THE FROGNAL
Celebrating the events and achievements of the Autumn Term at UCS Senior School.
Welcome to The Autumn Term Edition of The Frognal
It’s hard to believe that 65 days of school have flown by as quickly as they have. As we turn the pages of this term’s Frognal, I invite you to immerse yourselves in a term marked by extraordinary achievements and unwavering dedication.
I have witnessed an inspiring number of assemblies, creative performances and highly competitive Deme competitions, which had Frognal roaring with friendly rivalry and comradery. It is challenging to handpick key moments from this term as there are so many things our school community has achieved. But if I had to narrow it down, it might be the following:
The recent ISI inspection was a resounding affirmation of our commitment to providing an exceptional education. The glowing report highlighted our strong leadership, the quality of
our teaching and the outstanding wellbeing of our pupils. More of this can be found on pages 10-11 within.
Our Sixth Formers continue to set the bar high, making a remarkable impact in co-curricular activities, leading societies, acting as Music Mentors to the younger years, captaining their teams and much more. In addition to the newly elected Sixth Form Union, which stands as one of the many pillars of pupil leadership, we welcomed the inauguration of our new Inclusion Ambassadors, a group of 14 dedicated pupils from Shell to Upper Remove whose role is to champion inclusivity and foster a welcoming environment for all.
Our musical production of Into the Woods was featured in the local Ham & High newspaper and received a splendid review from the National School Theatre Awards, praising the
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professional set design, passion and sincerity of our actors and dedication of all staff and pupils involved in bringing the magical tale to life. The Great Hall acted as a second auditorium where our budding musicians and poets captivated all in attendance in awe of their talents on nights such as our Poetry evening and the annual Ensembles, Autumn and Carol Concerts.
The Great Hall returned warm memories for our Old Gowers from classes 2024, 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979 and 1974 at the Old Gowers Reunion in early November.
Our partnerships with local schools and organisations have flourished, fostering collaboration and enriching the educational
experiences of our pupils. By the end of the Autumn Term, 347 external and 221 UCS pupils had participated in various activities such as the LAE Music Collaboration, Maths and Literacy Workshops, The Art Pen Pal Project, and more. These initiatives have not only broadened horizons but have also instilled a sense of community and social responsibility.
With winter finally with us and the first of three terms concluded, we will continue to inspire and nurture our pupils, and empower them to reach their full potential.
I hope you enjoy this term’s Frognal and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our pupils.
— Mark J. Beard, Headmaster
Lower School Highlights
It has been an action-packed term in the Lower School. It was wonderful to welcome our Entry pupils to the school in September. We are delighted by how quickly they have settled, and it is fair to say that they have thrown themselves into life here. The Shell has led from the front and has impressed with their outstanding commitment both in and out of the classroom.
House competitions are a feature of every term in the Lower School and over the last thirteen weeks we have seen the following competitions being fiercely contested: Global General Knowledge, Table Tennis, Singing, Rugby, and Science & Engineering. We also have a Cup for the House which has been awarded the most commendations during a term. Back in September, a new set of Lower School House Captains took office. These captains will be in post until February halfterm and then a new crop from the Shell will take their place. The current captains are:
· Bannister: Saul and Nicolas
· Bonington: Mustafa and Baer
· Kendall: Alfredo and Jacob
· Macarthur: Rafa and Sacha
· Seacole: Even and Isaac
The captains immediately leapt into life and hosted a series of House meetings. They subsequently delivered terrific House assemblies and assisted at the Baby Bank collection run by Black Hawkins. On top of this, the captains of Bonington organised a terrific coat collection for WrapUp London which was a real high point of the term. Appropriately, this was conducted on one of the coldest mornings this term and the boys were delighted by the response of the community to their appeal from the UCS community as over 100 coats were delivered to the charity. The school’s Community Action programme always captures the
imagination of our Entry and Shell pupils: highlights have included the impressive contribution of the Lower School to Run In The Dark, the Great UCS Bake Off, and SBAN’s Orbital Exercise Challenge.
This term we have seen some brilliant results on the sports fields, several fantastic concerts and a truly remarkable wholeschool production. Max Tager gave a wonderful performance in the whole-school production of Into The Woods, and we look forward to the Lower School play, Private Peaceful, which will be staged in May. It has been fantastic to witness our younger pupils get so involved in all aspects of school life and work so well alongside the older pupils. Our Pre-Prep reading programme has also been a highlight and it has been fabulous how the Reception pupils have enjoyed
hearing our Shell boys read to them in the AKO Centre every Tuesday lunchtime. The Young Leaders Award, The Headmaster’s Lower School Award, and the Lower School Diploma are all in full swing and I marvel at the commitment of our pupils to these initiatives. In November, our first Life Values Week of the academic year tackled a number of key issues. In the Lower School, our Life Values are Aspiration, Bravery, Compassion, Decision Making and Self-Reflection. The Entry pupils focused their attention during the week on building growth mindsets, and how to recognise and tackle bullying. Shell pupils focused on responsibility, perfectionism, feelings and stress. The discussions were extremely interesting and we look forward to continuing these next term.
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Contributions
by E. Roberts
Middle School Highlights
September now seems a long time ago and an awful lot of wonderful things have taken place since. From exploits on the sports field to contributions on stage and in the concert hall, from a myriad of clubs and societies to cracking on with academic endeavours, Middle School has been an exciting and busy place.
When I first spoke to the section at the start of the academic year, I challenged the newcomers in Lower Remove to explore the opportunities available at school. I urged them to get to know their Form Tutors and Wardens well and to learn about their Form mates. I also asked them not to think of school as just a place to come to lessons from
9 am until 4 pm. The Remove are challenged with settling into their GCSE courses properly and juggling these demands with an expectation of co-curricular contribution and involvement in the wider life of our school. And the Upper Remove, of course, are starting to think about their GCSEs with Mock Exams around the corner. And most recently they have made their preliminary choices for subject options in the Sixth Form.
This is big stuff as the conversation surrounding this also considers life postUCS. The example the Upper Remove set to the other two Middle School year groups is impressive; they have the highest targets when asked about their Public Exams in the
summer yet so many of them are involved in theatre, sport, music, Community Action as well as before and after-school clubs. That which a number manage to do out of school is also fantastic, from international trampolining to high representation in both rugby and football.
Middle School pupils as a whole have grasped all their challenges with maturity, enthusiasm and most importantly of all, with good cheer. They deserve a good rest amongst the preparations for next term and I look forward to seeing them further excel in all endeavours in and out of the classroom.
— Contributions by S. FitzGerald
Sixth Form Highlights
Over the course of this term, the Sixth Form has been a hive of creativity, academia, and action. For students in both Transitus and Sixth, these past few months have been an exciting time; for some starting a new school, for others considering what happens when they leave. It has been a whirlwind of new beginnings and new horizons.
The Transitus students have eagerly embraced every aspect of their new academic environment, diving headfirst into the demands of A Levels. They have quickly become an integral part of Sixth Form life, excelling not only academically but also in social and co-curricular activities.
Outside the classroom, their impact is evident in their mentorship of Entry forms, championing mental health initiatives through the Peer Education Project, engaging in the entrepreneurial challenges of Young Enterprise, and participating in a day of intellectual collaboration with students from LAE.
The Transitus students have made a remarkable impact in co-curricular activities. They’ve taken centre stage alongside the Sixth in the recent, phenomenal production of Into the Woods, brought their musical talents to life in concerts, excelled in sports on the field, and actively engaged in a variety of clubs and societies. Their involvement extends into leadership roles within the newly elected Sixth Form Union, where they are driving meaningful initiatives. This term, the Women’s Officers have delivered assemblies across the school, the Sustainability Officers have been facilitating discussions on environmental issues, and the Inclusion Officers are preparing an exciting project for the next term.
The returning Sixth have also embraced the new year with boundless enthusiasm. Amid a flurry of university offers, the Sixth Formers have skillfully balanced their academic commitments with a vibrant co-curricular life. Leading societies, acting as Music Mentors to the younger
years, captaining their teams, and much more.
As the senior students, they have taken on their roles as leaders and role models with pride, meeting the responsibilities of their position head-on. For instance, the Monitors organised a fantastic event for the Upper Remove, providing invaluable peer guidance on A Level choices, and have also contributed to the Lower School’s Community Action fundraising efforts. Their leadership has been a driving force
in Deme competitions as well, inspiring the younger years with their energy and passion in events such as Deme Song, Deme Drama, and Deme Sports. Their contributions have left a lasting impact.
Together, the Transitus and Sixth Form have enjoyed a dynamic and successful term, marked by achievement, leadership, and a shared dedication to creating an enriching and positive school year.
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Contributions by R. Baxter
2024 ISI Inspection Report Highlights
University College School was recently inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) under the newly implemented framework, introduced in September 2023. This new framework moves away from a one-word judgement system, focusing instead on evaluating pupil experience across the below four core areas, alongside Safeguarding which underpins the entire framework.
1. Leadership, management and governance
2. Quality of education, training and recreation
3. Pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
4. Pupils’ social and economic education and contribution to society
A team of nine inspectors, made up of current and retired Heads, Deputy Heads, and Senior Leaders, conducted a number of staff and pupil interviews, lessons, tutor time, and assembly observations. They also examined a wealth of policies, evidence, and pupil work. Additionally, questionnaires were distributed to parents, pupils, and staff to ensure the views of the whole school community contributed to the outcome.
The report reflects the diverse strengths across our schools, highlighting the exceptional provision offered to all our pupils. We are incredibly proud of the report, with the inspectors reporting that all standards were fully met. The report identifies the high level of academic and intellectual ambition
2024 ISI Inspection Report Highlights
embedded within our curriculum as an area of “significant strength”—the highest accolade in the new inspection framework. This distinction is only awarded when a school demonstrates truly exceptional practices that benefit all pupils, making this recognition an extraordinary achievement.
It is paramount that all of our young people feel confident and are the best versions of themselves, and the report commends leaders across the Foundation for fostering an environment where pupils are valued as individuals, with their wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. A school is only as good as the people within it. While our pupils have made us incredibly proud, it is the unwavering commitment, care, and expertise of our entire staff—both teaching and support
staff—and their collective efforts which ensure the success of our young people. I am deeply grateful to all staff members, who should feel an immense sense of pride in this externally validated recognition of our shared efforts.
The full report is available on the policies and inspections reports page on the school’s website.
— Contributions M. J. Beard
University Applications
Returning to school in early September, we celebrated the academic achievements and destinations of our 2024 Leavers. Some 77% secured their first-choice university, with 83% heading to Russell Group institutions. In all 21 are off to Oxford or Cambridge, and 11 are studying in the US or Canada at universities such as Penn, NYU, Toronto and McGill.
However, there was little time to waste as we launched into the applications for the current Sixth Formers. For those applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science, the early deadline
meant they had to hit the ground running. Our internal deadline of mid-September necessitated a flurry of activity as students finalised their personal statements and decided on their university choices. Students without an early deadline have a little more time to finalise their applications, but we encourage them to apply by the end of November if possible to attract some early offers.
The excitement of pressing the ‘big green button’ – our trademark way of marking this momentous occasion for our students as they submit their UCAS applications.
University Applications
We have 73 Oxbridge applicants in the Sixth Form cohort, and 2 Old Gowers. Pupils have received their interview invitations from a broad range of courses, including atypical courses such Archaeology and Anthropology, Law, HSPS (Human, Social and Political Sciences).
Overseas applications are strong this year, with 12 applying early to the US (to institutions including Harvard, MIT, Penn, Columbia, Cornell, and the prestigious liberal arts college Bowdoin, Maine). We also have two early applicants to U Toronto (and expect a number of others to McGill in Montreal), and two for Bocconi in Milan – the European LSE! There is also a strong level of interest in Trinity College Dublin, in part driven by the insight and knowledge of Mr Sammon (Chemistry) who used to oversee their GB recruitment.
So far the most popular university in terms of number of applications made is Bristol – a consistent trend, with 15% of summer leavers starting there this autumn!
As of 21 November we have 137 of the current Sixth Form sent to UCAS, with 94 students with offers already – including from Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Warwick, etc. London universities tend to be slow in replying!
“It was a massive sense of relief after each offer I received. Knowing the grades I had to achieve in the A Level exams really helped motivate me to get into my first choice university, it was a huge confidence booster!”
Ben, Sixth
Ben, pictured, is already holding four offers and says: — Contributions L. Jenkins & B. Murphy
Inside Frognal
Thursday 14 November saw the latest of our Inside Frognal events take place in the Great Hall, focusing on this occasion on Literacy and Oracy. As well as gaining an overview of the English curriculum from the Head of English, Henry Hardingham, parents heard from our Head Librarian, Penny Davison; from our Head of Debating and Head of Enrichment, Xavier Pollock, and from the Vice Master, Mark English. A key theme of the evening was how we equip our pupils to develop their critical thinking, and how we help them to develop the confidence and ability to articulate their ideas. We hope that all those who attended found it of benefit. The next event will take place on 17 March, and will be focused on pupil wellbeing.
— Contributions by P. Miller
A key theme of the evening was how we equip our pupils to develop their critical thinking, and how we help them to develop the confidence and ability to articulate their ideas.
Black History Month
UCS celebrated Black History Month 2024 with a dynamic programme aimed at educating and inspiring students across all year groups. The events spanned literature, drama, debates, and historical discussions, all highlighting the contributions and experiences of black individuals and communities. The theme for Black History Month 2024 was ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, and as we might expect, literature took centre stage. The Lower School Book Club discussed Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye, followed by the Middle School Book Club’s discussion of Trevor Noah’s memoir, Born a Crime. The History Discussion Group dove into Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Safiya Sinclair’s How to Say Babylon
Transitus Drama students saw the National Theatre’s production of Coriolanus, and Debating Society explored complex topics such as blackonly spaces and the implications of the term BAME. Mr Dillon addressed the Lower School on the legacy of educator Beryl Gilroy and the academic and Old Gower Paul Gilroy, and the month was framed by assemblies – first from Ms Maze, celebrating local changemakers, and then by the Inclusion Ambassadors team, focusing on black inventors, scientists and creators who may have been overlooked in their time.
— Contributions by J. Lewis
Poetry Evening
Taylor Swift is regarded by many as the Great American Poet of her time! Moreover, her references to other writers – from Emily Dickinson to Patti Smith and William Shakespeare – express a love of poetry from across the literary canon. While only a few of this year’s UCS-published poets identify as Swifties, they all responded to a prompt taken from one of her songs.
‘Secret Gardens in My Mind’ – Entry and Shell ‘Holy Ground’ – Lower Remove, Remove and Upper Remove
‘Champagne Problems’ – Transitus and Sixth
Pupils were invited to read their poems at the annual Poetry Evening. This was a wonderful celebration of unique and diverse voices, overseen by visiting poet and judge Adèle Geras.
Congratulations to this year’s published poets and thank you to the teachers in the UCS English Department for helping them to find their voice. Particular congratulations go to the winners of each section: Ethan (Lower School), Felix (Middle School) and Finn (Sixth Form).
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Contributions by
H. Hardingham
Tuvey Prize Presentation
The Economics Department is pleased to announce the latest recipients of its Tuvey Economics Research Prize; a sum of money donated to the Economics Department by the Tuvey family. The two winning pairs who assumed the mantle of UCS Tuvey Scholars for 2024 are Jacob Gold, Aryan Thaker, Arjun Kumar and Felix Levene.
The department uses this to support pupils in genuine economic enquiry and in collaborative work.
Their research includes active investigation and the gathering of realworld, primary data. A condition of the prize is that pupils work in pairs. Alongside the requirement to use
primary data, this makes the prize unique at this level of study. This year’s questions were: “How can the principles of Behavioral Economics be applied to voter behaviour in the 2024 General Election?”. In conducting their research, Jacob and Aryan brought their combined interests into focus, drawing on their strengths in mathematics and politics alongside economic modelling.
Arjun and Felix investigated the impact of ebooks and audiobooks, on physical books. They found that ebooks have not proved to be a substitute to physical books that may have once been predicted, but that audiobooks may prove to be complementary to traditional books.
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Contributions
by K. Shah
Upper Remove Careers Afternoon
UCS recently welcomed ten distinguished professionals from fields such as Classics, English, History, Geography, and Modern Foreign Languages for a Careers in Humanities event. Among the speakers were new members of staff and experts from diverse industries, including law, journalism, auction houses, advertising, civil service, and entrepreneurship.
Our 120 Upper Remove pupils, divided into small groups, engaged with these professionals, gaining invaluable insight into the vast opportunities afforded by humanities
degrees. Pupils asked thoughtful questions on topics ranging from A Level choices to career transitions and navigating a competitive job market.
The speakers praised the pupils for their curiosity and professionalism, with many remarking on the rewarding nature of the experience. This event underscored the rich potential of humanities pathways and reflected UCS’s commitment to nurturing informed, ambitious, and globally minded pupils.
— Contributions by N. Salvatori
Transitus & Sixth Tech Networking
On Monday 14 October, we were thrilled to welcome five Old Gowers back to UCS for the Transitus & Sixth Tech Networking Event. It is so important to capitalise on the knowledge and expertise of our Old Gower community, so that pupils and alumni alike can benefit from their guidance. So many Old Gowers want to know how they can do more to help the school, and this is a great way to get involved.
The panel was composed of five Old Gowers:
1. Tim Checkley (OG 1994–2005), co-founder of the strategy and technology consultancy Loomery
2. Pooya Alai (OG 1986–1991), senior cyber security risk manager at Maersk
3. Steve Karmeinsky (OG 1974–1980), startup consultant
4. Henry Armburg Jennings (OG 2000–2007), CTO of CloudMI
5. Julian Roques (OG (1965–1974), retired programmer, system designer, and project manager
The panel was moderated by Sixth Form pupil Samuel, who encouraged open dialogue and ensured that the discussion remained engaging and informative. The speakers emphasised the importance of networking, developing soft skills like confidence and public speaking, and exploring a variety of career paths.
— Contributions by E. Dwek & N. Salvatori
Enrichment Weeks
Academic enrichment at UCS encompasses diverse opportunities for all year groups, allowing pupils to shape their academic journeys throughout their time at the school. The Modern Foreign Languages Department launched this year’s programme of Enrichment Weeks with an array of talks and activities centred on the theme of melting pots. Drawing great inspiration from the global south and east, pupils made Argentinian tea, discussed China’s Belt and Road initiative in lessons, and practised their Bachata dance moves.
Next came the Computer Science, Music, and Dance collaboration, which featured pupils breakdancing in the Great Hall, computer game programming, a pupil-led lecture
on cybercrime, and ‘Music in Motion’ - a workshop for GCSE pupils exploring a range of choreographic methodologies.
The final Enrichment Week of the Autumn Term focused on Classics, English and Art. During this week pupils had the opportunity to throw clay on a pottery wheel, receive a lecture delivered by John Mullan (Head of English at UCL), and write poems and present them at our Poetry Evening event where we had the honour of welcoming poet Adèle Geras. UCS also had the pleasure of inviting Illustrator Ingrid Sarson to teach digital illustration of an “imagined empire”.
— Contributions by X. Pollock & S. Davis
Enrichment Weeks
Deme Competitions
As is tradition, the Autumn term kicks off our roster of Deme competitions. This term saw our pupils’ competitive spirit nurtured in Deme swimming, rugby, singing, drama, debating, table tennis and fives. What is really special about the UCS Deme competition calendar is that there really is something for everyone to get stuck into!
UCS pupils relish representing their Demes at these events, making friendships and connections across year groups. For sixthformers and Deme Captains in particular, these competitions are opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and empathy skills.
Perhaps the most high-profile of all of these events is Deme Song which took place on the
final Friday afternoon of the first half term. Pupils have the responsibility to organise the entire arrangement and group together to work out how best to utilise the musical talent from the entire Deme age range. For the third year in a row, Underwoods took the top spot at Deme Song with Baxters again taking second place. Deme sport has been another platform for Deme camaraderie and competition. At the time of writing, rugby is still yet to play for but after an already packed calendar of swimming, fives and table tennis, competition at the fields is sure to be fierce!
Congratulations to all of our pupils for being involved with such good grace, energy and humility. And thank you to the staff who invest so much time and effort into putting on these fun competitions for the pupils.
— Contributions by S. Bennett
Deme Competitions
Lower School Diploma Lecture
While many Shell pupils have spent Friday lunchtimes this term playing football in the playground, eating fish and chips in the refectory, and attending various clubs, twenty budding Year 8 scholars have spent this time attending lectures on topics not found in their “usual” curriculum. Mr English kicked off the lecture series with a fascinating talk on the 1960s, Liverpool, and the Beatles, and the pupils loved the playlist that accompanied the talk. It certainly was a talking point! Miss Kurokawa examined aspects of cognitive psychology and Ms Lewis introduced Greek Tragedy. Mr
Hughes addressed whether tracking devices have enhanced exercise regimes and Mr Mee took the group on a whistle-stop tour around classical architecture and deconstructivism. On top of this, these pupils have also attended regular Junior Morris Lectures on Wednesday lunchtime. Next term, the pupils will hear from Mr Spence-Hill about computer science and will then start their research for the final project. After such a strong start to the course, Mr Pollack and I have high hopes for this assignment.
— Contributions by E. Roberts
Lower School Young Leaders Award
Under the guidance of Miss Ahilan, twenty-one Shell pupils have continued their work on the Young Leader’s Award. As part of this course, the pupils examine the concept of leadership and then investigate the stories and impact of great leaders in society. They consider the importance of serving others and examine how to bring about change within communities. They do this by developing core skills in workshops and team-building activities run throughout the term where they examine the roles effective communication, creative thinking, and emotional intelligence play in teamwork. The importance of humility and compassion is also discussed. Linked to this, the Shell pupils have organised, led and evaluated a series of community action events. Next term, the pupils will organise further community events as they develop their leadership skills.
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Contributions by E. Roberts
Inclusion
Ambassadors
We are excited to announce the appointment of our first cohort of Inclusion Ambassadors!
This group of 14 dedicated pupils from Shell to Upper Remove will champion inclusivity and foster a welcoming environment for all. By empowering our young leaders, we aim to cultivate a school community where everyone feels valued and supported.
— Contributions by J. Lewis
Upper Remove Visit Walton-on-the-Naze
The Geography Department and approximately 90 Upper Remove Geography pupils headed to Essex to study coasts on an exciting coastal fieldwork expedition. We stayed on Mersea Island, a unique location which gets cut off from the mainland twice daily at high tide, and travelled to Waltonon-the-Naze to conduct our Geography fieldwork. This location provided a great opportunity to see coastal processes in action and also some management techniques put in place to protect certain stretches of coastline.
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Contributions by D. Outram
European Career Roadshow, Goethe Institute
The European Career Roadshow at the Goethe-Institut provided pupils of German in Upper Remove, Transitus and Sixth the opportunity to attend a multi-faceted programme that lent insights into the relevance of German in professional life. Pupils attended talks such as ‘German and a career in financial services’, ‘German and Economics’, ‘AI and the future of Languages’, ‘Life as a diplomat’ and ‘German and Literature’.
Pupils also spoke to a range of employers and organisations, asking them questions about possible careers and how relevant their language skills would be.
— Contributions by S. Hess
“I learned about the importance of language skills when working for an international body such as the European Parliament and I even tried my skill at interpreting”
Jonah, Upper Remove
Shell Science Trip to Amsterdam
A total of 27 Shell boys and 4 staff visited the premier Science institutions of North Holland as part of the inaugural Lower School Science trip to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. From hands-on exhibits at the NEMO Science Museum in central Amsterdam and the ESA Space Expo, to the intricate workings of Biology at Artis Micropia, CORPUS and Body Worlds, our boys got a chance to have a fun and enriching trip. It wasn’t all STEM-focused
though – we managed to fit in a trip to the Johan Cruyff Arena, an early evening swing from the A’DAM Lookout at sunset, and even a brief kickabout in a local park. The trip was an excellent opportunity to come together as boys from different forms, share our enthusiasm and enjoyment of STEM subjects, build stronger bonds and make new friends across that shared passion.
— Contributions by M. Edwards
Remove GCSE Computer Science Trip to Cambridge
On Thursday 14th of November, UCS travelled to Cambridge for an educational delve into computing history. While there, we learnt about the evolution of computers, famous people in Computer Science and of course, enjoyed some classic retro games.
My favourite part of this day trip was learning an older code called BBC Basic and programming a video game using it. The challenge of using the old computers and trying out an unfamiliar code made
it so satisfying to get it correct. Finally, we also learnt about some cool computers in time such as Leo 1, a computer deployed by British tea company Lyons, and the pioneering Colossus which helped break German codes in WW2.
This outside-the-classroom approach gave us a better understanding of real-world uses of Computer Science by showing its practical uses beyond GCSE, making for an extremely interesting trip.
— Contributions by Oscar, Remove
A Level Art Trip to Barcelona
The A Level Art trip to Barcelona was an inspiring experience for the pupils, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich artistic heritage. Staying in the heart of Las Ramblas, they immersed themselves in the lively atmosphere of Barcelona’s historic centre. Highlights included the Sagrada Família, where Gaudí’s architectural genius sparked creativity with its intricate designs and towering spires. Furthermore, Park Güell’s colourful mosaics and Casa Mila’s organic
shapes lent a closer look into Gaudi’s architectural innovations. The pupils also visited a range of galleries, from the early works of Picasso at the Picasso Museum to the bold modern works at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Beyond these iconic sites, the trip fostered artistic exploration, deepened cultural appreciation, and left students inspired to incorporate these influences into their own creative journeys.
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Contributions by E. Barten
Classics Trip to Greece
Classics enthusiasts from Upper Remove to Sixth delved into the ancient world on their Classics trip to Greece, visiting sites such as Mycenae, the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the sanctuary of Delphi.
— Contributions by S. Davis
Into the Woods
Our production of Into the Woods has been a truly magical journey. This challenging Sondheim musical has pushed our young performers to their limits, testing their vocal abilities and demanding exceptional dedication.
The UCS musical is performed every two years and continues to grow in scope and eminence. More pupils auditioned than ever before, with a huge number attending Stage Crew and unprecedented demand for tickets. It is a cocurricular institution because of how deeply the pupils care about and cherish it.
Taking place in a school library, the tale revolves around the themes of actions having consequences, the responsibility of sets of parents, moving from child to adult, etc. It is a story of the individual’s aspirations in pursuit of a higher order and which nip at the heels of the centre’s concept of collective responsibility.
Our amazing cast and crew have devoted countless hours to ensuring all bases are covered in this production. Each and every aspect, from the difficult composition to the creative puppets, has been well designed.
Like the characters in the story, the company has formed an incredibly supportive and welcoming community to overcome the challenges of the musical. They have collaborated, learned puppetry skills, cheered each other on, made it easy to fail, shared friendly feedback, committed to numerous evenings and Sunday rehearsals, and applauded each other in rehearsals when they got it right – or wrong.
We’re grateful for the contributions of our talented staff, including the musical directors, choreographers, lighting designers, and set designers.
— Contributions by C. Abbott
“My favourite moment is ‘Ever After’ as I get to sing! And all of the whole company numbers as they are fun and powerful - lots of energy!” Max, Shell
Into the Woods
Autumn Concert
The UCS Autumn Concert on Thursday 5th December featured the school’s largest ensembles and most advanced musicians. Concert Band opened proceedings with a sonorous and powerful rendition of ‘Superman Suite’ by John Williams followed by ‘Overture de Argentina’ by James D.Playhar, where the Latin rhythms were keenly felt in a tight and pulsating performance. The Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s ‘Concerto Grosso in D minor’ was delivered with a polished sense of Baroque style, whilst Grieg’s Holberg Suite filled the Great Hall with glorious string tone.
The first half closed with Senor Jazz‘s scintillating rendition of Michel Camilo’s ‘Why Not?’ which featured a virtuoso solo on the Fender Rhodes keyboard by Joseph
Kouyoumjian.
The second half opened with an outstanding performance of the Saint-Saëns ‘Violin Concerto No 3’ by Maya Patel: Maya projected with power and full control of the musical argument, while the Symphony Orchestra accompanied with great sensitivity.
The evening concluded with the Symphony Orchestra taking centre stage in a rare outing of Edward Longstaff’s intriguing ‘Just One Thing’ Dvorak’s joyous folk-inspired ‘Symphony No. 8’ and Brahms’ soulful ‘Hungarian Dance No. 1’. The evening was a testament to the talent and hard work that both pupils and staff put into these ensembles.
— Contributions by C.
Dawe
Autumn Concert
Ensembles Concert
The Ensembles Concert on Tuesday 19 November showcased the sheer diversity of what goes on in the Music Department, featuring almost 100 pupils and ten separate groups. The event confirmed the expanding nature of co-curricular Music provision, in terms of both ensembles growing in size and scope, and as well as the addition of new groups. String Orchestra now numbers 35 players and impressed with an added richness and weight of sound in Robin Wedderburn’s ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. Big Band boasts 33 players (should it be renamed ‘Very Big Band’?) and packed a real punch in Henry Mancini’s Blues Brothers, which also featured a stunning trumpet duet by Max Bovensiepen and Markus Koffel.
Two ensembles made their debut. Wind Quintet, composed entirely of Upper Remove students, gave a stylish performance of Shostakovich’s ‘Waltz No 2’. And Saxophone Sextet, drawn from Transitus and Sixth, filled the Great Hall with the strains of Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘A Night In Tunisia’. As ever the quality of the music-making was a tribute to the dedication and expertise of our Ensemble Directors and the talent, enterprise and commitment of UCS musicians right across the school.
— Contributions by C. Dawe
Carol Concert
Act of Remembrance
The UCS Foundation held its annual Act of Remembrance to pay tribute to the sacrifice and service of those previous generations who made the ultimate sacrifice.
At this solemn occasion, Headmaster, Mark Beard, together with Headmistress of the Pre-Prep, Zoe Dunn, Headmaster of the Junior Branch, Lewis Hayward, Chief Operating Officer, Victoria Heeley, and Old Gowers’ Association President, Mark Alden, proceeded to the War Memorial, where they each laid a wreath.
Some 252 Old Gowers and staff were killed in the four years of fighting between 1914 and 1918 and no fewer than 17 families lost two or more sons. Nearly 1,000 Old Gowers served in World War II, of whom 122 were killed. Many of their names are inscribed in stone on the Memorial.
Mark Beard said: “Remembrance is also a chance to pay tribute to the special contribution of service families and of the emergency services. A chance, too, to acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of Terrorism.”
Sixth pupils and their Form Tutors lined the route of the procession along with staff members. Pupils from the UCS Pre-Prep and Junior Branch were also present. Captains of Monitors, Eliza Ascott and Finn Kjaergaard, represented pupils of all ages when they stepped forward to leave posies at the Memorial.
— Contributions by M. J. Beard
Celebrating Partnerships
The concept of community is deeply ingrained within the UCS ethos. We collaborate closely with our partners to ensure the effective planning and execution of shared events and initiatives, maximising the positive impact on both students and staff, fostering a strong sense of community and a commitment to lifelong learning. During the Autumn Term, a significant number of successful partnership events were held, involving both UCS and external pupils. A total of 347 external pupils participated in various activities, while an additional 221 UCS pupils took part.
Key Highlights:
Maths and Literacy Workshops: The relaunched English and Maths Literacy workshops, in collaboration with Richard Cobden School, provided valuable learning opportunities for Year 4 pupils. UCS students also benefited from this partnership, using the experience to contribute to their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Catalyst for Change: A collaborative project between UCS and LAE explored the concept of social change, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills among participants.
Art Pen Pal Project: The Lower School Art Club connected with pupils from Fleet and Rosary Schools through an exciting art pen pal project, promoting creativity and crossschool collaboration.
Into the Woods: The production of “Into the Woods” provided an opportunity for LAE pupils to attend a performance and write reviews for the Gower magazine.
Sixth Form Initiatives: The Sixth Form team continued to facilitate valuable experiences, such as primary school placements and the STEM and Oxbridge interview afternoon, preparing students for future academic and professional endeavours.
— Contributions by V. Trinder
LAE Rock Band
Back in November, the Music department was even noisier than usual as we welcomed thirteen members of the LAE rock band and their band leader, George Sullivan, to jam with twelve of our own fantastically talented Transitus rock musicians under the expert guidance of Shelley Walker and Simon Da Silva. It was a truly joyous occasion, as the passion and skill on show was only exceeded by the decibel levels. ‘One Way Or Another’ by Blondie and ‘Will I See You Again’ by the Sacred Souls, blasted out over the playground and left long-lasting earworms for all those lucky enough to have been involved.
— Contributions by D. Swanson
La Mattinata Italiana
The La Mattinata Italiana event, designed for Sixth-Form students, was a great collaborative endeavour involving external students from four visiting schools: Eton College, St Paul’s Girls School, NLCS, and Putney High School. The event was highly interactive and focused on networking, translation and cultural enrichment as part of one of the activities within enrichment week.
— Contributions by C. Bandera
Remove Consent Workshop with South Hampstead High School
Year 10 pupils from South Hampstead High School for Girls joined Remove pupils from UCS for a consent workshop held at UCS. Led by subject specialists, the workshop focused on key topics related to relationships, including what constitutes a healthy relationship, recognising red/green flags in others, and understanding the importance of consent.
Pupils participated in a range of activities, providing an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with peers from different schools and genders about these important topics.
— Contributions by D. Bluck
Hamburg Exchange Programme
The 2024 Hamburg Exchange marked a special milestone as the 30th anniversary of this rich cultural experience. Pupils began by exchanging correspondence in the summer with their German partners to get acquainted. In September, UCS pupils welcomed their partners into their homes, sharing their culture and daily life. In return, they travelled to Hamburg during the October half-term, staying with their partners’ families and experiencing German life first-hand.
Pupils explored landmarks, heard fascinating historical tales from Mr Underwood, and participated in a lively shopping challenge: They were given a budget and a list of items to purchase,
racing in teams to complete the task. Distinguishing between a “lokale Zeitung” and an “überregionale Zeitung” was key!
A standout memory for many pupils was spending a full day in a German school (Henrich-Heine-Gymnasium), attending lessons alongside their exchange partners. This unique opportunity to experience everyday school life was made even more memorable by a lively Germany vs England football game during break time!
Several pupils have said they believe they will stay in touch with some of the wonderful people they met.
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Contributions by S. Hess
“The German trip is in my opinion the best trip you can do at UCS. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know new people from different cultures, and I feel like I’ve made friends for life here in Hamburg”
Ayal, Remove
It IS Brain Surgery
On a bright cold November evening, 100 pupils from UCS, LAE Stratford and Michaela Community School gathered in UCS’s Great Hall to hear consultant neurosurgeon Ian Anderson’s talk entitled ‘It IS Brain Surgery’. Ian spoke about the diverse surgeries he has carried out (with graphic and at times stomach-churning videos including the clamping of an aneurysm), his pathway through medicine, and the diverse roles he has undertaken throughout his career, including principal investigator in several high-profile research pieces, the development of new surgical interventions and technologies, and writing for medical dramas.
The audience was captivated, and after questions ran well over the hour we had advertised for the talk, a sizeable group remained behind to further quiz Mr Anderson on the challenges of his career, the emotional burden of any errors in such a high-stakes job, and to seek tips on how to emulate such a career. Mr Anderson was hugely impressed by the quality of the audience, in both their responsiveness and the intelligence and insight of their questions, and wished pupils the very best as they embark on their own diverse studies and career paths, armed with a new insight into an extraordinary field.
— Contributions by C. Hawes
Community Action 2024-25
The Autumn Term sees a flurry of events and enterprise in aid of Community Action as UCS students compete to raise the most money for their respective Demes’ chosen charities. The long established traditions of selling Domino’s pizzas and freshly-baked cookies have been augmented by the newer UCS traditions of the baby bank collection and the winter coat collection. Many of the chosen charities this year support children and families in the UK. Fundraising has served to build awareness among our students and while working to pack the nappies generously donated by the UCS community one Lower School pupil calculated the monthly cost of nappies –noting the link between children, loss of earnings and poverty.
Team fitness has also proved a popular way to support charities; consider Olders’ Run in the Dark, Evans Swims the Channel, Shell Cycles the M25 as well as competitions in five-a-side football, fives, netball and basketball. And UCS charity endeavours do not stop at Christmas, as we have the Entry disco and a culture day to look forward to in the New Year.
Above is just a subset of the ideas and projects our students come up with to raise money and have fun. They develop organisational and leadership skills and a wider awareness of UCS’s role in the community.
— Contributions by E. Martin
WrapUp London
Olders Run in the Dark
Shell pupils successfully ran their annual WrapUp London coat collection as part of their Community Action initiative. The event, known for its great atmosphere, saw an impressive 115 pre-loved coats of all sizes donated, showcasing the generosity of the school community.
— Contributions by E. Roberts
The Olders 5km Run in the Dark took place at the fields one Monday evening with more than 100 staff and students taking part. The energy was high, and inflatables and glow sticks were being waved as the sun set over the fields. A huge amount of money has been raised for Great Ormond Street Hospital thanks to the generosity of the community.
— Contributions by M. Foster
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Delivering the Owl
The UCS Parents’ Guild has kindly sponsored a charity giant owl in memory of Old Gower Jack Morgan, who sadly lost his battle against cancer. Jack was adored by all, and we are so happy to be able to house the owl in aid of North London Hospice. He sits in pride of place at the entrance to the Sports Field Pavilion. He proudly welcomes everyone, bringing a smile to add to the joy that the various sporting activities bring to parents and pupils.
— Contributions by Gen Jacobs
This year’s Macmillan Coffee Morning was a huge success, although we forget how much the pupils love doughnuts! However many we supply there never seems to be enough or enough time to sell them! We made £2,500 for Macmillan through the sale of doughnuts and second-hand uniforms. The morning was enjoyed by all and yet it was only made possible by the help of both the parent volunteers and the school caretakers. Thank you!
— Contributions by Gen Jacobs
Parents’ Guild and Underwoods Firework Display
Approximately 1,200 individuals attended the UCS Parents’ Guild Fireworks and Food Trucks event at the fields, and it is estimated that around £13,000 was raised. This amount will be distributed between the UCS assistance fund and the Feeding Britain charity, as designated by Underwoods Deme. The evening was filled with entertainment provided by three bands from Underwoods, who captivated the audience throughout. Guests savoured the delightful food and drinks supplied by Urban Food Fest, whose contributions were essential to the event’s
success, warranting our sincere gratitude. The games, organised and facilitated by Underwoods Deme, were a source of enjoyment for both adults and children. The night peaked with a spectacular fireworks display that left everyone in awe, eliciting gasps of wonder from the crowd. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, characterised by many smiling faces, and it is important to acknowledge the efforts of all staff and parents involved. This well-organized and enjoyable community event attracted numerous neighbours from Hocroft, making it a memorable occasion for all.
— Contributions by Gen Jacobs
Rugby Tour to Italy
Over half-term, 40 bleary-eyed UCS rugby players tackled their first challenge: an extremely early start from Frognal followed by a scrum of security checks at Heathrow before flying to Venice. In hindsight, sleep deprivation wasn’t the best preparation for our first international that evening against a big, physical team. Thankfully the postmatch pasta and chats with our opponents compensated for the scoreline. The rain clouds cleared the following day, and spirits were raised with a visit to some local roller coaster rides, although it soon became clear that the quality of theme park food is the same the world over. On a day trip to Verona, we got to see the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony and had time to sample plenty of gelato.
The next day, we walked to view the stunning surroundings of Lake Garda on our doorstep of where we were staying. Our daily training sessions in the sunshine, surrounded by the Dolomites, were an amazing change of scenery from the UCS playing fields and prepared us for the match to come. A great game that ended in a 14-12 victory, thanks to lots of grit and teamwork. We celebrated with plenty of pizza, ending the four-day tour full of good food, new friendships, and lots of happy memories, which couldn’t have happened without our coaches and teachers — ‘Grazie mille’.
— Alexander (Lower Remove)
Rugby Tour to Italy
Women in Sport Week
Monday 18 November kickstarted the annual marvel that is Women in Sport Week at UCS, and the 2024 edition celebrated a landmark year for gender equality in sports. For the first time in Olympic history, 50% of all competing athletes were women. Women in Sport Week was a time to acknowledge their triumphs, but more importantly, to inspire all our girls to embrace the joys of physical activity and discover their inner athlete. Our aptly named ‘50 Challenge’ saw each Games lesson incorporate an activity centred on the number 50, a playful nod to this momentous occasion.
Beyond the ‘50 Challenge’, this week is a chance to celebrate the incredible achievements of UCS’s own female athletes. These young women are shining stars, both on and off the field:
Sophie: Sophie is part of Team GB for fencing at U20 and Senior level and has represented her country at multiple World Cups. She consistently ranks among the U20’s top 12 fencers nationally, and recently claimed the title of British U18 Vice-Champion.
Maddy: Maddy’s sporting journey began in Year 5. She has played all kinds of sports from rugby, tennis, hockey and netball but now competes solely in netball. Her unwavering commitment to netball has seen her compete for prestigious clubs like London Pulse, all while excelling in school matches.
Giorgia: Giorgia’s talents were evident from Year 3. Her impressive record includes playing for London Pulse and being selected for Saracen Mavericks U18. Currently, Giorgia captains the UCS 1st Team while also representing Cumberland Netball Club.
— Contributions by C. Hawes
Women in Sport Week
Across the week some of our female athletes direct various sports sessions for their peers, one of which was the Jiu-Jitsu workshop led by Avantika Varghese, our very own martial arts maven. Avantika has been honing her skills in Jiu-Jitsu since the tender age of seven. Muay Thai and MMA were added to her repertoire not long after. We asked two pupils who participated in this workshop to share their experience with us:
Avantika ran a fun and interactive Jiu-Jitsu session where she focused on teaching many moves such as head and wrist locks. She
started by showing everyone the basics of each technique, explaining how to use proper technique and positioning. After demonstrating, she paired everyone up to practise, walking around to give tips and help fix any mistakes. The session was extremely helpful, we learnt a lot whilst having fun and engaging in activities in honour of Women in Sport Week. After this session, we will certainly be looking into Jiu-Jitsu more to see if we can build on what we have learnt. Thank you Avantika!
— Contributions by S. Davis, Patricia & Elinor (Transitus)
Netball
The new Transitus netballers have been a very welcome and very energetic addition to UCS Netball this term, with outstanding shooter
Immy Ezro and high-speed centre-court player
Clara Chatin immediately gaining places on the first team alongside dazzling stalwarts from the 6th including Maddy Horsell and Annabel Ajayi who dominate the defensive circle. Two first times for UCS Netball this year; the inaugural Old Gower tournament, guested by England GS George Fisher, where the 1sts were runners up to a superb and newly established Old Gower Team, and our first international match where the 1st drew and the 2nd narrowly lost to Australian touring teams from Somerville House.
It was fantastic to have 1st captain Giorgia back from injury and in top form later this term, she
gains well-deserved praise from coaches and players both from opponent schools and UCS every time she takes the court.
Next term the 2nds continue their progression through the Sisters N Sport Vase tournament, and I look forward to updating you on their semi-final clash against Aldenham in January, where I anticipate more brilliance in the centre court from Mia Samuals, who has gone from strength to strength this term. It has been an absolute joy to coach alongside our new coaches Mrs Coulter, Miss Childs, and Miss Aitchison, who have been instrumental to the success of both teams this term, and who I know have enjoyed as much as I have coaching such a dynamic, talented, and team focussed group of sportswomen.
— Contributions by C. Hawes
It has been another busy and successful term for UCS Rugby. Across the Foundation, more than 200 fixtures have been played with notable success. It has been particularly pleasing to see another increase in participation and performance across the Senior School.
The outstanding teams this autumn have been the U13A and U13B, which have a combined win percentage of over 85%. It is pleasing to see them continue their good form from last season.
Under the captaincy of Theo Melikian, the 2nd XV are perhaps the most improved side of the term, recording notable victories over St Benedict’s and Colfe’s, amongst others. As the flagship side, the 1st XV have had another very
successful season. At the time of writing, the squad are currently in the quarter-final of the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Bowl and have recorded statement wins over Finchley RFC, Westcliff High School for Boys, Brentwood, Fulham Boys, QE Barnet, St Edmund’s Ware, Latymer and St Columba’s. Tom McQuaid and Charlie Wheeler have been inspirational leaders, and we thank leavers Eoghan Cawley, Daniel Brunas, Leo Crenna, Sid Alexander, Ben Craig, Ryan Taghavian, Bertie Jarman, Adam Hoff, Leo Reichwald and Ori Pickford for their contribution to UCS Rugby during their time at the school.
— Contributions by D. Brown
Basketball
After a heartbreaking end to last season, where the Ringers lost in the Finals, the team came out running this year with a newfound vengeance!
Bolstered by the addition of Coach Max, a brilliantly erratic coach who injects technical expertise into the team, the Ringers are currently undefeated 8-0 in total matches (5-0 league). Koru Ayan and Harry Lee Born spearhead the team as point guards. Koru’s fast-paced game and incessant stamina revived the team from exhaustion in critical moments. Harry’s 3-level scoring abilities and passing IQ make him a potent offensive threat. Captain Sam Wang maintains his offensive scoring consistency, scoring a season-high 31 points whilst acting as an anchor for the team.
On defence, Chris Newell continues to dominate, hustling for steals whenever possible. Combined with Edoardo Gori’s impressive blocking abilities, the Ringers have proudly positioned themselves as a defensive powerhouse. Ayan Hull-Jurkovic brings intensity off the bench. Despite injuries, Mohamud Issa and Adam Hoff made substantial contributions where possible.
The Transitus players’ development has placed the Ringers in a strong future position. Led by Zekie, Tom Harris, and Joshua Lemalu, the team will maintain its strong defensive advantage under Coach Max’s continued guidance.
— Contributions by E. Sawtell
Hockey
The Autumn term in hockey allows us to maximise the exposure to hockey for pupils at UCS. We have seen a packed hockey pitch every games afternoon with a wide range of abilities from absolute beginners to players who train with Premier League teams.
We have already had 177 pupils represent the school across 14 teams, from the 1st XI to the C & D teams in the Entry and Shell. The opportunity for all abilities to play hockey at UCS this term has been thoroughly enjoyable.
At the performance end of the spectrum, the 1st XI have shown great promise in their fixtures this term, with several 1st XI debuts and maiden goals. The squad has a good mixture of experience and fresh faces, which is really exciting for us when we look towards the spring term.
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Contributions by J. Hillyer
Old Gowers Rugby
Having won promotion last season, UCS Old Gowers Rugby Club are making steady progress in the Herts/ Middlesex Division 2 this season. Hopes of a push for promotion remain high after the 1st XV produced their best performance of the season to defeat league leaders Saracens Amateurs, 30-15, under the floodlights at the famous old Enfield ground. OG Sam Richardson produced another man-of-the-match performance from no.8, while fellow OG Gabe Hartwill’s excellent season with the boot continued, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Coach and UCS Master Will Jones was delighted with the win, heralding “a strong and fiercely committed defensive display” as key to the impressive victory. The 2nd XV are enjoying their best campaign for years, beating Ealing Trailfinders 40-11 to back up a series of really impressive wins. Training takes place at the UCS playing fields every Tuesday at 7 pm. All school dads are welcome to come down and show there’s life in the old dog yet. Mums need to wait until summer for mixed Tag.
— Contributions by M. Alden
Old Gowers Netball
UCS Old Gowers Netball Club made a triumphant start to their 2024–25 season, winning the inaugural UCS Netball tournament thrillingly. OG and Club Captain Izzy Alden proved instrumental in driving the 1st Team to glory against the School 1st VII. The club continues to grow, offering weekly social and competitive netball to all Old Gowers, UCS Mums, current staff and Active members. We welcome OGs to bring friends from uni or work to join the Netters family every Tuesday night from 8 pm at the UCS sports hall. Games against arch-rivals Mill Hill and Highgate are to come in 2025.
— Contributions by M. Alden
Old Gowers Reunion
On Thursday 7th November, we were delighted to welcome nearly 100 Old Gowers and former members of staff back to UCS for the Old Gowers’ Reunion, our new event format. This change has meant that we can invite more OGs back to school more frequently. This year, we invited the classes of 2024, 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974 and anyone who left before that. Former pupils were delighted to see their friends and some of their teachers, and many of the OGs took the opportunity to take a tour of the school to see how it has changed (or not) since they left. It was a wonderful evening with a warm and buzzy atmosphere.
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Contributions by E. Dwek
The next OG reunion will take place in November 2025
Old Gowers Reunion
