The Perse School Annual Review 2020-21 by ThePerseSchool

OUR YEAR 2020 - 2021

Annual Review 2020-2021

Head’s welcome Think what you can do, not what you can’t. It is a simple and important message that teachers and parents have been telling children for generations. In an academic year when the national education focus has often been on things that haven’t taken place, such as public exams and in-school learning, it is wonderful to record in our Annual Review all the many positive experiences that Perse pupils and staff have had despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic. The show has literally gone on in music and drama, even if that meant virtual performances or limited, socially distanced audiences. Where Covid restrictions made some activities difficult, resourceful Perseans adapted to create new opportunities with hotly contested house sports competitions filling some of the void left by the cancellation of many inter-school games. Lockdown restrictions meant many students had more time on their hands than usual and they put this to excellent effect raising money for charity, supporting those in need, enhancing the environment, and carrying out independent academic research that has seen pupils winning national and international prizes. Necessity is the mother of invention and the pandemic has made the Pelican, Prep and Upper review their operations. A number of positive changes have resulted which we will keep post Covid. These include more use of video conferencing for some parents’ evenings, new drop-off arrangements to reduce traffic congestion, and better use of IT to improve teaching, learning, assessment and administration. At times 2020-21 felt like an uphill struggle as we all had to adjust to changing public health requirements, frequently updated Department of Education guidance and a January U-turn that led to the cancellation of public exams and their replacement with teacher-assessed grades. Covid has meant that we have become well practised at dealing with adversity and uncertainty, and through the positivity and endeavour of pupils and staff, well supported by governors and parents, we have prevailed. We are hoping for fewer challenges in 2021-22, but whatever the future brings, I’m sure that The Perse and its pupils will have the values and character needed to realise their own ambitions and help others.

Ed Elliott Head

Shaped by our values A clear sense of purpose, shared by pupils and staff, lies at the heart of everything we do.

Intellectual curiosity and scholarship

Breadth and balance

Endeavour

One another and our environment

We love learning, thinking

We are involved, engaged

We aim high and

We each play our part

deeply, being creative

and committed, and we

challenge ourselves, try

in creating a kind and

and welcoming reasoned

take full advantage of

our best and are not afraid

considerate community.

debate.

the opportunities we are

to make mistakes.

We care for ourselves, each

given.

other and those in need.

Contents

PELICAN

PREP

UPPER

Intellectual Curiosity and Scholarship

Breadth and Balance

Chemistry

Physics

Endeavour

Biology

One Another and Our Environment

Computer Science 34

Geography 36

History 37

Politics 38

Maths 39

Modern Foreign Languages 40

Independent Learning

Annual Review 2020-2021

Breadth and Balance

Endeavour

Sport

One Another and Our Environment

Music 55

91 82

Outdoor Pursuits

Classics

Charities and Community Outreach 100

Summer School

Art

101 64

Community Benefit

English and Drama

102 72

Alumni and Development

Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

104 73

Community Lectures

Design and Technology

Results 2021 107

112

I/GCSE results

University destinations

110

113

A level results

Course choices

Pelican

PELICAN 6

Annual Review 2020-2021

Intellectual Curiosity and Scholarship

Children say hola to Spanish on Pelican Languages Day There was a big bienvenido for all at the Pelican as children had a great time celebrating Spanish during the school’s Languages Day. Youngsters dressed up in the colours of the flags of Spanishspeaking countries and had a taste of Iberian cuisine at lunchtime with traditional paella. Year 2 got into the groove by learning how to flamenco dance as well as creating artwork in the style of Spanish surrealist artist Joan Miro. As well as having their regular Spanish lesson, the innovative

Refreshing Mediterranean fruit cocktails were made and

and eye-catching works of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi

enjoyed by Nursery children, who also learned some simple

were the focus for Year 1 as they explored the sculptures he

Spanish phrases and decorated flags from Spanish-speaking

designed in Barcelona’s Parc Guell, including his famous multi-

countries. They also used Google Earth to locate Spain and

coloured salamander mosaic, before using brightly coloured

other Spanish-speaking countries and found out more about

paper to make animal collages in the same vein.

their landscapes.

Reception pupils got creative by making Peruvian worry dolls,

An excelente Pelican Languages Day was rounded off with

Mexican-inspired art and miniature flamenco dancers.

a Spanish story read to the whole school by Mrs Phemollant.

Pelican

Terrific tessellations created during Pelican Maths Day Plenty of pretty patterns were created as youngsters explored the wonder of tessellations during Maths Day. Tessellations are patterns of the same

Nursery and Reception youngsters

geometric shapes repeated over and

wo r ke d w i t h p a p e r s h a p e s a n d

over again with no gaps or overlaps.

printmaking techniques, such as potato printing, to make tessellations, while

Children discovered how they could be

pupils in Years 1 and 2 designed their

found in nature, such as in the hexagonal

own colourful patterns.

pattern of a beehive, or in everyday life, such as in the layout of bricks in a wall.

Every child was also given a tessellating

They also learned about Dutch graphic

template to decorate as they wished,

artist MC Escher, whose works were

with each one being put together for a

inspired by tessellations.

whole school display creating an eyecatching end to the day.

Pelican pupils transform into favourite fictional characters Children at the Pelican celebrated the end of the school’s Friendship Week by dressing up as characters from their favourite books. They had a great time showing off a wide variety of colourful outfits, including The Gruffalo, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and the Gingerbread Man.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Breadth and Balance

A day of wonder at Wandlebury

Throughout the day, pupils explored grassland, pond and

Pupils in Year 1 enjoyed a day trip to Wandlebury Country

life. The fun-packed and very hands-on day also gave children

Park where they took part in a range of hands-on activities

the opportunity to learn more about looking after their local

led by staff from the outdoor education centre.

environment.

woodland habitats. They took part in a flower observation and naming challenge, a pond dipping and mini beast experience, and learned about the inter-dependence of plant and animal

Fairy tales given magical musical makeover Children in Year 2 sang their hearts out performing in the musical productions of The Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The traditional tales were brought to life with colourful costumes and passionate singing by all of the energetic cast. Head Francesca Heftman said: “Our Year 2 pupils and staff have worked so hard this year to ensure that despite Covid restrictions we could still put on end-of-year showcase performances. I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible. The children did so well with learning a lot of lines and seeing them all so happy made everyone at the Pelican feel exceptionally proud of them.”

Pelican

Endeavour

Year 2 sign off in style Year 2 pupils signed off from the Pelican with a fun-filled event at the Upper.

The youngsters were on their marks for their very own sports

After their athletic exertions, children enjoyed a tasty treat by

day and had a brilliant time taking part in lots of different races.

toasting mouthwatering marshmallows over a bonfire with the help of the Perse outdoor pursuits department.

Annual Review 2020-2021

One Another and Our Environment Marathon fundraising effort at the Pelican The aim of the marathon mission was to raise funds for the children’s chosen charities this year, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and Greenfingers Charity, which creates inspiring gardens for children who spend time in hospices to play, rest and relax in. Children enjoyed taking part in the event and comparing how many laps they had completed.

I loved going fast and having an ice lolly. - Beatrice Evan said: “All that running made my legs very tired, but I ran 15 laps”, while Beatrice, who also managed 15 circuits,

Children at the Pelican had fun going on the run with a Charity

commented: “I loved going fast and having an ice lolly.”

Marathon.

Head Francesca Heftman was delighted the Pelican had been

In separate year group bubbles everyone took part, from

able to hold an event that brought everyone together as a

Nursery to Year 2, warming up in the hall before trying to

school community following a tough year due to the Covid-19

complete as many 250-metre laps of the school as possible

pandemic.

within a given time limit.

She said: “It’s been lovely to have an event like this after so

A refreshing ice lolly was the welcome reward for every

long and there was a really nice team spirit with one year

youngster crossing the finish line after their exertions.

group cheering on another.

Each child’s distance was then recorded and added together to

“Everyone had fun trying to run as far as they could and we

calculate the number of marathons ran collectively by the whole

hope to raise as much money as possible for two terrific

school, with Pelican pupils managing to cover a whopping 1,755

charities chosen by the children.”

laps – equivalent to 235.8 miles or nine marathons!

It’s been lovely to have an event like this after so long and there was a really nice team spirit with one year group cheering on another. - Francesca Heftman

Pelican

Children dressed up in their most colourful clothing to celebrate Heroes Day at the Pelican The event was inspired by a competition being run by the

most important people during this unprecedented time and

Royal Mail, in which youngsters were invited to design a

created eye-catching designs for the competition to reflect

stamp highlighting their ‘Covid Heroes’, the people who

who had been their ‘Covid Hero’.

they felt had done an extra-special job of helping others throughout the pandemic.

Who knows, a Pelican could be chosen to have their artwork transformed into a Royal Mail postage stamp as part of a series

A rainbow theme marked the event with Pelican children

being released in spring 2022.

getting into the spirit of the occasion by wearing a dazzling selection of outfits.

Head Francesca Heftman commented: “It was great to see everyone looking so colourful and coming up with some

From doctors and nurses to teachers and supermarket

fantastic designs inspired by the people who have done so

workers, they talked about who they thought had been the

much to help others during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Pelicans give powerful Earth Day message Children expressed the need to value our environment by creating colourful posters to mark Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual international event demonstrating support for environmental protection. All Pelicans got involved in making eye-catching designs addressing what could happen if no action is taken to halt climate change, while using thought-provoking slogans to highlight the issues.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Olympic spirit on show at Pelican fete A wonderful time was had by all as the school came together for the Pelican Fete. To mark a huge summer of sport, plenty of great games were on offer, with a penalty shootout competition to celebrate the Euro 2020 football tournament and other enjoyable events themed around the Tokyo Olympics. Lots of stalls also gave children the chance to win prizes, as

Chair of the Pelican Parents’ Association Melissa Whelan said:

well as a much-needed ice cream, during the fun-packed fete.

“We wanted to give the children a day full of happiness and excitement. After living through the challenges of homeschooling, lockdown and two years without a school fete, we were thrilled to be able to host the Pelican Olympics Fete for 2021. It was wonderful to see the children being so happy and excited.” The whole Olympic experience from being on the Olympic podium, getting a golden medal, beating the goalie, javelin challenges and shooting the hoops, among many other fun activities, gave the Pelican children a day to remember.

Prep

PREP 14

Annual Review 2020-2021

Intellectual Curiosity and Scholarship

A flavour of France for Prep pupils   Year 5 pupils enjoyed a Gallic staycation when they took part in a special French Day at the Prep.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the annual Year 5 trip to France was unfortunately cancelled. To ensure those youngsters did not miss out on a taste of life across the Channel, this event was arranged to give them an opportunity to use their French skills outside the classroom.  Children learned how to make mayonnaise and took part in a special art workshop creating Notre-Dame inspired stained glass window designs, as well as enjoying croissants for a breaktime snack and a French-themed lunch of coq au vin and crêpes. They rounded off the day by displaying their acting and linguistic prowess by performing a short play in French based around the Tokyo Olympics.

Prep

Exciting experience for all in Prep Activities Week  From ice cream making to building rockets, pupils enjoyed lots of new experiences during Prep Activities Week.  Each year group had the opportunity to try exciting new challenges and quench their thirst for intellectual curiosity through a series of trips, events, activities and talks.  There was a strong scientific slant to the week with children hearing from a range of experts and learning plenty of A giant microscope helped children appreciate cell structure

fascinating facts along the way.

and organelles and interactive demonstrations showed how With the world in the grip of Covid, children discovered more

blood vessels work around the body. They learned more about

about how diseases spread and how data is used to predict

heart disease and the development of blood clots and used

this spread, while various activities helped them to understand

ultrasound to find blood vessels.

about microbes and how they grow. They also heard about Pupils were also given an insight into eye surgery and

the different stages of medicine manufacture.

discovered how broken bones can be fixed.  The importance of DNA sequencing was explained and pupils had the chance to build models of DNA with sweets. They also

Away from the human body, children studied rocks and fossils

had a detailed look at genetic and mitochondrial DNA and were

and found out about the science behind construction and

challenged to debate the ethics surrounding DNA sequencing,

architecture. They also took what they discovered about the

as well as being introduced to neurology.

science of flight to build a scale model Hawker Hurricane and create gliders and rockets of their own.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Throughout the week we were happy to see the smiles on the faces of the children who were clearly engaged and happy to be part of such a varied and enriching programme.  - Jules Reston

The Perse Upper’s respective Heads of Chemistry and Biology,

Author Mark Wells paid a visit to Year 3, while Dan Shailer told

Emily Nesbitt and Cheryl Buchanan, also dropped in for some

Year 4 pupils about his challenge to swim the English Channel

scientific fun. Dr Buchanan invited pupils to take part in a CSI-

as part of a University of Cambridge relay team to raise funds

style investigation using blood and urine samples to catch

for Cancer Research UK and the Marine Conservation Society.

the pretend perpetrator, while Miss Nesbitt wowed them with

Children also took part in the Charity Challenge to raise money

coloured flames and underwater scenes using acids and alkalis.

for Stand for Trees and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, as well as having a go at mini beast hunting, interactive map reading,

Beyond science, each year group relished taking part in

ice cream making and bridge building.

outdoor pursuits days at Abington, with children gaining skills in teamwork, resilience and perseverance as they had to find

Year 6 had a special treat as they rounded off the week with

solutions to a range of challenging tasks.

all the fun of the fair at Porson Road playing field, with music, picnics and giant inflatables.

Years 3, 4 and 5 had a great time exploring the Cambridge Botanic Garden, while Year 4 and 5 pupils delved deep into

Jules Reston, Prep Director of Enrichment, commented:

history, culminating in the opportunity to test out some

“Throughout the week we were happy to see the smiles on

medieval weaponry.

the faces of the children who were clearly engaged and happy to be part of such a varied and enriching programme.”

Prep

Breadth and Balance Prep pupils get artistic

During the Michaelmas term, Year 6 pupils explored architecture as a theme for their work. The pupils looked at contemporary examples of architecture in Cambridge including The Faculty of Law and The Performing Arts Centre at The Perse Upper School. The project was made up of three stages - first the pupils designed and drew their own piece of contemporary architecture, then they were asked to build it in three dimensions using card, straws and glue and finally they took photographs of their model against a variety of backgrounds using torches to light up the inside!

Pupils in Year 3 zoomed in on Vincent Van Gogh’s painting The Starry Night in order to discover more about how he applied paint and created a sense of movement. Moon circles were painted in response to this.

Athene Ross

Harry Voss

Leighton House As a continuation of the architecture project, pupils painted the Prep School’s main building, Leighton House. They explored the history of Leighton House and then learned about observational drawing and watercolour painting techniques, using waterproof pen and watercolour to complete their pieces.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Summer art winner

Qiqi Shao (Year 6) won the summer art competition and he completed his landscape using oil pastel and paint.

Aditi Shadakshari

Etienne Lamb

Year 3 and 4 get to the point Children in Year 3 and 4 produced images inspired by pointillist paintings.

Prep

Prep pupils strike a chord Music goes from strength to strength at the Prep with a number of pupils hitting the high notes before they even reached the age of 11. Amongst the star performers were Neve Chua (Year 6), who passed her Grade 5 on the violin, and Florence Mather (Year 6), who passed her Grade 8, also on the violin. Charlie Angus (Year 5) progressed beyond his Grade 8 on the violin and is now on his Performance Diploma level. Another Prep pupil who has been giving virtuoso performances has been accomplished pianist Maito Shiode (below, Year 6). Maito has recently performed at several charity concerts as well as winning awards at music competitions in both London and Cambridge, including winning the grand prize (Kathleen Freeman Trophy) and six other trophies at the

Royal Academy place awaits gifted musician

Cambridge Competitive Music Festival earlier this year. Maito recently earned a distinction in his Grade 8 exam and said: “I felt overjoyed. I wasn’t really expecting it because I made some mistakes, but when the results came back I was really

Francesca He (Year 4) has been offered a place at the Royal

happy. The examiner had some very positive comments

Academy of Music after impressing on not one, but two

which helped. They liked the sense of communication and

instruments.

characterisation of each piece, but they also suggested some technical things I should do when I next play the pieces,

From September, she will travel to London every Saturday

including the use of the soft pedals.”

to receive tuition in violin, her principal instrument, as well as piano after being accepted on to the Royal Academy of

Maito, who also sings in the Prep choir and plays in the

Music’s Primary Academy programme.

school percussion group, began playing piano while in Year 1 at the Pelican.

Francesca will also get the chance to play in ensembles with other talented young musicians taking part in the scheme.  She said: “I wasn’t sure if I could get into the Royal Academy, so I’m very happy to get a place and I’m really excited about it.  “I enjoy playing music because it lets you express yourself without any words. With violin, I like playing loud pieces, but with piano, I prefer more calm pieces.”  Francesca began playing both instruments while at the Pelican, starting with violin in Year 1 and followed by piano in Year 2.  Under the tuition of Director of Music Paul Harris, she has continued to develop her musical skills at the Prep, playing both instruments in assemblies and violin with the school orchestra.  On piano, she enjoyed success earlier this year in her first-ever competition, the illustrious Young Euregio International Awards, held online this year, finishing a fantastic third in category A for children aged seven to 10.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Festive fun with Christmas productions

junk shop as a Christmas present for their teacher. Ali Baba

This year, Covid-19 restrictions meant that the usual Year

Head of Year 4 Clare Cassidy said: “They’ve worked on it each

3, 4 and 6 productions could not be performed in front of

week in their drama lessons since September and really enjoyed

a live audience of family and friends. However, their hard

the experience.”

and the 40 Thieves and The Beggar’s Tale were among the enchanting stories performed on film by the pupils.

work practising their lines and rehearsing their moves did not go to waste as all three productions were filmed for their

Year 6 stole the show with their triple cast versions of Grimm’s

families to enjoy.

Fairy Tales. There was pathos and humour, solos, whole cast singing and even some shadow puppetry.

Year 3 explored fun facts around festive traditions in their performance, including Santa being portrayed wearing green rather than red and the introduction of Christmas trees to the UK by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  Prep Head of Drama Jules Reston said: “The children had a lot of fun and just rolled with how we had to do this production and we tried to make it relevant to some of the things that happened this year.”  Year 4 revisited Arabian Nights, introduced with a group of children who buy a copy of the famous story book from an old

Taking the next step into Royal Ballet School

Tristan de Ris (Year 6) has danced his way into a full-time place at the Royal Ballet School.  The Prep pupil will take his first steps at one of the world’s leading ballet schools in September after gaining one of just 24 available Year 7 places from hundreds of applications.  He said: “It’s really exciting. It’s a great opportunity to take a passion of mine to the next level.”  Tristan originally tried ballet at the age of just two after being taken along to a class by his mum, but came back to it aged seven.  “I did a boys’ class in London and I’ve really enjoyed it since then,” he said. “I just like the freedom and the movement of ballet.”  Tristan trains with Cambridge dance company Bodywork, as well as having taken part in associate programmes run by the Royal Ballet School, Young Dancers Academy and former

It’s really exciting. It’s a great opportunity to take a passion of mine to the next level. - Tristan de Ris

Royal Ballet dancer Camille Bracher.  Prep Head James Piper commented: “We are thrilled for Tristan. This is an outstanding achievement and we wish him the very best at the Royal Ballet School. He has been a trailblazer at the Prep in terms of his dancing and is a great role model for the rest of the school.”

Prep

Endeavour Superheroes for the day  Prep pupils transformed into superheroes for a special themed House Activities Day. Avengers assembled as children got into small groups to produce their own short superhero films after watching some clips for inspiration and making their own masks for the occasion. From Thor’s hammer to Hawkeye’s bow and arrow, a superhero usually needs a prop, so youngsters had the chance to make ‘ninja stars’ from lollipop sticks with the aim of hitting an archery target. A mass Captain America-themed workout on Leighton Lawn with every child taking part provided an heroic end to the day.

House rivalry is on track at Sports Day  Competition was fierce as House teams did battle in the

The whole school relay provided a fitting finale to the action,

annual Prep Sports Day.

with each child running a 22-metre leg for their House, and after the scores were totted up, the Foresters ran out overall

Each year group competed in 75 or 100m races and 300 or

winners.

400m races on the track, as well as a ball throw competition and a tug of war.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Pupils in Year 6 enjoyed canoeing at Milton Country Park as part of their outdoor pursuits activities

Prep

County triumph for cricket team  The Prep girls’ U11 cricket team were bowled over after being crowned Cambridgeshire champions.  They won both their matches convincingly in the round-robin County Cup, beating St Faith’s in the decider to clinch the title.  County success capped a brilliant unbeaten season for the Prep team, who recorded a series of comprehensive victories over other schools.   Team coach Kendra Seed said: “They have worked hard and have made a successful transition to hardball cricket. Girls’ cricket is thriving at the Prep with 93% of fixtures won across the whole school and many of the girls are representing the county and playing for local cricket clubs.”

Talented tennis players are a No 1 smash  Two of our Year 6 pupils (Harry Voss and Olivia Kaser) have shone with their tennis this year, performing in national championships. Meanwhile gifted young tennis ace Etienne Lamb (right, Year 4) is proving to be a big hitter after becoming No 1 in the country in his age group.  Eight-year-old Etienne has made it to the top of the LTA rankings in the boys’ U9 category, having recently won four regional-level tournaments.  It is an especially huge accomplishment as the Prep pupil regularly competes against older Year 5 boys from some of the strongest tennis counties.  A delighted Etienne said: “It’s a little bit of a surprise, but I’m very happy about it because it’s a really big achievement.”  He said: “I started off with Sue and one year later, I was seven Etienne began playing aged five after watching tennis and

times better as a player! Matt has taught me some very good

thinking “it seemed like a lot of fun”. He quickly got to grips

footwork and I work a lot with Sue on attacking shots and

with the sport at Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club (CLTC) and

technique. I really like hitting shots past people for winners!”

won his first tournament at six years old. At the same age, he managed to beat a player three years his senior to provide an

Etienne has ambitions of one day becoming a professional

indication of his fledgling talent.

and maybe even winning Wimbledon, just like his favourite tennis player Rafael Nadal.

Etienne trains for six-and-a-half hours each week and he paid tribute to the help and advice he receives from his coaches,

On the Spanish superstar, Etienne said: “He plays awesome

CLTC’s Sue Rich and Matt Taylor of Over & In.

shots and he’s really quick and he has a very good attitude. I’d like to be like him, apart from one thing – I’m right-handed and he’s left-handed!”

Annual Review 2020-2021

One Another and Our Environment Red Nose Day meets World Book Day at the Prep What happens when you cross comedy clown noses with much-loved characters from children’s stories? Answer: Plenty of colourful costumes and lots of laughter as staff and pupils at the Prep doubled their fun by combining Red Nose Day and World Book Day. The event was delayed by two weeks to celebrate the return to school after home learning. Children dressed up as their favourite characters and enjoyed inspiring online workshops with leading author Jennifer Bell, who wrote The Uncommoners mystery adventure series, as part of their World Book Day celebrations. Many pupils completed their looks with a red nose to help raise funds for the BBC Comic Relief appeal, while a number of staff members were given a red face paint makeover to add to the fun.

Great Prep House Off proves a fun finale to term  Fun and frolics were had by all as Prep pupils celebrated the

Highlights also included a House Just Dance competition in

end of Lent term by taking part in the Great Prep House Off.

which Barbarians shook their stuff to One Direction hit What Makes You Beautiful and Corinthians threw some shapes to

Children took part in a Red Nose challenge to raise funds for

Will Smith’s Men in Black, while Foresters got down to Can’t

Comic Relief, arts and crafts tasks and a full set of House

Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake and Nomads moved to

hockey and netball matches.

Shakira’s Waka Waka.  An end-of-term awards assembly rounded off the occasion with Barbarians claiming the House Cup.  As part of the end-of-term fun, Abba hit Super Trouper was also given a humorous whole school makeover.  Head James Piper was delighted to see pupils enjoying themselves together in person once more following the return to school from lockdown for many of them.  He said: “Mr Reston, our ‘Head of Fun’, created a wonderful finale to this extraordinary term. After eight weeks of home learning, Prep children had been keen to mark their time back in school in style, all Covid-compliant of course.  “They have especially enjoyed making the most of their time back with friends and also with teachers.”

Upper

UPPER Intellectual Curiosity and Scholarship

Annual Review 2020-2021

Chemistry

Olympiad

Cambridge Chemistry Challenge for Lower Sixth

Lots of students enjoyed competing in the Chemistry Olympiad, winning 16 Gold awards, 19 Silver and 13 Bronze. One of the Gold awards went to Emma Harris, which was a phenomenal

Perse students earned four Roentgenium awards, six Golds,

achievement for a Year 11 pupil.

nine Silvers and seven Copper awards in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge for Lower Sixth (C3L6).

Schools Analyst Competition

Impressively, five of those awards went to Year 11 pupils, with Emma Harris and Hongli Hu achieving the top Roentgenium award, Gold for Hannah Caley and Silver for Benedict Meissner and Yunlin Chen.

Ten Lower Sixth teams competed in a series of qualitative tests to identify some ‘unknowns’ as part of a national competition.

The other Roentgenium award winners were Toby Collins

Team ‘Oxidants happen’, consisted of Sarah Barden, Lexi

and Jay Sardesai (both Lower Sixth). Winning Roentgenium

Hepplewhite and Sam Grandy, achieved the highest team

places them in the top 54 (or 0.74%) pupils who took part in

mark from any Perse team, but missed out on the regional title.

the competition nationally.

Top of the Bench This year, due to Covid, the competition was held as a house competition for students in Years 8-11, and administered by the University of Swansea. In total there were 106 participants, with Henry Denny-Gouldson (Year 8), Arnav Madan (Year 9), Abhinav Gupta (Year 10) and Kiran Diamond (Year 11) declared the winners.

Upper

Physics

Perse student represents the UK in International Physics Olympiad

The competition was hosted by Lithuania this year, and although students were not able to go there in person, the opening and closing ceremony, as well as workshops and virtual tours, were held online. Hyaline said: “The competition has been good preparation for

Hyaline Chen (Upper Sixth) was selected to join the UK

going to Princeton University, where I have earned a place to

team at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), having

read physics which I’m really excited about. Philosophy led me

achieved a Gold award in round one and two of the National

into physics because I find that the empirical side of philosophy

Physics Olympiad and impressed national selectors at an

is physics. I’m really interested in deducing laws about nature

Easter training camp.

and how it works.”

Hyaline joined four other students who all represented Great

Seven Perse students earned the Top Gold standard with

Britian and was awarded a Bronze medal.

phenomenal performances in round one of the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO).

An elated Hyaline said: “I was very honoured to be chosen, but also very nervous and excited. I needed to prepare a lot for

Hyaline Chen, Theodore Cross-Zamirski, James Martin, Ben

the competition, but it was also a great learning opportunity.”

Hancock, Onur Howie, Jude Burling (all Upper Sixth) and Jay Sardesai (Lower Sixth) were among just over 100 participants

During the international competition Hyaline took part in a

nationally to clinch the highest level grade.

five-hour theory paper and five-hour practical exam. Hyaline said: “Throughout the summer we were given problem sets

The round one paper was designed to stretch and challenge

to do as well as online training sessions, and one week before

Sixth Form physics students by setting them problems to solve

the actual competition we were able to gather at Churchill

that were beyond the difficulty of regular A level or Pre U

College Cambridge, where we stayed for in-person training

exams. Split into two sections, the first included a range of short

and the actual exam. The training was definitely very hard but

questions, while the second featured longer in-depth problems.

at the same time it was very rewarding, as I learned a lot about physics topics like thermodynamics and special relativity as

In round two of the competition, Theodore and Jay claimed

well as sharpening my problem-solving skills.”

Silver, while James, Ben and Jude gained Bronze.

Annual Review 2020-2021

and that gave me a chance to read into the topics I didn’t know so well. The camp made me realise it’s a really interesting branch of physics and I think it may be something I want to study in the future.” Emma and her fellow finalists spent 12hour days studying at the training camp, covering topics ranging from stellar evolution to cosmology, before sitting a two-hour data analysis paper and a three-hour theory test. She said: “There were a lot of interesting topics you wouldn’t normally even cover on the A level physics syllabus, so it was just a great opportunity in itself to learn about some new things. “There was no time to revise during the camp itself, it was just trying to absorb

Starring role awaits in international astronomy competition Emma Harris (Year 11) will be aiming for the stars after being selected to represent the UK at the International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA). At just 16, she is likely to be one of the

“It was a bit of a shock and I was just really

youngest participants in the competition,

happy,” said Emma. “I didn’t anticipate it

which is set to take place in Colombia

at all and I feel greatly honoured to have

in November, depending on Covid-19

been chosen for the team.

restrictions. “I’d never looked into astronomy at Emma was chosen for the five-strong

all before, but we were given a lot of

UK team following her performance at

preparation material before the camp

as much information as you could. The theory paper was especially difficult and it took a lot of perseverance.” Emma hopes the IOAA goes ahead as an in-person event as 25% of the marks would be based on observation with the chance to use high-powered telescopes to gaze at the universe. She said: “It would be a great experience to go to the Olympiad in Colombia, but depending on Covid, even if it ends up being run as a global e-competition instead, I’m really looking forward to it.”

the British Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) final selection camp, for which she had qualified thanks to her outstanding results in the Senior Physics Challenge.

The camp made me realise it’s a really interesting branch of physics and I think it may be something I want to study in the future.

Other notable BAAO achievements Elsewhere in the BAAO, Jay Sardesai, Iain Lam (both Lower Sixth) and Theodore Cross-Zamirski (Upper Sixth) earned Silver, Jude Burling, Hyaline Chen, James Martin and Onur Howie (all Upper Sixth) all took Bronze, with Ben Hancock (Upper Sixth) and Toby Collins (Lower Sixth) achieving commendations.

Upper

Biology Neil focused on ischaemic stroke, which occurs due to a blockage of the blood vessel, as it is the most common form of the condition. As well as delving into existing research of how a stroke can be treated, Neil also met with a Cambridge professor and a researcher from Cambridge Biomedical Campus to help fill gaps in his knowledge. He weighed up four different treatment options including monoclonal antibodies (artificial proteins that bind to the affected area), small molecule drugs, growth factors (substances capable of stimulating cell growth) and stem cell

Innovative research published in illustrious medical journal

therapy.

Neil Sardesai (Upper Sixth) co-authored

part in the investigation and to be named

stem cell therapy could provide the most

an article published in a prestigious

as a co-author on the published article.

viable way forward, particularly when

Neil concluded that all had their merits in terms of research funding, but felt

used in conjunction with a bioscaffold,

medical journal after helping carry out research into mapping variations

He said: “It was incredibly fulfilling. I really

a structure that stem cells can grow

in nerve anatomy.

enjoyed being involved in the research

around.

and advancing my knowledge. I also think After becoming involved in a University

it’s incredible that we were able to gain

He said: “I’d put so much work into my

of Cambridge project that explored the

a new understanding of the anatomy of

project and was very happy with the

use of ultrasound to map the anatomical

the forearm, which has the potential to

final result. It was a great feeling to

variations of the medial cutaneous

help many patients in the future.”

have it published because it means that more people have the chance to read

nerve in the forearm, Neil created a

my research.”

computer program that allowed the

If that was not enough, Neil has also

measurements of the nerve to be

had his Rouse Awards exploration into

transformed into a 2D map, with the aim

how funding should be prioritised for

Neil was also runner-up in the European

of helping doctors avoid damaging the

stroke treatment research published in

DNA Day Essay Contest, with his

nerve during future surgical procedures.

the Young Scientists’ Journal.

research into the question ‘We can now sequence the genome of all life form,

He also assisted with the original data collection.

H e ex p l a i n e d t h at h e d e c i d e d to

from viruses to humans. What could be

investigate stroke as a number of family

the point of this?’

The findings have now been published

members on his father’s side had sadly

in Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine,

passed away as a result of the condition.

As part of the prize in the competition,

the journal of the American Society of

His interest was also piqued after “having

organised by the European Society of

Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine.

my eyes opened” to how medicines

Human Genetics, The Perse received

could help stroke sufferers regain brain

800 euros to be used for a biology

Neil, who plans to study medicine at

function while on work experience at

project.

university, was thrilled to have played a

Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s neurology ward.

Annual Review 2020-2021

International Biology Olympiad

Perse student buzzing with British Brain Bee success

Neil also represented the UK in the International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

Alexandra Lisitsyna (Lower Sixth)

where he won a Silver medal.

demonstrated her neurological knowledge by coming sixth in the

The IBO was originally set to take

British Brain Bee national finals.

place in Lisbon but instead took place online due to Covid-19 restrictions. Four

After coming through an initial online

British representatives, including Neil,

multiple choice answer assessment,

met together with the UK competition

she had qualified for the national

organisers in London to take their exams

finals by finishing third in the regional

remotely. Neil competed in a three-

round having had to revise for a

hour theoretical practical and another

series of tough neuroscience-related

three-hour exam which was theory

challenges.

only. The exams tested a wide range of topics including animal physiology, the structure of different types of plants, genetics, ecology, bioinformatics and biochemistry to name a few. Neil said: “I studied quite hard to prepare for the competition, so I’m completely thrilled with a Silver medal. I also had

I thought it was so interesting, even though neuroscience is so complicated.

great fun meeting the three other

She explained that she had been interested in medicine since a young age and had developed a passion for neuroscience after reading renowned neurosurgeon Henry Marsh CBE’s book Do No Harm: Stories of Life,

members of the UK team in person,

Death and Brain Surgery.

as well as meeting competitors from

These included learning about more

across the world in our virtual Zoom get-

than 20 neurological diseases in order

“I thought it was so interesting,

togethers. I’m so pleased I was selected

to diagnose imaginary patients and

even though neuroscience is so

to represent the UK and learned a lot

studying 100 anatomical structures

complicated,” said Alexandra. “I then

from the whole experience.”

within the brain.

did a Harvard MOOC (massive open

The British Biology Olympiad (BBO) final

Alexandra said: “It was very difficult.

saw the participants have an intense

I’d never looked at the brain in so

two-day virtual training camp in which

much detail before. There was so much

Alexandra hopes to become either

they were taught how to use software

revision to do, so I never anticipated

a neurosurgeon or cardiothoracic

to investigate protein and nucleotide

I’d get into the national final.”

surgeon in the future.

online course) on neuroscience, which helped create a base for my learning.”

sequences before using that knowledge to investigate Covid-19 vaccines. They also had to create a presentation on the tissue types of a particular organ in just one hour as part of the exam. In the BBO, Neil was one of 12 Perse students to claim Gold, with 16 taking Silver and 11 Bronze. Special mention goes to Faith Ashworth Stobbs, Matthew Ferguson, Harry Turner and Charlie Toff on scoring Silver while still in Lower Sixth.

National Biology Challenge Students in Years 9 and 10 achieved an impressive total of 14 Gold, 33 Silver and 46 Bronze in this year’s National Biology Challenge. Particular mention goes to the Gold medallists - Varun Vats, Jonathan Hamilton, Millie Ely, Marcus Collins, Edmund Williams, Tom Hammond, Neelkantha Mukherjee, Eric Chen (all Year 9), Vishrut Pisupati, Kuan Kuan Lin, Sudevi Hoare, Sang-Ryun Kim, Gabriel Cirstea and Tansy Xue (all Year 10).

Upper

Computer Science

Cyber security competition success Daniel Chen (Year 11) displayed his cyber security skills to enjoy success in an international computer science competition. He joined forces with three friends, aged 15 to 18, whom he met virtually through the Cyber Discovery Elite programme, to take part in the Cyber Defense NetWars competition, organised by information security training specialists SANS. Their mission was to defend a computer system from imaginary hackers through a series of challenges during the two-day event, including threat hunting, analysing data logs and cryptography.

I’ve always liked problem solving, so it was really good fun doing this competition.

Despite coming up against teams from across the world, many featuring industry professionals, Daniel’s team came third overall and were awarded prestigious SANS Challenge Coins for their efforts.

“We were really surprised and so happy. We didn’t expect to Daniel was thrilled with how his team had done against much

do anywhere near as well as we did. We were third in the team

more experienced opposition.

category, but we solved all the questions, so the moderator said it was only fair to give us the Coin prize.

He said: “We were notified about the competition while we were doing the Cyber Discovery Elite course so we thought

“I’ve always liked problem solving, so it was really good fun

we’d give it a go and see how we did.

doing this competition.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

Cracking the code to triumph in major computing challenge Tom Hammond (Year 9) led the way as Perse students flourished in the University of Oxford Computing Challenge national finals. Only the top 20 participants from the first round in each age category went through to the finals, where they had just one hour to take on 12 logic problems and code-writing tests.

Record number of Perse students reach national coding Olympiad finals

Tom came out on top in the intermediate section, with Neelkantha Mukherjee (Year 9) and Daniel Weglowski (Year 8) also among the finalists in this group. Angela Savini (Year 7) was runner-up in the junior category, while the senior section saw The Perse field a quarter of the

A record-breaking three Perse students qualified for the

finalists – Siddharth Kambli, Dominic Rogers, Jeremy Shao,

final of the British Informatics Olympiad (BIO).

Sourish Sharma and Mabel Symes (all Year 10). Lower Sixth Lower Sixth students Aidan Wong (left), Toby Collins (right)

students Luke Moran and Aidan Wong reached the final in

and Luke Moran were among just 15 participants across the

the elite category.

country to have reached the online final of the illustrious coding competition. It was also the first time more than one Perse student has made it through to the final in a single year. To reach the final, they had to sit a three-hour online exam featuring three questions, starting off with an exercise testing a specific element of coding, such as precision of data types. This was followed by a simulation task, e.g. to model a board game, before rounding off with a challenge based on a tough algorithmic concept, such as dynamic programming.

Cyber girls make final

This is our best outcome to date at The Perse, securing some 20% of all the national places.

The team of Hebe Darwin, Isabelle Hunter, Anna Pattara and Charlotte Gaskarth qualified for the national finals of the GCHQ Cyber First Girls competition. In total, 23 Year 8 girls took part from The Perse.

Paul Baker, Perse Head of Computing & Digital Strategy, said: “It is an incredible achievement to secure three places

Gold standard

in the highly competitive Olympiad national finals and Toby, Luke and Aidan should be so proud of themselves. This is our best outcome to date at The Perse, securing some 20%

More than 300 pupils took Gold for placing in the top

of all the national places.”

10% nationally in the Bebras UK Computational Thinking Challenge.

Perse Head of Computer Science Dave Gwilt added: “Toby, Luke and Aidan have shown great determination and put

Daniel Chen, Yunlin Chen and Jem Bennett (all Year 11) came

many hours into their practice, both individually and together.

third in The Perse School Coding Team Challenge, in which

Their efforts have been justly rewarded.”

over 350 teams from schools across the UK took part.

Upper

Geography Powerful presentations provided at GeogMeet 2021

Two Perse groups were successful in making the shortlist of presentations this year. Elizabeth Follows, Isobel Elliott and Isabelle Reimann (all Lower Sixth) spoke about ‘Sustainable indigenous practices in the Amazon and Arctic’, whilst Fleur Christmas and Eric Taylor (both Lower Sixth) gave us a geopolitical overview of issues in the South China Sea with

The Cambridge & District Geographical Association run

their talk ‘China and the nine-dash line’. The event, run by Perse

an annual event where Sixth Form students from across

Head of Geography James Riley, was an excellent celebration

the wider region submit an application to present a short

of the relevance of geography in contemporary society and

informative presentation on a topic related to the A level

the nine talks showcased why A level geography is valued for

geography curriculum. Successful applicants are invited to

its skill base as much as its content.

deliver a seven-minute talk to an online audience of around 100 people, whilst a live chat facility allows audience

Elizabeth, Isobel and Isabelle’s presentation covered sustainable

members to ask questions and interact with speakers and

indigenous practices in the Amazon and Arctic, specifically

other delegates.

looking at the Yanomami people (Amazon) and the Inuit (Arctic). They introduced some of the indigenous practices, for example moving farming locations before the ecosystem begins to show signs of strain and limiting their waste. Although aspects of this could be applicable to life in the western world,

Annual Review 2020-2021

Geographical knowledge is tested in successful school debates The Perse’s annual Geography Debating competition in 2020-21 ran with more teams and more geography than ever before. The competition is entered by all Sixth Form geographers and the keenest Year 11 pupils eager to try to upset the odds and rival some of their more experienced Sixth Form counterparts. This year’s competition was especially notable. Firstly, the competition has hugely expanded in popularity, with 38 teams and more than 100 students taking part this year in person or via Zoom. Secondly, the Year 11 entrants had their most successful year ever with a standout performance from the knowledgeable trio of Dominic Collinson, Andrew Girgis and Shaaon Bhattacharya, who knocked out three successive Upper Sixth teams before being pipped in a narrow semifinal, losing whilst trying to argue that China won’t become an advanced country by 2100. in terms of our exploitation and care for foreign forests, they concluded that the key indigenous trait to learn from, which

The debating final saw a fiercely fought motion - ‘This house

seemed to be a recurring theme amongst various groups

believes that humankind becoming a predominantly urban

researched, was the deep and wide-ranging knowledge and

species will bring more positives than negatives’ – narrowly

understanding of the complex systems and organisms within

won by Heather Magowan and Alice Lord (both Upper Sixth).

the ecosystem. This could be productively used at the heart of conservation plans for the Amazon and Arctic, for example guiding choice of trees for reforestation. Such use of input from local experts is relevant to any location.

...we could implement this closer to home, becoming as connected as we can with our local ecosystem – taking greater notice of the nature and spending more time amongst it. They finally discussed how we could implement this closer to home, becoming as connected as we can with our local ecosystem – taking greater notice of the nature and spending more time amongst it. In this way we can begin to develop a relationship to our local place, more similar to that of the indigenous people, and consequentially the idea of destroying our environment would feel more uncomfortable. Perhaps lockdown helped with this connectedness as we were forced to see the same environment every day?

Upper

History Perse student takes history essay competition plaudits Henry Yates (Upper Sixth) was highly commended for his work in the renowned Robson History Prize competition. Students were required to submit an essay of between 2,000 and 3,800 words for the competition, organised by the University of Cambridge’s Trinity College, with a number of topics to choose from.

It seemed like a really fraught part of British history so really complex and interesting to tackle.

Henry investigated ‘Why was the monarchy abolished and a commonwealth established in 1649?’ in which he considered the events surrounding the English Civil War that led to King Charles I being executed and Parliament entrusted with ruling

“However, having looked at a lot of Cromwell’s actions, I didn’t

the country.

think that was a convincing explanation because it doesn’t look He said he had become intrigued by the period, having studied

as if there had been any serious attempt to do that despite

the early 17th Century in A level history.

assertions that they did.”

“It seemed like a really fraught part of British history so really

Henry, who aims to study history at university, said the more

complex and interesting to tackle,” said Henry. “We’d done a

research he did, the more fascinating he found the period.

lot about the background of the time, but we hadn’t got as far He said: “There was lots of fragmentation and political

as the Civil War, so it was something I read about on my own.

manoeuvring which gets forgotten about, but it was really “A lot of it was just thinking about the motivation for a

important in terms of what came next with forming the

commonwealth because it doesn’t necessarily follow that this

commonwealth.

would happen. There are historians who have talked about not having a commonwealth, but of Charles’ youngest son Henry

“I was happy with my piece of writing, but I didn’t expect

being put in as a figurehead while Oliver Cromwell and the

anything to come from it, so it was very nice to find I’d been

Army ran the show behind the scenes.

highly commended.”

Highly commended essay Elizabeth Follows (Lower Sixth) was highly commended for her essay entitled ‘Should the West return cultural artefacts to their former colonial territories?’ in the New College of the Humanities Essay Competition.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Politics

Social media issues addressed in prizewinning politics research

In her essay, Maahika contrasted Jair Bolsonaro’s use of

Maahika Singh (Upper Sixth) was highly commended for her

She said: “I looked into income-developing countries where they

entry in a prestigious politics essay competition.

don’t have the infrastructure for other sorts of communications

WhatsApp in his campaign for the Brazilian presidency with how protesters utilised social media during the Arab Spring of 2011, leading to governments being overthrown in countries such as Egypt and Tunisia.

and have skipped straight to phones, social media and wifiStudents from across the world took part in the Lucy Cavendish

connected programmes for their messages. This hinders access

College Essay Prize on Contemporary Issues, with entrants

to other information.”

invited to write a 1,500-word essay on one of four subjects.

...social media is something that’s very prevalent as a tool used by governments and democracies all over the world.

Maahika delved into the question ‘Is social media dangerous for democracy?’ as she felt it was an intriguing and timely field to explore. She said: “It resonated with me because social media is something that’s very prevalent as a tool used by governments and democracies all over the world. As the 2020 US elections

Maahika was delighted her essay was highly commended,

were coming up, I thought it was so important to see how

adding: “I’m pleased with how I was able to get contrasting

social media plays a role, especially after what happened in

points and different examples into a short word count. It was

the 2016 elections with the fake news campaigns.

a very useful experience in learning how to write concisely and get my point over in as few words as I could.

“Since the 2016 elections, there has been a lot more research because people have become more aware of the impact of

“I really enjoyed doing it and I was very happy I learned

social media, but I still felt I could add something new to

something new. Although we look at voting behaviours in

the area, looking at the extent to which social media affects

the UK and the USA in our A level politics course, I got to look

government and democracy.”

at other international examples which really helped enhance my knowledge.”

Upper

Maths Everything adds up for Perse mathematician in international competition Daniel Chen (Year 11) displayed his

Daniel was delighted with his

problem-solving prowess to enjoy

achievement, especially being one of

success in an international maths

only two contestants to solve a problem

Olympiad.

in the A level paper, and was surprised he had done so well.

I found it very tough, but I like the feeling of spotting the insight that leads you to solve a problem. “The questions were extremely general, but that also made the proofs for them very interesting. The marking also took solution elegance (simplicity, insight and

He came third in the London round of the Tournament of Towns, a biannual

He said: “The questions were all deep

maths competition in which youngsters

mathematical proofs (ways to show a

aged 13 to 18 from across the world sit

maths theorem is true), so each one was

two five-hour papers at basic (GCSE

worth a lot of marks. Even if you think

level) and advanced (A level) standard.

you’ve solved it, such as by spotting

Both tests feature six problems, with

a pattern, it’s your ability to phrase it

participants’ best three solutions overall

rigorously that counts.

counting towards their final mark.

efficacy) into account. “I enjoyed the problem solving that the questions presented. You would spend hours on a few questions or, in my case, five hours on one question! I found it very tough, but I like the feeling of spotting the insight that leads you to solve a problem.”

Maths competition success In the Maths Olympiad for Girls, 24 students took part with 15

In the Intermediate Olympiad, six were awarded prizes for

achieving Distinctions. The standout result came from Mabel

coming in the top 50 in the country in their respective age

Symes (Year 10), one out of only a handful of participants

groups – Daniel Chen, Emma Harris, Hongli Hu (all Year

nationally to achieve full marks. Special commendations

11), Mabel Symes (Year 10), Steven Kong and Neelkantha

were also received by Alice Luo (Upper Sixth) and Emma

Mukherjee (both Year 9). In addition, Distinctions were

Harris (Year 11).

achieved by Arthur Depledge, Tom Hammond (both Year 9) and Yunlin Chen (Year 11).

The Senior Maths Challenge saw 225 students from Year 11 to Upper Sixth taking part, with 193 awarded certificates, 57 of

All of Years 7 and 8 took part in the Junior Maths Challenge,

which were Gold. Thirty students qualified for the British Maths

with 175 pupils being awarded certificates, including 73 Gold.

Olympiad (BMO1) and a further 22 for the Senior Kangaroo.

Fifteen pupils qualified for the Junior Olympiad and a further

In the BMO1, Alice Luo, Hyaline Chen (both Upper Sixth)

58 for the Junior Kangaroo.

and Emma Harris (Year 11) achieved Distinctions, with Alice and Emma qualifying for the second round. Based on her

Twelve pupils from Years 7 and 8 took part in the Junior

performance in round two, Emma was invited to the Junior

Maths Olympiad, with nine achieving a Merit or above. Special

Olympiad training camp at Trinity College, Cambridge.

congratulations go to Thehan De Silva, Cheyoon Kim and Zoe Walters (all Year 8) for being awarded Distinctions. Zoe

Open to Years 8 to 11, 350 pupils took part in the Intermediate

also earned a Bronze, placing her in the top 200 participants

Maths Challenge. Between them, they were awarded 321

nationally.

certificates, 133 of them Gold. Sixteen pupils qualified for the Intermediate Olympiad and a further 50 for the Intermediate

The maths department is very proud of all the pupils who

Kangaroo.

took part in competitions this year, showing great intellectual curiosity and perseverance.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Modern Foreign Languages Bronze medal won at International Linguistics Olympiad Toby Collins (left, Lower Sixth) and Barnaby Colvin (right, Upper Sixth) were chosen to compete for the UK at the International Linguistics Olympiad (ILO), where Toby won a bronze award. They were among an impressive number of Perse pupils who reached the second round of the UK Linguistics Olympiad (UKLO) after being among the 51 Gold

Although Barnaby and Toby study German and Spanish respectively, they both felt being able to speak another language played just a minor role in being successful in the UKLO. Barnaby said: “It’s actually tremendously mathematical and logical. Having knowledge of languages might help to an extent, but the most important thing is being able to analyse data,” while Toby added: “It’s more about how language works, so it’s more of a problem-solving found to class nouns into four groups:

exercise.”

men, women and animals, children, The ILO had been due to take place in

and canoes), Agbirigba (a Nigerian

Latvia but due to Covid-19 restrictions

cant language with 30 speakers), and

it took place online at the University of

Rikbaksa, a language of the Amazon.

Greenwich instead. “Of the team challenge, we took part

medallists nationally in the first round, the others being Daniel Chen, Eos Liao (both Year 11), Sourish Sharma and Vishrut Pisupati (both Year 10). It was from this stage of the UKLO that the eight British representatives for the international competition were picked, with Barnaby and Toby making the grade after earning Distinctions for their performances.

Of the individual six-hour paper Barnaby

as two teams of four, each working

explained: “The paper consisted of five

through the same extended question

questions. In each one, there was data

on Garifuna. This language turned out to

concerning a real-world language and

have differing grammar and vocabulary,

you were asked to deduce some of its

depending on whether the speaker was

rules. I drew my paper from a green

a man or a woman. After four hours of

cardboard folder to be confronted with

work the problem was still unfinished,

a question about the number system

although my team made some progress,

of the Papuan language Ekari. Other

and was later awarded an honourable

questions involved Kilivila (which I

mention of seventh place worldwide.”

Honours in MFL debating The Perse hosted online MFL debating competitions this year with participants from schools across the eastern region. Pupils were particularly successful in the French and Spanish competitions. In French debating, Alice Lord and Nicholas Ramonos (both Upper Sixth) won the Silver prize in the Joutes Oratoires Lycéenes. In Spanish debating, Natalie Ronco (middle left) and Emily Fowkes Bolt (middle right) (both Year 10) won the Gold prize

While in the French regional inter-schools debating competition

in the regional inter-schools Spanish debating competition.

Emily Fowkes Bolt and Diya Seth (Year 10) won the Gold

Other participants in the competition were Catherine Balfour

award. Other participants included Adrianne Lin, Tansy Xue,

and Elif Cektir (both Year 10).

Rebecca Li and Ganesh Mullaparthi (all Year 10).

Upper

Independent Learning This academic year, 353 pupils undertook research projects beyond the curriculum, supported by 45 members of staff. Running research projects for all ages is key to a Perse education, nurturing students’ intellectual curiosity, while also exposing them to cutting-edge scholarship.

Rouse Awards The Rouse Awards scheme is an internally-assessed programme for Lower Sixth students judged by a panel of Perse governors and Oxbridge academics. Students participating in the Rouse Awards had supervisions with a subject specialist teacher guiding them through the research process. Their submissions were then assessed by the awards panel based on the intellectual curiosity, depth and quality of research that had been undertaken. The latest winners were announced in September 2020, with four students taking the overall honours. On top of this, 25 gained Distinctions, 41 were Highly Commended, 42 were Commended and 20 received awards. The Rouse Awards are generously sponsored by Alan and Valerie Hirzel.

Isabel Painter (Upper Sixth) examined how design adaptations could be used to improve wellbeing in prisons as she won the Rouse Artefact Award. She designed a model for a cell block

having discovered a link between noise

of the future, having investigated the

reduction and a major drop in violence

psychological effect of factors such as

at Rochdale’s HMP Buckley Hall after all

space, noise, light and access to the

prisoners were given cheap earbuds.

natural environment on inmates’ mental health and behaviour. From her findings, Isabel created a doughnut-shaped cell block with glass windows, facing on to a large central courtyard and garden. She also included design features such as sound insulation,

Annual Review 2020-2021

Florie Harmer (Upper Sixth) clinched the Rouse Award for her investigation into the theme of mental health in mid-20th Century American literature. For her project, she focused on three

people who did not fit into societal

works – One Flew over the Cuckoo’s

boundaries), incompatibility with

Nest by Ken Kesey, Sylvia Plath’s novel

societal expectations, and social

The Bell Jar and Allen Ginsberg’s poem

conditioning in terms of how people

Howl – to evaluate whether they were

influence others and force them into

simply journeys of personal discovery

certain roles and behaviours.

or contained calls for social change in terms of mental health provision.

She concluded that all three works caused change or had the potential to

Florie looked into three key themes

induce change, but it was their personal

including control (the use of psychiatric

intricacies and standpoints that made

institutions as a method of controlling

their calls for social change more potent.

Juliette Richards (Upper Sixth) received the Rouse Research Award with her exploration of the piano’s ability to replicate the sounds of other musical instruments. As a professional-standard pianist,

making comparisons in terms of their

Juliette chose to research this area

sounds.

because she wanted to combine her love of the keyboard with her scientific Sixth

The Perse music scholar found it was

Form studies.

possible to create a sound on the piano that was very close to that made by

Juliette set about her project by

another instrument by using different

recording notes of the same pitch on

techniques of playing notes and the use

piano, cello and trumpet before analysing

of the instrument’s pedals.

the spectrum of their frequencies and

Hyaline Chen (Upper Sixth) evaluated the viability of solutions to the Hubble tension in a Rouse Award-winning project that was literally out of this world. In cosmology, the Hubble tension is the

She looked into different theories

difference in results between two ways

of how the Hubble tension could be

of measuring the Hubble constant – the

resolved, including the notion of a ‘fifth

speed at which the universe is expanding –

force’ to explain various anomalies,

which are known as the model dependent

considering that there would need to

and model independent variants.

be further modifications to the current understanding of cosmology.

Hyaline, who became interested in cosmology after reading some of

Her Rouse Award-winning research

Stephen Hawking’s work, was inspired to

has also been published in open access

carry out this research after undertaking

academic journal Research & Reviews:

a CREST Gold Award in which she

Journal of Pure and Applied Physics.

evaluated a measurement of the Hubble constant from plotting graphs based on data from space telescopes.

Upper

Extended Project Qualification Twenty-three Lower Sixth students undertook research for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) - an externally-assessed project amounting to half of an A level.

The International Criminal Court: A flawed institution which holds little promise for the future?

I examined four areas - the court’s alleged African bias, US-ICC relations, prosecution selectivity and legitimacy, and the principle of complementarity. In regards to the African bias, I concluded that numerically the ICC invests disproportional interest into African

As my research developed, I found a rooted dichotomy of opinion...

state atrocities, with 10 out of 14 current investigations open across the continent. Yet, preliminary investigations are open elsewhere and African countries, unlike

Arrival at my EPQ topic came about

in paper form, so I established that

other western states, signed en masse

quite instinctively. I have a natural

composing a survey would be more of a

the Rome Statute, which brought the

interest in the law, with looking to

distraction than an asset for my project.

ICC into being.

become a solicitor after completing

Instead, I undertook a five-week-long

an English degree. I wanted a research

MOOC (massive open online course) run

Conflict with the US waxes and wanes

topic which felt extremely current,

by Leiden University, titled ‘International

depending on the incumbent president’s

ideally an issue played out in the

Law in Action: A Guide to the

foreign policy trajectory and despite the

theatre of law over the last few years

International Courts and Tribunals in The

prosecutor having to be diplomatically

and which continues to be of relevance.

Hague’, to enhance my understanding

selective in their proceedings, which take

of the court. This provided me with an

an unduly long time, the court remains

Hence, when I began my initial research,

exceptional framework of knowledge,

underfunded and under-resourced.

the work and flaws of the International

even giving me access to a hugely

Criminal Court (ICC) appealed massively.

stimulating interview with outgoing

Finally, complementarity is not a flaw,

Moreover, on 16 June 2021, British human

prosecutor Bensouda.

but an asset, the gem in the ICC’s crown,

rights lawyer Karim Khan replaced

so to speak. Ultimately, as critic Darryl

outgoing Chief Prosecutor Fatou

As my research developed, I found a

Robinson concurs, I concluded that the

Bensouda, marking the end of her nine-

rooted dichotomy of opinion emerged

court’s contradictory assignment and

year tenure.

whereby either the ICC is a grossly

innate flaws need not undermine its

flawed institution or, alternatively, a

necessity and future promise.

I initially planned on conducting a survey,

horribly misinterpreted institution

but quickly found that I had access to

which is both flawed, but beautiful and

apposite academic material online and

necessary.

Maddie Austin

Annual Review 2020-2021

To what extent are humans responsible for the rise in transmission and emergence of zoonotic diseases?

As well as this, I had to undertake the process of referencing, which I had never done before, and it allowed me to ensure that I wasn’t stealing any information from these sources. After I had used some of these articles, I filled in critical analysis grids which discussed how accurate these articles were by looking

I discussed the human factors which influence the spread, as well as the mitigation strategies for prevention in the future. My interests in this topic grew from

information on Covid-19 as the articles

reading articles on the Covid-19

and data within are often conflicting, due

pandemic and the ways in which

to it being so recent and still evolving.

it spread into human populations. Although it is still unclear which

I decided to split my topic to look

animal acted as the original host of the

at the wild and domestic aspects of

disease, there are certainly discoveries

transmission and to see how different

into the modes of transmission, most

they really are, as many of the articles

famously through the wet markets in

which I read also had this clear division.

China, which are well documented for

For each side of the topic (domestic and

spreading pathogens between live

wild), I discussed the human factors

animals, carcasses and faeces.

which influence the spread, as well as the mitigation strategies for prevention

Therefore, I was intrigued to find out how

in the future. I completed research

else humans are causing the spread of

into the topic by reading articles and

diseases in this zoonotic nature, as I was

research documents which looked at

unaware before the project. However,

these specific areas and making the

for my topic I did not include much

relevant notes for my essay.

at areas such as the date of the article, how many writers were included and background checks on the authors to see if any bias may be at play. My conclusion created a balanced end to the essay by explaining that humans are almost wholly responsible for the increase in zoonotic diseases and using key examples such as human-induced climate change and urbanisation to explain this trend. I finished the project by discussing some potential methods that we could implement to reduce epidemics and pandemics in the future, such as veganism, which would inevitably reduce our need for domestic animals and land use for livestock in the future.

Oliver Traherne

Upper

Higher Project Qualification Forty-five pupils in Year 10 completed their Higher Project Qualification (HPQ). Pupils undertook research in a wide range of subjects including art, science, law, media, languages and sport.

Why do so many footballers end up with neurological disorders and should the FA be doing more to protect their players?

As a result of my research, I concluded there are a number of different options available to the FA and all of these options would be beneficial and make the game safer if implemented. I believe the FA should start by introducing mandatory protective head gear and creating a female-specific concussion

Footballers are 3.5 times more likely to die with neurological disorders than the general public. I h ave a l ways h a d a p a ss i o n fo r

When I started my research last

football and it has always played a

September, there was not as much

big role in my life. My interest in this

information on head injuries as I thought

topic was sparked back in 2017 by a

there would be, but throughout the

BBC documentary, presented by Alan

year new studies were being published

Shearer, called Dementia, Football and

as football head injuries became more

Me. The documentary both shocked

topical. Most of my research was done

and fascinated me, with facts such as

online with newspaper articles and

‘footballers are 3.5 times more likely to

research papers, but I also contacted

die with neurological disorders than the

four specialists, including Charlotte

general public’. So when I heard about

Cowie (the FA’s Head of Medicine) for

the HPQ, I immediately knew what I

their views on head injuries in football

wanted to research.

and how they are currently dealt with.

action plan. I found the whole HPQ process very rewarding and enjoyable as it gave me an opportunity to take a deeper look into something I am very passionate about. I particularly enjoyed the research part of the project as I discovered many shocking and fascinating facts. By doing an HPQ this year, I have learned valuable skills that I am sure will benefit me in the future, including time management, note taking and how to perform effective research.

Beatrice Rogers

Annual Review 2020-2021

How has social media affected American democracy in the last five years? I think my question is a very urgent one that impacts current society in a large way and is only going to become more and more pressing. I have always been very interested in

for me. The website I initially used for

politics and current affairs and with

finding resources was JSTOR at the

the rise in documentation of the effect

advice of my supervisor. An academic

social media had on democracy in 2016,

site, it provided me with many resources

started by Russian interference and

to get notes on and proved to be

Donald Trump becoming president of

extremely helpful.

USA. I really wanted to explore in which

social media is having a negative effect overall on American democracy.

ways social media has affected American

I chose four large themes through which

democracy. I think my question is a

social media has affected American

I found my project deeply interesting and

very urgent one that impacts current

democracy - weaponisation of social

I am very glad that I chose it. Expanding

society in a large way and is only going

media, cancel culture, social media

my knowledge on this subject was a

to become more and more pressing.

corporations’ power over American

fascinating activity, leading to more

democracy, and global movements/

awareness of what social media does

My research journey was a long one and

youth participation started on social

and the effects it has.

I found a lot of resources connected to

m e d i a . M y re s u l t s we re l a r g e l y

social media and American democracy.

inconclusive as this is a very new idea

A key task for me to do was to choose

and long-term effects have not yet

which resources were of the right level

appeared. However, I concluded that

Zander Brock

Upper

How do genetic variants of SARSCoV-2 impact the effectiveness of available vaccines and medical therapies? My findings suggested that although medical therapies marginally reduced the risk of death from Covid-19 infection, it was in fact vaccines that prevented severe infection. My interest in genetics has grown over

SARS-CoV-2. As well as this, I accessed

the risk of death from Covid-19 infection,

the last few years as I encountered its

websites and scientific publications of

it was in fact vaccines that prevented

application in many areas of biological

pharmaceutical authorising agencies,

severe infection. My findings also

enquiry. I was drawn to studying

such as the Medicines and Healthcare

indicated that current vaccines would

zoonotic viruses and how pathogens

Products Regulatory Agency, the US

be able to retain their efficacy against

collected genetic mutations causing

Food and Drug Administration and

emergent variants. In future, however,

phenotypic changes in the time that

the World Health Organisation, and

they may need modification in response

the SARS-CoV-2 infection began and

manufacturers to keep pace with the

to mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 viral

was declared a pandemic.

reported progress.

spike protein.

I searched PubMed, a free digital

The research helped me in synthesising

This research project was very fulfilling.

scientific resource, and identified

my own ideas. I identified the SARS-

I gained an understanding of applied

the relevant scientific publications in

CoV-2 mutants (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and

evolution, which is one of the key themes

journals, including Nature, the British

B.1.617), as well as the emergency use

of biology. In addition, I learned how to

Medical Journal, the New England

vaccines (Oxford-AstraZeneca, Pfizer-

perform a literature search, developed

Journal of Medicine and the Journal of

BioNTech and Moderna) and medical

critical reading skills and management

the American Medical Association. I also

therapies in the UK.

of references.

that helped me understand zoonosis and

My findings suggested that although

Sudevi Hoare

basic ideas regarding the evolution of

medical therapies marginally reduced

came across a book by David Quammen

Annual Review 2020-2021

Which philosophical ideas are most evident in fantasy and sci-fi narratives in television and film and why? I have had an interest in philosophy and religion for some time and decided to try to see if I could find any interesting ways in which philosophy is used in these shows and films. In this project I explored topics related

in films which is also what sparked some

Splitting my topic into individual parts

to religious and secular philosophy and

of my interest.

- writing, world building and characters – made research a lot easier, but I had to

how they can be used within the writing

be very analytical in my writing.

of a television show or film. I originally

My first challenge was to think about

chose this topic because over the first

a good essay title which would not

Covid lockdown, I found the time to

be too broad. The essay needed to be

I learned a lot through doing this project

watch a lot more television. I have had

interesting, so I needed to streamline

and I found it fun and interesting to

an interest in philosophy and religion for

ideas as much as possible. I then needed

analyse films and television shows in this

some time and decided to try to see if I

to find sources. Seeing as this was not

way. I also gained the skills to be able to

could find any interesting ways in which

a scientific or statistically-related topic,

carry out a research project in the future.

philosophy is used in these shows and

finding recent research papers about this

films. In the Summer term in Year 9, we

topic did prove to be difficult.

spent a lot of time looking at philosophy

Anshuman Gunda

Upper

Lower School Project Qualifications Seventy-seven Year 8 pupils completed the Perse Project Qualification (PPQ) process, with 29 gaining Distinctions. They independently formulated a research question, identifying sources, analysing them and developing their findings and conclusions into an essay. Meanwhile, 70 Year 7 pupils successfully completed the Perse Research Skills Qualification (PRSQ). The PRSQ allows them to learn key research skills, assessed via online quizzes after each module, so they are better equipped to tackle an independent PPQ project in Year 8. The skills are invaluable in helping them be smarter in the way they search for information, read sources and make notes.

Luke Hogan (Year 8)

Milo Khong (Year 8)

Annual Review 2020-2021

Community research competition proves popular Year 9 pupils from across the country displayed their intellectual curiosity in the inaugural Perse Research Essay competition. The competition offered a broad range of essay titles across

Perse pupil Neelkantha Mukherjee took the honours in

an array of subject areas and was split into two categories

the sciences section with his essay ‘What should we do to

– arts/humanities and sciences – with the winners of

combat the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria?’ Aoife Grant

each section receiving a prize of £30 and the two ‘highly

(King’s Ely) and Ishani Mariathasan (Bishop’s Stortford

commended’ runners-up in each section getting £10.

College) also investigated the same question for their highly commended entries.

Reading School pupil Gaurav Kamath won the arts/ humanities category with his response to the question

The competition was the brainchild of Perse research

‘Should the government impose a carbon tax?’ Highly

prefects Neil Sardesai, Camillo Padulli and Maria-Louiza

commended were Perse pupil Isabelle Cox, who researched

Van den Bergh (all Upper Sixth), who were also involved

the same topic, and Anna Ost (King’s Ely), who discussed

in judging the submissions.

whether ‘Events are more important than people in history’.

Upper

UPPER Breadth and Balance

Annual Review 2020-2021

Music Music: A year like no other

rehearsals rather than weekly ones, pupils still performed to an incredibly high standard in a two-part ensemble showcase in June, with more than three hours of music to enjoy.

This was an academic year like no other for music at The Perse, yet despite year group bubbling, social distancing

The wonders of technology brought musicians together into

and music-specific restrictions, Perse pupils rose to the new

huge virtual ensembles when restrictions were at their most

challenges with aplomb.

stringent. Working to click tracks, separately filmed and edited together, Upper pupils came together into a Lockdown Choir

Without the possibility of live audiences, solo and group

and Orchestra over the early 2021 lockdown, while more than

performances moved online and the Friday Night Showcase

600 pupils and staff from all three schools participated in a

concert series was born. Twenty-five digital outings, which

specially arranged rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas,

included the postponed Perse Musician of the Year competition,

broadcast on Christmas Eve 2020 to the entire 3-18 school.

year group recitals, composition showcases and multi-tracked lockdown performances, all broadcast to pupils, parents and

In spite of cancellations, postponements and negotiation

staff and totalling 40 hours of music.

of new digital alternatives, more than 200 pupils took their ABRSM and Trinity exams this year, with nearly 60 Upper pupils

These concerts brought Perse music to a wider audience

gaining Distinctions.

than ever before, with thousands of online views. As live performances return, online broadcasts will continue into the

Individual successes included a choral scholarship offer to

next academic year.

Emmanuel College, Cambridge for Neil Sardesai (Upper Sixth) and successful ABRSM/Trinity diploma results for James

Restrictions prompted a complete overhaul of ensemble

Hansen, Mila Henderson-Gill, Victoria Leung (all Upper Sixth),

provision into more than 50 year-group bubble ensembles.

William Dickens, Isabella Wickham (both Year 11) and Alicia

While this provided fresh challenges, including fortnightly

Li-Yan-Hui (Year 9).

Left and above: Forty hours of performances were broadcast online to pupils, parents and staff.

25 Friday Night Showcases, featuring more than 40 hours

60 pupils performing in the Lockdown Choir’s The Road

of music, with more than 19,000 views

Home

600 pupils and staff involved in the 3-18 Twelve Days of

60 Distinctions in ABRSM/Trinity exams

Christmas performance

50 especially created ‘ensembubbles’ performing more than

112 pupils contributing to the Lockdown Orchestra

three hours of ensemble music in the Summer Ensemble

performance of Mambo

Showcases

110 pupils performing 540 performances lasting nearly 21

45 pianists performing a special arrangement of Prokofiev’s

hours in the inaugural House Music Marathon

Dance of the Knights

Upper

Talented performers go live once more with showcase concert

Mila Henderson-Gill and Victoria Leung set the tone with a rendition of the finale from Poulenc’s Double Piano Concerto, with Juliette Richards and Kira Bhamra also performing excellent piano concerto movements. Henry Butler (trumpet), Sarah Marshall (French horn) and

Prodigious Upper Sixth musicians brought sweet symphonic

James Rocca (trombone) brought along brilliant brass

sounds to a live audience in a special end-of-year concert.

sounds, while Neil Sardesai (above) played four of Finzi’s Five Bagatelles on clarinet.

With the accompaniment of a nine-piece string orchestra formed of Perse music staff, some of the school’s most virtuosic

Sumptuous strings were provided by cellist Clementine Farman

performers took to the Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre stage

and violinist Hannah Seo, while Charlotte Richards gave a

for a celebration of classical music.

wonderful vocal performance of Handel’s Angels Ever Bright and Fair.

Annual Review 2020-2021

House Music Marathon a massive hit

The recordings, made by 110

across 20 different categories, with

youngsters during lockdown, added

Mecklenburgh Unicorns emerging as

up to a massive 21 hours of music,

the overall house champions.

which was live streamed. The winning performances were Each submission earned one point

recorded on the Peter Hall Performing

The Perse House Music Marathon

for pupils’ houses, while music

Arts Centre stage for an online

proved very popular with pupils

department staff were also giving

concert.

submitting 540 performances for

bonus points for the winning and

the competition.

highly commended performances

Gifted pianist crowned Perse Musician of the Year Pianist Juliette Richards (right, Upper Sixth) was praised for “an outstanding recital demonstrating real command of the piano” after seeing off tough competition to take the Perse Musician of the Year title. The final had been due to take place in April 2020 only to be postponed due to the Covid-19 shutdown. However, the show went on, albeit virtually, with the five finalists each recording their pieces for adjudication by Professor Margaret Faultless, Director of Performance at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Music, Head of Historical Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, and coleader of the Orchestra of the Age of However, Juliette was declared the

The illustrious competition was held online

winner for the “panache and drama”

this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic,

As well as Juliette, the final featured

of her rendition of pieces by Ravel,

with gifted musicians aged 28 and under

filmed performances from trumpeter

Beethoven and Stravinsky, with Iona

from across the world submitting filmed

Henry Butler (Upper Sixth), violinist

being highly commended for her

performances of their recitals.

Adrianne Lin (Year 10), clarinet player

programme, spanning music sung in

Alicia Li-Yan-Hui (Year 9) and vocalist

Italian, French, German and Portuguese.

Enlightenment.

Distinction awards were given to the top three musicians in each instrument

Iona Woods (2020). In addition to winning the Perse

category, with the Perse music scholar

Professor Faultless provided her

competition, Juliette also earned a

among the winners in her section,

adjudication to the finalists via Zoom

Distinction with her prodigious piano

which was judged by leading classical

and was elated with the “very fine

playing at the renowned Tunbridge Wells

pianists Joanna MacGregor CBE and

performances” of each of the musicians.

International Music Competition.

Sam Haywood.

Upper

Dream Horse provided the basis for the workshop as Benjamin began by outlining how the timing and pacing of music is dependent on what can be seen on screen, as well as the use of motifs in portraying different characters. He then showed a pivotal scene from the film, but with his soundtrack removed, and invited pupils to get into small groups to create their own backing music for the clip, with each group having the chance to perform their piece live over the action. Perse Director of Music Ben Wingfield felt the music students had gained much from the masterclass to help them with their studies.

Music students know the score in film composition masterclass

H e s a i d : “ I t o f fe re d l o t s o f n ew perspectives and got them thinking about pacing, structure and creation of melodies based on a specific visual

Renowned film score composer

The award-winning composer shared an

stimulus. They were also encouraged to

Benjamin Woodgates gave Perse pupils

inspiring insight into his work with Year

think about music in a more cinematic

a special masterclass in creating music

10 music students, who are studying

way. Notably, Benjamin’s workshop was

for movies.

music in film as part of their GCSE

the first in-person music masterclass

syllabus.

held at The Perse since the Covid-19

It offered lots of new perspectives and got them thinking about pacing, structure and creation of melodies...

pandemic began. We like to provide Benjamin’s most recent project saw him

regular masterclass opportunities for

write the score for Dream Horse, a film

our pupils and we’ve been able to do

starring Toni Collette and Damien Lewis

some of those online during lockdown,

and based on the true story of a group

but it was great to have Benjamin here

of Welsh villagers buying and training a

interacting in person with our pupils.”

successful racehorse.

Perse musicians showcase virtuosic virtual performances

track. Audio and video were mixed,

Gifted Perse musicians continued

vibrant version of Leonard Bernstein’s

musicians’ submissions.

to create stunning performances

Mambo from the musical West Side

during lockdown using the power

Story.

mastered and synched to create the finished product, with the process made easier thanks to the quality of

These performances were followed by a recital, conceived by Perse Head of

of technology. Pupils spent three weeks preparing

Keyboard Peter Hewitt, combining 45

The Lockdown Choir came together

these pieces, joining Zoom rehearsals

pre-recorded pianists in a specially-

online for a wonderful rendition of The

w i t h m u s i c d e p a r t m e n t s t a f f,

arranged rendition of Prokofiev’s

Road Home by Stephen Paulus, while

before recording their individual

Dance of the Knights.

the Lockdown Orchestra produced a

contributions along with a click

Annual Review 2020-2021

Classics Success is ancient history Perse students successfully showcased their knowledge of significant figures from ancient times in the inaugural Cambridge Classical Association Essay Competition. Kit Ward-Thomas and Will Sepanski

Perse Head of Classics Seb Foster said: “I

(both Lower Sixth) were first and second

was delighted we had such a strong field

in the ancient history section of the

of entries for ancient history in both the

Years 12 and 13 category with studies

GCSE and A level categories. All of them

of the first Roman emperor Augustus

took the initiative to research beyond the

and his wife Livia respectively.

requirements of the syllabus.

Carole Tucker (Year 10) triumphed in

“I hope they enjoyed engaging with more

the ancient history section in the Years

ancient source material and secondary

10 and 11 class with her research into the

reading in the process.”

first Persian emperor Cyrus.

Historia. Nicholas performed the mournful report of Antilochus regarding Patrocius’ death from Homer’s Iliad with great emotion and skill and was praised by judge Dr Chris Whitton for giving the best performance across the whole competition. Catherine Follows (Year 8) and Neelkantha Mukherjee were both highly commended in the junior Latin category

Perse pupils prevail in classics competition

and Tansy Xue (Year 10) was runnerup in the intermediate Latin section, while Camillo Padulli and Elizabeth Gliznutsa (both Upper Sixth) were highly commended in the senior Latin category.

Perse pupils won an award in every

Perse students enjoyed a clean sweep

category at the Cambridge Classical

of successes in the Greek categories,

Perse Head of Classics Seb Foster

Association Reading Competition.

with Neelkantha Mukherjee (left, Year

said: “Given the recorded format of the

9), Carole Tucker (middle, Year 10) and

competition this year, pupils had the

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the

Nicholas Romanos (right, Upper Sixth)

added challenge of trying to convey the

competition was held virtually this

taking the junior, intermediate and senior

enthusiasm and energy in their recorded

year with entrants having to record

accolades respectively.

recital. I was immensely proud of all

their readings of Latin and Greek texts

those who took part and delighted to

chosen by the judging panel, made up

Neelkantha brought to life a section of

learn that Perse students won an award

of members of the classics faculties at

Homer’s Odyssey, while Carole impressed

in every category of the competition,

Oxford and Cambridge, who then gave

the judges with her accomplished

demonstrating the range of appreciation

their verdicts.

performance of part of Lucian’s Vera

for Latin and Greek throughout the school.”

Upper

Art Christmas creativity showcased in Year 7 Arts Festival A festive theme was at the heart of a very different 2020 Year 7 Arts Festival. The annual event traditionally sees Year 7 pupils take part in creative and performing arts activities over the course of a single day. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the regular script had to be rewritten this year. Instead, pupils were invited to let their creativity shine by being part of a seasonal showcase, submitting

Lili Angus

their Christmas-themed work into one of three categories – art, music and English/drama. Lili Angus won both the art and music categories with her entries. In art, Lili created an intricate and beautiful wintry scene with acrylic paints, while she took the music honours with her performance of Walking in the Air, the iconic theme from The Snowman. Enrica Russo’s evocative snowy scene, painted with acrylics, and Alice Shaw’s rendition of Patri Roa Johansen and Silvia Lanao Aregay’s Snow is Falling earned special mentions in the art and music sections respectively. Emily Hill prevailed in the English and drama section with her short film Christmas Family.

Enrica Russo

Annual Review 2020-2021

Stunning sculptures featured in online art exhibition

David Lim (Year 10) Sensational science-inspired ceramic sculptures made by Perse pupils went on display in a virtual art exhibition. Images of the creations were shown in the Molecules of Life online exhibition, organised by Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDB) in conjunction with the Arts Society Granta and the Arts Society Cantab. The display featured artworks made by students from local schools inspired by 3D structures of molecules from the PDB archive. The ceramic sculptures were produced as

Heller Prize winner

part of the PDB project, led by Perse art teacher Mandy Wilkins and biology teacher Emma Calvert. Ms Calvert identified

Carrie Ma (Year 8) won the Heller Prize for Creative Art with this striking piece.

keratin, haemoglobin and salivary amylase as the proteins studied by the pupils as

Ben Keeble, Head of Art & Design, said about the piece: “This year’s Heller prize

part of the biology curriculum and spoke

winner is a striking composition by Carrie, which skilfully represents the theme

to them about their make-up.

‘Looking Forward’ in many different ways. This is a digital artwork using expressive brushwork, in which the possibly blind figure looks straight out, towards the

In art lessons, pupils used this knowledge,

audience. Behind her back, another eye stares. The art department thought this

along with their explorations of the PDB

was an image which expressed hope for a more diverse and inclusive future.

archive, to create their striking 3D pieces,

The piece is about vision, and raises questions about looking and being seen.”

which incorporated various structures from the biology of these proteins such as red

The award is sponsored by Sir Michael and Lady Heller. Sir Michael is an Old

blood cells, long keratin fibres and both

Persean (1954), businessman and philanthropist, who was knighted in 2013 for

protein and DNA helices.

charitable services.

Upper

Perse student is the architect of excellent artwork With plans for a career as an architect, Isabel Painter (Upper Sixth) put her interest in building design to eye-catching use in her final A level coursework piece. Isabel, who has been offered a place

“It was definitely an interesting process.

reading architecture at Cambridge,

I started in lockdown, so it was a bit

produced a stunning installation based

difficult to begin with. I had an idea

around cityscapes in a small room in the

that I wanted it to come around a wall

art block, containing prints and drawings

so it looked like its own being in a way.

housed within a meandering scaffold-

I started off by creating small pieces to

style construction.

test out how I was going to add in the prints and sew things in.

She took inspiration from a cloudlike temporary structure designed by

“I then built one large piece, did a

Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto as

drawing, and as we came back to school,

part of the Serpentine Pavilion project

I started building more pieces, moved all

in 2013.

the plinths in and set it up to fill the room in the way I wanted it to move.

On her piece, Isabel said: “It’s all to do with urban sprawl and city growth

“There was some trial and error involved,

and the relationship between modern,

but it’s been good to explore an idea and

urbanised cities which are already built

go through the process of that iterative

up, such as London, and more organic,

design. Having a plan and looking at

artistic Renaissance cities, such as

what worked and what didn’t will be

Florence.

useful in terms of my future career.”

Isabel also displayed her design skills in another coursework piece inspired by the work of world-renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley. She said: “I did some small sketches as an initial response to some of his drawings. I really like the linear forms he uses and how they overlap. “I wanted to make it into something 3D and more sculptural, so I did a big drawing, put it on the floor and slowly overlaid the bamboo and wire. I wanted to do something on a big scale using colour blocking and light and shadow for this piece.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

Superb ceramics showcased by prodigious potter He said: “I like the tactile feel of clay

something based off the abstraction of

and I could sit there for hours sculpting.

the human form,” he said.

My teacher Mrs Wilkins, who also runs the Ceramics Club, has been especially

“I based the pieces on pictures of

helpful with the knowledge and support

refugees and abstracted them. People

she has given me to get to this stage.”

often count them as civilian casualties, so I wanted to give them more of a

Nicholas was introduced to raku – a

representation.”

firing process where ceramics are removed from the kiln while red hot and

For other coursework pieces, Nicholas

cooled rapidly - early in Year 10 and has

took inspiration from legendary sculptor

even set up his own firing bin at home,

Henry Moore, particularly his use of

containing wood chippings and certain

negative form – utilising space around

chemicals, to not only fire but also help

and/or between a subject for artistic

colour his pieces.

effect.

He was also inspired by the work of

He said: “On one of my pieces, for

Kenyan-British ceramicist Magdalene

example, the body is a negative form

After being introduced to clay in Year

Odundo for his figures with striking

with the arms next to it and the face in

8, Nicholas’ passion for pottery rapidly

concave faces.

the middle is representing the child on

Nicholas Malasiotis (Year 11) produced an array of stunning ceramics as part of his GCSE coursework folder.

grew to the extent of him being able

to which the mother is holding with her

to create such evocative pieces based

“She works with similar textures to the

around natural forms.

ones I do, so I decided I wanted to do

arms around them.”

Upper

GCSE Art overview Pupils in Year 11, studying the GCSE fine art course looked at natural forms as a starting point for their projects in the personal investigation, researching numerous artists to inspire the development of their ideas. They were encouraged to develop sustained final outcomes in the media of their choice, reflecting the diversity of media and techniques available to them during the course.

Holly Gusterson

Ed Hackett

Tamara Lake Joely Harrison

Annual Review 2020-2021

Oliver Sabates

Sheen Gahlaut

Ananya Malaviya

Upper

A level Art overview Those studying the A level course started a series of skills-based workshops in their first year looking at the human form, beginning their personal investigations exploring a wide variety of themes and historical approaches to art-making depending on their interests. This led naturally into their research for the related study essay where they were required to research an aspect of art and design, extending knowledge gleaned in their practical portfolio. Their stunning outcomes were the culmination of two years’ practical and written work and will be exhibited in an online exhibition in Michaelmas term 2021.

Toby Spurgen

Rosalind Sale

Annual Review 2020-2021

Cindy Li

Amelie Fawcett Artwork shown is from students in Upper Sixth

Upper

English and Drama

Terrifying tales and ghostly goings-on in Lower School Play

Year 7 actors bookended the performance by performing the opening and closing scenes, with Year 8 pupils taking on the rest of the play. Co-director and drama teacher Emily Gleeson said both year groups had enjoyed having the chance to go on stage and

Spooky scenes were played out on screen in the annual Perse

be filmed.

Lower School Play. She said: “We double cast the play just so that both year groups Despite there being no live audience due to Covid-19

had a chance to perform. Especially for Year 8, who missed

restrictions, actors in Years 7 and 8 still had the opportunity

out on being able to perform in the PAC last summer due to

to perform Judith Johnson’s Scary Play on the Peter Hall

lockdown, so we wanted to make sure they had a really good

Performing Arts Centre stage.

chunk of the play to work on.”

The results of their work were recorded and edited by co-

Miss Gleeson added that such was the clamour from Lower

director Andrew Pritchard, Perse Theatre Practitioner in

School youngsters to take part, Mr Pritchard put together a side

Residence.

project entitled Ghost Stories to allow everyone to get involved.

Scary Play tells the tale of a group of friends having a sleepover

This saw pupils telling terrifying tales to camera, with the use

who decide to go into a haunted house and explore what is

of a green screen to add a bloodcurdling backdrop to their

inside.

monologues.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Upper

Sixth Form actors become stars of screen

Although the cast members were able to take to the Peter

Perse Sixth Form actors performed a selection of Philip

However, their performances, which took place during the

Pullman’s Grimm Tales on camera.

Michaelmas term, were recorded and edited into a film by the

Hall Performing Arts Centre stage, Covid-19 restrictions meant there could be no live audiences for this year’s Sixth Form Play.

show’s director and Theatre Practitioner in Residence Andrew Pritchard.

It was challenging, but it was also a very enjoyable and collaborative process where everyone was able to be creative. It was a wonderful experience.

Working in small, socially distant groups within their year group bubbles, the actors portrayed six of Pullman’s re-workings of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales, adapted for the stage by Philip Wilson. These include a traditional rendition of Little Red Riding Hood and versions of Rapunzel and Thousandfurs against a 1930s/1940s backdrop, as well as a quirky take on The Frog

Annual Review 2020-2021

King, a contemporary urban reading of Hansel and Gretel and

“After such a disjointed year, it was an opportunity for students

a dreamlike performance of The Three Snake Leaves featuring

to get together and be creative and connect with other people,

shadow puppetry.

even in small groups. They really put their back into it, had fun and hopefully developed new skills as well.”

Mr Pritchard felt Grimm Tales lent itself to being produced effectively in difficult circumstances.

Among those skills were acting for screen with performances recorded from multiple camera angles, including the use of a

He said: “I wanted to do something with small groups, but

GoPro attached to the actor for certain scenes, before being

also offer as many students as possible the opportunity to be

pulled together for the film.

involved. I was also looking for something with recognisable ideas which could be tackled from diverse perspectives.

Mr Pritchard added: “It was challenging, but it was also a very enjoyable and collaborative process where everyone was able

“We only had six weeks to do it and the students could

to be creative. It was a wonderful experience.”

only rehearse at lunchtimes or after school, so it was very challenging. We had some taking part who were old hands

The Perse School amateur production of Grimm Tales by

at acting and some who had never performed at all, which

Philip Pullman was by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

was great.

Upper

Powerful Phoebe performance wins judges’ plaudits Shakespeare’s writing is unique in a way that means every word contains a specific meaning in accordance to others around it.

Elif Cektir (Year 10) earned a judges’ commendation award for her distinguished delivery in the prestigious Performing Shakespeare competition. Organised by the English-Speaking Union, the competition was held online this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic with entrants filming Shakespearean monologues for the judging

“Nothing is easy to learn and long and confusing Shakespearean

panel.

monologues are no different. However, I’ve got quite used to learning lines and monologues and enjoy it thoroughly so the challenge was accepted gladly.

A fan of the Bard’s work, Elif, who also enjoyed taking part in the RADA Shakespeare Awards scheme at school, recorded herself presenting a monologue by Phoebe from the comedy

“I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I’d received a

As You Like It.

judges’ commendation.”

She said: “Shakespeare’s writing is unique in a way that means

Drama teacher Emily Gleeson explained that all Perse Year 10

every word contains a specific meaning in accordance to others

drama students took part in Performing Shakespeare, with

around it. I’ve always enjoyed performing his monologues for

Elif among those chosen to be put forward for the national

this purpose and decided to put a hobby to use.

competition by the school’s English and drama department.

“I chose Phoebe’s monologue because As You Like It is my

Miss Gleeson added: “Elif was incredibly dedicated to

favourite Shakespearean comedy. Also, Phoebe is a very

understanding her character and refining her performance.

interesting and expressive person and I enjoy getting into

She demonstrated wonderful energy and physicality, truly

her character.

bringing the character of Phoebe to life, and I am delighted that she was awarded this prize.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

All the world’s a stage with Perse Players Shakespeare Project launch An ambitious Perse Players project weaving together strands of Shakespeare was launched on the Bard’s 457th birthday. Overseen by Andrew Pritchard, Theatre Practitioner in Residence, The Shakespeare Project will provide a lasting online showcase of Perse pupils’ acting ability, featuring work from and inspired by the iconic playwright’s plays, poems and sonnets. The creative hub developed over three stages, with the initial launch featuring 65 of Shakespeare’s monologues and soliloquies from across his comedies, tragedies and histories, performed by more than 40 young actors on camera at home during lockdown. abridged digital productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mr Pritchard said: “The idea was to develop a website that

Henry V and Macbeth, a Julius Caesar response project and a

will allow students to explore acting, singing, dancing and

dance performance based on Romeo & Juliet.

the technical arts, while also celebrating each other’s work, and offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with

The final section, ‘Backstage Shakespeare’, will highlight the

Shakespeare.”

technical side of putting together a theoretical production of Othello.

The Shakespeare Project will be updated on a regular basis, with the second tranche ‘Shakespeare in Performance’ including

Mr Pritchard, who hopes The Shakespeare Project will become an ongoing initiative, was pleased with how Perse Players

The idea was to develop a website that will allow students to explore acting, singing, dancing and the technical arts...

actors had responded to the programme. He said: “It’s been a creative journey for them and it’s meant a change in perspective, but the feedback has been really positive.”

In other stage and screen news... Toby Collins (Lower Sixth) was highly commended for

The Middle School Drama Company staged Lizzie Nunnery’s

his play Love Corporation in the National Theatre’s New

Heavy Weather during the Lent term in an innovative online

Views competition. As a result of his achievement, he was

version.

invited to a full day online writing workshop. Year 10 drama students were assessed by practitioners Lucy Collier (Lower Sixth) was highly commended in

from RADA for their Shakespeare Certificates. This year’s

the creative writing category of the New College of the

cohort was the first ever at The Perse to receive a clean

Humanities Essay Competition.

sweep of passes.

Members of Year 11 participated in a filmed project during

William Walker (Year 8) won the Orwell Youth Prize with

Michaelmas term. Masks replaced the usual Year 11 Play

his essay ‘A New Direction: Starting Small by Creating

and helped to launch Perse drama into the digital world.

Norfolk Wetlands’.

Upper

Perse students reach the final of Cambridge Union competition

It was absolutely amazing to qualify for the finals... Camillo and I worked really well together. Our debating styles really complemented each other.

Wendy Hau and Camillo Padulli (both Upper Sixth) talked their way into the finals of the Cambridge Union Schools’

Wendy described debating online as “an interesting experience”,

Debating Competition.

but was thrilled with how she and Camillo adapted to the unusual circumstances.

They came third in the regional round of the competition, held online this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after displaying

She said: “A lot of the social aspect, which is one of my favourite

their debating dexterity across four different motions. Topics

parts of debating, is reduced and it was quite unnerving when

argued for and against in the regional round included reserving

the speakers didn’t have their cameras on. On the other hand,

a number of seats in parliament for individuals under 30,

it did reduce the hassle of trying to find the appropriate room

banning essential workers from striking and allowing prisoners

at a venue and there was no need to worry about other teams

to volunteer for experimental medical trials in exchange for a

listening in during the planning stage!

reduction in sentence. “It was absolutely amazing to qualify for the finals. I was rather The final motion saw participants debate the issue of

surprised, given the lack of preparation compared to last year,

choosing a job with high wages but long hours or one they

partially due to Covid-19, but also busier schedules this year

were passionate about but with much lower pay from the

with university applications. I did not initially have high hopes,

standpoint of a talented person in their early twenties about

but Camillo and I worked really well together. Our debating

to start their career.

styles really complemented each other.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

Alina said: “It was just an impulse decision to enter the competition, so it’s a bit overwhelming, but quite exciting to get through to the final. “We were very scared because we’d never done anything like this before, but it was actually quite fun once we got used to it.” Sanjana added: “Before each debate we were completely terrified, but we’d try to go out of our way to make sure that our points were as different as we could

No debate over international finals qualification

make them so we didn’t have to worry about them being repeated. “Being able to logically argue with people who were so clever themselves

Alina Turchyn and Sanjana Bhatnagar

be penalised for the poor behaviour of

was a really eye-opening experience. We

(pictured) successfully argued their case

their fans, whether companies should be

had to really think about what we were

to reach the International Competition

taxed for using automation and whether

going to say and how we were going to

for Young Debaters finals.

trial by jury should be abolished.

say it to come out on top.”

The Year 10 pupils made it through the

Going into the competition, they

The Perse was also represented in the

online regional finals after demonstrating

were only given prior knowledge of

first round by Catherine Balfour, Ganesh

their debating skills across four motions,

the charities question and had just 15

Mullaparthi (both Year 10), Julia Chandy,

including whether charities should be

minutes to prepare their arguments for

Lily Croke (both Year 9), Djia Sanath-

banned from using emotional images in

the other debates.

Vijay and Hercules Voultsos (both Year 8).

fundraising, whether sports clubs should

Online debating and public speaking achievements Perse public speakers and debaters made a successful switch to online competitions during the Covid-19 lockdown. Ten Perse students took part in the Oxford Union Schools’

a team featuring Lily Croke, Olivia Howard and Marcus

Debating Competition – Wendy Hau, Camillo Padulli (both

Wentzell (all Year 9).

Upper Sixth), Angela Han, Benedict Meissner, Charlie Stalker (all Year 11), Ganesh Mullaparthi, Vishrut Pisupati,

Meanwhile, the winners of the House Public Speaking

Sourish Sharma (all Year 10), Lily Croke and Olivia Howard

Competition included:

(both Year 9) – while Camillo, Wendy and Benedict also entered the English-Speaking Union (ESU) Mace Debating

• Lower School – Djia Sanath-Vijay (Year 8, Yales)

Competition.

• Middle School – Marcus Wentzell (Year 9, Yales) • Senior School – Shaaon Bhattacharya (Year 11, Unicorns)

Harry Knight, Angela Han (both Year 11) and Catherine

• Isabella Li-Yan-Hui (Year 11) represented the school in three

Balfour (Year 10) were runners-up in the regional final of the

rounds of the English-Speaking Union’s Public Speaking

ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition, with Catherine

Competition and was successful as far as the national finals.

earning the best chairperson award. The team had reached

Lots of students also took part in other debating events

this stage by winning the first round, in which Harry was

including a tournament against Heritage School.

named best speaker. The Perse was also represented by

Upper

Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Feeling philosophical about debating competition Rebecca Li, Kuan Kuan Lin and Sourish Sharma (all Year 10)

questioned whether the justice system should focus more on

reflect on representing The Perse in the online John Stuart

rehabilitation or retribution and the consequences of both.

Mill Cup philosophical debating competition, where they

Despite an extremely close match, Clitheroe pulled ahead with

were joined by Year 11 pupils Benyamin Atabani, Angela Han,

three points and won the match.

Benedict Meissner and Malachy Wallace. We followed on by considering the morality of ‘best before’ Although the competition was not debating in the traditional

dates and the problems caused by consumers having too much

format and style, but more a quick-thinking discussion about

information. Even though both teams presented excellent

the morals and ethics of posed case studies, we still had an

cases, Wellington School won by nine points.

excellent time with many thought-provoking discussions ranging from the morals of rehabilitation and retribution within

Although we didn’t advance to the semi-finals, the team had

the justice system, to the ethics of ‘best before’ dates.

an inspiring morning of both philosophy and public speaking, and in the spirit of the competition would like to congratulate

The first match we took part in was against Clitheroe Royal

the winners. We will also definitely participate in the John

Grammar School. We presented a case about the right to

Stuart Mill Cup again next year.

public nudity and freedom of expression, while Clitheroe

Annual Review 2020-2021

Design and Technology

Engineering scholarships earned by Perse students A group of Perse students were awarded illustrious Arkwright Engineering Scholarships that recognise their potential in being future leaders in engineering and technical design. Having applied during Year 11, Ewan Smith, Nikhil Karun, Tom

To earn their scholarships, they had to successfully complete a

Davies and Harry Irvin (all Lower Sixth), plus Josh Seed (2020),

rigorous selection process that included a detailed application

each gained the renowned scholarships, which provided them

form and a two-hour aptitude exam. As a result of their

with a £600 award to boost their A level studies as well as a

achievements, they are all now being sponsored by high-tech

variety of activities to help their understanding and experience

Cambridge engineering firm Arm Holdings.

of engineering.

Upper

UPPER Endeavour

Annual Review 2020-2021

Sport

Hockey Toby Hofer (Upper Sixth), Alex Cross (Year 11), Jack Moffat, Laurie SimpsonBiles, James Goodricke, Marc Rocca (all Year 10) and Henry Denny-Gouldson (Year 8) all earned places in England Hockey boys’ regional performance

Jack Moffat (Year 10) was called up to the Saxon Tigers U15 boys’ squad for the England Hockey Futures Cup, while Charlotte Rye (Year 10) was named as a non-travelling reserve for the Saxon Tigers U17 girls’ squad.

Netball Four Perse pupils were selected to join the player pathway with Vitality Superleague side Saracens Mavericks. Alice MacDowell, Eva Morris and Izzy Thomson (all Lower Sixth) joined

Rugby

Mavericks’ Cambridgeshire hub and Madeleine Brooking (Lower Sixth)

centre squads. Yujian Zou (Year 11) was awarded a Alexandra Pitchford (Lower Sixth),

place in the Northampton Saints U18

May Busher, Holly Smith, Charlotte

Developing Players group.

Rye, Xanthe Farman (all Year 10) and

joined Mavericks’ Bedford hub. Bella Howarth (Year 11) gained a place on the regional pathway of Superleague

Jean Macdonald (Year 9) all earned

Hugh Ponder, Harry Purvis and Max

places in England Hockey girls’ regional

Ramsden (all Year 10) gained places in

performance centre squads.

the Northampton Saints U16 Developing

Sorcha Brickel (Year 10) was selected

Players group.

for Saracens Mavericks U15 development

club London Pulse.

squad.

Upper

Cricket

1st XI Boys recorded a draw against the MCC in their annual match with Vishrut Pisupati (Year 10) winning the Spirit of Cricket award for guiding the team to the result.

U15 Boys were County champions and qualified for the

U14 Boys were County champions.

Regional finals. They also finished third at the Magdalene College School T20 Festival.

U12 Boys were County champions. They also won the annual

U15 Girls reached the National quarter-finals of the School

Perse Festival.

Sport T20 Cup and were County champions.

Fifties were scored this year by Nikhil Gorantla, Henry Howarth

Five-wicket hauls were taken this year by Holly Smith (Year

(both Upper Sixth), Alex Maynard (Lower Sixth), Jack Moffat,

10), Aditya Datta and Isabelle Whichello (both Year 9).

Freddie Doel, Zander Brock, Henry Thorne, May Busher, Anabel Kaser, Holly Smith, Beatrice Rogers (all Year 10), Varun

Nikhil Gorantla (Upper Sixth) made his Essex 2nd XI debut

Vats, Lulu Harding (both Year 9), Ash Goel (Year 8), Jonny

against Middlesex in the Second XI T20 Championship. He

Rumsby, Ciaran Harrison and Christopher Smith (all Year 7).

also represented London & East U18 in the ECB Super 4s tournament.

Lulu Harding (Year 9) and Alex Maynard (Lower Sixth) made their debuts for Cambridgeshire women’s 1st XI and men’s 1st

Bella Howarth (Year 11) represented the Eastern Sunrisers, the

XI respectively.

ECB Eastern Regional Development Centre for Girls.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Tennis

Having been involved with CLTC since

fun to watch them play and a lot of them

first picking up a racquet at the age

are already starting to get quite good.”

of just four, Ganesh took on a key role supporting players from under-eight

Megan Carmichael (below, Upper Sixth)

to under-10 level when lockdown rules

has earned a full athletics scholarship

allowed them on court.

to study at California’s University of the Pacific, where she will join their tennis

Ganesh explained: “I’d hit a ball with

squad and represent them in the Division

them and do the warm-ups for them,

I West Coast Conference.

but I was also there to help set up the Ganesh Mullaparthi (above, Year 10) won

courts. In under-nines tennis, you put

the Cambridgeshire LTA Young Person of

down different lines and adjust the

the Year Award thanks to his outstanding

height of the net, and in under-eights,

voluntary services at his tennis club.

they only play on half a court, so it just helped with the overall workload.

He was nominated for the honour for his work with younger players at Cambridge

“With the under-eights, I’d also umpire

Lawn Tennis Club (CLTC) during the

games and keep the score. They also

Covid-19 pandemic and discovered he

get confused with which side of the

had won during a recent online award

court to serve from or who’s serving,

presentation.

so I just helped with that. It was good

Football Beatrice Rogers (Year 10) was selected to join an FA U15 Advanced Coaching Centre – a talent pathway for girls in football. The Perse girls’ football club was set up this year, open to pupils across all year groups and catering for all abilities with the aim of ensuring students have fun playing the sport while learning new skills. The club has proved popular with students showing a brilliant attitude and demonstrating excellent development in their core skills.

Upper

Innovative sports programmes kick off for talented Perse athletes Two new initiatives were launched to give a boost to budding sports stars. The Perse Talented Athlete Programme and Junior Academy were set up by Ravi Mahendra, Assistant Director of Sport (Performance), to provide practical help and advice to the school’s most promising sports students.

Madeleine Brooking

Open to pupils from Year 10 to Upper Sixth who are already involved in sporting governing bodies’ performance pathways, 23 students were selected for the Talented Athlete scheme, which picks up where the former Perse Elite Sports Programme left off. The programme recognises each athlete is different and aims to provide them with support and development to help them manage their busy academic schedules alongside training and performing at the highest level. The initiative targets key areas including understanding and supporting performance, strength and conditioning, mindset and goal setting, managing and monitoring progress, guidance, exploring sporting curiosity and scholarship.

Nikhil Gorantia

Meanwhile, the Junior Academy is open to pupils in Years 8 and 9 who wish to excel in sport and understand what is required to make the next step. Forty-seven pupils were selected for the initial cohort, having shown promise in the three criteria for development within the programme – fundamental movement skills, leadership and responsibility, and sporting curiosity. Talented Athlete Programme students included: Madeleine Brooking (Lower Sixth, netball)

Alex Maynard

Oliver Brunt (Lower Sixth, golf) May Busher (Year 10, cricket/hockey) Megan Carmichael (Upper Sixth, tennis) Xanthe Farman (Year 10, hockey) Nikhil Gorantla (Upper Sixth, cricket) Bella Howarth (Year 11, cricket/netball) Lotti Knights (Upper Sixth, triathlon) Alice MacDowell (Lower Sixth, netball) Alex Maynard (Lower Sixth, cricket) Will McKernan (Year 11, golf) Jack Moffat (Year 10, hockey)

Alexandra Pitchford

Alexandra Pitchford (Lower Sixth, hockey) Beatrice Rogers (Year 10, football) Isaac Rothwell (Year 11, athletics) Charlotte Rye (Year 10, hockey) Holly Smith (Year 10, hockey) Joey Taylor (Year 11, sailing) Charlie Underwood (Lower Sixth, rugby) Sebastian Vandermeer (Lower Sixth, swimming) Weiqi Ye (Year 11, tennis) Gabriella Zailer-Fletcher (Year 10, tennis) Charlie Underwood

Yujian Zou (Year 11, rugby)

Annual Review 2020-2021

ESAA Track & Field Cup Intermediate Girls (above) were County runners-up. Key individual performers included: Alex Reimann (Year 10) Intermediate Girls, 42 points (25 in triple jump) Harry Purvis (Year 10) Intermediate Boys, 41 points Laurie Simpson-Biles (Year 10) Intermediate Boys, 40 points

Athletics

Charlotte Deacon (Year 8)

ESAA Schools Championships

Junior Girls, 37 points

Isaac Rothwell (above, Year 11) won

Amer Amen (Year 8)

Bronze in 3,000m in the National Finals

Junior Boys, 35 points

in a personal best time of 8min 36.30sec. Verity Valentine (Year 8) Junior Girls, 31 points in 1,500m

George Christmas (right, Year 9) was 13th in 1,500m in the National Finals.

Hugh Ponder (Year 10) Intermediate Boys, 25 points in 800m

George McLaren (Upper Sixth)

Oliver Traherne (Lower Sixth)

Ben Lewis (Lower Sixth) set himself

ran the corresponding number of

achieved an excellent time of 1hr

the target of running 100km every

kilometres to the day of the month

26min in his first attempt at a half

month in 2021, starting off with 107km

each day during January – a challenge

marathon distance.

in January.

Daniel Zailer-Fletcher (Year 11) set a

Verity Valentine (Year 8) knocked

half marathon distance personal best

her 1,500m personal best under the

of 1hr 22min.

five-minute mark, as well as improving

he completed, albeit with the aid of a bike over the final three days due to a knee injury, to cover 496km (302 miles) overall.

her 5k time.

The Perse Couch to 5k programme has proved successful with many pupils getting involved since its launch this year.

Upper

Rowing Laura Burton (right, Lower Sixth) made waves with victory in her event at the National Schools’ Regatta. She made it into the final of the girls’ single sculls at Dorney Lake, which hosted the London 2012 Olympics rowing events, after being quickest in the qualifying time trial in a time of 7min 58.49sec. The Perse pupil, who was representing Cambridge ’99, maintained her blistering form in the deciding race to clinch the title in 9min 6.11sec, almost three seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Ed Gaskarth (Upper Sixth), also representing Cambridge ’99, finished sixth in the final of the boys’ singles sculls after coming fourth in the qualifying time trial. Agnes Prager and Anna Klenerman (both Upper Sixth) were fifth as part of the Cambridge ’99 crew in the girls’ quad C final, while Onur Howie (Upper Sixth) was 24th with his Cantabrigian crew in the boys’ quad time trial.

Sailing Joey Taylor (right, Year 11) was

Following their call-up, Joey and Kuba

selected for the Royal Yachting

represented GB in the World 420

Association’s Youth Performance

Championships in San Remo, Italy and

Squad in the 420 class. At just 15 at

came sixth in the U19 category (12th

the time of selection, Joey is one of

overall) at the British Championships

the youngest members of the group.

in Plymouth.

He was chosen to join the national

Joey was also crowned Outstanding

s q u a d , a l o n g w i t h c rew m a t e

Performer at the 2021 Roy Burrell

Kuba Staite, with selection largely

Awards. The annual awards, organised

based on performances in training

by the Cambridge & District Secondary

camps along with an eighth-place

School Sports Association, recognise

finish at the British 420 Autumn

the achievements of the most talented

Championships.

young sportspeople in the Cambridge area.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Triathlon Lotti Knights (right, Upper Sixth) has been selected to represent Great Britain at world championships in both triathlon and duathlon. The Perse sport scholar will travel to Almere in the Netherlands in September 2021 to take part in the women’s U20 sprint duathlon at the ITU Multisport World Championships before heading off to Bermuda the following month to race in World Sprint Triathlon Championships in the same age group.

Sprint triathlon features a 750m swim, 20km cycle leg and 5km run, while sprint duathlon includes a 5km run and a 20km bike section followed by a 2.5km run. Lotti has a fine pedigree at international level having won Bronze in the female 16-19 age category in sprint duathlon at the world championships in 2018. It was impressive performances such as that on which team selectors based their decisions, with Lotti having been ruled out with a serious knee injury for more than a year and unable to take part in any qualifying races for either event.

Shooting

Summer League. Liliana and Mila led the way in the overall individual score

Will Bacon (left, Lower Sixth) won the British Schools Small-bore Rifle Association (BSSRA) senior title with Mila Henderson-Gill (Upper Sixth) and Adelaide Harliono-Evans (Year 11) finishing third and 10th respectively. Adelaide Harliono-Evans, Cara Hollis and Liliana French (all Year 11) were fourth, fifth and eighth respectively in the BSSRA junior final. The Perse A team of Alessandra French, Mila Henderson-Gill (both Upper Sixth), Will Bacon (Lower Sixth), Liliana French and Adelaide Harliono-Evans (both Year 11) won the top division of the BSSRA

averages for the tournament with mean scores per round of 98.2 out of 100. Carla Campos Zanotti Gerosa (Year 8) posted the highest average score of 98.2 in the BSSRA Tyro summer competition for newcomers to the sport. Mila Henderson-Gill (Upper Sixth) was picked for the England A team for the BSSRA International Match. Alessandra French (Upper Sixth) and Will Bacon (Lower Sixth) were chosen for the England B team. Adelaide HarlionoEvans and Miles Cobley (both Year 11) were selected to be in the England C and D teams respectively.

Golf Harry Howell and Alexander Mills (below, both Year 8) were

The Perse golf team (below) took part in the first competitive

sixth in the team event at the Independent Schools Golf

fixture for any Perse sports team since the March 2020

Association (ISGA) Junior Open at Drayton Park Golf Club.

lockdown when they played Bedford School in the first round

Harry also finished joint-fifth in the individual competition.

of the National Schools Cup at Woburn Golf Club in April.

Upper

Outdoor Pursuits

Outdoor adventure returns for Perse pupils with exciting camp

The pupils rounded off their camps by

Perse pupils enjoyed their first taste of outdoor adventure post-lockdown with

a hot chocolate around the campfire.

putting into practice their fire-lighting skills before cooking chocolate brownies in hollowed-out oranges while enjoying

the PES Ascent Group camp at Little Abington. Perse Head of Outdoor Pursuits Ben Pupils in Years 8 and 9 attended the

prepare a delicious three-course

Parker said: “The Year 10 bears and stags

event that was led by pupils in Year 10.

lunch consisting of a tomato salsa and

(student leaders) did a fantastic job of

bruschetta starter, chicken korma, made

organising and planning the trip. Both

Despite each group only having one

from base ingredients and spices, and

Year 8 and Year 9 had a brilliant time

day on camp, they enjoyed being able

Eton mess.

enjoying the great outdoors alongside their peers.

to work together in year group bubbles, and learn lots of new skills during an

After lunch, they took part in an

action-packed itinerary.

exciting game, using the full 10 acres of

“It was great to see so many students

land available to play various forms of

outdoors and working alongside

On arrival, pupils pitched their dining

capture the flag, including a particularly

each other after such a challenging

shelters and field kitchens ready to

popular version using water pistols!

year. Students were enthusiastic and energetic even when the rain arrived!”

Annual Review 2020-2021

Duke of Edinburgh Awards expeditions completed by Perse students

on a loop course from the school and back, via Saffron Walden,

The 2019-20 cohort of Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards

He said: “All groups pushed themselves with the distance

participants finally managed to complete their qualifying

covered and managed to gain a positive experience. It was

expeditions during October half term.

fantastic to see students temporarily set aside the stresses of

Royston and Wimpole Hall, over a four-day period. Perse outdoor pursuits instructor Kieron Taylor was pleased with how the students had thrown themselves into the expeditions.

a busy schedule and enjoy a walk with friends in the beautiful The Upper and Lower Sixth students had been due to take part

surrounds of Cambridgeshire.”

in their expeditions earlier this year but the Covid-19 lockdown prevented them from going ahead.

In this pandemic-affected year, we have seen an increase in the time our DofE pupils have spent volunteering with nearly

DofE Silver award students walked from The Perse to St Ives via

900 hours of work being carried out, which carries a social

Wicken Fen over three days, while Gold award students took

value of over £4,000.

Expedition training days enjoyed by Perse adventurers

potato and steamed syrup pudding,

Perse pupils worked hard to prepare for their Summit 11 and 12 expeditions.

rain, the pupils remained enthusiastic

all made from scratch in the field. Despite strong winds and persistent throughout.

Land and water training days took

camps, while on the lake they learned

place at Chrishall Grange and Milton

how to paddle efficiently as a tandem

Perse Head of Outdoor Pursuits Ben

Country Park respectively, with

pair in open canoes and practised

Parker said: “The Summit 11 and 12

115 youngsters being put through

rescue drills.

programmes are very demanding. Given the limited programme due

their paces ahead of next summer’s As part of their training, the young

to Covid-19, pupils really rose to the

adventurers also cooked their food

challenge and pulled off complex

Pupils learned about fire-lighting,

over open fires, including a three-

c o o ke r y t a s k s a n d p h y s i c a l l y

cutting tool safety and shelter

course lunch of smoked salmon

demanding paddling manoeuvres. It

construction during their land-based

blinis, Swedish meatballs with mashed

was a real pleasure to see so many

planned adventures.

pupils enjoying the outdoors.”

Upper

Climbing Club enjoyed the heights of the Peak District

Pupils got stuck into some mountain biking and completed a 12km orienteering course around the local countryside. They returned for a further day of fun in canoes on the reservoir, culminating in a team race which provided plenty of laughs as well as competition. Perse outdoor pursuits instructor Kieron Taylor said: “Due

Summit 10 trip savoured by adventurous pupils

to Covid restrictions, the venue was closer to home than we had hoped for. However, it definitely managed to deliver two exciting days of activity.

PES Summit 10 members had a splashing time at Grafham

“It was fantastic to be back outside and see so many smiles

Water as they enjoyed a range of exciting outdoor activities.

on faces.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

Summit 11 Summit 11 enjoyed an expedition to the Norfolk Broads where they had an adventure camping near Wroxham, sailing on the River Bure and enjoying local sites of historical interest.

Upper

Perse paddlers make waves at Olympic white water course Perse paddlers were on the crest of a wave after an exhilarating trip to Lee Valley White Water Centre. Members of Perse Paddlesport Club enjoyed taking on the Legacy course at the venue, which hosted a number of the 2012 Olympics canoeing events. Newer paddlers were given an introduction to the daunting white water environment and learned how this demands different paddling skills to their regular and calmer realm of Milton Country Park. The more experienced kayakers took straight to the course, reminding themselves of skills they had not used for a while. Some even tried their hand at paddling playboats, a type of kayak designed for performing tricks such as cartwheels and front loops. Perse outdoor pursuits instructor Kieron Taylor said: “As the session progressed, all students visibly grew in confidence. Everyone was pushing their boundaries and in almost all circumstances were flourishing. “Everyone involved was wearing a massive smile and wanted to know when we could come back for some more practice.”

Annual Review 2020-2021

I just love the freedom of flying. You can go wherever you want and the views from up there are just absolutely beautiful.

Henry flying high after becoming qualified pilot

He said: “I felt very nervous. I was sat at the controls and then looked across at the empty seat next to me where the instructor would usually be and thought ‘it really is just me in here!’

Henry Clark (Upper Sixth) is set for take-off after earning his “Once you get up there though, you get into a rhythm and

private pilot licence at the age of just 18.

everything just comes to you and all the nerves go away.” With 70 hours of flying practice under his belt, Henry had to complete a series of theory exams before demonstrating his

In a neat twist, Henry passed his test in the same aircraft in

ability as an aviator with a practical test to earn his licence.

which he had his first lesson and he cannot wait to take his first flight as a qualified pilot.

He was elated to achieve his goal, having begun turning his long-held passion for becoming a pilot into reality when he

He said: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for such a long time.

was 14 – the minimum age for learning to fly.

I was just ready to take my test when Covid started, so I’ve had to wait a whole year. I’m so pleased to finally get my licence and I’m excited to get my first proper flights under my belt.

Henry said: “I’ve been fascinated with aeroplanes since I was really little and for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to

“I just love the freedom of flying. You can go wherever you

be a pilot, so I’ve always been building up to this point.

want and the views from up there are just absolutely beautiful, plus it’s so much fun to throw the plane around in the air.”

“I got my first flying lessons as a 14th birthday present from my parents, so the second I was old enough I started learning to fly.

Henry plans to make a career out of aviation and hopes to “You’re in a plane straight away and it was just the best feeling in

join the RAF or Navy after leaving The Perse, having been

the world. It was an amazing experience, especially that young.”

inspired by his great-grandfather and great uncle, who both flew in the air force.

After learning about the controls and how to fly the four-seater aircraft from his instructors at Cambridge Airport, Henry got

“Flying in the military would be my dream job,” he said. “I’ve

to grips with how to take off and land – “the most difficult

talked to my great uncle a lot and he’s really enthusiastic about

parts of flying” – before taking his first solo practice flight at 16.

the air force. It’s been really cool to see everything he has done and I think ‘that could be me’.”

Upper

UPPER One Another and Our Environment

Annual Review 2020-2021

Sophie explained that she had been inspired to set up the club after researching the decline of wildflowers in the UK and how wildflower meadows can boost crop pollination for her Rouse Awards project. She said: “I was appointed as a societies prefect this year, but due to Covid, I wasn’t able to continue helping the Lower School Biology Club, so I decided I’d set up a new group, involving mainly Sixth Form students, and everyone has enjoyed it. It should improve every year. It’s going from just plain grass to what will hopefully be a really lovely area for the school in future years.”

Wildflower meadow project set to bloom at The Perse

The patch will eventually feature a variety of colourful flowers, including scabious, foxgloves, bluebells and vetches.

A corner of The Perse Upper site is

Founded by Sophie Mason (Upper

Lower School Biology Club members

being transformed into an area of

Sixth), the group turned a small section

played their part in the project by

beauty and biodiversity thanks to the

of land behind the artificial pitches into a

building the bug hotel, which will

Ecology Society.

wildflower meadow with accompanying

provide a habitat for insects.

‘bug hotel’.

Sew far, sew good as pupils create colourful bunting

The group was restarted this year

Beautiful bunting brightened up The Perse Upper courtesy of the sewing skills

to try out different craft techniques

of the Stitch It club.

such as sewing, knitting, crochet and

by maths teacher Rebecca Stratton and facilities administrator Claire Middleton to give pupils the chance

embroidery. Despite operating in year group bubbles, Stitch It members have been able to combine their efforts to produce the colourful bunting hanging in the marquees next to the Sixth Form Café and the Rouse Building. Perse Domestic Bursar Helen Parkhouse also played a big part in the project coming to fruition by helping stitch the pieces of bunting together ready to be displayed.

Upper

It’s a common goal of ours to help improve the sustainability of the school... Bella said: “It’s a common goal of ours to help improve the sustainability of the school and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something green on a wider scale and incorporate other schools into it. “ I t a l s o fe l t q u i te f i t t i n g a s t h e

International research project on sustainability earns competition victory

environment is a very relevant subject right now. It’s something that everyone is becoming more aware of and a lot needs to change in the next few years to stop climate change, so we wanted to be a part of that change.”

Upper Sixth students Bella Crowne and Milou Ottolini triumphed in an international They chose Camberwell for their

research project competition.

comparison due to the effects of climate They won the SAGE (Strategic Alliance

from somewhere else in the world and

change already being felt in Australia,

of Global Educators) Project Passport

wanted to see how another school

as well as wanting to provide a broad

competition with their proposal

functions. We thought it was such a

geographical perspective on how

to compare approaches towards

unique opportunity to see a different

schools are dealing with becoming more

sustainability between The Perse and

country in a different way.”

sustainable.

Both students are members of the

Their proposal aimed to compare how

Perse Green Team and keenly aware

both schools viewed climate change

Bella said: “We were surprised but happy

of the importance of looking after the

by finding how involved pupils were

to discover we had won. We entered the

environment, so felt sustainability in

in making greener choices and what

competition because we liked the idea

schools would be an important topic

methods the schools used to be more

of collaborating with a different school

to tackle.

sustainable.

Camberwell Girls Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.

New zero emissions van joins estates team Highlighting our commitment to sustainability and valuing one another and our environment, our estates team took delivery of a new zero emissions electric van to support maintenance tasks across our school sites in Cambridge.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Charities and Community Outreach Pupil smashes fundraising target with gruelling charity run She joined together with friend Jodie Wright in running one mile every hour for a whole day, using different routes in Saffron Walden. They had initially hoped to raise £500, but smashed their goal to make £1,571 for CRCC, which provides free specialist support to women and girls across Cambridgeshire who have been affected by sexual violence. Alice said: “It went really well and we weren’t expecting to raise so much money. Alice MacDowell (left, Lower Sixth)

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre provided us

raised more than three times her

with T-shirts and water bottles and they

original target for Cambridge Rape

were really supportive of what we were

Crisis Centre (CRCC) after completing

doing, so we’re pleased to have raised this

a testing 24-hour running challenge.

amount for the great work they do.”

...it was an amazing feeling to think we had just spent 24 hours running 24 miles! She was thrilled with the backing received during the run itself, but admitted it is not a challenge she would have relished facing alone. Alice said: “Even running through the town, there were people giving encouragement and we had a couple of friends who cycled next to us or said ‘hi’, so it was really nice to have that support. “It was so nice to have both of our families there at the end and it was an amazing feeling to think we had just spent 24 hours running 24 miles!”

Record number sleep out for Emmaus A record number of Perse pupils took part in the annual Year 9 sponsored sleepout in aid of Emmaus Cambridge. Ninety youngsters braved wet and windy conditions to bed down for the night at the Upper site to help raise more than more about the work of the cause in

Perse Charities Co-ordinator Emma

providing meaningful work as well as a

Kenzie said: “It was the highest number

They were visited by Emmaus Chief

stable home for as long as required for

of pupils we’ve ever had taking part in

Executive Diane Docherty and Senior

people affected by homelessness.

the sleepout, which is great.

as two of the charity’s companions who

Pupils also took part in a game where

“It was really cold, wet and windy, but

had been helped off the streets. The

they had to earn enough ‘money’ to buy

it helped them experience what it can

Emmaus representatives brought snacks

cardboard to sleep on by doing different

be like to be homeless and it’s great

for those taking part and explained

tasks.

that they’ve been able to raise so much

£4,500 for the local charity.

Support worker Debbie Jones, as well

money for the charity.”

Upper

Pupils shine in colourful fundraising run Eighteen Perse pupils showed their true colours by taking part in a special sponsored charity run in Milton Keynes. The Color Obstacle Rush at Willen Lake saw them have fun taking on a fivekilometre inflatable obstacle course while being sprayed with brightly-hued powders along the way. Thanks to their efforts, the Year 10 pupils raised almost £800 for Pencils of Promise, a not-for-profit organisation b u i l d i n g s c h o o l s a n d i n c re a s i n g educational opportunities for children in developing countries such as Ghana, Guatemala, Laos and Nicaragua. Meanwhile, the Year 11 pupils raised money for Womankind Worldwide, which aims to secure equal rights for women and girls across the globe.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Student talks mental health with Prime Minister Boris Johnson

“Dr George can tell the Prime Minister

Eleanor Tomson (Lower Sixth) shared

a massive impression. It was definitely a

her views on mental health with Prime

great experience.”

what he thinks, but I feel if he hears about the importance of mental health from young people directly, it can make

Minister Boris Johnson MP following the launch of a major government support

Eleanor was invited to join in the

package for young people.

conversation with the Prime Minister by Dr George, having spoken to him a few

The Perse student was one of four

months ago while carrying out research

youngsters who took part in a video call

for her ongoing Rouse Awards project

with the UK premier and Dr Alex George,

investigating the extent to which schools

the government’s recently-appointed

shape good mental health in young

Youth Mental Health Ambassador, to

people today.

mark the announcement of a £79 million boost to mental health services for

Eleanor said: “Our school has a very

children and young people.

good mental health support system compared to so many schools across

She said: “I spoke mainly about going

“It was great to have the opportunity

the country. Many schools don’t have

back to school and everything around

to talk to the Prime Minister. I spoke to

counsellors or teachers who are mental

that. I was really nervous beforehand

Dr George afterwards and he said the

health first-aiders and because there’s

and it was quite surreal, but I soon felt

PM was very impressed with all of us

not so much support, many young

relaxed and it felt like quite a natural

and that we spoke very intelligently and

people don’t talk about it and struggle,

conversation between us all.

eloquently as well.

so this scheme is very important.”

Books 2 Africa The Perse donated 2,500 old biology, chemistry, maths and computer science textbooks to Books 2 Africa. Perse Charities Co-ordinator Emma Kenzie dropped the books off at the Canterbury distribution centre for Books 2 Africa, who will ensure they are given to schools and libraries to support the education of children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pupils have the power to try inclusive sports Where’s Wally?

Pupils in Years 8 and 9 enjoyed having a go at adaptive sports while raising funds for Power2Inspire.

Perse staff, including Acting Head of Design & Technology Anna Wingfield, biology teacher Nicole

They sampled sports such as goalball, sitting volleyball, boccia,

Copeland, art & design teacher Julie Griffiths, librarian

New Age Kurling and sitting netball in the PowerHouse Games

Laura Alboni and nurse Maria Brightwell, dressed up

– an event organised by Power2Inspire, a charity that aims to

as Where’s Wally? to do a sponsored run to help raise

make sport inclusive for disabled people.

£835 for the National Literary Trust.

Upper

Star turns in Charity Cabaret Young Perse singers and musicians ensured the annual

Alongside a variety of cover versions of well-known songs,

Charity Cabaret went ahead in style.

gifted guitarist Ashwin Ranasinghe-de Silva performed two of his own instrumentals, Far Places and New Domains, before

Upper Sixth leavers came back for a final turn on the Peter Hall

the Senior Prefects provided their traditional fun finale of song

Performing Arts Centre stage in front of a socially-distanced

and dance for the occasion.

audience to help raise funds for Home-Start Cambridgeshire, the Sixth Form Charity Committee’s chosen cause.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions with year group bubbles, Lower Sixth singers and musicians and the Year 11 Big Band were

Ed Green and Fabian Dodds compered the show and kicked

unable to take part on the night itself.

off proceedings with their take on Gaston from Disney film Beauty and the Beast.

However, they did not miss out on the chance to be involved as their performances were pre-recorded on the PAC stage

Talented soloists, duos and groups performed tunes from a

for inclusion in the online Charity Cabaret as part of the Perse

wide spectrum of genres from pop to prog rock via musical

music department’s Friday Night Showcase series.

theatre.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Upper

Pop stars hit the stage for Charity Lip Sync Battle

Members of the Perse rugby 1st XV gave their all with a performance of Donna Summer hit Hot Stuff, while the A level history students put on a dazzling display of Little Mix’s Black Magic.

From Abba to AC/DC, there was something for everyone to enjoy as Perse staff and students threw themselves into this

The computer science department made their Lip Sync debut

year’s Charity Lip Sync Battle.

with the help of a ‘robot’ and maths staff provided plenty of laughs as they took on the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror

Dressed up as some of the biggest names in music, hilarious,

Show, while members of the sport department transformed

high-energy performances abounded on the Peter Hall

into Beyoncé.

Performing Arts Centre stage with around £800 being raised The award for most innovative performance was earned by

for Home-Start Cambridgeshire.

an Upper Sixth group rocking the stage with big hair and Sixth Form tutors set a summery mood with their Koukou

inflatable guitars in a rendition of AC/DC’s heavy metal hit

Move dance routine, while Upper Sixth students had stars in

Highway to Hell.

their eyes as everyone from Boney M and the Backstreet Boys to Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, with two groups

However, the ‘most horrific’ prize went to the Senior Prefects

taking on songs from Grease.

with their song and dance routine featuring a mirthful mashup of music and moves.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Maths teacher Lilian Blaxill, who helped organise the Lip Sync Battle, was pleased with how the event had gone. She said: “The Lip Sync Battle usually takes place in January, but due to lockdown we couldn’t hold it then. Heather Magowan and Victoria Leung (both Upper Sixth) came up with the idea to still do something as a leavers’ event and they were very proactive about it. “There was a lot of interest in it from the Upper Sixth and they turned it around very quickly and we even had more acts than ever before. “Some of the acts were brilliant and we had a great response, selling out all the tickets. It was also a great opportunity to raise money for the Sixth Form Charities Committee’s nominated charity. “It was a nice way for the Upper Sixth leavers to let off a bit of steam and it was a lot of fun.”

Upper

Anti-Bullying Ambassador has surprise virtual audience with HRH The Duke of Cambridge Jude Bedford (Lower Sixth) had a right

Jude outlined how he had become an

royal surprise when he took part in an

ABA in Year 7 after being diagnosed

online call with fellow Anti-Bullying

with anxiety following on from his own

Ambassadors (ABAs) – a virtual chat

experiences.

with HRH The Duke of Cambridge. He said: “When I heard there was an The Perse student was one of just

ABA programme starting in the school,

four ABAs to have a very special

I felt I had nothing to lose. That’s when

Zoom audience with HRH The Duke

I started talking about my mental health

of Cambridge, who expressed his

and I thought if I could teach someone

admiration for their efforts and listened

through my own experience, then maybe

to their reflections as part of Anti-

I could help others.

Bullying Week. He is a supporter of

and very cool. His Royal Highness spoke

young people’s charity The Diana Award

very nicely and sincerely and it was very

“Within the school, the ABAs plan events

– named in memory of his late mother –

comforting to know he is on board with

to promote healthy relationships and

which runs the ABA programme.

this issue.

mental health, but it’s also about having

A member of the ABA national youth

“It wasn’t particularly formal. It was just

‘hand-on-shoulder’ just to be there for

board, Jude admitted being amazed

a conversation and that’s what made it

others. If someone is going through

when HRH The Duke of Cambridge

quite comfortable. We opened up about

something, they can always be in touch

entered the half-hour video call.

ourselves and he listened, as well as

with us. Especially among children, it’s

adding his own input into our stories

quite hard for them to go to an adult, so

He said: “We hadn’t been told about it,

– to have the opportunity to speak up

it’s good for them to have a peer who

so when Prince William appeared on the

about our experiences like that was quite

is approachable and we aim to have at

screen, I didn’t have much to say apart

empowering.”

least one ABA in each form.”

cards and dominoes, were delivered to

quite incredible and, with all the Covid

struggling families in Romania, Bulgaria,

disruption, pretty astonishing. Perse

Moldova and Ukraine.

pupils showed enormous engagement

someone who can be a designated

from ‘wow!’ It was totally unexpected

Record-breaking shoebox appeal A record-breaking 604 shoeboxes were donated by generous Perse pupils and staff across the Upper, Prep and Pelican to boost the Link to Hope Christmas appeal. Th i s wa s a h u g e r i s e f ro m w h at was already a record number of 524 shoeboxes gifted by the Perse community to the charity in 2019. The festive parcels, which contain a mixture of useful and fun items including

and generosity with this project, and did

gloves, scarves, hats, sweets, soap,

Perse Head of Computing and Digital

not let anything, especially Covid, stand

flannels, toothbrushes, toothpaste,

Strategy Paul Baker, who co-ordinates

in their way of helping others.”

candles and small games such as playing

the shoebox appeal, said: “This was

Annual Review 2020-2021

Marathon mission for charity Beatrice Rogers and Susie Beale (both Year 10) marched a marathon distance to raise funds for a Cambridgeshire mental health charity. They trekked 26 miles and 385 yards in 10-and-a-half hours, including breaks, along a route from Saffron Walden to Cambridge and helped to raise more than £1,430 for Centre 33, a local mental health charity for young people, as a result. Susie came up with the idea, having begun going for hikes during the Covid-19 lockdown. She said: “I was planning on doing a long walk anyway just for myself, but then I thought it would be nice to combine it with raising money for a mental health charity.

She said: “It was a lot nicer than doing it on my own and the miles just went by really quickly. It was only at about

“Especially over the last year, I guarantee many young

mile 20 that we started thinking ‘oh my gosh!’ and the

people will have struggled and maybe they’ll have used

last five miles coming into Cambridge felt like they went

charities such as Centre 33 to help feel better or get advice.”

on for hours.

Susie invited Beatrice to join her in her marathon mission

“We had no preparations or training, we just went straight

and admitted it was a big help having a partner for the

into it, but it worked out.”

challenge.

Christel House Two events were held to raise funds for Christel House during lockdown. The inaugural online Perse Family Quiz Night attracted 64 teams and helped raise £1,725 for the charity, which transforms children’s lives by building and running schools in some of the world’s most deprived communities. It was followed by a live-streamed Perse Bake-Off with Head of Rugby Liam St John and Assistant Director of Sport (Performance) Ravi Mahendra challenged to produce a dinosaurthemed cake. Mr St John took the honours, with the event raising £350.

Upper

Summer School The Perse Summer School was open to children aged between seven and 15 years who attend any school. This year more than 700 children attended from more than 70 different schools. The wide range of courses included photography, tennis, hockey, cookery, film-making, print-making, orienteering, musical theatre and water sports.

100

Annual Review 2020-2021

Community Benefit Community Outreach adapts during Covid to support local school children Covid-19 prevented much of our regular community outreach work, so we adapted our plans to continue to support as many children as possible.

Our projects included:

We have also been partnering with some secondary schools and FE colleges.

• Funding the provision of group music at Fen Ditton • Helping a school in Hertford through specific departmental

Primary School.

links where our staff mentored and advised in maths,

• Preparing digital language resources for local primary

music, sport and PE.

schools.

• Supporting a school in Norfolk by assisting in the creation

• Our Green Team raising funds and redeveloping an

of their economics department and facilitating one of

outdoor space at Morley Memorial Primary School.

their students joining our maths STEP extension lessons

• Developing computer science resources for local schools

digitally.

including The Galfrid School and Bewick Bridge Primary

• Marking and moderating GCSE papers in Latin and

School.

classical civilisation for a Cambridgeshire school, enabling

• Sixth Form students producing maths support materials

them to submit grades with supporting evidence.

for more than 25 primary schools.

• Continuing to support Long Road Sixth Form College in

• Two staff from the Perse science department and two Old

their UCAS process, specifically with guidance sessions for

Perseans working for a week at The Galfrid School running

the most competitive courses and preparation interviews

a Year 5 project week on climate change, biodiversity

for Oxbridge applicants.

and ecology. • Providing funding to Cambridge-based Raspberry Pi Foundation’s work in bridging the digital gap for local children to access computer equipment during the lockdown.

Interview advice film is an online hit Director of Communications Claire Ziwa produced and presented a film which helped tens of thousands of students to prepare for their online university interviews. With appearances in the film by Perse Head of School Fabian Dodds (right, Upper Sixth) and Katie Bellwood (Upper Sixth) from Jersey College for Girls, the film benefitted students from across the UK as well as those in countries including the USA and Australia.

101

Upper

Alumni and Development A good quality education has never been more important and it has the power to change lives. This year we have supported around 100 pupils through meanstested and hardship bursaries, as well as working with over 3,000 pupils through our outreach projects. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. “My time at The Perse has given me far more than just

“The five years that I spent at The Perse provided

the education (which was excellent as well!) but also a

a fantastic education and access to a wealth of

community that was always supportive and caring. I

opportunities that would have been far beyond my

cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I

reach otherwise. I would like to say how incredibly

didn’t go there, but I can say for certain I wouldn’t be

grateful I am to the supporters of the bursary scheme.

the person that I am today.”

Your generosity of a Perse education is a gift which I

- Gleb Evteev (2020)

will benefit from for years to come.” - Bursary Recipient

How you made a difference this year

86 24 primary and secondary schools took part in outreach programmes.

86 Old Perseans and Friends of The Perse volunteered their time and expertise to help current pupils and young alumni.

Around 100 pupils received a means-tested bursary.

£55,000

100%

Over £55,000 was raised as part of the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Gift in support of bursaries.

1 in 5 bursary recipients received a 100% bursary.

102

22 families received additional hardship bursaries as a result of Covid-19.

Annual Review 2020-2021

Who gave to The Perse?

TOTAL 391

Philanthropic Donors 2020-2021

Old Perseans - 244

Current Parents - 75

Past parents and Friends of The Perse - 56

Current/former staff - 7

Corporate - 3

This year Old Perseans and Friends of The Perse have

Other – 6

continued to keep in touch with the school remotely

TOTAL: 391

through online year group reunions, panel discussions,

Events

community lectures and even the inaugural Perse Challenge quiz series.

What did you support?

Our virtual Pint of Perse seminar series heard from Perse staff such as hockey Olympian Glenn Kirkham (above) and mathematician Dr Vesna Kadelburg. The speakers delivered seminars in their area of expertise for the Perse community to enjoy, with viewers tuning in from around the globe. Pint of Perse events will continue during the next academic year in a hybrid fashion, allowing guests to attend future seminars in person or access them virtually.

TOTAL £218,783*

Thank you to all the Old Perseans and Friends of The Perse who have joined and enjoyed this year’s virtual events programme. We hope to welcome you all back to The Perse soon.

Looking forward

Bursaries - £122,897

Unrestricted - £80,849

Outreach - £2,752

Buildings - £2,390

Other – £9,895

Whilst Old Perseans have not been able to join us on the school site this year, we have still been planning events for the forthcoming year when we will be marking the 407th Founder’s Day in March 2022 by hosting a celebratory fundraising event. Money raised during the

TOTAL: £218,783*

day will directly go towards transformational bursaries and outreach programmes in our community.

*Figures correct at the time of going to print (September 2021)

103

Upper

Community Lectures Michaelmas 2020

Can we end homelessness in Cambridge?

Mark Allan Mark Allan, Chief Executive at Jimmy’s Cambridge, a wellknown shelter and charity for the homeless in the city, gave the first virtual Perse Community Lecture. He shared his own thoughts on the challenges of working to support those experiencing homelessness through the time of a pandemic. Mark explored some of the unexpected positives that have come about from the work statutory and non-statutory bodies have done to rise to those challenges and potential long-term solutions to the problem of helping those without a home to find a secure environment to which they can return, hopefully reducing the necessity for sleeping on the streets. He also gave an excellent insight into the modular homes that have been created to support rehousing of homeless people and the work Jimmy’s has been doing in conjunction with other bodies on this project.

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Annual Review 2020-2021

Lent 2021

The tale of the NHS Covid-19 App

Professor Wolfgang Emmerich Wolfgang Emmerich, Professor of Distributed Computing at University College London and CEO of Zühlke UK, gave a fascinating overview of how smartphones and apps have begun to cross over into being suitable for medical clinical purposes, while offering cost-effective solutions for both the monitoring and intervention of certain conditions. He provided a helpful understanding into the varying approaches, from online consultation, to app-based monitoring and the use of wireless intervention to communicate with implanted devices. The main focus was on Zühlke’s development, launch and impact of the Covid-19 app. Insights were given into how ‘privacy-by-design’ had been at the heart of development and the regulatory measures that are in place with both medical and security agencies for what is categorised as a Class-1 Medical device. Prof Emmerich also provided engaging analysis of the impact The speed of need for this app posed its own challenges and

the app has had. He outlined how it saw 20 million downloads

we heard Prof Emmerich’s observations on how this affected

in an incredibly short space of time, how contact tracing varies

the inclusion of features and the need to adapt quickly upon

between app notification and manual tracing and even some

changes in government policy, such as regional tier levels.

data indicating that infection rates remain lower in areas where there is a high level of uptake in use of the app.

105

Upper

Summer 2021

Listening to shells

Professor Liz Harper Liz Harper, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences, provided an insight into evolutionary biology and climate change. She explained the origin and variety of molluscs, as well as how fossils can help us to understand shells and how and why they adapted to suit the organism and environment. Prof Harper reflected on the materials aspect of shells, using the example of nacre, the ‘wonder material’ of mother of pearl, which has unexpectedly remained unchanged over the past few eras, suggesting evolutionary development has turned its back on one of the most successful materials. She outlined that the development of lighter shell materials has enabled species to thrive within their specific habitats. However, ongoing ocean acidification poses a threat to organisms that make a shell, especially those with shells made of calcium However, she concluded it was clear there is permanent

carbonate, such as sea butterflies.

damage to the shell surface and to cope with the decreasing Prof Harper gave an insight into research on how shell state

pH level in oceans, shell laying organisms are compensating at

and repair can be assessed and said observations suggest

the cost of the growth and reproductive aspects of their lives.

nature is showing an ability to adapt and repair, such as with New Zealand brachiopods.

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Annual Review 2020-2021

I/GCSE results 2021

99%

99% of entries were graded at 9-7 (equivalent to A*-A)

94.5%

80%

94.5% of entries were graded 9 or 8 (broadly equivalent to the old A* grade)

80% of entries were graded the top mark of 9

I/GCSE results by year Year (% cumulative)

2021

94.5

99.6

100

2020

99.4

99.9

100

2019

100

Year (% cumulative)

2018

100

2017

100

2016

99.9

100

107

Upper

I/GCSE results by subject 2021, Year 11 Subject

No of candidates

Ancient History

Art

Biology

187

139

Chemistry

187

138

Chinese

Computer Science

Design & Technology

English Language

187

160

English Literature

187

163

French

108

Geography

126

117

German

Greek

History

139

122

Italian

Japanese

Latin

Maths

187

133

Music

Physics

182

130

Religious Studies

Spanish

Turkish

Totals

1,935

1,547

280

A*-B I/GCSE results by subject 2021, Year 11 Subject

No of candidates

Turkish

108

Annual Review 2020-2021

9-7 I/GCSE results by subject 2021, other year groups Year 10 Subject

No of candidates

Chinese

Latin

Music

Subject

No of candidates

Chinese

German

Greek

Italian

Subject

No of candidates

German

Year 9

Year 8

Further Maths results 2021 Subject

No of candidates

Further Maths

110

103

HPQ results 2021 Subject

No of candidates

HPQ

109

Upper

A level results 2021 A level/Pre U results 2021* A level

(% cumulative)

99.8

100

Pre U

(% cumulative)

100

Historic combined A level and Pre U results by year** Year (% cumulative)

2020

99.8

100

2019

99.3

100

2018

99.6

100

2017

99.6

100

2016

99.3

100

A level results by subject 2021 Subject

No of candidates

Art & Design

Biology

Classics: Ancient History

Computer Science

Design & Technology

Economics

English Literature

French

Geography

German

Greek

History

Latin

Mathematics

Philosophy

Politics

Religious Studies

Spanish

Totals

350

289

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Annual Review 2020-2021

94% of entries were awarded A* or A grade

94%

(or the Pre U equivalent)

Pre U results by subject 2021 Subject

No of

Above

A/B

B/C

C/D

candidates A level equivalent grading

A* Chemistry

Further Maths

Maths

Music

Physics

Psychology

Totals

280

244

AS levels for subjects taken in the Upper Sixth 2021 Subject

No of candidates

EPQ

Further Maths

n/a

Totals

AS levels completed early by members of the Lower Sixth 2021 Subject

No of candidates

Latin

*The grading systems used for A levels (teacher-assessed grades – TAGs) and Pre U (school-assessed grades – SAGs) were different in 2021, so the results are shown separately. **This table includes Pre U equivalent grades using the standard D1/D2=A*, D3/M1=A, M2=B, M3=C. Results correct at the time of going to print (September 2021)

111

Upper

University destinations 2021 UK Destinations Durham

Cambridge

Oxford

University College London

Imperial College London

Edinburgh

Bath

Warwick

Bristol

Exeter

York

St Andrews

Birmingham

King’s College London

Leeds

Liverpool

London School of Economics

Newcastle

Nottingham

Southampton

Manchester

Queen Mary, University of London

Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Cardiff

Glasgow

Hull

Lancaster

Nottingham Trent

Queen’s University Belfast

St George’s, University of London

Princeton, USA

Swansea

Sciences Po, France

University of the Pacific, USA

Yale, USA

Total

Overseas Destinations

188

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Annual Review 2020-2021

Course choices 2021

Accounting

History/History and Economics/History and IR/ History and Politics

Aeronautics and Astronautics

American Studies and English

Ancient and Modern History

Architecture

Astrophysics

Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies

Biology/Biological Sciences/Evolutionary Biology

Biomedical Sciences/Cancer Biomedicine

and Stats/MORSE

Business and Management/Business Economics

Medicine

Chemistry

Natural Sciences

Classics

Performance Costume

Pharmacy

Human, Social and Political Sciences

Integrated Design Engineering

International Management and Languages

Law/Law with French Law

Liberal Arts

Materials Science and Engineering

Mathematics/Maths and Computer Science/Maths

Combined Honours in Social Sciences/Flexible Combined Hons

Philosophy/Physics, Philosophy and Economics/

Computer Science/Computer Science and AI

Philosophy and German/Philosophy and Religion

Criminology and Psychology

Physics/Physics and Philosophy

Earth Sciences

Politics and International Relations

Property Development and Planning

Psychology

Social Anthropology

Sociology

Theatre and Performance

Theology and Religion

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Science

Economics/Economics and Politics

Engineering/Electrical and Electronic Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/General Engineering/

Robotic Engineering English/English Literature

MFL: French and Italian/French and Spanish/ Modern Languages/Modern Languages and

History/French and Russian Geography/Environmental Geography/Geophysical Sciences

Information correct at the time of going to print (September 2021)

113

Upper

World’s top universities beckon for Perse students Students heading overseas include Camillo Padulli, who is off to Yale to read ancient history, having also received offers from Princeton and Stanford University, while Hyaline Chen, who gained a bronze medal representing the UK at the International Physics Olympiad, accepted an offer to join the undergraduate research programme at Princeton, where she will be reading physics. Megan Carmichael won a full athletics scholarship to study at California’s University of the Pacific, where she will join their tennis squad and represent them in the Division I West Coast Upper Sixth students celebrated receiving a swathe of outstanding results giving

Conference.

them a place at the university of their dreams. Forty-eight students secured a place at Oxford and Cambridge, while 91% of students, from a cohort of 203,

Competition for places at American

gained places at their first-choice university. Four students will be heading abroad

colleges increased significantly this

to prestigious international universities, including the Ivy League institutions of

year due to easing of standardised

Princeton and Yale in the USA.

a d m i ss i o n s te st re q u i re m e n t s , a concession made by many universities

Among those looking forward to

Victoria, who will be reading medicine at

this year due to disruption caused by

heading off to university are 2020-21

Cambridge, said: “I’m very pleased with

the Covid-19 pandemic.

Heads of School Fabian Dodds and

my results and am excited for what’s to

Victoria Leung, who secured places

come. Especially after such a long period

Many elite US universities reported year-

at the Dyson Institute of Engineering

of uncertainty, it’s a relief to have all my

on-year increases in applications in the

and Technology and the University of

work pay off.”

range of 20-40%, resulting in admission

Cambridge respectively.

rates of an estimated 2-3% at Ivy League Meanwhile, Eleanor Anderson accepted

colleges for UK applicants, so it is a

Having passed through a very demanding

a place to study costume design at The

credit to Perse students for being so

assessment process, Fabian will have

University of Edinburgh, after studying

successful this year.

the opportunity to work three days a

A level maths, chemistry and history. She

week with the Dyson technology team,

said: “Mr Green, the school’s Director

Perse Overseas Universities Advisor

alongside studying for his engineering

of Qualifications and Progression,

Samuel Black commented: “Any offer from

degree at the innovative institute in

reassured me that I fitted the criteria to

a top US college represents an enormous

Wiltshire.

apply for costume design even though

amount of work on the part of the student.

I wasn’t taking art as an A level subject,

I am so pleased that their academic

so I applied and was accepted.

talents, extra-curricular achievements

He said: “Waking up on a results day is always a mixture between nervousness

and many long-standing community

and excitement, but that immediately

“I’d love to work as a costume designer

commitments were recognised with these

faded when the email appeared in my

in the West End or on Broadway one day,

fabulous college places.”

inbox and I opened it. I am over the

so I am really looking forward to bringing

moon with my results and very proud

together my passion for the theatre and

Meanwhile, Alice Lord earned a place

of my friends who have gone through

costume as it’s something I really enjoy.”

to read social and political sciences,

this with me. I am also incredibly grateful

focusing on Latin American and

to all the staff at school who have helped

Caribbean affairs, at the prestigious

me over the last seven years to achieve

Sciences Po’s Poitiers campus in France.

these grades which open so many opportunities for my future.”

Photo credits: Richard Mitchell, Hannah MacGregor, David Johnson, Adam Scott, Alan Davidson and Tom Soper.

The Annual Review was written and produced by Claire Ziwa and Aaron Mason. Design by Steve Welch at Svelte Design. Cover photo: Abbey-Chesterton bridge on the Chisholm Trail. Cover photo credit: Martin Bond, A Cambridge Diary.

perse.co.uk The Perse School is a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 5977683, registered charity number 1120654) registered in England and Wales whose registered office is situated at The Perse School, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF.