Arnold House Spring Assembly 2019

ASSEMBLYSPRING 2019 From the Headmaster In an age when technology can spread good news or bad news, kind words or unkind words, positive thoughts or negative thoughts with a few touches on a keypad, I think it is beholden on all of us, grown-up and not so grown up, to stop and think before we press send.

Similarly, in the increasingly fast-paced and competitive world we live in, we need to be mindful of others’ feelings as we strive

to develop our own skills and talents and seize the opportunities that come our way.

In my experience, there isn’t much that can go wrong in a prep school that cannot be resolved if goodwill and a common purpose remain at the cornerstone of relationships between boys, staff and parents. Our common purpose at Arnold House has always been to provide a nurturing environment in which little boys

have the best chance possible of growing up into bright, well-mannered, motivated, articulate and well-rounded young men.

I’m pleased to say that I see many examples on a daily basis of happy AH boys sharing in the enjoyment and excitement of their school days… days I am sure that they will look back on with great fondness in years to come.

Viv Thomas

Top row left to right: Year 6 visit to London Central Mosque, Orange & Yellow Charity Day in aid of The St John’s Hospice Middle row left to right : Year 7 visit to Rome, Rugby and Hockey Festival at Canons Park, Year 4 performance of The Rocky Monster Show Bottom row left to right: Verse Speaking Winners, Year 1 Tractor Day

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Bursary Fun Run On Friday 22nd March 271 boys rose to the challenge of the first Arnold House Bursary Fun Run! After taking part in a six week health and fitness programme in the lead up to the event, the boys made their way to Canons Park to find it had been transformed into a running track fit for a professional athlete. We were very fortunate to be joined by two Team GB Athletes; Theo Blundell (800m, multiple time national champion) and Ellis Cross (10,000m, European Cross Country medallist, European U23 10,000m - 5th and multiple time national champion) who took each year group through a warm up and stretch before they made their way to the starting line. On this special occasion the boys also benefitted from Chip Timing Technology with a tag attached to their shoes allowing them to record their exact time and adding to the excitement of the event. The junior end of the school ran distances of 1k, 1.5k and 2.5k and put on a very impressive and enthusiastic performance whilst Years 5-8 had to prove they had real stamina by completing a tough 5K Run around the park.

Throughout the afternoon there was a fantastic atmosphere and it was great to see the support of the staff and parents whether they chose to run with the boys, support them at the finish line or marshal various points along the course. All the boys enjoyed taking part and there was a huge sense of achievement at the end of the day.

As has always been the case, the Arnold House community came together to support this very worthy educational cause. The boys raised a very impressive amount through sponsorship of their run, and including the raffle and a unique offering of experiences from the staff in the auction a marvellous total of ÂŁ35,000 was raised!.

Only a matter of days later, boys and dads returned for more exercise in the annual Bursary Football Match at Hendon FC. After a children’s game including boys and girls from Years 2 to 8, the dads and staff took to the field for a well fought out match. It was a very close encounter with the staff only just holding onto the trophy at 4-3.

Thank you for all your support.

Stephanie Miller Head of External Relations

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Interview with AH old boy Henry Armes (1999-2005) What have you done since leaving Arnold House?

After leaving Arnold House I went to Mill Hill School. I became head of my house and largely enjoyed my time there. However, having wanted to study Medicine for a few years I was very disappointed not to gain a place at Medical School. I took a gap year and started exploring other avenues into medicine. I found a university in Bucharest, Romania that taught medicine in English and I was delighted to have been offered a place there! It was a 6 year course and after graduating I have started working as a junior doctor in Plastic Surgery at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

although it’s difficult with everyone’s busy schedules. Arthur Fokschaner and Charlie Williams both went to Mill Hill and we have always stayed close. I recently convinced Charlie Williams, Ben Koerner and Harry Cooke to come to the latest ‘42 Club reunion and we all agreed to make a bigger effort to see people from our year. All ‘05 graduates can expect several messages on various platforms about next years ‘42 Club reunion (fair warning).

What are your overriding memories of Arnold House?

While at Arnold House I always felt that all the boys in my year had a real passion for learning. I also felt that the teachers sincerely cared about each individual’s education for the sake of the pupil and not the sake of the exam grade statistics.

It was quite clear that the teachers cared about what sort of boy Arnold House was producing. I think that’s a very rare quality in a school and something everyone should be proud of. I always remember sport at Arnold House being of a fantastic standard as well. Basically, it’s a very well rounded school.

Have you stayed in touch with any of your fellow pupils?

I try to see as many of my year as I can

wouldn’t be happy doing. It certainly would have been easier to move on and forget all about it.

Describe an average day in your role?

We start at 08:00 with a morning meeting discussing inpatients and any important jobs that need to be done that day. After that we will do a ward round and make sure anyone set for surgery is ready.

Then depending on what we have been scheduled to do that day we might be in charge of the ward patients, scrubbing into the operating theatres or handling the emergencies in A&E. Unless you’re on call you normally finish at around 18:00 in the afternoon. The job really does force you to deal with a wide variety of challenges so there is rarely a dull moment.

What advice would you give someone who would like to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in medicine?

Henry (back right) with Charlie Williams, Charlie & Harry Cooke and Ben Koerner at the ‘42 Club Dinner in March

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

The obvious answer is finishing medical school and becoming a doctor but that’s boring so I will say something different.

After suffering the blow of not securing a place at medical school in this country after working so hard for several years, I think my greatest achievement is not giving up and settling for something I

Take the time to make sure Medicine is the right career for you. It’s long and tough and surprisingly unstable in terms of where you might be working in the country. Shadowing doctors can be a fantastic way to get a feel for the lifestyle however I would try to shadow doctors at different stages in their careers. A doctor’s day to day activity in their first year out of medical school will be very different to a senior consultant. Finally if after all that you decide this the career for you then make use of every available resource.

Henry (top right) with class 5L in 2002

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