Edition 58 August 2014
SUTTON VIEWS The Voice of Sutton Valence School
Pupil plane project poised to take off! Record partnership
Alice
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Pupils could soon be taking to the skies – in an aeroplane they have built themselves! Design Technology students are about to embark on a two-year project to construct a replica of a World War I Fokker Eindecker – a single wing plane originally built by the Germans in 1915. Although other individuals and groups have built replica warplanes, kit suppliers Grass Strip Aviation, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, believe it is the first time such a project has been launched within a school.
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The single-seater plane will be built to three-quarter scale which means it can be flown by anyone over the Continued on page 2
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
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Continued from front page age of 16 who holds a microlight licence, as opposed to the CAA pilot’s licence. Dan Keep, Head of DT said: “At a time when there are concerns about the shortfall in engineering graduate numbers, it is great to be able to offer such an exciting opportunity for pupils to engage with engineering first hand.” The project has been made possible by a generous donation from the Froud family, which has seen three generations through the School, as well as from several sponsoring companies. However, with a price-tag for the project of some £20,000, the School is still looking to local businesses for ongoing support. Headcorn aerodrome has offered to store the plane when it outgrows the School workshops and heat-treatment company HME has offered assistance with purchasing specialist tools.
St Ronan’s Prep School at Hawkhurst, is working in partnership with the School. Their Year 7 and 8 pupils will be working on the fuselage under the guidance of Head of DT, Will Bennett, while Sutton Valence students tackle the wings. The Fokker forms the first part of a fouryear plan and, if funds are forthcoming, the School plans to follow it up with the building of a replica Sopwith Camel. The ultimate dream is for students to exhibit their work at the national Design and Technology Show and, eventually, for two students to be able to fly the two planes as part of the flypast at the Armistice Centenary in 2018. Headmaster, Bruce Grindlay said: “It is tremendously exciting to be the first school in Britain to be involved in this sort of project. To be able to give our Design Technology students a unique opportunity, as well as learn practical, relevant skills, is very much in line with what we offer at Sutton Valence.”
Three for the finals Three Prep School pupils represented Kent at the National Prep Schools Athletics Finals at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. They joined pupils from several prep schools in Kent, who all competed together for the county against the other regions. Elliot Gooding was joint fifth in the high jump and Maisie Rixon was seventh in the 200m final, with a time of 30.15, which beat the School record. Ben Lawrence won silver in the long jump.
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“The IAPS National Finals always features some of the best young athletes from all over Britain”, said Tom Davey, Head of Boys’ Games. “The standard of the competition was high, but Sutton Valence Prep pupils have been improving every year. We are very
proud of how well Ben, Maisie and Elliot competed.” The overall winning region will be announced by IAPS shortly.
What a step up! Towards the end of term, Louis Ridge played tennis as one half of the first pair in the 1st VI Tennis team. At first glance, this may not seem unusual. However, as a member of the School’s First Form, playing against opposition seven years his senior, this was a significant debut! Louis held his own (with some assistance from his 6 foot 7 inch, Upper Sixth partner, Henry Sparrow!), but unfortunately lost two sets by one break of serve in both. He pulled out some fantastic, angled, ground strokes and volleys and showed some excellent doubles skills. The future of Sutton Valence Boys Tennis looks bright.
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Record partnership In the U14C cricket fixture against King’s Canterbury a brilliant opening partnership between brothers Max and Jack StantonGleaves (Third and First Form respectively), is, we believe, the highest partnership by pupils in the history of our competition against other schools.
Opening the batting together, the pair put on an undefeated 256 partnership, with younger brother Jack scoring 111 not out and Max 68 not out. In reply, King’s were soon in trouble, eventually being bowled out for 55.
Old Suttonian tackles South Africa Nathan Earle (Groves 2011) lined up on the wing with his England U20 team mates in the final of the IRB Junior Championships in Aukland in June, making a significant contribution to England retaining their crown with a 21 - 20 win.
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Seconds before the half time whistle, Nathan, an IRB Junior Player of the Year nominee, went over in the right corner to put his team in front for the first time. Early in the second half, England and South Africa traded penalties and despite wave after wave of
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South African attack England held on for the victory. Spotted by Saracens Academy whilst still at School, Nathan received additional oneto-one coaching at Sutton Valence from their coaches, before leaving to further his rugby career in Hertfordshire. In the same week, seventeen senior rugby players participated in the Rugby Football Union accredited “Rugby Ready” course, learning how to produce and implement safe and effective rugby coaching sessions to junior players. As part of the squad's leadership development, Mr Howell, Head of Rugby, arranged the session so that they could better understand how to coax improved performances from younger players, which will also help them reflect on their own playing style. "All players will now go into next season with this qualification", said Mr Howell,
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"which will enable them to become ‘SVS Rugby Leaders’. They will assist in the delivery of rugby coaching sessions to the younger students and also pupils within the Prep School."
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Animals and Science at Prep Leadership opportunities exist in all areas of School life, both formally and informally, with pupils being encouraged to take on responsibilities which support the work of the School and benefit others. By Year 6, pupils undertake a range of duties as prefects, house captains, head pupils, monitors and librarians and confidently act as tour guides to visitors. However, perhaps the most popular duties are linked to looking after the School animals and the planting areas. "We have a bit of a menagerie at the Prep School", said Mrs Stanford, Head of Science. "At the last count, nine guinea pigs, three chickens, three gerbils, four giant African land snails and about 100 Indian stick insects. They all need cleaning out, feeding and careful handling during term and the school holidays."
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The animals and plants offer opportunities for science curriculum enrichment and often vividly illustrate the lessons taught in class. During summer half term, Science Monitor, Harriet Bonney, Year 6, woke up to find that she had three more guinea pigs than when
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she went to bed the night before! As part of Year 6's science lessons on reproduction, the lady guinea pigs were allowed to visit the male guineas for two weeks. The result: three healthy babies now called Sooty, Sweep and Soo!
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Lower Sixth wins prestigious Nuffield placement Having five or more GCSEs at grade B or above and an interest in studying science, technology, engineering or maths at university, Hannah sent in her application earlier this year. Initially, Mrs MitchellNanson, Hannah's Maths teacher and Head of Academic Scholars, brought this opportunity to her attention and she decided to apply after reading Project Sunshine: How Science can use the sun to fuel our world by Tony Ryan and Steve McKevitt. The book explores the use of GM crops as a means of solving issues surrounding food supply, the development of renewable energy resources and ultimately the roles that science and technology play in dictating the future of the planet. "It made me realise", said Hannah, "that I have an interest in the rapid and fast-changing aspect of
environmental science and especially the issues surrounding global sustainability. In the future I would hope to find a degree course that would address these problems and span into issues ranging from the physical implications of environmental change to the human interactions surrounding this area. " Nuffield Research Placements (previously Nuffield Science Bursaries) provide over 1,000 students each year with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Currently studying Biology, Physics, History and Geography at AS Level, Hannah is still unsure as to where her A level studies will lead her, but is hoping that this placement will give her a clearer sense of direction.
Speech Days Having seen some fine individual performances from our Junior and Intermediate athletes at Foundation Sports Day, we were looking forward to the Sports Day finals taking place on Saturday 28th June, as part of the Senior School Speech Day.
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The House competitions are always keenly fought and no less so this year. Bruce Grindlay, Headmaster, said, “I hope to see some sparkling feats of athleticism today that challenge Holdgate’s grip on the Baughan Cup!”
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However, it was not to be. Not only did a torrential downpour cut short the finals, but Holdgate did, indeed, triumph again. This calendar year sees the start of our 100th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the CCF at Sutton Valence, which we will be celebrating in full, later in the year. However, on Speech Day, guests were given a glimpse of the full drill members of the CCF will perform in October. The 28th June had added resonance as it was on this very day 100 years ago that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated and Europe moved inexorably towards the First World War. Yet again, the weather intervened with another heavy shower just as the display started, however, the squad, resplendent in their dress uniforms, marched on through the rain. Fittingly, our guest speaker was Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB CVO, who joined the CCF at school and there began a distinguished naval career. He served both at sea commanding HMS Otter, HMS Superb and HMS Vanguard during the ‘cold war’ and then on land with the MOD, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel). In his address, the Headmaster reviewed the School’s year, noting the changes between the School now and the very different institution it was 100 years ago. One theme was consistent, however, that of community. As he said in his speech, “This school has always been a happy community full of excellent relationships; however, over the last five years we have all worked together to raise expectations and never allow a level of complacency to lower our
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standards or to place a ceiling on the pupils’ achievements.” A week later, it was the Prep School’s turn to celebrate, with Malcolm Gough, Head, reviewing a year of huge achievement; not least an inspection which rated the School ‘excellent’ in every category. In his speech, Mr Gough turned to the benefits of being a school which went up to Year 6, rather than Year 8. “Being one of the very few prep schools in our area that goes to Year 6”, he said, “presents us with the challenge to bring on our pupils even more rapidly. Opportunities are not stretched upwards or kept until Years 7 and 8. We provide children with enviable openings to lead and think for themselves during what I believe are their most formative years. Opportunity was a theme that guest speaker, Matthew Hoggard MBE returned to in his speech to the children. Matthew began his cricketing journey at his local team, the famous Bradford League club, Pudsey Congs CC. At the age of 16, he was playing in the third team. As he said, 'because there was no fourth team!' Practising in the nets one day, he was spotted by the first team coach, who brought him and another lad into the side. Within four years, after much hard work and constant effort, he was playing first class cricket. He concluded his talk to the children by saying that not everyone can win cups or prizes in life, but not to be disappointed. What is important is to find something you believe in and to keep trying, keep aiming high.
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Alice On 23rd and 24th June audiences in the Baughan Theatre were transported into Alice’s Wonderland where “Everything was nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it
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would.� As Alice plunged into this new world of nonsense, she was greeted by a number of strange and mysterious characters, who had no purpose other than to confuse Alice (and her audience) even further. What is most impressive about this Junior production, is that somehow, the huge cast of over 65 managed to make sense of this story line and the audience were entertained by the countless strange, exuberant and insane characters.
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Rats! The Prep School’s Year 6 production was a great success and a fitting swan song for Mrs Heaton’s musical direction, she collaborated with Mrs Allison, Productions Co-ordinator to make this such a spectacular show. A trailer of the production may be seen on: YouTube: http://youtu.be/ckRLtcmPKEY
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Prep Family Days As Head, Malcolm Gough, said, “It is hard to find events which more epitomise the sense of community at the Prep School than Grandparents’ Day and the Family Hog Roast and Camp Night.” Between the two days over 800 people visited the School to enjoy being with their children and grandchildren and to enjoy each other’s company. In glorious sunshine, grandparents toured the School, led by their
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grandchildren, visiting every part of the site, including the ever popular animals and gardening plots. They then sat down gratefully for a well-earned tea. With the good weather still holding, families gathered that same week to pitch tents, play games and indulge in a fantastic hog roast. A great way to end a successful year!
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Sutton Valence School Car Show Almost 50 pre-1985 registered vehicles, or distinctive models arrived on Upper towards the end of term for the first School Car Show. Coinciding with the School versus Old Suttonians cricket match, it was a beautiful, warm sunny day, which enticed parents, pupils, families and friends to come and view some quite spectacular and significant machines. As Richard Mant (St M 1961) said, “In many ways the day was just perfect: Upper was looking at its best; the weather could not have been better; there was a good number of interesting vehicles; the bar and food arrangements worked splendidly, as did all the other facilities! It was one of the best events I have attended.� Visitors were invited to vote for their favourite model and at the end of the drive past, during the cricket tea interval, Jeremy Farrell, Deputy Headmaster, awarded Mr and Mrs Fulford’s 1968 Dodge Charger 440R/T the winning tankard.
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Cadet avoids bedroom tidying duties! Thinking he was waking up the next morning on the first day of School holidays to the rather mundane task of tidying his bedroom, Guy Thomas (Lower Sixth) was in for a surprise. At 2.30 that afternoon, his mother received a call from the Army to ask if he could be at Frimley Park at 5.15am the following day. Guy had been called up to go on the prestigious Rocky Mountains, six week, leadership course, and is the
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second Thomas brother to attend. His older brother, Andy, was called up in 2011. Mrs Thomas said, “Twenty-two pages of Army forms, a medical and dental certificate, and some speedy packing later, we headed off at 3.45 in the morning. By the time I had returned home and let Mr Grindlay know the good news, Guy was half way across the Atlantic!�
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Contingent Commander’s Meritorious Service Rewarded In the year of the CCF’s centenary celebrations, it is fitting that our Contingent Commander has been awarded the LordLieutenant’s Meritorious Service Award. In his submission to the Lord-Lieutenant's office, Major Glen Millbery wrote: ‘Mrs Wilkinson joined the CCF in 1989. She had, however, been a valuable member of the CCF prior to that and was to be seen at many events providing female cover. After much persuasion she joined the CCF and made her way up the ranks to OC Army section, second-in-charge Contingent and then in 2004, Contingent Commander. As Contingent Commander she has overseen seen the growth of the CCF from 180 to over 250 and, as a voluntary organisation within the School, over 60% have chosen to join. Since 1989, over 25 years ago, everything that she has done has had the cadets at its heart. She has taken the CCF at SVS and through her commitment, determination and desire for the cadets to do their best, made it one of the best establishments for both cadets and officers. She is not one to stand on rank and this has enabled cadets under her charge to go to Brunei and Belize and parade outside Westminster Abbey, not once, but twice. She is often to be seen at Bisley or Blandford even though shooting
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and signals are not “her thing” – she is there because the cadets are there – supporting and encouraging. After 25 years and at the rank of Lt Col, she can still be found camping overnight on an exercise, “dying” in an ambush or meeting groups halfway up a hill in the Lake District. Without the dedication of Lt Col Wilkinson, Sutton Valence School CCF would not be the establishment it is today and the cadets would not have the opportunities they have had. She has gone beyond the requirements of the post she holds. An outstanding commanding officer, who is always enthusiastic and dedicated – an excellent ambassador for the CCF and I strongly recommend her for a LordLieutenant’s Award.’ "I couldn't have said it better myself", said Headmaster, Bruce Grindlay. "Whatever she has done over the years as a teacher, tutor, Housemistress or commanding the CCF, Mrs Anne Wilkinson has always been a good example of 'tough love'; she has high expectations, but always has the well-being of her pupils to the fore. I'm delighted that all she has given to the CCF has been rewarded in this way. "
Compiled and edited by Helen Knott, Development Manager
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