Christ's Hospital The Blue 2016

THE

2015 | 2016

“When you meet an Old Blue you immediately form a connection, as everyone is so proud to be a part of Christ’s Hospital.”

Isobel Pelling

THE BLUE 2015- 2016 All articles written by the pupils and staff of Christ’s Hospital School Design: AA Publishing Ltd | Photography: Toby Phillips

REVIEW

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Head Master’s Review: 2015 - 2016

T

he 2015-16 academic year began with two significant milestones, the first of which saw CH achieve the highest number of pupils ever on the Horsham campus. The School has been growing steadily from 776 pupils in 2010 to this year’s record 883 pupils and while most of this growth has been in fee-paying boarders and day pupils, it is pleasing that the actual number of pupils paying no fees at all or on very low fees has remained relatively constant.

Happily, initial concerns that fee-paying pupils in general and overseas pupils in particular would damage the unique ethos of CH have proved to be unfounded. In fact, we have found that these pupils have enriched the culture of the School and added a welcome diversity to the pupil mix. This diversity has helped us to ensure that all of our pupils, regardless of their backgrounds, are as well prepared as possible for the challenges they will face in the modern world. And after all, that is exactly what Christ's Hospital is and always has been about.

The second major milestone was the opening of the new Language and Resource Centre, or LARC as it is widely known. This is the first new academic building on the CH site since the South Block classrooms and theatre complex were built 40 years ago and is proving to be an outstanding teaching facility and learning resource for the School.

The building was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester in October 2015 and then in early November the Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow, himself an Almoner of Christ's Hospital, was the guest of honour at a ceremony to lay a time capsule that will provide future generations with a taste of life at CH in 2015.

With the LARC now fully operational, work is underway to transform the Old School Library and the Dominions Library into what will be known as the Mellstrom Careers Centre. It is hoped that this and the associated landscaping of the Art Quad will be completed by early Michaelmas Term 2016.

On the academic front, CH pupils achieved some impressive academic results over the summer. Our fourth and largest IB cohort to date averaged almost 37 points overall, which is equivalent to three A* grades at A level. 10 of the 39 IB candidates gained 40 points or higher with Benji Yokyong Zoega achieving 43 points and Emma Toms achieving 44, which puts her in the top 0.9% of all IB candidates worldwide.

‘Alan Yarrow, was the guest of honour at a ceremony to lay a time capsule’

The A2 results were also very pleasing, with 67% of all grades awarded being A*, A or B. 18 pupils achieved three A grades or better, with Febechi Okolidoh, Rufus Jordana and Hans Chan gaining A*, A*, A and Jea Hong Shin achieving an impressive A*, A*, A*, A. Overall, 74% of this year’s Grecians gained places at their first choice of university, with five pupils gaining entry to Oxbridge, another five accepted into medicine and one, Uzorma Owete, winning a prestigious Moorhead Cain Scholarship to the University of North Carolina.

Interestingly, more pupils were looking to go straight into the workforce this year rather than heading off to university and two chose to take up apprenticeships.

REVIEW

With CH now only offering linear A Levels (or their Pre U equivalent), there were no AS exams this summer. The GCSE results were very impressive once again, with a third of all grades awarded at A* and two thirds at A* or A. Nine pupils achieved 10 or more A* grades, with Katrina Millett and Megan Whitney achieving 12 A*s and Owen Purnell achieving 11 A* grades and two A grades.

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‘Oliver! saw some outstanding individual talent supported by a large and enthusiastic cast of pupil actors and musicians’

Beyond the classroom, our co-curricular programme proved to be as busy and engaging as ever. Musical highlights over the year included the two Big Band concerts, the Angus Ross concert featuring Faure’s Requiem and the summer symphonic concert which provided a stunning showcase for our talented Grecian soloists. The highlight of the drama Department’s year was a memorable wholeschool production of Oliver! which saw some outstanding individual talent supported by a large and enthusiastic cast of pupil actors and musicians.

The Art Department again staged some outstanding exhibitions of work by pupils and staff over the year and our MUN teams continued to enjoy success in national competitions. In the sporting arena, our pupils enjoyed successful seasons in many of the sports on offer, with several gaining selection for county or regional representation. In outdoor education, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and our CCF unit continued to offer a challenging programme that included parachuting, sailing, flying (both powered and gliding), adventurous training and leadership courses.

In November, the School underwent an Interim Boarding Inspection, with five experienced inspectors spending three days in the School examining every aspect of our boarding programme. While most of the emphasis for this inspection was on compliance with the National Minimum Boarding Standards and the long list of safeguarding regulations that schools are required to meet, we received some very positive feedback about the excellent way in which CH cares for its boarders. Happily, we were also told that the School is fully compliant with all the relevant regulations.

Each year, Christ's Hospital formally renews its links with the City of London at two important ceremonial occasions. The first of these is when the senior pupils, the Band and the Choir travel to London for the St Matthew’s Day service with the Lord Mayor and the Alderman of the City, followed by the presentation of largess and then lunch at Guildhall. This year, the Lord Mayor locum tenens, Sir David Howard, made the pupils feel most welcome on their arrival at Guildhall and offered our Grecians some sage advice on making the most of their remaining time at CH.

‘MUN teams continue

‘A third of all GCSE

to enjoy success in

grades awarded at A*

national competitions’

and two thirds at A* or A’

‘Our CCF unit continued

‘Each year, Christ's

to offer a challenging

Hospital formally renews

programme that included

its links with the City of

parachuting and flying’

London’

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The other important ceremonial event in the CH calendar is Speech Day in late May. This year the Lord Mayor, Alderman Lord Mountevans, responded to the Senior Grecian, Isobel Pelling’s heartfelt and hugely impressive oration with a moving and memorable speech on the importance of empathising with others, the spirit of adventure and the need to maintain links with CH. Once again we had a number of staff leaving CH over the course of the year. In December, we said goodbye to Kishan Vaghadia and Tom Stokes and then at the end of the Summer Term, we farewelled quite a number of staff as follows: Agnes Boiron, our French Language Assistant, Julia Horn, our German Language Assistant and Natalia Paleari, our Spanish Language Assistant, who have headed back to their respective countries after their year here at CH. Our Sports gappers, Katie Lambert and Jake Rollinson, and our Graduate Assistant Chaplain, Florence Gildea.

Charlotte Saville, who has been one of our Actors in Residence for the past three years and is leaving to take up a drama teaching position at Dauntsey’s School.

Mrs Jess Lawson, who has done an excellent job as a teacher of Biology over the past three years and is moving down to Eastbourne College with Mr Lawson and their family.

Will Wearden, who is moving to Latymer Upper School in London. In his time here, he has taught both Maths and Economics and been involved in debating, politics and The Broadie.

Mrs Marion Golding, who is retiring from her post in the Learning Support Department in order to concentrate on family commitments.

Mrs Ting Brassington, who joined CH as a part time teacher of Chinese in 2011 and worked her way up to Head of Mandarin.

Dr Alistair Goddard, who is leaving after five years to take up a promotional position at Wycombe Abbey. As well as his fine work in the History Department, he has made an excellent contribution to the CCF and to boarding as an Assistant in Lamb A and then Leigh Hunt A. He was also responsible for setting up the very popular and successful MUN activity.

Mr Frank Thomson, who is moving to Clayesmore School where Mrs Thomson is taking on the role of Head. As well as being a stalwart of the Geography Department, Mr Thomson has been head of PSHE and actively involved in various sports at CH, especially rugby.

Mr Andy Turner, who has been Director of Rugby since 2008, as well as Head of Girls’ Rugby, a House Tutor in GR West and a cricket coach. Although technically he is retiring at the end of summer ’16, we have persuaded him to come back next term to help see the new Director of Rugby into post.

‘Although only here for a relatively short time, Tom had a big impact on life at CH’

‘Jo quickly threw herself into the job and worked tirelessly to ensure the best interests and welfare of the pupils’

Mr Ian Howard is leaving to take up a post as a non-stipendiary vicar in the Oxford Diocese following his ordination. Ian has served the School for 22 years as a teacher of modern languages, a Tutor in Mid A and Lamb B, Assistant Housemaster in Mid B, Housemaster in Peele B and Assistant Chaplain since 2009.

Mr Mike Overend, who retires after 25 years at CH, all spent in Middleton A. He is currently Head of French and previously Head of Modern Languages. He has also run the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at CH with great success for many years.

Mr Steve Eason, who retires after more than 25 years at CH. In his time here, he has been a French teacher, Assistant Housemaster in Middleton, Head of French, Head of Modern Languages, Assistant Director of Studies and President of Common Room.

Dr Ross Stuart, who is retiring at the end of this term after 27 years of outstanding service to CH. He was appointed to the English Department in 1989 and was Housemaster of Maine A from 1991-2006, after which he took on the Head of Sixth Form role. He has been an inspirational teacher and mentor to generations of Sixth Form pupils and he has always had the pupils’ best interests at heart.

He is also a gifted sportsman and has given freely of his time and talents in a wide range of extra-curricular activities over the years.

The Honourable Tom Lawson, who was appointed as joint Deputy Head of CH in 2013.

Although only here for a relatively short time, he had a big impact on life at CH. We wish him every success as he takes on the head-ship of Eastbourne College.

Finally, Mrs Jo Thomson, who joined CH in 2008 as joint Deputy Head. A teacher of English and an accomplished games coach, she quickly threw herself into the job and worked tirelessly to ensure the best interests and welfare of the pupils. We wish her every success and happiness as the new Head of Clayesmore School in Dorset.

In May, the Chairman of the Board of School Governors announced that Mr Simon Reid, currently Principal of Gordonstoun School and previously Deputy Head of Worksop College and Housemaster of Middleton B, will take over as Head Master of Christ's Hospital in September 2017.

Overall, this has been a particularly happy and successful year for Christ's Hospital and my grateful thanks must go to the Council of Almoners, the Board of School Governors, the staff, pupils and the other members of the wider School community who have helped to make this possible.

My particular thanks go to this year’s Monitors who, ably led by the Senior Grecian, Isobel Pelling and her Second Monitor, Elliott Riley, have done a great deal to set the tone and provide such positive role models for the other pupils of Christ's Hospital.

CONTENTS

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SCHOOL NEWS

ART

Pages 8-23

Pages 56-63

GRECIANS Pages 36-47

A look back at some of the highlights of the School year, including a Year 12 tour of the Old Bailey, trips to Florence and Reykjavik, a talk by Academy Awardwinning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, pride as the Band performs at Lord’s, and a standing ovation for the cast of Oliver!

RESULTS

The leaving Grecians share their memories of Christ’s Hospital. Whilst some will miss the camaraderie of sporting teams, the unique traditions of the Band or the adventure of CCF, the Grecians reveal a shared love of a particular hymn during Chapel.

Pages 24-35

The Grecians achieved a 100% Distinction 1 – Merit 2 ( A* - B A Level grades) pass rate in their final results, including two Distinction 1 grades, making them the most distinguished year group for the Art Department since CH started the Cambridge Pre-U course six years ago.

DESIGN Pages 64-69

MUSIC Pages 48-55

A look at the School’s IB, A Level and GCSE results, including leavers’ destinations. This year, pupils received the School’s best ever International Baccalaureate (IB) results. The Visiting Speakers Programme has also proved influential for many pupils.

It’s been an unusual year for the Band; how often do you have the opportunity to perform ‘Wannabe’ by The Spice Girls outside Buckingham Palace? Meanwhile, the Jazz and Blues night included some exceptional solo performances including ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ by Mololuwa Olanrewaju.

Work by the pupils varied from the basic colour changing electronics of the 3rd Form project, to Melissa Or’s conceptual tower designed to help solve the problem of Hong Kong’s housing shortage.

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CCF Pages 114-119

OUTLOOK

SPEECH DAY

Pages 70-80

Pages 123-129

Enjoy a range of work from the UF short story competition based on Annie Proulx’s novel ‘Postcards’, the Creating Writing A Level course and the LE Poetry competition.

The Combined Cadet Force has enjoyed an action-packed programme, including Royal Navy adventure training on the west coast of Scotland, and adrenalinecharged parachuting and pilot tuition at RAF Benson. Two cadets also spent six weeks in the Yukon Territory with the Canadian Army.

MUN

The School welcomed the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Lord Mountevans, to Speech Day. The highlight of the prize giving ceremony was the oration by Senior Grecian, Isobel Pelling and the response by Lord Mountevans. Senior pupils were also presented with awards.

Pages 120-122

SPORT

CHAPEL

Pages 81-113

Pages 130-135

Sporting highlights include Tom Carter’s wonderful innings of 161 – the highest for many a year by a CH cricketer. It was a good year for the School’s rugby teams, with two players being selected to take part in training sessions with All Blacks stars Dan Carter, Kieron Read, Aaron Smith and Keven Mealamu.

Model United Nations enjoyed a year of extraordinary success, with the team enjoying an unbeaten conference season.

For a second successive year, CH won the Top Team prize at every competition attended, and at Benenden beat 80 teams from 19 schools to win the Outstanding Delegation Award.

In his Sermon, the Head Master looks to two epic poems by Greek writer Homer for inspiration. The first is ‘The Iliad’, telling the story of an ancient war between Greece and Troy; the second is ‘The Odyssey’, recounting the adventures of Odysseus on his journey home from the Trojan war.

Visit to the Old Bailey A group of Year 12 pupils had a memorable experience when they were invited to the Old Bailey to observe a murder trial. This was followed by tea with Judge Bevan and a tour which included the famous Court Room 1. The visit has stimulated many of the pupils to consider pursuing a career in law.

Year 13 pupil, Onyinye Udokporo, who helped to arrange the visit, said: "It was an incredible experience and we were very fortunate to see such a lively case. Following our sitting in Court we were taken into the Judge's dining room where we were able to ask questions about law, university prospects and life as a Judge.�

NEWS

Photo: Clive Totman

NEWS

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Record Results Pupils received the School’s best ever International Baccalaureate (IB) examination results. Two have secured places at Oxbridge and four will read medicine. Over 25% of the cohort of 39 pupils gained 40 or more points (out of a possible 45.)

RESULTS SECTION: PAGE 24

Chemistry Award Chemistry A Level student Hans Chan was awarded Best Sixth Form Chemist and Joint Overall Award Winner by the Thames Valley Society of Chemical Industries. Nominated by Head of Science Marcus Medley, Hans’ research on cryogels and his extended essay on the bioavailability of oxygen impressed the panel of judges.

Spanish Debating The Spanish Department reached new heights when Alice Kumpfert and Rufus Jordana finished second in the Spanish national debating competition, held at Whitgift. They discussed political and social affairs in Hispanic countries. The audience was stunned at the performance of our pupils, not only for their language skills, but also because of their knowledge of the topics on the independence of Cataluña and the Spanish colonisation of Latin America. In the final debate, they faced an excellent Sevenoaks team.

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Patron’s Lunch Parade Christ’s Hospital took part in The Patron’s Lunch parade, a celebration of the Queen’s lifetime dedication to the service and patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.

The event also marked the occasion of the Queen’s 90th birthday. The famous CH Band braved the rain as it moved to popular songs of the 90s, one of the seven decades of the Queen’s reign represented during the parade.

History Bake Off Pupils studying History were invited to bake and decorate cakes representing a historical person or event. The execution of Marie Antoinette was the inspiration for Year 13 student Georgia Koronka’s winning cake. The junior prize was won by Year 9 student Connie Cole, whose cake depicted the home front during the Second World War. Runners-up prizes were awarded to Year 11 student Eleanor Biegstraaten for her depiction of the War of the Roses and to Year 7 student Edward Bloomfield-Proud for his First World War scene.

Double Finalists It was perhaps the best ever season in the history of womens’ rugby at CH, with the team reaching the final of two competitive tournaments. At Reigate Grammar School, CH saw off Worthing Sixth Form College in a bruising semi-final encounter, before losing to Filton AESA College in the final. Adj OwusuDarko scored a consolation try and was voted ‘Best Girl Player of the Day’. The girls again impressed at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens, battling through to the final where they were edged out by reigning champions, Amman Valley School.

SPORTS SECTION: PAGE 81

Art Distinction 1 Two of the Grecians, Olivia Crossman and Chloe Kelly, achieved the coveted Distinction 1 in the Cambridge Pre-U Art & Design course.

Olivia, whose work is pictured, achieved 100% at GCSE and was awarded an Art Scholarship in the Sixth Form. She showed particular prowess in drawing, painting and photography as well as mixing media.

Chloe allowed her interest in philosophy, music and literature to inform her art and the imagery was always conceptually layered.

ART SECTION: PAGE 56

Language and Resource Centre

I

n October 2015, the staff and pupils were honoured to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester for the official opening of CH’s magnificent new Language and Resource Centre (LARC).

The vision to build this outstanding facility, to house the School’s ancient and modern language departments as well as IT suites and library, became a reality when construction started in April 2014.

The project finished on time and on budget for the start of the 2015 Michaelmas Term at a total cost of just under £9m. The cost of the building was jointly met by Christ’s Hospital School and Foundation. A key factor in moving forward with the building was a major gift from Old Blue James Arnell.

The LARC has since won an award from the Sussex Heritage Trust. Categorised in the ‘Public and Community’ section of the awards, the LARC impressed the judges as an ‘excellent facility with a striking presence.’

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La Dolce Vita Stuart Cowley This Lent term, the History of Art Department A Level students embarked upon the second biennial trip to Florence.

23 Grecians and Deputy Grecians, along with three members of staff, arrived at Pisa airport to be welcomed by a glorious Tuscan spring afternoon.

We travelled by coach through the north Italian campagna towards our hotel in the heart of Florence.

After orienting ourselves to the surroundings we strolled into town through the old city.

We passed the infamous location of Savonarola’s ‘bonfire of the vanities’ and headed towards the magnificent Duomo. We stopped for dinner at a charmingly rustic trattoria near the town centre and enjoyed pizza (the first of many) with ice cream dessert.

The surroundings were authentically Florentine – the oldest pizzeria in the city apparently – and we were given our own private mezzanine room.

We strolled through the centre of the old city, past the cathedral and down to the Loggia.

There, we wandered through the public sculpture, which includes great works by Cellini and Giambologna, and wondered at the marvellous Renaissance architecture, lit up against the night sky.

On day two, we set off early after a continental breakfast, straight to the top of the Duomo for the best views in town.

The knee-crunching climb took us past the Baroque and bizarre frescoes by Giorgio Vasari, the first Art Historian, which decorate the inside of Brunelleschi’s great dome and

‘We were off to see David, the pin-up boy of Florence’

depict the damned being tortured by devils and tumbling into the fires of hell. Not ideal if you suffer from vertigo!

When we finally made it to the top of the dome, we stepped out from the lantern to be greeted by one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring views in the world. The panorama of ancient Florence stretched out before us and slowly melted away into the distant Tuscan hills. Those with the stamina could climb Giotto’s bell tower for another view, while the rest made our way to the baptistery to be mesmerised by the Byzantine mosaics which adorn its cupola.

It was then on to the recently renovated Cathedral Museum. The exhibits, which include works by Donatello and Michelangelo, were displayed in all their glory.

In the afternoon, it was off to the blockbuster attraction of the Uffizi. We had a couple of hours to wander the myriad of galleries and corridors and explore the wealth of art. My favourites were the Botticellis and Filippo Lippis – pure quattrocento Florence.

In the evening, we wandered around the central market, among the cornucopia of silk ties, scarves and handbags.

On day three, we made straight to the Academia after breakfast. We were off to see David, the pin-up boy of Florence, and pay homage to the great Michelangelo.

We had to wait our turn in the inevitable queues but that gave some of the students the chance to barter with the street sellers for

some posters of ‘the birth of Venus’.

Once inside, the sculptures and paintings were worth the wait. We then made our way across town to the Santa Croce, with its ostentatiously ornate Baroque/ Gothic façade. Inside, the serene cloisters, architecture and paintings offered contemplative calm and peace from the hustle and bustle outside.

Our last stop of the day was the Brancacci chapel to see the great frescoes by Masaccio which mark the beginning of the Renaissance.

On the way, we crossed the historic Ponte Vecchio, the ancient traders’ bridge which is now home to jewellery shops but still offers atmospheric views of the river Arno.

Once again, we wandered around the old markets before settling down to our ‘last supper’ at the pizzeria.

On day four, our last, we set off for the grandest house in Florence; the Pitti Palace, home to the remarkable Medici. Within its rusticated walls we explored the labyrinth of luxuriously decorated corridors and rooms, which contain an eclectic collection of art and artefacts acquired over centuries.

There were some real gems hidden amongst the hundreds of works, such as the Caravaggio and Gentileschi paintings.

We had time to have a relaxing stroll around the Boboli gardens before making our way back to the hotel and then on to the airport.

On behalf of the students, I would like to thank Dr Brading and Mrs Chanin-Cowley for their help and support on the trip.

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Sandhurst Pass George Boyle has been awarded a Full Main Board Pass and a place at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. The selection process for the scholarship entry to Sandhurst is highly competitive and demanding. It involves interviews, a scrutiny board, a medical and time in the field via a generic army insight course. Out of hundreds of applicants, George was one of a handful of fortunate students awarded a Full Main Board Pass. George, who is taking A Level Maths, Chemistry and Economics and this year will be heading up the army section of CH's Combined Cadet Force (CCF) said: “From a young age, I have always been interested in a military career. My enthusiasm was fired up by the sheer range and scope of careers available within the Armed Forces.”

CCF SECTION: PAGE 114

Maths Awards No less than 22 gold awards were gained by CH in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, a national competition for pupils from Years 9 - 11. Lisa Fordham and Owen Purnell were awarded Merits in the Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad paper and Fernando Sang gained a Distinction and a Gold Medal for coming in the top 50 in the country.

Congratulations to Fernando for achieving the highest honour the competition can bestow.

Wasps Captain Old Blue Joe Launchbury has been appointed Wasps captain for the 2016/17 season. The England lock is entering his seventh season at Wasps, having joined from Worthing as a 19year-old in 2009. He has gone on to win 35 caps for his country, in addition to the 91 appearances for his club. Wasps' Director of Rugby, Dai Young said: “Joe is a natural leader and I think he has grown with the responsibility of being a leader and an international over the last couple of seasons. He has already proven himself as a world-class player and I’m sure the captaincy will only help him grow further.”

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Beach Huts As part of the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) project, pupils painted beach huts for the Bluecoat Nursery. IB pupils consulted with the children and Mr Whitley before painting. Although it is not formally assessed, the CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. Funding for the project came from the Art Department.

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‘Artists-in-Residence are the stepping stone between Christ’s Hospital and the real world of making art’

Reykjavik Trip Ikeoluwa Olagunju The trip to Reykjavik was a wonderful experience, which I am very grateful to CH and the Geography Department for organising.

We stayed in a Viking themed hotel which gave us the full Icelandic experience and visited many places including the wonderful Eyjafjallajokull volcano and Gullfoss waterfall. Although the weather wasn’t pleasant, it didn’t stop us from experiencing the pampering blue lagoon; for me personally, that was the best part of the trip as it was extremely relaxing.

We also visited Vik beach, whilst a Viking performed a traditional song for us at a restaurant.

‘Since 1984’: 31 Years, 31 Artists During December 2015, the Art Department exhibited the work of 31 artists, all of whom have been or are Artists-in-Residence at the School. The Artist-in-Residence scheme was established in 1984 and for the exhibition 31 of the 37 artists who have held the post came together.

Whilst at the School, their role has been to develop their art practice, generating a body of work whilst passing on their skills to students and staff alike. They have taught all the ages, imparting their expertise. The rest of their time was determined by the needs of the department, so it has always been important that the artists are willing, flexible and disciplined.

Paul Deller, Head of Art, said: “I have encountered the role in 360 degrees - as a student, as a resident and now as the Head of Art, and the Artists-in-Residence fulfil an essential role. They are the stepping stone between Christ’s Hospital and the real world of making art. They bring innovative new skills and ideas, as well as raw, unrefined zeal; the elixir of which our students should be looking to steal. Having the opportunity to see their

work progress in their studios each day is a privilege and one of the reasons that makes working in this Art School so unique.

“Whilst he won’t thank me for bringing him into the limelight, I must acknowledge Michael O’Connor (Head of Art 1983-2005) as he is synonymous with this residency; he masterminded it, nurtured it and took great pleasure in seeing artists flourish. I think it would have given him enormous pride to see this collective.”

The artists who took part are: Harry Brockway, Richard Wise, David Knight, Georgina Terry, Dan Kelly, Barry Cooper, Russell Bamber, Tom Hammick, Suzannah Hope, Michael Howard, Gill Nicol, Veronica Risdon, David Cushway, Delaine Lebas, Susan Daltry, Zoe Taylor, Simon Taylor, Rebecca Sier, Luke Haslam-Jones, Gerard Whiteley, Nolan Price, Andrew Brown, Paul Wye, Helen Higgins, Joe Doldon, Pablo de Laborde, Elisa Juncosa, Kit Mead, Rosanna Catterall and Amelia Phillips.

ART SECTION: PAGE 56

Pianist Awarded Jeremy Chan was awarded first prize in the final round of the West Sussex Youth Music Awards 2016. One of only four finalists to perform, Jeremy received the winner’s trophy along with a cheque for £400, which he will use to further his musical studies. Jeremy has been playing piano since the age of six and has achieved Licentiate Diploma level (ABRSM post grade 8). He is also the principal flute player in the School’s Symphony Orchestra.

MUSIC SECTION: PAGE 48

Sir Tim Rice Visits The triple Oscar-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice gave the audience a fascinating, selfdeprecatory, humorous account of his career in November 2015. During his talk, CH pupils performed some of his favourite songs live, including ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ sung by Charlotte Willcock, ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ by Mattie Slade, and ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ by Phoebe Weir.

Sir Tim stayed to answer questions and sign autographs following the event.

The Band at Lord’s Musicians in the CH Band performed magnificently at Lord's Cricket Ground on 11 June. The band has become a regular feature at Lord’s, providing entertainment during the interval for the crowd at the official home of cricket. This year marked its 21st appearance for the MCC's international test. The Band was led by Band Captain, Max Thomas with Senior Drummer Harry Ling and Senior Drum Major Jared Davies.

Photo courtesy of Matt Bright

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Freeman of the City In a historic ceremony at the Guildhall in London, Corporal Josh Leakey VC received the City of London’s highest honour when he became a Freeman of the City. Cpl Leakey was nominated for his Freedom by Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow, the former Lord Mayor, and Billy Dove, the former Chief Commoner.

Sir Alan Yarrow said that Cpl Leakey was a remarkable young man who had displayed the highest courage in serving his country and is an inspiration to all, as well as being a role model for young people who wanted to pursue a military career. Corporal Leakey attended CH before joining the Parachute Regiment. He is the only living recipient of a Victoria Cross for action during the war in Afghanistan.

Spital Sermon The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr Richard Chartres, gave this year’s Spital Sermon at St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall in the City of London on 3 March.

His thought-provoking sermon was ‘the meaning and future of cities globally – a critical economic, social and spiritual question of our age’. The congregation included The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Lord Mountevans and the Lady Mayoress, together with the Sheriffs and Aldermen, Common Councilmen, and Governors of CH and Bridewell (King Edward’s School Witley).

Photo courtesy of C. Totman

MUN Success Christ’s Hospital won top prize at the largest Model United Nations (MUN) conference in the country for the second successive year.

CH beat teams from over 50 schools from across the world and was presented with the Distinguished Delegation Award during the prestigious international conference’s closing ceremony. Team members also won a number of individual prizes. Five students were considered the best in their committees and won Distinguished Delegate Prizes, while a further four received Highly Commended Delegate Prizes.

MUN SECTION: PAGE 120

Oliver!

The theatre was full for four outstanding performances of Oliver! Set in Victorian London, Oliver (played by Adam Beddall and Elliott Hollingsbee) escapes the harsh conditions of Bumble’s orphanage to the streets, where he meets the Artful Dodger, played by Emmanual Odujebe and Jacob Pearson. Freddie Norris as Fagin, Danielle Carbon-Wilson as Nancy and Harry Omosele as villainous Bill Sykes all gave fine performances, with music by the CH Band bringing the show to life.

Director Caroline Kelly, said: “This is the first time that we have cast junior and senior pupils together in a production. Congratulations and thanks to the pupils for working so hard and for the fantastic support of Zoe Munday, Andrew Cleary and Charlotte Saville.”

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Launch of the Blue Fund

W

e are delighted to announce that the Blue Fund has launched across the Christ’s Hospital community.

As well as Old Blues, it invites current and former parents, grandparents and other family members to join forces and, in partnership, fund a seven year education and boarding for a child at CH. We have already raised over £113,000 towards our £180,000 target. With your help, we can achieve our goal.

Everyone can support the Blue Fund. It is for all who care about Christ’s Hospital. By grouping together and using the power of collective giving, the Blue Fund provides an accessible, affordable way to make a huge impact on another child’s life.

Parents Join Forces All CH parents know the value of a CH education; the enormous benefits it offers its pupils and the life changing impact it has upon them. We have over 50 parents and other family members who are already contributing to the Blue Fund. We are most grateful for their support which helps transform a young person's life by giving them the benefits and opportunities that their own children have enjoyed at CH.

Pupils Thank Our Donors

Grecians Make CH History Many of the Grecians of 2016 have set a fantastic example and made Christ’s Hospital history by committing to ‘The Charge’ with a small regular gift to the Blue Fund before they leave the School.

Pupils have a strong focus on charitable service throughout their time here and are reminded that donations have been central to the many benefits they have received during their years at the School.

They have committed to make a regular gift of £1, £2 or £5 a month which reflects just how each one of them can play a part in Christ’s Hospital’s unique community and how they themselves can help to benefit future generations of pupils.

Development Monitor Onyinye Udokporo said: “Without CH I would not have experienced such amazing opportunities and this is why I am so keen to give back, both in my role as Development Monitor, and by supporting the Blue Fund - to help give someone else the same opportunities and first class education that I have had.”

We are enormously grateful to all of our donors for their generosity and support towards meeting our goal to fund a child’s education at Christ’s Hospital. Some of our GE and UF pupils have created a video to say ‘Thank you’ to all those who have supported the Blue Fund so far.

You can view the video online at: bluefund.christs-hospital.org.uk/explore-ourblue-fund/#thank-you

How Can You Help?

We invite you to become a Blue Fund donor.

Please contribute at a level you feel comfortable with - all sizes of donations are welcome - and every gift makes a difference.

How to donate: • ONLINE - Donate by regular direct debit, or a single gift online by visiting bluefund.christs-hospital.org.uk • BY PHONE - Please call the Development Office on: 01403 247519

Time Capsule A time capsule was sealed at the School on 5 November by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow and the Lady Mayoress, Gilly Yarrow. Items were selected for the capsule from 2015, 1965, 1915, 1865 and 1815. They include a letter from John Septimus Roe describing the challenges he faced on the high seas in 1815, items reflecting Edmund Blunden’s war service in 1915 and present day news coverage of Joshua Leakey’s VC and Joe Launchbury’s participation in the Rugby World Cup. The ‘Housey’ Tudor coat and the familiar yellow socks were also included.

RESULTS

24

RESULTS A Level Results

C

hrist’s Hospital A Level pupils celebrated a strong set of results, with just under 70% of all grades awarded at A* - B, with some outstanding individual performances.

Together with the School’s best ever IB examination results, the overall A* - B percentage for the year group is just under 80%.

Jea-Hong Shin has secured his place to read Medicine at KCL, Hans Chan is going to Imperial to read Chemistry, Rufus Jordana

heads to Cambridge for Modern and Medieval Languages, with Febechi Okolidoh taking PPE at the LSE. There were also some excellent results achieved by a number of the School’s academic departments. The Art Department, for the second year in succession, achieved an outstanding 100% A* - B and the Philosophy Department gained an impressive 83% of grades at A* - B.

RESULTS

25

IGCSE Results

T

he results gained by IGCSE pupils this summer matched the very strong pattern established in recent years, with excellent pass rates, further distinguished by a high proportion of top grades. 32.3% of all grades awarded were A*, 64.1% were A* or A , 85.6% were A*, A or B and 96.6% were A* - C. Head Master John Franklin said: “Our pupils and their teachers have worked very hard to ensure this excellent set of results. These results will stand our pupils in good stead for the next two years in the Sixth Form for their A Level or International Baccalaureate (IB) studies.”

The IGCSE is an exceptionally rigorous qualification which places particular emphasis on final examination assessment, ensuring CH pupils gain a qualification which is highly demanding, academically advanced and internationally regarded.

Individual highlights included:

• Nine pupils gained 10 A*s or more, with Katrina Millett and Megan Whitney achieving 12 A*s; • Owen Purnell, Jayde Rose and Nana Sarfo-Bonsu achieved 11 A*s; • Paula Gross, Finlay Osman-Sellwood, Frederick Underwood and Fabian Webb gained at least 10 A* grades; • In total, 31 pupils gained 10 A*/A grades or better, with Owen Purnell achieving an impressive 13 grades at A* or A.

Other highlights include: • 93.3% of Further Mathematics pupils gained A*s or As; • 10 pupils scored the Double A* grade in Further Mathematics, thus achieving three A*s for their Mathematics overall at IGCSE; • 86.1% of the Single Mathematics grades and 92.6% of all Mathematics grades combined were A*s or As; • 82.4% of the pupils taking Latin achieved A*s or A grades; • All 14 of the Mandarin pupils gained A*s; • The sciences have all done well at IGCSE, with the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Departments respectively achieving 93.2%, 92.1% and 95.3% of their grades at A*-B; • 91.2% of all History pupils gained A*-B grades.

Top A Level pupils included: • • • • • • • • • •

Jea-Hong Shin (A*, A*, A*, A) Hans Chan (A*, A*, A) Rufus Jordana (A*, A*, A, B) Febechi Okolidoh (A*, A*, A) Elizabeth Coster (A*, A*, B) Lucy Bridges (A*, A, A) Olivia Crossman (A*, A, A) Campbell Docherty (A*, A, A) Billie Edwards (A*, A, A) Eloise Wroe Wright (A*, A, A) Rufus Jordana received two A*, one A and one B at A Level

RESULTS

26

International Baccalaureate Results

P

upils received the School’s best ever International Baccalaureate (IB) results, with two securing places at Oxbridge.

Deserving of special mention are Emma Toms, who achieved 44 points, and Benji Yokyong Zoega who achieved 43 points. Emma will study Classics at Cambridge and Benji has secured his place at York.

These outstanding results have resulted in places being secured at top universities including Classics at Cambridge, English at Oxford, Biochemistry at Imperial, Mechanical Engineering at Imperial, Philosophy, Politics and Economics at York, Medicine at Groningen, Medicine at Queen Mary London, Medicine at UEA, Liberal Arts at Bristol, Psychology at Bath and Geography at Durham.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Emma Toms (44) Benjamin Yokyong Zoega (43) Tiah Cudjoe-Cole (42) Tulula Docherty (42) Zoe Vallinga (42) Angel Droth-Vicens (41) William Goddard (41) Milly Newham (41) Amy Shepherd (41) Isobel Pelling (40) Philip Mapara (40) Charlotte Aylwin (39) Rosamund Lawrance (39) Leonard Lopez-Hemsing (39) Philip Mapara (39) Iona Grace Popat (39) Daniella Asogbon (38) Isabella Barrow (38) Eva Krestel (38) Alice Kumpfert (38) Leonie von Loeper (38) Mary Gardner Ward (38)

Emma Toms achieved 44 points from a possible 45, earning her a place at Cambridge

RESULTS

27

UCAS Support Year 12 pupils took part in an event aimed at giving them information and support to help guide them through the UCAS system.

Christ’s Hospital was delighted to welcome key note speakers and the pupils were able to attend presentations and workshops. Tim Miller from the Careers Hub and James Ringer, Deputy of Recruitment for Goldsmiths University, led the day with two brilliant and informative talks.

The workshops included help with composing a personal statement and how to apply through UCAS online, while Adrienne Briggs from Unifrog led a talk on Higher Apprenticeships.

‘In the modern world, an ability to be flexible and to adapt to quickly changing situations is essential’

Careers ‘Speed Dating’ Event Year 10 pupils enjoyed insights into the worlds of finance, public affairs, medicine, the arts and a host of other professions from a group of successful Old Blues.

The pupils quizzed the experts about their careers, giving them unique insights into a vast range of potential career paths. One unifying theme amongst the different career paths explored was that whilst the world of work today presented more opportunities, an ability to be flexible and to adapt to quickly changing situations is essential. The speakers also touched on the need to differentiate oneself from others in an increasingly competitive job market.

RESULTS

28

Visiting Speakers Programme

Kathryn Whittaker from Cardiff University hosted a careers lunch for Year 12 pupils considering a career in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. The talk marked the launch of the Medics Society, which is just one of the School’s many careers initiatives.

The presentation covered a wide range of information on applying to medical schools, studying medicine at university, entry requirements, different styles of learning, work experience and admission procedures.

The Rt Hon Lord Justice Rupert Jackson visited the School to chair the annual CH Law Debate.

As an Old Blue, his insight into life as a barrister and a judge was of particular interest to pupils considering law as a career.

The topic of the debate was ‘This House believes that national security is more important than an individual’s right to privacy’.

The evening also included a Q&A with Old Blues who are in the legal profession.

Christ’s Hospital welcomed Roland Rudd, the Treasurer of the ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign, prior to June’s EU Referendum.

Speaking to senior students about the benefits of our EU membership, Mr Rudd’s speech came at a timely moment; just hours after Prime Minister David Cameron released the draft of his renegotiation of Britain’s EU membership.

Mr Rudd pressed home many of the advantages of European Union membership, including free access to the single market,

comprehensive free trade deals, and the impact that leaving would have on the education system and work, with freedom of movement and the right to work for British citizens in danger should we vote ‘leave’.

At the end of the speech, Mr Rudd implored Year 13 pupils to vote in the referendum, to ensure that they have a say on ‘one of the defining issues of our generation’. He asked those on each side of the debate to raise their hands and the result was an overwhelming majority for remaining in the EU.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of the human rights campaign group Liberty, visited the School on 22 March. Dubbed “the most dangerous woman in Britain” by The Sun, Shami initially joined pupils and teachers for an informal drink, before an engaging talk, ‘On Liberty,’ tackled social injustice in modern Britain. Grecian Iona Grace Popat said: “Shami was the most charming, witty and inspirational guest speaker I can remember. It was apparent

that Shami did not live up to the editorial hyperbole, but was instead an intelligent and impassioned conversationalist.

“Her intellect and insight were blended with her vibrant personality. As listeners, we were motivated not to be complacent when it came to making change. She encouraged us to realise that our generation has the potential to translate social ideals into reality.”

Historian and television presenter Suzannah Lipscomb provided an interesting history talk for pupils in March. Her TV credits include ‘The Last Days of Anne Boleyn’ for BBC2, ‘I Never Knew That About Britain’ for ITV and Suzannah wrote and presented ‘Hidden Killers of the Victorian Home’ for BBC Four. Her published works include ‘The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII’.

Geoff Mulgan, CEO of Nesta, former Head of Policy in Downing Street and Board Member of the Work Foundation, visited CH to give a talk on ‘The Future of Work’.

He explained that, largely because of the rise of new technology, many jobs available today will disappear within a generation. However, he had a positive message about which skills future generations should equip themselves with, including problem-solving, interpersonal skills and creativity.

Mr Mulgan also emphasised the importance of a sense of social responsibility and innovation in work, which is a major part of Nesta’s remit.

‘Shami Chakrabarti was the most charming, witty and inspirational guest speaker I can remember.’

Iona Grace Popat

Tim Miller, from Central London Careers Hub, gave a highly informative presentation for the Deps in January. He talked about whether or not to apply to university, alternative options, what and where to study, the UCAS process, universities abroad and where to go to research subject choices and career avenues.

Pupil Grace Owen-Ellis Clark said: “I find the idea of looking for the right university daunting so to have an expert explain the process was really helpful.”

The pupils and their parents were given a comprehensive UCAS handbook to help guide them through the next 18 months.

RESULTS

The School was pleased to welcome Lord Lawson of Blaby, whose lecture ‘The View from No. 11’ sparked many questions from pupils.

Will Goddard said: “Lord Lawson spoke first about the importance of political engagement and democracy, relating it to his own experience of getting involved in politics in the 1970s out of a desire to bring about change.“

30

Lord Lawson devoted the vast majority of his talk to audience questions on a wide variety of current issues and on his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 1980s. Two issues which featured heavily were the European Union and climate change, of which Lord Lawson is a well-known sceptic.

He eloquently expressed his opposition to the European Union, while also calling for global action on issues including the migrant crisis.

Feminist and activist Caroline Criado-Perez gave a lively talk to pupils entitled ‘Why Feminism Matters’.

Caroline has been involved in campaigns for women to be better represented in the British media and to be depicted on banknotes.

As highlighted in the News section, the Christ’s Hospital Theatre was the venue for a very special visit from a legend of British songwriting, Sir Tim Rice.

During his talk, CH pupils performed some of his favourite songs, including ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, by Phoebe Weir.

Phoebe said: “I was privileged to perform during the talk. I was extremely nervous because on top of singing to all the senior pupils, I was singing to the man who wrote the song. After the talk, I was introduced to Sir Tim, which was incredible. I’m such a huge fan of his work and to have him compliment my singing was a dream come true.”

RESULTS

In light of Davis’ advice, a few of my friends and I have started writing our own blogs’ Danielle Carbon-Wilson

31

For Year 12 pupils interested in finance, Dr Alice Medley, a Senior Manager from Deloitte’s South East Financial Services practice, gave an informative presentation followed by a Q&A session.

George Ormerod said: “As I’m strongly considering accounting in particular, I was very grateful to Dr Medley for offering her help and expertise. I learnt a lot about the career paths Deloitte has to offer and I was further inspired to pursue a career in finance.”

For budding journalists, Old Blue Davis Mukasa, freelance PR and journalist, gave an insightful talk on how the industry is changing and how to get ahead.

According to pupil Danielle Carbon-Wilson, Davis provided some excellent advice on how pupils with an interest in journalism can get started right away: “One of the most helpful pieces of advice he gave to us was that it’s never too early to start networking and suggested using free websites to create our own blogs, where we can get a feel if journalism is the right profession for us and market ourselves to future employers.

“In light of this, a few of my friends and I have started our own blogs on different topics: culture, book and film reviews, fashion, the works! We’re all grateful for his encouraging words that gave us the motivation to take action.”

Leavers’ Destinations ADDO-QUAYE Stephanie

Brunel University

Industrial Design and Technology with

2016

Professional Practice AHMED Abdul

Loughborough University

Chemical Engineering

2016

AKINYEMI Mafe

Cardiff University

Business Economics with a European

2016

Language (Spanish) ALLISON Charlie

The University of Kent

Ancient History

2016

ASL-TEHRANI Asal

King’s College London

Chemistry

2016

ASOGBON Daniella

The University of Birmingham

Medicine (5 years)

2016

AYERS Rebecca

University of Exeter

Psychology

2016

AYLWIN Charlotte

University of the Creative Arts: Canterbury

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

BALOGUN Ashleigh-Jordan

University of East Anglia

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

2016

BALOGUN Adebola

University of Bath

Economics (with placement)

2016

BEKOE Natalie

The University of Warwick

Biomedical Science

2016

BERHANE Romha

The University of Birmingham

History, Ancient and Medieval

2016

BRIGGS Miriam

King’s College, London

Music

2016

BULLER Andre

University of Portsmouth

English and History

2016

CHAN Hans

Imperial College, London

Chemistry with Molecular Physics

2016

and a Year in Industry CHAN Jeremy

University of Winchester

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

2016

CHANDAMAN Luke

Bournemouth University

Psychology

2017

CHARLES Samson

University of Bath

Biochemistry (with placement )

2016

COCO-BASSEY Omodolapo

Queen Mary, University of London

Biology

2016

COKER Adeyemi

Loughborough University (University of

Product Design Engineering (One year

2017

the Arts London: St.Martin’s)

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design)

(2016)

Bocconi University, Milan

International Economics and Management

2016

CONTE Michele

in English COSTER Elizabeth

University of Bristol

History

2016

CRICHLOW Patrick

Brunel University

Physiotherapy

2016

CROSSMAN Charlotte

University of the Arts London: Camberwell

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

CUDJOE-COLE Tiah

Imperial College, London

Biochemistry

2016

CULLIS Luna

King’s College, London

Comparative Literature

2016

DOCHERTY Campbell

King’s College, London

Philosophy

2016

DOCHERTY Tulula

University of Bristol

Liberal Arts

2016

DOHERTY-PAGE Lauren

University of the Arts London

Fashion Buying and Merchandising

2016

DROTH Angel

Imperial College London

Mechanical Engineering

2016

EDWARDS Billie

University of East Anglia

History of Art with a year in Australasia or

2016

North America ELLIOTT Sebastian

Loughborough University

Industrial Design and Technology

2016

FOCACCI Sofia

The University of Bradford

Biomedical Science

2016

FOUCH Agnes

University of East Anglia

Economics

2016

FREEMAN Barnaby

Leeds College of Art

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

GBONDA Moses

Queen Mary, University of London

Mechanical Engineering

2016

GEORGE Sebastian

Queen Mary, University of London

Mathematics and Statistics

2016

GHESSEN Nicole

Cardiff University

Archaeology

2016

GODDARD Will

University of Leeds

Arabic and Chinese

2016

HALSE William

The University of Liverpool

Marketing with a Year in Industry

2016

HARRIS Holly

University of Leeds

Pharmacology

2016

HENCHOZ Amy

The University of Liverpool

Geophysics (Physics)

2016

HUGHES Peggy

Oxford University

English Language and Literature

2016

HUTCHINS Natasha

Cardiff University

Religious and Theological Studies

2016

IPESE Mariam

Durham University

Psychology

2016

JAMES-CHEESMAN Charles

Oxford University

Economics and Management

2016

JAMES-CHEESMAN Jamie

The University of Reading

Philosophy and Classical Studies

2016

JENNINGS Benedict

University College London

Philosophy

2016

JOHNSON Benedict

King’s College London

Classics (Greek and Latin)

2016

JORDANA Rufus

Cambridge University

Modern and Medieval Languages

2016

KAM Bavid

Royal Holloway, University of London

Economics

2016

KELLY Chloe

University of the Arts London: St.Martin’s

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

KIMBER Liberty

Brunel University

Industrial Design and Technology

2017

with Professional Practice KORONKA Georgia

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

FDA in Costume for Theatre

2016

KOVACS Lucas

London School of Economics

Politics and Philosophy

2016

LAWRANCE Rosamund

Oxford University

English Language and Literature

2016

LEE Glen

University of Brighton

Interior Architecture

2016

LING Harry

University of West London

Music Performance with Music Technology

2017

Leavers’ Destinations LIU Alice

University of Leicester

Medical Microbiology

2016

MAPARA Philipp

University College London

Management Science

2016

MARTIN Jamie

University of Greenwich

Architecture

2016

MASON Georgina

Newcastle University

Journalism, Media and Culture

2016

MASON-GRAVES Charles

Newcastle University (University of the

Combined Honours (with One year Foundation

2017

Creative Arts: Camberwell)

Diploma in Art and Design)

(2016)

MCGINTY Euan

The University of Warwick

Philosophy

2016

MEEK-ORR Elena

University of Southampton

Philosophy

2016

MICHTA Kacper

Heriot-Watt University

Computer Systems

2016

MILLER James

University of East Anglia

International Development with Overseas

2016

Experience

NELSON-ADDY Elliott

Queen Mary, University of London

Mechanical Engineering

2016

NEWHAM Milly

Queen Mary, University of London

Medicine

2016

NTEM Kieran

The University of Hull

Business Economics

2016

OJIKUTU Folu

Queen Mary, University of London

Science and Engineering Foundation

2016

Programme (Materials Science 4 Year) OKOLIDOH Febechi

London School of Economics

Philosophy and Economics

2016

OLAWOLE Peter

The University of Essex

Economics (including Foundation Year)

2016

OLOKUN Remi

The University of Birmingham

Policy, Politics and Economics with Year Abroad

2016

OMIBIYI Ibby

The University of Birmingham

Psychology

2016

OR Melissa

The University of Kent

Architecture

2016

OWUSU Kwame

The University of Manchester

Drama and English Literature

2017

OWUSU-DARKO Adwoa

Goldsmiths, University of London

Politics, Philosophy and Economics

2016

PACKHAM Jamie

University of Exeter

Geography

2017

PELLING Isobel

University of Exeter

Modern Languages (4 years)

2016

PLOWMAN Jacob

King’s College London

Chemistry

2016

POPAT Iona

New College of Humanities

Philosophy

2016

PRIOR Oscar

University of the West of England, Bristol

Accounting and Finance

2016

ROBERTS Ti-Jean

University of the Arts London: St.Martin’s

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

ROBINSON-HILL Willem

Newcastle University

Biomedical Sciences

2016

ROUGHTON Felix

The University of Edinburgh

Chemistry

2016

SANGSTER Safia

University of Bristol

Liberal Arts With Study Abroad (4 years)

2016

SATENAY-WEST Rameez

University of Bristol

Law

2016

SCARLETT Ayana

Goldsmiths, University of London

Applied Social Science, Community

2016

Development and Youth Work SCHOLZ Daniel

University of Brighton

Philosophy, Politics, Ethics

2016

SHAFI Thara

The University of Birmingham

Pharmacy

2016

SHEPHERD Amy

University of East Anglia

Medicine

2016

SHIN Jea-Hong

King’s College, London

Medicine (5 years)

2016

SHUVALOV Michael

Loughborough University

Chemistry with a Foundation Year

2016

SLADE Matilda

University of Leeds

History

2016

STEINBERG Christopher

The University of Sheffield

Economics and Philosophy

2016

STEWART Heather

University of Exeter

Environmental Science

2016

STORER Daniel

University of Bath

Chemistry

2016

TANG Kyle

University of Exeter

Economics (including placement year)

2016

TAYLOR-EDWARDS Jacob

Nottingham Trent University

Property Finance and Investment

2016

TOMS Emma

Cambridge University

Classics

2016

TRANTER Joanna

Loughborough University

Mechanical Engineering

2016

TREGEAR Ishbel

Courtauld Institute of Art

History of Art

2016

TREMLETT Tom

University of the Creative Arts: Camberwell

One year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

2016

TURAY Bila

The University of Warwick

Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

2016

UDOKPORO Onyinye

King’s College London

Theology

2016

WALKER Alex

The University of Reading

Mathematics and Economics

2017

WALKER Isobel

University of East Anglia

Chemistry

2016

WALUSIMBI-KAKEMBO Bella

The University of Birmingham

Policy, Politics and Economics

2016

WARD Mary

Durham University

Geography

2016

WILLCOCK Charlotte

University of London Institute in Paris

French Studies with History

2016

WILLCOCKS Gabby

Falmouth University

English

2016

WILLIAMS Laura

University of Greenwich

Public Health (Extended)

2016

WILSON Alistair

University of Surrey

Chemistry

2016

WITCHELL Alex

University of Southampton

Zoology

2016

YAU Yoyo

The University of Nottingham

Finance, Accounting and Management

2016

YOKYONG ZOEGA Benjamin

The University of York

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

2016

GRECIANS

GRECIANS

37

Iona Grace Popat and Angel Droth-Vicens Iona: It's the teachers, the staff, the pupils and the diversity that I will miss. The people here make Christ’s Hospital the amazing School that it is. The teachers stay on the campus for a reason, and that is they love the pupils.

Because of that close bond, we want to learn, which makes a huge difference. My House Mistress is like a second mum!

Angel: I've had two House Masters at CH, as Mr Holme tragically died in 2013. It was a difficult time for everyone in the House, as pupils can form a close bond with their House Master or Mistress. Where else would you find that at a school?

Angel: I too will miss the teachers and pupils. I find that the people at CH have such a broad world view. I think that is because we have people from different social and ethnic backgrounds and yet it doesn’t matter. We all put on the same uniform and enjoy the benefits of this fantastic School.

Iona: I'm going on to study Philosophy at NCH. I have a donor scholarship for my tuition fees, which is fantastic. Both Angel and I have also received a grant from the Francon Trust, which supports pupils from London with academic potential. We attended an interview and were both offered a grant to help us at university. We’ve also been given a Governor to mentor us throughout the process and provide contacts in the City. We are the first pupils from CH to have received support from the Francon Trust, so we both feel very fortunate.

Angel: The Francon Trust is fantastic because it ties in with the whole Christ’s Hospital ethos of helping people from all social backgrounds.

Iona: Having been at CH for seven years, I’ve made very close friends. A few of us decided to spend the best part of a month on an incredible Interrail trip across Europe. We started in Paris and ended up in Istanbul, so we’ve all caught the travel bug now!

Iona: Now that my time here is coming to an end, I realise that there are so many aspects of life at Christ’s Hospital that I will miss. The Leavers’ Service is really emotional, as everyone sings so loudly! It’s really the only time in Chapel when we make that much noise. We sing ‘How Shall I Sing That Majesty’ and the other one that has people crying is ‘Lord, Thou Has Brought Us To Our Journey’s End.’ Angel: I'm going on to study Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Engineering at Imperial College, London. My plan is to pursue a career in alternative energy sources. I want to revolutionise the way we produce energy and create a greener, sustainable energy source for the future. I’ve researched the subject extensively and believe that nuclear energy is key, so I hope to spend a year working in America as part of the course.

Perhaps later in life, I might be interested in politics, as Bernie Sanders is my idol.

‘We are the first pupils from CH to have received support from the Francon Trust, so we both feel very fortunate’

Prestigious Scholarship Uzorma Owete has been awarded the prestigious Morehead-Cain scholarship.

This will enable Uzorma to study at North Carolina University from September 2016.

He is one of only three students from the UK who has been selected for Morehead-Cain’s ‘Class of 2020’ this autumn. The Scholarship covers all expenses for four years of undergraduate studies at the University.

Uzorma said: “I am very grateful to Christ’s Hospital for making this opportunity possible. It is the first time in 10 years a CH pupil has been awarded this scholarship and I am really excited about studying in the US.”

GRECIANS

38

‘There is sadness that I will never put on the uniform again’

Christopher Steinberg & Emma Toms

Emma: It is strange to be moving on from CH, as I’ve become so attached to the School. It’s been such an important platform for my education and my life. You connect with people here, especially those in your House, and you become close, like family.

Chris: I often make the Freudian slip of saying ‘I'm going home’ to my mum, when I’m referring to going back to CH. I don’t mean to upset her, but the School feels like home because I’ve lived here for the best part of seven years. Everyone feels the same. We all experience the same things over the years and we help each other.

Emma: People say that they will miss the scenery and the architecture at the School.

They might be moving on to modern universities, so they will miss the green fields or walking across the Quad on a summer’s day.

Personally, I will miss the people. You face adversities and triumphs together, so there is always a strong spirit at CH that you might not see elsewhere.

Chris: I will miss playing rugby with the Second XV as I've had some really good times with the team. At away games, people would sometimes shout things like ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ because they thought our uniform was like something out of Harry Potter. But they tended to keep quiet when we won by 50 points! There are downsides to playing rugby I lost a tooth in one match - but I enjoyed the camaraderie and take good memories away with me.

Emma: I play the clarinet in the Band. We performed at Lord’s Cricket Ground in the summer and the following day, 45 of us played in the Queen’s Patron’s Lunch parade. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. You feel a massive sense of pride when you hear the School announced as you are marching along The Mall. People were cheering and waving Union Jacks, and there was quite an uproar for the CH Band. I think quite a few Old Blues were in the crowd! The School is well-known in the City and people understand the CH ethos.

When you participate in events like that, you understand how special Christ’s Hospital is.

Chris: There is a great sense of togetherness amongst Old Blues. I was talking to an Old Blue recently, one who became a Governor this year, and he said that it felt amazing to be in a position to give something back to the School, as he had been here on a scholarship.

He knew what Christ’s Hospital had done for him, so to be able to give somebody else the same opportunity gave him great pleasure. So many of the Grecians this year have signed up to the Blue Fund, which is a recent initiative. It aims to raise enough money for one child’s education across seven years. We’ve been really moved by the idea of helping others in the future.

Emma: As a pupil, you have this immense sense of pride and gratitude at coming to Christ Hospital. The majority of people here are either on a full or partial bursary, so we understand how fortunate we are to be here and hope we can provide someone with the same opportunity.

GRECIANS

Chris: I'm not going to pretend that I'll miss Chapel too much, but it is such a beautiful building and the leavers’ service was incredible.

The final hymn, How Shall I Sing That Majesty, is so emotional that it raises the hairs on your body. I can't describe the feeling we all felt, as it marks the end of our journey at Christ’s Hospital, so everybody was crying!

Emma: In Chapel, there is a sense of unison and because we are facing each other in the

39

pews, it reinforces that sense of community.

When we are all singing the final crescendo of How Shall I Sing That Majesty it gives us all the most amazing feeling. It is a hugely patriotic moment!

Chris: I’ll be heading to University next year.

Career wise, I'm not sure what I’d like to do, but after the abhorrent result in the EU Referendum, I'm tempted by a career in politics!

Emma: In my final term, I started to count down all of my last moments at CH. So I was ticking off my last Band performance, last exam, last Chapel, and now time has ticked away. There is sadness that I will never put on the uniform again. I'm going on to study Classics at Cambridge. In terms of long-term career goals, I'm torn between law and international relations, but would love a job that allowed me to travel.

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Rosamund Lawrance I’ve only been at the School for two years, whereas many Grecians have been here for the full seven years. It was quite difficult for me initially, as I moved from a secondary school where I was happy, with a close group of friends, to the Sixth Form at CH, where everybody else was like a family already, as they had lived together for five years.

I wouldn't change the experience that I've had though, and I think it has made me a more independent person. After two years, CH feels like home because of the friends I've made. I will miss that friendship and camaraderie. At the same time, I want to explore the world and take the next step; I’m ready for it.

I wish I had played a little sport, because that might have helped me make friends faster.

However, I have played a lot of music at CH. I performed lunchtime concerts on the piano and attended a masterclass in February.

Normally I play classical, but I really enjoyed playing jazz piano at a MUN dinner and would love to do more of that, as jazz involves so much improvisation!

I'm going on to read English at Oxford. I’ve always wanted to write and that became a lot clearer to me throughout my time at CH. The School has reminded me how much I love literature, and as I’ve taken an A Level in Creative Writing, I’d like to combine my passions and be a writer.

Recently, I have been particularly interested in poetry. I haven't written a poem based on my life at CH, but I did write about the Remembrance Sunday service. It was inspired by the thought that a generation of boys had stood at the same spot as I was standing, and had died for their country. I found that thought quite profound.

I feel I'm ready to put my poetry out there now. CH has certainly encouraged me to unleash it. My teachers have also helped me to explore different literary genres and since they advised me to choose a specialist area for my University interviews, I've developed a love for both mediaeval literature and modernistic, experimental literature.

The School was visited by performance poet John Agate, who was incredible to watch. I'm excited to see how these different influences might shape my work in the future.

‘I want to explore the world and move on, take the next step; I’m ready for it.’

Isobel Pelling and Elliot Riley Isobel: As Senior Grecian, I work closely with Elliot, as he is Second Monitor. Most of what we do comes under representing the School at functions and events. Usually, I have to give a speech whilst Elliot relaxes and enjoys the food! The oration on Speech Day is the most nerve-wracking moment of the year. It had been in the back of my mind for a long time, but as I’m on the International Baccalaureate (IB) course, I had a week to relax after my final exam and prepare for it. Once the oration was over, I felt like my job as Senior Grecian was done, so it was quite a relief.

Elliot: It was fun watching the absolute terror on her face!

Isobel: My whole family was in the audience and I made my grandad cry. I actually had written ‘Don't cry grandad’ in my speech, but when I caught his eye he already had tears in his eyes! I spent a long time on the speech and went through it with some of my teachers beforehand. But it's so different when you’re speaking in real-time with everybody watching.

There’s so much pressure! You wonder what you're doing with your hands and if your posture is right, so it's a daunting experience.

Elliot: I feel more like I'm leaving home than leaving school. I'm just so comfortable here and with my friends. We are one of the few House groups to have remained unchanged, so the six of us who started in Year 7 are now all leaving together. We are a band of brothers and to me they are like siblings, in that they drive me crazy sometimes! We've grown up together and I’ve spent more time with them than I have my actual sister.

Isobel: For me, the one thing which stands CH apart is the people. We seem to have a similar mentality and understand one another. You see it in Old Blues too. When you meet an Old Blue, you immediately form a connection, as everyone is proud to be a part of CH. I love how open everyone is. I've been here seven years and just feel so comfortable as I’m surrounded by like-minded people who have all been here with me through the ups and downs. I’ve made such good friends and will miss them terribly.

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and supportive and I’d like to thank them all before I leave.

Elliot: I’ve enjoyed being in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). In my GE year, I went on an exchange trip to Canada, which was fantastic, and I was invited back the following year. It was awesome to experience the Yukon territory, which I think is twice the size of the UK but with a population smaller than that of Horsham. So it’s sparse, to say the least.

My activities there were focused on outward-bound adventures, as opposed to more military-focused activities. To be out there kayaking, biking and hiking through the Canadian wilderness was one of the highlights of my time at CH. Isobel: I’ve really enjoyed the extra-curricular activities, but in my Grecian year the IB took over as you have to put academic studies above everything. I have loved being a Chair on the MUN as it doesn’t involve as much preparation as being on the debating team, yet you’re still an inportant part of the conferences. As a School, we do very well at MUN events and often win awards.

Elliot: My education at CH has been predominantly funded by the Benevolent Society of Blues and I wear the BSB badge to acknowledge that support. They work in a similar way to The Blue Fund in that Old Blues come together to fund the education of a child from the family of an Old Blue. I am the fifth Riley to attend the School, not including two of my grandparents who each served the School for 25 years, so I was a strong candidate. The Society has been so friendly

Elliot: Throughout my time at CH, my sponsor has been fantastic. She attended the (now closed) Christ’s Hospital School for Girls in Hertford. I really wanted to make her proud because of the help she gave me.

Isobel: I'm going on to study Modern Languages at the University of Exeter.

Elliot: I'm going to take a gap year. I'll be working at my stepfather's bed and breakfast in Rye, which will be a great experience, and I’d like to spend my earnings on trips abroad.

I'd love to spend some time in Peru, including a trip to Machu Picchu.

Isobel: Perhaps you take it for granted when you’ve been here since the age of 11, but the whole School is incredible. It’s only when you come to the end of your time that you stand back and look at the buildings and appreciate how magnificent they are. Then it suddenly dawns on you how sad you will be to leave.

Elliot: There are certain moments of Chapel that will stay with me too. The last verse of How Shall I Sing That Majesty is impossible to sing without feeling a massive burst of pride.

There is a moment when the organ fades away and you look around and realise that everyone feels the same way.

‘When you meet an Old Blue you immediately form a connection, as everyone is so proud to be a part of Christ’s Hospital’

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Tulula and Campbell Docherty Tulula: We both started in Year 7 and, being twins, we've been here for seven years now.

We’re from west London, so Christ’s Hospital has been a home away from home.

Campbell: We’ve always lived close to one another at CH, although boys and girls are placed in different Houses until the Grecian year. Now we are in Grecians West together.

We have definitely become far closer as brother and sister during our time at CH. When we first arrived at the School, we didn’t really see that much of each other, but we do now.

Tulula: We will soon be going our separate ways. I was hoping to study Global Liberal Studies at New York University, as my dream is to be a film director and I wanted to build up my contacts and experience America. I went on an exchange to Baltimore through CH and fell in love with the country. That proved out of

reach for me, so I’m going to Bristol to study Liberal Arts.

Campbell: I’ll be going to King’s College to study Philosophy. I want to be based in London and the King’s course also offers a year abroad, so hopefully I can spend my second year in America or Canada. Perhaps a Philosophy degree limits my career options, so I may convert that into a law degree. I haven't given it too much thought. Who knows what the future holds? Tulula even wants me to be the lead in one of her films!

Tulula: Because we are both Monitors at CH, we’ve had the chance to form relationships with people in other areas of the School. In each boarding House, you are mixed in with people from six different year groups. That helps form friendships within each House and across the entire School. My friends at CH probably know me better than anyone. People

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who I know outside of CH are all upset about leaving school, but I’m not sure it's quite the same as how we are feeling, because we've all lived together too. We are like a family. That is an aspect of CH I will miss.

Campbell: ln terms of what I will miss about life at CH, I should think the School might like me to talk about the academic opportunities or extra-curricular activities. But in truth, I will miss just hanging out with friends. Take the football yesterday; There’s a football match between the Grecians and the rest of the School, which we won on penalties. A huge crowd turned up to cheer on both teams and although it’s supposed to be competitive, both teams were just having fun. I will miss days like that.

Tulula: I've been in the hockey squad, although I’m not competitive enough for the first team. I play because I really enjoy it and am so glad I take those memories away with me.

Campbell: In the final year, we move from the Avenue Houses and are divided into Grecians West and East. Connect 4 has been particularly popular this year, and it can get surprisingly competitive. I'm self-proclaimed ‘best pool player’ but we don’t have table football in Grecians West. We all have to migrate over to Grecians East every time we fancy a game.

Tulula: There is always something going on at the different Houses, especially at weekends.

The older year groups will often organise events and activities for the younger pupils, so in the girls’ houses we have fashion shows, movie nights and themed sleepover parties.

The boys generally play football!

Grecian’s Ball On the last night of the School year and to mark the end of exams, the leaving Grecians celebrated in style with the customary leavers’ ball, which this year followed an Arabian Nights themed evening.

‘We have definitely become far closer as brother and sister during our time at CH’

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PICTURES

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MUSIC

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MUSIC The Band

I

t has been another highly successful year for the Christ’s Hospital Band.

It started in September 2015 with the annual trip to the City of London for St Matthew’s Day. Taking place as it does only a few weeks into the start of the School year, it was preceded by a number of rehearsals. These consisted of training marches around the mile in order to build up the playing stamina for the march through the City.

On the day, when the Band entered the Guildhall Yard, it had to show its adaptability as the saluting dais had been moved to a

different side from our rehearsals due to the inclement weather. Luckily, the Band coped admirably with the changes and the engagement went off without a hitch.

In November, the Band performed the demanding Marche Slave by Tchaikovsky as the finale to the School concert. The concert took place in February and this year we were joined by the Royal Yeomanry Band. Each band performed a programme of music on its own and then the two bands combined to perform together. Major Falshaw conducted the Duke of Cambridge March by Malcolm

Arnold and the 1st Suite in E flat by Gustav Holst, whilst our own Bandmaster Terry Whittingham conducted a selection from the musical ‘Wicked’ and the epic Crown Imperial

by William Walton as the finale.

The 150 musicians on stage produced a thrilling sound which was enjoyed and appreciated by the packed Big School audience.

The return to School after the Easter break heralds the marching season for the Band and we were quickly out on the 1st XI cricket pitch rehearsing for our performance at Lord’s.

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‘The Band marched along to Wannabe by the Spice Girls, Tubthumping by Chumbawumba and Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega.’

The Bandmaster had put together a complex marching routine for this display with a number of moves the Lord’s audience had not seen before, demanding a high degree of concentration from all of those involved.

On 12 June, we made our way to Lord’s to play during the lunch interval of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka. With over 15,000 watching, we performed a 30 minute routine. The Band played and marched magnificently and the display was hugely appreciated by the crowd.

Lord’s however, was only one part of a demanding yet enjoyable weekend for the Band. At 6.00 the next morning, 50 members of the Band boarded the coach to take part in a parade for the Patron’s Lunch, part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

This consisted of a march down The Mall, televised live by the BBC, culminating in a march past the Royal Family outside Buckingham Palace.

In order to commemorate the Queen’s long reign, each contingent was allocated a themed decade and each band had to play music associated with that era. The CH Band was allocated the 1990s and marched along to Wannabe by the Spice Girls, Tubthumping by Chumbawumba and Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega.

The morning rehearsal was carried out in the pouring rain, but we were lucky that it cleared up by the afternoon in time for the main event.

It was an incredible experience to march down The Mall for the Band and one I am sure that all involved will remember for a very long time.

On the final Saturday of the School year, the Band prepared for one final performance; Beating Retreat. Once again, the Band put on a tremendous performance.

As we say ‘farewell’ and ‘thank you’ to the Band’s leaving Grecians, we hope that they will look back on their time with the Band with fond memories and we look forward to another successful year in 2016/17.

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Musicians play at Art Exhibition

Year 12 pupils James Sibley, Joe Morrow and Alex Bell were invited to St Nazaire, France, to take part in the opening of artist Christian Hidaka's summer exhibition. Christian was educated at CH during the 1990s. He went on to study Fine Art at Winchester School of Art, Parsons School of Art and Design (New York) and the Royal Academy Schools, London. He has had enormous success and exhibited across the globe.

Prof. Ian Jones Plays Chopin

Pupils were treated to a day of piano workshops with Professor Ian Jones, who is Assistant Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music. 15 of CH's most promising pupils, including 3rd Former Katherine Linaker (recipient of 2016's Robert Walter piano prize) and Deputy Grecian Jeremy Chan (winner of 2016's West Sussex Youth Music Award, pictured) performed a range of pieces ranging from Scarlatti to Chopin and Einaudi.

Ian delighted pupils and his audience with an exquisite performance of Chopin's Nocturne in B, Op. 9, in which he made excellent use of the wide range of tone colours available to him on the Court Room's magnificent Steinway B Piano.

Old Blue Francis Warner Visits On 13 May, Christ’s Hospital hosted a Court Room Classic and was delighted to welcome Old Blue, Francis Warner.

Francis is an internationally acclaimed poet and playwright and had been invited to the concert as his Sonnets were being performed.

‘Eight Sonnets’ was sung by baritone Richard

Lloyd Morgan and accompanied by David Goode. Head of Academic Music at CH, Ed Jones joined the singers for the programme of English songs which included works by Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Hyde and Warlock.

Harry Ling Joins Jazz Ensemble Harry Ling has become a member of the NYJO Academy Jazz Ensemble, one of the training ensembles run by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. The NYJO has been providing opportunities for young jazz musicians for over 50 years.

Harry’s love of music has been encouraged since he joined CH in Year 7. He rehearses and performs with the CH Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz Ensemble and is Senior Drummer with the CH Band.

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Faure’s Requiem Performed at Angus Ross Memorial Concert The highlight of the Angus Ross Memorial concert on 20 March was the most widely loved of all the requiems, Fauré’s Requiem.

This majestic piece was performed by the School’s Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia and Chapel Choir, the CH Choral Society and special guest soprano, Alexandra Stevenson and baritone, John Hancorn.

Conductor of the concert, Director of Music Andrew Cleary said: “Our pupils always rise to the occasion and this concert was no exception.

Fauré’s Requiem is a bold work to perform and it was most superbly performed by the musicians.

“We are indebted to the Angus Ross Memorial Fund, which provides a wonderful opportunity for CH to present a concert of this calibre every year.”

Alistair Ross (1920-1984), better known as Angus, was educated at CH from 1930-37. He was a distinguished drummer in the CH Band and timpanist in the Orchestra. The Angus Ross Fund was set up after his death and the income from the fund helps to support an annual concert bearing his name, which involves as many of the School’s musicians as possible.

‘We are indebted to the Angus Ross Memorial Fund, which provides a wonderful opportunity for CH to present a concert’

Woodwind Masterclass

Every year, the Woodwind Department holds a masterclass for a different group of musicians.

This year, we held a masterclass for our saxophone pupils.

Huw Wiggin, Commonwealth Musician of the Year, First Prize and Gold Medal winner of the 2014 Royal Overseas League Annual Music Competition, is one of the most popular saxophonists of his generation. Huw is Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has given masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Universities of Calgary and Lethbridge in Canada.

Huw worked with all of our saxophonists, who bravely played a solo for him. He also worked with our Big Band section and newly-formed Saxophone Quartet.

Ferio Sax Quartet

The award-winning Ferio Saxophone Quartet is emerging as one of the leading British saxophone quartets among the new generation and we were honoured to have them perform for our Court Room Classic Concert series.

Ferio performed their own arrangement of Bach and Piazzolla, pieces by Phillip Glass and Francaix, and contemporary works by Guillermo Lago.

Ferio were joined by our own Saxophone Quartet, coached by Miss Beere, the baritone saxophonist in Ferio and one of the School’s saxophone teachers.

Vocal Masterclass

Senior singers Robbie Anand, Miriam Briggs, Eloise Chirgwin, Alexandra Jeffirs, Sandra Karu, Rebecca Russell participated in a masterclass with Stuart MacIntyre.

Mr MacIntyre brought a wealth of experience, being a former member of the BBC Singers and of Glyndebourne Festival Opera and more recently having taught at the Royal Northern College of Music and Royal Holloway, University of London.

A wide range of music was performed, including pieces by Mozart, FaurĂŠ and Britten, in an informative and entertaining session that was of great benefit to participants and audience members alike.

House Singing Competition The competition was as fierce as ever this year.

The standard of singing was excellent and the determination and energy from all Houses, in both competitions, was inspirational.

The Unison Song competition winners were: Girls: Thornton B Boys: Peele A Grecians: West The Baton Prize: Kojo Adu (Ma A) The standard of arrangement and singing in the Part Song competition, held just before half term in February, was particularly strong amongst the boys’ Houses. The adjudicator, David Lawrence, gave entertaining and occasionally frank comments.

The winners were: Girls: Coleridge B Boys: Lamb Grecians: East Overall House Music Cup: Thornton B Congratulations to everyone for an excellent competition.

Jazz and Blues Night The ever popular Jazz and Blues night at CH showcased some of the School’s finest jazz musicians – pupils, teachers and Old Blues.

There were some exceptional solo performances including ‘Fascinating Rhythm’

by Mololuwa Olanrewaju , ‘Favourite Things’ (from The Sound of Music) by Zoe Brown, ‘This Can’t be Love’ by Charlotte Willcock, and ‘Taking a Chance on Love’ by Georgina Mason.

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Brass Masterclass Tom Walker This year’s brass masterclass was, in my opinion, one of the best held by the Music Department in recent years. The speaker, trumpeter Ryan Linham, provided a new and interesting insight into both solo and ensemble performance.

Mr Linham first studied at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department during his school years, before moving on to the Royal College of Music. Since graduating, he has performed with prestigious orchestras including London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the English National Opera.

The masterclass began with an interesting technical lecture and a short, impressive performance of his own, followed by a Q&A session. The second half of the afternoon began with an excellent performance by UF horn player Molly Bielecki.

We then moved on to some ensembles such as the brass quintet and the brass ensemble.

After some helpful feedback, we finished the playing part of the afternoon with a joint performance, with Mr Linham playing a final

piece with the CH brass ensemble before brass prizes were presented.

Special congratulations go to trumpeter Peter Callas and horn player Molly Bielecki for being awarded the senior and junior brass prizes respectively.

Special mentions were also made to Tom Walker, Alex Stuart, Ashley Carter, Tamsin Denny and Freddy Norris, Marlowe White and George Ormerod for their contribution to the Music Department this year.

The afternoon ended with an informal garden party and barbeque and music from a staff quintet made up of Mr Linham (trumpet), Mr Preece (trumpet), Mr. Jones (french horn), Mr Crompton (trombone) and Mr Riches (tuba).

A special ‘thank you’ is due to Mr Titchener for all the hard work he put into organising this event and also the outstanding work he does as Head of Brass every day.

Music and Poetry Natalie Bekoe Music and Poetry has firmly established itself at CH, attracting crowds of performers and eager listeners all moved and excited by the entertainment the night provides.

The summer term Music and Poetry event was a night to remember with some outstanding musical pieces and inspired poetry, as well as a very comical performance by two leaving Grecians.

Yet far more admirable was the bravery shown by all who performed. It is no easy feat to stand in front of your peers and teachers and divulge your most personal poems, but it was this courage that guides people into music and poetry time and time again.

It is also this showcasing of bravery and the warm reception of the audience that inspires people to pick up a pen or turn to their musical instrument and believe that they too can create something beautiful.

No one in the School has encouraged this more than Fiona Mackenzie, the School librarian. For that, I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all that she does to ignite and fan the flames of our creativity as pupils here at CH.

Music and Poetry night has always been a night that I have looked forward to and as this year is my last, I hope that more students and teachers can enjoy the amazing atmosphere it creates.

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ART Charlie Mason-Graves

Grecians Art Paul Deller

T

he artists of 2015/16 established themselves as a truly memorable cohort to work with, as was reflected in a remarkable Speech Day exhibition.

Their innate enthusiasm made the process of realising their course successfully a most enjoyable experience for pupils and staff alike and with our combined commitment they were able to exceed expectations.

This group achieved a 100% Distinction 1 – Merit 2 ( A* - B A Level grades) pass rate in their final results, including two Distinction 1 grades, making them the most distinguished year group for the Art Department since we started the Cambridge Pre-U course six years ago.

The exhibition included a broad range of media and styles; drawing, painting, printing, film, ceramics and sculpture with a combination of subject matter depicted representationally and abstractly.

They showed a willingness to allow their work to be guided by the content and they found influence in our exhibitions which, this year, included ‘Since 1984, 31 Artists: 31 Years’; a celebration of the long running Artist-inResidence scheme, as well as the annual Tony Ray-Jones photography competition.

They also had an inspirational trip to the Royal Academy to see Anselm Keifer and Ai Weiwei and many were lucky enough to go to New York on the art trip in 2014.

Matilda Slade

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This year the students had the additional expertise and guidance of the three Artists-inResidence – Kit Mead, Rosanna Catterall and Amelia Phillips – to call upon. Their influence was most evident in the scope and quality of this cohort’s art.

It is well known that studying art at Christ’s Hospital is not a soft option. The time and dedication required to achieve the highest grades means that just following the timetable of lessons and preps is not going to be enough.

We are always enthused by the number of students who opt to do this and hopefully it is an indication that the students relish the environment we create in the Art Department.

Most importantly we offer time and space and whilst we are extremely fortunate to have outstanding facilities, we make the department readily accessible for the students to use at all times of day and night.

Adwoa Owusu-Darko

Glen Lee

The Grecians of 2015/16 made the most of the opportunities, truly realising their potential and giving themselves the very best of foundations for the future.

The following Grecians are furthering their successfully gained places on Art Foundation courses: Charlotte Aylwin University of the Creative Arts: Canterbury Olivia Crossman University of the Arts London: Camberwell Barnaby Freeman Leeds College of Art Chloe Kelly University of the Arts London: Central St.Martin’s Charlie Mason Graves University of the Arts London: Camberwell Ti-Jean Roberts University of the Arts London: Central St.Martin’s Tom Tremlett University of the Arts London: Camberwell Ade Coker University of the Arts London: Central St.Martin’s Jamie Martin

‘ The time and dedication required to achieve the highest grades means that just following the timetable is not going to be enough.’

Ishbel Tregear

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Tom Tremlett

Charlotte Aylwin

Melissa Or

Barnaby Freeman

Ti-Jean Roberts

Ti-Jean Roberts

Georgina Mason

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Cambridge Pre-U Art & Design: Distinction 1’s This year saw two of the Grecians, Olivia Crossman and Chloe Kelly, achieve the coveted Distinction 1 in the Cambridge Pre-U Art & Design course.

Olivia Crossman achieved 100% at GCSE and was awarded an Art Scholarship in the Sixth Form. Her decision to pursue an art career was made relatively late, as she also had ambitions to join the RAF as well as study medicine.

Olivia flourished throughout the entire two years, working with a boundless energy and resolve, showing sensitivity and intelligence in balancing her wealth of creative sensibilities with her flair for science, which she always incorporated into her ideas.

She showed particular prowess in drawing, painting and photography as well as mixing media. Her work, which often combined figurative representation and abstraction, had an expressive energy and a vibrant hue of colour. T his summer’s Speech Day exhibition saw two large scale pieces; a multi-panelled micro/macro cosmology and the striking triptych of angelic portraits hovering over emotive, abstract landscapes.

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Chloe Kelly showed equal commitment since joining Christ’s Hospital in the Sixth Form and always looked to broaden her skills.

Her strengths were principally drawing, painting, photography and mixing media, but Chloe’s work often moved into three dimension.

She allowed her interest in philosophy, music and literature to inform her art and the imagery was always conceptually layered with surreal qualities of dreams and the subconscious.

Chloe’s natural palette of colour and texture are bold, often with a strong chiaroscuro effect, giving her work a dynamic, theatrical quality.

Both Olivia and Chloe made a remarkable contribution to art at Christ’s Hospital and we are lucky to have worked with them. Both are furthering their careers on Art Foundation courses at the University of Arts, Camberwell and Central St. Martin’s, respectively.

We wish them well and look forward to seeing their creative progress.

‘Chloe’s natural palette of colour and texture are bold, often with a strong chiaroscuro effect’

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Artists-in-Residence Exhibition 2016: Three of Something The courses of these three artists have converged at CH where the traditional place for the Artists-in-Residence has provided each of them with the space and opportunity to develop as artists whilst sharing their diverse artistic skills with pupils.

Each year, art students eagerly receive the new messages and inspiration that come to them from outside.

Amelia Phillips As an observer and artist, Amelia has always had a deep interest in the world of decay and deterioration; constantly on the lookout for objects and surfaces that have been transformed and weathered by man or by nature.

The worn appearance of these surfaces engages her because one gains a sense of time and history; they have a past, discharging unknown stories, an element of surprise and one wonders how they ended up in such states of chaos.

In her present practice, Amelia discovers beauty in the unconventional and showing how the erosion of surfaces and objects can be truly sublime in expression. She works in the realm of printmaking to visually explore her concepts.

Rosanna Catterall Enquiry into nature of practice, preparation, waiting, failure and non-conclusion inform moving image, sculpture and sound work.

Breadboard Skateboards is hinged on the possibility of transformation; changing the nature of an object and pushing the rules of the sport to create a framework in which to test them.

Re-Establishing Lost Connection references the phrase Facebook presents when you are disconnected to the internet on a mobile device. Disconnect exists in distance between the sheep and herder as well as the system of sheep counting out of use; an attempt to re-connect.

‘Kit presents work which responds to how digital technologies manipulate and modify reality’

Attempting to re-connect is also prevalent in In Lieu of Phone Signal. Based on a DIY solution to lack of phone signal, this becomes a symbol for the desire to retain connection and communication. Suggested phone signal installation sites is presented in map form.

Kit Mead Interested in non-linear narratives and exploring different temporal experiences through expanded cinema techniques in an attempt to create forms of time travel, Kit presents work which responds to how digital technologies manipulate and modify reality.

Advert reflects on the switch to digital processes for the access to and consumption of information, remediating cut-outs from a national newspaper into individual abstract fragments of colour presented as an animation on a digital advertisement screen above Glasgow City Centre.

Ctr/ C is a double-channel video installation creating a layered moving image collage presenting different copies of forms, ancient and contemporary. The installation combines the mutated history; the Hellenistic 'Laocoon and his Sons' sculpture, images of a 18th Century plaster cast and its digital replica, video of a newly discovered species of jellyfish captured in the depths of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean (nicknamed Microsoft Paint due to its appearance) and screenswipe animation revealing the trail of a finger’s movement across the screen of a mobile phone when texting.

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GCSE ART

Eden Stoppard

Adela Seeley

Ellie Aylwin

Tony Ray-Jones Photography Competition

Elissa Mayne

Billy Cancea

Marcus Sum

This year’s Tony Ray-Jones Photography Competition had over 160 entries on the theme of ‘Teenage’, inspired by the book and film by guest judge Jon Savage. He was impressed with the quality of submissions and he chose the following winners particularly for the narrative in their images: Junior: Andrew McLeod Intermediate: Angelle Roberts Senior: Misha Citroen Best in Show: Adela Seeley Winning House: Maine A.

Nadia Mainwaring

Ynys Barnard Masterson

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Annabel Winship

Stella Saunt Hills

Lily Smith

Andrey Sorokin

Megan Wong

Freya Rolls

Annabel Winship

Kundie Dzikiti

Alexie Baramidze

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Nightlife Project This year, Miss Watson developed a brand new 3rd Form project using a simple colour changing electronics kit and a range of materials and techniques.

It has worked very well and has allowed the pupils to explore creative themes.

We shall be delivering this to all the 3rd Form in the coming year.

Retirement of Ray Bassett Paddy Hall-Palmer

R

ay started as Design Technology Technician at Christ's Hospital back in 1992. He has been the rock many in the DT Department depend on. He has always made the time to help anyone - teacher or pupil - to solve a problem, however complex. pupils have relied on him for years and value his input into their work.

There was always some item on his desk which a member of staff or pupil had asked him to look at and see if he could help. Standards, gavels, glasses, chairs, shoes, you name it, it has been through the department.

Ray has a wealth of old school practical engineering knowledge that is close to impossible to replace. His knowledge of techniques and processes is encyclopaedic, from welding to sandcasting to woodturning.

In more recent years, he has also been keen to help with the high-tech CNC machinery.

When pupils did his woodturning active, they were producing items of a professional quality and loved every minute of it.

Ray has a curiosity about design that is ongoing. He was always sending clips, articles and discussing technological developments. If you had a question, he delved in his very

well- stocked drawer or downstairs in the basement of the building and produced some new piece of kit to help solve your problem.

Apart from his main role as Senior Technician, Ray became increasingly involved in other aspects of Christ's Hospital. He has been House Tutor of Thornton B, Warden along with his wife of the prep block for eight years and Tutor in Maine B right up until the end of 2016.

He worked in the Grecians Club, and coached cricket and football. He has done all of this with the manners of a gentleman and the patience of a saint.

Mr Whittingham, who Ray was Assistant House Master to for some time, commented that nothing was too much trouble for Ray. For me personally, as the Head of DT, his friendliness, optimism and unflappability have stood out.

We are saying goodbye to an amazing colleague and good friend to the School. I know there are many parents and pupils, past and present, who will also be wishing him the very best in the future.

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Home Fitness Apparatus Liberty Kimber

When students go to university, the higher emphasis on studies and inflated gym membership prices often means that levels of physical activity decline.

This gave me an idea for tackling this problem head on; making an inexpensive but practical solution for students in university accommodation.

There were many challenges that came with this project, as there are with any, but it all makes for a more satisfying experience at the end of it.

The main issue to start with was that I had always steered away from metalwork, because the sparks slightly frightened me. This year, I overcame that fear and spent the majority of my time with sparks flying around. Once I knew what to do (the teachers were a great help to me) it was easier and safer than it seemed.

Another issue was juggling university interviews, asking for portfolios of specific work pieces and managing to design our own projects to a point where we could begin making them. But we all managed.

Obviously, it's great to see your finished product being used, giving you a sense of accomplishment.

But I have also really enjoyed solving the problems, as this makes you think in creative ways.

I enjoyed the designing process greatly, looking at other units and designs and researching my target market by talking to students and ex-students to come up with many vastly different concepts. Some of these weren’t even plausible, but the process of weeding those out or adding features to make them viable options was exciting, because I knew I was designing something of use and purpose.

My final solution is a rig similar to the types you see in gyms, but more narrow, as it has to fit in a student's room with limited space.

I came up with the idea to use resistance bands instead of weights as they could provide the same workload but would make the unit much lighter. These resistance bands could also be changed easily by the user to help them achieve different workloads.

There are two bands coming from above and two from below, which in conjunction with the fold-out chair can be used for all muscle groups. This is far better than at a gym, where you may use several different machines for a full body workout. It also means you can use it in the comfort of your own room, which would make people more inclined to exercise.

I feel that product design has given me many different skills, from specific uses of computer based machines and physical manufacturing techniques to the knowledge of design movements – knowledge which I hope to take forward and use at university.

But the most important skills I will take away from product design are the life and social skills that can be used wherever I go. Skills such as the ability to foresee problems and accept them as challenges rather than obstacles is very important, because it allows you to improve your ideas and accept that not everything will go the way you expect. You just have to make the most of what you have.

The way most people in our class worked through these challenges was by talking to others and figuring out a solution together.

Communication is the key skill I have learnt through product design, whether between you and the other students and teachers or your client and target market.

At the end of the day, your product is for them and you need to adapt ideas to suit them.

‘It's great to see your finished product being used; it gives you a great sense of accomplishment’

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Hong Kong Tower Melissa Or A shortage of housing has always been a problem in Hong Kong. Private estates have staggeringly high housing rent, but when citizens turn to public housing supplied by the government, they are always in short supply.

A lot of areas in Hong Kong are still packed with old, short buildings which could be redeveloped to allow more residential flats, including the area I live in.

Therefore, I proposed to the Hong Kong Housing Society, a non-governmental organisation for providing public housing in Hong Kong, an urban renewal plan for a site in my neighbourhood. The project aims to provide large numbers of comfortable and affordable flats for Hong Kong citizens, along with business opportunities.

The proposed building is composed of a modular frame system of steel beams, 200 living units and a two-level shop space. The living units are box-like structures made with structural insulated panels (SIPS) and composite flooring to ensure that these units are as light and cheap as possible, and can be fabricated off-site and easily constructed on-site.

Moreover, the SIPS are water-proof and ensure that heat can be diffused out of the flat during the summer but insulate the flat for winter, perfect for the weather of Hong Kong.

The living unit itself has an outer frame which is slotted into the frames and welded together.

This structure minimises the use of concrete for the structure, therefore hugely reducing the building cost. The rooftop garden provides

a space for relaxation.

The shops below help the residential space to move away from the noisy and busy streets.

The biggest challenge for my project would be the engineering of the building. My inspiration for its exterior came from just playing around with Lego blocks, but for the building to actually stand up, there was a lot more than just stacking blocks together.

I had to think about the layout of each level, the position of the escalators and fire exits, the shops beneath the residential flats, etc. There aren’t many books about high rise building, so I had to do a lot of research on the materials and methods of construction.

I wanted to make two separate models to show the details of the project, therefore a shortage of time became another challenge.

A lot of time was spent on precise isometric drawings of the whole building and other plans on

CorelDraw. It was worthwhile as it made the manufacturing flow much quicker and easier, and allowed my client and architects to give useful feedback as the drawings helped them to fully understand my concept.

The model was made with a box as a base and blocks were stuck on top to create the Jenga exterior. I had to hand-cut more than 200 pieces of MDF blocks and sand every one until they were all the same size.

The process took me a long time to finish and I was impatient about it, eventually the blocks didn’t align well because they weren’t made accurately. The key to success in anything is patience, and I learned this the hard way.

The most important skill from product design would be the ability to use different design software.

I was working for an architectural firm during the summer and knowing how to use Photoshop, Pro Desktop and CorelDraw allowed me to work in different areas of the design process. They were amazed when they introduced me to AutoCAD and SketchUp, as I

DESIGN didn’t need much guidance since the controls were similar. My presentation skills also improved in two years of product design.

When I decided to do product design and art in Year 12, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. On top of that, I chose an architectural project for my A2. The combination is just a big headache.

But what’s life without some risks and adventure?

A lot of my free time was sacrificed to complete this project. But when I flip through the folder, filled with pages of research, plans, sketches and drawings, the sense of accomplishment and pride just makes everything worthwhile.

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The Mystery of Design Emmanuel Berhane

I would definitely recommend Product Design for A Level. It is heavily coursework- based and time consuming, but the experience of problem solving, designing and making something by yourself is very rewarding.

The theory side of product design also led me to look at everyday objects with a different perspective.

While maths and science tell you how things work, product design has taught me how things are made. I will be studying Architecture at university, and I will go with huge confidence, knowing that I will love the experience.

‘The experience of problem solving and designing and making something by yourself is very rewarding’

Graphic Design is a subject where the students have the freedom to create and design what they so choose.

The subject is a fine blend of English, maths and art as it is important to express your creations in words as well as through design skills.

As for every decision in a project there is a reason or benefit to it. For instance, if you are designing the graphics for a Valentine’s chocolate box, you may choose the colour red as it is the colour often associated with romance and will attract more customers.

You also develop your computer editing skills through the graphic design course, using the software Corel draw/paint.

However you also have the choice to use other software that you may prefer, including Photoshop or Inkscape.

Many people on the graphics course are fantastic hand drawers and therefore spend more time off the computer than others. This is perfectly fine, as the subject is flexible in terms of the

different ways you can approach your work. This allows you to play to your strengths as well as improve your weaknesses.

You also learn about how products are manufactured in the industrial world and the methods used.

After the course, the students will have an in-depth knowledge of various printing and cutting processes and of CAD and CAM (Computer-Aided Design/ Manufacture) software.

Once or twice a term in the junior years students are given a design brief which informs them of the project they need to complete. These briefs are often quite open ended, leaving space for the student’s imagination. Very often in a class you could be given the same brief but end up with completely different and unique creations, which is what graphic design is all about.

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Trip to the Coca-Cola Factory Paddy Hall-Palmer

During the summer term, Miss Azancot and I took our Deputy Grecians to the Coca-Cola factory, where they have an Education Centre.

We are firm believers in practical experience to reinforce as much theory learning as possible. This trip was organised to put into context the pupils’ learning and to hopefully inspire them to think about taking Product

Design as a degree course.

At the factory, we met Caroline, the education leader, who did a fabulous presentation on the manufacturing methods Coca-Cola uses.

The students were able to see and touch the mould used to blow mould the various bottles. For the second half of the visit, we all

put on health and safety personal protective equipment to take a tour of parts of the factory to see what manufacturing in practice looks like.

The students found the trip informative and enjoyable.

2nd Form Pewter Casting

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GCSE Product Design Coursework

OUTLOOK Dare’s Big Day Every performer dreams of the big stage and for Dare Haastrup, that dream came true when she performed a professional set at the Royal Festival Hall. Dare won a performance poetry prize for young people, organised by the Poetry Society, becoming one of just seven SLAMbassadors for 2015.

The award also includes mentoring from some of the country’s top spoken word poets. Set up by former pupils Kobby Adi and Leeza Awojobi, the Spoken Word group at CH meets every week.

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CREW

C

REW is a Creative Writing A Level course completed at CH as an ‘active.’ This year, pupils from the GE, Deputy Grecian and Grecian year groups have met each

Tuesday afternoon to share and critique their work. What follows is a selection from the coursework portfolios that they submitted for the A Level or AS Level qualification.

Skin Gabby Willcocks She writhes and twists, awash upon a sea of knotted cotton.

Half-lidded eyes flutter; liquid brown like silt-stirred shallows, 5am coffee, filthy fingers smeared over untouched flesh.

Her salt-stained skin cools as calloused palms scrape desire across her freckled back, as greedy nails carve ownership into her bones.

She rolls languid through ivory waves, bare; slick seal-brown coat cast off in favour of a lover’s eager touch.

Hot breath and whiskery kisses damp against fresh coral-pink cheeks replacing deep currents; a gleam of fractured light reflected far from the surface; unexpected treasure found where others saw nothing.

Now there is captivity, the sea found only in the tumble of the washing machine and the depth of the bathtub rather than azure-cobaltindigo.

Her fur pelt is stolen by the slow rasp of a razor against tender skin, and her ocean evaporates.

Actaeon’s Antlers Alyx Morley She will not relent her rage!

Mine own stolen voice, a cage, Mine own hounds claw at my flesh, Mine own brothers proclaim my death!

O please, let sweet solace sink in!

Grant me release in the strip of my skin, Guide me through these weighted woes, And give me calm in the crack of my bones.

Black and White Jeremy Chan Black and white; As I sit there, leaning forward, heart racing, muscles tensing, all I see is black and white.

Spotlight burns my back, stares smoulder my face, yet my fingers freeze as they touch the ivory coolness of the black and white.

I close my eyes.

Breathe…

Feel the rhythm coursing through my veins and bubbling in my blood.

I open my eyes.

Excitement boils into my fingers and I see them fly as I pour my heart into the black and white.

I smile.

All I see is colours.

The Space Between Mundie Lawrance Footsteps ceased and softness fell, the warmth of memories more pressing than November skies / a starkness of jackdaws erupting from the chapel roof in blessing / our thoughts stood muffle-pulsing down, down with the beauty of the thing.

In the bugler’s echo we heard their whispers – no man’s hand will touch us, not like this scene again Clock strikes still. Be raised; for the first time in the silence of the space between, our youthful ears could hear the birds, ever present, once seen.

The Dock Worker Christina Purvis There’s this wee old man in number six, who’s no idea wit day it is.

He sits all day by the winda pane.

The table a’for him, tobacco stained.

A hill of forgotten coffee cups, stacked all neat, but gathering dust.

The wimen sigh and shake their heads, ‘what the hell goes on in that flat of his?’

When that man was young he had a wife And told us the stories while he smoked his pipe.

He worked the night shift for twenty years, breathing in the asbestos tears.

When the yards closed seven years ago, the man had nowhere else to go.

So hid away in his Gorbals hame, while his wife re-took her maiden name.

The thing about the Glasgow slum, Is everyone cared for everyone.

But where once his hearth was marked by feet, Cold fire dust now lies fast asleep.

He is the last of a dying breed as the tenements now lie, gone to seed.

Fancy flats totter, brash and new.

And neighbours leave in threes, fours and twos.

But he was born in this very room, and here he’ll sit staring into the gloom.

Poem Max Birkin All you have to do is watch how a parent plays with their child after school to see how every interaction is a form of education even though the child’s head is slowly sinking, and you will release why the ‘special children’ with pushy mothers clamouring at the school gates are never the ones with a smile on their faces when their world stretches beyond the playground why they are always living in the garage at home with no social relations or sexual partners but surrounded by the certificates from a brighter youth.

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Retrograde Danielle Carbon-Wilson I see it I see it as clear as ever Do I want to see it?

You tell me as I am so fragile.

I see things I don’t understand like the moving pictures or the little tin voice.

I feel like an alien a Martian on Earth.

Why do I have ruggrass?

Why are there android birds?

Why does toilet paper come in squares?

I look around and I don’t see my world I see a world plugged into nothing.

I see windows of the Past sometimes.

When I look in the mirror I see Blue veins Saggy skin Silver hair Long and thin Wrinkled smile Droopy eyes Big and brown Full of lies No breasts Crooked back Knobby knees heart attack.

I am here Now. I wish I wasn’t but I am cords stuck to me like tentacles popping pills like I’m still 17.

Now, I’m plugged in too into the beep in two minds is it worth it to stay?

Do I want to be a humanoid plugged into life beating my electric heart?

No, thank you.

Poet Patience Agbabi Inspires Pupils Patience Agbabi visited Christ’s Hospital in January to treat the Year 12 pupils to a wonderful reading and to inspire visiting Sussex teachers to join the Poetry By Heart movement. CH has fully embraced Poetry

By Heart, Sir Andrew Motion’s crusade to revive the art of memorisation, and the

Untitled Freddie Underwood The city loomed over me like a garrison as I stepped off the platform, a whirlwind eager to blow me away. After locating the correct building, I arrived at the stockbrokers, eager to start. I was ushered into an imposing office by a receptionist clearly picked for reasons unrelated to her CV. After sitting down, I saw a man in the corner.

The Cuban cigar whirled to its conclusion as Donald Belmont sat in the leather chair. Wall Street writhed out the window.

‘Any idea how to sell stocks, kid?’ he questioned.

‘No, Sir,’ I replied tentatively.

‘Call me Don,’ he smiled. ‘Well that doesn’t matter. You can wear a suit and speak properly, you’re already there.’

I smiled as he stood up and walked to the window. He stood above his rosewood table and poured a tumbler full with Tanqueray. He took a long sip before returning to his chair.

He was a young man of around 30, yet wielded himself with the air of someone much older. A pristine blue suit jacket adorned his torso, with matching trousers leading down to patent leather Oxfords. A pure white Gant shirt lay under the jacket, and he wore a striped silk tie. His clothes mirrored the man.

Corporate.

Efficient. Successful.

English Department hosted a Professional Development Conference in the School’s Languages and Resource Centre, at which Patience was a keynote speaker.

Later, in the evening, Patience performed recent poems from her book ‘Telling Tales.’

Boys Will Be Boys Bella Read A husk of confidence now replaced by The smart blue bruise blossoming Into an ugly rose under his right eye A magnet to scornful stares, There will never be a reason as to why Fathers spur on valiant sons to their fall On the football pitch for the sake of a trophy Battle cries mingled with tears of bitter despair, Why a certain boy just isn’t like the others His difference that brings a swift blow to his right eye Leaving boys to mock “Why do you hit like a girl?”

Mother Oscar Chisholm One who has stood fast through wind and rain, And has lived to see the summer again.

One who has been burdened with heaps of snow, So that none falls on the soft earth below.

One who guards her seeds in the safety of the leaves Only to let them fly away, while she remains and weeps.

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Postcards from the Edge Middle School Prose Writers The UF short story competition was based on Annie Proulx’s novel ‘Postcards’, the story of a 40-year odyssey across America undertaken

by Loyal Blood, a character on the guilty run from a nameless crime.

The readers’ prize – an award voted for by members of the UF year - was won by Ronnie d’Apollo-Lynch and the runner up in the main competition was Josh Fetuga.

This year’s celebrity judge was Fiona MacKenzie, the School librarian, who is an avid Annie Proulx fan. Miss MacKenzie chose Helena Walsh as the winner, commenting that her story ‘could have been written by Ms Proulx herself - the choice of adjectives and syntax are brilliantly sustained and the tension in the final scene is finely crafted.’

Winner

Reduced to muck. Until they passed a mother, hands overburdened with cloth and the weight of responsibility for the small child lying peacefully in her arms. Just a babe. Not even a year, he’d have thought.

September 9th 1954 - Arostock, Maine Helena Walsh

A big old wind has blown through this place. Not much is left behind it.

Children’s children are the crown of old men (Proverbs, 17:6). The road wanders on.

Mr and Mrs Mink Blood R7D Cream Hill Vermont

Old Carol had blown itself out and left little in her wake. Charred cats and scalded dogs sloped round every corner. Children, disarrayed, roamed in search of homes shaken from existence. Grimed. Sulking in their own debris. Mournful smoke trailed out the window to Blood’s left and a telephone stand lay on its side by the old butcher’s shop, its only marker a smashed sign that lay rotting in the damp.

What was left of the old town lay with it and the filth that feasted on it. Idly they wandered through the wreckage, picking their way with a queer composure and silence, aside from Eddie’s routine murmurs, infused with dismay, cut up by bitterness.

“God almigh’y...”

“Just a storm they said…”

“Where we gon’ sell the potatoes now eh?”

“Just a’ storm...”

“God almigh’y...”

Stagnant in gunk that had replaced the road, they roamed further and further. He saw the old chapel he had visited at sunrise every morning since he’d arrived. Stooped in a crooked stance with the roof fallen in. He pitied its weariness. A glimpse of the market that sold their potatoes – sweet and small.

Funny how one so light could be such a burden. Just like Hartley’s little one. Oh that godforsaken child. A tyrant of relentless cries that speared you. A smell that never failed to make Loyal retch to the belly of his gullet. And yet. And yet… June in Vermont, at Willoughy Beach. Beaming water lapping up over their wriggling toes, still playing fresh in his mind.

Joanne Hartley. An eccentric mess of a girl.

‘Chubby, but sweet faced. Charming. Knocked up early, only 19. Eyes that could entice anyone,’ the Indian’s Book read. Loyal never knew the father. Whenever he asked she always said the same: “He ain’t never comin’ back, so you ain’t needin’ to know nothing.”

Or once, a few months before his departure, “Took one look at the bump and was off, cheatin’ little wet smack.” A mayfly, living for a day, never seen again. Landing on a curious little girl.

And at the water’s edge, Billy. A face stolen by laughter. Lustrous auburn whipping round her face in a ceaseless dance. Ivory skin, smooth to touch, yet cold. Piercing cold. Her toes, corpse blue in the water, squirmed and squealed and pressed themselves deep into fleshy, wet sand. Small sighs of water crept further and further up her delicate limbs, silky from the freshwater tease, glossy and sleek like the raw slabs of rock, cool under her supple feet. Every move, soft and elegant, as he sat and watched her play, the tender warmth at heart spreading out through his body and into the sand beneath with every breath.

He’d been left to tend the little one, up high on a sand bank away from the water’s edge.

He’d prepared himself for incessant noise, wailings and bawling. But she stayed quiet today. Cheeks rosy with content and a warm, buttery expression. Blinking in the golden sunlight, giggling with no source of amusement. Turning to face the mass of floral

print and the rolls of flesh, he scowled at her.

But she just gurgled more, shaking her fat fists at him with a hilarity that he could not understand.

“What’s so damn funny?” he glowered at her with disdain. Her eyes sparkling with delight.

“I said what’s so goddam funny?!” Shaking sand from his flannel shorts he stumbled over to her, face reddening. Her giggles increasing.

“I said what’s so godda-” His words collapsed as he felt a tiny hand grab his finger, and hang there, hooked from his heart. He looked deep into her eyes. Cobalt. Like blue irises. He’d never wanted children. He’d never liked others, let alone wanted his own.

He blinked, shaking himself , taking up her open arms and holding her in his embrace. A weightless load, slotting comfortably in the space of his heart. They tottered down the banks, giddy in the wind, captured by joy.

Spray laughed through his curls, glad to be free, and sun gleamed off their skin, off their fingers that held them together. Loyal looked down at those same fingers now, gnarled and carved from years of memoirs. Tales and tragedies. Like old willow hands twisted and curled into hard flesh he barely recognised.

‘Oh that godforsaken child. A tyrant of relentless cries that speared you’

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‘His eyelids were weighted, and he thought as he prayed that the road might smoothen and find him some sleep.’

Runner-Up March 1963 - near Alabama Josh Fetuga

Dear Gramma and Gramps, been along time since I saw y’all do you have papa’s watch, cause papa’s not doing very well. I hope you stil live in Alabama, cause I cant go home for a while. See you soon, hopefuly Sinserely, Loyal

Mr and Mrs Blood #3756 Vengeance Alabama

The gravelly crunch of the dirt road, carved by wheels that passed before them, lulled Loyal Blood awake. Fingers quivering, in the rear of an icy truck, he pointed the constellations out to himself. His eyelids were weighted, and he thought as he prayed that the road might smoothen and find him some sleep. The next time he opened his eyes the horizon was drowned in purples and reds by the golden disc emerging from it. After a moment of reluctance to wake up, the sound of running water flushed him into awareness. Propped up on the cool metal, he gazed upon a river coursing beside the road.

This was not the way to Alabama. A cloud of doubt hung above his head. Hitchhiking always tugged at his nerves.

"Martin?" he called out. The driver said nothing. Loyal, concluding that he had not been heard, struck the truck frame with the flat of his fist. "Martin! I think you may have taken a wrong turn." He bellowed in an effort to trump the drum of the engine. The wind carried Martin's message assuring him that they were merely low on fuel.

Martin brought them round into Holly Springs to refuel. While he stopped at a gas station, Loyal went in to a bar for a beer. The bar was named Criddle's.

Ben Barkley had a good name by Holly Springs’ standards. It had a strong Anglo Saxon sound. It was hard to spell wrong and no one was going to nickname you anything other than 'Barky Boy'. However Ben Barkley was lonely. He had married at twenty-two to an easy girl named Valencia out of a fear of dying alone, and had spent a good portion of his life in empty conversations over the dining table. At nights he would get as drunk as possible in Criddle's Bar and would come home to an empty house, smelling like he'd doused his clothes in other men's vomit. Ben Barkley was awfully handsome, but there were few women in Memphis that caught his eye.

Ben Barkley was a homosexual. No one knew anything about it.

That night a man from Vermont walked into a bar. He had a darling face, but didn't seem at all well off. Criddle's did not often receive handsome men due to the fact Holly Springs was a tiny town. Drunk and confident, he composed himself as much as a tipsy man can, making eye contact with the newcomer and patted the barstool next to him indicating that he take a seat. “What's your name, friend?" "Uh, it's Loyal”. Ben grinned at that.

Spinning on his stool to face the bartender he exclaimed, "Can I get a beer for me and my good man Loyal?" Then gesturing for Loyal to come closer, he whispered into his ear, "It's probably worth mentioning what kind of bar you’re in.” Tapping the side of his nose quietly slurred, "Don't worry sir, your secret is safe with me". Ben Barkley was drunk.

In thirty minutes so was Loyal, who would quickly forget about Martin. They talked for hours and later the two ran out into the night, Ben's hand around Loyal's wrist in search of his empty home. Perhaps had they not been so far gone they might have noticed the looks they were getting, from outraged men that were brought up with a hate. The rest was a blur. Loyal was confused. He had not touched a woman in years. He could not handle alcohol and it dug its way into his mind. His sexuality and reality became very fuzzy, but the next thing he knew, there was Ben, melting under his hands, rounding into a woman. At this point Ben to Loyal was not a man. Loyal was lost. No one knew anything about it.

They both sobered up pretty quickly when they head the scuffling of shoes on the wooden panelling outside the room. Perhaps had they not been so far gone they might have noticed the front door had been left unlocked. The door's hinges were tested when three burly men armed with baseball bats and crowbars rushed into the room at speed. They all smelt even more strongly of beer than the men under the sheets. There didn't seem to be much flowing through the drunks’ heads. As a single entity they all grunted, almost drowsily, 'Queers'.

The bat came down with a satisfying thump on the mattress where Loyal's arm had been moments before. Loyal rolled across the bed and scrambled to his feet, Ben finding his feet half a second later but already the second man was upon them, arms spread to secure a hand hold. Adrenaline forced Loyal's first down on the man, who hit the floor with a sickening crack of his chin - unconscious. Now faced with a more even fight, Loyal's panic began to subside. The third man was on the smaller side, but his crowbar more than made up for it, slashing at the air in front of the two.

The fourth man had just finished splashing the house with petrol. The flick of his right hand brought his finger to life, and his left hand guarded it. The house roared up in flames, pouncing from plank to plank. No one knew anything about it. Inside the third man's wrists were caught in Loyal's hands, whilst Ben held a broken chair leg up in an attempt to ward off the baseball bat.

Loyal dropped the man’s arms and struck him in the face, quickly bringing his hand back and cradling it as if he had burned it. Enraged, Loyal kicked him square in the chest into the baseball bat wielder that went limp when his head hit the desk's edge. Heavy breath polluted the room as they sat on the bed.

Tendrils of smoke clawed at the windows and seeped through into the room. They both smelt it.

"I'm so sorry, Ben." Then a pause. "Do you hate me?"

There wasn't much to say.

The Christopher

Nicholson Award

There was a remarkable standard of entry for the Christopher Nicholson Award – the School’s senior Poetry in Translation contest.

The field of finalists eventually swelled to nine translations from no fewer than eight languages – a reflection of the quality, as well as the variety, of the work. Several of the entries are printed here: The final adjudication was completed by Sasha Dugdale, editor of Modern Poetry In Translation magazine. During her visit, which featured a workshop on literary translation, Sasha chose Brakemi Ebi-Ogbomah’s translation of Chinua Achebe’s Igbo poem ‘Okigbo’s Funeral House’ as the award winner.

Wongol Poem III From the Creole of Emmanuel Ejan

Danielle Carbon-Wilson Ten-O’Clock-Flower, scarred by its name.

A Tetanus stab from the hands of the clock.

The flower is dead.

Nothing is said.

It lies on the ground, its funeral bed.

Poetry by Heart Kwame Owusu won a memorable Poetry By Heart contest held in the LARC Library.

Poetry by Heart is a national recitation contest, the brainchild of former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion. Reciting to a packed house, Kwame won with a dramatic rendition of W. E. du Bois’ ‘The Song of Smoke’ and Anna Wickham’s ‘Divorce’. Runner up and senior champion was Robbie Anand.

Another flower bleeds in a sweet bloodbath.

Stained rage-red.

Hibiscus: her name.

He takes his place.

Birds hide their face.

Poinciana, he’s called, master race.

The hummingbird calls in Ayida's ear, Cries turn to wind.

From wind to word The message is spread, a river of red.

But she hears nothing over Royalty's tread.

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The Drunk and the Tightrope Walker From the Portuguese of Aldir Blanc

Carolina Trinker The night, it collapsed and crumbled like the Frontin And a staggering drunk dressed in black sorrow Ambled like sweet Chaplin; And madam of the brothel, Senhora Moon, Asked each and every frigid star to Cross her palm with some gold.

Okigbo’s

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

Funeral House

When a new dance is learnt, now who will dance for us?

When war has commenced, who will carry our guns?

We call for the man praised for what he does well.

Now, you can see that the dance is approaching!

Now you can see that the war has begun!

The war-crier calls and the Igbo hero answers!

For we call for the man praised for what he does well.

We are looking for Okigbo Hiding in play.

From the Igbo of Chinua Achebe

Brakemi Ebi-Ogbomah Who are we looking for?

Who are we looking for?

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

If he’s gone to fetch wood – we hope he returns.

If he’s gone to fetch water – we hope he returns.

If he’s gone to the market – we hope he returns.

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

Who are we looking for?

Who are we looking for?

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

If he goes to fetch wood, may the woods not devour him!

If he goes to fetch water, may the stream spit him out!

If he goes to the market, may gossip avoid him!

If he goes to war, may his fallen comrades And his spirit-agemates steer clear of his way!

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

Who are we looking for?

Who are we looking for?

Who are we looking for?

Who are we looking for?

Where is Okigbo?

Hiding-in-play?

No sound, silence, the dance has stopped suddenly!

Our mask has fallen, detached in the heat of the feast!

The rains have come down and drenched the hero, The rains have come down and drenched his mates!

The flute of the spirits has been smashed to pieces, The pot-drum that spurred on the dancers is gone!

My precious young man! Young man of Anambra!

The young man struck in the circle of blood!

Lord of the spirits come down and help us!

We are looking for Okigbo.

He is hiding-in-play.

Stain-tortured clouds in a blotting-paper sky Pulled and tugged at each smudge they sailed by – Que sufoco!

Louco!

And the drunk in his bowler hat sang Out a thousand impieties in The dark Brazilian night – Meu Brasil!

Oh, dreams of returning heroes they swell, still; So many fled against their will, And to a rocket’s tail were Shackled Whilst their dear mothers and dear wives, Clarisses, Marias, were weeping On the soil of Brazil.

As Hope capers along the trembling tightrope, With each step on this cord so fine it Could well plummet!

Armed with a parasol it capers on and Yet I am still certain that this pain Surely can’t be in vain – Azar!

Our gambling tightrope-walking Hope, it Knows, for each and every single artist, That the show must go on

Winning Translation Beatrix Crinnion won the Stephen Spender Award for Poetry Translation. Swedish, Japanese and Modern Greek are languages not currently taught at CH but that did not stop our pupils taking awards for their skills in translating poetry from these languages.

Against pupils from some of the top schools in the country, Beatrix took joint first prize for her translation of ‘Allegro’ by Tomas Tranströmer.

Alexandra Seizani-Dimitriadi was commended whilst Year 13 pupil Euan McGinty received a similar accolade.

What Hands Remember From the Swedish of Johanna Ekström

Beatrix Crinnion arms by your sides as if you are waiting for the great words sleeping under your palms a sweet is sucked to a shard the words are like glass splinters under the nail Who has died of love Swaddled in silk the children sleep crusted mouths and eyes they have no mouth where mouths should be nor sight where sight should be Who hides behind their wounds From these hands fire can blaze features are burned away

into consecrated fury Hands lower like tulip leaves sweep away heredity Like hands do in sleep they remember their loneliness She lays the leaves over the children covering them with her palms No one has died of love There is something in the air I have never felt

Che From the Spanish of Mario Benedetti

Kwame Owusu

They have smothered him in banners / posters in the voices of the barricades in retrospective slander in belated glory they have remodelled him into spectacle into incidental memory into an irrecoverable yesterday

they have decided to use him as an epilogue / a supplement as a faultless vanity as the archetypal add-on to saint / Satan simultaneously and perhaps they have decided the only way to rid themselves of him to dismiss him to the gutter is to gut him of light to turn him into a hero of marble or plaster dormant or better to make him mythic a silhouette / spectre of the downtrodden past nevertheless the eyes the unopenable eyes of The Che they look as if they could not look saddened / astonished maybe by the ‘freedom’ he does not know thirty years on he is still fighting kind-hearted/ steadfast for the good of mankind

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Younger

Translators There were several fine entries for the junior and intermediate translation contests, run by the English, Classics and MFL Departments.

The prize-winning entries are published here.

In My Dream I Chased Some Leaving Shadows From the Russian of Konstantin Balmont

Katherine Linaker (Junior Winner) In my dream, I chased some leaving shadows In fading daylight the dim shadows left.

I climbed up the tower, the stairs shook beneath me.

A stair made of sand felt my dreary foot’s heft.

And the higher I went, I understood clearer I pictured more clearly far outlines of ground.

A strange sort of sound rang out in the distance, Sky and earth’s tune rang out all around.

And the higher I went, the brighter they glittered, Those slumbering peaks shone forceful and bright The glowing farewell that gently embraced me, Gently embraced my blurred, tinted sight.

And down underneath me the night had soon fallen, Had fallen already on this sleeping land.

The fire of the sun had dazzled my vision, The dazzling sun burned on the far-distant sand.

At last I could catch those strange leaving shadows, Those dim leaving shadows of darkening day.

And I kept climbing higher - forever the stairs shook, Stairs of sand shaking beneath my foot’s way.

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Delicatessen

The Monogram Pt III

From the Italian of Aldo Palazzeschi

From the Modern Greek of

Tommy Worth (Junior Runner-Up) “Kilo-, demi-, hecto-gram, Cheese, salami, parma ham, Sardines, dried cod, anchovies...”

Voices from this realm of grease…

“Are you going to serve me?

I’m in a hurry, can’t you see?”

“Wait! Me next!” a housemaid shouts.

Another servant gets thrown out.

“Can I have the usual cheese, With a little rind, if you please?”

And confident, the grocer’s hand carves a breach in the parmesan.

Pull and push, push and pull, Make the weight exact and full.

Hurrying up, waiting, slicing Cutting up, weighing, dicing.

Entering, leaving on the hop, Here to shop until you drop: Constant notes of the symphony Of the ‘ancient’ grocery.

Let Us Hurry From the French of Guillaume Apollinaire

Helena Thornton (Intermediate Winner) And the night comes, and the lilies die.

See my sadness, beautiful sky, that sends me such a melancholy night.

Listen, child and sister, Who tread, poor, down the highway, Listen to the forest of lies that surges at my voice, The flames burning souls to ash.

Along the Boulevard de Grenelle, Amongst the lacework of Maytime trees, Walk the workers and their bosses In the name of God, stop boasting and hurry up We have to hurry!

All the telegraph poles That run along the quay That cross the breast of France, Amidst the posies of lilies Which grow thick along the walkway In the name of God, let's hurry up We have to hurry!

Heart in mouth, Pauline simpers At the workers and their bosses.

Oh yes, oh yes, you pretty flirtAnd your brother just as bad!

In the name of God, let's hurry up We have to hurry!

Odysseus Elytis

Alexandra Seizani-Dimitriadi (Intermediate Runner-Up) This is how I talk about you and me, Because this is how I love and in love I will enter like a celestial body infiltrating every part, drawing your tiny foot into these vast sheets, scattering jasmine blossoms – this is the strength I have, while you sleep, to be able to blow and take you inside the moonlit passages and the secret arcades of the sea and the silvering spiders among hypnotised trees How you feel, how you kiss how you whisper ‘what’ and ‘when’ and around your pulsing neck will always be us and the lights and the shadows You will always be the star and I will always be the dark ship you will always be the harbour and I the beacon of light by your side, the wet quay and the shiny wash of the oars And up above a clematis-covered house of tied roses and water-crystals you will always be the stone statue and I its growing shadow the warped shutters, you, the air that opens them, me because I love you and I love you you will always be the coin and I its collector’s adoration This much darkness and this much wind so many droplets in the air and so much silence around the tyrannical sea and the sky a window to all the stars but there is so little of your breath And now that I have nothing else inside these four walls, just the ceiling, just the floor to shout for you and slap me back in echo, and the smell of you riling those around us something untried and from somewhere else imported the people cannot tolerate But it is too early , do you hear me it is too early in this world, my love To talk about you and me.

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LE

Poets In the LE poetry competition, based on the Art Department’s teenage-themed photography exhibition, Dan Guo-Mayo won the readers’ prize – voted for by members of his year. His poem, ‘Mess’, was unusually also chosen for the judge’s prize by Dr Stuart Thomson, who admired ‘the sense of energy,

We Are The Future the careful ear for language, and the judicious use of form.’

For its ‘distinctive and striking use of imagery, and the careful control and depth of metaphor, Yasmina Mohamud’s poem ‘You’ was runner-up.

Short-listed entries are printed here.

Lucia Walsh

We are the future, An undiscovered generation emerging from the shadows, Equipped with ideas for a better world, Brimming with confidence as a revolution Is brought on by our changing views.

We are the future, A society conforming to a single set of rules, Connected by the comfort of oneness and unity, Yet the power of this comfort has gotten so great That there is a misleading sense of community.

We are the future, An increasing hope of a truly happy life, Fuelled by dissatisfaction of what we already have, We are all lost in our first world worries And we’re not even grateful enough to say thanks…

Mess Dan Guo-Mayo mess, it depresses, possesses and oppresses the best when we detect, assess and confess our distress Why? request, for why we are obsessed and depressed about regrets and digress with stress expressed Why? contest, of finesse and aggress to suggest the coalesce and manifest of the abscess in the recess of our intellect Why? progress, we test, but nevertheless it always supersedes and fatigues our intrigues which perceives Why? suppressed, our nets of concepts, that combine and entwine, inflicting, constricting,

restricting Why? arrested, texted and further invested in the excess to reassess but we transgress, refreshed the processed Why? guessed, we opened the chest, but lest, pressed the quest of detest still infesting, molesting and wresting Why? unsucceeded, proceeded with unneeded greed of finding and minding, defining our binding Why? wandered, we squandered, pondered, yet still named, trained and constrained in this game that was made Why? deepened, weakened, weeped but reaped the surprise of no demise that hides from our eyes Why? rested, we nearly bested, still tested, thoughts crested, however it is never, or ever, better if it fetters still

We are the future, A world where people are trapped inside their minds, And we are all choking on poisonous air, Not just trapped by walls, but also by fear Of a planet that is damaged beyond repair.

Yet, We ARE the future, Not a prediction, nor a projection, Not written in stone, as many would say, Not in the hands of one person, but rather Something that changes day by day.

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You Yasmina Mohamed

You. And your Elysian touch Makes the world more ethereal than it already is.

Wanderlust has begun to eat us, Inch by inch, Money and morals deteriorating by the hour.

Weepy eyes and jagged elbows Grimy dishes and just you More comforting now, since you’ve stuck around for a while I’ve grown to love it all, As your halo glows, Everlasting and pure.

Everything is long lived, You used to say But how can that be when we yearn for freedom endlessly ‘Teenage zealots” Is what you called us You & Me But living like this has to end at some pointwe’re not forever young Forever in this state Our hearts may be, Begrudgingly beating on, But not us.

You left The next morning Everything shattered Shards piercing into more than just skin The mess that is now us is a sticky ugliness PVA glue of everything we lost You made the pillow clouds wail When you left Their marshmallow children screaming All waiting to leak In haunting unison Since you had made everything golden But now all bronze and copper is gone.

So what now do I have to seek refuge in?

What is my purpose here if you’re gone?

I’m empty.

A lost cause, cul-de-sac of feelings Maybe you should just let me burn.

Jadesola Odunjo came within a whisker of being crowned 2016 Poetry by Heart champion.

Jade, one of the youngest in the final of this year’s competition, performed brilliantly in front of a large crowd at the Brighton Jubilee Library and was pipped at the post.

Your Happy Place Holly Maclean Surrounded by darkness, Look up and then be unsettled by lurking of rumours, Look down and you detect all the lies, Look in the mirror: you are faced with fake, No hope, Emotion Never any trust.

I look upon you and see darkness, A lost soul screaming for the truth, Free thinking, Needing to explore, BUT, Never seeing the good.

Tell the truth, Do not be afraid, Blocking out the darkness, Looking in on your care, finding contentment with yourself, Music, Colour, Comfort, Soul, Everything will change.

Within every light there is darkness, Within every darkness there is light,

Teenage Gustaw Koss I watched as she put the mask on.

She had escaped it this long. 13 years.

Today was her thirteenth birthday.

It was only on the 21st hour, in exactly 7 years, that she would be able to take it off.

That’s how we dealt with the teens.

Twenty years ago, it was different.

They roamed the streets of the cities, wild and free.

Free.

Mood swings, late mornings and late nights, they were free to do what they wanted.

Free.

Those were my days.

Now, we have decided that no one is free.

That they must conform to our rules.

And that this word ‘teenage’ is to be cast out of our society.

As soon as they turn thirteen, they are treated like adults.

The masks will soon blend into their daily life.

That’s why she wanted me to take a picture.

To remember who she was.

Like all the alcohol we set to the fire.

Creeping up on you. The darkness, Lifting each lie at a time, You are not afraid, You accept who you are.

And now, it’s not coming off, a permanent label, a soulless indicator to the general public.

She is a teenager.

She is the future

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HOCKEY Captain: Morounfoluwa Ojikutu Vice-Captain: Tiah Cudjoe-Cole Colours: Morounfoluwa Ojikutu Certificate of Endeavour: Tiah Cudjoe-Cole, Leonie von Loeper, Eloise Wroe Wright, Mariam Ipese, Zoe Vallinga, Stephanie Addo-Quaye

Hazel Rowland-Jones

L

ast season, I started my report with: ‘As I come to the end of my reign as Head of Girls’ Games, overseeing hockey, netball, tennis and rounders, I can look back at the 28 years I have been at CH and see just how far the girls have come in all sports.’

Sometimes, the best laid plans fall apart and here I am writing what definitely will be my last overview as we welcome Richard Barlow to Christ’s Hospital as the new Director of Hockey.

It is an exciting time for Richard and hockey as plans are in place for a second artificial turf pitch to be ready by October half term. This will result in the game being taken to another level and we can strive to be the best hockey school in the south east.

This has been a season where the girls have again risen to the occasion and produced an impressive set of statistics. There is still much competition for places and commitment to training is good, whatever the weather.

This season, it was decided to amalgamate the U16 squads with the Deps and Grecians and use it as a development year and this has been very successful.

The first team and U13 sevens teams were entered into the newly-formed Independent Schools Hockey Cup. The U13 sevens had a good 1st round win but met a strong Surbiton High School side (who went on to win the overall competition) in the 2nd round.

Despite having a mixed season in friendly fixtures, the firsts played some exciting hockey and reached the quarter finals, playing Cheadle Hulme School from Greater Manchester. CH held them on the pitch but went down 1–4.

The House competitions were again played in great spirit. The Intermediate competition was particularly competitive with the result coming down to a four-way penalty stroke competition.

I must thank Captain Folu Ojikutu for her contribution to hockey. I have worked with Folu since she started at CH and she is a young lady with great speed and skill. She has been a great ambassador for the game.

House Competitions Senior Hockey Block Cup Ties Leigh Hunt Intermediate Hockey Cup Ties Barnes Junior Hockey Cup Ties Leigh Hunt

‘We deservedly made it to the quarter finals of the national hockey tournament.’

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1st XI Tiah Cudjoe-Cole (vice-captain) Having played first team hockey since GE, Folu Ojikutu (captain) and I were excited to lead a team which was both significantly younger than in previous years and perhaps younger than the schools we would compete against.

It was with this in mind that we sceptically yet enthusiastically began the season, embracing the challenge placed before us by our coaches, Mrs Heslop and Mrs R-J. Despite our doubts, the season progressed in an unforgettably positive manner. Irrespective of the inevitable losses we suffered initially as a young team finding its footing, our squad gelled, working on our weaknesses and building on our strengths.

We were encouraged by Mrs Heslop’s ritual of finding three positive and negative points after each match we played.

Folu and I believe it was this constructive analysis, coupled with the determination and passion CH teams seem to naturally possess, which led to our ultimate highlight as a squad, when we deservedly made it to the quarter finals of the national hockey tournament.

Each member of the squad had something to teach the rest, be it in their skill, their fitness, their maturity or their desire.

Heather Golding continuously demonstrated phenomenal skill on the pitch, sparking innovative thinking in the rest of the team, while Sadie illustrated determination and improvement, excelling from the seconds to become a fundamental member of the squad.

The season was an amazing way to end a vigorous seven years of hockey and we’re sure that the future is in good hands with the younger members of our squad taking on positions of leadership.

2nd XI Daniel Farnfield A good number of players from the previous year had remained and were ably joined by new members.

The squad gelled quickly and formed a strong bond that remained throughout the season.

The opening fixture was a hard fought 1-1 draw at Epsom College. In the following three fixtures, the team recorded good victories over Sutton Valence School (1-0), Bedales School (5-1) and Churcher’s College (1-0).

Throughout this time, the girls continued to train hard, showing a desire to improve their game individually and build on their strong

1st XI

2nd XI team spirit.

The season saw only two defeats and the girls showed real determination in both of these matches (St John’s 0-5 and Sevenoaks 0-1).

The two games that stand out came against Brighton College and Collyer’s College.

On a cold and wet Saturday in late November, the girls travelled to the coast to face a welldrilled Brighton College side. The match was hard fought, with every girl giving their all for the badge. The match ended goalless, but the team had shown passion and should be proud of the result.

Against Collyer’s, the team did not have the best first half and found themselves 0-1 down.

We were a different team in the second half and the girls scored four unanswered goals.

Mercedes Scantlebury was a deserving winner of the Most Improved Player award. By the end of the season, she had moved into the first team squad. Helen Baldwin grew as the season progressed and it was not long until she was commanding the midfield.

Though these two ladies may have won the awards, I must mention the Grecians (Heather, Charlotte, Luna, Liberty, Laura, Olivia, Bila and Charlotte A) who all made a huge impact.

This leaves one Grecian, our captain Stephanie

3rd XI Addo-Quaye, who has lived for the second team these past two years. She has led by example and has been a real credit to the team and School.

3rd XI Peter Bromfield This season, the thirds were involved in nine games, winning two, drawing one and losing six.

One of the most impressive parts of the season for me as coach, was the improvement and commitment shown by every one of the players. The girls bonded together to form a strong squad in which they all wanted to help each other. The team was a combination of GE, Deps and Grecians. This meant that the team members took a while to get used to each other.

Our first win of the season came against Charterhouse School, one of the most exciting games of school hockey I have seen. The sheer determination and passion from the team was

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incredible and they thoroughly deserved the 2-0 win.

The girls were determined to win another game before the end of the season and produced a tight 1-0 win against City of London Freemans School.

The girls deserve a lot of credit for the way they performed and they should all be pushing on towards playing for the first or seconds next season. Thank you girls, you were a pleasure to coach.

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Under 15A Tom White

Under 14A Laura Durkan

4th XI Digby Don

Some early walkovers against Epsom College and Sevenoaks School didn’t prepare us particularly well for the rigours of the final three games.

Lord Wandsworth College and Brighton College took their chances and we left both games knowing that we could have won if we’d played our best hockey.

The girls had worked hard on their game and wanted to finish the season against Eastbourne College on a strong note. A thumping 3-0 victory followed, the product of steady progress.

The girls showed a lively sense of humour and it was pleasing to see three year groups playing together. Gabrielle Akin earned the Most Improved Player award; as the season progressed she became the linchpin of the defence.

Captain Georgia Smith was named Player of the Season; she put a great deal of effort into matches, training sessions and into assisting other players as well as the coach. I wish the whole team well next year.

The objective for the term was to develop basic skill sets and tactical play. As an added aspect, the girls were expected to become more versatile and play in more than one field position.

12 matches were played, with good victories recorded against Sutton Valence School, Farlington School, Lord Wandsworth College and Sevenoaks School. For the remainder of the matches, the team was defeated, sometimes only narrowly. The joint top scorers were Halima and Helena, both with four.

It has been a pleasure coaching this team. To see the progress they have made in such a short period of time is most encouraging for their future hockey careers at CH.

There was some fantastic matches and great wins, with the most noticeable game being a strong performance against Eastbourne College in the Sussex County U14 tournament.

It was here that the girls hit a turning point and started to believe in their ability.

The Most Improved Player award went to Chloe Joiner and Player of the Season was Elina Sorokina. Daisy O'Callaghan deserves a mention for her commitment and Ellen Farrelly and Leah Zabari for some fantastic performances.

Under 13s Caroline Hitchcock

Under 15B Claire Page

We won five, drew three and lost one game, and the girls have been a pleasure to coach.

They are motivated, determined and have worked well as a team.

Lydia Thornhill has been solid at the back, showing flexibility and determination. The midfield have been strong, in particular Scarlet Northern. She has worked hard at centre half, distributing the ball and making some great runs. In defence, Naomi Hayden made strong tackles. All the girls have worked hard and improved their understanding of the game.

The squad is large, holding 45 players, and there has been a lot of movement between teams. All of the coaches have been impressed with the development of players over the season. We have all enjoyed coaching and supporting them.

The U13 A team, captained by Aiysha Alli, has had a tough season, playing some extremely strong opponents. The team improved on last year’s results by beating Farlington and progressing in the U13 School's Cup competition.

The tactics have developed, especially in set pieces, with goalkeeper AJ (Anaika Brako) and left back Katherine Linaker showing defensive determination.

The team has achieved five wins, four losses and one draw, scoring 32 goals in 13 matches and conceding only 16 goals. Aiysha was awarded Most Improved Player and Flo Nomafo was Player of the Season.

The U13 C team has won five of its seven fixtures. Each player has made considerable progress in terms of ball skills and tactical awareness and their ability to work well as a team has developed.

Anita Osaki Braide was named Most Improved

Player and Player of the Season was awarded to Imani Tokpanoude for her contribution in defence.

The U13 D team had a number of victories during a brilliant season. All of the girls have worked hard and improved their performance from week to week and consequently have been a pleasure to coach.

Doune Henderson-Kirk was awarded Most Improved Player and Player of the Season went to Harriet Gilkes for consistent goalscoring ability.

U13 A Under 12s Tom White / Sue Heslop For six weeks, the girls were taught the basic skills of running with the ball, passing and receiving the ball, playing fun games in the process.

The girls really benefitted from the small group coaching sessions that we were able to offer, as we were fortunate to have four staff available at most sessions.

We decided to run four teams this year, so over 30 girls were given the opportunity to play. The A and B teams played regularly and consequently the standard of their play moved on at a rapid rate. Special mention to Grace and Lily Lane, Alex Anyanwu, Eleanor Moorcroft and Hannah Chujor, all of whom worked tirelessly.

The results of the matches for the C and D teams were mixed; but a lot of experience was gained and the girls had fun!

U12 A

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Boys Hockey Daniel Farnfield & Peter Bromfield

We started the season with a convincing 4-1 victory over Angmering School, the goals coming from Tom Carter, Carl Koester and Sammy France (two).

This was followed up with a hard game against Seaford College and then a cracking match against Reigate College which ended in a 2-2 draw, with every single member of the squad giving their all. Peter Callas should be mentioned for literally putting his body on the line on a number of occasions!

As the first half of the season progressed, it was clear that this side had formed a close bond. This was coming through on the pitch as the boys were producing fine performances and gaining very good results.

Nowhere was this more evident than at the Sussex Sixes tournament, which CH entered

for the first time. The boys put in fantastic performances against some traditionally very strong hockey schools. There were many highlights from this tournament, including the opening fixture when we drew against Eastbourne College, who went on to win the tournament.

The second half of the season saw the boys continue to progress with victories over Lord Wandsworth College and Charterhouse School. The final game of the season saw CH travel to St John’s, Leatherhead. Again, the boys showed determination, never giving up and scoring with the last play of the game to secure a 2-2 draw.

The squad should reflect on what has been the most successful season in a number of years, with only two defeats all season. Alex Walker has led by example as captain.

‘Peter Callas should be mentioned for literally putting his body on the line on a number of occasions!’

SQUASH

The Senior boys’ and girls’ squash teams have shown improvement throughout the season.

The boys managed to win most of their matches with consistently strong performances from Daniel Storer, Peter Batchelar, Xarius Delal and outstanding captain Kyle Tang. Rhian Daniel was among the stand out players for the girls, with coaching from squash professionals Ben Hutton and Kit Pearman.e a real difference.

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1st XI

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2nd XI

CRICKET Overview Howard Holdsworth

W

e welcomed Jon Grindrod to take charge of the U12 year group. Jake Mackenzie-Rollinson helped out Andy Turner with the U15s, whilst Richard Malpass took on the second team and Digby Don moved to be i/c the U14 group.

The main talking point was the Martin Berrill Sports League, which began in 2014 when CH came third in the competition.

This season, with fine performances from the first team and U15A - both of whom were undefeated - and U14A, we were clear winners.

The second team contributed one win, thanks largely to Tom Carter’s extraordinary innings of 161 – the highest for many a year by a CH player. There were also further centuries scored at U14A level, two by Solly Woodall and one by Gus Freeman.

Both boys made a huge impression in their first year at CH and continued impressing in the holidays for Buckinghamshire and Kent respectively. It was also pleasing to learn of Lottie Woodall’s progress with the Bucks Ladies U17 and Adult teams.

The two standout bowling performances were

by Stephen Marsh, who took seven wickets in the first team match versus the Old Blues, and

by Maxwell Singh-Kingdom, who took six wickets against Reigate Grammar School for the U13A team.

A large glass has to be raised to Stuart Whittingham, who began the season on a Junior Professional contract at Sussex. After a

‘After a string of impressive performances for Sussex 2nd XI, Stuart made his County Championship debut for Sussex’

string of impressive performances for Sussex seconds, he made his County Championship debut for Sussex away against Derbyshire. He managed to shine in his run of County matches, taking 18 wickets. He was then awarded a full contract, which keeps him at Sussex until the end of the 2018 season. We congratulate him and wish him well.

1st XI It was a pleasingly successful season for this young team: The final statistics were won eight, lost five, abandoned two.

We were slow out the blocks with a distinctly average performance in the Langdale T20 Cup at Lancing College, but put the experience behind us to win the opening league match away at Seaford College. Ambrose Thwaites led the bowling with 3-20, and a mature knock from Peter Bachelar saw us to a pleasing win.

We followed this up with a win against Reigate Grammar School with Thwaites (3-17) again the pick of the bowlers. Tom Carter (51*) played the significant innings in a six wicket win.

Three days later, we secured a second league

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U15A victory over Worth School. Our score of 168 looked within them, but a fine spell of leg-spin from Stephen Marsh (4-26) saw us home.

Lord Wandsworth College were next. Their 167-6 total did not challenge us as Albert Burgess (55) and Will Freeman (64*) put on a century opening partnership, with captain Alex Walker securing victory with a flurry of boundaries.

We lost in the T20 Cup to Brighton College, despite good knocks from Burgess (40) and Eric Swinn-Ward (37), then should have won against Kingston College. Walker and Burgess (4-32) bowled well early on, but sloppy fielding let the opposition off the hook.

We produced an excellent team performance to lay the ghost of 2015 to rest against Caterham School. Freeman (95 – how did he miss out on a century?) and Burgess put on 85 before Walker (56*) and Swinn-Ward (47*) plundered 92 runs in the last eight overs. Our total of 241-3 was the best of the season.

Marsh (4-39) and Walker (3-22) were the pick of the bowlers as we won by 103 runs.

At home to Sevenoaks School, only U15 debutant Ben Kinnear (34) impressed in the face of some tidy bowling. Burgess and Walker bowled with hostility and the spin twins of Marsh (3-21) and Sam Hannon (3-7) reduced Sevenoaks to 66-7, but Sevenoaks reached their target of 97 with one ball remaining.

We were without our only Grecian, Alex Walker, against Sussex Martlets. As well as Freeman captained in his absence, we missed Alex’s extra pace and were reliant on Sam Hannon, who bowled a fine spell of 17 overs to claim five scalps. Freeman (73) batted beautifully, but too many batsmen played poor shots.

The league fixture against City of London Freemen’s School ended abruptly after just 21

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U15B overs with heavy rain falling. We would have liked to have clinched the league with a fourth victory. We managed to defeat an Old Blues XI the next day. They had lost talented players in the preceding week and had no counter to a stunning spell of leg-spin bowling by Marsh (7-33).

Another victory was claimed over our guests from Scotland, Gordonstoun. Freeman again made useful runs, but our batting was lacklustre in the face of tight bowling.

Fortunately we bowled quite well, with

Hannon (4-9) turning the tide as we ran out winners by 23 runs.

We bowled and fielded brilliantly in the 24 overs before lunch against the might of the MCC. Four different bowlers managed to reduce the MCC to 40-5 at lunch, with all of their batsmen being bowled. Sadly, the heavens opened and we were left to dream of what might have been.

We finished the season in fine fashion with a comprehensive seven wicket win over our friends Wellsway School from Bristol. A good performance in the field and with the ball helped to restrict their total. We lost two early wickets, but after a good partnership between Freeman (53*) and Swinn-Ward, it was fitting that skipper Alex Walker should be at the crease to savour victory in his final match for the School.

We would like to thank our two Grecians, Alex Walker and Stephen Marsh, who narrowly defeated Will Freeman to become the winner of the Somma Player of the Season trophy. We wish them well for the future. They have both been instrumental in helping this young team to develop.

Tom Carter hit an extraordinary 161 Team: Alex Walker*(capt.), Will Freeman* (v-capt.), Albert Burgess (Secretary), Stephen Marsh*, Sam Hannon, Oscar Williams, Sam Winsbury, Peter Bachelar, Tom Carter, Eric Swinn-Ward, Ambrose Thwaites (*Denotes 1st XI Colours)

Solly Woodall and Gus Freeman hit centuries for the U14A team

Also played: Jacob Taylor-Edwards, Jamie James-Cheeseman, Jordan Packham, Henry Condron, Ben Kinnear

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U14A 2nd XI There was a hardcore group of pupils who practised enthusiastically and gave their best every game.

We narrowly lost to Box Hill School’s first team in the opening fixture, just failing to chase down 166 despite a swashbuckling innings from skipper Jamie Martin.

In the first league game against Seaford College, there was a wonderful innings from Tom Carter, who strolled to the wicket with the score on 23-2. Some 21 overs later he was returning to the pavilion having hit a recordbreaking 161, which included 20 fours and eight sixes. We ran out winners by 135 runs, which proved to be our only victory.

We lost a low-scoring encounter at Reigate Grammar School, where Oscar Williams impressed with a determined knock.

We were outplayed by Worth School, who possessed a bowling attack that was worthy of a first team. We might have done a little better at Lord Wandsworth College, where Lottie Woodall’s two wickets kept us in the hunt, but only Tristan Chapman played an innings of sufficient substance.

Our only other completed match was at Kingston, where again we did not bowl consistently. We had little chance of overhauling a total of 207, but we gained respectability through good innings from Harry Taylor (38) and Lottie Woodall (41*).

U15 A The 15A team had another successful season, although never really mastered the T20 format, in which they lost five matches.

The first league match saw the reversal of last year’s result against Seaford College. We set a small total, based on sound innings from Henry Condron and Ben Kinnear. We bowled them out for just 54 thanks to good spells from

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U14B Condron (3-8) and Kavish Visaria-Shah (4-8) to win by 54 runs.

The middle order batted well in the next match to post a challenging total against Duke of Kent School, with six bowlers sharing the wickets.

The first real test came against Hurstpierpoint College in the Sussex T20. We were 20 runs shy of a challenging score, despite Logan Vickers’ spirited innings.

The second league match was against Worth School and we sneaked home by 20 runs after good knocks from skipper Kinnear and Vickers, whilst Nathan Cooper made 49 not out to see us to a respectable 174. Man of the match Cooper was also the pick of the bowlers.

In a resurrected fixture against Lord Wandsworth College, we dismissed them for 106 with three

‘Some 21 overs later, Tom was returning to the pavilion having hit a recordbreaking 161’

wickets for Visaria-Shah and a brace for James Catt and Condron. In reply, seven batsmen hit double figures as CH won by four wickets.

Next up was Bede’s School in the second Sussex T20. We struggled in the face of fine bowling to reach only 97, as Bede’s cruised to their target. Confidence was restored with a fine 38-run win over Kingston Grammar School, as we amassed 170-4 in 25 overs. There was a fine half-century from skipper Kinnear (56) and 44 from Condron, with Cooper the pick of the bowlers.

We followed this with a third win in the league over Caterham School. After dismissing them for 112, an opening stand of 59 by Vickers and Condron proved decisive.

We then defeated Warden Park School, with Ben Kinnear crafting another fine innings of 53 and James Catt and Luke Watts hitting some great blows in the last few overs. Warden Park made a spirited reply, falling just seven runs short, thanks to Visaria-Shah snaffling three wickets.

With the league retained following the downpour just before the City of London Freemen’s School game, the remaining matches were always going to be challenging.

The Reigate Grammar School U15A side contained two boys who batted regularly in the firsts, and their experience proved to be decisive as Reigate totalled 202-1. A fine knock of 60 not out from Cooper gave us respectability.

In the last week of term, we ventured down to King’s Bruton as a last minute-replacement in a four–team festival that was heavily impacted by bad weather. After losing the opener to Glenalmond College, we provided a good challenge to Merchiston Castle from Scotland, but one good knock saw them win.

The boys have improved so much in the last two seasons, showing much cricketing ability in a vastly improved fixture list to suggest that they should do very well at senior level.

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U15 B The U15Bs played six games and have shown continuous improvement.

The side is characterised by an opening order that are able to rotate the strike with accurate, quick singles. Batsmen such as Oliver Page, Anthony Macqueen, Tom Ekin and Ben Edell have hit some great boundaries.

A wide array of players have taken on bowling duties, but credit must go to captain Patrick Davis, Jonathan Feyibunmi, Alastair Neil, Ben Edell, Anthony Macqueen and Oliver Page for regularly stepping up to the mark.

Throughout the season, Charlie Robinson and Hatim Aessa have developed their all-round skills, both earning call-ups to the U15A team.

Patrick Davis has been a very vocal and enthusiastic captain, whilst Ronnie D’Apollo Lynch has developed his ability as wicketkeeper.

The season started with a fine performance against Box Hill School’s A team, although we lost the game. The team went on to beat Seaford College’s B team by 62 runs, with Ben Edell taking a wicket maiden and also scoring 38* with the bat.

Other matches have mostly been losses; however, development of core skills within the game has been evident.

U14 A The picture of five wins and three defeats barely captures a season of centuries, hat-tricks, acrobatic fielding and of course rain delays.

To win five games was a great achievement for this team. More pleasing, however, was the spirit in which games were played; the boys seem to understand the importance of enjoying cricket and fostering a good team spirit.

The resilient opening partnership of Alex Heath and Gus Freeman provided a firm foundation. They reached 50 without loss on three occasions, and Freeman scored a fine century against Caterham School.

Solly Woodall captained the side and did so with energy and perseverance. He is a destructive batsman on his day and centuries against Worth School and Warden Park School were particularly ruthless.

A batting collapse against Reigate Grammar School was salvaged by brave batting from Arthur Pinkney, Gabriel Rai and George Young.

When we needed runs quickly, Sefa Asamani would be on hand to smash a quick 20 and Isaac Lordon enjoyed a promising start to the season.

It’s fair to say that the side’s strength and depth lies in bowling and fielding. It would not be unusual to use nine bowlers in a game.

Arthur Pinkney finished the season on bristling

form and his hat-trick against Caterham School was a highlight, with Solly Woodall taking a deft stumping to remove the third man.

The other frontline seamers (Oliver Heath, Finn Usher-Harford, Alex Heath and Isaac Lordon) all offer something different in terms of swing and pace, and each had his moment of magic.

Toby Marks is a bowler with potential, who could well join these ranks if he can settle into a more consistent rhythm. The seam attack was bolstered by Gus Freeman and Aidan Herriott, who both bowl a distinctive brand of leg spin.

Our fielding performances were enhanced by agile displays from George ‘the cat’ Young at cover and Gabriel ‘Kasper’ Rai at point. Finn Usher-Harford should be mentioned for taking the wicket of a Caterham School batsman with a direct hit.

U13A

U13B

U14 B We failed to post a challenging total in the opener with Seaford College by not putting away the bad ball and poor running between the wickets.

After Worth School failed to produce a team for the next match, we took on Lord Wandsworth College. Only Luke Davis reached double figures in our low total. When Lord Wandsworth College fell to 20-4 an unlikely win was on the cards, but loose bowling gifted them victory.

Our first win came against Kingston Grammar School with a fine all-round team performance.

Tommy Mason-Graves, George Sanger, Tom Macqueen and Will Harris all bowled well.

Captain Louis Medlock and Charlie Dann then batted the team to victory.

We were indebted to Mr O’ Boyle accompanying us to Caterham School where we rewarded him with another win. Josh Sterley starred with the bat and Joe Grela Bekele and Finn Carver with the ball.

Our other two games against Reigate Grammar School and Warden Park School brought two further reverses. The game against Reigate was lost by 17 runs, as we conceded 23 more extras then they did.

The game against Warden Park School was even closer, as we lost by two runs. George Sanger was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets and Josh Sterley scored his third 20+ innings on the trot.

The boys have been keen to improve and they should enjoy their cricket in the future.

U12A

U12B

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U13 A

U12 A

One of the most noticeable improvements has been the way the squad has gelled into a team.

Several pupils shouldered the responsibility of bowling with varying degrees of success.

Oscar Roland-Clark will be a fearsome bowler next year if he can control the line of his high pace bowling. Louis Cooper kept pressure on opposition batsmen and Peter Crowther, Alex Clark and Travis Suckling all took wickets.

The best figures were taken by Maxwell Singh-Kingdon who took 6-11 in a spell against Reigate Grammar School.

Bowler of the season, narrowly taking the most wickets, goes to first change bowler Tom Goldman, whilst catch of the season goes to Oscar Roland Clark.

Henry Ede, George Osman Sellwood, Thomas Goldman, Alex Clark, Peter Crowther, Oscar Roland Clark and Travis Sutcliff all contributed match deciding efforts on more than one occasion.

The most impressive performance with the bat was by skipper Louis Cooper. Four matches into the season he averaged 162, and three of this season’s wins would not have been achieved without his contribution.

Following some productive pre-season training, the boys took to the field against Ashdown House School. We reduced them to 41–9 with captain Sam Williams picking up four wickets and scoring 19 runs with the bat to seal the team’s first win.

The squad found the remaining fixtures of the half term tough. A 23-run loss to Duke of Kent School (in which Oliver Hayward and Joel Oyeusi each took two wickets) was followed by a four wicket loss to Lords Wandsworth College. After heavy losses to Kingston Grammar School, Caterham School and Lingfield Notre Dame, the squad was seeking a positive result against Box Hill School.

Batting first, CH scored 76-8 with Sam Williams hitting a quick fire 21. Sadly, rain cancelled the afternoon’s proceedings.

Reigate Grammar School went home winners and the toughest match of the season was a defeat to Windlesham House School.

Overall record for the season: Played 10, Won 4, Lost 5, NR 1, Cancelled 5

Steeplechase

More than 600 runners took part in the annual School event. The winners were: Juniors: Lily Vallance and James North Intermediates: Rosie Vallance and Tom Johnson Seniors: Ollie Ball and Zoe Vallinga

Real Tennis

Throughout the season, the team spirit and willingness to improve has been faultless.

Special mentions should go to Oliver Hanger, Matthew Harvey-Gay and Oliver Hayward, who bowled well, and to Sam Williams who captained the side.

U13 B

U12 B

It is a great testament to the squad’s resilience that it won the last game of the season against Pennthorpe School by six wickets.

They had come close to a win earlier in the season in a remarkable game against Worth School but, in the end, both sides totalled 80-6 after 20 overs and the match ended a tie.

A seven run defeat to Reigate Grammar School was the next closest match.

The weather was, sadly, not especially kind and three matches were abandoned.

The leading run scorer was Josh Ogunleye, who averaged 17.2 and was promoted to the A team. Teddy Green, who scored 48 against Reigate Grammar, and Peter Crowther, who made 47* in the win over Pennthorpe School, played notable innings.

Ezra Mugwanya took the most wickets (10) with Jonah Thornley, captain Joseph Willis-Falkiner, Martyn Otuo-Acheampong and Alfie Carter also taking valuable wickets.

Though the statistics may not have been impressive, the standard of cricket played improved noticeably and many players will have successful futures in the game.

We were skittled out for just 17 in the opening match against Ashdown House School, but we did manage to take two wickets.

After much solid practice, it was disappointing that our next game with Seaford College was rained off.

We showed much more determination against Kingston Grammar School, hitting 84 runs with Sonny Gasson top-scoring and Sam Gadd showing improvement.

We then showed courage when batting against Reigate Grammar School, with Bunkuyi Olaganju impressing. He then played the best innings of the season, carrying his bat for 44 not out against Windlesham House School.

Our total of 96-2 was decent, but despite good bowling from Theo Francis, Keir Churchill and Jonathan Higgs, Windlesham just managed to overhaul our total.

Our three other games fell victim to the weather.

It is hoped that the boys will build on this opening year and improve their basic skills.

Real tennis was introduced as an occasional sport to the CH calendar. On each of the field days, seven pupils travelled to Petworth House to try their hand at this quirky, perplexing game.

Under the watchful eye of the club professional, each student worked on groundstrokes and serves. Mr Don and Mr Allcorn then accompanied students in some round-robin doubles.

These field day trips will continue.

Badminton

The senior squad enjoyed one of its most successful seasons, recording victories against Epsom College, Lancing College and Bedes, among others. Captain Ian Lee, his brother Glen Lee, Osman Kwok and Christopher Luala all impressed.

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RUGBY Overview

I

t was a successful season for all age groups, with a 61% win ratio. Other highlights of the year include pupils Lennox Anyanwu and Samuel Odu being selected to take part in two training sessions with New Zealand rugby stars Dan Carter, Kieron Read, Aaron Smith and Keven Mealamu.

Meanwhile, Josh Persad, Lennox Anyanwu, Matthew Attalah, Sam Odu, Jesse Agwae, Thomas Goldman, Louis Cooper, Arron Shaw and Travis Suckling participated in the Harlequins Academy programme. Lennox has also had the opportunity of taking part in the London & South East U15 training camp.

During the 2015/16 season, Arron Shaw, Josh Persad, Lennox Anyanwu and Matthew Attalah all represented Sussex at U16 and U15 levels.

In Rugby Sevens, CH were crowned county champions at U13 and U15 level. The U16s were finalists, losing out to Brighton College, and at the Wimbledon College, the U15 Sevens lost to Dulwich College in the Plate final.

The girls had an outstanding season and were crowned the best team in the country.

Following this, they were invited to represent England at an international competition in Austria.

Lennox Anyanwu, All Blacks legend Dan Carter and Samuel Odu

1st XV During pre-season, we entertained Horsham and Cranleigh rugby clubs in a tournament with our first and second teams before playing Sevenoaks School.

The next two fixtures were tough; Reigate Grammar School with their very talented LVI, then we lost 55-0 to Eastbourne College.

We then struggled to beat The Weald School 21-15, before being edged out 29-25 by Caterham School.

We next played City of London Freemen’s School and with good game management we won 23-12. Against Ryde School we comfortably won with a mixed team, before we faced Hurstpierpoint College in the next round of the cup. Their huge team, particularly in the front five, dominated proceedings and

despite a brave defence, we lost 52-8.

The Churcher’s College game was evenly matched and had we been more clinical we would not have lost 18-10.

The most thrilling game of the season was away at Tiffin School, where we won in style.

Under severe pressure in the first half from a well-drilled opposition and a howling gale, we were 15-14 down. Both our tries came from counter attacks with excellent passing and support play.

The monsoon conditions were with CH in the second half and a penalty won us the game in

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94 Rashine Weekes dives in to score in the corner

Hareef Asunramu splits the Sevenoaks defence

Abdul Ahmed ‘wraps up’ an opponent unlikely circumstances.

The Hurstpierpoint College re-match was always going to be difficult and despite leading 17-3 in the first half, the rolling replacements from the opposition meant only one result.

It did not get any easier with the next game away to Reed’s, another very strong team. The 60-20 defeat tells its own story. The match against Worth was a game of endeavour and ended with a 20-5 win for CH.

Development XV I would like to say what a thoroughly enjoyable season this was and how much the attitude of the boys contributed to the experience.

In the first block fixture, we made a couple of mistakes that led to Sevenoaks scoring two tries; in reply, CH scored seven.

Against Reigate Grammar, we were undone by some very good tackling, but things went in our favour at Eastbourne College in a very even contest.

After losing to Caterham School, our low point of the season was definitely against Steyning Grammar School. We conceded two tries and found ourselves 22-0 down at half time. It is to the boys’ credit that we only lost 22-3.

At Hurstpierpoint College, it was our defence as much as anything that gave us the win.

The game of the season was away at Reed’s School, where we played into a howling wind in the first half and were 12-0 down within eight minutes.

The Reed’s coach said that not only were we the strongest pack they had played against but that had the game gone on longer, he felt CH would have won.

Adebola Balogun showed himself to be a very worthy captain and many players contributed hugely, but the Player of the Season was undoubtedly Federico Dinghile at fly-half. It was nice to see the vast improvement made by Oscar Prior, who was also top try scorer.

Wanderers XV

‘It was a thoroughly enjoyable season and the attitude of the boys contributed to the experience’

The first game of the season against Claremont Fan Court School was a big win for CH. After such a good start, we were brought back down to earth with a heavy defeat against Reigate Grammar School.

We then travelled to Eastbourne College, where we were slightly more competitive with Rory Hogan scoring a well-taken try and Oscar Watts scoring a wonderful drop goal.

The next game against Caterham School was very one sided, but this time in our favour. The whole team put in a huge effort and many of the boys scored, including Campbell Docherty who scored two tries and Remi Olokun with three.

We were edged out by Steyning Grammar School before facing Reed’s School where, despite a determined performance and a try from Jacob Plowman, Reed’s were just too strong.

U16 A The arrival of Haywards Heath RFC Director of Rugby and Harlequins Community Coach Glen Jones brought new-found enthusiasm and innovation to the coaching of this promising group.

A 17-30 away defeat to Sevenoaks School in the opening game of the season did not truly reflect the ability of the squad. In our second match, the players surpassed themselves with a fine defensive performance against Rutlish School. Whilst our failure to score was disappointing, the final 0-24 margin was fair.

CH won 21-7 against Eastbourne College, with county sprinter Josh Persad racing 60 metres for a breakout try. We then edged out Caterham School in an enthralling match for our second consecutive win.

With confidence high, CH went ahead early in a topsy-turvy contest with City of London Freemen’s School. We showed resilience to engineer three late scores, but were comfortably beaten 20-42.

Against local rivals Forest School, we fought

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Next, we performed well for three quarters of an absorbing match against a physical Glyn School side, with Tom Carter's 80m try from an interception a standout moment. Our narrow defence allowed Glyn back into the game but with Arron Shaw and Pierre Paul scoring crucial tries, a 19-7 win was secured.

In a nerve-jangling match with Hurstpierpoint College that we might have won, we competed hard at the breakdown, and the backs tackled resolutely, but a lack of concentration cost us and we lost 5-10.

We suffered our second consecutive defeat, 10-23 away to Reed’s School and in the last game of the season we led 12-3 after 40 minutes when the game was abandoned.

Player of the Season: Captain Pierre Paul.

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2nd XV

U16 B The U16B kicked off the season with a 66-12 win against Sevenoaks School and went on to have its best season since 2006.

The season did not all go our way. However, in the matches we lost, we were within 10 points of the opposition in all but one, a 44-0 defeat to Hurstpierpoint College. This was followed by wins against Caterham School, Ryde School, Glyn School and Worth School.

The match of the season was a narrow loss against Reed’s School. Reed’s managed to steal ahead and close out the match 20-12.

Despite the loss, the boys came away knowing it was an enthralling match.

They took this momentum forward and won 33-12 against Worth School, which was a great way to finish the season.

Most Improved Player was Matthew WardPerkins, a player who displayed commitment and determination. Player of the Season had the potential to be a difficult choice but there was one player who stood out above the rest; Ben Maclean.

U15 A The season started with comfortable wins against Sevenoaks School (54-0) and Reigate Grammar School (20-0) with Matthew Attalah scoring five tries in two games.

The team was then put under pressure by Eastbourne College and lost 12-29. After the loss, the squad showed greater effort in training and this translated into a committed 34-31 win against St John’s School, Leatherhead, where captain Lennox Anyanwu

3rd XV

U16 A

U16 B

U15 A

led from the front. The team went on to beat Caterham School (38-29) and Langley Park School (59-7).

The most memorable fixture of the season was a 4th round NatWest Cup fixture away against a well-organised Dulwich College side. The game finished 12-26 to Dulwich. However, the entire side put everything into the game. The Dulwich coaching staff remarked how impressed they were with the character CH showed right until the final whistle.

Next was a tough 12-0 win in the mud away against old rivals Churcher’s College, before losses against Hurstpierpoint College (12-20) and Reed’s School (10-36).

The squad should be proud of its accomplishments and ended the season with a 66.7% win ratio. Special mentions go to Lennox Anyanwu, Matthew Attalah, Olaseni Ashiru, Oba Osundina, Eugine Ting, Luke Watts, Nikita Kunzli and Nathan Cooper.

U15 B The opening fixtures saw a comfortable 48-0 win against Sevenoaks School followed by a competitive 26-17 win against Reigate Grammar School.

Duke Ansah scored a brace of tries in both games and Ben Edell, Charlie Robinson, Emmanuel Berhane and Jonathan Feybunmi all opened their try scoring accounts.

Having started the season so well, the loss to Eastbourne College in the next fixture was disappointing. The following two games against Caterham School and Churcher’s College both ended in draws.

We ended the season with two tough fixtures.

Against Hurstpierpoint College, CH lost 7–21, but left the field with their heads held high. In the last fixture against Reed’s School, we tackled well and played good rugby to end on a high, securing a 19–10 win.

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In a one-sided affair, CH were outplayed by the professional college, although Adj OwusuDarko scored a consolation try and was voted ‘Best Girl Player of the Day’.

Girls’ Rugby

T

he season culminated in the girls’ rugby squad completing probably the best ever season in the history of the women’s game at CH. The season kicked off with a friendly fixture against Horsham Girls, which CH won 34-17 with all 22 players involved.

Two festivals followed; the first at Pangbourne College where CH defeated Park House School (48-0), Blessed Hugh Farringdon School (31-12) and Pangbourne College (39-0).

The second festival was held at CH and again both the A and B squads produced impressive rugby. The A team defeated Epsom College (39-10), St John’s Leatherhead (49-0) and Reigate Grammar School (34-7). The B squad defeated St John’s Leatherhead (41-10) and Epsom (17-10) only to be edged out by Reigate Grammar School A team.

The season went up a gear at the Reigate Grammar School Sevens. In the first game, CH defeated Blessed Hugh Farringdon, then overcame a Reigate Grammar B team containing three of our own players!

The next game was a close encounter against Wallington County Grammar School, with a try-saving tackle helping CH to a 12-5 win.

As group winners, we played old adversaries Worthing Sixth Form College. In our best performance of the day, CH won a bruising encounter 24-17 to progress to the final against Filton AESA College.

‘Adj OwusuDarko scored a consolation try and was voted ‘Best Girl Player of the Day’

The squad moved on to the Nationals. The first group game was against Ysgol Gyfin Y Strade from Wales and in a confident display CH won 36-12.

Other group games proved competitive but victories over Epsom College (24-10), Reigate Grammar School (27-10) and Perrins School (31-5) saw us reach the semi-final, where the girls confidently dispatched Simon Langton School 32-0.

In the final, CH faced reigning National Champions, Amman Valley School. In a game streamed live online, CH went up 7-0, but from then on spent the game defending, eventually losing 29-7.

It was a tremendous performance throughout the season and to win 16 of 18 Sevens matches and reach a national final speaks volumes about the girls’ commitment.

U15 C

Skipper Natalie Bekoe on the attack

The first three games saw notable wins over Sevenoaks School and Eastbourne College and a loss against Caterham School. At Hurstpierpoint College, Oliver Page played like a man possessed, whilst Elliot Stevens and Tom Critchell prevented numerous tries with last ditch tackling and Josh Fetuga ran like he had a hovercraft for boots!

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U14 A The season began well with wins against Sevenoaks School (36-5) and Reigate Grammar School (29-0) although this was followed by a 36-10 loss to Rutlish School.

One of the best performances of the season came against Eastbourne College, where Conor Stewart inspirationally led CH to a 29-7 victory.

The team reached mid-November with four more wins against Warden Park School (33-0), Caterham School (51-5), Ryde School (36-0) and Gildredge House School (19-0) before a defeat to Churcher’s College (27-3).

This was followed by two draws, but the team ended the term in style, beating Oaklands School (48 - 5), Reed’s School (22-5) and, in the first round of the County Cup, Forest School (33-19).

Conor Stewart was named Most Improved player and Sam Odu Player of the Season.

U14 B A straightforward win against Gildredge House School was followed by a narrow 5-0 defeat against Churcher’s College. The team then claimed a superb 35-5 victory against Hurstpierpoint College.

The final match saw the team produce an outstanding performance. Reed’s School was the best opposition the team had faced and with the scores level at 0-0 at half time, the match was going to be decided by the smallest of margins. CH took a 5-0 lead but in the very last play of the match, Reed’s scored and followed this with a superb conversion to clinch victory.

Captain Toby Marks can be proud of his team, and his encouragement helped guide the squad to play great rugby.

U14 C The season started with a narrow loss against Sevenoaks School, followed by a stomping victory over Reigate Grammar School.

The following three games against Eastbourne College, Caterham School, and Gildredge House School gave us a string of victories. The Caterham match, a very close 28-25, showed the mettle of the team, with some standout performances from Oliver Palmer, James Allen and Herman Wong.

The season finished with some extremely good rugby, with an unlucky 12-17 loss to Churcher’s College and a challenging game against Reed’s School.

U15 B

U14 A

U13 A The team made a brilliant start, scoring 50 points or more in its first four games whilst only conceding five points in total.

As the fixtures became progressively more difficult, the margins of victory shortened.

Still, the team remained unbeaten until midNovember when CH was outplayed by Churcher’s College. The only other defeat all season was against Westbourne House School.

The Most Improved Player was Alfie Carter, whilst Joseph Ansah progressed to the point where he made the Sevens squad.

U13 B

U14 B

Of the team’s 10 games, one in particular stands out; the thrilling 12-10 victory over Glyn School.

The boys played with immense composure to seal a victory.

Scrum half Henry Ede was Player of the Season and also top try scorer with four, in a season with 13 different try scorers.

U12 A

U13 A

U13 B

The season started with narrow losses to Sackville School (21-19) and Forest School (26-28).

A win against Imberhorne School put us through to play St Andrew’s School, who showed their experience, scoring 42 points.

A 7-7 draw with Bishop Luffa School in appalling conditions restored confidence, which resulted in compehensive wins against Perins School (52-0) and Gildredge House (33-0).

Unfortunately, we then suffered heavy losses against Bishop Luffa School, John Fisher School and The Weald School, before back-toback 50 point wins over Steyning Grammar School and Brighton College.

After being comfortably beaten by Warden Park School, the team showed promise in the final game against Reed’s School, despite losing 26-10.

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U12 B The U12B team finished with a 66.7% win ratio and throughout the season played very fast rugby, with Finn Curtin, William Fletcher and Sonny Gasson’s assertive natures providing consistent quick ball. Adam Bedall led the side brilliantly and Sam Gadd was impressive on the wing.

The team started with wins against Perins School and Gildredge House School. The highlight of the season was against Brighton College, with rolling substitutes ensuring that 23 CH players enjoyed a game of rugby. The boys made significant progress this season.

U12 A

U12 B

Rugby Sevens It was a fantastic finale to the rugby season at Christ’s Hospital, with successes across all the age groups, both male and female, in rugby sevens.

It started with the U13s being crowned as county sevens champions. After victories over Peacehaven Community School (47-0), Tanbridge House School (35-0) and Steyning Grammar School (33-0) came a closer affair against Worth School (26-14) in the semi-final.

This set us up against local rivals Forest Boys School with CH giving their most impressive display of the day to win 41-5.

The U15 squad enhanced their reputation as sevens specialists with success in the Sussex and Wimbledon College tournaments.

The county competition, held at CH, saw group wins over Worth School (26-0), Bede’s School (36-0) and Buckswood School (28-0). In the quarter-final, Peacehaven Community College was defeated 36-0 to set up a return fixture with Worth in the semi-final.

Again, CH won comfortably (24-0) to progress to an eagerly-awaited final with Brighton College. In a tense game, CH came out winners 26-17.

At the Wimbledon College Pieroni Sevens, a weakened CH squad acquitted themselves admirably by reaching the Plate final.

The U13 VIIs are Sussex Champions

Senior Sevens squads at the Reigate Grammar School tournament

The U16 team did well in the county competition at Brighton RFC. In the first group game, CH beat Brighton College B 25-12, followed by wins over Cardinal Newman College (36-0) and Heathfield School (36-10). In the semi-final, CH beat Eastbourne College 36-10 to set up a final against Brighton College A. Brighton showed class at this level and comfortably won 33-0, eventually winning the national U16 title at Rosslyn Park.

At Reigate Grammar School, the U18 lost to both Epsom College and Reed’s School before springing the surprise result of the day by defeating Trinity School.

This proved a false dawn, as we capitulated to Sutton Valence School in the quarter-final of the Bowl.

At the nationals, we started well by beating Uppingham School 19-15, but in a very competitive group we lost to King Edward’s Bath and Trinity School, who were keen to avenge their earlier defeat.

The season culminated with the achievements of the girls’ rugby sevens squad, featured in the Girls’ Rugby section.

SQUAD

P

W

D

L

1st XV

14

6

1

7

216 384

Dev

12

6

0

6

183 164

Wand

7

3

0

4

178 191

16A

11

5

0

6

165 206

16B

9

5

0

4

185 152

15A

15

10

0

5

424 226

15B

8

4

2

2

180 136

15C

5

4

0

1

144

14A

18

13

1

4

510 192

14B

9

5

1

3

240

14C

7

4

0

3

197 157

13A

16

14

0

2

556 189

13B

10

6

0

4

125 186

12A

13

5

1

7

276 297

12B

6

4

0

2

136 160

Girls

18

16

0

2

539 188

178 110

6

62

TOTAL

F

4254

A

70

82

2980

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NETBALL 1st & 2nd VII Hazel Rowland-Jones

P

W

L

D

1st VII

11

7

3

1

2nd VII

12

9

3

0

E

very year, I seem to have more fun coaching the senior squad than the last, and this season was no exception.

Pre-season training was hard work, with long stretching sessions to minimise sore limbs.

It was lovely to welcome a new and highly qualified coach to Monday training. She brought with her a different approach to the game which certainly challenged the squad.

Places were up for grabs in all teams, so there was healthy competition. With over 30 Deps and Grecians keen to play competitive netball, it was decided to split the squads into two.

As a unit, the senior squad have been a fantastic group to work with. It has been fun and there has been lots of laughter as well as much hard work.

The defensive trio of Liberty, Lizzie and Sophie was quite outstanding all season and as can be seen from the results - the girls posed problems for the opposition attack.

They were always ball hungry and enjoyed putting the opposition under pressure.

Heather linked the defence and attack with great authority on the centre court and along with Ellie fed shooters Folu and Febe, with great accuracy.

Folu, another superb athlete, played with great heart in every game and at Sevenoaks, when she sprained her ankle, refused to come off as she believed we could win the game.

1st VII

2nd VII They played and trained as a unit and their excellent results are a result of this team’s desire to win.

We entered the first team in the SISNA tournament. It was a long afternoon with 10 intense matches. The squad surpassed itself and fantastic results gave them a third place finish, behind Brighton College and Hurstpierpoint College.

At the Seaford Invitation Fast Net tournament we were runners-up to Hurstpierpoint, and these two results capped a superb season, giving the girls more confidence and certainly making the CH name one to be reckoned with on the court.

The second team ended the season with an equally good set of results. The defensive trio was superb and got us out of many sticky

3rd VII situations. It was encouraging to see the girls all play for each other, whatever the result.

Georgina Mason certainly earned her end of season award, as she built on what was done last season and played with so much more confidence.

Sophia has been an excellent captain and has contributed much to the popularity of netball at CH. She is a great ambassador for the game and the School and I will miss her enthusiasm and energy.

We wish her and all the leaving Grecians all the best for the future and sincerely hope that they will continue to play and come back to play as Old Blues. You really have been a very special group of girls.

Players of the Season: Folu Ojikutu, Febe Okolidoh, Lizzie Coster, Sofia Focacci, Steph Addo Quaye, Natasha Hutchins, Millie Newham, Ellie Wroe Wright, Liberty Kimber, Georgina Mason

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U16 A & B P

W

L

D

U16 A

11

8

0

3

U16 B

11

9

0

2

3rd & 4th VII This was an exciting term for the senior third squad. With the arrival of specialist netball coach Mrs Kennerson, the players had every opportunity to gain new skills.

The team showed a hunger to develop, with players working hard at each training session.

The strategy was to be 'ball side', whether the player was in possession or trying to win possession. This simple mind-set is what helped the squad secure success in a number of competitive matches.

Decision making improved dramatically when the rule of 'ball side' was at the forefront of the players’ minds.

A highlight for Christ's Hospital during the season was the feedback received from other schools after matches. On numerous occasions, the squad was highly commended. It was stated that the team was clearly very competitive but showed excellent signs of sportsmanship; to the officials, opponent and each other.

During match play one would see (and hear!) the sheer determination to succeed and positive team morale as the players encouraged each other.

This vibe had a definite impact on the players’ individual development as confidence grew and grew.

Player of the Season: Mary Baffo Most Improved Players: Jessica Okoro and Debbie Peters

U16A

The U16B team clearly benefited from training closely with the A team and was challenged to play many matches against opposition U16A teams, whilst the U16A team took on senior first and second teams.

Lottie Medhurst was impressive with her long range shooting and worked particularly well with Ellie Alywin.

The fantastic movement and defensive structure of Abiha Rana, Melina Irawo and Tiffiny Olaniyan pressurised the opposition and they were able to make countless interceptions. The whole squad should feel proud of its achievements this season.

U16A Player of the Season: Jayde Rose U16B Player of the Season: Ebony Appiah Fontura and Abiha Rana Most Improved Player: Sadie Scantlebury and Lottie Medhurst

U15 A U16B The U16 squad arrived with raw talent and a feisty attitude to netball, having dominated the vast majority of their U15 matches in the previous season.

For the U16A team, the shock of losing its first two matches was enough to raise levels in training. A few match cancellations enabled the team to gain additional training with the key focus being discipline in the centre court, communication and applying defensive strategies. From there, the team went on to dominate in several fixtures.

Aiysha Sessay and Tanya Lolomari proved to be a great defensive pair, linking well with Sadie Scantlebury. Lottie Woodall was stylistic in her movement and shooting within the circle, alongside Lucy Ramshaw and Tink Trim, who were versatile in playing between GA and WA. The team had strong wins against Burgess Hill High School for Girls, Lord Wandsworth College and Seaford College.

The final game against Churcher's College senior second side was challenging. The match was close all the way through and at half time CH had a narrow advantage. The team maintained its lead to win the match 26-20, with Jayde Rose proving to be a great driving force as captain.

U15A The U15A team has had a strong season, playing mature and composed netball. They have had some competitive games against strong, well-drilled teams, but have worked hard and never given up.

The girls have a great team spirit and were captained well by Esther Tewogbade, who always worked hard in defence.

The girls’ best game was against Worth, where they won by one goal with some outstanding circle defence by Halima Ibrahim and great shooting by Jordanna Joseph.

Player of the Season went to Angelina Green who has been committed, motivated and hard working; she has worked hard, feeding the circle, and is always a team player.

The girls have worked well as a unit, marking closely all the way down the court. I wish them all the best for next year and look forward to watching them develop.

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U15 B

101

U14 A & B

U15B The U15B team began the season strongly with hard fought victories against Eastbourne College and Ardingly College.

They quickly moulded well as a team, communicating well on court and showing advanced supporting play. They faced some tough opposition but continued to play with flair, impressing me with their drive and will to win.

The team has achieved five wins and four losses this season, claiming some impressive victories and narrowly losing some highly competitive matches.

Freya O’Brien was awarded Player of the Season for consistently performing well with a fantastic attitude. Sophia Olaniyan was named Most Improved Player.

U15 C

U15C The team has evolved over the course of the term as there has been a great deal of movement within the squad.

Noteworthy performances were by Tiffany Shennowo and Flora Thwaites in the attacking centre court and shooting from Angelle Roberts and Eloise Bloor Black improved significantly. Elianne Adeniyi and Marley Bell worked brilliantly as a defensive team with support coming from Lydia Thornhill.

They were an enthusiastic group and this supportive attitude helped them to form a strong and determined team. Their greatest victory was against a strong Churcher's team, who they defeated 23-13.

U13

U14B

U14B The netball season for the U14s has been a learning curve.

An early defeat to Eastbourne for all teams was just the nudge the girls needed to raise their game. There was a definite shift in focus and the girls worked incredibly hard to improve their technique and fitness. Some close results followed and it was during the U14s tournament at Hurst that the girls started to gel.

The latter part of the season brought some convincing wins against strong sides from King’s School Canterbury, Lancing College and Millais School.

There were standout performances from Leah Zabari, Daisy O'Callaghan and Timi Lanyian and special recognition goes to Matilda Hewens for outstanding improvement in the A team. Special mention goes to Abi Brocklehurst and Clarice, who worked incredibly hard to start the season for the C team and made several appearances shooting for the A team. Charlotte Winship captained her team with great confidence and Dare Haastrup’s defensive work helped the side to some excellent results.

U14A Player of the Season: Matilda Hewens U14A Most Improved Player: Clarice Mensah U14B Player of the Season: Charlotte Winship U14B Most Improved Player: Abi Brocklehurst

U13A The U13 squad involved the whole year group for the first time, with the girls training together as a squad.

Every single 3rd Form girl was given the opportunity to play in a competitive match this season; a testament to how committed they were as a year group.

The A team’s SISNA tournament was a tough start to the season but the girls rose to the challenge and were very supportive of each other. I was impressed by their perseverance and commitment to the cause.

This season for the first time, the B and C team had the opportunity to play in a local tournament every Wednesday, which was a good way to develop their game.

Games were tough, and results did not always go our way, but it was a good experience and added further depth to the squad.

U13B One of the highlights for the A team was a well-deserved win against Farlington School; a thriller of a match played in the sports hall, with lots of support from the U16s spurring the girls on.

It is always a treat to see the majority of our teams win on a Saturday, and we had a great day out against Caterham School towards the end of the term, with three of the four U13 teams victorious.

There was a total of five U13C team matches and also a bonus U13D team match played this season.

These extra fixtures demonstrate just how much this year group wanted to play netball,

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and we could have fielded quality sides for three times as many matches! This is testament to the depth in the squad and how keen the girls are to represent CH. Several of the girls trained with a local club, and some also attended county trials. Look out for this talented year group as they move through the School!

U13A Player of the Season: Aiysha Ali U13B Player of the Season: Amber Dansoh U13C Player of the Season: Diana Ndudirim U13 Most Improved Players: Emily Rowland and Dominique Pope

U12B

U12C

U13C U12 A, B & C Early in the season, the A team travelled to Roedean School for the SISNA tournament.

Despite valiant efforts, they only managed to win one game and came fourth in their group.

There were some standout performances.

Grace and Lily Lane played in the A team at centre and wing attack respectively and impressed with their link play, energy and fantastic attitude.

Teni Ijaluwoye made some fantastic interceptions and Sophie Palmer’s shooting skills improved as the season progressed. Lily deservedly won the Player of the Season award, whilst Alex Anyanwu won the Most Improved Player award. She worked hard and rose from playing in the B team to the A team, regularly being named ‘player of the match’ by the opposition.

Amy Johnson won the Player of the Season award in the B team for her sterling efforts in the centre.

In the C team, Coco Tokpanoude showed tremendous potential. She should be pushing for a B team place next year and was awarded Player of the Season, with Bella Bertolazzi the Most Improved Player.

Thanks must go to all the girls for their endeavours. They were a lovely bunch to work with, always so enthusiastic and fun! Thank you to all of the coaches - Mrs Heslop, Miss Watson and Miss Gamba - for your energy and commitment.

U12A CUP TIES RESULTS 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Inter

Ba A

Col A

Ba B

Th B

Col B

LH A

Th A

LH B

Senio

Col A

Col B

Th A

Ba A

LH A

Ba B

LH B

Th B

Junior

LH A

Ba B

Th A

Col B

Ba A

LH B

Th B

Col A

U14/U15 U16/DG/GR U12/U13

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ROUNDERS

U15A

U15B

U15 Teams

U13 Teams

Caroline Hitchcock & Jacy Marks

The U15 girls had a challenging season but developed well as a squad of players, despite only being able to train once a week and losing several sessions to bad weather.

Over 30 girls took part in fixtures and for some girls, this was the first time they had played competitively for the School. Their team spirit and willingness to work together shone through.

All three teams had tough fixtures, with the A team winning one and losing three and the B and C teams losing their games. Jadesola Odunjo was an excellent captain of the A team, leading by example in matches and in training. Other notable players were Martha Goldring and Wynter Gurung, who played consistently well, and Freya O’Brien, who demonstrated strong fielding skills as well as consistent bowling.

The B team was captained well by Marley Bell with standout batting performances from Naomi Hayden and fielding from Maisie Dress.

The C team was led well by Jodie Hart who demonstrated some strong batting skills. Ruby Lewis also played well.

U14A

U14B

Of the seven matches played by the U13A and U13B against various local schools, CH won only two.

The girls always have a positive attitude in their matches, when things might not always be going their way. This attitude was demonstrated at the tournament at Millais School, with excellent fielding from Manon Howard and Anita Osaki-Braide. Lily Vallence and Esther Akinlosotu showed good risktaking abilities when batting.

U12 Teams U13A

U12A

Flora Thwaites was the U15 Player of the Season with excellent batting and fielding.

Rebecca Russell was Most Improved Player, moving up from the B team to become a regular A team player.

U12B

This season, the U12s showed strong skills and determination in all training sessions and competitive matches. They worked hard on basic ball skills, with some quick results and impressive fielding and bowling skills emerging.

The A team’s win against Hurstpierpoint College was a high point, with consistent bowling from Ellie Moorcroft adding some rhythm to the match.

In the B team, strong bowling helped secure some good results.

As a year group, our block competitions proved that the girls could work together, with lots of dedication to play and cheering from the sidelines thrown in. The U12s should feel proud of what they achieved on the pitch this term and have the basic skills to build on.

Players of the Season were Grace Lane and Lily Lane, with Demi Ayanbadejo named Most Improved Player.

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TENNIS Captains: Leonie von Loeper, Kyle Tang Vice-Captain: Olivia Crossman Colours: Leonie von Loeper, Kyle Tang, Caroline Kloepfer Endeavour in Sports Awards: Olivia Crossman, Liberty Kimber, Isobel Pelling, Eva Krestel

Girls’ Tennis Hazel Rowland-Jones

T

his has been another encouraging and successful season. With more girls opting to play, we have the welcome headache of finding matches in order to maintain their enthusiasm for the game.

We welcomed Julie Hanger to the coaching team and she has worked enthusiastically with the U12 and U14 squads.

Nigel Matthews, our professional coach, has continued to support CH tennis and his time has been divided between the Senior boys and girls.

There has been a happy and relaxed atmosphere amongst the Senior squad and the commitment and enthusiasm has been tremendous.

The first and second six have both had a good season. We picked up another exceptionally talented pupil this term, Caroline Kloepfer, who has challenged Leonie. They have made a formidable doubles pair and had some excellent results.

Charlie O’Callaghan, Stella Saunt Hills and Annabelle Esslemont Edwards all stepped up to play first team tennis and approached training and matches with enthusiasm, determination and maturity.

We entered the Aegon tournament for the first time in three years. After a good 1st round win against Brighton and Hove High School, we lost the 2nd round tie against Lancing College on a championship tie break.

Leonie has been an excellent captain and picked up the Player of the Season award.

There were also awards for Caroline and Olivia Crossman, and Dep Kitty Mason Graves was named Most Improved Player.

The School tournament was well supported at all age groups, with some enthralling tennis played. The pick of the matches was the Senior singles between Leonie and Caroline.

Caroline pushed Leonie all the way in the first set, with some long base line rallies and excellent serving from both players. Caroline

Senior Doubles partners Leonie von Loeper and Caroline Kloepfer won the final set 6-4 to win the singles trophy for the third consecutive year.

The Junior singles final was equally exciting with LE player Daisy O’Callaghan beating number one seed, UF player Angelina Green.

Daisy is certainly one to watch in the future.

School Competitions The Savill Cup (Senior Girls Singles) Leonie von Loeper John Page Cup (Senior Boys Singles) Henry Gregson The Davison Cup (Senior Girls Doubles) Leonie von Loeper & Caroline Kloepfer The David Potter Cup (Junior Girls Singles) Daisy O’Callaghan Kilmister Trophy Olivia Crossman Inter House Competition Leigh Hunt

Under 15 Girls Jonathan Scriven We started off the tennis season with little time to train and practice before our first matches. Confidence grew as the season progressed with some fine individual wins against strong opposition.

Well done to Most Improved Player Monica Okello, who showed enthusiasm to learn and improve, and to Player of the Year Elsie Todd, who ran for every ball. Another well done to Angelina Green for reaching the U14/15 School finals.

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Under 14 Girls Julie Hanger The U14 girls came out for first practice of the season only four days before the first match!

However, the team rose to the occasion against Ardingly College, winning six matches with only two defeats.

Strong doubles partnerships formed and even though they played some tough matches, the girls’ ability to work as a team became a real attribute. The players fought hard, both in training and in matches.

Emily Stannard and Heilia Leung flew across the court, whilst A-J Brako and Aiysha Alli who both joined us from the U13 team - won all of their matches.

The top pair in the A team, Daisy O’Callaghan and Emily Stannard, have been amazing all term. Emily’s strength at the baseline and Daisy’s volleys and athleticism meant they were tough to beat.

My congratulations go to Player of the Year Daisy, who backed up her impressive term by winning the U14/U15 tournament. Also congratulations to Heilia Leung and Angelique Vitos for their Most Improved Player awards.

Boys’ Tennis Richard Allcorn The season started with the annual Sussex League competition at Ardingly College. The U18 competition, featuring Kyle Tang (capt), Henry Gregson, Fedor Stürken and Will Down, was decided by the narrowest of margins, a losttie-break against Brighton College giving CH the runners-up spot.

The U16s (Algernon Aoki-Seymour, Gus Dempsey, Sammy France and Emmanuel Berhane) showed good skills in wins against Worth School and Eastbourne College as CH came third in the Plate.

CH’s foray into the National Glanville Cup was brief, with a comprehensive defeat to Bedales.

School matches against Charterhouse School and Eastbourne College were odd affairs, with the top six losing in both and the bottom six winning in style to leave the ‘overall’ matches in the balance. Oliver Page won all three of his matches.

The U15s came third (out of eight) in their Sussex League competition with Gus Dempsey, Lucca Green, Emmanuel Berhane and Chris Luala all having their moments.

The John Page Cup (Boys singles) competition was again intensely competitive with Henry Gregson beating Lucca Green in the final.

1st VI

2nd VI

U15 A

U15 B

U14 A

Boys 1st VI

SPORT

106

FOOTBALL 1st XI Paul Deller & Mark Beauchamp

P

W

L

D

F

A

11

5

5

1

25

25

SKIL League 2015/16: 3rd Place

T

his was a young squad made up of only three Grecians, 12 Deps and one GE. So looking at our breadth of experience (only five of them had played CH first team football before) we expected a challenging season.

In addition, we incurred a couple of long term injuries that altered the way we initially intended to play and placed more pressure on the rest of the squad.

In this context, finishing third in the SKIL League - the highest a CH first team has finished in this league - was a significant achievement and highlighted the flexibility of our players.

After a very encouraging pre-season, our first match versus Brighton College (L 5-1) was a relative disaster. Whilst we must acknowledge that the opposition were strong, we played within ourselves and quickly realised the enormity of the learning curve we were on.

A glimmer of belief followed in the Worth (W 1-2) fixture, which we dominated but lacked composure in front of goal. Our goals eventually came from ‘Il Capitano’ Michele Conte and Ola Siwoku, whose goal was reminiscent of Al Owairan for Saudi Arabia in the 1994 World Cup. This enthusiasm was dulled versus Sevenoaks (L 2-4). We continued to waste opportunities and were made to pay when they were more ruthless in front of goal.

Besides being disappointed that we were not getting the results we deserved, we were encouraged by how well we were playing defending to attack - and the second half of the season proved more fruitful.

After a slightly fortuitous but hard fought victory versus Colfes (1-0), we gave a resounding performance against Epsom (W 2-4) and a gritty, mature win over King’s Canterbury (1-2).

These results saw us at the top end of the league table with one match to play, versus Royal Russell. This match proved to be one of

our best performances in many ways, concentrated in defence and confident in attack. Barring a couple of outstanding saves from their ‘keeper, this would have been an emphatic end to the season. It was not to be and after a close match, Royal Russell scored two late goals.

Our thanks and best wishes go to Michele Conte, who captained the team with passion and pride, and Abdul Ahmed and Fedi Dinghile-Tiramani, who leave us this year having played with enthusiasm throughout their time at CH. To the rest of this young squad, a lot can be taken from this season. They can look ahead to next season with confidence in their ability, looking to better any first team that came before them.

1st XI Squad 2015/16: Michele Conte, Abdul Ahmed, Federico Dinghile-Tiramani, Albert Burgess, Sol Deller, Jeffrey King, Charlie Lillywhite, Ola Siwoku, Sean Thomson, Noah Traill, Harry Taylor, Noel Taylor, Sam Winsbury, Davidson Osaghe.

2nd XI Shaun Mason

P

W

L

D

F

A

10

6

3

1

19

16

SKIL League 2015/16: 3rd Place

This was a most enjoyable season as the squad seemed to gel quickly and all were happy to play a similar style of football within the limits of their own strengths and weaknesses.

We only under-performed in one match, on a very small pitch which did not suit us; a result which cost us the league.

Most pleasing for me was the spirit and support within the squad that ensured that when we went behind in a game, everyone fought back.

This was most evident away to Epsom when we conceded two soft goals early in the first half, brought it back to 2-2 just before half time, and then went on to win in a thrilling second half.

Every player performed well this season but Peter Olawole stood out as the most influential member of the team in central midfield. Many of the younger players also developed well and I am very hopeful of an equally good group next year.

SPORT

‘Ola Siwoku’s goal was reminiscent of Al Owairan for Saudi Arabia in the 1994 World Cup’

107

3rd XI Jonathan Callas

P

W

L

D

F

A

8

3

2

3

12

12

We had an excellent start away at Brighton, with good goals from Jamie Martin and Charlie Mason Graves securing a 2-0 win.

The next game against Sutton was a very close affair. Despite a great goal from Jamie Martin, an excellent individual effort from Alex Witchell

and a fine headed goal from Oscar Prior, we couldn’t quite do enough to prevent a 3-4 defeat. We bounced back against Sevenoaks, with Benji Yokyong Zoega scoring with a wonderful strike.

We were outclassed by a superior Hurtwood House, before draws against Epsom College and then Kings Canterbury, with Tobi Viadenou scoring our goal of the season with a superb free kick. In our last game against Wilsons, we worked hard but fell to a 1-2 defeat.

I am particularly happy with the dedication and attitude of the boys. I would like to thank all those who took part and made it such an enjoyable season.

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Under 16A Dean Kent

P

W

L

D

F

A

9

4

5

0

17

12

SKIL League 2015/16: 4th Place

1st XI

The season was, on reflection, a successful one, with a solid win ratio which could have easily been 80/20 if the team had taken its chances.

In almost every match, the team displayed desire and a good work ethic. The Player of the Season went to Tristan Chapman for his consistent displays in midfield, whilst Player’s Player was Linus Schreier for his outstanding efforts in goal. The Most Improved Player award went to Kachi Udokporo.

U16A Squad: Linus Schreier, Eric Swinn-Ward, Hugh Macdonald-Parry (Capt.), David GalindoCutillas, Joe Nulty, Tristan Chapman, Kachi Udokporo, Will Freeman, Neo Caine, Bukunmi Lajumoke, Enoch Oludoyi, Philipp Braun, Nasir Asunramu and Joe Snazzle-Holding.

Under 16B P

W

L

D

F

A

8

2

4

2

14

22

From the outset, the squad demonstrated skill, but found itself too often outpaced by strong opposition.

Impressively, the boys applied themselves purposefully in training and their shape began to emerge after a couple of early matches.

Ross Gilding’s work on the right side meant that there was always an attacking menace on the wing. A tireless Ambrose Thwaites played almost every minute of the season up front.

The thoughtful running and goal-threat of Akeem Akinniyi on the left wing was often complemented by the cultured passing of Richard Sustmann who anchored the midfield, in front of an increasing solid back four, led ably by Elliott Bayley and Ebow Crankson.

Behind them, Jaden Alie made some spectacular saves in goal.

One of the final matches saw both Pierre Paul and Kojo Adu score, either of which could be considered goal of the season, both struck superbly from outside the box.

2nd XI

SKIL League 2015/16: 5th Place

Under 15A Terry Whittingham

P

W

L

D

F

A

10

2

7

1

20

27

SKIL League 2015/16: 7th Place The team experienced a difficult season, not helped by losing our number one goalkeeper to injury. We had to employ one of our best outfield players in goal, but despite these setbacks the team remained enthusiastic and

fully committed.

There were a couple of notable matches. The 5-1 demolition of Worth sticks in the memory, as does the 2-1 victory over Warden Park, when the team played some of its best football.

There were some outstanding performers.

Seni Ashiru showed himself to be a strong, quick and skilful left footed midfielder. At left back, Logan Vickers showed tenacity, whilst captain Charlie Robinson led by example.

The Player of the Season award went to Matthew Attalah. He ran his heart out and was a constant threat in attack. He is lightning quick, possesses a powerful shot and was consequently top scorer.

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Under 15B

109

Under 14B

Stuart Cowley

Under 13A

Jon Grindrod

Tom Henton

P

W

L

D

F

A

P

W

L

D

F

A

P

W

L

D

F

A

8

2

5

1

12

17

9

3

5

1

21

35

6

2

4

0

10

31

SKIL League 2015/16: 5th Place

SKIL League 2015/16: 5th Place

There were plenty of high points and some successes, but quite a few ‘if only’ moments too.

The season got off to a slow start with two defeats to strong sides; Brighton and Bedes.

We had plenty of talent but played as individuals, rather than as a unit.

However, in our third game against Sevenoaks we won convincingly and started to play as a team. This was followed by a couple of narrow defeats, which we could have won with more clinical finishing and a little fortune.

The boys pressed on and won well at King’s Canterbury, before drawing 3-3 in a tough game against Royal Russell. Top scorer was James ‘Speedy’ Catt who put away some cracking goals. Player of the Season was Tom Johnson, who took on many roles and gave 100% in every game.

The team had a mixed season with some heavy defeats and some solid victories.

The season started poorly against a strong Brighton College side and Sevenoaks, both of whom inflicted crushing defeats.

We recovered with a 1-1 draw versus Colfe’s, taking great motivation in a game where we were unlucky not to claim three points. A convincing 6-1 win against Worth further boosted the squad’s confidence. However, a 3-2 last minute defeat to Epsom College was a tough result to take. The team moved on and earned back to back victories over King’s Canterbury and Royal Russell.

Notable performances across the season came from midfielder Mustapha Saliho and top scorer Finn Carver. The Player’s Player went to Christopher Bello, who was a constant threat in attack and invaluable in defence. Well done to all of the squad; I thoroughly enjoyed the season.

The U14Cs had a rough season, losing all four matches. The boys gave their all and learnt a lot from the experience. A special mention goes to all the defensive players, particularly goalkeeper Josh Sterley.

Under 14A Dan McIlwain

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The team had a great first year of football at CH and learnt so much. Undoubtedly, the boys found it difficult, playing against better teams and some very good individuals, but they never gave up. The squad was a pleasure to work with and a huge credit to the School.

Under 13B Ben Henton

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The B team had a mixed season but what I am most impressed with is the progress that the squad made. There were many impressive performances from Joseph Ansah and Joshua Ogunleye, but the whole squad established a positive base on which they can build.

Under 13C James Duffield

U15A

The season began with a few close defeats.

But the hard work at training paid off away at Worth, where we won 3-0.

A snowball effect occurred as we went on a winning streak that resulted in a third place SKIL League finish.

The team produced many fantastic performances. Our goalkeeper Gabriel Rai produced incredible match winning saves and we had a great captain in Samuel Odu, who was a true leader. A special mention must also go to Gus Freeman who was named Player of the Season and also Player’s Player. A winner on the pitch, a gentlemen off it, and a player Christ's Hospital are fortunate to have.

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SKIL League 2015/16: 3rd Place

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The U13C team’s season was characterised by continual personal development and improvement. Despite three challenging fixtures, the boys stayed positive and worked to improve in training.

The Player of the Season was goalkeeper Alfie Hallsworth, who combined a positive attitude with a determination to do his best. He helped the whole squad reflect on how they could improve in a pleasant environment.

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Senior Ladies

Senior Ladies

Juan Gonzalez

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The first ever female football team at CH could not have been more successful with the girls winning the two matches they played.

The first was an epic 4-3 victory at home, after being 2-0 down at half time. The second was a dominant 6-1 win with amazing goals from players including Temi Adeyemi, and a solid performance from Charlotte Suckling in goal.

Every girl played with passion and intelligence.

The Most Valuable Player was Zoe Vallinga who, from right back, was captain and top scorer with three goals.

Congratulations to every girl who took part.

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Tom Henton

Lucas Green makes a tackle

Ate Wilcox in action for U12

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Being new to the School, the U12s have a tough job, getting used to life at CH whilst learning to play football with people they have only known for a few weeks. Whilst they only won one game, this doesn’t reflect how hard the team worked.

Under 12B Stuart Cowley

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The season started promisingly, despite a lack of time together, as CH lost 3-2 to the Royals.

A heavy defeat against Warden Park could have demoralised the team, but to their credit the players responded with a fighting draw at Windlesham. By mid-season, they were playing with fluency, which resulted in good wins against Copthorne, Ashdown and a draw against Brambletye. Top scorer was Alex Merry, followed closely by Finn Curtin and Henry Beckett. Player of the Season was Adam Beddall, who always gave 100%.

The U12Cs had a very good season, winning two from four. Special mention goes to Byron Raw and Sam Gadd, who scored all of the goals, with Ollie Hayward also impressing.

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SWIMMING

Basketball

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The senior boys competed in the Bath Cup and Otter Medley at the Olympic pool in Stratford. This competition is a prestigious event which has been running since 1910.

With over 70 teams participating, it is testimony to the improvement of CH swimming that we were invited to compete.

Nikita Kunzli, James North, Corey Gowans, Henry Watts and Ross Gilding represented the School.

In March, 36 pupils took part in the Sport Relief Swimathon. They swam a total of 42,500 metres and raised over ÂŁ450.

U18

Senior Girls

U16

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The first team played some incredible matches, including an 80-18 win over Caterham School and a thrilling game against Tonbridge School where CH was unfortunate to lose 70-79. CH finished the season on a high, beating Collyer’s 61-39, with Isaac Kirby-Dunkley scoring 21 points.

Seyi Adebanjo and Jasper Ryan-Cater demonstrated impressive defensive abilities as the first team finished with 15 wins; an all-time best.

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Senior Boys English Schools

ATHLETICS Overview

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he season of competitive fixtures kicked off at Hurstpierpoint College (girls) and Tonbridge School (boys).

At Hurst, the intermediate and senior girls impressed, with Leah Zabari throwing a good opening distance in the discus and Melina Irawo comfortably winning the event.

Angelle Roberts passed four competitors in the final straight of the 800m race and Natasha Hutchins ran a highly competitive 3000m race.

At Tonbridge, the boys came in fourth place overall, just missing out on third place. There were standout performances from Josh Persad in the 100m, James North in 400m and Emmanuel Ajayi-Coker in the triple jump.

Cameron Finlay won the 800m as well as

Elliot Bayley and Josh Persad

competing in the 1500m and 4x400m to bring vital points to the team.

The Sevenoaks competition saw Christ’s Hospital take a large, mixed squad that battled against wet and cold conditions. In the senior events, Abdul Ahmed dominated discus and Yasmine Mafiamba ran an impressive 100m.

In the intermediate events, Jordanna Joseph (javelin), Oba Osundina (hurdles), Esther Tewogbade (100m & 200m), and Melina Irawo (discus and shot) all came first.

In the same week, Elliot Bayley competed at the Surrey County Championships in javelin and Josh Persad competed in the Sussex County Championships in both 100m and 200m. Both boys successfully secured first place to retain their titles.

The English Schools Track and Field Cup was as competitive as ever.

The intermediate boys comfortably qualified for the regional round and for the first time in many years, both the junior and intermediate girls also qualified for the next round.

Esther Tewogbade did a great job as captain and helped guide the younger athletes.

At the regional stage of the competition the inter boys travelled to Mile End, London and had great success in several events. Lennox Anyanwu ran an excellent 100m and achieved 51.23m in the hammer throw, bringing in an impressive 60 points from his two events.

Connor Stewart (300m) and Sam Odu (hurdles) also enjoyed success.

Both of the girls’ teams travelled to Hillingdon and there were standout performances from Deborah Balogun (100m), Alex Anyanwu (1500m), AJ Brako (shot put), Tunmise Abbas (hurdles) and Liza Thwaites (javelin).

The competition ended with the inter boys finishing in seventh place and the inter girls in 11th place. Despite scoring well as individual teams it wasn’t enough to take them to the finals this year.

William Jibogu in the 400m

James Allen and Otto Jacubowski

Andre Harrison-Fisher

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Nasir Asunramu

Bronze for Sam

Track and field inter counties team

Senior Girls

Junior Girls

Some pupils seized the opportunity to train at Horsham Blue Star Harriers as well as undertaking additional training sessions at the track during the summer term.

This proved a benefit to several pupils who led the School to win the Mid Sussex School Trials which is the first round of the English Schools Track and Field Athletics Championships.

From this, 29 pupils went on to compete at the Sussex Schools Track and Field Championships.

Andre Harrison-Fisher took the bronze medal in the 200m, whilst Emmanuel Ajayi-Coker (triple jump) and Emmanuel Onyango both won silver in their respective events.

Following this, 13 junior and inter pupils went on to qualify and represent Sussex at inter counties, held at Sutton arena. This saw some excellent performances from Josh Persad (100m), Jesse Agwae who jumped an incredible 12m in triple jump, and Sam Odu (hurdles). All three boys were selected to represent Sussex for the English Schools Track and Field Championship Final, along with Melina Irawo (discus) and Jordanna Joseph (javelin) who were chosen as reserves.

At the championship final, Jesse finished in 11th place, whilst Sam Odu took the bronze medal with a time of 11.53 secs (a national standard time).

The captain Andre Harrison-Fisher and vice-captain Sol Deller must be commended for demonstrating great leadership skills over the season.

‘Sam Odu took the bronze medal with a time of 11.53 secs, a national standard time’

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A Year in the

Life of the Combined Cadet Force JULY Winners of Best Contingent Shield

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he Army section won this year’s South East Brigade’s Best Contingent Shield.

Teams from across the country competed for the prestigious prize, which was presented at the end of a week of military, outward bound and adventure training.

The first few days were spent learning and developing skills that would be tested later in the competition. The cadet teams then faced each other in a series of gruelling scenarios designed to test both their mental and physical stamina.

The CH team also returned home with top prizes for parade drill, navigation and command and leadership.

ATARG Adventure Training Course It was an action-packed holiday for CH cadets who completed the tough ATARG adventure training course, run by the Royal Navy on the west coast of Scotland.

Cadets George Omerod, Jamie Packham, Rhian Daniel and Tom Walker developed their mountain expedition skills in the rugged setting of the Arrochar Alps near Lochgoilhead in Argyll. Other cadets took to the water, with Max Thomas and Alice Liu completing army qualifications in open canoeing and inland kayaking on the beautiful River Lune in Lancashire. Daniel Storer also secured his competent crew qualification in yachting, while Tom Carter went underwater, gaining qualifications in ocean diving with the Royal Navy in Plymouth.

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‘Military instructors taught them everything from landing safely to what to do if the parachute canopy did not open!’

Some preferred to develop their ability to take charge, completing specialist leadership courses with the armed forces. Cadet Corporals George Boyle and Tom Walker completed command courses run by the British Army, while Angelica Ajayi-Coker, Tom Clare and Lucy Farrely finished the challenging senior leadership course with the Royal Navy in Plymouth.

Expedition to Yukon Territory Two cadets were selected to take part in an international exchange with the Royal Canadian Army, spending six weeks in the remote Yukon Territory.

Cadet Dani Heath qualified as an expedition instructor and completed a tough 18-day expedition travelling over 400km across the Canadian wilderness by mountain bike, canoe and on foot.

Another CH cadet, Elliott Riley returned for a second year to Canada as a member of staff supporting the Canadian Army instructors in their delivery of training.

AUGUST Intensive Army Parachute Training Army cadets experienced the adrenalinecharged thrill of completing solo parachute jumps for the first time.

Cadets George Ormerod, Felix Roughton, Zoe Vallinga and Tom Walker undertook static line drops from 3,500 feet following intensive training at the British Army’s parachute centre at Netheravon. The cadets jumped from an aircraft into the drop zone, located in the Wiltshire countryside. Military instructors taught them everything from landing safely to what to do if the parachute canopy did not open!

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OCTOBER Pilot Tuition at RAF Benson Cadets had the opportunity to take the controls of an aircraft as pilot for the first time at RAF Benson, one of the country’s busiest military airfields. On the ground, RAF pilots provided tuition on the basics of aircraft operation, reading the instruments and operating the parachute in an emergency.

The propeller-driven aircraft were then taxied and accelerated down the runway for take-off. Once airborne, the cadets were given control of the aircraft to practice the basic manoeuvres they had been taught. The aircraft were also taken through some stomachchurning aerobatics.

Similar flying experiences were enjoyed during the summer.

NOVEMBER Remembrance Sunday Ceremony Cadets attended the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance as part of the national observance of Remembrance Sunday.

The moving ceremony is held each year at the Royal Albert Hall in London to commemorate those who have died in military service. It includes the iconic sight of thousands of poppies fluttering down during the twominute silence.

The cadets were guests of the Royal British Legion’s Director of Music, Captain David Cole MVO, who has served as the festival’s music director for the past 10 years. He spoke with the pupils after the festival about what it was like to produce such a significant national event.

FEBRUARY Cadet Traces Telemark Heroes Cadet Tomaz O'Donoghue spent two weeks with the British Army tracing the journeys of wartime resistance fighters through the inhospitable ice plateaus of Telemark, Norway.

Temperatures fell as low as minus 20°C during his gruelling expedition across the barren Hardangervidda, the largest mountain plateau in Europe.

The trek explored the hostile terrain that Norwegian saboteurs used as their base during the Second World War. Their wartime exploits included the legendary raid by the ‘Telemark Heroes’ on the Norsk Hydro heavy water plant. Tomaz was presented with his Joint Services Nordic Ski Foundation qualification at the end of the course.

Sponsored Walk Raises £3,000 The contingent completed a 26-mile sponsored walk while blindfolded to raise money for Blind Veterans UK. Over £3,000 was raised for the charity’s local centre, which helps those who have served in the armed forces to recover their independence after sight loss.

78 cadets walked the gruelling course from the School, across the South Downs to the charity’s base on the coast at Brighton.

The cadets took it in turns to walk different sections blindfolded while guided by their friends.

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MARCH 24-Hour Battle Exercise Exercise Housey Warrior provided the Army section with a gruelling test of leadership, endurance and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

The 24-hour battle exercise took place across more than 900 acres of Ashdown Forest, where the cadets spent the night in shelters they had constructed themselves. Two downed aircrew who had parachuted into the training area had to be located, have their simulated injuries patched up and then be evacuated.

Military Training at Crowborough Leaping fences, climbing over brick walls, swinging chasms and balancing on high wires were amongst challenges faced by cadets spending the day at Crowborough Camp.

The RAF and Navy sections visited the military training centre for a range of activities including running the gruelling assault course and testing marksmanship with both the rifle and bow and arrow.

Challenging Weather at Dartmoor The contingent deployed to Dartmoor for a week of adventure training at the end of the Lent Term. The weather conditions were very challenging, but the cadets were determined to complete the requirements of their Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. Conditions were less damp when a smaller group of cadets visited Snowdonia in June.

MAY Anniversary Mess Dinner Assault boots were swapped for high heels for the Mess Dinner. Proceedings closely followed the formality and traditions of a British Army Officers’ Mess, with students learning the etiquette of formal dining. The event concluded with the presentation of the Pooley Sword to Elliot Riley, the Goddard Prize for Military Instruction to Zoe Vallinga and the Elstob Prize to Lottie Woodall.

JUNE Mountain Bike Training Session The Royal Navy visited CH to give the cadets a taste of a range of adventurous activities.

These included a mountain bike skills training session which taught the cadets how to maintain control at different speeds and when braking. The navy instructors then set up an obstacle course in the School’s 1,200 acre site for the cadets to race around. There was also the chance to try scuba diving with training from experienced military divers.

‘The 24-hour battle exercise took place across more than 900 acres of Ashdown Forest’

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What is MUN? Model United Nations (MUN) aims to build an understanding of current global challenges amongst the next generation of world leaders and thinkers, while developing the intercultural skills that young people require to work and live in a globalised world.

Students take on the role of diplomats and political leaders and debate global issues by participating in simulations of international diplomatic forums.

Debate is structured using rules of

procedure used at real-life diplomatic summits. Participants research, develop and promote their own solutions to pressing world problems, negotiating for support for their ideas with other young people from across the world.

MUN offers a unique opportunity for students to improve the skills they acquire in the classroom, such as research and analysis, alongside those mainly developed outside of lessons, such as leadership and relationship building.

Extraordinary Success During

Unbeaten Season I

t has been a year of extraordinary successes and achievements for the MUN programme, with the team enjoying another unbeaten conference season.

For a second year in a row, CH pupils won the Top Team prize at every competition they attended.

In total, the MUN team won 20 different awards competing against students from across the world. The foundations for the team’s success remain CH students’ genuine interest in international politics, development and human rights, and the passion with which they advocate their solutions to global problems.

International Peace and Security Conference The School once again became a temporary diplomatic summit centre in October to host its annual International Peace and Security Conference.

The two-day event continues to grow, with more than 100 young people from across the country visiting CH to engage with some of the most challenging current debates on conflict, development and security.

This year, CH hosted teams from Ardingly College, Benenden, Cranbrook School,

Haileybury, RGS Guildford, Royal Russell School, Sir William Perkin’s School and Wycombe Abbey.

The conference featured a simulation of the United Nations Security Council in the midst of an ongoing international crisis. The scenario focused on the fictitious southeast Asian island nation of Rengaan, which had recently been devastated by a tropical cyclone.

The military government refused international assistance and ignored rebel-held areas in its rescue operations. Debate focused on whether military intervention could be justified under international law.

Delegates were updated on changes in the situation on the ground using TV-news style broadcasts, which were produced, filmed and edited by CH pupils themselves.

Although there were fears that the students representing China and Russia would employ their veto powers, a solution to the crisis was negotiated and a resolution passed in the final minutes of the second day.

The delegates also had the chance to experience the more refined aspects of international diplomacy, with an ambassadors’ drinks reception and formal black tie dinner on the first night of the conference.

‘There were fears that the students representing China and Russia would employ their veto powers’

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MUN There was also the opportunity to see what life is like for students at the School, watching the Band parade and participating in a special full School Chapel Service of Thanksgiving for the work of the United Nations, where prayers were read in some of the many languages represented in the School body.

The conference’s success was based on the conscientious work of its student leadership including Secretaries-General Angel Droth Vicens (MaA/GrE) and Onyinye Udokporo (BaB/GrE).

Outstanding Delegation Award at Benenden In December, 23 CH pupils competed in the Benenden MUN Conference. Participants took part in simulations of a range of United Nations bodies such as the Human Rights Council and Security Council.

Debate examined a range of international concerns including freedom of religious expression, the immunity of state officials, forced evictions from slum communities, state-sponsored paramilitaries and reducing childhood mortality.

The CH team representing China beat 80 other teams from 19 different schools to win first place and the conference's Outstanding Delegation Award.

MUN

A CH team representing Germany also received a team prize, coming second equal and winning a Highly Commended Delegation Award.

In total, the CH delegation returned with nine different prizes for team and individual achievement. Outstanding Delegate Awards were presented during the conference’s closing ceremony to Dani Heath (ThA), Grace Owen Ellis-Clark (ColA), Georgia Smith (BaB) and Tia Troth (LHA). Harry Stannard (MaB), Mololuwa Olanrewaju (ColB) and Kwame Owusu (MaB/GrE) won Highly Commended Delegate Awards.

Distinguished Delegation Award at Haileybury MUN The team’s successes continued at Haileybury MUN, the country’s largest school-level MUN competition. CH delegates outperformed 125 teams from over 50 schools from across the world to secure first place, winning the prestigious Distinguished Delegation Award for a second successive year.

As always, CH pupils were keen to develop their own solutions to a range of global concerns, ranging from protecting female reproductive rights to combatting the illicit trade in opiates.

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‘CH delegates outperformed 125 teams from over 50 schools from across the world’ The CH team represented the policies of Afghanistan, China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates in diplomatic forums including the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly.

The team also returned with a number of individual prizes. Dani Heath (ThA), Mololuwa Olanrewaju (ColB), Owen Purnell (MaB) and Sami Sedki-Farag (MaB) were considered the best delegates in their committees and won Distinguished Delegate Awards.

In addition, Charlie O’Callaghan (LHA), Enoch Oludoyi (LaB), Grace Owen Ellis-Clark (ColA), Kwame Owusu (MaB/GrE), Georgia Smith (BaB) and Tia Troth (LHA) won Highly Commended Delegate Awards.

Secretary-General Team Inspires Younger Students This year’s many achievements would not have been possible without the hard work of the Secretary-General team of Angel Droth Vicens (MaA/GrE), Dani Heath (ThA), Grace Owen Ellis-Clark (ColA) and Onyinye Udokporo (BaB/GrE). Their passionate interest in international affairs and dedicated leadership has inspired younger students to succeed.

The MUN team is very grateful for the kind support of the Amicable Society of Blues.

Their generous sponsorship allows students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in the programme.

The pupils were delighted to welcome as representatives of the Amicables Keith Lugton and Ian Rodgers at the International Peace & Security Conference dinner in October.

The rank of Ambassador is awarded to pupils who make a lasting impact on the future of MUN at CH, so it was fitting that an Ambassador’s badge was presented to Mr Rodgers by the Secretaries-General at the end of the dinner.

SPEECH DAY Lord Mayor Visits

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hrist’s Hospital was delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Lord Mountevans, to Speech Day on 28 May 2016.

Over 800 guests attended Chapel and watched the March Past which followed.

The highlight of the prize giving ceremony was the oration by Senior Grecian, Isobel Pelling and the response by Lord Mountevans.

During prize giving, senior pupils were presented with awards recognising academic achievement, leadership, international relations, outward bound activities and creative writing.

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Head Master’s Address Speech Day 2016

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ord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Treasurer, Chairman, Almoners, Members of the Board of School Governors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Grecians, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 Christ’s Hospital Speech Day and Prize Giving.

Lord Mayor, it is a particular pleasure to have you here today and I would like to thank you, your Aldermen and the Sheriffs for all that you have done and continue to do to support Christ's Hospital.

I would also like to thank those of you who are here today representing the City livery companies. Your moral and financial support, each as important as the other, do a great deal to help us in our good work at CH. Similarly, I would like to thank our Donation Governors, not just for your financial support, but for the active interest that you have taken in your presentees.

Now then, I do hope that you enjoyed the service in Chapel this morning. To my mind, there is something quite special about being part of a congregation of almost a thousand people from such diverse backgrounds, singing so lustily and with good courage.

One of the verses that we sang in the Foundation Hymn is particularly apposite as we gather here to celebrate another successful School year: Praise him for religious guiding, For the royal founder king, For the ancient house providing Shelter neath her kindly wing.

Today, we celebrate, not only the royal founder king, but all who have served Christ’s Hospital since 1552, when King Edward VI and the then Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Dobbs, founded Christ's Hospital “as a passing dede of pity”.

This School’s purpose then, as it is today, was to provide girls and boys in need with a firstclass boarding education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential to the betterment of themselves and society.

Today, we proudly hold true to our charitable mission and to our rich heritage manifested in our Tudor uniform and our on-going links with the City of London. But, the world is a very different place now, and many of our customs and practices have had to evolve in order to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. If anything, the pace of change in

recent years has accelerated. Let me give you an example: over the past decade, CH has had: two Head Masters; three Treasurers; three Chairmen of the School Board; Four Clerks; and five Deputy Heads.

Sadly, the two current Deputies, Jo Thomson and Tom Lawson, are both leaving us at the end of this term to take on their own schools; Jo at Clayesmore School in Dorset and Tom at Eastbourne College. Their good work here is almost done and we wish them every success in the next stage of their respective careers.

I am also conscious that my own time here as Head of this unique institution is coming to an end. This fact was underlined last week when the Board of School Governors announced that Mr Simon Reid, currently Principal of Gordonstoun and a former CH housemaster, will take over as Head Master of Christ’s Hospital in September 2017. Curiously, having waited for 455 years to appoint its first colonial Head Master, CH has now gone for two in a row. I do hasten to add though, that Simon Reid is originally from South Africa, rather than the sun-burnt plains of Australia.

Simon’s appointment will be a first for CH in another important respect as well. When he takes up his duties, he will assume overall responsibility for a revitalised and streamlined organisation that, after 465 years, will finally see the School seamlessly integrated with the Foundation. With a single chain of command beneath him and a single governing body above, Simon will have both the authority and the support he needs to ensure that the School continues to flourish in the next phase of its development.

And flourish it must, if CH is to continue to provide a life-changing education for the pupils in its care. That, after all, is what CH is really all about; not Head Masters or senior management or even the teaching staff, who by the way continue to do an outstanding job in the classroom, on the playing fields and in the boarding houses.

No, CH’s very reason for being is to provide the best possible education for our pupils, while giving them the stability, encouragement and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. That process begins, in most cases, with us helping the trepidatious and sometimes tearful 2nd Form pupils to find their feet in their first year at CH. Having done that, we then spend the next year working to contain their adolescent enthusiasm and over-confidence.

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As the pupils work their way up through the school, we will watch as they grow in height and confidence and in their understanding of themselves and the world around them. We will celebrate their successes and we will be there to help them when things go wrong because for some, adolescence can be an unpredictable and, at times, unhappy journey to adulthood.

‘The world is a very different place now, and many of our customs and practices have had to evolve’

And then, before they know it, the pupils will find that they are almost at the end of their time at CH. Our Grecians here today have just weeks to go before they leave CH for the last time and no doubt, they are feeling a little apprehensive about leaving behind the familiar ways of Housey. But, they should also be excited about the prospects that lie ahead of them, confident that they have been thoroughly prepared for life in the wider world.

Their time at CH will have provided them with an excellent education and an abundance of facts, figures and knowledge in various shapes and forms. Of course, knowledge is all very well, but, as Albert Einstein said, “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” To that end, we have worked hard to ensure that our pupils have also developed the analytical skills, the judgement and the perspective they need to place that knowledge in the appropriate context and then use it wisely.

Along the way, the Grecians will have learnt to live and work in close proximity with others and will have acquired the values, attitudes and work ethic that they will need to lead successful and rewarding lives. Hopefully, they will have developed an appreciation for the finer things in life and a love of learning for its own sake. But their learning won’t stop as they leave CH. As Socrates said, “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” and our pupils’ time at CH is really just the start of what I hope will be a lifetime of learning.

We are very proud of our Grecians and I am confident that the friendly, forthright and capable young men and women you see before you are now ready to take their place in the wider world and make a worthwhile contribution to society once they are there.

This year’s Senior Grecian, Isobel Pelling, is the embodiment of all that CH stands for: she is intelligent, hard working and hugely capable in an endearingly unassuming way. She has, demonstrably, made the most of her time at CH and has done an outstanding job as Senior Grecian. It gives me great pleasure then to invite Izzy, on behalf of this year’s Grecians, to present her Oration.

SPEECHES

Senior Grecian’s Oration Isobel Pelling

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y Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs of the City of London, Almoners, Governors, Pupils, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all here today, to our annual Speech Day and Prize Giving.

The last visit this school year was not by you, my Lord Mayor, but by your predecessor, Alan Yarrow, for the occasion of burying a time capsule outside the new Languages and Resource Centre; a very memorable experience for all involved. It is to be opened in 2065, 50 years from when it was buried, to give an insight into life at CH as it is now.

Some of you may have noticed the distinguished gentleman, sitting in the third row. He is my extremely proud grandad, Malcolm Bond. You may see him dabbing his eyes during this speech, which I’ve been repeatedly assured, is just hay fever.

He was here himself in the 1950s. Telling him about our time capsule made me wonder what would possibly have been buried in one 50 years ago. Doing the type of sophisticated and independent research that marks me out as an International Baccalaureate Diploma student, I came up with some ideas about what would have been deemed worthy of inclusion in the spring of 1966.

Perhaps a smiley face or two would be in there, they somehow only came into existence in 1964. We’ve moved on now though, to more complex emojis. Likely findings could include a Beatles record, for the Grecians in the room; those are sort of like a CD but bigger. Perhaps also some memorabilia from Churchill’s funeral, the previous year. Apparently, back then, people were also very fond of Opal Fruits, which I can again translate for the

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students in the audience as Starbursts, so perhaps some of those from the old tuck shop, now known as Buttons.

We would, of course, have to find somewhere else to bury it as in the 60s, the south block wasn’t even built, let alone the LARC. Back then, to have a building with the same amount of computer technology would take up the space of most of the CH land.

Those of you who weren’t at our ceremony might be interested to know what we put in this year. We buried a surprising number of things in the relatively small capsule: almost an entire uniform complete with a pair of yellow socks and lots of recent leaflets and editions of the CH newspapers.

This was in an attempt to have as many names as possible in the capsule. It goes without saying that these names were a little more diverse than they would’ve been 50 years ago due to the number of international students and even girls, the presence of whom my grandfather could only dream about in his tough all-boys’ school!

We also included a little booklet on ‘Housey Slang’ to give an insight into life here at CH in 2015. I can’t even imagine what the Housey slang would have been like 50 years ago but I’ve heard it was more of an entire language than simply the few words we use now. They include ‘skiff’, what we now call ‘scraping’ which is clearing waste food in dining hall or ‘kiff bowls’ for drinking tea. Now we just use mugs. But the worst one I’ve heard is ‘spadge’ which is supposed to mean ‘walking together.’

Somehow I can’t see many people here talking about going for a ‘spadge’. Of course, we also added things celebrating some of our most recent successes. These ranged from Beatrix Crinnion’s winning poem in a national translation competition to news of Old Blue Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey’s Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan.

My Lord Mayor, these last items show the successes and variety of CH as it is now and make me think about change and continuity. It is true that many things we put in wouldn’t be found in one from 50 years ago but still some things remain the same. CH is a place full of tradition that we are absolutely proud of but as the differences in the time capsules from the 60s and today would show, there is a need to test and sometimes change how things work.

There are many traditions that we would regard as sacrosanct at CH, proved by the fact that in our 2015 time capsule we put a uniform barely changed from the opening of the School in 1552. I would, personally, be devastated to see the uniform replaced by a standard blazer and tie. Fortunately, this is unlikely as a fairly recent survey demonstrated a unanimous decision to retain this key element of Christ’s Hospital. Of course, the ability to provide places or bursaries to as many needy children as possible is another thing that will simply never change; it is part of the essence of Christ’s Hospital.

Needless to say, if it were not for a change of tradition, I would not be in the position I am now. It was only 30 years ago that girls joined the boys here in Horsham; before this, female staff would not be admitted to parts of the staff Common Room for fear of upsetting the men! I doubt very much that my grandfather really expects my experience of the School to be exactly the same as his. I would argue that this change is undoubtedly for the better. In more recent times, the number of international students has risen by a large proportion, making CH a more varied and culturally diverse place.

‘Apparently, back then, people were also very fond of Opal Fruits, which I can translate for the students as Starbursts’

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127 Asking around, I’ve heard the opinions of many students and staff about the future of CH, some rather entertaining. I now wouldn’t be surprised to find a newly renovated tube, complete with escalators from the boarding houses and moving walkways like those you find at airports, as long as the students were still travelling in Housey. I also wouldn’t be surprised to find a whole new examination system that is much more wide-ranging and puts less emphasis on one month of the year. I also imagine that there will be a much higher level of expat alumni, some of whom I was very fortunate to meet in Chicago this year. Other predictions involved whether we’d still write with pens or play the same sports, but all of these seem trivial. The core values of CH will remain very much the same, the appreciation of the buildings and land we use, the ethos of the CH community and the friendships for life.

The CH community has embraced international students from both Europe and the far East, and anyone that knows me will understand when I say that I have particularly enjoyed embracing the international students, one of whom specifically has made a significant impact on my life and inspired me always to strive to be the best possible version of myself.

The main aspect that all visitors reflect upon when they come for open days is the attitude of the pupils, and the diversity only encourages this; so we should never be afraid to celebrate it.

My Lord Mayor, change and alteration should also be celebrated in education. The model in this country is Victorian in its origin but its ultimate aim remains the same; to produce adults well fitted to the world in which they live. One thing that I am extremely grateful for was the option that CH gave me to widen my

choices in doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, something else they wouldn’t have seen in my grandad’s day. I strongly feel that this is important in today’s society where it has been estimated that our generation will float between an average of around 10 jobs in a lifetime.

The IB also promotes an international outlook on education, which CH heartily supports. This is something that I would argue is of increasing importance in an inter-connected world, which I’m sure on your many travels this year, my Lord Mayor, you have become very familiar with. The job market for our generation demands skills that a school stuck in the past would simply not manage to meet. The context has changed, the world now is a very different place from the world that CH faced 50 years ago and will again be very different when I (hopefully) am invited to return and help uncover that time capsule!

As I come to my conclusion, I’d like to once again stress my gratitude to Christ’s Hospital for all of the opportunities it has laid out for not just me but all of the Grecians here. We have spent an unforgettable seven years at CH. Finally, I would like to draw attention to all of the people who have helped me along the way, to Mr and Mrs Franklin who have supported me hugely this year, being very understanding of the stresses and strains of doing the IB and being Senior Grecian.

Particular thanks must go to the two Deputy Heads, Mrs Joanne Thomson and Mr Tom Lawson, who are both sadly leaving this year, for all of the time and effort they have put into our School. I’m sure, though, we all congratulate them on their promotion to headships. I’d also like to thank the monitor team, which has been extraordinary this year, always helpful and reliable, especially Elliot, my Second Monitor and confederate, who has been there supporting me whenever I’ve needed him.

Although change, my Lord Mayor, has allowed me to give this oration in English, I must now fulfil one of my final obligations as Senior Grecian by offering you a short Latin quotation, students and Old Blues will recognise it, translated from the foundation hymn: DEUM LAUDATE FABULAE PERPETUAE CAUSA QUAE FUIT ET PERVIGET CULTUS PRISTINUS, GLORIA PUBLICA MORES EXPERTI NUPER INTEGRATI Or in English: “Praise him for the unbroken story/ linking present with the past./ Old world habit, civic glory,/ time worn customs, newly cast.”

Thank you.

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Lord Mayor’s Response Lord Mountevans, Lord Mayor of the City of London

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sobel, thank you – and well done. Lord Mayors get to hear lots of speeches from all sorts of people. Some are wonderful. Some less so. Yours is firmly in the former camp. And I know I speak for so many in the City when I say that CH Speech Day and the Oration is an occasion we all look forward to.

Because CH and its Senior Grecian are so close to our hearts, because we honour and cherish this great School and everything it represents, and because you represent the best of the City itself, its values, its philanthropy, and its unique ability for the antique and ultra-modern, the different, even the downright eccentric to rub along side by side.

You captured that special City magic admirably.

But I expected nothing less of you – not least because your fellow Grecian, Onyinye Udokporo, a presentee of the Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company, spoke and proposed to toast at the Company’s Banquet back in September – perhaps you’ve been sharing tips.

Isobel, I don’t think we have properly met before today – but I feel I know you well, as it has been our pleasure to welcome you and some of your fellow Grecians at City events over the course of the year. I well remember standing up to make my first and most nerve-wracking speech of the year at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet – and there I saw you and Second Monitor, Eliot across Guildhall. I must confess to a certain amount of nervousness – but seeing you there gave me renewed courage! And then we had the pleasure of renewing our acquaintance at the Spital Sermon – just as it is today.

I’m told your boarding house was Barnes B – named after Thomas Barnes, the great 19th century editor of The Times Newspaper. Under his leadership it became known as “the Thunderer” because of its fearless campaigning against abuse and injustice. Well, in the nicest possible way, you, Isobel, have thundered today. Barnes would be proud of you! As the City, CH – and your grandfather – most definitely are.

And CH – and you in particular – were in my mind on another occasion over the past year.

Because, as someone who has worked in the maritime sector all his life and loves matters nautical, I had the great privilege of opening a

fine exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. An exhibition on a man intimately involved in the life and administration of CH as well as the Royal Navy, the great diarist Sir Samuel Pepys.

And amongst the paraphernalia of literary and nautical life was a striking preparatory painting – for the stupendous mural by Antonio Verrio in the Dining Hall here, marking the foundation of the Royal Mathematical School at CH in the late 17th century – an institution with a living connection with our own age through the badges some students still wear on their Housey coats.

Once seen, the Verrio is not forgotten. It is absolutely vast. But something else about it caught my eye. It shows an equal number of boy and girl students before the King – something in which real life has only caught up with art in very recent years. But it is striking too because it reminds us what the Royal Mathematical School meant – generations of

Old Blues sailing to the furthest corners of the world in the mercantile and Royal Navies when Britain was at the zenith of its power.

I wonder what those Old Blues felt – as they stepped out from the portals of the School in Newgate Street in the City – to sail out into the unknown. To reach destinations that must have seemed almost impossibly exotic, even incomprehensible. It would have demanded resilience, a certain robustness – and the ability to improvise and innovate wherever you find yourself. I like to think they would have seen their travels as something you, Isobel, have spoken about as one of your great loves – second perhaps only to your love of embracing a particular international student here at CH: A love of adventure.

Education at CH is itself an adventure. An intellectual adventure – as you try out new things. But it is also an adventure in your life

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here - I am not the only person to make a comparison between CH and Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. Although I would not dare to suggest any comparison between Severus Snape and any of your most estimable teachers or that there are any dark arts here against which you must defend yourself. And now you are preparing for another adventure – as you leave this place and are scattered to the four corners of the world.

You might be looking forward to climbing out of your Housey coats for the last time. No more smelling like wet dogs when it rains. No more marching into lunch. No more orangeyred brick everywhere. No more of CH’s structure, routine and order. Far less being told what to do and when to do it. It might seem like freedom is waiting in the wings. It might – and it should – seem very exciting.

But you might also find that leaving those things behind feels like a kind of grief. The tectonic plates of your world have shifted unalterably. CH is familiar. It is, perhaps, home.

It is a world you know – with people you know, like – even love. And a way of life that has shaped you and showed you values to live by – whether you knew it or not. You might even be surprised that values you think are self-evident, natural, bred in the bone are not shared by others.

But those values will stand you in good stead.

Generosity. Tolerance. Welcoming – even cherishing - difference and diversity. An openness to the new, the extraordinary, the unusual – and a willingness to learn from them.

And above all something we need as much as possible of in our troubled world: empathy, the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes, to see things through their eyes. Seven letters that spell one of the most terribly important lessons you can learn in life – and one, alas, many do not learn, even, perhaps particularly, people in the public eye, whether that’s in the City or in politics.

It was empathy that drove Bishop Ridley to preach before the boy King, Edward, that “Christ had lain too long abroad in the streets”. It was empathy that inspired that young King – a year or two younger than the Grecians of today - to found CH. It is empathy that has enabled Old Blue literary giants like Coleridge and Lamb to look far beyond the confines of their own minds and conceive whole imaginative worlds - the “caverns measureless to man” of Kubla Khan - for us all to wonder at. It is empathy that means that perhaps one of the most common characteristics of Blues and Old Blues is an instinctive fellow feeling for the underdog, the marginalised or those who risk being left behind.

It is something I see is alive and well in this year’s Grecians, whose Grecians’ Gift includes a contribution the Blue Fund, so that others in the future can cenjoy the opportunity to enjoy CH – and perhaps give back in their own way too. And it is empathy you have learnt as you

‘I would not dare to suggest any comparison between Severus Snape and any of your most estimable teachers or that there are any dark arts here’

have learnt to live alongside one another, for all your differences of character, background and interests. Eliot has demonstrated this clearly – in leading the CCF’s recent sponsored walk – with a 26 mile blindfolded sponsored walk across the Downs, with the sighted assisting the blindfolded. It could only work if you showed empathy – and walked in another’s shoes.

And perhaps empathy is the best way to experience adventure too. To be open to what you discover, to honour the differences you find, to learn from it – and even to be humble before it. If you do that in all your adventures, I don’t think you will go far wrong.

Isobel, ladies and gentlemen, I am no scholar and so dare not follow you by quoting Latin.

And it feels mildly presumptuous for a non-Old Blue to take a quotation from the Foundation Hymn. But I would like to cite one of your number, who featured in Isobel’s Oration – Deputy Grecian, Beatrix Crinnon, whose prize winning translation of a poem by the Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer – Allegro – is now safely stowed in the time capsule beneath the LARC Centre.

As someone whose early childhood was spent in Sweden and who has family connections there, I applaud her choice – and her decision to learn the language, as she said, “just for fun”.

The poem is about the emotions evoked by playing the music of Josef Haydn. It is perhaps too about the stillness that comes at a moment of transition or great change in ourselves – something you might be feeling as you finish your exams and get ready to go out into the world: “the melody is green, vibrant, serene The melody says that freedom exists And that there is one who doesn’t render unto Caesar.

I hoist my Haydn flag to declare our message: We do not back down. But we strive for peace.

The music is a house of glass on the hillside There stones fly and there stones roll Roll straight through But each pane remains Unbroken.”

Long may CH – like each pane – remain unbroken. Long may it strive for peace.

Perhaps, to finish, Isobel you might allow me to refer to Thomas Barnes once again.

In an article in The Times in 1825, he wrote of CH that: “It is impossible even for a stranger not to feel a considerable interest in the success of any undertaking calculated to advance the comfort or dignity of that noble institution. Our fervent wish is for the success of every project which may promote the usefulness and dignity of this admirable institution.”

Amen - and again Amen - to that.

And long may your own bond with this great place, with this most admirable, noble of institutions, and what it represents, and with one another, be unbroken. You will scatter – like the boys of the Royal Mathematical School – to the far corners of the world.

But you will, in a very real sense, always be together, through your connection with CH and by what you have shared here. As the very big words of the Charge at the Leaving Service reminds you, never forget the great benefits you have received in this place.

May you – as Beatrix’s poem puts it - find where your own freedom exists – and may you have many an adventure in enjoying that freedom. But may you too enjoy serenity as you sail out on to life’s sometimes storm tossed oceans.

I wish you all the very best of luck for the future.

Thank you.

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Chapel Notes Stephen Golding

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here are many highlights in the Chapel calendar at Christ’s Hospital and one striking feature of these occasions is our tradition of strong hymn singing. Nothing quite compares with the experience of a thousand voices raised as one as we sing ‘How Shall I Sing That Majesty’ at our Leaving Service.

Our Carol Services provide another high point in the year as we joyfully recount the message of the incarnation. The final reading at these services is the profound statement at the beginning of John’s Gospel as he speaks of ‘the Word becoming flesh and living among us’.

‘The Word becoming flesh’ is an appropriate phrase when thinking about Christ’s Hospital, for it was the word preached by Bishop Ridley that moved the young King Edward and launched the School.

An address lies at the heart of our history and it continues to be our tradition that thought provoking talks are at the heart of the Chapel programme.

It is our prayer that the words spoken will come to life as they shape our characters and community and challenge us to live lives full of grace and truth, just as John described the life of Jesus himself.

The chaplaincy team, staff and visitors have preached in Chapel this year but it is especially good to see pupils having the confidence to speak.

One of our leaving Grecians, Natalie Bekoe, gave an excellent address to the Juniors on changing the world. She reminded us of people like Malala and Mandela, but then applied her theme to our everyday lives by encouraging us to make a difference to those around us by the positive things we say and do.

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As we approached Christmas, Robbie Anand (Deputy Grecian) challenged us with his message: ‘I am sure all of us have seen the John Lewis Christmas advert. This and other adverts recently have been telling us that unless we shop at this store or buy that item our Christmas won’t be complete!

The example used here is of the telescope. By setting the advert in space, and having the little girl observe the ‘lonely man on the moon,’ I viewed telescopes in a completely different light to before. Such is the power of advertising.

The advertisers call to materialism is a far cry from the actual events that mark the reason for the season. We can get all too busy thinking of this period in a quite commercial way - it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas

‘Chapel is where we think about the kind of people we want to be’

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passion is a driving force. It drives change, pushes motivation.

My passion is to do something, anything to limit the sheer amount of suffering in this world.

Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t always been like this. I used to be passionate about all sorts of things! The thing is, passions change. And that’s okay. The problem is that some never find their passion. And that’s the bad news.

Passion drove Bryan Stevenson to start the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strive for justice for all races and all ages.

Bryan strives for racial equality in a world that is still in many aspects segregated by race.

This is his passion, and with it he’s achieved remarkable things.

or in fact Advent - the lead up to Christmas.

The message of Advent is about the coming and arrival of Jesus – the Saviour of the world.

The unconditional love of God is central to the message.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Shepherds and announced, “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

The coming and arrival of Jesus is good news.

It was good news then and it is good news today.’

Nana Sarfo-Bonsu (GE) gave an inspiring talk on ‘Passion’, saying: ‘The word passion comes from the Latin word passus – having suffered.

The idea being, that something you’re passionate about is something you’ve suffered over, something that causes you to feel deeply

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:10, ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.’

This can apply to everyone, whatever your religion is, simply because it makes perfect sense and is positive no matter which way you look at it. It’s saying, whatever you do, do it to your greatest ability. Try your absolute hardest, do your best, because there will come a time for all of us where we’re no longer here, so while we are, we must make sure whatever we do, we do it well, we make that difference and cause that impact.

And with passion this is a whole lot easier and much more achievable.

Passion comes from within … once you find your passion you must, and this is crucial, you must give it your absolute all. Because without passion you have nothing. And with passion you can impact the world.

Be it big or small, with passion you can really make that difference.’ about, something that actually means something important to you. I have passion. I have passion for illis qui patiuntur for those who suffer. There is so much suffering in this world. That is undeniable.

No matter how many ways you try to look around it, it’s there, big and unsettling: poverty, corruption, terrorism, war, injustice, natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. And suffering on more personal scales, domestic and child abuse, bullying, and even pressure from society to look and act a certain way. The list seems endless at times, but there is an end and the end is passion.

Google will tell you that passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion. It’s powerful and rages uncontrolled, uncontained and without boundaries.

So why am I talking about passion? Because

These messages demonstrate some of the reasons for Chapel being at the centre of our community: Chapel is where we have the opportunity to celebrate in word, song and sacrament the mystery and splendour of the Christian faith; Chapel is where we think about the kind of people we want to be and how we might make a difference for good in the world; Chapel is where we make space in our busy lives for quiet prayer, hearty singing and thoughtful preaching.

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Head Master’s Sermon

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veryone, regardless of their race, creed or culture, likes to hear a good story. In fact, ever since mankind first developed the power of speech over 100,000 years ago, stories have played an important part in human interaction and understanding.

Every civilisation has used, or continues to use, stories as a means of passing on its culture and traditions from one generation to the next.

Traditionally, those stories will have been recited or sung by mothers to their children, elders to their people, priests to their followers and teachers to their pupils.

Written stories, on the other hand, are a comparatively recent innovation.

Some 3,000 years ago, a Greek writer called Homer is said to have written two epic poems.

The first was The Iliad, which tells the story of an ancient war between Greece and Troy; the second was The Odyssey, which recounts the adventures of Odysseus on his journey home from the Trojan war to his family in Ithaca.

Not only are Homer’s stories cracking yarns, they are also the two oldest surviving pieces of what we now know as Western literature.

When Odysseus set out from Troy, his mission was clear: to return as quickly as possible to his wife, son and kingdom in Ithaca. As an experienced soldier and sailor, he would have known that such journeys can be perilous and unpredictable, but little did he realise that it would take him more than 10 years and a great deal of trouble before he was finally reunited with his family.

Have the courage to do your own thing and follow the “road not taken”

His story will be familiar to many of you: as Odysseus and his crew set off for home, they were confronted by a series of threats. Their first encounter was with the Lotus Eaters, who bewitched two of Odysseus’ men by offering them narcotic fruit.

Next, they were captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus, who Odysseus eventually blinded with a wooden stake. In doing so, Odysseus incurred the wrath of Polyphemus’ father, Poseidon, who condemned Odysseus to wander the seas for a further 10 years.

In that time, they had to endure fierce storms, cannibals and the witch Circe, who turned half of Odysseus’ men into swine. At Circe’s bidding, they travelled to Hades, where Odysseus was able to speak to the spirits of the dead and gain news of his family in Ithaca.

Resuming their homeward journey, they had to skirt the island of the Sirens, whose strange song lured sailors on to the rocks. Having avoided a watery grave, they then had to navigate a narrow channel flanked by the sixheaded monster Scylla and the whirlpool of Charybdis.

Later, resting on the island of Thrinacia after a fierce storm, Odysseus’ feckless crew ignored his warnings and killed the holy cattle belonging to the sun god, Helios. As a consequence, shortly after they set off again, they were shipwrecked and all but Odysseus were drowned. Eventually, Odysseus made his way home to Ithaca, where he routed his enemies, was restored to his family and, I presume, lived happily ever after.

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all that behind and setting off into the unknown is likely to cause a degree of uncertainty and anxiety, tempered by the excitement of the adventures that lie ahead.

And then, at last, it is time to set off and as the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze once said, even “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

If the journey is of any great length, it will most likely be divided into stages and each stage will have its own distractions, difficulties and diversions. Eventually though, the weary traveller will come to a long journey’s end, hopefully safe and sound after all their travails and proud of their achievements along the way.

Today, we are now able to travel vast distances quickly and safely by land, sea or air; and often, the only uncertainty is what food will be on the in-flight menu.

Unless we deliberately choose to take ourselves off the beaten track to the tropical forests of the Amazon, the mountains of Nepal or the frozen wastelands of the polar ice caps, the one journey that remains entirely unpredictable is that of life itself.

In just four and a half days’ time, the Grecians will leave CH behind and set off on their own life-long journey and it is to them that I now address my remarks: In ages past, far less was known about the world and travelling any great distance was fraught with discomfort, uncertainty and danger. It is not surprising that stories of great journeys came to be seen as a metaphor for life, with all the uncertainty and risks entailed in our own progress from cradle to grave.

Of course, no two journeys are ever quite the same, but all journeys do share some common characteristics. If a journey is to have a reasonable chance of success, then detailed preparation is essential.

In the years just prior to the First World War, there was a great deal of international interest in who would be the first explorer to reach the South Pole. A British naval officer, Robert Falcon Scott, mounted an expedition that relied on machinery and pack horses that were singularly unsuited to the harsh conditions. To make matters worse, his men, while extremely courageous and determined, had no real experience of polar travel.

The Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen was much better prepared, with dog sleds and a team who were well-versed in the harsh winters of Norway. Through lack of adequate preparation, Scott had doomed his men to heroic failure, while Amundsen and his team were feted for their success.

The final stage of preparations for a long journey will often involve saying goodbye to friends, family and familiar ways. For even the most intrepid travellers, the prospect of leaving

First of all, let me assure you that your time at CH has been excellent preparation for the next stage of your journey. We have gone to great trouble to ensure that you have the knowledge, confidence and outlook you will need for a successful adult life. In particular, the advice and guidance that you have received in Chapel will provide you with the moral compass that you will need to safely navigate adult life.

None of you will, I suspect, have planned much beyond the first stage of your journey, nor will any of you really know exactly where your life will eventually take you. That is as it should be: the challenges that you will face along the way and the people you come across will shape your thinking and in some cases, your lives as well.

Those challenges will test your resilience, your determination and your beliefs and when, inevitably, you do encounter adversity, bear in mind the words from the reading this morning: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”.

Hopefully, you will learn to accept the unpredictable nature of life and in doing so, recognise that you do have to make the most of whatever life throws at you, whether it is good, bad or indifferent.

And please, understand right now, that life is not a rehearsal. There is no rewind button that you can hit if you get it wrong; all you can do is learn from your experience and make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.

In all probability, the most interesting and enriching part of your journey will be the people whose lives intersect with yours. Some of these you will get along with; some you won’t. Some will inspire you, some will infuriate you, some will simply form the backdrop of your daily life and will mean little to you.

Some though, will mean much more to you.

Who knows (and I have to confess here that I am an incurable romantic), perhaps you will meet one very special person who will become your soul mate and the person with whom you choose to share the remainder of your life.

You will also find that there are always lots of people ready to give you advice. Indeed, I am about to do so now: if you are to make the most of your journey through life, remember the Ancient Greek saying, “Know thyself”.

Or, as the American writer John Updike put it rather more simply, “be what you are. God gives to each one of us a special talent. Learn to understand your talents and then work to develop them. That’s the way to be happy”.

Having come to terms with who you are, what you are good at and what you would like to achieve in this world, have the courage to do your own thing and follow the “road not taken”. Don’t feel obliged to be the same as everyone else; don’t allow yourself to be trapped in a soul-destroying job or relationship, but follow your heart and, as Polonius said to his son Laertes, “To thine own self be true.”

As you set out on this wonderful adventure, bear in mind that no matter how far you travel, or what you might achieve along the way, you carry with you our hopes, our best wishes for the future and the good name of Christ’s Hospital.

And in years to come, as you near the end of your journey, if you can say that you have lived a satisfying and productive life; if you have in some small way made the world a better or kinder or happier place, then your life will have been worthwhile.

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A Year in the Chaplaincy Team Florence Gildea (Graduate Assistant Chaplain 2015-16) Before coming to Christ’s Hospital, my experience of church services had been dominated by a low church, evangelical style.

I could count on one hand the number of hymns I knew written before 2000 - in fact, I was used to calling them ‘worship songs’.

I certainly had never sung in Latin!

My year here has thoroughly enriched my understanding of how religious devotion can be expressed and guided.

Despite being used to songs that focus on one’s personal experience of God, I have never before experienced the sense of awe that comes from the soaring notes from the Choir singing J. Ireland’s ‘Greater Love’ or the whole School singing ‘Libera Me Domine’.

And while I have been used to whitewashed church interiors, I have been utterly blessed by Brangwyn’s murals in the Chapel, like many who have passed through the School.

They attest to the story of God’s faithfulness through history, and create scenes of, at once, courage and peace, bestowing on the viewer an anchoring stillness in an otherwise frantic day.

I would not have predicted that an independent school would be where my experience of different ways of relating to God within the Christian community would be so broadened.

Those who faithfully attend Night Prayer are fluent in Taizé chants, while at Sunday@6 meetings we regularly sing Caribbean gospel music.

Once a term, a Catholic Mass is held in School, and just as often this year, we have taken a minibus of pupils to St Peter’s Brighton, with its spot-lit worship band and cushions on the floor instead of chairs.

Thus, the School is a picture of the diverse languages with which we can praise God without judgement or enforcing one over the other. In this way, I have not only learned from Christ’s Hospital: it has given me faith that the younger generation can welcome, and be blessed by, the diversity of the Christian family.

Some Things Haven’t Changed Ian Howard, Assistant Chaplain (CH 1994-2016) When I gave my final address in Chapel, I reflected on my 22 years at CH. It was easy to identify 10 things that had definitely changed: 1. A whole network of security staff, cameras, fob doors and health and safety rules had replaced one man on a bike!

2. Electronic, paperless reports had replaced the one A3 sheet annotated and signed by all the staff.

3. Cafeteria service and an enormous choice of food had replaced the ‘House Trolley’ with its rather limited fare.

4. Boarding Houses had been re-organised, rebuilt or repaired.

5. School uniform was no longer worn all the time; and own clothes had been introduced.

6. Leave Days had become Leave Weekends.

7. Communication by mobile phone had replaced the long queues by the House phone.

8. The internet and digital recording had revolutionised School life.

9. The Admissions process had become much more international and multi-layered, with different ‘entrance points’.

10. New buildings, car parks and extensive repairs had transformed and renewed the whole site.

However, many things had hardly changed at all, for example, the marching, Remembrance Sunday, Beating Retreat, Allocution, the Carol Service and the School uniform itself.

Three things have remained and seem to me particularly noteworthy and important: 1. The pupils are as happy, high-achieving and as well looked after as ever.

2. We still rightly put a strong emphasis on ‘character’ alongside academic achievement.

(I myself had been encouraged to come to CH because I had met one extraordinary pupil).

3. It is still just as important as ever ‘to proclaim the Christian faith in all its mystery and splendour’ (from the CH Mission Statement).

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*Youthsight, the award-winning youth research agency, recently analysed the results of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) Student Academic Experience Survey 2016 and found that NCH scores better than students studying humanities or social sciences at Russell Group universities in an overwhelming majority of areas.