Activities

Into the wilds

A group of 11 Lower Sixth Form students went to the Black Mountains in Wales’ Brecon Beacons in April, for a practice expedition for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Scheme award.

The first day was a practice day where students navigated and climbed up Sugar Loaf Mountain. The next three days were spent trekking for three days from Cwmdu over the Black Mountains. The students trekked up to Waun Fach at 811m, and back down through the Mynydd Du Forest. Lower Sixth Former Will Lewis said he had learned a lot from the experience. “The practice DofE expedition was an amazing opportunity to bond with people who I hadn’t really talked to before,” he said. “It was also an incredible environment to put into practice skills such as map reading and trip planning.”

Best foot forward

Trinity’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) underwent their Biennial Inspection in March and were passed with flying colours.

This inspection should have taken place just before Covid hit, but it had to be abruptly delayed. Two years later, once we could again meet face to face to train, with visitors, we began the process of organising the event. However, the regular forces (and specifically the Royal Navy, which was due to carry out the inspection) were not ready to do Biennial Inspections; but we were told we could have a VIP Inspection. We are very lucky to have an SSI such as Mr Anthony Muirhead, as his experience and knowledge meant he was able to arrange for Captain David Filtness to agree to be the Inspecting Officer – the Commanding Officer at the time of HMS Triumph. He has served as a navigator, watch leader, and operations officer on a variety of submarine deployments, and also has ample experience of training others. The Inspection also involves a visit from the Army’s SO2, a senior civil servant, who looks after funding – so it was important to impress our visitors. Within 30 minutes of watching our cadets train. the SO2 told me that the Army were reinstating Biennial Inspections and the work we were doing was so good that he had decided to call our event our Biennial Inspection. We were therefore the first CCF in the country to very successfully complete a Biennial Inspection post-Covid.

Part of our RN Section were learning to paddle board in the pool under the tutelage of the Royal Navy Adventure Training Unit. Others were using the Royal Navy’s sailing and combat simulators which are used by the regulars to train their seamen. Meanwhile the RAF were using the Royal Air Force’s VR flight simulators to continue their pilot training. In the range, some of our Army cadets were shooting one of our three weapons systems, whilst out on the field the inspecting party saw lessons on living in the field and a section attack with blank firing. We have become one of the first contingents in the county to have a field gun and qualified field gun trainers, and so the day also included a “timed run” of the field gun as well as a tugof-war competition.

The day finished with a final formal parade where trophies and speeches were given. Captain Filtness later commented in the formal inspection report that the school should be “extremely proud” of the contingent, calling it “thriving, energetic and impressive”.

“The array of training was exactly what I had hoped to see, and brilliantly executed. Far less of the dull classroom theory, and much more of synthetic flight and power boat experiences, a section attack, and powerboat safety drills,” he said.

“The use of the field gun kit was a particular highlight. These are an outstanding investment, and I was delighted to see the school putting it to full use, teaching leadership, teamwork, and courage in a very dynamic and challenging setting.”

Putting down roots

Trinity has planted an oak tree and four alder trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC); a tree-planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Everyone across the UK was invited to plant trees from October 2021, when the planting season began, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

The aim is to support a greener UK and to create a legacy, in honour of the Queen, which will benefit future generations.

Four Alder trees were also planted in May to represent the school’s Army, RAF and RN sections of the CCF as well as the Contingent’s Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. These trees will be part of a group of 30 alder saplings sent to the school by October by The Woodland Trust, to create greener spaces for all to enjoy.

“Every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future,” said Mr Phil Mazur, contingent commander of the CCF.

“The Queen’s Green Canopy will create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of the Queen’s service and the legacy she has built. This will, in turn, create a green legacy of its own.”

Ms Audrey Lenihan

Regimental education

During their Summer Field Day, the Army section of the CCF visited the Tower of London to see the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF), their affiliated regiment who the cadets will visit in action next year.

The cadets explored the Fusilier Museum, seeing its collection including 12 Victoria Cross Medals won by the regiment. The cadets were also shown the uniform and bearskin of King George V (a former Colonelin-Chief of the regiment). They learnt about the Eagle Standard of the 82nd Regiment of the French Line captured by the Royal Fusiliers during the Napoleonic Wars in 1809.

The museum is housed in a building originally built as officers’ quarters. The building still houses the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ regimental headquarters and the officers’ mess, which is used for formal dinners and ceremonial occasions. In the mess, the cadets were shown the colours and silverware gifted to the RRF over the years that value millions of pounds. The cadets met the regiment’s Adjutant, who gave them an account of campaigns the regiment has been involved in and the peace work operations it undertakes today. The cadets were told that the Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment was raised at the Tower of London in 1685 by George Legge, Lord Dartmouth, at the order of King James II. The Royal Fusiliers fought in some of the most significant conflicts in history, including the American War of Independence, The Napoleonic Wars, The Crimean War, First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

After the RRF visit, the cadets were given a tour of the Tower of London.

In cold water

In April, cadets from the Royal Navy section were plunged into a watery disaster zone in a training simulator at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth.

The 20 students from Third Year to Upper Sixth attended training at the Fire Fighting School (FFIU) and Damage Repair Instructional Unit (DRIU). Split over three decks, the DRIU simulates compartments of a ship with water rushing in through various holes. Sailors are expected to stop the inrush of water using blocks of wood and hammers.

Key to the success of the DRIU is its realism – thanks to hydraulics it rocks and rolls up to 15 degrees to port and starboard, simulating the motion of a ship. The training is vital for sailors in the Royal Navy to learn the art of damage control. The techniques taught in the simulator meant that sailors were able to save both HMS Endurance and HMS Nottingham in the 2000s, when both were close to sinking due to severe flooding.

The cadets’ morning consisted of firefighting theory onboard a ship, including the use of hand held ship firefighting equipment. We used one of eight simulators which consists of a ship’s layout over three decks. These replicate living accommodation, galley and operational areas such as the engine room. During the final exercise of the morning, the cadets in small groups attended the engine room to fight an oil fire. This was done in low light, cramped and somewhat warm conditions. After a well-deserved lunch we went on to the DRIU. This is again a simulator that replicates a ship over a number of decks. The cadets had to repair damage to a flooded compartment. This consisted of making their way through a floor hatch down a ladder into the compartment ,which was already flooded to waist deep, whilst water was constantly entering the compartment through the multiple damaged areas. The cadets, using a three wedge and hammer technique, had to repair damage in the floor, behind beds and inside a locker while either underwater or while water under pressure was being pumped into the compartment. By the time the cadets had completed the exercise, the water was at shoulder height with some of the smaller shipmates floating around the compartment. Lt Hamish McDougall

Ready and willing: New CCF recruits from the Third Year were put through their paces on an Easter training camp, joined by students from Quest Academy who are also members of our contingent.

Literary agents

Literary Society re-emerged again from the dark of Covid, to hear about literary ideas ranging from the elusiveness of the author to the power of swearing.

The Sixth Form literary cognoscenti once again stumbled into Room 3 to widen their literary horizons, to bring others up to speed on their niche interests or simply to beef up their UCAS personal statements. A range of topics were explored, with diversity – perhaps under the influence of the new Afro-Caribbean Society – a key focus. Student-led talks including Stock Female Roles in Film by Aminah Patel and Diversity in Film by Ari Yad were especially well-attended. Former students Ellie Press and Scott Borland returned from Oxbridge to discuss respectively Chaucer (and how to wing it in essay-writing) and the poetry of Derek Walcott and its re-expression of the Homeric tales. The classical theme was continued in a presentation by Anna Brovko, Jay Trinder and Eloise Smith on Medea, the Sixth Form Drama production, and Dhyan Patel, having addressed the fourth and Fifth formers on Elusive Creators went on the road (or at least the corridor) and upgraded triumphantly to the Sixth Form. Ben de Sousa tackled a related theme, The Changing Nature of Authorial Understanding and Jim Borland explored the literary merits of Web Comics. Among teaching colleagues Ms Sara Ward explored the origins and significance of swearing, Mr Max Waller looked at notions of truth in fiction. Mr Andrew Magee explored literary hoaxes and Mr David Lydon spoke on the playwright Martin McDonagh in a presentation entitled Bloodbaths, Billboards and Bruges. Mr Harry Petty piqued our curiosity in preparation for the residential trip to Bath and Bristol in October (it wasn’t New York but still a lot of fun) in a talk entitled Regency Literature and Colonialism. Finally Mr Doyle, after a night in his garage testing the heat-retaining qualities of bubble wrap (not great), sang songs of the Great War. As ever, Dr Asquith hosted the Xmas Quiz – this time The Very, Very Big Xmas Quiz. It was as popular and rowdy as ever. And so we look forward to the twenty ninth consecutive year of Trinity Literary Society. Let’s keep the run going.

Mr Alastair Doyle

Checkmate

Chess at Trinity has seen students getting back to more regular face-to-face fixtures, and there have been many committed chess players participating.

Eight Lower School students travelled to Wilson’s School in March to take part in a Junior Team Chess Challenge. The boys were delighted be able to play four rounds of competitive, rapid play chess in person, after a long period of mainly online games. Congratulations to First Years Thomas Green, Edward Molony, Otto Stueck and Joshua Webb, and Second Years James Banwell, Malachi Charalambous, Naku Debebe and Joshua Holliday. They all played very well despite facing tough competition, with many Trinity boys playing their first competitive games against students from other schools. The inaugural Interform Chess Challenge for Fourth Year, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth took place in the spring term, following an increase in the popularity of chess among our students. The forms selected their best players to participate in lunchtime tournaments, and more than 60 students entered. There was fierce competition and excellent sportsmanship all round. Following strategic sequences, inspiring combinations and beautiful moves, the following boys represented their forms superbly and were victorious: Michael Tadman (4F) and Isa Khan (4S)

Henry Brown and William Lewis (L6CSS)

Dameer Ahmed and Mark West (U6AMS) I wish to thank all the players for participating and I hope they enjoyed their games. I would also like to thank Fourth Year Kristian Sarai and Upper Sixth Former George Ogden for their help with organisation and recording results respectively; and Mrs Tracy Upton, Mrs Suzanne Taylor and Ms Nicola Beaumont for their help throughout the year. Ms Jackie Eminsang

In the mix

Students from the African and Caribbean Society (ACS) at Trinity met with those from Whitgift and Old Palace Schools in two mixer events this year, aimed at sharing cultural ideas and issues.

Students from the three schools in the Whitgift Foundation met together at Old Palace in December and at Trinity in April. 18 Trinity students joined around 60 students and staff to socialise and to discuss cultural issues they see in their own lives, their communities, and the world more broadly.

The event at Old Palace included ice-breaker games, a quiz and an open forum discussion centred on questions brought by a representative of each school.

Trinity’s Mel Aigbogun asked the group whether schools have a responsibility to increase the diversity of their teaching staff to reflect their student body. This prompted some thoughtful discussion, including whether students from all backgrounds were encouraged equally to see teaching as a viable profession.

Old Palace asked the room if anyone felt they were “not black enough” if they were second or third generation. This opened up a great deal of personal feeling, as students discussed how it felt not to be able to speak their grandparents’ first language. Some expressed guilt at not knowing more about the roots of their families, and that perhaps their parents or grandparents had hidden parts of their culture, as it had been difficult for them to be open when first arriving in the UK. Whitgift then asked what defines the Black British experience, before asking about the experience of being Black in an independent school. Many students expressed how hard it can be to balance a connection to heritage with connection to a school community. Some said this was magnified in independent schools, as they feel they oscillate between having less privilege at school but greater privilege than members of their families or communities who did not have the same opportunities. Trinity Upper Sixth Former Joshua Muyobo said he particularly enjoyed the discussion about being Black and attending a private school. “One thing I took away from the social was how similar a lot of the experiences were between students,” he said.

“It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in what I was experiencing, and provided me with others to relate to.”

Trinity students Mel Aigbogun, Zoe Makele and Kai Patterson organised the mixer at Trinity in the Mitre Café, which began with music and African and Caribbean food to welcome people; then moved on to a quiz that tested the students’ knowledge of Caribbean and African places and celebrities; before finishing with a discussion on representation in the media.

Mel said the event, like the one before it, was a “huge success”.

“The students gave insightful opinions on how to change the negative portrayal of black people in film and TV. Some suggestions included increasing the number of black people behind the camera, and making shows and films which cater to black people and their experiences.”

“It was really refreshing to hear so many ideas from like-minded students.”

Ms Audrey Lenihan and Ms Clara Story

Classical perspectives

Middle and Upper School Classics students have enjoyed activities from theatre to quizzes and learned about classical topics from Nero to the Greek concept of xenia, or guest-friendship.

Ahead of a trip to the British Museum to see the Nero: the Man Behind the Myth exhibition, the Upper School Classics Society heard a talk about the controversial Roman emperor by Mr James Stone and Ms Sana Van Dal. Lower Sixth Former Hugh Bishop followed this by a talk to the society entitled Greek: A Potted Linguistic and Palaeographic History, followed by Jay Trinder who spoke about the dynamic ancient power-couple, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.

Continuing a collaboration between Classics departments at Trinity and Riddlesdown School, students travelled to Riddlesdown to hear a talk by classicist Natalie Haynes, known for her Radio Four show Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics. She discussed her recent book, Pandora’s Jar, which discusses the women of Greek myth. The society rounded off 2021 with a Saturnalia celebration in the form of the annual Classics Society Quiz. In January, Trinity welcomed back five alumni currently studying Classical degrees at Cambridge, UCL and Edinburgh universities: Luca Wade, Sally Edser, Maya Weekley, Lucas Ferrar and Christy Clancy, who shared their experiences of studying Classics at university. Next up was Miss Victoria Boorman who spoke about her experiences running across Hadrian’s Wall.

In February, Fourth Years Kristian Sarai and Matthew Johnsen gave a talk on their Latin prose set text author Apuleius, while U6th Latin student Varun Ravikumar gave us a taste of Classical linguistics with his talk on the Latin perfect tense. Students also went to the UCL Classics Play, Euripides’ Electra, for which Trinity alumnus and UCL Classicist Luca Wade was the musical director.

To coincide with the Drama department’s production of Euripides’ Medea in March, Mr David Lydon, Ms Van Dal, and Lower Sixth Classical Civilisation students spoke about the play at Literary Society. Before the second night of the show, the Classics and Drama departments gave a pre-show talk about the major themes of the play and the set design choices. Around 30 Classics students from Riddlesdown also attended the talk and show. Jay Weeks, deputy headteacher of College VI at Riddlesdown said, “The production really brought the play to life for the students, and they have referenced it a great deal in their lessons since.”

Following this, Lower Sixth Latin student Roma Matebalavu gave a talk exploring xenia or guest-friendship, a key part of ancient Greek culture; as well as its opposite, xenophobia; relating both ideas to the current refugee crisis. Throughout the year, Mr Stone also ran a reading group with students of Drama and Classics. Meanwhile Eloïse Smith impressively won third prize in the Oxford University Classics Creative Writing Competition. The year drew to a close with the Festival of Ideas. Third and Fourth Year students of Classics and Drama attended a storytelling workshop where Lucy Lill, co-producer of Story Jam, brought to life the fascinating story of Cassandra, while Trinity students reimagined the tale of Medusa.

Ms Sana Van Dal

Temples, Olympics and epics

Lower School Classics students have had a range of events to enjoy, from competitions to build their own temple or make masks, to the chance to compete in their own Olympic events.

Lower School Classics kicked off the year with the Temple Challenge. This year we removed the “edible” element, in a bid to be more Covid-safe. Students were challenged to create a structure which (loosely) resembled a Greek temple out of household materials, from cereal boxes to the insides of toilet rolls. At Halloween, they made spooky Halloween masks, Classics style, from Egyptian mummies to Medusa. Christmas saw the return of the annual Classics quiz “Quis? Quid? Ubi?”, with rounds on mythology, ancient geography and more. Avid readers of Percy Jackson were at a distinct advantage! Meanwhile, First Year students entered the University of Cambridge’s competition to retell myths by famous Roman poet Ovid. These included such well-known tales as King Midas, Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice. The judges included Caroline Lawrence, author of Roman Mysteries, and Dr Rosanna Omitowoju, who taught three of the Classics teachers at Trinity. The qualifiers from Trinity were Kian Patel, Daniel Tough, Guru Dhamodaran and Millen Treanor (performance category), Dylan Lawson (artefact category), Ed Morris (creative writing), and Ryan Ilmane (animation). Caroline Lawrence was impressed by Ed Morris’ retelling of Midas’ touch and awarded him Highly Commended – a great achievement – particularly as we were one of 25 schools, with close to 100 entries across the four categories. In February, First Years performed translations of famous passages from Classical literature in the Epic Elocution Extravaganza, including Odysseus’ vivid account of the Cyclops story and one of Catullus’ passionate romantic poems. First, second and third place respectively were won by Arihant Tripathy, Edward Molony and Ed Morris. In March, Second Years were invited to put their team-work and code-cracking skills to the test in a Classically themed Escape Room. As the year drew to a close, the school hosted the J-Bug Olympics. Students enjoyed an ancient Greek themed games session and competed in events such as the ancient pentathlon and the race in “armour”, or cricket pads for our boys. As part of the “Festival of Ideas” in June, the Classics department collaborated with DT to build a lifesize statue of Icarus, who famously flew too close to the sun while wearing the innovative artificial wings his father Daedalus had made for him. First Years wrote the story on fabric feathers which were then hung on the wooden statue.

Ms Sana Van Dal

Past, present and future

In response to a gamut of disquieting events and discourse, Trinity’s Politics Society has been a welcome venue for a range of topics to be discussed and debated.

They say the past is a different country. When we started running Politics Society last April, we were using a different room, restricted to one year group of attendees and wearing masks. 22 talks later, we’ve covered the political spectrum and a raft of topics beyond it; from contrasting perspectives on how to solve knife crime in London, to an exposition of the extent of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

This year roughly half of presenters came from outside of Politics A-Level, allowing the society to delve into an eclectic mix of topics like vaccine inequality and automation. Intellectual variety also came from group discussions, on topics such as the school’s Culture Week, identity politics and the war in Ukraine. Passionate and constructive debate demonstrated a desire to find effective solutions for the most pressing political problems we face. Talks have also tackled controversial issues head-on in a tolerant and analytical manner – we have cast a critical eye over culture wars, trans-exclusionary radical feminism and British identity. We also welcomed former Trinity student and researcher at the House of Lords Adam Bull, who provided insights into the Ukraine crisis, development in Africa and contesting local elections. Trinity didn’t have a Politics Society when he was here in the not-so-distant past, a surprise for those who have recently seen it going from strength to strength.

We wish the new chairs of the society - Emilia, Josh, Alice and Ekaterina - well as they take PolSoc into what is sure to be a tempestuous future political landscape. We can at least offer them the solace that there hasn’t yet been a vote of no confidence in PolSoc Chairs but, as in Westminster, the rules are always subject to change. Henry Bishop and Ben de Sousa, Upper Sixth Co-Chairs