3rd/4th play off but both teams were a little deflated. It was a great experience for the boys and an eye opener to the quality of Cricket that they need to produce to move further in the competition. Our first match was a stern one with a new block fixture against Cranleigh. Although we batted through our overs we were far too cautious against their spin attack and did not post a high enough score to really challenge their batting line up. We followed this however with a dominant

display a week later against Sevenoaks with Mateen Mohammed picking up 4 wickets for 22 runs helping us restrict them to only 113. Jack Masters and Nick Hands knocked it off comfortably with Jack 60 not out. The following two weekends before half term brought excellent weather and a trip to the seaside town of Eastbourne. Eastbourne were bowled out for 268 with our bowlers lacking a bit of control and consistency. There was some excellent balls bowled but followed up by plenty that were there to hit. Our chase started off very well with Nick Hands and George Baker White (who had his best innings of the season that day holing out on 77) getting us to tea in a handsome position. I do not know what was in the tea that day, but self-destruct followed with a crazy run out and some interesting shots chasing the run rate left us 83 runs short when a victory was on the cards. Very frustrating, but some valuable lessons learnt. Felsted were the visitors to Birley’s a week later and Jack Masters 95 and James Hearn 72* cashed in on some average bowling taking us to a competitive total of 240-5 declared. Felsted did not really fancy their chances from the off and limped to 136-6 shutting up shop very early causing frustration to the King’s bowlers who just could not take the wickets. After half term with the pressures of very important exams looming for most we were only managing one full practice session a week. This showed early in this part of the term as our performance against Hurstpierpoint on a very tricky wicket showed. The game was a lot closer than the results showed and another 30/40 runs would have made a big difference.

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With a lot more rain around at this point in the term than usual we lost the Haileybury game but it fortunately settled. Trinity showed a very assured if not agricultural display with the bat amassing a large total. King’s struggled to keep up with the rate, losing valuable wickets at key moments in the match. A little more thought in the field would have restricted them to a more attainable target. Cricket week was finally here and the boys could play some uninterrupted Cricket against some quality opposition. The first was Crawford College a visiting side from South Africa. They set a modest target of 200-6 and King’s looked comfortable until they started to lose wickets. George Stacey hit some form with 78 but frustratingly and naively we came up short failing to hit the runs we needed off the last over to secure victory. The following day Eltham showed us how to chase down a target with some excellent batting. We sportingly declared on 214 after George Stacey hit 102* having batted for 55 overs and they knocked it off with time to spare, again bowling well at points but not enough balls landing in the right areas. The games that followed were all excellent games of Cricket. Sutton Valance were our guests on Thursday. We won the toss and decided to chase. We bowled them out for 224 with Nick Hands picking up 4-34. Jack Masters then timed his chase to perfection ending on 100*, an excellent knock, showing what a quality batsman he is. The OKS were beaten by 9 wickets with Nick Hands finally proving to us all that he is capable of getting more than 35 with 125 not out, with George Stacey scoring

Summer 2011

52 in support. This was a fantastic achievement for Nick which was warmly celebrated by his team mates. The MCC match was another fine game. The MCC batted first and were bowled out for 218 with the youngster James Meddings playing for the first time picking up 6 wickets for 45 runs bowling off spin. This was a remarkable effort showing great signs for the future. Credit must go to Mr Ian MacEwan for developing James’ spin over the term. The total looked very achievable but key players went early in the innings and it took a team performance to get across the line with our number 11 stroking the ball through the covers for victory. The final game against the Band of Brothers followed a similar route with the Band of Brothers amassing 239-7, with James Meddings again picking up 3 wickets. In reply King’s batted well with Jack missing out on another century guiding one to slip for 97. More wickets followed and we came up short having to watch our number 10 and 11 batsmen block out the final overs! All in all it was an enjoyable yet frustrating season of what ifs. The team relied on key players making runs and taking wickets and if that did not happen then the inevitable happened. Our bowling was the thing that we were most worried about and often walking around the boundary we wondered where the wickets were going to come from. However with time, effort and some hard work it slowly improved. The key thing we noticed was other teams were putting more balls into the correct areas and this is something we will have to develop for future seasons.

cricket They younger members of the team would have learned valuable lessons from this season. Ruaridh MacLeod (who has been appointed as next year’s captain) kept wicket well all season, George Stacey hit fine form with the bat at the end of the term averaging 69.75 in the last 5 games and along with George Baker White will need to make the majority of runs next year.

for the future and hope they continue their Cricketing careers.

The departing 6a’s all played their part. Captain Jack Masters was imperious with the bat and if you add the scores from the Dubai tour and T20 he averaged 68 this year which is a fine effort. He is a batsman of real quality and he will be sorely missed. Nick Hands was a delight to have in the team, he contributed to every game whether it was batting bowling or in the field. Tom Dixey, by his own admission, did not have the finest of seasons however his contributions were still valuable and will be missed. James Hearn did not bowl as much as we would have liked this season due to a side strain but his neversay-die attitude always kept the team motivated. Mateen Mohammed and Casper Carter were often the pick of our bowling attack. These are some fantastic individuals leaving the team that will all be missed. We wish them luck

Team from:

A final word of thanks goes to the caterers at Birley’s, John Halliday our dependable umpire and the amazing ground staff who produced the finest of wickets to make all of this possible.

J. S. Masters (captain), R. W. D. Macleod (Wicket Keeper), W. G. J. Baker White, C. C. F. Carter, T. J. Dixey, W. J. W. Fabbro, N. P. Hands, J. W. Hearn, S. N. Leggett, M. N. Mohammed, B. M. Senasinghe, G. A. Stacey. Also Played E. J. S. Gilmore, J. H. Godden, H. J. B. Mann, J. H. R. Meddings, T. G. Sinclair, H. G. Woodward, A. Zerf.

THE CANTUARIAN

Results Cranleigh

Lost by 8 Wickets

King’s 145-9; Cranleigh 146-2

Sevenoaks

Won by 9 Wickets

Sevenoaks 113 (Mohammed 4 for 22); Kings 114-4 (Masters 60*)

Eastbourne

Lost by 83 runs

Eastbourne 268 (Fabbro 3-36); King’s 195 (Baker White 77)

Felsted

Draw

King’s 240-5 (Masters 95, Hearn 72*); Felsted 136-6

Hurstpierpoint

Lost by 4 wickets

King’s 111; Hurstpierpoint 112-6 (Carter 3-10)

Haileybury

Cancelled due to Rain

Staff

Tied

King’s 138-7; Staff 138-5

Trinity

Lost by 76 runs

Trinity 279 (Mohammed 3-40); King’s 197

Crawford College

Lost by 1 run

Crawford 200-6; King’s 199-6 (Stacey 78)

Eltham

Lost by 6 wickets

King’s 219-4 (Stacey 102*); Eltham 220-4

Sutton Valence

Won by 4 wickets

SVS 224 (Hands 4-34); King’s 225-6 (Masters 100*)

OKS

Won by 9 wickets

OKS 220-8 (Dixey 3 for 36, Hands 3 for 50); King’s 221-1 (Hands 125*, Stacey 52)

MCC

Won by 1 wicket

MCC 218 (Meddings 6-45); King’s 219 for 9

Band of Brothers

Draw

Band of Brothers 239-7 (Meddings 3-88); King’s 219-9 (Masters 97, Hearn 51

Summer 2011

BATTING Innings

N.O

Runs

H.S.

Average

Masters

528

100*

58.66

Hands

401

125*

40.10

Stacey

287

102*

35.87

Hearn

231

72*

33.00

Dixey

192

19.20

Carter

18.75

Baker White

189

17.18

MacLeod

12.20

Meddings

33*

53.00

Senasinghe

13.00

Fabbro

7.80

BOWLING Overs

Maidens

Runs

Wickets

Best

Average

Mohammed

261

4-22

20.07

Hearn

40.4

150

3-13

21.42

Hands

83.3

327

4-34

23.35

Carter

55.2

215

3-10

26.87

Dixey

90.2

337

3-36

30.63

Fabbro

278

3-36

30.88

Leggett

292

2-22

48.66

Also Bowled Meddings

133

6-45

14.77

Godden

1-17

23.00

Mann

151

2-27

75.5

Zerf

Sinclair

THE CANTUARIAN

cricket 2nd XI DMT

Scheduled 9 Played 8 Won 4 Lost 4 Rained off 1 After the hardest winter for decades, the Spring brought astonishing and wonderful relief in early April. The Birley’s track was near perfect for the early games, hardly a ball deviating, and with good pace. “If you get out it’s your own fault” was the adage, well merited, yet batsmen did manage to depart, in some numbers and with some facility. The side was composed mostly of 6bs, the exams taking their usual toll amongst 6as. Of these, Vikram Chaudhuri strolled to a fifty in the first game, thereafter effectively to withdraw, though he might have hoped for many runs this year. Charlie Newman captained the early games, being replaced ably by Edward Gilmore and Jordan Godden

Summer 2011

– both very promising for next season. It is seldom easy for a Fifth year player to establish a place, but Louis Bromfield (keeper), Axel Zerf (leg spin and an attacking batsman) and Henry Woodward (bat and medium pace bowler) contributed well and will feature prominently in 2012. Conspicuously the most impressive batsman was Edward Gilmore, with two fifties in May; he would have proceeded to the simplest ton of his career but for a careless slip at Trinity. I remember Edward murdering attacks in his Shell year three years ago – with a slightly more committed approach, he ought to succeed well in the 1st team next year. Several other players contributed well with the bat; Henry Woodward plays with some promise, as do Axel Zerf and Charlie Knox. One feels that we have as yet to see their best – a thorough involvement during the winter preparation and a rather more tenacious approach at the crease (so that wickets are not gifted away) should help realise their potential. With the ball, Jordan Godden and Toby Sinclair, at their best, present a formidable opening pair. Both can swing the ball – Toby at some pace. Jordan has a mature grasp of

cricket the game already and he may proceed to captaincy in the School and beyond. Toby needs a little more accuracy, but is able to deliver a devastating quick ball at off and taking middle. But for a back injury, Harry Mann would have expected more wickets, with deceptively slippery seam bowling. At one point, the team could call upon five leg-spinners; of these, Fred Holt uses low trajectory and Axel Zerf more air, but both should prove very telling as their control develops. Overall, the haul of four wins out of eight was just adequate. My impression was that we might have got closer in the three big losses (Cranleigh, Eastbourne and Felsted will always be stiff opposition) with a little more general Cricketing nous; the Hurstpierpoint game might have been turned over with ease. But, with so few 6as leaving, there is a strong core of players staying with the side for next season, and I hope that this campaign has provided useful experience upon which we will be able to build during the next months.

Duke of York’s

: K 180-6 (Stacey 57, Knox 40), DofY 125 (Leggett 5-17), won by 55

Trinity

: K 203-7 (Gilmore 47, Woodward 61), T 175-7, won by 28.

Team from : C.Newman, F.Acheson-Gray, V.Chaudhuri, C.Lark, E.Gilmore, J.Godden, W.Fabbro, F.Holt, H.Mann, T.Sinclair, C.Knox, W.Berry, H.Leadbeater, A.Bhadresha, E.Hands, H.Woodward, L.Bromfield, A.Zerf

3rd XI RPC

Played 3 Lost 3.

Results Cranleigh

: K 163-8 (Chaudhuri 55, Woodward 44), Cran 166-6 (Godden 3-36), lost by 4 wkts

StLawrence

: K 178-7 (Gilmore 72), StL 70-5, won by 108

Sevenoaks

: 7’oaks 104 (Sinclair 3-23), K 110-3 (Gilmore 50not), won by 7 wkts

Eastbourne

: K 140 -9 (Lark 32not), E 141-4 (Newman 3-18), lost by 6wkts

Felsted

: K 110, F 112-5 (Zerf 4-37), lost by 5 wkts

Hurstpierpoint

: H 152-7 (Woodward 3-17), K 141 (Zerf 40, Godden 27, Holt 21), lost by 11

With the exam season creeping ever further into the Cricket season, the team only managed a few fixtures this year. They played some decent Cricket at various stages of each match, but could not sustain this for the duration of a game and ended up on the losing side in all three fixtures. On a belting track at Cranleigh, we did not manage enough runs, despite Will Berry’s 47. Some occasional wayward bowling allowed Cranleigh to reach the total comfortably. We then came up against a strong Chaucer 1st XI and our total was never going to be enough, given the opposition’s openers’ prowess. We then played an Eastbourne U16A team and again did not quite manage enough runs for our bowlers to defend, despite the best efforts of Freddy Clode and Billy Richardson. Sevenoaks then cancelled our game and that was that for a strangely short season. Team from: Tom Acheson-Gray, Ben Barnard, Will Berry, Ashwin Bhadresha, Freddy Clode, Ed Hands, George Harvey, Nikhil Jain, Jamie Johnson, Charlie Knox, Harry

THE CANTUARIAN

Leadbeater, Abishek Panda, Billy Richardson, Charlie Roberts, Alex Rose, Fergus Ryan, Manoj Sadhwani, Harry Savill.

4th XI

U15 A XI TH

Played 11

Won

7 Lost

RPC

Played 1 Lost 1. A first for some time was achieved with the school managing to field a 4th XI. The only fixture was against a strong Cranleigh side and a veritable runfest provided great entertainment for all concerned. Chasing a daunting target, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly managed to chase it down, thanks in large part to Freddy Clodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aggressive and adventurous batting. Unfortunately we fell just short, but can be proud of putting up such a good fight.

Summer 2011

This has been an enjoyable and successful season including many standout performances. After being beaten by Cranleigh in the opening match of the season the team set about developing all areas of its game. This began at Sevenoaks where the team defended a moderate total thanks to the innings of Louis Glynn-Williams. The team then bowled out Sevenoaks: Harry Pattinson and Patrick macLachlan were the chief destroyers. Against Eastbourne, they batted first and set a large total. The boys were able to knock the runs off by amassing 248 to win by 5 wickets. This was a brilliant batting performance with Captain James Meddings leading from the front with 79. He was well supported by Glynn-Williams, Jamie Adams

and Max Desoutter who scored the winning runs with time to spare. After a lacklustre performance against Felsted the team were back to winning form with the demolition of Hurstpierpoint thanks to the batting of Pattinson and the bowling of Desoutter and the commanding forty run victory against Trinity. The season concluded with Kent Plate 20/20 matches, after an early exit away in the Kent Cup. The team went on to win five games in a row to make the U15 Kent Plate Final against Skinners. Batting first at Tenterden Cricket Club King’s made 178 thanks to a superb innings from Meddings. Unfortunately the blowing came up against a very strong batting line up which couldn’t halt the runs, which saw Skinners deservedly take the title. This was a disappointing finish to the campaign but an excellent game of Cricket. The great thing about the team was the team-work and the strong will to win. Everyone has contributed and stood up when called upon. Henry Collister has developed into an effective opening bowler while Patrick macLachlan has scared opposition by bowling fast. Harry

Pattinson has been consistent both with bat and ball and Jamie Adams has delivered some powerful batting when called upon when sending the ball towards cow corner. Louis Glynn-Williams has also chipped in with some hard hitting at the top of the order while Sam De Haan has kept wickets extremely well. Ben Methven has developed into a fine leg spin bowler and Jacob Furedi and Max Desoutter have set the standards with some excellent fielding. James Meddings has shown his class with the bat and bowled extremely well. He has been outstanding as captain of the team. All the boys should be congratulated on a successful season. A huge thank you must be given to Mr MacEwen. His knowledge and insight of the game is immense and all the boys have benefited from his expertise and support – thank you. Team from: James Meddings (Captain), Jamie Adams, Edward Baker, George Baker White, Jack Benton, Henry Collister, Sam De Haan, Max Desoutter, Jacob Furedi, Louis Glynn-Williams, Idris Kaplan, Patrick macLachlan, Ben Methven, Harry Pattinson, Harry Stacey.

Results Cranleigh

Lost

Cranleigh 237 – 3 (Pattinson 2 – 28); King’s 120 all out (Meddings 23, De Haan 33).

Sevenoaks

Won

King’s 127 – 8 (Meddings 20, Glynn-Williams); Sevenoaks 114 all out (macLachlan 3 – 32, Pattinson 3 – 19, Collister 2 – 17).

Eastbourne College

Won

Eastbourne 248 – 4 (Desoutter 2 – 19); King’s 249 – 5 (Meddings 79, GlynnWilliams 55, Adams 50, Desoutter 20 not out).

Cranbrook 20/20

Lost

Cranbrook 171 – 5; King’s 112 all out (Baker White 40, Adams 32).

Felsted

Lost

Felsted 216 – 3 (Glynn-Williams 2 – 25); King’s 129 all out (De Haan 34).

Hurstpierpoint

Won

King’s 169 – 8 (Pattinson 51, Adams 37); Hurstpierpoint 136 (Desoutter 4 – 35).

Borden Grammar 20/20

Won

Borden Grammar 113 – 5 (Methven 3 – 22); King’s 114 – 2 (Baker White 74 not out).

Dane Court 20/20

Won

King’s 183 – 4 (Baker White 78, Pattinson 47); Dane Court 98 – 8 (Methven 3 – 15, Meddings 2 – 18).

rinity

Won

King’s 134 – 7; Trinity 96 all out.

Herne Bay High School 20/20

Won

King’s 204 – 3 (Adams 58, Pattinson 84); Herne Bay 95 all out (Furedi 4 – 24).

Skinners 20/20 Kent Plate Final

Lost

King’s 178 – 5 (Meddings 78); Skinners 179 – 3.

THE CANTUARIAN

Cricket U14 A XI Sevenoaks

159-6; KSC 160-4 (Leggett 89*).

Won.

St Edmund’s

114; KSC 115-2.

Won.

Eastbourne

102-8; KSC 69.

Lost.

KSC 124-9;

Felsted 125-2.

Lost.

Hurstpierpoint

91-7; KSC 86-8.

Lost.

JPB P 8

W 3

We had a number of quality cricketers in the U14A side this season and expectations for the season were high. Unfortunately, we did not really meet those expectations fully, and certainly we let slip a number of matches that we should have won. However, in each of the matches there were often standout performances, (James Leggett 89* vs. Sevenoaks) it was just a shame that we could not always ensure a whole team performance.

The pick of the batters were James Leggett and Charlie Sinclair, who looked increasingly accomplished as the season went on. Todd Hunt, George Booth-Clibborn and George Hill also contributed useful runs when called upon. The bowling attack was led by William Parker and Calum Kolade who look a real threat for future seasons. They were ably supported by off spinner Robert Ellison and seam bowler James Pye. Behind the stumps Milo Harper was a re-assuring presence and was a destructive performer with the bat also. The team was ably led by allrounder Charlie Sinclair and I thank him for his captaincy this season. This team has plenty of talent, and no doubt with greater maturity and experience under their belts, they will go from strength to strength in future seasons. Team from: C. Sinclair(c),H. Vavasour, M. Harper (wk), J. Leggett, W. Parker, C. Kolade, T. Hunt, G. Hill, R. Ellison, J. Pye, G Booth-Clibborn

Results Cranleigh

173-6; KSC 155-7.

Summer 2011

Lost.

East Kent Under 14 Six-a-side Tournament: KSC won their pool, qualifying for the semi-finals, when rain stopped play. Cricket v Haileybury

Cancelled

Under 14 A Duke of York’s

48; KSC 49-0.

Won.

Under 14 A KSC

136; Trinity 137-9.

Lost.

U14 B XI The U14B have been a pleasure to coach this season. Results may have not gone our way and we have faced some formidable opponents. However the spirit and desire of the boys was highly commendable. The side was lead by Hugo Simmonds and every member played their role. The last game of the season summed up the team. After what the boys will call a “terrible” bowling performance and some lusty hitting from the Trinity School batsmen, they finished on 207-2 after 20 overs! Ed Vinsen who has been opening the batting all season and has flourished there lead the reply with a solid 32 and was backed up very ably by Tom Sheppard-Barron who has been steadily improving all season with both bat and the ball (25). We eventually finished on 108-7 after 20 overs.

cricket Haileybury Tom Glynn-Jones for me has been the pick of the bowlers and deserved the 10 wickets he claimed this season. Will Foss bowled beautifully all season long also and thoroughly deserved his 3 for 7 against Hurstpierpoint. Shola Okocha has been solid as a rock all season when needed, with either the ball or bat he has delivered. Alex Preston has opened the batting for the side all season long. He has been extremely unlucky at times getting the best ball of the day on a number of occasions. His work rate was rewarded by being selected for the A team on three occasions. Kumi has been a little live wire this season. Never before have I met a student with the determination and desire to perform like him. He will run in and bowl all day if he could, and bowled beautifully against Eastbourne College. Harry Maughan was a late addition to the B team this year. His batting is unorthodox but effective and this showed against a strong Eastbourne College outfit and smashed their opening bowler all round the park for a well deserved 36. Bedhir Kaplan has been one of the most enjoyable to coach this season. His personality has defiantly rubbed off on the team this season. He batted superbly against Hurstpierpoint with an unbeaten 34. Team from: K. Akinale, W. Foss, B. Gibbon, T. GlynneJones, M. Humphries, H. Maughan, B. Kaplan, O. Okocha, A. Preston, C. Richardson, T. Shepard-Barron, H. Simmonds, E. Vinson

Trinity

Lost by 99 runs

U14C XI It was an inauspicious start to the season: the first match found the U14Cs on the wrong end of an unqualified pasting, having posted the lowest batting score in the history of Cricket; but after this the boys managed to turn things around in a remarkable way. The captain, Harry Churchill, began to make runs, and when he had a total to defend he took wickets; his 4 for 11 against Felsted was a particular highlight. We also saw some bullish batting from Harry Maughan and reliable contributions with the ball from the likes of Roger Kelly and part-time contributor Nico Mann; all this produced a run of three wins in a row – despite our wicketkeeper insisting on wearing Teflon gloves – which was unfortunately brought to an end with the last game of the season against Trinity. Nevertheless, the team held on to a winning record – played 5, won 3, lost 2 – and can be proud of their term’s work.

Girls’ Tennis 1st VI

Sophie Knight

Results Cranleigh

Lost by 121 runs

Wellesley

Lost by 6 wickets

Sevenoaks

Won by 18 runs

Eastbourne

Lost by 73 runs

Felsted

Lost by 6 wickets

Hurstpierpoint

Won by 79 runs

Played 6, Won 3, Lost 3. Our first match was against Epsom College; we played well against a tough side and came out with a win. All players played well, and with Anouska Newman with us for this match adding her quality to the squad, we managed some comfortable wins against their pairs.

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girls’ tennis Our match against Queenswood gave us the opportunity for all of us to play on clay courts, which is always a pleasure. Their first pair provided a good match for all our pairs and sadly beat all our pairs, the rest of the matches went pretty smoothly with all players playing well and having some really good rallies and we were even able to get a few Rafa style slides in on the courts here and there. This match provided a first for King’s Tennis - a snake on court! Benenden always provide a strong side for us to play and this year not only did we play them in a school match but also the Aberdare Cup, they proved difficult to beat on both occasions. We put up a good fight and the final scores didn’t illustrate the game play, there were some terrific rallies happening on all courts that kept everyone on their toes; sadly though when we needed to win those vital points we just couldn’t do it. Our match against Sevenoaks proved to be another tough match; although there were some wins against their pairs it proved difficult to beat the top pairs, and though our games improved as the day went along with some doubles play that looked so in sync, we unfortunately had to take another loss. Over this term the tennis standard has progressed and our doubles tactics and togetherness on the court has improved greatly. This has been helped with the support of Mrs Robert’s coaching during the week, which has given us good tactics to use on court and has also made the matches that we played better matches for spectators. Squad: Sophie Knight (Capt), Harriet Lee, Anouska Newman, Martha Knight, Flora Snape, Franzi Gabbert, Harriet Wilson, Annie Mockridge, Lucy Wallis, Nikki King.

2nd VI Played 5, Won 5 The 2nd VI had an outstanding season. They started by playing Epsom College which is always a very tough opening match. However, they set the tone for what was to come by playing some very aggressive tennis and winning comfortably. After this start they didn’t really look back and were only really troubled by the 1st pair of the Kent College 1st VI. Even the unfamiliar experience of

Summer 2011

playing on clay at Queenswood did not prove a problem for this very talented squad. They completed an unbeaten season against Epsom, Queenswood, Benenden, Kent College and Sevenoaks. Squad: Nikki King, Izzy Berry, Annie Mockridge, Lucy Wallis, Ellie Christanakis, Harriet Wilson, Harriet Preston, Olivia Highwood.

3rd and 4th VI Played 5, Won 5

The 3rd and 4th VI played great tennis throughout the term and demonstrated that it is possible to train hard and have a great deal of fun on court. They, like the 2nd VI, were not troubled by any of their opposition and their performances are a great representation of the Tennis at King’s. Many thanks go to Sara Wood who coached the sides throughout and kept them motivated and happy.

U15A P7 W7 L0 The U15A Girls’ Tennis team had a very successful Summer term, winning all of their matches played. In achieving an undefeated season, the girls should be very proud of themselves and each other. It was a complete team effort and their consistency and positivity was remarkable. They are a great group of girls with a very strong bond as friends off of the court. This support system helped to reinforce strong and confident on-court play which led to a very successful season. Following a relatively easy start to the season, the girls faced their first bit of competition against a decent Felsted side. Initially falling behind after dropping some silly points and games, the girls battled back to secure a 5-4 win. Though it probably shouldn’t have been a close

girls’ tennis match, the character to compete until the end would remain throughout the season. Perhaps the most impressive point in the season was the remarkable victory over the perennially strong Benenden side. After the shaky Felsted win, the team needed a bit of a mix up and partners were moved around in order to best capitalise on chemistry. Madeline Phillips joined Charlotte Hart to form the first pair while Lucy Dean and Molly Nainby-Luxmoore formed a strong second pair. Despite having only played with new partners for under a week, the girls achieved a resounding 9-0 victory over Benenden. This was the most impressive, and perhaps surprising, win of the season! In the next and most exciting match of the season, the girls managed to emerge victorious against a very strong Sevenoaks side. On paper, the pairings favoured Sevenoaks, but in reality, the fierce and fighting play from the team earned them the win. It came down to the last game and point as Charlotte Hart and Maddie Phillips fought to win against Sevenoaks’ strong first pair. In all, the girls should be extremely proud of themselves for their consistency, confidence, and intense effort throughout the season. In a very strong Remove year, these six girls fought to earn their places on this team and continued to achieve and prove their asset to the team. Issy Forbes and Issy Jamieson deserve particular mention for their continual success as a pair, complementing each other beautifully on the court. With such a strong all-around team from the first to the third pairs, they made it extremely difficult for anyone to beat them! Squad: Charlotte Hart, Madeline Phillips, Lucy Dean, Molly Nainby-Luxmoore, Isobel Jamieson, Isobel Forbes.

Results Epsom College (a)

7-2

Kent College (a)

8-1

Queenswood(a)

8-1

Felsted (h)

5-4

Benenden (a)

9-0

Sevenoaks (a)

5-4

Brighton College (a)

9-0

U15B P8 W5 L3 The U15B Girls’ tennis team capped off a highly successful season winning all but three matches, which were dropped by the narrowest of margins. The girls were an eager group, approaching the sport with a great deal of positivity, laughter and fun. While many were new to the sport, the experienced girls helped to lead the way by example. Overall, the girls should be very happy with their team effort and all that they have achieved this term. The girls began the season with resounding wins against weak opponents. Epsom, Kent College and Queenswood could not match the smart and tough play of the King’s side. Unfortunately, the girls reached a bit of a rough patch over the course of the next three matches. Facing some difficult opponents, the B2 side dropped a close match to St. Edmund’s and the Bs did the same against Felsted. Despite some strong performances, it was not enough for the team to emerge victorious. In the next match against Benenden, the strong play of their opponents ultimately stymied the King’s team efforts and they dropped the match by a score of 6-3. As they had been doing all season, the girls worked hard to the end and the last two matches were no exception. Beating a strong Sevenoaks side and soundly dominating against Brighton College, the Bs finished up the season with a winning record and should be very proud of their efforts. Sophie Lark and Lucy Warr, Maisie Briggs and Florrie Hodgkinson, and Natsuko Saegusa and Anika Patel all excelled throughout the season. They pushed each other to improve and continued to complement each other to the best of their abilities. Their willingness to

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play, readiness to learn from mistakes, and overall efforts helped the girls to make tremendous improvements over the course of the season. All should be commended for their excellent Tennis season! Squad: Sophie Lark, Lucy Warr, Maisie Briggs, Florence Hodgkinson, Natsuko Saegusa, Anika Patel, Alexia deMontalembert, Darya Loika, Georgina Legg, Carmen Brown, Natalie Yip.

Results Epsom College (a)

8-1

Kent College (a)

9-0

Queenswood (a)

8-1

St. Edmund’s (a)

4-5

Felsted (a)

4-5

Benenden (a)

3-6

Sevenoaks (a)

6-3

Brighton College (a)

8-1

U14 A LC

P6L1W5 It has been a real privilege to take the U14 girls Tennis teams this Summer. They have enjoyed a very successful season, made great improvements to their game and had a lot of fun in the process. The whole U14 squad have enjoyed a winning season and are definitely a side to watch. Right from the first training session it was evident that we had incredible strength and depth across the whole squad and this often presented real dilemmas when making team and pairing selections. The U14A side was captained in an exemplary fashion by Olivia Simpson, who was dedicated in practice and led

Summer 2011

by example on the court. A stylish player with polished strokes, Olivia was partnered for most of the season by Alexander Taco Murray whose powerful serves and physical presence often overwhelmed opponents. The partnership of Amelia Baker with her poise and extensive repertoire of shots and the naturally talented Annabel Pattinson was very successful. The battle for the third pairing was tremendous; Seiya Grant & Eleanor Hartland were real stalwarts with great understanding and communication they embodied the concept of teamwork. However hot on their heels were Eliza Cocksworth and Ellen Kennedy who progressed through the ranks of the B squad to usurp Seiya and Eleanor from their A team slot. These four girls should be congratulated for their competitive, friendly spirit and for the grace with which each dealt with their respective promotion or demotion. Eliza and Ellen’s partnership went from strength to strength; Eliza’s disarming talent, gutsy character and refusal to give up chasing any ball combined with Ellen’s consistency and calm manner made them a hard pair to beat. The A team powered their way through matches, playing increasingly intelligent and determined tennis. No wonder they cruised through the majority of their games, only coming unstuck when facing a very impressive Sevenoaks side. All of the players were dedicated in training, friendly on the court and encouraging off it. They have made great progress in their skills this year and their development and potential makes for an exciting future of girls’ tennis at King’s. Special thanks are due to external coach David Smiley and Hannah Barley for her enthusiasm and keen efforts to inject fun into every session and to all the parents who supported us at every game, especially when we didn’t tell them where we were playing! Squad: Olivia Simpson (c), Amelia Baker, Annabel Pattinson, Alexander Murray Tacon, Eliza Cocksworth, Ellen Kennedy

Results Epsom (A)

Won

9-0

Queenswood (A)

Won

7-2

Felsted (H)

Won

6-3

Benenden (H)

Won

8-1

Sevenoaks (A)

Lost

2-7

Brighton College (A)

Won

8-1

as a great chance to compete against a local competition. The meet was well attended, and yet again the standard of those in the Canterbury District was high. However the King’s athletes were fired up and we the school managed to secure the following invitations to attend the Kent Schools’ Championships:

Athletics

Fusi Awosika (Inter Boys 100m)

ARV

Freddie Catterell (Inter Boys 800m) Herbert Wigwe (Inter Boys High Jump)

Once more into a Summer Term of sport and once again with the Athletics club reaching well over 100 participants, proving that no matter how hard they are trained and how far or fast they are made to run the popularity of the sport continues to grow. Continuing with last year’s programme of fitness session on Tuesdays, track days at Canterbury High on Wednesdays and Friday’s session at Birley’s focusing on Field events. The aim was still to try and ensure that our athletes were not just offering one discipline and that they could be utilised in both Track and Field events. With the same group of coaching staff and teachers there to install enthusiasm in the team, last year’s momentum of training and discipline were quickly installed. This year saw an introduction of two captains of Athletics, a Captain of Track Kola Lawal and a Captain of Field William Pargeter, such is the diversity of the sport it was decided that this would be the fairest representation. Once again they led by example, attending training regularly and rallying round pre fixtures to ensure the teams were fit and that all events and year groups were represented. They both proved to be excellent role models and ambassadors for the school displaying key values of excellent commitment, communication and enthusiasm. The Athletics seasons routinely takes place in the first half of the Summer term and as a result has to deal with the worst of the Summer weather, this year it also had to deal with a very late return to work, post Easter, a Royal Wedding and IGCSEs starting earlier than exams have ever done in the past. With slightly more training than most schools attending the District Individual Team Championships, we decided to enter the majority of our junior team in order to use it

Nosa Omosigho (Inter Girls 300m) Tarun Ganglani (Jnr Boys 100m) Muchwezi Wilkins (Jnr Boys 400m) This was the largest representation that we have had invited to the Kent Trials for some considerable years. The first fixture for the club was at home to Cranbrook and Eastbourne (girls only). After this fixture had to be cancelled last year due to bad weather, the squad were keen to compete in order to win back the silverware. The weather was perfect and the competition ran smoothly and it was a very close competition throughout. The final event of the day was a 4 x 400m Senior Boys Relay that went right the way down to the line. In one of the most valiant displays of athleticism witnessed in many years, Tom Ralston returned from a 60m deficit to take the lead, and finally crossed the line in a photo finish with Cranbrook as both runners collapsed in a heap with a dipped finish. This placement was really important with relay points counting for double in the marks and this was where in previous years this competition has been lost. Fortunately this year this was not the case, although beaten marginally at boys Senior and Junior level, the girls had secured enough points to call King’s the winners. Our club had entered into a Canterbury and St Augustine’s District Fixture Meet rotation for the Junior Team in order to ensure that they had regular fixtures and in order to gain as much competition experience as they could. This mainly took place on a Tuesday afternoons and was in place of that week’s training session. These were enjoyable fixture’s but due to their nature not held on the

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athletics best facilities and for this reason may not have been taken as seriously as they could have been by our Athletes. The next Saturday fixture was the Duke of Yorks Cup; this was held at the Duke of Yorks Royal Military School and also attended by Dover College and St Lawrence. Our team arrived early without a single athlete dropping out, the mood was positive and with a strong team on paper for both boys and girls’ teams all that was left to do was to compete as best we could. This is exactly what the team did as they jumped, threw and raced against some very tough competition. The competition went all the way to the relays once more where our 4 x 100 boys were disqualified for leaving their lane; the only saving grace was that the DOYRMS boys’ team were disqualified for their baton change over. The final results were announced and with both boys and girls points added together we had won the overall competition by just one single point. This is the first time that the school had won the Duke of York’s Cup since 1994, a fantastic achievement by all who attended. Our Girl’s Senior and Junior teams also attended a meet at Benenden Girls’ School, this was a late start on a Wednesday after lessons and the team had already started to be depleted due to the imminent examinations that were going to affect the core of the squad. This was sadly going to be the only fixture that the girls would lose this season, or you could say that we took silver at this fixture, which is still a respectable podium place in Athletics. Finally, we took six of our Athletes to compete at the Kent Schools Athletics Championships, a competition that they were invited to attend post District trials and set in the fabulous Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford. The competition was very tough and there were some amazing athletes of all ages and disciplines. This was a good experience and highlighted to our 6 athletes that if this was their aim, that they should train throughout the year and join a club in order to maximise their potential. Our athletes were supportive of one another regardless of the outcome of the races, however the highlight of the day was Muchwezi Wilkins winning his 400m junior heat comfortably, then going on to win the final with an even quicker time of 56.75seconds and securing a place in the Kent Athletics Squad. A great achievement and the first athlete from

Summer 2011

King’s that I have been lucky enough to witness qualifying from this meet. It still remains the aim to see Athletics develop and improve at King’s, this season proved that with a bit of hard work and a scattering of individual talent that King’s can compete on the circuit. I would like to thank the hard work and efforts of the older members of the club for displaying a high level of enthusiasm and commitment and encouragement to the younger years. A special thanks to Kola Lawal and William Pargeter as Captain(s) of the team and for their efforts and participation throughout this season. I would like to thank our coaches Pat, James, Gary, June, Denise, Miss Smit, Dr Stewart, Mr Stennett and Mr Orders for their enthusiasm and expertise throughout the season. I congratulate Fusi Awosika as Captain of Track and George Plews as Captain of Field on their appointments for Athletics next year and look forward to hearing of their further success. Individual District Championships, Tuesday 3rd May. v. Cranbrook and Eastbourne (girls), Canterbury High Track, Saturday 7th May (H) Senior Boys:

Cranbrook 1st King’s 2nd

Jnr Boys:

Cranbrook 1st King’s 2nd

Open Girls:

King’s 1st Cranbrook 2nd Eastbourne 3rd

Overall:

King’s 1st (311) Cbk 2nd (300) Eastbourne 3rd (66)

v. Kent College, Herne Bay High, Tuesday 10th May (A) Jnr Boys:

KC 1st

King’s 2nd

HBH 3rd

Jnr Girls:

King’s 1st

KC 2nd

HBH 3rd

Overall:

KC 1st

King’s 2nd

HBH 3rd

riding v. DOYRMS, St Lawrence, Dover College, Saturday 14th May (A) Open Boys:

DOYRMS 1st

King’s 2nd

St Law 3rd

Dover College 3rd

Open Girls:

King’s

1st

DOYRMS 2nd

St Law 3rd

Dover College 4th

(Inter Girls 300m)

47.72 sec, did not qualify

Tarun Ganglani

(Jnr Boys 100m)

13.39 sec, did not qualify

Muchwezi Wilkins

(Jnr Boys 400m)

56.75 sec, Qualified

The King’s School Equestrian Team

Overall: King’s1st

Nosa Omosigho

DOYRMS 2nd

St Law 3rd

Dover College 4th

v. Benenden Girl’s, Wednesday 18th May (A) Snr Girls:

Benenden 1st

King’s 2nd

Jnr Girls:

Benenden 1st

King’s 2nd

Overall:

Benenden 1st

King’s 2nd

Father F. Arvidsson: Master i/c Riding

Once again, the KSC Riding Team enjoyed a very exciting Summer Term of competitions. We began by hosting an Inter-schools show jumping challenge at Rooting Street Farm against five local schools. We were able to turnout three good teams of four for the event and ended the day with an impressive two wins over Benenden and Ashford and a fourth place for our novice team.

v. QEGS, Canterbury High School, Tuesday 24th May (A) Jnr Boys:

QEGS 1st

King’s 2nd

CHS 3rd

Jnr Girls:

King’s 1st

QEGS 2nd

CHS 3rd

Overall:

King’s 1st

QEGS 2nd

CHS 3rd

Kent Schools Championships, Saturday 11th June

We ended the year at the National Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships at Hickstead. Our team of three comprising of Poppy Arvidsson MR, Charlotte Wickham LX and Aine Wright CY put up an excellent challenge against a very strong field of opposing teams from across the country and N Ireland: 67 schools in total and in what can only be described as very difficult weather conditions. We ranked 33rd, which for our first major outing was extremely encouraging and this has given us all the confidence and motivation to strive for future success in 2011/12.

Fusi Awosika

(Inter Boys 100m)

12.19 sec, did not qualify

Freddie Catterell

(Inter Boys 800m)

2:06.26 mins, did not qualify

Of course, being able to compete as a team is only made possible because of the continued support and friendship we have from the parents.

Herbert Wigwe

Inter Boys High Jump)

1.71m, did not qualify

Team Captain for 2011/12 is Laria Collister MR

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Swimming Report Pam Murray: Head Swimming Coach

Captains of Swimming for 2010/2011: Max Judge and Emily Kerr Most improved swimmers’ trophies: Michael HollihanSarmiento and Samantha Solly Lent Term This is now the main swimming term for all county events, national public schools relays, various tournaments and inter-house swimming. Patrick macLachlan excelled at the county programme, winning two golds, one silver, and three bronze medals

swimming over various distances on freestyle and backstroke. He also won the county schools’ championships on 100m backstroke. He broke six school swimming records, three of which have stood for 18 years. Anouska Newman had a very good Lent term for swimming, breaking two butterfly records during the inaugural Weald and Downland Tournament, and won both butterfly and freestyle events. Lily Begg also capped a new record for the girls 100m butterfly at the county schools event. At the county schools our boys’ relays produced great results and personal bests, with a number of our teams reaching finals 5th Place Junior Boys medley and freestyle teams (Ivan Prisyazhnyuk, Patrick Chan, Ben Champion, Jea Seong Yoon, Theodore Frobert).

From left to right: Charlotte Langridge, Sam Solly, Izzy Whitaker (Winners of the Beneden Shield) for under 16 girls in the Weald and Downland tournament - (missing from photo, Anouska Newman). Rear:Paddy macLachlan (triple county champion).

Summer 2011

swimming 6th Place Inter boys’ medley and freestyle teams: (Patrick macLachlan, Jeff Tang, Michael Hollihan Sarmiento, Harry Gibbon)

Senior girls; Marlowe, Mitchinson’s and Carlyon (day houses), who broke the 4x25m medley record which had stood since 1999. Junior Boys – Meister Omers

Weald and Downland Tournament. Senior boys - School House. This inaugural tournament was formulated by Pam Murray (King’s) and Russell Freeman (Tonbridge) with contributions from Epsom and Eastbourne . It involved a number of schools getting together to produce an elite interschools match with trophies donated by various schools. King’s was an outright winner in the intermediate girls section (Sam Solly, Anouska Newman, Isabelle Whitaker and Charlotte Langridge) coming first in every event, and winning the Benenden Shield. Individual swimmers to win at this event were Honoury Cheung, Anouska Newman, Isobelle Whitaker, and Sam Solly. At our Home Tournament (now in its 6th year), King’s under 14 boys came =1st which was our best ever result with this age group - Ivan Prisyazhnyuk, Ben Champion, Patrick Chan , Theodore Frobert and Jea Seong Yoon. Ivan also won his individual breaststroke event. Our under 16 boys came second, narrowly losing out to Bishop’s Stortford, with the senior boys placed 4th. Again our under 16 girls dominated their events to win this age group, with Anouska Newman and Charlotte Langridge winning individual events. They were joined by Samantha Solly, Sophie Wilson, Isabelle Whitaker and Auerlie Kent to win the relay events. School Inter-House

Summer Term Paddy macLachlan gained a fifth place in the in the south England district championships on 50m crawl in his age group and was called up to represent his county in an inter-counties event, gaining 3rd place in the 100m backstroke. An open competition was held at Margate – Lorcan Halfacre gained a well-earned silver medal in the 50m breaststroke, with Patrick Harte coming 5th in the freestyle event. A first match with Walthamstow Hall proved to be exciting and well matched, with King’s narrowly winning the under 15 event and the hosts narrowly winning the senior event. It is hoped this event will be expanded to a tournament in 2012. King’s attended the annual Harrow Tournament – with many teams pulling out at the last minute due to exams. Only one other team (Stowe) turned up on the day which was most disappointing. However some good swimming was produced by our swimmers, although we were also short of pupils due to exams. Harrow won the boys event, Stowe were second and King’s third. For the girls, Stowe narrowly beat King’s by four points. This tournament will be earlier next year.

The format was changed for 2011 by introducing junior house and senior house winners for both boys and girls, giving houses the opportunity of entering just one or both categories.

Shooting Report

Winners were:

Junior Girls – Walpole The Summer term saw all the hard work during training come to fruition, with Sam Gearing shooting a maximum

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rounders possible 100 points (‘pos’) on the final round of the NSRA Inter-County Junior competition and leading his team to 2nd place overall. Sam was the only person in the Kent Junior squad to score a ‘pos’ and, in addition to his County Colours, received a letter of congratulations from the County Captain for this excellent result. Sam Gearing, Ella Kelly and Christian Sinclair also progressed through to the second round of the NSRA/Eley National prone rifle competition and Sam Gearing and Ella Kelly shot some excellent cards in the second stage to qualify for the finals at Bisley in August. The weather for the finals was exceptionally good and Sam and Ella both shot well. On this occasion Ella shot a personal best at the 50m distance and came third overall in her class winning an engraved lead crystal jug. Sam finished tenth in his class and won a lead crystal goblet. With over 1000 entries in this competition it is a superb achievement for the club and it shows the commitment and consistency of our shooters. In addition to the NSRA/Eley finals, Sam and Ella also shot for the British Schools Great Britain squads in the annual shoulder-to-shoulder match against Denmark. Sam was selected to shoot in the ‘A’ team and Ella was selected for the ‘B’ team. The scores on the day were exceptionally close and Denmark ‘A’ pushed the British Schools ‘A’ team into Silver medal position with the British Schools ‘B’ team coming 4th overall. Ella had the highest score in ‘B’ team but unfortunately the team missed out on a Bronze medal by a couple of points. Looking forward to the Autumn term, Sam, Ella, Katya Ignatiev and Bobby Sebolao have all been selected to shoot for the Kent County Junior squads and Ella has been selected to shoot for the Kent County Ladies 1st squad as well. With selection for the British Schools international against New Zealand rapidly approaching we wish all our shooters every success for the coming season. Thanks as always to the hard work and dedication of our coach, Keith Jefferies.

Summer 2011

Rounders 1st IX Despite only playing a few games, the seniors made a good impression on those games that they did play winning all of them, particularly our win over Epsom, which is usually our hardest fixture on the circuit. The team trained hard at training sessions and worked well as a unit to improve their batting and fielding. MVP was awarded to Anna Gibson for her highly consistent skills at backstop. Not only is her backstop to first throw absolutely insane but her batting, often onto another field is incredible! Those who deserve special mention in the squad include Frankie Kent, Immy Moore and Fran Newman for their dedication and positive attitudes. These senior players were pivotal in the team’s successes and were instrumental in the team’s tactical play. Team from: Louise Augustine-Aina, India Dearlove, Venetia Fryzer, Ella Gault, Anna Gibson, Frankie Kent, Emma Laing, Dom Masters, Fran Newman, Jaya Melwani and Immy Moore. Results V Epsom

25 – 19 ½

V Sutton Valence

17-13

V Cranbrook

12-9

V Sevenoaks

10-7

U15A IX The U15A side had a mixed season of results with some excellent wins over tough opposition however our nemesis for the season was Sevenoaks. We played them early on in the season in a triangular and were unable to find our rhythm so were pleased when we knew we had

ROUNDERS another opportunity against them later on in the season. On the second fixture, we still were unable to tackle their batters early on in the innings and let them run away with the win. The U15’s had some good performances, particularly their win against Epsom and Ashford School. The most memorable moment of the season was Gen Masters hitting the ball so hard that it went out of the rounder’s pitch and into the car park narrowly missing parked cars – needless to say it earned her well-deserved rounder! Special mention must go to Lizzie and Verity for their improvement over the season and hard work in both training sessions and matches. Team from: Amelia Cook, Helen Ferrett, Amy Gault, Gen Masters (Captain), Flora Mockridge, Temi Otedola, Verity Sayer, Gemma Taylor, Lizzie Trelawny-Vernon and Lucy Tynan. Results V Epsom

24-19

V Sutton Valence

22 ½ - 8

V Sevenoaks

13 ½ - 8 ½

V Simon Langton

14 ½ - 12

V Ashford School

19 ½ - 8 ½

V Sevenoaks

17 ½ - 11 ½

V Cranleigh

18 ½ - 8

V Sevenoaks 1st team

5½-4

V Hurstpierpoint

24 – 6

U14 IX The U14A team were arguably one of the most successful teams throughout the Summer term! Losing only two games all season is a remarkable result for this squad. Captained by Scarlet Pughe, this team possessed all the ingredients to be a successful team; a hard working attitude, non-stop enthusiasm and the desire to improve. Match by match the team grew in strength. Our bowling was consistent, our fielding was slick and accurate and

our batting kept improving, often hits going so far our opposition had to create a chain of throwers. Reo, Phoebe, Amaka and Quillie were exceptional batters giving us the edge in our innings. This year marked the first year that we were invited to the Benenden Tournament and what a surprise to go and win! We played consistently, beating Benenden in the semi-final (who we had lost too early in the season), which was a real confident boost. All the girls in the team played a pivotal role to the terms success and it was a pleasure to coach them all season. Team from: Tireni Atoyebi, Helena Barton, Quillie Erskine, Lily Ford, Jess Hodcroft, Reo Jones, Jimena Lain, Freya Logan-Green and Phoebe Lundy, Amaka Oditah, Scarlet Pughe (Captain). Results V Epsom

26-24

V Sutton Valence

16 ½ - 6

V Sevenoaks

23 – 12

V Benenden

26 – 24 ½

V Sevenoaks

15 ½ - 10 ½

V Cranleigh

23 – 3

V Kent College

20 ½ - 8

V Sevenoaks 1st team

13 ½ - 10 ½

V Sevenoaks U15A

18 ½ - 7

Winners of the Benenden Invitational Tournament V Benenden C

7½-1½

V Benenden E

12 – ½

V Benenden A

7–4

V Homewood

12 ½ - 4 ½

V Beechwood

8–1

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rounders U14B IX

Inter-house Competition

Team from: Eloise Clark, Pippi de Bree, Millie Dent, Michaela Higham, Catriona Jenkinson, Kanapath Oungpasuk, Emily Solly and Charlotte Ward.

The inter-house competition this year was quite possibly one of the best we have had to date. There was enormous support from all houses and it was nice to see a real sense of house identity. The junior competition was very close throughout the pool stages with the semi finals between Broughton and Harvey and the other between Mitchinson’s and Carlyon – the first time two days houses have made it to the semi-final stage. A very nail biting semi final between the two day houses saw Mitchinson’s winning by one rounder in the last ball of the innings. Broughton edged themselves into the final also with a very toughly contested semi with Harvey. A very close final however Broughton batters were too hot for Mitchinson’s fielders.

Results V Benenden

12 – 9

V Simon Langton

12 – 11 ½

V Sevenoaks

16 ½ - 16

U15B IX

Juniors – Winners Broughton

Team from: Izzy Anderson, Lucy Arbis, Sophie Bansal, Fran Bright, Sophie Brown, Izzy Curley, Tara Fitzgerald, Alicia Fowler, Sabine Gossellin, Phoebe Hanson-Lowe, Camilla Johnson, Lucinda Royce, Eleanor Sly (played up also), Gigi Sunley and Lauren Wilson. Results V Sevenoaks

16 ½ - 7 ½

U14C IX Team from: Tenesan Arenyeka, Poppy Arvidsson, Siobhan Casha, Jen Cox, Katherine Gardiner, Vicki Morrison, Maddi Parker, Georgia Piper, Georgiana Prior, Lauren Rix, Meagan Scanltebury, Elizabeth Van Liew and Sophie Wells.

Summer 2011

The senior competition was similarly competitive with Harvey keen to retain their senior title and hot behind their tails, Broughton were looking to gain the win after finishing runners-up. The pool stages were close with again excellent play by the day houses however the final saw Broughton vs. Harvey. Those of you who watched it, it was the most nail biting inter-house event ever! Star hitter Anna Gibson was caught out on her first ball but a stunning catch by Rosie Fenning in 1st deep. Harvey totalled up a respectable score although at times appeared a little rumbled. Broughton worked hard to total up their score with excellent batting and with one ball to go, Broughton need ½ a rounder to win. Harvey kept their nerves and bowled well giving them their deserved trophy to return back to house. Mrs. Cocksworth and her girls were exceptionally pleased. Seniors – Winners Harvey

golf Golf Harry Yeates

This term has been hampered largely by early exams, which have forced the team in to a shortened fixture list.

The season’s curtailment due to exams has been a disappointment but there has been much progress and thanks our two pros at Canterbury and Royal Cinque Ports.

Girls’ Rowing Report Chloe Ellis (6a MR)

The Summer term began with the Senior Putter (an internal scratch stableford competition) at Chart Hills; the team found the unfamiliar course and the windy conditions trying, with some pedestrian scores being carded but Harry Yeates managed to post a respectable score of 29 points to take the trophy. The Senior Putter acted as a useful warm up for the Smarden Bell competition against Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Eastbourne, also held at Chart Hills. Always a fun and friendly competition to take part in; the Bell this year sadly proved an easy victory for Tonbridge with King’s coming second. The Inter-House competition came two weeks later, the field was sadly reduced by exams but most houses were able to put out a team. The competition was tense to begin with but School House pair of Tom Potter and Harry Yeates managed to take control on the back nine at Boughton, taking the trophy with 44 (scratch stableford) points. There was then a long hiatus for the team with important exams to concentrate on for most players, but at the end of June we welcomed a touring Hilton College side from South Africa for two nights. We could only put out a weakened team due to musical and other sporting commitments and so the result was never in doubt as they had a particularly strong side on show, but we secured a round at The London Club, a European Tour destination. The standard of the matches was very high as the opposition’s calibre of play inspired many of our younger team members to new levels with Charles Barrois putting in a sterling performance. This sadly though was not enough as we succumbed 4-0. Thanks also go to John Cawdron for standing in as Captain for the hosting dinner.

The start of the Summer Term brought the regatta season, racing starts and the ‘first crew to the finish line wins’ system. No more of the time-trial head races that take over the winter months. But for most of the Senior Girls it was a balancing act between doing our GCSEs, AS and A Levels and going to training. What was most impressive was that our training was hardly disrupted considering how many exams we had. Most people continued to come down to the lakes through the exams and saw it as a break to relieve stress. In total we lost eight finals. Disappointed in coming second best and not racing that little bit harder to win, we should be proud of winning the heats to make it to the finals. The best race of the term was at Richmond Amateur Regatta. At the end of the 1.2km course when we crossed the finish line it looked like a dead heat with Latymer Upper School, one of the best girls’ rowing schools in the country. After sitting at the finish line for five minutes waiting for the result, the verdict in the end was that Latymer won by a canvas. But it was a good effort all round from everybody in the four. Credit goes to the cox, Eva Wallis, who steered us round the challenging bend and to Amanda Thomas, Svenja Perkins and Jane Ellard for their tremendous effort during the race. Even though we lost by a canvas we couldn’t have tried any harder. Despite the disappointment of coming second in many of our races it has been a good year with plenty of highlights we can look back on. This year we did 8 different boat classes despite there only being 5 different women’s boat classes at the Olympic Games. It was the first year for a very long time that the girls at King’s did sweep-oar rowing and hopefully they will continue to do so in the future.

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rounders It will be sad to say goodbye to Eva Wallis, our cox, at the end of the term. Despite only joining us in the sixth form she picked up the sport very quickly. She has been at nearly every race in our four and eight. She helped us learn sweep-oar rowing when we were complete beginners. Her motivation kept us going during dozens of races. We wish her well with her rowing in the future and hope we have left her some good memories. She has faced many challenging events in her time at King’s such as steering some challenging bends at Richmond Regatta and setting our course to overtake nine crews at the Women’s Eights Head of the River last term. Another member of the squad writes: Chloe has very modestly not written a word about herself, but she has given her all to the sport. She has been a model Captain of Sculling for two years, and has set a brilliant example to everyone else in the Boat Club. Her dedication has made her an excellent rower, especially in terms of technique, both in sculling and sweep-oar. She has brought great organisation and commitment to the squad, always sorting out who would be at which training sessions on and off the water, as well as helping with the entries for head races and regattas. If we ever got a bit too competitive or tempers ran high, Chloe was always there to make sure we concentrated on working together to get the best results we could. She will be greatly missed not just by the Senior Girls’ squad but by the whole Boat Club. We have enjoyed this year and there has always been a good team environment in the girls’ squad, supporting each other. Our coach Andy Turner has done many things for which we are grateful. Without his coaching and support we wouldn’t be able to go to races or improve our pace. We are also grateful for the work that Julian Fox has done as Master in Charge of Rowing and hope the club will excel in the future, especially as a new Master in Charge, Mr Jon Williamson, takes over next year. Thames Ditton Regatta Our first race in the eight took place at Thames Ditton. Despite winning off the start our nerves and lack of experience as a crew got the better of us and we eventually lost. Nevertheless it was a good effort for a first race from the whole crew. The race in the four was also

Summer 2011

disappointing, but every race, no matter what the result, is good experience. The Shell girls, racing in a large entry of 12 crews, including one from JKS, had a very good first race but unfortunately lost in their semi-final. WNOV 8+

Amanda Thomas, Svenja Perkins, Jane Ellard, Vittoria Warszewski, Chloe Ellis, Emily Champion, Hannah Presdee, Stephanie Sy-Quia and Eva Wallis (cox) Lost in first heat

WJ14 4x+

Honoury Cheung, Tzeamara Goddard, Willa Briggs, Jemima Chesterfield and Hugh Miller (cox) Lost in semi-final

WNOV 4+

Amanda Thomas, Svenja Perkins, Vittoria Warszewski, Chloe Ellis and Eva Wallis (cox) Lost in semi-final

Walton and Weybridge Regatta It was a good effort from the whole crew to make it to the final at Walton but in the end we came second. WNOV 4 +

Amanda Thomas, Svenja Perkins, Jane Ellard, Vittoria Warszewski, Chloe Ellis and Eva Wallis (cox) 2nd of 6

National Schools Regatta National Schools was during the middle of our exam time. We continued to train for it and had reasonable results in the very windy conditions, which doesn’t help the very light members of our team. But with nobody qualifying, we hope to do better in the future. It was the first time the girls did a coxless four and we did fairly well in a strong headwind against much bigger crews with more experience. Thames Valley Park We came up against some tough competition at Thames Valley Park but still enjoyed some good racing in small boats.

Rowing WJ17 4x

Amanda Thomas, Jane Ellard, Vittoria Warszewski and Svenja Perkins 2nd of 2

WJ18 2x

Amanda Thomas and Chloe Ellis 2nd of 2

WJ17 2x

Svenja Perkins and Megan Rolph Lost in first heat

WJ17 2x

Jane Ellard and Vitoria Warszewski Lost in first heat

WJ18 1x

Chloe Ellis 2nd of 2

Richmond Amateur Regatta It was disappointing to lose our race in the four by a canvas but nonetheless it was a very good race and a great effort. Victoria Mansfield was the star of the day winning her first heat to make it to the final where she came second. She had a very good race in her single scull. WJ18 4+

Chloe Ellis, Amanda Thomas, Svenja Perkins, Jane Ellard and Eva Wallis (cox) 2nd of 2

WJ18 2x

Chloe Ellis and Eva Wallis 2nd of 2

WJ17 2x

Amanda Thomas and Svenja Perkins 2nd of 2

WJ15 1x

Victoria Mansfield 2nd of 4

WJ17 1x

Amanda Thomas Lost in first heat

WJ17 1x

Svenja Perkins Lost in first heat

WIM3 1x

Chloe Ellis Lost in first heat

Rowing in the holidays Amanda Thomas (6b CY)

As was the case last year, some members of the Boat Club, both male and female, continued training and competing over the Summer to maintain fitness and keep up the racing spirit. This proved most worthwhile, as we achieved some success at regattas as well as experiencing many hours of rowing fun.

Kingston Amateur Regatta At the beginning of the holiday we enjoyed a fun day at Kingston, with lots of entries in a range of events. WNov 2x

Jane Ellard and Victoria Mansfield Lost in first heat

WJ18 2x

Amanda Thomas and Chloe Ellis 3rd of 3

J16 1x

Nicholas Hastings Lost in semi-final

WJ16 1x

Victoria Mansfield Lost in first heat

WIM3 2x

Amanda Thomas and Chloe Ellis Lost in first heat

Nov 1x

Nicholas Hastings Lost in first heat

Burway Masters’ and Juniors’ Regatta Despite a problem with the legendary orange Land Rover meaning that an alternative vehicle to tow the trailer of boats had to be found at the last minute, we made it to Burway for some sunnier racing. The WJ18 2x were delighted to see all their work pay off in a victory over Walton Rowing Club; a pleasing end to the several years we have rowed together. WJ17 2x

Victoria Mansfield and Svenja Perkins

WJ17 1x

Svenja Perkins

WJ18 2x

Amanda Thomas and Chloe Ellie 1st of 2

WJ15 1x

Victoria Mansfield

WJ18 1x

Chloe Ellis Lost in first heat

WJ18 1x

Amanda Thomas 2nd of 3

Sudbury Amateur Regatta This regatta was again the highlight of the holiday’s events. The festival atmosphere is always great fun and the unusual course sometimes allows unexpected results – not always negative! Svenja Perkins attained her first sculling point at this event, while Chloe Ellis, winning in a category ahead of her status, moved up to Intermediate 2. It was excellent that our Captains of Boats, Ali Brown and Chloe, were rewarded with victories in their last event

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rowing with the King’s Boat Club, to which they have given so much over the past few years. WIM2 1x

Chloe Ellis 1st of 3

WJ17 1x

Amanda Thomas 2nd of 4

J18 1x

Alistair Brown 1st of 2

IM3 1x

Alistair Brown 1st of 6

J15 1x

Edward Thomas Lost in first heat

WJ17 1x

Svenja Perkins Lost in first heat

WNov 1x

Svenja Perkins 1st of 3

WJ17 2x

Jane Ellard and Amanda Thomas 2nd of 2

WJ18 2x

Chloe Ellis and Svenja Perkins 2nd of 2

the regatta itself and we were fortunate that Milo Reddaway was available as a very handy substitute. Unusually the J15 Quad event was raced on the Sunday of National Schools’ which was badly affected by strong winds (sadly all too often a problem at Nottingham). With Toby Sargent back in the crew and on the water for a time trial, there was a long delay until finally it was announced that this would decide the medal positions. When the crew raced, they had already been on the water for about an hour in a strong wind and this brought on severe cramp in our bowman Nick Hastings: all credit must go to him for finishing the course, but not surprisingly the crew finished well down the rankings. Crew: Nick Hastings, Ed Bryant, Toby Sargent, George Edwards, cox: Ed Thomas.

Boys’ Rowing Report Remove Boys At the beginning of the Summer term, all of the squad who had trained in the Lent Term were available with Toby Sargent now fit again after several months off. At first it wasn’t clear what our top boat combination would be, but after just one outing in a quad, which went considerably better than could have been expected, it was clear that we had a boat that would be competitive. Ed Thomas volunteered to cox and this he continued to do so up until half term with considerable enthusiasm, adding very positively to the crew. After only two weeks the crew raced at Thames Ditton: in their first race at 9:30 in the morning (necessitating a departure from Canterbury 6:30 am) they pulled away comfortably from local school Kingston Grammar. In the next, they were half a length up with about 100m metres to go and looked to be in control, but in fairly rough water and showing their inexperience, there was a severe shipwreck which allowed their opponents to get ahead. In the last few strokes they began to move up again but the final result was a loss by one foot. This encouraging performance confirmed that this was to be the crew for National Schools, but in the intervening time Toby Sargent again became unfit and uncertain for

Summer 2011

This group raced once again at Richmond Regatta, but with Toby again unfit, Milo came into the crew and to give Ed Thomas some racing experience, he swapped with Nick as cox. The crew won the semi-final, but lost in the final: a very respectable performance. Nick and Ed Thomas also raced in the singles event and George and Ed Bryant, racing in a double, won their first race but lost in the semi-final. Shell Boys With only three boys remaining from the successful quad in the Lent term, we were very pleased to see the addition of Ben Champion, who had rowed before at Junior King’s, and Hugh Miller, who started the term with no experience at all, but who very quickly became their very enthusiastic and effective cox. They raced for the first time at Thames Ditton. Having won the first race, they were up against a good Windsor Boys’ crew: at about half way with our crew about half a length down, a cruiser strayed onto the regatta course forcing the umpire to stop the race, but instead of ordering a re-row, as would normally be the case, he awarded the race to the other crew – even the Windsor Boys’ coach came and apologised to the crew afterwards.

rowing At the National Schools’ Regatta the crew raced again and qualified for the semi-final, eliminating 14 other crews in the process, but weren’t quite fast enough to get to the final. In the final regatta of the term at the Peterborough Junior Championships, they again raced in the quad, but Galvin Brady and Harry Best-Shaw also raced in single sculls and Jack Lee and Ben Champion in the doubles. Unfortunately for Galvin, one of his feet came out of its shoe after only a few strokes and though he would otherwise almost certainly have qualified for the final, was unable to cope with such a handicap. Though Harry didn’t get past his first race, he was was very pleased to find that he wasn’t been very far off the pace and the double raced well to get through to the semi-final but weren’t experienced enough to get to the final. This meant that in the latter part of the regatta the only remaining event for them was the quad. The crew were entered in the ‘B’ event, which is for crews who haven’t previously won at a regatta. In the first race they produced the fastest time, but only by a second or so and racing again in the semi-final, their time was just beaten by a crew in the other half of the draw. It was therefore likely that first place in the final would be contested by these two crews and this is in fact what happened: racing over 1000m, after 250m the other crew was a little ahead, but the King’s crew kept their heads and gradually began to pull back so that at 500m the crews were neck and neck. It was then that the crew really showed remarkable maturity, as with real determination and good maintenance of technique, they closed the door on the opposition and pulled out to a length and a half lead, and though their opposition made up a little ground in the last 250m, our crew had won by a margin of 4 seconds – a time that would in fact have placed them 5th in the ‘A’ event. It is only when one considers that there were only 5 boys from which to select a crew of 5, that one realises quite what a performance this had been. The Winning Crew: Ben Champion, Jack Lee, Galvin Brady and Harry Best Shaw, coxed by Hugh Miller.

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Sailing HROM

The warmest spring ever known coincided with some exciting developments for King’s sailing (April-June). The season began in the Easter holidays with the acquisition and fitting out of a set of six brand new fireflies together with the best attended Easter sail training camp, ably led by Peter Gray, OKS, whose Oxford University team had recently won the BUSA team racing championship. The addition of the fireflies, which are now the dominant boat for school and university sailing, has greatly enhanced our team race training, while the relocation of six of our 420s from the lake to Whitstable Yacht Club provided further scope for fleet racing on the sea in the run-up to Itchenor. Meanwhile, in the Easter holidays our match racing trio, William Goldsmith, Benjamin Warnick and Giles Dean, also trained for Match Racing in SB3s before entering the National Schools Championship, held at Datchet SC, where the team showed excellent form winning all their races. As the country basked in the pre-Easter heat wave it was a shame the event could not be completed owing to the wind dying on the second day. Among the best achievements of the top squad sailors were the strong performances in the BSDRA SE Championship (5th/22) at Bough Beech SC and the BSDRA Southerns (2nd/10) at Spinnaker SC. At the latter championship King’s sailed particularly well to win every race through to the finals where we encountered a superb MCS Oxford team. First team sailors, William Goldsmith (capt), Hannah Goldsmith and Elizabeth Wauchope consistently helmed well while the crews Henry Bentley, Alexandra Pye, Tristan Smith and Ben Warnick honed winning tactics. The very best of our performances came in the end of term Schools’ Nationals at Itchenor. We took a team of ten sailors with five boats, each pair representing one of the five year groups in the school. Itchenor was fun, the sailing was excellent and four pairs (6a to Removes) finished in the upper “gold” league division. Two King’s boats won trophies. In fireflies, Elizabeth Wauchope and Alexandra Barkshire won 1st girls boat. In 420s, the recent pairing of William Goldsmith (crew) with Inese Torralba (helm) produced impressive results, not least

THE CANTUARIAN

sailing winning the award for fastest boat in a timed race. Will and Inese found their best form on day two winning three successive races and looking set (if only there had been a day three) to dispossess the two national squad 420 sailors of the top spot. This was William’s third Itchenor when, as both helm and crew, he has finished with a top two position (even as a shell he came 6th). As captain he has set the benchmark for King’s sailing whether in fleet racing as at Itchenor, team racing on the BSDRA circuit or in “big boat” match racing right at the top. It will be a challenge to follow his outstanding contribution and we also say farewell to Tristan Smith and Henry Pritchard, who have also made a big contribution to the success of sailing throughout their time at King’s. With such strong helms as Alexander McCulloch, Hannah Goldsmith, Elizabeth Wauchope, Alexandra Barkshire and Giles Dean to take on the lead of the senior squad, the talent and enthusiasm exhibited by the junior squad also bodes very well for the future. Among the successes of the juniors, an impressive 1st in a three school tournament at

Eastbourne (sailing picos) over senior teams of Eastbourne College and Brighton College was followed a week later by reaching the finals of the Kent Schools Topper team racing championship. Sebastian James, himself a fifth former, took on the captaincy of a dozen removes and shells, some of whom had started as novices just four weeks before. The juniors became more and more successful in winning races against senior teams. Under the captaincy of William Stonehewer-Smith, in the BSDRA Thames Valley championship a win over Millfield marked a strong finishing sequence and at another BSDRA event, taking advantage of light airs, the Remove and Shell sailors of King’s B won an even more famous victory over King’s A! This produced uninhibited glee among the junior team reflecting the promise of helms Nathan Howell, Helen Woodward and Quillie Erskine and crews Henry Cross, Katherine Sorab and, the most plucky sailor of any school on the water, Elizabeth Cooke. Richard Stonehewer-Smith and Henry Bettley also sailed well as our youngest pair ever at Itchenor.

BSDRA EK Championships

Summer 2011

101

sailing On our home waters of the Westbere lake two events stand out for their success and enjoyment. King’s again hosted the BSDRA spring championship, held on the very first Saturday of term. The event attracted 14 teams, a good contingent of teams coming from the M25 radial, such as Ardingly, Hustpierrepoint, Wellington, Haileybury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Kent Schools SA, but others travelling a considerable distance, such as teams from Norwich School, Uppingham and Rugby. It showed how our catchment area has grown to half the country. Norwich (fortified by bed and breakfast in King’s) were worthy winners, but I could not speak too highly of our own sailors who were perfect hosts and, with the help of a steady F3 breeze in warm sunshine, facilitated the running of 55 races to complete an excellent afternoon of competitive sailing. The other event, which always engages great passion, was the keenly contested house sailing tournament. As this had been postponed from the previous autumn (due to an algae problem) it was not held at the best of times for the main sailing squad but most houses fielded very capable teams, including some very talented sailors such as Inese Torralba (LX) and Quillie Erskine (BR) who were new to King’s sailing. Honours went to Galpin’s as worthy winners; to Grange as runners-up; to Harvey as best girls’ house team. William Stonehewer-Smith (GL) won best helm and Nathan Howell (MO) best junior helm. Meister Omers was awarded the house participation trophy, and it was great to see the enthusiasm of all participants especially as the event was held on a Sunday afternoon. The county of Kent with its long coastline and inland waters is, of course, one of the best known UK sailing counties. We are fortunate, particularly in East Kent, to have access to a wealth of sailing resources and this includes sailing instructors. We are most grateful to Mr Barry Dodds, a former Kent coach, Mr John Hope, Ms Joanna Gambrill, Ms Rhea Shepherd as Senior Instructors, for their excellent guidance and support. Huge thanks are due to colleagues Richard Ninham, for giving so generously of his time and enthusiasm both on the water and in taking teams to events, to Katie Griffiths, and to Mr Jon Hutchings for taking the team to the very successful event at Spinnaker SC. Many thanks also to King’s boathouse manager, Andy Turner, for the use of boathouse facilities outside the school term. Finally, King’s sailing could not

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possibly do what it does without the support of OKS and parents, not least Mr Christopher Goldsmith who has kindly acted as co-manager at NSSA and RYA events. Also sailed in school teams: Alexander Ardley-Ingram, Hugo Clews, Llewellyn Cross, Olivia Goodey, James Griggs, Sasha Grover, Miles Holland, Georgina Macdonald, Thomas White. Results NSSA Match Racing, Datchet SC:

1st= (on races sailed, but event not completed).

BSDRA Team Racing Spring Championship, Westbere SC:

King’s A 6th / King’s B 10th / 14.

BSDRA South East Region, Bough Beach SC, Kent:

King’s A 5th; King’s B 16th / 22

U 15s v Eastbourne and Brighton Colleges at Eastbourne:

1st .

KSSA Topper Team Racing, Redoubt SC, Hythe, Kent:

King’s U 15 teams– 3rd 5th 8th, 11th / 12.

BSDRA Southern Region, Spinnaker SC, Hants:

2nd /10.

BSDRA Thames Valley Region, Bray lake, Maidenhead:

King’s A, silver; King’s B, bronze fleet positions.

Whitstable Yacht Club, club race:

general fleet, 1st (I Torralba and W Goldsmith).

Itchenor SC National Schools Championship, West Sussex:

420s – 1st (timed race); 2nd (overall championship) and 11th; Fireflies – 1st all girls boat; 4th, 8th and 15th / 49.

THE CANTUARIAN

the interview ‘Your Starter for 10’: Mrs Cornell Lucy Wallis (6b WL)

Why did you choose to become a teacher? Honestly? I fell into teaching. I went to Argentina, and played poker for a year after university. I lost all my money and had to come back and do something so I got a temporary job as a maternity cover teacher.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? When I was five I wanted to be an astronaut. By the time I was fifteen I wanted to be a lawyer and when I was twenty one I wanted to be a theatre director. And then it all went wrong.

What would you be if you weren’t a teacher?

What appeals to you the most about King’s? Lovely students. Will that make them any nicer? (Laughs) It was a combination of the place and realising that I really loved the job that made me stay. I think I fell in love with the location first because I’d never been to Canterbury before I came for my job interview. My husband jokes I’ve only ever worked in chocolate box cities. I’ve only ever worked in Eton, Marlborough, here and Durham so I fell in love with the location and then I made some excellent friends. And then it turns out that I’m pretty good at teaching..

How would you describe your typical school day? Always different and that’s why it’s an excellent job. I love teaching because I’m always learning. I teach books that I haven’t read in ages or sometimes I’ve never read so that I’m stretching myself as well as my students

What has been the highlight of your teaching so far? At King’s? (LW: No, anywhere) I saved a boy’s life - not at this school but another school. He was choking to death in the lunch hall and I did the Heimlich manoeuvre on him and then put him in the recovery position because he’d passed out.

I’d go back to the theatre.

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What is the strangest thing that has happened at King’s so far? Well Mr and Mrs Cox have a long-running tradition of playing practical jokes on me. Sometimes Mr Cox comes in and prises keys off my keyboard and changes them around so I get confused. One of the strangest days was coming in to find that my classroom had become a campsite; they had broken into my classroom at night and erected a tent in the middle of the room. I had to teach my Shells around a tent. (LW: Did you get a photo?) No, but I did get revenge. (LW: What did you do?) That’s a secret. Ask Mr Cox… (cackles).

What has been the most memorable lesson you’ve ever taught at King’s? It’s not a lesson per se, it’s individual moments. It’s the moment when you realise a student’s really got your subject. You know, literally, they get it. Some people never tell you that your teaching’s made a difference. For example during the summer on Commem. I came back to my classroom to find that one of my students had left a gift outside my classroom with a little letter saying that although he’d never told me, he’d really got my teaching style and it had changed his mind about the subject. And he never said that to me personally; he just wrote it in a letter.

Summer 2011

If you were the Headmistress, what would you change about the school? Well they didn’t give me the job when I went for it in the most recent round of interviews, obviously. (LW: Did you apply?) (She laughs) No. A lot of what the new headmaster has done has been very good. I think the students will get used to it, it will make them sharper and more professional and a more respected body. Would I change the uniform? (She ponders) I might model it more on the Christ Hospital Uniform, you know, where men wear long skirts. I think if everyone looks equally ridiculous then there’s a kind of solidarity in ridicule. No I wouldn’t, I like the uniform! And the brooch would stay.

If the Common Room was burning down, which three teachers would you save and why? Can’t I live on my own? I mean do I have to save three? (LW: Yes) (She looks mildly disappointed) You see I am a bit of a natural loner. Well, my three teachers would have to help me survive so I’m going to pick Major Vintner because he can build me a shelter, Mr Cox because he can forage for food and the new headmaster. (Her eyes glaze over) Because with all other members of senior management team burnt to a cinder, they’ll have to promote me, you see, so I’d be the new Deputy Head. And they are looking for a new Deputy Head so how convenient if the Common Room burnt down - my path to greatness is free! Don’t tell them about the manic look in my eyes.

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Overheard and howlers

‘Sharing is generally a bad idea’ ‘Why is there no brown sugar? This is discrimination!’ ‘Being “hot” is doing things, “pretty” is just standing there.’ English teacher, about a human character in a book: ‘She is literally a fish out of water.’ ‘Ginger is the new blonde.’ ‘How can you even have a bubble in biro ink? It’s a solid fluid.’ ‘Physics is too perfect.’ ‘This is a whole new barrel of fish... hang on...’ French teacher: ‘I have sacrificed Shells.’ Biggest howler of the term: SUMMER0 TERM (on the front of the calendar)

The Cantuarian Editorial Committee Mrs A. L. Young (Editor-in-Chief), Mr Lee Rigley, Mr Ernest Sykes (Sport) Matt McArdle (Photographs) Senior Editiors: Amanda Thomas, Lucy Logan Green, Edward Lawrence-Jones. Louise Augustine-Aina, Isobel Berry, Bess Chung, Anna Coady, Jane Ellard, Rosanna Fenning, Edward Hands, Anna Heslop,Nicholas Ma Siy, Florence Savage, Lucy Wallis

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THE CANTUARIAN