Elements

Elements 2018-2019

I can hardly believe that a year has already gone by since I first met this new cohort of Elements. But what a busy year it has been! We first had a great induction day which gave all students the opportunity to get to know each other and explore the College. I always enjoy seeing them all looking so smart in their new school uniform when we take the class photos. The day gave them the chance to get to know their tutor and classmates, get their Bunsen Burner Licence in their first Science lesson, discover the grounds through a treasure hunt and become familiar with the lunch routine (something dear to our students’ hearts!). Only two weeks later, we set off on our Induction Camp at the Phasels Woods Activity Centre. We had two very exciting days there as students took part in eight different activities including caving, zip wire, archery and high ropes. In the evening, we all sat around a big camp fire to eat marshmallows and sing a few songs. It was also an opportunity to come together in prayer and thank God for new friendships and wonderful opportunities as well as ask Him for help and guidance for the year ahead.

The weather this year proved a little challenging but the wind and rain did not stop us from having fun. I was

impressed with our students’ good spirit throughout the camp and with how they supported each other during the activities or when sorting out wet kit.

This year, another very special event took place only one week later which was another opportunity for students to bond with each other: the trip to Douai. This trip meant so much for the College and it was lovely to see so many Elements join in the Edmundian spirit.

All through the year I have been proud to see so many Elements involved in a wide range of events and activities around the school. Many took part in musical events (music recitals, Schola Cantorum, Carol Concert, etc.), sports fixtures, House competitions and the College production of School of Rock.

This year also saw many academic successes as we saw an unprecedented number of Elements students signing the Headmaster’s Book for their outstanding achievements. Some students even signed it more than once!

The winners of our inter-form merit competition this year were Briant with 1251 merits! A particular mention must go to Annabel Downes and Serena Chugh for gaining 110 and 106 merits respectively! An incredible achievement! Well done girls!

But all these successes would not have happened without five very important people: the Elements tutors. A huge thank you to Laura Hill, Deirdre Mallabone, Silvia Rinaldi, Jason Hounsell and Kieran Jones for all they did for their students this year!

After such a successful year, all that is left is for me to do, is to wish all Elements good luck for next year. I look forward to watching their progress and future successes.

Elements Awards 2018-2019

Half term awards

Every half term, each Elements tutor chooses one student in their form to receive the half-term award which is then presented in an Elements Assembly. These can be given for a variety of reasons (achievement, progress, helpfulness, effort, involvement in a specific event, etc.) and tutors found it hard at times this year to choose one student only, as this year group was full of well deserving students. Nevertheless, they could only choose one person each half-term and these students can be very proud of their achievements amongst such strong competition from their peers. October awards

ARROWSMITH Chloe Hayes BRIANT Lucian Torún-Shaw KEMBLE George Adeyemo SHERWIN Samuel Hay-Campbell

December awards

ARROWSMITH Adriana Mazarron Hernandez BRIANT Annabelle Downes KEMBLE Jemima Uzoka SHERWIN Imogen Richardson

February awards

ARROWSMITH Kiana Hawes BRIANT Zara Demetriou KEMBLEGabriela Twiss SHERWIN Sophie Gower

April awards

ARROWSMITH Rosie Woolfe BRIANT Thomas Cresci KEMBLE Serena Chugh SHERWIN Airon White

May awards

ARROWSMITH Erin Bowen BRIANT Rohan Small KEMBLE Harry Michael SHERWIN Jackson Howe

June awards

ARROWSMITH Dylan Dawe BRIANT Adriana Cassera KEMBLE Nkechinyerem Ezuma SHERWIN Amelia Hudson

Students of the Month

Each month, I choose one student from each tutor group to be my Student of the Month and as usual, it was a very hard choice to make every month this year. I selected students who had impressed me in some way, with their mature attitude, their dedication to their studies, their improved effort or their support of their peers. I tried to select students who would sometimes go unnoticed but would show true Edmundian spirit in an understated way. The students below have all shown these qualities and can be proud of their achievements this year. September

Zara Gardezi, Adriana Cassera, William Reville, Emma Denny October

Eugene Wilson, Rohan Small, Serena Chugh, Finn Doyle November

Erin Bowen, Nathan Mamonkita, Nkechinyerem Ezuma, Roisin Devonald-Smith December

Anna Burton, Isabella Ward, Sid Stringer, Thomas Bass

January

Dylan Dawe, Oscar Smits, Francesco Schonberg, Qmarlah Lynch February

Stella Wilkinson, Luca Padalino, Inès Ferguson, Joshua Luke March

Chloe Hayes, Sophie Macneill, Ayami Rajapaksha, Theo Ramchurn

April

Kiana Hawes, Daisy Constantinou, Erin Marks, Miles Liversidge May

Karun Budwal, Ben Dervish, Scarlett Gale, Abisah Pwamang

Corrèze, France Adventure Trip - July 2019

At the end of a busy Trinity term, 37 Elements and 5 teachers set off for their adventure week in France. After sleeping for the majority of the journey we arrived in very sunny and very hot France and were warmly welcomed by Clare and all her wonderful staff at Club Corrèze.

The week was filled with exciting activities including high ropes, water sports, river scrambling, archery, climbing and rifle shooting– there wasn’t a dull moment. Students had the opportunity to practise their French and to experience Mass in a foreign language in the beautiful Abbaye de Meymac Saint André.

On the Sunday, we made our way to Château de Val for a memorable high ropes course, set in the grounds of the castle and its lake. Such a beautiful backdrop for an exciting activity.

On Monday we visited the lake of Sèchemaille for a full day of water-based activities: paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking and canoeing. Great skills were learnt, although some students seemed to spend more time in the water than in their canoe! One of the highlights of the trip was the river scrambling on the Dordogne, undoubtedly one of the most picturesque regions of France. Students enjoyed the challenge of navigating their way along the river and were rewarded with stunning views and refreshing waterfalls. Every evening the fun continued with a treasure hunt, initiative games, team games and a quiz.

The week ended with a delicious barbecue cooked by Clare’s husband Gerard and a disco which included ceilidh music and attempting to follow some traditional Irish dance routines.

Clare and her team did such a great job of looking after us throughout the week, preparing home cooked meals, organising activities, and ensuring that the trip always ran smoothly. Students discovered the delicious tastes of French onion soup, caramel flans and homemade pâté. Breakfast each morning consisted of typical French pastries and hot chocolate that were appreciated by students’ and staff alike.

I must thank the teachers: Nikki Wells, Maria Sargent, Liam Woodward and Nicholas Eliasson - for all their help with the organisation of the trip and joining me on another successful Elements trip.

Elements 2019-2020

What a strange year it has been! As I look back at the photos of our Induction day and our Induction Camp in September 2019, I feel very proud of this Elements cohort and all they have achieved over the course of the year despite some challenging circumstances.

Our Elements 2019 cohort arrived in September full of energy and enthusiasm. After a very successful induction day, they had the opportunity to get to know each other better over the two-day Induction Camp at Phasels Wood Activity Centre. We were blessed with glorious sunshine this year and students thoroughly enjoyed all the activities. I was impressed with their positive attitude and initiative throughout the camp. They really helped and supported each other during the activities and joined in all the challenges with enthusiasm and determination.

The Elements soon became an integral part of life at the College, volunteering to guide visitors during the Open Day, taking part in House Competitions, helping organise the Senior Citizens Party and raising money for Charity. I was particularly impressed to see so many Elements involved in our Drama Production of Me andMy Girl!

Then remote learning started, and I could not have been prouder of the way Elements worked and conducted themselves throughout this time. Overnight, we asked them to manage all their work independently and handle a huge amount of emails, VLE tasks, Zoom invitations and digital documents. We asked so much from our Elements and they delivered! Although I do not wish to ever see schools closed again, I will keep fond memories of our video lessons and tutorials with Elements. Over these 12 weeks we had a variety of quizzes, scavenger hunts, pet shows, talent shows, dressing up competitions, etc. Elements took it all in their stride and raised to every challenge.

During lockdown, they also wrote some wonderful letters to the senior citizens in local care homes. The elderly residents who received them were ever so grateful.

I must thank my wonderful team of tutors who guided and supported Elements throughout this year: Jason Hounsell, Laura Hill, Kieran Jones, Silvia Rinaldi, De Mallabone, Sarah Colligan, James Adams, Maria Sargent and Jessica Armitage.

After such a strange year, I look forward to seeing everyone back in school in September!

Elements Awards 2019-2020

Half term awards

Every half term, each Elements tutor chooses one student in their form to receive the half-term award which is then presented in an Elements Assembly. These can be given for a variety of reasons (achievement, progress, effort, involvement in a specific event, helpfulness, etc.). Well done to all the winners! I know how hard it was for tutors to choose one student only, as so many students were deserving of an award. October awards

ARROWSMITH Millie Gibson BRIANT Amelie Wiggins KEMBLE Cornelia Scott SHERWIN Kimberly Hodges WARD Marti Climent

December awards

ARROWSMITH George Storey-Braun BRIANT Zac Jordan KEMBLE Tanishaa Chudasama SHERWIN Jean Desramé WARD Caitlyn Barrett

February awards

ARROWSMITH Boluwatife Ibironke BRIANT Pollyanna Downes KEMBLE Daisy Hallam SHERWIN Beatrix Dadson WARD Hugo Brady

Students of the Month

Each month this year before lockdown, I chose one student from each tutor group to be my Student of the Month and it was a very hard choice to make. I selected students who had impressed me in some way, with their mature attitude, their dedication to their studies or their support of their peers. I tried to select students who would sometimes go unnoticed but would show true Edmundian spirit in an understated way. The students below have all shown these qualities and can be proud of their achievements this year. September

Jachari Dixon, Emma Pipe, Olivia Hendley, Philippa Hudson, Hugo Brady October

Thomas Hipkin, Helen Zhou, Agatha Carr, Ellis Jones, Christen Dosumu

November

Isabella Antoniou, Isabella Maher, Guy Omotosho, Emma Foley, Micah Gordon December

Georgia Summers, Emily Barnes, Elliot McGee, Lara Yagudaev, Benjamin Celano January

Catherine Head, Phoebe Wright, Lily Brown, Oliver Howell, James McNerney February

Robert Ratledge, Teagan Russell, Massimo Giordano, Catherine Cooper, Francesca Munday