Sutton Views - October 2008 (40) by SVS Foundation

Edition 40 October 2008

The Voice of Sutton Valence School

SUTTON VIEWS Karen dives in to open new pool T he new £2.5 million swimming pool was officially opened on Friday 5th September by Karen Pickering, one of Britain’s greatest-ever swimmers.

Between 1986 and 2005, Karen won four gold medals at the World Championships, four more at the Commonwealth Games, and represented Great Britain four times at the Olympic Games. At the opening she dived in and swam against a relay team of younger pupils and a very competitive Ben Walsh (Yr 5), who last year was the best European triathlete in his age group. After the opening Karen joined Joe Davies (Headmaster), Bryan Baughan (Chairman

Brunei Expedition

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of Governors), parents and guests at a reception in the Headmaster’s House. The 25 metre, six lane, indoor pool is the last of the projects to be funded by the School and the Appeal launched in 2002. It has a 120-seat viewing gallery and replaces the old outdoor pool, originally dug by pupils back in the 1930s! The new pool is already being extensively used by pupils and staff from both the Senior and the Preparatory Schools, with Sutton Valence Primary School also having a weekly swimming session.

More pictures on Page 2

SVPS Whole School Breakfast

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School Contacts: School Secretary

01622 845200

Admissions Office

01622 845206

Head of Year 1

01622 845242

Head of Year 2

01622 845226

Head of Year 3

01622 845216

Head of Year 4

01622 845234

Head of Year 5

01622 845233

Director Sixth Form

01622 845231

Director of Studies

01622 845225

Bursar’s Office

01622 845204

St Margaret’s House

01622 845219

Beresford House

01622 843459

Westminster House

01622 845222

Sutton House

01622 845228

Sutton Valence Preparatory School

01622 842117

Chaplain

01622 842814

Sponsored Walk

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Information A member of the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation Registered Charity No. 309267 Founded in 1576 by William Lambe

Sutton Views: October 2008

For information about Sutton Valence School or to request a prospectus, please contact:

• the Admissions Office at Sutton Valence on 01622 845206 or email enquiries@svs.org.uk • Sutton Valence Preparatory School on 01622 842117 or email enquiries@svprep.svs.org.uk 1

Sutton Valence School Cont’d from Front Page.

SVPS Whole School Breakfast

enjoyed smoothies, fresh fruit juices, muffins and pastries, as well as coffee and croissants, ham, cheese and fresh rolls whilst enjoying the September sunshine.

More than 200 families supported our Big Breakfast, which took place on the Head’s Lawn. Children and parents

We hope this will be the first of many breakfasts which continue to develop our family community. Alexia Bracewell

arents and pupils at the Prep School tucked into a bumper continental breakfast to raise £750 for two leading charities, Mencap and the Macmillian Cancer Relief.

‘Going after the cheese?’

he Froud family have been associated with Sutton Valence for over 15 years. Like Natasha, both her older brothers came through the Prep School and Jessica, her sister, is currently at the Senior School in Year 3. Natasha’s recent speech as this term’s Head of School made much of facing one’s fears head on and going for it in life, inspired by a book she had read in the summer holidays: ‘Who Moved My Cheese’, by Dr Spencer Johnson. As she said, “In the past few years the school has seemed to acquire another motto, ‘GO FOR IT!’ In terms of our lives school provides the foundation of our future. The advice which my Dad always gives me is live a life of no regrets, and I think that that is so important. I know it is easy for me to stand up here and talk about being brave in working hard and not fearing rejection because I know it is hard and I know we all have other pressures in and outside of school to contend with. But we are all so lucky, because we all live and work in an environment where support is always on hand. No one in this room should feel alone and no one should fear asking for help. I would not have been able to achieve the things I have throughout my six years here without the support around me. Natasha is currently studying for A Levels in Geography, Psychology and Theatre Studies and hopes to go on to Warwick University to read Early Childhood Studies.

Sutton Views: October 2008

Sutton Valence School

Brunei Expedition

n July 2008 for two and half weeks, fifteen cadets from Sutton Valence CCF travelled to Brunei. We took the flight from London to Dubai and then on to Brunei, which totalled seventeen long hours. In our time there we participated in many different things, from helping the local community to trekking the jungle.

called KATA which is a charity that helps the local disabled children by teaching them. We helped them by doing jobs that the volunteers there just don’t have time to do, like painting the outside of the buildings to make them nicer for the children and visitors to the schools.

My favourite part of this week was sailing on a boat and visiting a water village. The entire village was built on stilts and the people there are only connected to the land by their boats. They even had a mosque in the village. As this country had given us such pleasure and experience we thought we should return the favour and help the local community. In Brunei an organisation

Sutton Views: October 2008

We all survived but I ended up suffering from dehydration by not drinking the five litres per day recommendation. This was one of the main lessons I learnt from being in the jungle…DRINK WATER! The following morning we cleared our campsite and then went back to the main ‘classroom’ and waited for our ride in the helicopter. There were two helicopters that came to collect us. We hovered over the great rainforest making us appreciate its size. It made me marvel at the beauty of our world and how mortifying that man could ever harm it.

All of us who went on the trip saw an amazing country and had an experience that we will remember forever. Brunei is situated on the island of Borneo which is in Indonesia. The climate is very different to chilly England with temperatures reaching up to 40° C. Humidity is high throughout the year due to high temperature and rainfall, with an average of 2800 mm of rain per year. In our first week we had the challenge of trying to adapt to this extreme environment. We had a lovely tour guide called Mohammed who showed us his beautiful country. We experienced the culture by attending local markets and shopping malls, which we found to be surprisingly cheap in comparison to England.

everyone up and running and discarding our aches and pains.

In our next week of the trip we spent four days in the Jungle teamed up with the Surrey ACF accompanied by some of the Gurkha Army. The jungle was difficult with the intense humidity and your body producing an enormous amount of sweat, soaking your kit. Mosquitoes attacked our skin and left us scratching all day and all night. Despite all of the discomfort I loved it and it really tested your character. We spent the first two and a half days being taught by the Gurkha’s how to survive in the jungle, from setting animal traps for food to building our own shelter. The Gurkha’s are the most positive thinking and enthusiastic people I think I have ever met and they seemed to get

As a group we were all very different: different interests, different ages and different friendship groups. This could have been a disadvantage but we all became close friends and our personalities complimented each others, helping make the trip an enjoyable one. If I could do it all again I would with no second thought. I have learnt so much, from how to survive in a jungle, the culture of Brunei, the Gurkha army and a lot about myself. I am so thankful to the welcoming and friendly community of Brunei and the Gurkha army who have taught me things I will never forget. Brunei is full of culture, beauty, history and lovely people. I’m so lucky I have experience this country if you ever get the opportunity to visit, DO IT! Ellie Van Leeuwen (Year 5) (For the full text of Ellie’s essay see the Borneo news item at www.svs.org.uk)

Sutton Valence School

European Union for SVS Staff

eachers from all over Europe have been learning the ropes from staff at the Preparatory School.

Twenty one teachers, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, spent the day learning about British methods of teaching. The Prep School, whose Early Years department was recently ranked as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors, uses a number of innovative teaching methods, including an early morning brain gym to activate students’ brain cells, and synthetic phonics, the latest favoured method of teaching children to read. The continental visitors spent a full day at the school, shadowing staff where they saw the core curriculum lessons, English, maths and science but also tasted the broader curriculum SVPS has to offer such as, circle time, French, music, design and technology and extensive clubs and activities. Craig Gibbs, Headmaster of SVPS, said that it was a fantastic opportunity for both sets of teachers to spend time with each other and learn about how different countries educate their children. He is hoping that some of the SVPS staff will be able to visit the schools of the teachers they partnered for the day.

Prep School fencers ‘en garde’

he Prep School has recently reopened the incredibly popular fencing activity and has welcomed back an old favourite, Mr Paul Romang. Mr Romang runs two activities for children from 7 to 11 years and also offers private tuition to individuals if requested. On Wednesday 25th June, we welcomed a special guest, Hungarian fencing master Akos Bodoky, who has trained 17 Olympic and World Champion medallists. Akos, who is currently coaching at the famous Honved army club in Hungary, will pass on masterclass tips to 25 children at the weekly fencing club launched this term. This is a wonderful opportunity for our young fencers to be coached by one of the world’s top trainers. Competitive sport is a key part of our curriculum and fencing is proving extremely popular. Alexia Bracewell

‘Outstanding’ Early Years Inspection Results

he Kindergarten and Reception classes at Sutton Valence Preparatory School have been declared outstanding not once, but four times, by inspectors from Ofsted. The recent Ofsted inspection of the nursery provision in the Early Years classes declared that the provision of teaching and learning at the school was outstanding, as was the partnership between parents and carers, which helps the children to make a positive contribution to school life.

Sutton Views: October 2008

Headmaster Craig Gibbs said: “Naturally we are delighted with the Ofsted inspector’s report, but we were quietly confident of doing well, as we have invested a lot of time, thought and money in the school in recent years to ensure we provide the best in terms of teaching and facilities for our girls and boys”. The Ofsted inspector found the children’s behaviour to be ‘exemplary’ and she commented that they appeared confident, secure and motivated. The

report highlighted the regular assessments of pupils’ progress and the ability of staff to adapt the curriculum to children’s changing needs. Consequently, children make very good progress, she reports. Regular contact with parents and their involvement with the life of the school further contributes to its success, the report concludes. The full report can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk Alexia Bracewell

Sutton Valence School

New Staff This term we are delighted to welcome several new staff members to the Senior School.

or Adrian Wyles, Director of Sixth Form, his new post represents a homecoming to Kent. After gaining a degree in geography at London University, Adrian underwent his teacher training at Durham University, and subsequently gained a Masters of Education. He began his teaching career at a large London comprehensive before becoming principal teacher of humanities at Homewood School, Tenterden. For the past seven years, he has been head of geography and head of professional development at Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex. Living in Tenterden with his wife Dee and their 12-year-old son Chris, Adrian also plans to become involved in other areas of school life as he enjoys cross-country running. He also plays the oboe and piano.

r Marc Brown comes to Sutton Valence as a newly qualified teacher but one with considerable experience in other fields. Having graduated from the University of Kent with a doctorate in Physics he went to work in the oil industry for BP, managed the IT department of a charity, carried out post-doctoral research for Procter and Gamble and taught Maths to undergraduates. Marc joins the Science Department to teach Physics.

tuart Harris joined us last year as Estates Bursar. Stuart has considerable experience, having been facilities manager for six schools in his last appointment and is looking forward to the challenges that Sutton Valence bring. He lives in Wittersham with his wife and two daughters and enjoys SCUBA diving and walking in his spare time.

drian Penfold, Head of Religious Studies, taught for 8 years at The Beacon School, Surrey, before coming to Sutton Valence. However, his teaching career only began in 2000; before then he ran a recruitment company and was the hospitality manager for the Albert Hall. Adrian is married to Lisa and has a two year old son, Luke. Sutton Views: October 2008

essica Caro Quintana is a newly qualified teacher and joins the Modern Foreign Languages as her first appointment. Jessica graduated with a Licenciate in English Philology from the University of Valencia before taking her PGCE at The College of St Martin and St John in Plymouth. When not planning lessons and marking she likes to read, watch good films and travel.

ur new Head of Drama, Andrew Brook, initially trained at the Rambert School and danced professionally for 4 years before joining the teaching profession. Andrew has taught in four schools in Kent and so brings a wealth of experience and a new aspect the Drama Department. He is married with two children.

rancois-Yves Belver has always taught languages in England having graduated from The Sorbonne. For the last 6 years he was at Hillview School for Girls in Tonbridge where he held a variety of posts. Francois-Yves married last year and has a young daughter.

ith an Honours degree in Economics and Politics from Manchester, Peregrine Nunes-Carvalho went on to teach Latin at a preparatory school in London. Peregrine joins the Business Studies and Economics Department having been teaching Economics in the IB programme at the British International School in Jakarta. He is married to Sophie, with whom he has a baby boy, Algie.

efore joining us Paul Webster was teaching the German Navy how to speak English. Having graduated from Trinity College, Oxford he became Head of Modern Languages at Rainham Mark Grammar School, then moved to Germany. Paul is married with a son.

Sutton Valence School

ormer England, Kent, Leicestershire and Durham all-rounder Vince Wells has been appointed as cricket coach. Vince enjoyed a successful 16-year first class cricket career, finishing at Durham in 2003 then returning to Kent with his wife Debbie to start a business in Whitstable. The couple have two children, Harrison, 13, and 12-year-old Molly.

ally Rose joins the Sports Department as a part-time Games teacher from Bodiam Manor Prep School, where she was Head of Girls Games.

manda Derricott, Head of History, comes to us from the Royal Hospital School, Suffolk, where she was Head of General Studies and taught History. Amanda also brings experience in Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and of running the CCF Navy section.

aving come to Sutton Valence in 1998 to teach Biology, Jamie Walsh left to go to Imperial College to study for his MSc. For the last 3 years he has been teaching at St Edmunds in Canterbury. We are delighted to welcome him back to the Science Department, along with Susie his wife and their new baby, Erin.