The Voice of Sutton Valence School
Edition 42 June 2009
SUTTON VIEWS Celebrity Chef opens the Dining Hall n Friday 8th May the long awaited dining room was opened by TV celebrity chef Richard Phillips. In his introduction Chairman of Governors, Bryan Baughan, dedicated the new building to Andrew Hutchinson, Bursar, in recognition of his huge contribution to the success of all the School’s recent developments.
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delicious summer dessert in the new dining hall, ably assisted by some of the pupils. Although he managed to melt one of the chopping boards, he did produce a fine pudding which both children and parents enjoyed sampling. Alexia Bracewell
Richard was born in Medway and knew that he wanted to be a chef from the age of 14. He is one of the principal chefs on ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ and is executive chef of three of Kent’s finest restaurants including Thackeray’s, in Tunbridge Wells. After unveiling a plaque at the entrance to the new dining hall, Richard cooked up a
Prep School Drama
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CCF Highlights
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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 845277
Sutton House
01622 845228
Sutton Valence Preparatory School
01622 842117
Chaplain
01622 842814
Duke of Edinburgh
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Information A member of the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation Registered Charity No. 309267 Founded in 1576 by William Lambe
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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
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Duke of Edinburgh in the dark ver a Friday night when most of you were relaxing at home or having a good time in town, some of the Sixth Form thought we’d do something different. On the 1st May, after having spent all day at school, two groups: Tom Fermor, Alex Williams, Joe Janney, Jack Best in group one and Chris Vernon, Tyler Griffin, Benny Buckle and Declan Price in group two, left to participate in the Duke Of Edinburgh Night Chase. This was a 30 kilometre hike in the Dartford area over night, stopping only to sign in at checkpoints along the way. Start times for the hike were from 8.00 onwards.
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You probably know how hard normal map reading can be when you are driving in your car, or if you do hiking yourself. Now imagine that but not being able to see anything to verify your position.
That said, both groups were able to finish in good time: Chris’s group in 9 hours 15 minutes and Tom’s group in 8 hours 45 minutes. Considering this is the first time either group has done night orienteering on this scale, these were very good times, making a pace of around 3.5km per hour
(again, remember this is in the dark!). This was an excellent effort by both groups and we look forward to next year. Tom Fermor Upper Sixth
Head of School, Joe Janney An extract from Joe’s speech t is traditional for the new Head of School to talk in assembly about anything they wish to share.
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you as pupils should aim to learn from your time at school which will help you once you leave the school.
I decided that my speech has to relate to me in some way yet still be beneficial to everyone else. It soon became clear to me that at the end of this term, significant change will be occurring in the school. The Upper Sixth will all be departing; many going to university or on gap years. Personally I am taking a gap year to Fiji and hopefully I’ll be off to Leeds University the following year. The Fifth Form will be completing GCSE’s and a significant proportion will be leaving the school either to continue their studies elsewhere or to enter into the working world. There will also be significant change amongst the teachers. Our Headmaster, Mr Davies, who has led this school supremely for many years, is moving to Haileybury in Hertfordshire, which is one of the leading boarding schools in England.
I am going to highlight three very important specific skills whose significance I believe are very much overlooked. I think every pupil in this school should aim to develop these skills during their time here which will greatly help you all in your future lives. Manage time- this skill is essential for school and university life. How to revise- few people mention this as a skill that needs to be learnt during school life but I think it is essential. During this time it is important for you to revise effectively. This means that you must find out a method of revision that suits you. Finally, this is more of an attitude or way of life than a skill. Strive to be the best you can be.
Due to the significant number of people leaving the school in July, I thought I should talk to you today about what skills
My message to you today is to get involved in school life and get as much out of it as possible. The more work you put
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into school life, the more you will get out of it in the form of the skills I have mentioned. Try as hard as you can to pick up these various skills as they will guide you through life. The full text of Joe’s speech is available on the website: www.svs.org.uk
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Talented people he breadth of talent at Sutton Valence comes in all shapes and sizes and covers a diverse range of sports and activities. Some of our recent stars are featured here:
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he recent interest in dancing at the Prep School has been fuelled by the success of brother and sister dance duo Katie and Max Harrison, who performed before a special school assembly at the end of last term. The pair have been dancing for the past two years and came away with a clutch of trophies from a national competition at Blackpool Tower Ballroom recently. Max, 9, and Katie, 7, dance at least two hours each week – and much more in the run-up to a competition. Their mum, Mrs Michaela Harrison, said: “Katie started ballet at Sutton Valence Prep School and immediately took to it, as she is very petite and agile. When she said she would like to learn ballroom dancing, we were quite surprised when Max said he wanted to go as well, but both of them have already shown great potential.” Mrs Harrison said: “Dancing requires a lot of energy, as well as skill and it’s an excellent way of firming up the muscles and maintaining good posture.” The Ballroom lessons at Sutton Valence Prep School are being organised in conjunction with the Lenham-based GDC School of
eter Bannister is making a name for himself in the world of canoeing after being invited to join the Great Britain squad for training in Belgium. He has only been involved in the sport for four years, when he was persuaded by his father Michael to join him as a member of Maidstone Canoe Club. After showing early promise by winning local races against competitors from other clubs, Peter started taking part in ‘marathon’ races – up to 12 miles - and was invited to join a British Canoe Union training day at Worcester in February. The result was a call-up to join the Great Britain under-18 squad for a training weekend in Ghent, Belgium last month, where he was one of the youngest competitors, recording a highly creditable 1hr 35 minutes in the 10½ mile event. “Marathons are gruelling”, says Peter. “It’s all about improving your strength and getting your mental attitude right. But I want to do well at the sport and train every day, either with the club on the River Medway, in the gym or on my paddling machine at home”. At school Peter is also captain of swimming, and plays representative hockey and rugby as well. We wish him well for the national under 16 championships in July.
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Dancing, which teaches Modern Ballroom, Latin American and disco dancing. Dance teacher Karen Day said: “Children as young as three are able to grasp the basics of ballroom, latin and disco. As well as learning the fundamentals of dancing, it is great exercise, helps them to make friends and have fun. Dancing helps children develop their confidence, as well as their co-ordination.” Several of our dancers have gone on to compete at national level, including senior school students Lauren Lethbridge and Harry Keep, who have also competed at Blackpool and in Len Goodman’s Dance Festival at Camber. Prep Deputy Head, Alexia Bracewell, said: “We have taught ballet to our nursery and reception classes for a long time and ballroom dancing seemed a natural progression, given today’s enthusiasm for ‘Strictly.’ The children love it and it’s a great way of winding down at the end of the school day, as well as exercising and gaining confidence with their peers.”
hen it comes to sport, the three Thomas brothers from Tonbridge have remarkably different tastes – but they’re all winners. Eldest brother Rob, 16, has been selected for the England youth fly fishing team, and will be competing in the world championships held in the Czech Republic this year. He was first introduced to the sport by his father four years ago, and had already competed with the England youth squad before learning that he has made it into the team to travel to the world championships. Meanwhile, middle brother Andy, 14, trains as a cross-country runner with Tonbridge Athletic Club, having moved up from the 4km distance at which he represented Kent at under-13 level. And youngest brother Guy, 11, has already made his mark at road walking, representing Kent and the South of England at the 2km distance, where he has a best time of 10:48, and winning the under-13 Grand Prix, a competition for walkers drawn from across the country.
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Sutton Valence School he new holder of the girls’ trophy at the Kent schools golf tournament, 12-year-old Emily Royer, has been described as “a special talent” by her coach. Emily beat more than a dozen other older girls to win the Kent trophy at Dartford. It was her first tournament win, and a testament to her dedication to the sport. In addition to weekly lessons her coach Cormac MacCarthy, she also practices at the Langley Park range up to four times a week, and goes to the Ridge Golf Club in East Sutton each weekend to brush up her chipping and putting. Emily only started playing the game two years ago when it was listed on our co-curricular activity programme, and with the encouragement of her parents, Cormac and star Kent woman golfer Danielle Masters, now has a bright future ahead of her. “She has something natural in her swing, and hits the ball really sweetly”, says Cormac. “I believe she has a rare natural talent.” Emily, who now plays off a handicap of 21, also represents school at tennis, hockey, athletics, netball and rounders. But she still finds the time to do her homework, even at weekends!
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Prep School Drama he Year 2 children put on a wonderful performance of ‘The Rainbow Spectacular’. They worked hard learning all the songs and dances and very much enjoyed all working together. The brightly coloured t-shirts that the children wore and the brilliant lighting by Miss. Payne all combined to make a colourful show.
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Earlier in the term Year 3 put on their drama production based on the Allan Ahlberg book ‘Please Mrs Butler’. It was the first time the Prep School had performed in the Baughan Theatre.
auren Lethbridge is leaping for joy after becoming the New British Gymnastic Junior Champion, at the GMPD (Gymnastics and Movement for People with a Disability) British Championships.
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Lauren competed against under-16s from all over the British Isles in the Championships and made a clean sweep at the competition, winning gold overall and taking four individual apparatus gold medals on bars, beam, floor and vault.
Service to the Community don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.’Albert Schweitzer (14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965) The community service programme at Sutton Valence School brings rewards and opportunities in so many ways, to so many people; it is a pleasure to be a part of. The community service programme involves the Lower Sixth students only. They have been a credit to the school in terms of their attitude, loyalty and commitment to the activities. As volunteers, they have provided useful services to the local and wider community. A new venture this year has been in the work of a small group of students who have, with the help of Mr. Carvalho and
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Miss Horgan, been running a Business Incentive Scheme. This scheme encourages students to produce and market a product of their choice with the aim of raising money for Barnardos; all proceeds go to the charity. This has proven exceptionally fruitful and the school will shortly be able to give the charity a cheque for £500. Although it is becoming harder to secure and retain placements for the students due, largely, to the number of people seeking employment and voluntary work in the current economic climate, I do hope that, in the forthcoming academic year, the programme can be expanded in terms of activities that are available for the students to actively engage with. Lucy Howard
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Boarding; never boring! ames has boarded since he joined in the First Form five years ago, firstly in Beresford and now in Westminster.
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Why did you choose to be a boarder? “Although we live only half an hour away near West Malling I really wanted to board. I don’t have any brothers or sisters and thought it would be a good way for me to meet lots of different people and make friends. Now I know that there are lots of other benefits too. I am a weekly boarder so go home after matches on Saturday and come back early on Monday morning for breakfast. On Sundays I can catch up with my family, my old friends from out of school, play golf or cricket; it’s the best of both worlds.” Have you ever had second thoughts? “Not really, Beresford was a great beginning to boarding life. You are introduced gently to being away from home and because you are not lumped in with the older boys you have time to get used to it before moving on to the senior houses. I was Head of House in my second year so used to help Matron or the Houseparents with cooking supper and making drinks in the evenings. When you move up to the senior house the first day is a bit daunting but the Sixth Formers soon make you feel part of the family; it’s a great atmosphere and I have made friends I hope I will keep for life. We all have to take turns at doing duties around the House, like on Fridays I do Kitchen Duty, which means tidying up after supper. There’s usually not much to do as most people are very good at cleaning up after themselves. Boarding life is a great preparation for going to university where you suddenly have to look after yourself all the time. When you board you have to be responsible for being punctual, managing your time, making sure your laundry is handed in so you have clean uniform and games kit to wear, but all the time Matron, a Tutor or the Housemaster is there to give you a reminder if you forget.” You mentioned making friends. Has it been easy? The first weekend of the autumn term is the outing to Thorpe Park which is
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excellent for bonding and making friends. So for the most part, yes. I am friendlier with some than others, but if I hadn’t boarded I wouldn’t have made friends with people older and younger than me from Germany, China and Antigua, because I wouldn’t necessarily have met them as a day pupil. It’s great because there is a sharing of cultures and the atmosphere in the house means that we keep an eye out for each other, particularly those who may be feeling homesick. What about your academic work? We have set Prep time: from 5.15 to 6.15, then we have tea, followed by more Prep time from 7 till 8. Now that I am in the Fifth Form I have a room to myself which is great; having your own space helps with studying, but even in the Third and Fourth Form when you share you still have your own desk in your Show and access to your work through the computers in the Maths and ICT Centre, or your laptop. And we have the help of the Tutor or Housemaster
on duty, who comes round checking Prep is being done. After 8 o’clock we are free till bedtime. So what would you say to those thinking of boarding? I’d thoroughly recommend it! It has boosted my confidence, made me at ease living with and talking to all kinds of people, and it is great fun. James was in conversation with Helen Knott, Development Manager. If you would like more information please contact the Head of Boarding, Mr Bob Carr (carrb@svs.org.uk, 01622 845222).
Year 6 French Trip April 2009 n 22nd April, Year 6 children arrived at school bright and early ready to set off for a 3 day visit to Stella Plage in northern France. It was a brand new and exciting trip designed to give the children a fun and enjoyable cultural experience. Their first stop was La Coupole museum near St Omer where they learnt about Hitler’s secret weapons, including the V2 missiles, and life in northern France during WWII. One of the highlights of the trip was certainly their visit to a local Boulangerie where they gained first hand experience of making ‘croissants’ and ‘pains au chocolat’. A visit to Boulogne and town trail gave the children an opportunity to try out their French when buying souvenirs and gifts for their families. On their last day in France they were able to soak up some sun on the beach in Berck-sur-Mer whilst watching the kite festival, playing rounders, pétanque and also trying their hand at kite-flying. The trip was rounded off with a Soirée Crêpes in a local café where the children learnt the secrets of making delicious pancakes, going behind the scenes to toss their own pancake, choose their filling… and then polish it off! C’était fantastique! Un grand merci to Mrs Sagrott, Mrs Randle, Mr Buckley, Mr Evans and Mr Davey for all their support and enthusiasm. Laura Finch
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The Ugly Bug Ball n invasion of minibeasts crawled their way into the Reception classes to take part in a fun filled Ugly Bug Ball. The children came dressed in bug accessories including wings, antennae’s and bug legs. They took part in a variety of minibeast workshops such as bug masks, minibeast flower pots, sparkly spider webs and bug badges. The children then enjoyed creepy crawly dancing at the Ugly Bug Ball: “I liked flying like a butterfly at the bug ball” (Josie Cooper RPG). The
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children then finished their minibeast day with a bug feast eating bug themed food: “I liked the picnic because we got to eat jelly snakes and ladybird tomatoes!” (Gabriel RF). It was a huge success and the children had the chance to consolidate their learning for the term about minibeasts: “I liked everything about the bug ball!” (Samuel Smith RJ) Carla Johnson Early Years Co-ordinator
CCF Highlights
Adventure training, Silver Practical exercise Adventure training, Bronze Practical exercise
Mountain biking
Adventure training, Gold Practical exercise
National Signals Competition Biennial Inspection Staff and NCO’s gathering before dinner Rock climbing
Kayaking on Adventure training With the Lord Lieutenant at the Poppy Appeal Dinner CCF at the British Legion Poppy Appeal Dinner
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NCO’s from the Upper Sixth at their final parade
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