More House School 2019-2020 In Review

2019-20 in review MORE HOUSE SCHOOL

1

contents LETTER FROM THE HEADMASTER INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS THOUGHTS FROM THE BURSAR REFLECTIONS FROM THE CHAPLAIN A YEAR WITH THE FRIENDS OF MORE HOUSE THE SIXTH FORM YEAR HEAD BOY’S SPEECH STAFF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES SPORTING SUCCESS BOARDING DEPUTY HEAD BOY’S SPEECH WHAT HAPPENED IN CAREERS OPEN DAY ICT BECOMES COMPUTING THE MHS LIBRARY YEAR VISUAL ART 1

4 8 9 10 11 14 18 20 21 25 34 36 38 40 40 42

JUNE 2019 PROMS IN THE PARK STUDENTS VS STAFF FOOTBALL MATCH YEAR 7 ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOLDERS YEAR 12 BTEC BUSINESS TEAM BUILDING JULY 2019 DAYS OUT WITH SIXTH FORM AND YEAR 11 GCE GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO DORSET YEAR 9 AND 10 EXTRAVAGANZA WEEK YEAR 9 TRIP TO NORMANDY YEAR 8 TRIP TO GROSVENOR HALL YEAR 7 TRIP TO GRITTLETON HOUSE YEAR 6 TRIP TO HOOKE COURT YEARS 4 & 5 WORLD CHALLENGE VISIT TO BROTHER JOSEPH’S GRAVE AUGUST 2019 PUBLIC EXAM RESULTS VISUAL ART 2 SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT’S NEW ARRIVAL SCHOOL CAPTAINS OCTOBER 2019 SPONSORED WALK LOWER SIXTH FORM TEAM BUILDING IN DORSET UPPER SIXTH FORM CULTURAL TRIP TO BERLIN YOUNG WELLBEING AMBASSADORS DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WEEK 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 VI FORM - SAFE DRIVE, STAY ALIVE YEAR 11 THEATRE VISIT - AN INSPECTOR CALLS MORE HOUSE SOCIETY OF BELLRINGERS YEAR 11 HISTORY TRIP TO BATTLE CLIMATE OUT OF CONTROL

45 45 46 47 48 49 49 51 53 56 59 60 62 63 66 70 74 74 76 80 80 82 83 85 85 86 88 91 92 93 93 94 95 96 97

2

ANTHONY NOLAN SUPPORTERS AWARDS UKMT SENIOR MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGE PEN PALS VISIT TO MHS FORMER YEAR 11 STUDENTS RECEIVING THEIR CERTIFICATES SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION - GUYS AND DOLLS YEAR 11 GSCE DRAMA PRODUCTION - JOURNEY’S END SIXTH FORM FORMAL DINNER TEAM UNLIMBITED YEAR 8 TECHNOLOGY YEAR 9 FORENSIC SCIENCE JUNIORS - ROBES BY JIM DINE DECEMBER 2019 SIXTH FORM VISIT TO TATE MODERN & THE BRITISH MUSEUM MHS CHRISTMAS LUNCH JANUARY 2020 SIXTH FORM SKI TRIP TO PILA YEAR 11 PROM YEAR 7 TRIP TO TUDOR HOUSE MUSEUM FRENSHAM SCHOOL’S MUSIC COLLABORATION CAREERS TALK YEAR 9 HISTORY POEM BY HARRY CALENTI JUNIORS FLEXI FRIDAY - SCOTLAND FEBRUARY 2020 PEN PAL VISIT TO FARNHAM MILL CARE HOME YEAR 9 ENGLISH YOUNG SHAKESPEARE COMPANY VISIT SATRO 2020 MUSIC DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL OPENING YEAR 8 - THE GOTHIC GENRE MARCH 2020 YEAR 7 SCIENCE TRIP JAZZLEXIC JUNIORS LIFE SKILLS YEAR 8 ENGLISH POEM JUNIORS FLEXI FRIDAY - SPACE LEARNING UNDER LOCKDOWN MHS SUPPORT FOR THE NHS - COVID-19

97 98 99 100 102 103 104 106 107 108 109 110 110 112 114 114 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 123 124 125 127 128 129 129 131 132 133 133 135 143

DEPUTY HEAD BOY’S SPEECH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS MOMENTS OF REFLECTION MHS NEW ADDITIONS MHS ALUMNI PSHEE

146 148 149 150 152 155 156 158 162

DEPUTY HEAD BOY’S SPEECH CLASS OF 2020 VISUAL ART 3

“MHS provides so much more than an education, it is simply life-changing. our son has been supported by the most dedicated, caring and professional teachers we could hope for” - MHS Parent 3

letter from the headmaster

I write this introductory letter close to the conclusion of quite the most extraordinary year in my teaching career of some sixteen years. Last July, as we came together for our fabulous 80th anniversary Proms in the Park party, and as we hosted the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and the Mayor of Farnham for our Founder’s Day celebrations – the climax of last academic year – none of us foresaw the extraordinary contrast of this last term of the new academic year.

Very many of our boys first join More House questioning their intelligence and their future value to society. We know their potential, but they often cannot see it. But those opening their results are the same More House pupils, some few years’ later. And how do our pupils compare with their peers, nationally?

Our Year Elevens beat the national average by eight points for the percentage obtaining a good pass in GCSE English – despite nearly half of them possessing an Education, Health and Care plan, and many more diagnosed as Dyslexic or with language processing weaknesses.

“the sharing of these achievements widely within our school community is, I believe of genuine value”

They surpassed the national average by a very large margin, for achieving C grades or higher across all their results, and matched the national average for good passes in GCSE Mathematics.

32% of our boys gained at least one 9, 8 or 7 (A* or A grade). With a 98% pass rate in our Sixth Form, our Upper Sixth achieved 79% A* to C grades at A Level, or the equivalent Distinction* to Merit at Level 3 BTEC, and 35% of certificates awarded to More House leavers were at the very highest A* and A, or Distinction* and Distinction grades. These results enabled our boys to take up

Following that celebratory Founder’s Day lay August’s publication of our senior pupils’ public examination results. The sharing of these achievements widely within our school community is, I believe, of genuine value.

4

their university places across the country, reading for degrees in disciplines as varied as Chemistry, Computer Science, Fashion, History, Mathematics, Music and Photography. Other students commenced apprenticeships or progressed to other further education. Such joyous outcomes should inspire our very youngest pupils, and those throughout the school, who may dare to believe that such success will belong to them in the years ahead – if they can be brave and determined.

My many years at More House, and especially these last five as its headmaster, have taught me that each year is extraordinary, and brings challenge and delight in forms never previously encountered. Each year is shared by a huge number of individuals, who rely on one another; who influence and support one another through those familiar and unfamiliar experiences. Our shared community comprises not just nearly five hundred current boarders and day pupils, but also their immediate and extended families, and also some 170 employees and their families, plus our governors and other volunteers, and – of course – our alumni of old boys and their families.

inspection of the boarding provision, and left three days later, awarding us the highest grade – Outstanding – in all sections of the inspection report, writing: “All the staff share the common aim of providing an excellent boarding experience for the pupils to enhance their learning outcomes and make significant personal and social development to advance their future life chances” Ofsted, 2020.

“our boarders experience the best of opportunities” Boarding remains a central element of the school, integral to its identity since the school’s foundation in 1939. Our boarders experience the best of opportunities, accessing the specialist facilities of our thirty-acre site, supported by dedicated staff who support their social development and growing independence, guiding their independent study, and leading a vast array of on and off-site recreational and sporting activities.

In the early autumn we welcomed many pupils’ grandparents for a special afternoon in school, affording them an insight into the school’s ethos and model, and tours of classrooms rewarded with tea and cake.

This summer we have very few changes in staffing personnel, and September’s complement will offer no surprises to the boys on their return.

However, we do bid farewell at the end of this year to Mr Tom Kirkham who has taught English and, almost exclusively in recent years, Drama and Performing Arts, at More House for nineteen years. During that time Mr Kirkham has served pupils and colleagues as a head of year, as a head of the Performing Arts department, and as a head of Sixth Form. Tom leaves us to commit himself more fully to his co-founded business, The School Musicals Company, and we wish him and the company good fortune for the future.

Through the past twelve months our school has been blessed by an unusually high number of new babies, born to staff families over the past twelve months. We have celebrated these as a community. We have also shared cruel and painful losses of loved ones, praying for the Faasen family as they celebrate the life of their daughter, Bryony. And remembering our longserving friend and More House teacher of History and Music, Mr Nicolas Bloomfield. Amidst this, our pupils have performed on stage and in concert, they have travelled to foreign countries and have competed in sporting tournaments. They have submitted entries to competitions and have won an international design competition. They have continued to fundraise for a great breadth of worthwhile charitable causes, including marching through eleven miles of Frensham countryside dressed as super heroes.

Andy Williamson has served More House as deputy headteacher for eighteen years, having first joined the school in 2000. This summer Mr Williamson is relinquishing his senior duties in order to devote himself to teaching Physical Education, remaining within the staff at More House. On behalf of the governors, of my predecessor Barry Huggett OBE, and of myself, I thank Andy for his contribution to the school as a senior leader over such an extended period.

And, in occasional, quiet moments, they have studied. In January, an Ofsted team surprised us by arriving two months early for our annual

5

5

“the challenges forced upon us by the coronavirus have been met by a united community that has risen as one in mutual support of all”

In this strange year, the support of the school’s board of governors – also the charity’s trustees – has been both essential and exceptional. Our governors’ selfless commitment to protecting and fostering the mission of the school, to seeking the best possible outcomes for all pupils and supporting the school’s leadership, has been enormously powerful, and has enabled the school to fare the COVID-19 storm that has threatened all schools and placed particular stress on the independent and charitable sectors.

I am extremely grateful to our board of volunteer governors, and acknowledge, especially, the service of Mr Patrick Wilson – former headmaster of Salesian College, Farnborough, and More House governor since 2005. Patrick retires from his governorship this summer as he and Helen relocate to Scotland to be closer to family.

With this change to the senior team, I am pleased to welcome Mr Lewis Clarkson, our current Director of Pupil Progress and a teacher of History, to the school’s Core Leadership Group in the new role of Assistant Head (Pupils), where he will support both Mrs Kerr, Deputy Head (Curriculum), and Mrs Hammond, Deputy Head (Wellbeing), in promoting our students’ engagement in their learning and development, and their progress. I am also delighted that Mr Armand Faasen – another very experienced More House teacher – will join the school’s extended Senior Management Team in the new role of Director of Pastoral Care, providing leadership and support to the school’s complement of pastoral year-heads across all age-groups.

But the challenges forced upon us by the coronavirus and by national lockdown have affected everyone in our school community, and have been met by a united community that has risen as one in mutual support of all. Such drastic alteration to our pupils’ lives has placed enormous pressure on parents and families – experiences shared by our teachers’ and therapists’ families and by all in our school.

I have been humbled by the manner in which the staff has risen to the demands of this change, developing a comprehensive academic, pastoral and social remote provision in an incredibly short time-frame, and learning new teaching and technology skills in order to afford our boys the best possible support, whether in school or – for the vast majority – from home.

Such a feat could not have been achieved, nor sustained, were it not for the incredible support and encouragement visited upon the staff by our parent-body.

The Friends of More House have continued to offer invaluable support to our community – in promoting a genuine sense of shared fellowship amongst More House families and the staff, in delivering superb fundraising events, and in donating powerful contributions to the school’s resources for the direct benefit of our pupils. The Friends has, this year, formally registered with the Charity Commission and, on behalf of the whole school community, I thank Mr and Mrs Elliott for their inspired and energetic leadership during the year.

We have been heartened and, indeed, overwhelmed at times, by the messages of kindness recognising the commitment of the staff. On behalf of all of my colleagues, I thank all in our school community for this support and fellowship.

The pupil body has been led by this year’s head boy, James Sutherland, and his deputies, Hayden Bishop, Uday Pal-Trabelsi and Ben Wigmore. Theirs has been an unusual year of duty, with stark change to their anticipated culmination, normally realised by speeches to an enormous Founder’s Day congregation.

Nevertheless, they have borne their responsibilities with commitment and grace, and I have felt very fortunate to be guided by their recommendations and advice.

And so, what next? As I write, there seems much uncertainty as to how normal life will be in September, and it seems possible that it may not be in the immediate first weeks of the new academic year that schools are permitted to operate entirely as before.

Nevertheless, it is vital for this school’s efficacy that our constant planning and

6

continuous improvement of all aspects of our provision persist.

themselves, recognising their natural aptitudes and defining themselves by their strengths.

Next academic year will witness significant development in the school’s system of houses and rewards, promoting pupils’ desire to contribute and to engage with all aspects of their education. Our plan to install an all-weather, multi-use games pitch, accompanied by a new sports pavilion and one-way road-access system remains a strong commitment, and work will commence during the coming school year. But the school also maintains a very strong ambition to expand the impact of our unique provision, for the benefit of a far wider population of pupils with profiles that match our school.

With my thanks and very best wishes to all in our school community,

Jonathan Hetherington BA (Hons) MSc (Ed) QTS Headmaster

Exciting development this year in the school’s training of our staff internally, and of staff and other professionals in schools both locally and nationally, realising accredited qualifications, is a step into the future, and we intend to expand our provision for teacher-training and for supporting schools internationally through consultation. And dependent on capital funding, raised from outside this school’s normal revenue streams, the possibility of developing other schools or sites, with an ethos and model similar to More House, exists.

There is, therefore, much to which we look forward. But what has been achieved thus far, and what is promised in the future, are possible only because of our strong sense of fellowship and community, creating an environment which allows our boys to thrive and to become proud of

7

introduction from the chair of governors As I write, we are approaching the half way point in a term like no other we are likely to see.

vulnerable family members, sadly perhaps illness and bereavement.

Some things we know - the public examinations are to be replaced by predicted grades this year and there is likely to be a gradual reopening of the school.

All of this seems a long way from the exceptional achievement earlier in the academic year when the school was assessed

by Ofsted as outstanding in all respects - a rare accolade indeed of which we remain rightly proud. As Governors we pay tribute to the dedication of our staff working full-time, on site or online, for their willingness to take on new responsibilities, to fill in gaps and to provide whatever support our pupils need.

Other things we do not know - including what life will be like at the start of the next academic year.

We know well that this is an anxious and difficult time for all those who work for us, including our furloughed staff.

Huge challenges have been met and more lie ahead, not least how to run a physical school and comply with social distancing rules.

Through all of this the community spirit at MHS between staff, pupils and parents seems as strong as ever. Even though the road ahead is far from certain, we can all be sure that the vision and values which are so much part of the More House way will continue to carry the school forward.

Staff, pupils and parents have all quickly come to terms with operating on an online basis, using technologies which had been unknown to many of us just a few weeks before.

The financial challenges facing the school are also great, but we have sought to ease the pressure on those parents paying fees out of family means. We are very conscious that our families face many pressures in coping with this virtual school experience, a lack of space, IT issues, protecting

8

Sean Collins, Chair of Governors

thoughts from the bursar This has been a challenging time for all of us, but in true More House spirit, everyone has risen to the task.

Parents, pupils and staff have ensured that the unique blend of academic achievement and strong family values has been, and is, being maintained.

I arrived at More House just under a year ago, to help out until a new appointment had been made. It didn’t take me long to realise what a unique school this was, and that I wanted to be a part of it.

From a Bursar’s point of view, it is gratifying to have the support of a very “switched on” Headmaster and a Board of Governors with exceptional expertise and understanding.

It is often said that a Bursar’s job is to keep a dozen balls in the air at once, not letting any one hit the floor. This can only be achieved with the support of a very knowledgeable and dedicated support team, headed by professionals in Finance, Human Resources, Catering, Estates and Information Technology. I am grateful to them all.

It is a privilege to be involved with this very successful school, made so by its unique approach to teaching and learning, enabling boys to fulfil their potential and make a valuable contribution to society.

Let us hope for a speedy end to the present condition and have a productive and enjoyable summer.

Stephen G Johnson, Bursar

9

reflections from the chaplain Several other activities have continued throughout the year. For example, we have had some memorable Wellbeing-focused FlexiFridays, including a day on “How we grow”, with Gard’ner House themed around the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–9). Boarders have continued to meet for Chapel each Thursday evening, pondering and sometimes debating a range of topics, and occasionally engaging in silent meditation - probably the most peaceful moments I have experienced at More House! And thanks to the Chapel Art Project, we now have our own “Sistine” ceiling in the Chapel foyer.

It has been my privilege to serve as Lay Chaplain for the Michaelmas and Lent terms this year, while Teresa Ndlovu has been on maternity leave.

During these terms, we have followed the annual journey through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and now into Easter, retelling and reliving the story of Jesus. In the worshipping life of the Chapel, in assemblies and in other times of reflection, we have marked several important steps along the way. November was kept as a month of remembrance, acknowledging All Saints and All Souls Days as well as Armistice Day.

As ever, the Chaplaincy has continued to offer pastoral support for pupils and staff.

Throughout the month, many pupils and staff wrote the names of loved ones on cards, which were gathered before the altar at our Mass of Remembrance.

This has been a difficult year in many ways, including some times of great sadness. It is important to know that the whole school community - pupils, staff and families - is always being held in prayer in our Chapel.

As Christmas drew nearer, pupils of all ages reflected on the role of angels in the nativity stories, and this became the focus of a wonderful Christmas service. During Lent we began the pilgrimage towards the cross, thinking about prayer and fasting and sharing a seasonal Mass, but sadly this was cut short by the pandemic response, and our Easter service was unable to proceed this year.

Having now handed the Chaplaincy back to Teresa, I want to assure you all of my continuing prayers, and my best wishes for the future of this wonderful school.

Martin Wright, Former MHS Chaplain

10

A YEAR WITH

the friends of More House This has been a most unusual year for the Friends of More House – action-packed to begin with but very much quieter as I write this during lockdown! However, one of the key reasons we exist is to help parents connect as a community, so we hope that we have been able to remain relevant throughout the year. Here are some of the highlights:

In September, we launched ClassList, a new App-based platform for managing Friends’ communications, which enables parents to maintain their contact details themselves so that they can contact each other, and has solved a fair few lift-share dilemmas over the last few months.

ClassList enables parents to message one another across year groups, and set up discrete interest groups, such as a group for parents of Boarders, and we even have a Parents’ Book Club now.

Our summary begins with our big event for the term - the school’s 80th birthday celebration: Proms in the Park, which showcased the school’s magnificent musical abilities with a full evening’s entertainment right until the last glimmer of daylight disappeared! Huge thanks to Mr Place, Mr Burnett and their team and, of course, to all of the students for a stunning night of music.

Additionally, it has helped with the administration of Friends, enabling an online calendar of events, selling online tickets, and incorporating sign-up sheets for volunteering.

A huge thank you to everyone who has embraced yet another App on their phones and we are delighted to have over 70% of families registered with ClassList!

We couldn’t have done it without the huge numbers of volunteers and all the support from school. We were blown away by the popularity of the event and, as many will remember, it sold out much earlier than anticipated. Thank you to everyone who attended and we hope to do something similar again one day!

At the end of the summer term we thanked Steph Wellesley and Kate Sinclair for their fantastic work as co-chairs of the Friends. Suzanne and Dan Elliott stepped in to take up the role.

Over the summer break, we made plans for the new school year. This included registering Friends of More House as a charity to formalise our status. In September, we held our first ever AGM and welcomed lots of new faces to our committee. We’d like to extend a big thank you to all the parents who have helped this year and last - incoming and outgoing committee members.

A special mention goes to Jane Drysdale for her dedication as our outgoing Treasurer.

If you are a parent and haven’t already joined, download the ClassList App, search for MHS and apply to join. Your ID will be checked with school and then you will have access to other parents, our events and news.

Also in September, we organised a Finish Line for the annual Sponsored Walk, which was a chance for parents to make some noise and welcome

11

‘with a little help from the Friends’ by selling delicious Christmas puddings, beautiful Christmas trees, stunning Christmas door wreaths and tempting raffle with donated prizes, so many thanks to our donors and to all who participated.

We were also excited to launch a brand new School Lottery, drawn every Saturday at 8pm.

40% of ticket sales goes directly to Friends’ fundraising, with a guaranteed school jackpot every week and a chance to win a national £25k weekly jackpot. This has continued since early December and has already raised over £2000 for the school. We want to say a huge thank you to all parents and staff who have joined and continue to support our Lottery. If you think you might be missing out on the fun, check it out at www.yourschoollottery.co.uk and search for MHS!

boys back to school at the end of a challenging day. We were there to cheer them in with ice lollies, cakes and fruit and to see the surprised look on their tired faces as they turned into the school field.

In November, we held a Comedy Night for parents, welcoming stand-up comedian, Dominic Holland to entertain us. The Simkins Centre provided the perfect venue for a couple of drinks and some laughs. We filled the room with 130 parents, friends, staff, and even some sixth formers. Thank you to the school for making this possible, especially to Mr Williamson and to our volunteers on the bar and the raffle.

Just a couple of weeks later it was our Christmas Fayre, which followed the same crazy format as previous years. We thank all the parents for their donations, the boys for their good-humoured participation in our silly games and also a big thank you to the volunteers.

During February half-term we hired out the slide pool - exclusively for MHS boys - at Spectrum Leisure Centre, Guildford. This was a really successful event - the boys had a lot of fun, parents had a chance to chat, and the event raised a bit more money than anticipated. Thanks again for your support with this. We will definitely do it again when we can!

“it is a real privilege to be part of this community”

Special thanks go to the committee members who really pulled out all the stops in a short space of time to make this event happen. It really depended on a very small number of people who worked incredibly hard to make the Fayre such a success.

We have held coffee mornings (you can find a cluster of MHS parents in the Holly Bush in Frensham most mornings), evening dinners for parents and a number of Dads’ nights, including one in London. We have a network of reps for each year group, who make a huge effort to help parents feel connected - and we all know how important that is - especially when we are new

Also in the run-up to Christmas, we encouraged parents and staff to get in the Christmas spirit

12

to the school. Thank you to our year reps for all your help!

The Second-Hand Uniform Shop has continued to be an important part of the Friends. Milena Sartoris, Amanda McMullon and Clare Tocher have put in a great many hours to make this a friendly, welcoming and efficient part of the service! Thank you! We welcome new volunteers who will be joining us once we are back at school.

We also thank Ella Cattell for all her help getting the shed superbly refurbished - it has a whole new lease of life!

Whilst we started the year making many more plans, they have now, sadly, been put on hold but we will be back! In the meantime, we have been able to support the school by funding some really important projects – we helped students in the Sixth Form with access to a vocational work experience programme, funded many more online resources for the library, we are providing new computers and IT equipment for the LDC, and funds for a brand new and very exciting ornithology project.

We shelved plans for what promised to be a really fun parents’ night out in May, with dinner and band, but hope to reschedule this as soon as practical. We have lots of ideas, and always welcome interested parents to join our meetings or just get involved as and when it suits them.

Our thanks go to Mr Hetherington and all of the team at MHS. Our events depend on the school’s support and we receive a great deal of help from them to get all our meetings, ideas and events off the ground. We know that parents enjoy the chance to contribute to the school – it is a real privilege to be part of this community and we very much look forward to supporting the school into the next school year.

Suzanne and Dan Elliott, Joint Chairs of the Friends of More House

13

the sixth form year 2019 - 2020 Sitting here in my kitchen on what should be a normal school day, sartorial keynotes owing more to ‘Silent Bob’ from the film ‘Clerks’ than anything close to our Sixth Form dress code, I am reminded of that oft-quoted (but not necessarily genuine) Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times’.

apocalyptic times. I have certainly been tempted to exercise my axe-chucking skills in the 'home baking’ aisle at Asda of late. Having strode manfully (and womanfully, of course) through that ‘difficult first term’, Oktober (famous for its ‘Fest’ some may recall) saw Year 13 embark on a cultural trip to Berlin.

Hopefully, by the time this reaches you, the times will have become a little less interesting, but wherever we find ourselves, it will be good for the soul to reflect on some of the many, many achievements and hard-won victories secured by our inspirational Sixth Form this year.

Previously, we have headed for Paris to broaden our horizons, so Berlin marked an ambitious departure for us. This fulsome and wholly satisfying experience is reported elsewhere in this Review by its chief architect, ‘fixer’ and benign impresario, Mr Hugh Rashleigh. Now, our beloved ‘Custodian’ is a modest man who wears his genius for organisation lightly, so I know that his article on Berlin barely hints at the hard work he had to put in just to get us to ‘The Grey City’.

“i have certainly been tempted to exercise my axe-chucking skills in the ‘home baking’ aisle at Asda”

Let me pause, therefore, to say ‘thanks’ here, and to NOTE publicly just how indispensable he is to the smooth running of the Sixth Form.

Naturally - and in recognition of Hugh’s love of technological innovation - this will be just the OneNote....

Back in September, when ‘social distancing’ was a thing you did discreetly in the common room when your best mate had been a little stingy with the ‘Lynx body spray’, a hardy bunch of newly-minted Year 12s headed for Corfe Castle for our annual ‘Land and Wave’ team-building residential trip.

In time-honoured tradition, axes were thrown (sometimes two at a time - sometimes in the general direction of Mr Luke Webb), arrows were fletched, fires were started, rafts were lashed together, Giant SUPs were weaponised (imagine the Battle of Trafalgar but with a bit more neoprene) and – errr - crabs were caught.

The whole affair was brought to an appropriate conclusion when we visited the Dorset Water Park and were all stunned into silence when Ivan Wheeler stubbornly refused to reprise his Year 9 ‘arm-break and A&E’ soft-shoe shuffle.

Looking back, the trip might best be viewed as an excellent survivalist boot camp for these

14

Continuing with matters cultural, our annual Black-Tie Dinner warmed the collective cockles on a chilly November evening.

In this regard, I must mention our visit to the ‘UCAS University Fayre’ and to various Apprenticeship events - fruit born of the hard work of Mrs Nancy Thomas and Mrs Marjorie Withers respectively.

Take a look at the ‘Class of 2020 – Sixth Form Destinations’ feature in this Review to get a sense of the diversity of ambition shown by our Sixth Form. I must also mention the exciting ‘Surrey Choices/Employability’ extended work placement scheme that was so sadly cut short.

In stark contrast to our current ‘relaxed’ dress codes, there was much elegance, haute couture and fine tailoring on display as we eagerly anticipated a finely balanced and lovingly prepared menu (thanks to Simon John and his team) in a transfigured Bradbury Heights that would not have looked out of place in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. It wasn’t Mr Gatsby we had to thank for that - it was Mrs Rashleigh. The lithesome conversation flowed freely and easily - in stark contrast to the impromptu dancing that broke out as the event drew to a close. Who knew that Mr Faasen and Mrs Kerr could bust such smooth moves? Surely our revised PSHEE programme should contain such valuable life-skills.

“of course, there has been more to the year than fun and frivolity. this is a hard-working and ambitious sixth form”

Before we entered the lockdown, however, ten of our more vocationally-minded Year 13 students were given the opportunity to impress some local employers by working regular shifts with them in order to broaden their employability skills and give them a sense of ‘what next’.

Of course, there has been more to the year than fun and frivolity. This is a hard-working and ambitious Sixth Form, who have, to a man, set about making the most of their many talents. You will doubtless read about these achievements elsewhere in the Review.

From Waitrose to local government offices, from tech-recycling operations to bus garages, from building supply companies to commercial kitchens, our boys showed the world what they had to offer. We even have one budding auctioneer out there.

For my part, it has been a source of pride watching ‘my lads’ get ready for the next big step - whether that be a fledgling leap from the MHS nest, or simply (as Year 12 students) coming to grips with the many freedoms and opportunities for ‘mission creep’ that Sixth Form education offers.

This hugely exciting and beneficial scheme could not have gone ahead without the generous support of ‘The Friends of More House’, I should add, so once again, our students’ successes are underpinned by the selflessness of the whole school community - a humbling thought as ever.

15

So what next? In the normal run of things, you would be picking up this magazine having clapped your heart out in a very warm marquee.

The strawberries, cream and (most importantly) fizz would be going down a treat and the Jazz Band would be sweetly syncopating in the summer sun.

Weeks of opportunity and promise would lie ahead of your Sixth Form progeny, before the next exciting chapter of their lives begins.

It’s hard not to feel a little cheated of the fitting finale that Founder’s Day offers. No proudly clutched certificates, no lusty recitals of the school song, no speeches from the Head Boy

and his Deputies. No joyful tears carefully concealed in the interests of teenage sensibilities.

“once again, our students’ successes are underpinned by the selflessness of the whole school community”

16

Well - we can try to replicate a little of that.

Elsewhere in this Review you can read what our Senior Prefects would have said if they’d had the chance. I suspect you may grow a little misty eyed when you do. Hopefully when we get our world back again, we’ll be able to give our Sixth Form students the celebration of success they deserve. Until then, have a look at ‘Class of 2020 – Sixth Form Destinations’ section for a glimpse of the future, and think back on a year of good companionship, laughter, honest hard work and - above all - triumph over adversity.

I started with a questionable Chinese curse, so let me end with a proverb whose provenance is more assured: 夜長夢多 Which, as you all know, roughly translates as: ‘The longer the night, the more dreams there will be.’ Stay safe, one and all.

Iain Yeoman, Head of Sixth Form

“the strawberries, cream and (most importantly) fizz would be going down a treat and the jazz band would be sweetly syncopating in the summer sun”

17

JAMES SUTHERLAND

head boy’s speech Well! This is definitely not the Head Boy speech I had imagined presenting to you all, both in terms of the year we have had and the fact I am sitting at my kitchen table writing this - rather than standing in front of you all.

In the history of More House, I believe I am the first Head Boy to be leaving without sitting any A-levels and yet having received an unconditional offer to my first-choice university in Bristol!

Even though it’s really hard to think back before the impact of Coronavirus now, the last two years of Sixth Form were relatively normal with some fantastic memories. From our Upper Sixth trip to Berlin, where Mr Yeoman was an absolute star, but probably the less said about that trip in this speech the better! (don’t worry, Mr Yeoman, your secrets are safe with us!), to the infinite and constant level of noise that came from our Sixth Form building, Crosslanes, much of which was unrecognisable apart from one, which everyone knows: the voice of Ollie Leitch!

The last seven years have held some of the best memories - from visiting Ypres in Year 8 and joining Mr Luff’s yearly ‘Luff Tour’ trips to countries around Europe every year since, to our month-long adventure in Tanzania, where I reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro at the age of only fifteen. I can safely say that was, and will be, one of the best experiences of my life.

We helped to build a library for our partner school at the base of the mountain and then spent a week with a Masai tribe to improve the seemingly worst-built shower block in the world, which was quickly adapted into the World Challenge acapella group

18

performance stage, where we specialized in singing the hit single ‘Faith’ by George Michael. Fast-forward to Toronto in 2019 with the Media and Photography students where we ended up playing a certain ‘notorious’ card game with Mr Aldred and Miss Patel: all memories that will stick with me forever.

“the last seven years have held some of the best memories” It wasn’t just the amazing trips and experiences I have been lucky enough to witness that have helped me grow as a person, but the amazing and friendly teaching MHS provides. From day one I have felt comfortable here, which has ultimately helped me become more confident as a person.

Academically I have achieved far more than I could ever have dreamt of and this wasn’t just due to the way MHS does things, but down to some simply amazing people. Don’t worry - I won’t go on forever, but I just want to start off by saying a massive thank you to Mr Faasen for being an amazing Head of Year during Year 10 and 11 and such an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Mr Faasen.

To Mr Kay, I would like to say ‘thanks’ for putting up with our rowdy form group for four years, which must have taken some heroic effort of patience. Some of my funniest memories at MHS came from within the walls of that English classroom.

Finally, I must say a massive thank you to Mr Hetherington for giving me this opportunity to be Head Boy, which has been such a huge privilege and has helped me grow in so many ways. If you had asked me to give this

speech a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine myself doing it, but here I am.

A special thank you also goes to Mrs Rashleigh and Mr Clarkson, who have always been there for me, and have taught me how to believe and be more confident in myself.

“

And finally, to my friends (you know who you are) who have stuck with me from day one, and have helped me to become the person I am today.

to quote the world challenge acapella group back in the shower block in Tanzania: ‘you gotta have faith’

“

Mr Kalsi and Mrs Thomas deserve credit for dragging me through the last couple of years of Biology but, of course, a massive thanks must also go to the most mentioned name in Founder’s Day history - Mr Luff.

Studying Geography with him for the past four years has been such a laugh, interspersed with a few good lessons and accompanied by the amazing and unforgettable trips he has hosted!

day (and believe me it is), I say this - when it’s your last one, it gives you the chance to pause and to remember the amazing times you have had, the decisions you have made and the opportunities you have grabbed and loved. So, my message to you all is, when an opportunity comes around - and it may only come around once - just grab it!

I know that the future ahead is unknown, and I can’t promise much, but I promise that I won’t forget More House. I thought that I was coming here for an education, but I received so much more than that; friendship, support, independence, confidence and guidance, which I believe I wouldn’t have found anywhere else.

“i can’t promise much, but i promise that i won’t forget MHS” And to all the rest of you in the school, who may think Founder’s Day is just a really long

19

staff training opportunities Since June 2019, staff have involved themselves in a range of training opportunities alongside the whole staff INSET programme, which takes place at the start of each term.

As well as the statutory training surrounding Health and Safety, First Aid and Safeguarding, staff have taken part in many external courses, benefiting from expertise from the wider teaching community.

We have many experts on-site too, particularly amongst LDC staff, who are able to help classroom teachers to think about their support of our boys in very specific ways. Our focus last year was on supporting language in our teaching and this year we have built on that by thinking about our creativity in the classroom and how that supports our boys.

As usual, we have had a handful of staff working towards qualifications such as PGCEs, NQTs, QTLS, Advanced Teacher Status, Boarding Schools’ Association certificates and MA degrees. These qualifications broaden the CPD of our other staff too, since many act as their mentors and increase the learning and development in their departments amongst their colleagues.

During the Michaelmas term, five of our teachers worked towards and obtained the first MHS Level Four Certificates of SEND in the Classroom, a course that we have developed with the aim of supporting not only our own staff but those in the mainstream as well. Ten teachers from other schools took this course during the Lent term and we are looking forward to using the course in a variety of ways.

In recent months, our staff have been involved in some of the most intense training that they have ever experienced as they have improved their ability to teach pupils online with the guidance and support of our Director of E-Learning, Mrs Antoinette Newman.

Many of us have been thrown way out of our comfort zones, but we have experienced our own feelings of success and achievement as we have been transformed into e-teachers. This can only benefit us in the longrun as it helps us to value training and professional development in the years to come.

Eleanor Margesson, Director of Staff Training and Development, April 2020

20

sporting success Although this year has been cut short with so many sporting fixtures planned in the summer calendar, we have had an eventful and exciting time.

Michaelmas was a term of football‌ and more football, with all age groups taking part in many fixtures, keeping us on our toes as we went from Frensham Heights to Ditcham Park.

Lent Term showed dominance across the rugby 7s field as year groups showed their strength, power and teamwork to win many matches.

We had our first capture the flag fixture for the Junior school, which was wild!

U13 hockey had a super season, gelling in their teams with their first competitive fixture for the school. The results weren't always in our favour, but the teamwork and spirit did us proud.

We are excited for September to come and bring us back into the full swing of sport and physical activity.

21

ISA CROSS COUNTRY SHERFIELD SCHOOL Top left L-R: Zack McColl Eljanfali, Reuben Hardy and Matthew Curry.

Above L-R: Alfie Anstey, Oliver Marquis, Lachlan Varady and Kit Purnell.

Left L-R: Louis Blair, Max Renvoize, Rhys Potter, Archie Davie, Jack Roles and Ben Eggleston.

MHS regained the Dyslexic Football Tournament Champion title securing it back from Fairley House School with a very close competition.

All the boys played brilliantly with great sportsmanship. A massive thanks to Mr Webb and Miss Willmott.

22

SURREY CRICKET Our growing connections with Surrey Cricket meant that one of their top coaches came in to give 6 hours of sessions to boys in Years 10 and 11. Working on the fundamentals of the game, this had led to a couple of them being scouted for the Surrey Cricket team where we already have several MHS boys playing.

23

YEAR 11 BTEC SPORT TRIP – SURREY INSTITUTE OF SPORT The Year 11s were put through their paces with fitness testing at the Surrey Institute of sport laboratories.

This gave them firsthand experience on the tests that they would need to know for their exam.

“

A BIG RIG thank you to the Friends of MHS for making our Christmas wish come true, funding this amazing bit of kit. It has been well used by boys from Year 7 and above in PE and OT lessons.

thank you to the friends of MHS, who have enabled us to jazz up our fitness suite with some new spinning bikes. they have been a great asset to the department and to the boys’ physical education

The staff also love a little play on it too!

“

24

boarding

a flavour of the year’s activities

JUNE 2019 - YEARS 6-8 - GO APE For the summer term’s outing, Years 6/7/8 boarders voted to visit ‘Go Ape’, a treetop high ropes course in nearby Alice Holt forest.

Most of the boys had a great time swinging around the treetops, and even found the energy to tease Miss Roberts, who was trying very hard not to look down! Each course ended with a zipline, and the biggest challenge was landing without falling over… not many managed it!

The evening finished with time spent at Alice Holt’s adventure playground. Staff were ably assisted by some of the Year 11 boarders, practising their Prefect skills for the new academic year.

25

JUNE 2019 - WW2 BAKING When the Year 6 boarders needed to bring in a WW2 recipe for Flexi-Friday, the whole corridor got on board! In small groups, they learned how to bake three recipes from the days of rationing – and made enough for everyone!

JULY 2019 END OF YEAR PARTY On the final night of the academic year 2018/2019, all normal activities went out of the window, and boarders enjoyed some extra treats – inflatables on the field and marshmallows over the campfire in the boarders’ garden!

26

CAMPFIRE, MARSHMALLOWS AND SAUSAGES!

SEPTEMBER 2019 BOARDING FAMILIES All boarders are assigned a ‘Boarding Family’ on their arrival in MHS Boarding. Each ‘family’ is led by a member of boarding staff, and comprises boarders of a mix of ages – from Year 6 to Upper Sixth!

Throughout the year, inter-family competitions are organised, and the (normally edible) prizes are fiercely competed for! Contests range from chess to cricket; Nerf guns to synchronised swimming (must be seen to be believed) and everything else in between…

27

NEW BOARDERS’ KITCHEN Newly built for the Michaelmas term 2019, the boarders’ kitchen is located in St Anthony’s Boarding House, in the Sixth Form area. With careful guidance and supervision from staff, some of our older boarders have been learning valuable life skills in the kitchen.

OCTOBER 2019 – BOARDING FAMILY MULTI-ACTIVITY EVENT The first Boarding Family competition of the academic year involved five different events, with each family submitting two or three competitors for each event, which included ‘cookie stack’, ‘basketball hoops’ and ‘paper planes’, amongst others. Claims that all paper plane attacks on staff were entirely accidental are still under investigation…

28

HALLOWEEN PARTY – YEARS 6/7 AND PREFECTS Younger boarders enjoyed a spooky Halloween party in October, with the help of the boarding prefects.

Following a scavenger hunt in the dark, various competitions were held, including ‘best costume’ and ‘best toilet-paper mummy’. Can you guess who won?

29

NOVEMBER 2019 YEARS 6 AND 7 FLIP OUT Year 6/7 boarders went on their first trip of the academic year, visiting Flip Out in Basingstoke.

All of the boys were brilliant throughout, and enjoyed displaying their athletic skills in a way designed to terrify Miss Roberts!

DECEMBER 2019 - SIXTH FORMERS ENJOYING THEIR CHRISTMAS MEAL

CHRISTMAS QUIZ Boarders celebrated the end of the Michaelmas term with a Christmas Quiz, ably hosted by Bill O’Grady (with commentary from Mr Pennell). With a generous spread of questions and a picture recognition round, there was something for everybody, and every team scored well. Winners were Cooper’s Cobras, sending them into an early lead on this year’s Boarding Family league table!

30

CHRISTMAS PARTY – YEAR 6/7 AND PREFECTS The youngest boarders celebrated Christmas by building and decorating a chocolate house - who needs gingerbread? They also had a party with help from the boarding prefects. Games included Christmas Targets, 3D Noughts & Crosses, and ‘Pin the Nose on Rudolph’. (Much cheating ensued!)

31

JANUARY 2020 – SPEED CHESS The boarding families went head-to-head in a multi-level Chess tournament early in January.

Each family had two or three representatives, and the battles were fierce in their race for the top!

The Senior tournament (Year 11 and over) was won by Collington’s Cubs, represented by Dragon Sun, and the Junior tournament (Year 10 and under) by newcomers Roe’s Rhinos, represented

by Jamie Black.

PIZZA POINTS Main House (Years 6-9 boarders) introduced a new rewards system this year. Points earned for good behaviour went towards a take-out pizza for the individual. This proved very popular, and the first two boarders reached 100 points shortly before the Easter break, much to their delight!

32

A SELECTION OF BOARDING PHOTOS FROM JUNE 2019 TO PRESENT…

33

HAYDEN BISHOP

deputy head boy’s speech Ladies, Gentlemen and More House pupils, I am here in my capacity as Deputy Head Boy to represent the school and say a massive thank you. Our school experiences are mainly about the people who make up this community boys, parents and staff together.

I’ve had the honour of being part of the Head Boy team this year, working together with James, Ben and Uday.

It has given us the chance to take on responsibilities - we have toured prospective parents around MHS, represented the school at the Remembrance Service, helped in Junior sports lessons and much more besides. But mostly, it has given me a chance to give MHS back a small part of what the school has given me over the past nine years!

I like to think of MHS as at tree. Mr Hetherington (and before him Mr Huggett) and the Senior Management Team - Mr Williamson, Mrs Hammond and Mrs Kerr - are the strong trunk holding us firm, providing leadership and direction.

“our wonderful teachers are the branches who support us” Our wonderful teachers are the branches who support us, like Mrs Rashleigh - kind and caring - who I see as my school mum.

34

They allow us to develop and we, the pupils, are what the tree produces - the fruit, ready to fall and plant ourselves elsewhere. We’re fully prepared for our new challenges and confident that MHS has equipped us to thrive and contribute to our communities and fulfil our dreams.

How are the fruits held up on any tree? They are supported by the branches - our superb teachers. The support that my peers and I have received at MHS has been world class.

Let me give you some examples: Mr Kay, Mr Yeoman and Ms Hartley successfully coached me to achieve in my English exams; Ms Patel’s love of sweets left her open to bribery in Photography (which helped my marks no end!); Mr Aldred’s fantastic film lessons stick in the memory.

Lastly, using the PE office as my daily chatting spot with Bradshaw, Faasen, Willmott, Williamson and Williams, certainly provided the tree with some rich fertiliser!

The second part of the tree I want to celebrate is the roots. They are essential - without the roots, the tree cannot survive. These are the unseen parts that quietly and efficiently make the school function, often without enough appreciation from the boys.

Here, I want to celebrate Mrs White (who would always buy my homemade wooden Christmas gifts before they made it to the ‘Fayre’!) and Mrs Secker-Barker, who keep everything running smoothly. Many times they have sorted out lost property to lost boys.

I would also like to thank the kitchen staff for providing delicious food week after week.

James and Ollie at the entrance to A&E - mates for life!

I have many unforgettable memories and experiences from MHS, particularly my ski trip to Italy with Mr Faasen.

One day, you pupils in Years 4 and 5 will be the ripe fruit about to fall from the More House tree, as we, current Year 13s are today.

All the best for your future.

I also remember skinning rabbits and kayaking on the lake, and days filled with laughter on the Bushcraft trip.

There were some amazing day trips to the Harry Potter studios with Media and to London with Photography. I remember acting in ‘Honk’ and ‘Alex in Wonderland’ with my friends, and also winning the Faasen Family Sports Cup.

“

our school experiences are mainly about the people who make up this community boys, parents and staff together

I have also been honoured to represent MHS in inter-school sports fixtures, and I am proud to have been House Captain of Hawthorn.

Finally, coming to the end of my life at MHS, it’s made me look back to where it all started.

Within two months of joining in Year 5, I found myself in lockdown during a school threat. I was interviewed as a 9 year old by ITV, and fast became the ‘face of More House’ in newspaper articles (I’m pretty certain mum bought all those papers!).

“

Finally, I remember thinking I had made it through 9 years at MHS without any injuries, only to find myself on the floor with a rather large nail sticking out of my foot from the newly laid path from Sixth Form!

Mrs Rashleigh and the school nurse kept me calm during my three-hour ordeal (though a spot of gas and air would have been nice!) and the wonderful taxi driver, Mr Yeoman, got me to A&E (via most of the potholes in Surrey).

Best of all, though, was being met by Ewan,

35

what happened in careers 2019/20?

WE WELCOMED VISITORS Sue Taylor from the Association of Learning Partnerships in Surrey (ALPS), assisted the Upper Sixth Form students to register for and explore apprenticeship opportunities commencing Summer 2020, and carried out an Apprenticeship Awareness presentation to Lower Sixth Form students. She returned in February to help them to register for up-todate information on opportunities.

Sgt Kristian Oldfield, Team Leader of the Grenadier Guards Regimental Support Team, with his colleagues Alex and Elliot, gave us a colourful, informative and thought-provoking overview of life in the Grenadier Guards.

Georgia Woolgar and Emily Lewis from the National Citizen Service gave a lively and informative presentation to students in Years 11 and 12, about their Summer Programme, and visited us again during a lunchtime session to answer questions and assist with applications.

36

Gary Brozenich, Visual Effects Supervisor - and one of our parents - gave us an exciting presentation about his work, and about a wide range of roles open to young people in the visual effects industry.

(See article in February 2020.)

SIXTH FORM VISITED: The Higher Education Exhibition at the University of Surrey in Guildford, to talk to representatives from colleges and universities across the UK, to attend workshops about admissions and university life;

The National Apprenticeship Show at Sandown Racecourse in Esher, Surrey, to meet companies and organisations offering apprenticeships for school and college leavers, and graduates.

“thank you very much for the very supportive and brilliant way in which our son’s strengths were celebrated without compromising his ongoing need for very specific learning support in sixth form” - Y12 Parent

AND TO COME? We always welcome the support and expertise of parents, school staff, our alumni, and local and national businesses.

Through sharing experiences, information and advice, and working alongside us, it allows the boys glimpses into the world of work and helps them to find a focus on their own career aspirations.

See you in 2020/21?

37

open day – AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OFF …And so it rolls around again - our annual Open Day - this year on 27th February.

When we started the Open Day, five years ago, there was some resistance about whether such a straightforward marketing tool - a staple event within the independent school sector - would work for a school such as MHS. Surely, we were too unique to be able to ‘show off’ in such a conventional manner, our admissions process too individualised to be able to manage interested parents’ expectations about how to gain entry for their sons. Plus, our student numbers were strong and rising year on year. Why did we want to open our doors any further than they were already? In spite of the low-level murmurings, we held our first open day in early March 2015.

Open Day was the beginning of trying to change perceptions of what a specialist mainstream education really looks like.

We advertised in local papers, created a radio advert (another first) to run on high rotation the week ahead of the event, then Headmaster, Barry Huggett OBE, would do a talk to parents, supported by senior colleagues and Learning Development Centre staff to talk to parents, and students to do tours - much as it runs now - but with no understanding of who would turn up and how the school would be received. We had no booking tool, we were not tracking numbers, we were working on the ‘wait and see’ approach.

The original aim of the event was to open the doors to anyone - interested parents, local residents, existing parents who may want another look, grandparents, professionals - anyone who wanted to know a little bit more about us and how we operate. It was clear that parents interested the school for their son wanted a more informal experience of the school before embarking upon the official admissions process, and it had also become apparent that those who did know about the school often had a fairly skewed perception of the education on offer, the students, and the school’s aims. The original

On that first Open Day, the weather was grisly, but we flung open the doors of Bradbury Heights with the enthusiasm of Michael Eaves opening his first Glastonbury festival, hopeful that we would see floods of people… and they trickled

38

in slowly, and a few more - visitors being handed a bag of information with associated branded ‘merch’ to take home with them. Tea and coffee imbibed and then a message to Bradbury Heights - Ofsted had called - they would be with us in three hours for their annual welfare inspection of our boarding facilities… maybe they got wind of our exciting open day and wanted to crash the party. Unlikely, but it certainly added a frisson of excitement to the day. In the end, I think we had around 50 people cross the threshold.

appraisal (good and bad) and offer visitors hope that there is a school that could be right for their son. The tours invariably run over their 30-minute time slot, with visitors wanting to delve deeper into different areas, or stop to listen to the resplendent music emitting from Mr Place and his musicians.

They want to soak up as much of the community as they can before returning to Bradbury Heights to talk to experts, discuss their son and make positive connections with parents in a similar position. One visitor this year remarked “I have been to two other independent school open days recently, and neither were a patch on what I have experienced at your school today. The students who toured us were amazing, so polite and the school blew our mind with what it has to offer, thank you”.

Fast-forward to this year’s event, 300 registered to attend and a smaller open morning scheduled to happen on 30th April for those whom we could not accommodate.

“the original open day was the beginning of trying to change perceptions of what specialist mainstream education really looks like” Every year the attendee numbers have grown.

The event has been kept deliberately simple, with talks from key staff including the Headmaster and Mrs Davenport, Director Assessment & Therapy.

As coordinator of this event since the beginning, it continues to offer me professional pride and growth, but more importantly it’s a complete joy to see our community show off their version of More House School.

Sarah Secker-Barker, PA to the Headmaster and Marketing Coordinator

“

the students who toured us were amazing, so polite and the school blew our mind with what it has to offer, thank you

From the second year we invited external exhibitors such as the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, Boyes Turner LLP, and SOSSEN! to attend, with a view that we should be able offer visitors support and advice at whatever part of the SEN journey they’re on.

“

Many of you reading this may have come to us via an Open Day. Visitors attend more than once, wanting to ensure that they’re making the right decision applying for their son to attend. A highlight for most visitors is the tours conducted by pupils of differing years, who take immense pride in talking about their community. They willingly answer questions, are honest in their

39

ICT becomes computing This year has seen some changes to the department. We have a new member of staff, Miss Charlotte Dickenson. Also, we changed its name from ICT to Computing to reflect changes in the National Curriculum and in the emphasis we put on the topics that we cover.

The aims of the department are to ensure that pupils: • can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Computer Science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation; • can analyse problems in computational terms, and have repeated practical experience of writing computer programmes in order to solve such problems; • can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems; • are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology.

Some of the opportunities the boys have been presented with this year: Years 7 to 9 students have been introduced to the concepts of Computational Thinking, which helps them develop strategies for solving problems. They were to spend time in the Trinity term building and programming Lego Mindstorm robots.

Year 9 Computer Science students were keen to build their own computers, so they were all given a BBC micro:bit to build and programme. They really enjoyed the hands-on aspect to this project.

Year 10 students can study Computer Science GCSE and/or BTEC Digital Information Technology.

Sixth formers can study Level 3 BTEC Computing, A Level Computer Science, or ICT Functional Skills.

the MHS library year This is a sample of what our excellent Librarians have offered MHS pupils this year…

In November, they ran a book review competition, where the boys were invited to read any book from the school library and to write a review on the Reading Cloud. The lucky winner was Jacob Miles, who won The Best of Christmas Game. Congratulations to all our readers who took part.

December’s Book of the Month was The Snowman by Michael Morpurgo - a new adaptation inspired by the original tale from Raymond Briggs.

40

Also in December, pupils were encouraged to develop their reading by exploring variety within genres… by being brave and trying something new!

January’s Book of the Month was Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust Volume Two: The Secret Commonwealth, which follows Lyra as an undergraduate at Oxford University. His famous trilogy ‘His Dark Materials’ finishes seven years previously, whilst the first ‘Book of Dust’, ‘La Belle Sauvage’, sets the scene for ‘His Dark Materials’ following the story of Lyra as a baby.

To coincide with the school’s focus on Children’s Mental Health Week in February and its theme ‘Be Brave’, the library promoted their range of non-fiction self-help books and amazing stories of bravery, such as ‘Stuff That Scares Your Pants Off’ by Glenn Murphy, ‘Wonder’ by R. J. Palaccio and ‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas.

Valentine’s Day on 14th February and We Love Pets Day on 20th February were celebrated by boys and staff being invited to mail the Librarians with images of either themselves reading to their pets, or indeed their pets ‘reading’. Interesting! Images were displayed on the library Valentine’s board and House Points offered for contributions to the display.

Our Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success with sales of £500.

Thanks to you and your sons’ generous purchasing of books, the library secured 40% commission of books for the school library - in excess of £200.

Early in March, Astronomer and Writer Colin Stuart, visited school to give his ‘Let’s go on a mission to Mars’ talk to the junior school - the basis of his inspiring talk was that somewhere in the world, someone is at primary school who WILL BE the first person to visit the red planet. Signed copies of his book were available on the day.

Needless to say, our book of the month for March was Colin Stuart’s ‘Go on a Mission to Mars’. It’s written as an explorer’s guide and is packed with scientific facts guaranteed to inspire. The book is well laid out and visually appealing with bite size information on each page.

It’s April now and with everyone at home we continued to offer recommendations for our reading enthusiasts with the biggest worldwide virtual author talk ever! Pupils were encouraged to join Chris Bradford, author of the Young Samurai and Bodyguard series, for his talk on YouTube to discover the skills needed to become a young samurai; get up close to a samurai sword; witness a dynamic all-kicking, all-punching book reading; and to find out about his life as a best-selling author and black belt martial artist.

We also encouraged younger pupils to make use of Oxford Owl, which offered free access to over 100 eBooks aimed at helping young children learn to read and to love reading.nAnd, to keep Harry Potter fans happy, J. K. Rowling launched a new Harry Potter At Home hub, bringing the latest magical treats to the home - including magical craft videos, fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more.

41

Luke Wehner, Year 9

Ben Wigmore, Upper Sixth

Luke Wehner, Year 9 Year 10 Cubism Masks

42

‘Homage’ Shadow Boxes

Left: Eli Brozenich, Year 11, Right: Alexander Fisher, Year 11

Uday Pal Trabelsi – Upper Sixth Form –

Dylan Newman, Year 10 - Artist

Translations unit

inspired sculpture – Natural/Artificial unit Masks

Left: Eli Brozenich, Year 11, Right: Alexander Fisher, Year 11

43

Jonah Hillerby, Year 10 - Chihuly inspired – Natural/Artificial unit

44

june 2019 events at school PROMS IN THE PARK More Musicians, More Fun and ALL the Sun to celebrate More House School's 80th year.

MHS marked its 80th birthday on Friday 28th June, with a ‘Proms in the Park’ musical extravaganza hosted by the school’s music department and the Friends of More House.With more than seven hundred pupils, families and guests, the evening comprised musical entertainment by a wide variety of musical groups, attended by mayor of Farnham, Councillor Pat Evans and her consort David Evans.

The MHS Steel Pan Band welcomed arriving guests followed by a ‘Rock Hour’ with performances from rock bands across the year groups and from the Junior Band.

The Concert Band and String Orchestra played a selection of proms favourites before the mayor took to the stage to congratulate MHS on its achievements over the past eighty years.

The Dixie Band led the audience in a rendition of Happy Birthday to mark the occasion.

Festivities continued into the night with performances by the Sax Ensemble, Jazz Band, Luncheon Singers and the Brass Ensemble.

The Headmaster concluded the evening by thanking those involved and praising MHS students for their fantastic performances on the night - a real example of the spirit of the MHS community and the remarkable potential of the boys who attend the school.

Guests enjoyed food provided by the MHS catering team, a bar run by the Friends of More House, refreshments from the Village Spirit Collective (a local gin distillery), barista coffee from Eastwick Coffee and wonderful local ice-cream by Dylans.

45

STUDENT V STAFF FOOTBALL MATCH 2019 A brief half-time team talk - nay, rollicking - via Skype from Students’ number one fan - Harry Lee’s grandfather - proved the motivation the Students well and truly needed. They were transformed; even Harry Lee looked interested again. McIntyre, meanwhile, continued taking advantage of gaps in the defence - chiefly at left back - to stretch the play.

As the clock struck 13, Bradshaw was still causing ructions with the ground staff about the size of the pitch. The student team, meanwhile, having overcome their own differences in determining the captaincy, shaped up in 4-4-2 formation.

Both teams boasted a strong line-up, missing only one player each from their full-strength XIs (Burnell in defence for Students; Kirkham in goal for Staff ). Staff, however, were boosted by the return of the baby-faced assassin, Ole Gunnar Clarkson, alongside some fresh and dynamic new faces - Pointer, Cook - who helped bring the average age of the squad to under 35.

The next goal would, arguably, prove the most crucial. Johnston, Kay and Pointer were running Pal ragged down the right wing but few clearcut chances were presenting themselves. The second half’s decisive intervention came from an unexpected source. Cooper was a man reborn; what point he had to prove, nobody knows - maybe his wife was watching - but it was a point he made well. With the ball on the left, somewhere between both goals, Cooper scored!

May, Hudson and Jivanda danced a merry jig in celebration of their colleagues’ achievements.

Only some optimistic efforts and questionable decision-making keeping the score at 0-0 following the early skirmishes, it was, in fact, Students who had the first clear-cut chance of the game. An interception in defence by Pal left the Staff midfield exposed. Maingot - who until that point had been anonymous - drove forward and laid in Jealous who beat the offside trap.

Matthew Howard looked in need of a stiff drink, while the creaking defence of WilliamsFitzpatrick-Jones looked in need of new hips.

Jones - until that point a spectator - closed down the angle and saved expertly with his legs. The save proved the game’s turning point; Jones’s teammates were suddenly invigorated and inspired, safe in the knowledge that they could attack with impunity. Things were not going well for the Students and their desire for annual bragging rights.

The Students slunk off, Bishop having already escaped the embarrassment of the aftermath early, and Harry drove home, his grandfather’s words ringing in his ears. Two years … two defeats, “Well done, Harry lad”.

Mr James Kay, Teacher of English & Football Fanatic!

46

in the classroom YEAR 7 ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOLDERS Year 7 pupils had the task of designing holders for their electronic devices. Many of the boys had to learn and master 2D design, so that they could access the high quality offered by the laser cutter.

Some elected to use more traditional fabrication methods, such as hand tools and machinery. Quite a few used more than one material to produce their product, which further challenged their materials knowledge and application.

Many different designs were created by the pupils and their teacher, Mr Morgan, was very impressed by the range and quality of the outcomes.

Congratulations Year 7. Here are a few of their designs:

47

YEAR 12 – BTEC BUSINESS TEAM BUILDING As part of their BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Business, with Mrs Kerr at the helm, Lower Sixth pupils had a team-building day learning all about leadership skills and having fun along the way! Here are some photos of their antics.

48

july 2019 out and about

ACTIVITY WEEKS DAYS OUT WITH SIXTH FORM AND YEAR 11

Paintballing at Delta Force - Hot and sweaty boys with lots of bruises to show. An enjoyable day had by all, including Mr Yeoman and Mr Farrant!

49

Thorpe Aqua Park - Floating obstacles and a fantastic banana boat ride for those who managed to stay on!

Free crayons in the provided packed lunch?!

Bowling at Guildford Spectrum followed by the afternoon in Guildford with lunch in the castle grounds, retail therapy and visits to the Game Shop. A day much enjoyed by all.

Thorpe Park All enjoyed the freedom of exploring the rides. Back at base, the final day of activities included: Swimming, Scavenger Hunt, Tie-Dye T-shirt, Bake Off (the cakes were amazing!) a barbecue and silly prizes on the field.

50

YEAR 10 AND LOWER SIXTH GCSE AND GCE GEOGRAPHY - FIELDTRIP TO DORSET Monday 1st July Head of Humanities, Brian Luff and teacher Angela Saunders, accompanied by LDC staff Gemma Jones and Lauren England, headed to Dorset with twenty-seven Year 10 and 12 Geography students. First stop, Barton-onSea for a spot of lunch overlooking a tranquil Solent - a fun session of stone-skimming then a visit to a delightful caravan site at Highcliffe for the observation of the coastal management techniques of moving caravans and letting nature take its course.

En-route to Portland, we admired Poole harbour and enjoyed the first of many icecreams! Reaching our destination of Portland Youth Hostel, our congenial surroundings and magnificent sea views pleased the boys. We had a superb dinner.

Having previously noted the boys’ choices, William Bashford had completely forgotten his and tried to have someone else's dinner - a recurrence throughout the trip as William announced 'my sandwiches were egg mayonnaise', to which Mr Luff would reply, “No! You chose ham. You will have ham. No negotiation!”.

After dinner we marvelled at the geographic spectacle of Chesil Beach (Tombola or Barrier Bay? - depending on your geographical

51

expertise), examining the sediment with strict instructions not to remove any segment or MHS would be fined! Mr Luff challenged Filip Widlund to scale the sea wall in less than five seconds, which he achieved in three, swiftly followed by others. The next challenge was for Kit Bowes’ grenade (cobble) throwing practice, into the sea.

Returning to the hostel, in his usual manner, Mr Luff told everyone to go to sleep and wandered off down to his yurt.

Tuesday 2nd July Unfortunately, Mr Luff had had a poor night’s sleep! Apparently seagulls were crying all night and depositing on his yurt! But after a hearty full-English, we set off for Lulworth Cove. Year 12 were zoomed off to the nearby village of Wool and split into three groups. Commendations to William Pettifer and Sam Tilley, and also to James Sutherland and Ben Wigmore for their investigations. Miss England and Mr Luff resisted the aroma of scampi and chips from the Black Bear, pursuing their professional responsibilities of teaching MHS students.

On the return of Year 12, more ice-cream delights were enjoyed before returning to the hostel for a rest, shower and packing. A dinner of a Mediterranean vegetable Lasagne and orange sponge cake was thoroughly appreciated by the connoisseur staff, but the students did not share their enthusiasm. Then an excursion to Weymouth beach to examine the sand - the best in the UK for building sandcastles! Ice-creams again and the appearance of Boarding’s Mr Webb consuming a gigantic portion of fish and chips with no intention of sharing. The boys had a tremendous sand fight with Harry Horowitz’s hair colour changing to a lovely shade of golden-brown. Returning to the hostel, once again Mr Luff stressed the importance of a good night’s sleep for the sake of the two minibus drivers. However, Year 12 had a pillow fight - everyone versus Leo Cornelius.

Back at Lulworth, Year 10 were investigating the issues and impacts of tourism. With the Year 12s rejoining them, all enjoyed another ice-cream and admired the wonderful view of the bay. Then, back to the hostel where everyone ate exceeding well! Then, off to the cinema for Toy Story 4. Mr Luff restricted diversions to the supermarket and the purchase of any Cola!! Everyone was shattered after the day's events and just a few stayed up talking. Mr Luff's yurt enjoyed peace and tranquility despite the seagulls and he too – thankfully - had a sound night's sleep.

Wednesday 3th July Another hearty breakfast and we departed for Lulworth. This time Year 12 visited Corfe Castle to undertake a land use survey, a questionnaire about demographic issues, and pedestrian and traffic surveys. Mrs Saunders and Miss Jones tested their own hypothesis on the quality of tea and cakes at the various cafes – apparently the National Trust was better, with superb views of the castle and they learned about the English Civil War.

Thursday 4th July Awards for the fieldtrip were given to James Sutherland, Oliver Wordingham, William O’ Connell and the overall best student award was given to Hendrick Griessel. Well done boys!

Back at Lulworth, they surveyed beach transits and recorded sediment size/roundness. As everyone had worked so well, Mr Luff allowed a whole hour for lunch before lectures on the UNESCO heritage site and the impact on visitor numbers.

“then an excursion to Weymouth beach to examine the sand the best in the UK for building sandcastles!”

52

Finally, to Nothe fort where ‘Paul’ gave a lecture to the delight of some and the yawns of others!

In the powder tunnels, boys played at ghosts, jumping out on each other - all in good fun.

A relaxing lunch in the shade then the trip back to MHS. Mrs Saunders experienced some entertaining singing - mainly from Filip who was exacting his revenge due to the lack of openable windows on the minibus.

We returned with a tired yet very positive and happy bunch of boys, who seemed to have enjoyed the Dorset experience with the Humanities department. Thanks to all.

YEAR 9 AND YEAR 10 - ACTIVITIES EXTRAVAGANZA WEEK MHS pupils transform into... Ninja Warriors We’ve all enjoyed an evening watching ‘athletes’ compete in Wipeout or Ninja Warrior on TV. Imagine those shows… and now throw in fifty MHS Year 9 and Year 10 students, together with four hopelessly outnumbered members of staff. What you’re imagining doesn’t even come close to the carnage that the boys experienced at Liquid Leisure in Windsor.

Once equipped with buoyancy aids and helmets, the pupils were ready to enter the water. The very cold water!

The boys had made it clear that they would be hoping to make the staff members’ lives challenging once on the floating platforms.

53

Unfortunately for them, Messrs Bradshaw, Fitzpatrick, Kalsi and Renton were more than up for the challenge!

What followed was an hour of high intensity rugby tackle training, on an assault course, over water.

Very soon, the hour was almost up and the staff mounted one last defence atop an inflatable castle. A defence that would test the brave (yet inevitably futile) attempts of the boys. Needless to say, it was a victory to the staff.

Once dried-off, everyone enjoyed a relaxed lunch beside the water. A perfect way to end a fantastic experience before heading back to school.

Team Sports Go-Karting in Farnborough Spirits were high as the boys eagerly entered the automotive arena. Boasts of victories to be, and amazing lap times, were bandied about - but the real drivers knew that the talking would end once the green light shone.

It would all be left on the track.

Boys and staff were split into four groups. Each changed into racing overalls, complete with splendid disposable balaclavas. Once the safety briefing had ended, the drivers were ready.

From the word “Go!”, the racing was furious.

Tyres screeched as the powerful go-karts jockeyed for position around the compact and tricky Farnborough course. After two sessions and countless laps, it was clear that the boys could give Lewis Hamilton a run for his money.

But, there could only be one first place driver.

came first, followed by Mr Bradshaw and Mr Kalsi. Honourable mentions go to Mrs Newman and Mr Wright.

Once the racing was finished, it was back to school to be met by the young ladies from Alton School.

The boys and girls enjoyed a barbecue and some enlightening conversation, followed by games on the field. Lustful glances were exchanged from afar and one or two even managed to obtain a hallowed ‘phone number or two - no names mentioned (Isaac).

“from the word ‘go!’, the racing was furious” For the students, Fraser Murray set the course alight, followed closely by Toby Brown and Hugo Smith, whilst for the staff, Mr Renton

54

Year 10s out for revenge!

being on the same team! Friendly fire? Mr Fitzpatrick took fifteen shots to the chest in one sitting. Henry Woods wore an interesting Hawaiian shirt - not sure he understands how camouflage works. James May and Matt Watkin were fearless in attack - often finding themselves surrounded. The best bruise from the day is owned by Monty ‘the Monster’ Johnson, with a beautiful shade of purple on the back of the neck. The true star of the day belongs to Ms Owen. The only female participant on the day took a no-nonsense approach, delivering kill after kill - leaving boys terrified to turn up late to her next lesson! We think Mr Kalsi played, but he was often found quivering behind a tree - leaving the rest of his troops to take bullets for him. A 3 out of 10 performance from him!

Certain Year 10 boys made it very clear that they wanted revenge for the Aquapark annihilation they had received from staff. At Paintballing, it’s fair to say they delivered!

Team Red comfortably destroyed the Blues, with a final score of 65 to 35, Mr Bradshaw changing teams halfway through to enable himself the best chance to shoot (and get shot at) by everyone at some point in the day.

Excellent work from Joe Hemming, not just for ripping a hole into his brother’s arm, but also for capturing the flag in the first map.

Noah Trotzig-Ruddick also gets a shout out for going rogue and shooting anyone who got in his way, even if it was after the game had finished. Luke Martin and Toby Cramer were both last men-standing, with Mr Bradshaw delivering the final hammer blow on both occasions. Fraser Murray took his revenge by shooting Mr Bradshaw’s behind, despite

Fun was had by all, but staff walked away with cuts, bruises and swelling causing some fingers to point in the wrong direction.

Los Angeles, Paris, London... Portsmouth?

Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Nevertheless, Portsmouth was the destination for Years 9/10 day four of Activities Week 2019. After three insanely tiring days, the boys were grateful of the trip to the cinema and a couple of hours of retail therapy at Gunwharf Quays. They were able to spend their hard-earned cash (parents’ hard-earned cash) in a variety of high-street outlets.

Once the money had been spent, there was a choice of two movies: Toy Story 4 or Spider Man 2 - both a huge success! Frensham Hills Sherpas were on hand to offload the bags of shopping from the coach before the boys headed home to prepare for what would be an exciting day at Chessington World of Adventures.

Chessington – Oh! What an adventure!

perhaps even something that they were nervous of trying - such as talking to the girls of Alton School. They conducted themselves incredibly well at all times. It was a pleasure spending time in their company.

The final day of the Year 9/10 Activities Week extravaganza saw the boys go out in style at Chessington World of Adventures and, oh, what an adventure it was! Whether it be spinning upside down, plummeting to the earth or diving into water, it is safe to say that all the boys thoroughly enjoyed their day in the theme park.

I am sure that all the boys would like to thank the staff for their support, wisdom and hilarious jokes over the course of the week. Special thanks really should go to Mr Bradshaw for organising such a fantastic week. A huge amount of work goes into arranging a single off-site event - let alone five on consecutive days. Each day was brilliantly executed, so that the boys were able to enjoy everything as much as possible.

Roll-on Year 11…

Thankfully for the staff (and those travelling on the rollercoasters behind them), all the boys managed to keep the copious amounts of fastfood, sweets and ice-cream consumed down, even whilst being suspended upside down and travelling at half the speed of sound.

It capped off a tremendous week in which each of the boys tried something new,

55

YEAR 9 – NORMANDY IN FRANCE IT WAS AN ADVENTURE....

Monday

challenging adventure activities combined with some history and French culture. The boys left by coach and were transported across the high seas by ferry from Dover to Calais to enjoy some glamping. They arrived in Normandy late-afternoon and, not letting a bit of travel fatigue get the in the way of a good adventure, it was straight to the campsite and a well-deserved game of football in the setting sun.

Fifty-four Year 9s took part in an outdoor adventure week at Acorn Adventure, Hautevillesur-Mer, Normandy, France along with teachers, Miss Willmott, Mr Stewart, Mr O’Brien, Mrs Shelly, Mr Cook and Mrs Gooderham.

It was to be a chance to enjoy each other’s company away from home with a mix of

56

Tuesday The first full day began in earnest with Climbing, Archery and Nightlining (a series of team-building exercises in which participants are blindfolded and have to work as a team to complete tasks), and a lovely evening beach walk.

Wednesday To put some perspective into their trip and its fascinating location, they visited the D-Day landings’ Omaha Beach, an American Cemetery at Colleville-surMer, and the impressive Bayeaux Tapestry.

57

Thursday An excursion to Mont St Michel where the boys thoroughly enjoyed time on their own, followed by Mission Impossible and Bushcraft activities or beach games and water sports, rounded off with a camp fire and some singing.

Friday Missed the ferry!! But arrived home safely in the end having had a thoroughly brilliant experience! From Miss Willmott and the rest of the staff, thank you boys for making it a fantastic week!

58

YEAR 8 - GROSVENOR HALL - FIFTY ACRES OF FUN IN KENT – A CHALLENGE FOR PUPILS AND TEACHERS An energetic start to the week of orienteering, Bushcraft shelter-building, scrap heap superhero challenges and numerous trips to the gift shop…

Boys collapsed into beds at 10pm, exhausted but looking forward to what Tuesday might bring, whilst teachers looked forward to a lie in…

Wishful thinking perhaps?

Another jam-packed day full of activities in the glorious sunshine. Keeping boys busy today were: Nightline (a blindfolded obstacle course), Laser Quest, Bushcraft and Powerfan, followed by a campfire with toasted marshmallows - thanks to a last-minute Sainsbury’s dash by Mrs Pickett!

The day finished with a game of the infamous Year 8 British Bulldog, which had the boys suitably zonked and ready for bed… sort of.

The Kent sunshine kept on coming as the boys mastered more high ropes as well as the 3G swing which seemed to be a real hit with everyone - the perfect day for conquering a common fear of heights amongst the year group!

The Year 8s proved themselves an absolute credit to MHS and we were being inundated with complimentary comments from the activity leaders as well as from other schools.

After daytime activities, it was time to get ready for the evening disco. With a buzz in the air (as well as the aroma of Lynx Africa) the boys descended on the disco and spent a happy hour “cutting shapes” on the dance floor. We may have found the missing member of One Direction (and it’s not Mr Mubiru!).

59

YEAR 7 – GRITTLETON HOUSE, WILTSHIRE Energy, Excitement and Endlsss FUN for the Year 7s who visited Grittleton House near Chippenham, Wiltshire for teambuilding activities!

Day 1 We arrived just after noon, so lunch was the order of the day! The boys vacuumed up their sandwiches, had a brief waterfight, and burned off some energy in a few impromptu field games before being divided into groups for archery, low ropes and aeroball, which all went well.

The final activity of the day was a huge game of Kick-rounders. No one knew the score at any point, but everyone had fun belting a football around the field. Miss Cook caught out a boy with an amazing full-length dive!

Back up to the dorms for a shower and relaxation before bed, and then lights-out at 9:30pm. Some dorms were fantastic, others... less so, but they all got to sleep in the end!

The boys then got to see their dorms for the first time and much excitement ensued! Once they had settled their clothes comfortably all over the floor, and scoffed all of their snacks, it was off to dinner - chicken nuggets and chips, much to their delight!

Prizes were given for those who’d participated and behaved well, and then all tumbled out for relaxation on the field, ending in an impromptu game of Footie with Mr Clarkson and Mr Kay (who claims to have scored at least three goals!).

As the evening drew to a close, we were taken on a ‘night hike’ in the nearby woods, where the boys were told about the mysterious ‘drop-bears’ who were a danger to those who were not holding a stick on their heads (everyone looked very silly)!

60

Day 2 An interesting start, with a trip to minor injuries after a backflip-related injury! The boys enjoyed Fencing, Field Zorbing, and Body Zorbing (featuring an epic showdown between Mr Clarkson and Mr Kay!).

The evening saw ‘Scrapheap Challenge’, where the boys constructed and raced ‘buggies’ from scrap - one of which fell apart at the start line, but the other travelled several feet (with some assistance!) and was pronounced the winner!

They were then given the task of constructing protective cases from scrap to stop a water balloon bursting when thrown – strong motivation was that any surviving balloons could be thrown at Mr Clarkson! Sadly, none survived - but a spare was happily found so Mr Clarkson didn’t feel he had missed out!

With an intense game of football taking place every time there was the slightest break, and a quieter ‘chill’ area for those who wanted something less strenuous, the boys had plenty to do, and went to bed thoroughly tired-out and ready to sleep. The grateful staff rejoiced!

Day 3 A particularly warm and sunny start to the day, so suncream for all was the first job! oday’s activities included Archery Adventure - blunted arrows to hit all sorts of odd targets, including a football goal - and footballs, and Buggy Building - a big hit where the boys were divided into two teams to construct a buggy to race without falling apart - with varied success!

Lunchtime saw a visit from Mr Faasen, accompanied by deafening cheers from all. After some chill time (and the obligatory game of football!), afternoon activities started with the particularly popular ‘Crate Challenge’ - stacking the highest number of crates without the stack falling over. Victory went to Miss Hunter’s group, with thirteen crates! Low Ropes was impressive, with the boys speeding around the course (and occasionally taking a face-plant!).

A much approved of barbecue, followed by a camp fire with singing and toasted marshmallows. Smelling of woodsmoke and stuffed with food, all made their way to bed and settled fairly well.

61

Day 4 A bit of a lie-in, with a later than usual breakfast, then to pack and tidy up, which most of the boys did brilliantly. The gift shop was also open, and many (staff included!) took the chance to buy a few souvenirs.

After dragging bags to the coach, it was time for the final activity of Den Building which was a great success with some truly spectacular constructions (deconstructed with great enthusiasm at the end!).

After a group photo and a quick lunch, it was back on the coach for the trip home, where staff were kindly entertained by boys singing at the tops of their voices all the way home!

YEAR 6 – HOOKE COURT A fascinating treat was in store for Year 6 boys who spent a few days at Hooke Court in Wiltshire, amongst other things, experiencing life as WW1 Soldiers… They enlisted into the First World War Army, learnt about the history of how it all began and looked at relics and artefacts.

They enjoyed free time in the adventure playground which included games of football and quieter activities for those who preferred; stories and songs around a campfire, dinner in the Officers’ Mess, a Music Hall evening and Bush Craft Cooking.

62

YEARS 4 AND 5 On Tuesday 2nd July, Years 4 and 5 walked to Frensham Ponds, where they took part in a number of team challenges including a scavenger hunt, making natural material sculptures and constructing sand sculptures.

Years 4 and 5 then spent time at Beaulieu New Forest Activities Centre with a chance to learn new skills, develop existing ones and, of course, to have a good time!

They arrived to freshly cut grass and eleven lovely tents. MHS boys had the place to themselves, with the exception of a few sheep that managed to escape their enclosure and decided boys were better company‌ There were opportunities for Archery, Nightlining and Shelter Building. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

63

64

An early start on Thursday for a fantastic day out, set up by a hearty breakfast. The day started with canoeing from Bailey’s Hard and up the Beaulieu river with rafts made up two canoes. It was great fun for both boys and staff. They then played Battlefield live with Alpha team and Bravo team. The whole day was about fun and not winning – but Mr Cooper was in the Alpha team, so he couldn’t help himself!!

65

world challenge EXPEDITION TO NEPAL JULY 2019 Our 2019 World Challenge group travelled to Nepal in July, where they spent a month, involving a construction project helping a school in Kathmandu, and trekking to the base-camp of Annapurna! They returned on 30th July 2019, having experienced torrential rain that caused flooding and land-slips and made the international press, and having survived an earthquake! They experienced the rich culture of the Nepalese and the Himalayas, and were wowed by staggeringly beautiful scenery. They worked as a team to overcome the physical demands of trekking in such a demanding environment, and developed their independence skills, empowering them to take control of their futures.

66

THE ITINERARY 1st July

Off we go!

2nd July

Arrival in Nepal and meeting with in-country agent.

3rd July

Finding our feet in Nepal and exploring the sights and sounds of Kathmandu.

4th July

Workshop on being a responsible traveller and volunteer through our travels.

5th July

Day Trek from Dhulikehel to Nagarkot (2165m). Phew!

6th-9th July

Days for cultural exchange. Opportunity for real interaction with the local community. Our project was in a school in Bhaktapur where we built a wall – with the help of Mrs Murray. A chance to learn new skills, share an experience and make new friends.

10th July

Travel Day – Ten-hour journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara……… Wonderful scenery!

11th July

Free day in Pokhara to recharge.

12th-23rd July

Main trek – Annapurna Sanctuary – Twelve days on the Annapurna Sanctuary teahouse trek with amazing scenery. Started in the green foothills of the Himalayas – then the climb! At one point 3,200 steps in one go but we made it!

We passed trailside shrines, teahouses and local villages, through fields, forests, rhododendron forests, bamboo thickets and over high mountain passes. Brilliant!

We travelled with very experienced guides, porters and cooks who helped us to understand the local culture and wildlife. Trekking was for six hours every day, carrying our own kit. We stayed in teahouses and ended up in the village of Khare where we were transported back to Pokhara.

24th-26th July Pokhara for rest, relaxation and a bit of sightseeing.

27th July

Travel day – Pokhara to Kathmandu.

28th July

Kathmandu for a bit more R&R and final sightseeing.

29th-30th July Time to leave! What a fantastic experience. We all gained so much. Thank you, Nepal!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JULY 2019 WORLD CHALLENGE TEAM.

67

68

69

VISIT TO BROTHER JOSEPH’S GRAVE Since having the headstone repaired three years ago, Mr Hetherington, along with the school Chaplain and a small selection of students, including More House choristers, made a visit to the grave at the end of the academic year to give thanks to the school’s founder.

This year, Head Boy, James Sutherland and Deputy Head Boys, Uday Pal Trabelsi and Hayden Bishop, gave short speeches about what they are grateful for as they come to the end of their time at MHS. Mr Hetherington detailed his gratitude to Brother Joseph as founder, and how the school continues his messages of acceptance and learning for all. The visit includes the singing of hymns and reading of prayers.

70

FOUNDER’S DAY Our annual round up of the school year took place on Saturday 11th July 2019 and is a whole school community event.

Always held on the final Saturday of the academic year in July, it celebrates and applauds each and every student with the awarding of certificates, house cups, finishing with speeches from the outgoing Head Boy and his deputies. Our guest speaker in this 80th anniversary year was our previous Headmaster, Mr Barry Huggett OBE.

71

We said au revoir to our Head Boy, Henry Young and Deputies Henry Hanssen, Gareth Hoare and Harry Lee …who regaled us with their entertaining memories of life at MHS, and with Gareth presenting Mr Hetherington with his own biscuit barrel!

For recognition of their achievements in various areas of the school, special trophies were awarded to:

Fraser Murray

Faasen Family Cup

To recognise the MHS Sports Personality of the Year

George Armytage

Medal for Innovative Thinking in Senior Technology

Pursuing a least one idea to a possible practical outcome

Alex and Sammy Matten

Senior Boarding Cup

Ernst Beeslar

Lawrence Cup

For academic endeavour in Mathematics

Angus Mellstrom

Drama Trophy

For academic endeavour in Drama

Frederick Weaver

Music Cup

For academic endeavour in Music

Daniel Lawes

Joseph Gard’ner Cup

Most improved member of the Lower School

Harvey Henshall

Collins Cup

Most improved Middle School pupil

Thomas Woods

Valentine Newbery Cup

Most improved Senior School pupil

James Hanley

More House Sixth-Form Cup

Most improved Sixth-Form pupil

William Maingot

Governors’ Sixth-Form Prize for Academic Endeavour

Henry Hanssen & Harry Lee

Governor’s Sixth-Form Prize for Services to the School

Gareth Hoare

Tom Barclay Cup

For endeavour and service

Ned Forster

Hemming Cup

For perseverance

Henry Young

Matthews Cup

Service to the school

Archie Graham-Scott

Christopher Shaw Prize

Extended commitment and tenacity throughout school life

Knight House

House Shield

James Sutherland

School Captain (Head Boy)

Hayden Bishop, Benjamin Wigmore, Uday Pal-Trabelsi

Deputy School Captains

Following the ceremony, governors and senior staff enjoyed lunch in Bradbury Heights, whilst parents, pupils and staff sipped fizz with strawberries and cream on the terraces, accompanied by MHS jazz band’s lilting melodies drifting overhead.

72

73

august 2019 public exam results SIXTH FORM RESULTS MHS celebrated the triumphant exam results of its Upper Sixth leavers on 15th August.

They achieved an inspiring 98% pass rate at A-Level and equivalent BTEC Level 3 courses proving exceptional determination in the face of adversity.

Despite struggling to overcome personal challenges MHS students were awarded 79% of certificates at the top GCE grades of A*C, or BTEC equivalent of Distinction*-Merit.

35% of grades were the highest A* and A, or Distinction* and Distinction.

Such impressive outcomes saw more than half of our students progress to university to study courses as varied as Chemistry, Computer Science, Fashion, History, Mathematics, Music and Photography. Other leavers were set to enter their apprenticeships, or to continue further education in a range of disciplines.

Sharing the students’ celebration, the Headmaster praised the exceptional expertise and dedication of the teaching staff, and recognised:

“

the inspiring teamwork of pupils and their teachers to realise such fantastic outcomes, even though half of the pupils receiving their results have such a high level of need they warrant an Education, Health and Care plan by their local authority

“

74

YEAR 11 RESULTS Not to be outdone by Year 13, Year 11 students beat the national average for GCSE grades 9-4 by 8%, the GCSE English national average by 5% and matched it for GCSE Maths, despite their individual challenges of Dyslexia, Developmental Language needs and other SEN! 32% of students achieved grades 9, 8 or 7 (A*-A equivalent) in at least one GCSE subject. 100% A*-B in the Design…Engineer…Construct! (GCSE-equivalent architectural design course). 100% level 2 Distinction* to Level 1 Pass-rate in BTEC courses, including an 85% Distinction* - Level 2 Pass-rate for BTEC qualifications.

The Headmaster reinforced his delight at these results –

“so many of our boys have believed they are not clever, and will never succeed in the modern education system these results are so valuable and prove to our Y11s and also to our younger pupils that they are intelligent and have enormous potential to benefit our society and world”

75

Samuel Flood, Year 11

Samuel Flood, Year 11 Alex Fisher, Year 11

Oliver Wordingham, Year 11

Oliver Clement, Year 10

Oliver Wordingham, Year 11

77

Rory Stimpson, Year 10

Rory Stimpson, Year 10

Alex Fisher, Year 11

78

Monty Johnson, Year 10 Louis Davies, Year 11

79

september 2019 out and about NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, MR MARK PLACE Edward Choate (Baritone Sax) and ex MHS student, Harry Fuller (Bass Guitar and Double Bass) were awarded places in London’s NYJO Academy Big Band where they join another ex-MHS student, Henry Hanssen!

Congratulations to them both.

Ex-MHS student HENRY HANSSEN was the first MHS student (he was here for the exam!) to pass his Diploma with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is henceforth known as ‘Mr Henry Robert Hanssen DipABRSM’.

Mr Place is not jealous at all.

Eager to crack on, MHS Jazz Band joined forces with Farnham Music & Drama to perform a wonderful night of Jazz in the Farnham Maltings’ Cellar Bar on 10th September (the first night of a new school year)! The evening raised a really decent contribution for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham Music & Drama’s new Baritone Saxaphone, and The Steve Forster Studio, soon to be built at MHS. Director of Music, Mr Mark Place said the concert was absolutely phenomenal and congratulated the students on what he genuinely thought was the best performance the MHS Jazz Band had ever delivered. The evening had a great atmosphere from start to finish and thanks go to Mrs Tracy Rashleigh for her expert mood-lighting and table arrangements, which added much to the ambience.

80

We have now had to wave a fond farewell to a number of our more experienced players, four of which are going on to study Music at university. This final concert with last year’s incredible line-up provided one last hurrah, while at the same time raising money for three great causes.

I didn’t manage to count the total number of musicians on stage for this grand finale, but it must have been in the region of 40! It really was fantastic to see pupils from many different schools in and around Farnham joining together to make great music.

Our sincere congratulations go to the boys who took part. They absolutely did MHS proud yet again: Aaron Cody, Alex Read, Alex Turner, Angus Mellstrom, Ben Wigmore, Ed Choate, Eddie Bruce, Kurt Hill, Matt Bond, Uday Pal Trabelsi.

Both bands played exciting and varied sets including both instrumentals and vocal numbers. At the end of the evening we managed to squeeze both bands onto the stage to form Farnham Big, BIG Band which played an electric performance of Josh Daniels’ ‘Have You Seen Them Cakes?’ to rapturous applause.

“thank you, amazing teachers, for your love and care” - Y11 Parent On 26th September, the MHS Rock bands packed their amps and headed north-west to SITA in Hayes. The boys, under the watchful eye of Mr Fitzpatrick, Mr Place, and the everfinicky Mr Webb, performed over an hour’s set for a special SITA company event and went down a storm. Yes, even with Mr Webb!

SITA are based in the Shipping Building of the old HMV (His Master’s Voice) record press in Hayes and we managed to get a lovely photo with this massive dog called Nipper.

Although HMV has long gone from the site, Mr Place was pleased to note that SONOS also have an office in such an important building in the history of the music business.

low res

Huge thanks to Alan Kennard for making this happen.

81

events in school NEW ARRIVAL IN THE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Over the summer holiday, the Design Technology Department had a new arrival. AN ULTIMAKER 3D printer! We are also looking to obtain a CNC router. These allow the technology students to see how advancing technology is changing the way we work within the construction and design industries.

Used in conjunction with our CAD software, it enables students to produce accurate prototypes of designs, helping them to understand construction and industrial practices as a whole. Hopefully this will inspire them to progress further within the construction and design related industries.

82

THIS YEAR’S

school captains School Captains for 2019/2020 were named at a special house assembly. They were selected for their leadership qualities, organisation and ability to share ideas with the group: Year

Cobbett

Hawthorn

Knight

Sturt

4/5

Jake Tengurchitoo

Jack Cooper

Oliver Marquis

Harry Hale

6

Ned Tappin

Zack McColl

Harrison Aldous

Jacob Chrismas

7

Will McFarlane

Alex Ransom

Reno Rayner

Rafe Norris

8

Alfie Phelps-Mitchell

To Elliott

William Pilkington

Charlie Drummond

9

James Kelly

Alex Franks

Noah Lewington

Kieron Derrett

10

Alex Carter

Charles Potter

Charlie Stopani-White

Joseph Grinstead

11

Matt Watkin

Jamie Drysdale

Eddie Bruce

Hamish Barnes

And this year’s Football Captains were…

Year

Football Captain

Juniors

Luke Field

7

Will Alcalay

8

Louis Blair

9

Luke Marson Charlie Manners (Vice)

10

Jude Anderson

11

Joe Hemming

Luke Field, Junior Captain

83

in the classroom Christopher Boyle (Year 8) wanted the new boys to feel settled as soon as possible and to help reduce any worries about starting at MHS, so he came up with this easy-to-read 10-point guide.

reasons why you will be happy at

More House School

1

The food is AMAZING

2 3

MHS will help you grow in confidence

The exam results are higher than the National Average

4

Rated Outstanding in every category by Ofsted

5 The pupils are friendly 6 You will flourish!

7

The teachers are helpful and will challenge you in the right way for you

8 9

You will do really well in lessons

The school will support you to do your best

10

Loads of fun clubs to join

Don’t worry - everyone feels nervous on their first day Poster written by Young Wellbeing Ambassador Christopher Boyle

All Being Well

Wellbeing at More House School

84

october 2019 out and about SPONSORED WALK This year’s Sponsored walk was one to remember.

We had a themed walk- Superheros! Boys and staff had to come dressed as their favourite superhero, even if it was a made-up one.

The turnout was fantastic, with many creative costumes, and the boys loved it, creating an exciting feel to it all. Even though it wasn’t the best weather, that didn’t seem to bother the boys.

As usual the Sixth Formers set off first to man the check points and the day began well, with everyone sticking to their timings and setting off without any issues.

the crowd on the field! We were utterly delighted that so many parents came along too. To top it all off there were winners for the best-dressed boy in each year group. And one for staff too! I would like to thank all staff involved, but special thanks to Mr Andy Williamson, Mrs Sarah Foster and the Friends of More House for making this so much fun.

We walked to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action - https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/, UnLimbited - http://www.teamunlimbited.org/ and local charity Change of Scene - http://www. changeofscene.org.uk/.

The halfway stop was at Frensham Great Pond.

Our fantastic catering team were ready to serve their excellent lunch packs to the boys and staff - just what they needed! The National Trust Tuck Shop was a popular stopping point too… Then the boys set off for the homeward stretch.

Another addition to this year’s walk was the amazing reception waiting for everyone at the finish line. The Friends of More House used the opportunity to cheer the boys at the end of the walk so that there was a crowd cheering and clapping the boys in. They had a lovely station set up with refreshments and treats, and the boys seemed genuinely surprised and pleased to see

Your donations and support of MHS pupils in the completing the walk are much appreciated. We also received a donation from Team UnLimbited.

85

lower sixth form BONDING AND TEAM-BUILDING 24 ½ GO MAD IN DORSET (THE SEQUEL) A madcap adventure, full of fun and frolics, featuring twenty-two fresh-faced Sixth Form newbies, one grumpy Scotsman, a ginger bloke from boarding who looks a bit like Scooby Doo’s sidekick Shaggy, and the LDC’s very own pocket rocket - the devilish Ms Jones…. All faultlessly co-ordinated by Crosslanes’ answer to Lesley Thomas - the smooth-talking, unflappable Hugh ‘The Custodian’ Rashleigh…

Here we go again: another year down and a fresh batch of raw recruits to shake down and sort out. The theory’s simple, but the practice is simpler: take the Sixth Form’s new intake down to Corfe Castle for a few days, throw them into a clutch of bell tents and get them doing scary things with axes, fire, SUPs, home-made rafts and – errrr - crabs. You’d call it team-building if they didn’t know each other so well already, but it certainly gave their new Head of Year a chance to put them through their paces, check out the cut of their jib, measure their gravity, know their velocity or otherwise scrape the barrel for rufty-tufty macho metaphors that mean getting to know people a bit better.

86

As tradition dictates, our first afternoon saw us take to the woods to get a little crafty in the bush. Axes were thrown with varying degrees of success. Young Jaden Brown’s poised aggression with his well-weighted chopper (remember the river battle scene in ‘Dances With Wolves’?) was only eclipsed by Stephen Moon’s awe-inspiring ‘double axe chuck’ as events ran down towards a spot of fire-starting and (after a lengthy safety briefing) some marshmallow incineration.

Day one was rounded off with crabbing in Swanage. Who would have thought that such a calm and cerebral activity would captivate so many bouncy, street-smart teens? It most certainly did – though I ought to admit that one (unnamed) pioneer ‘joshed’ about nipping into a nearby pub to check out the footie on the big screen. When asked to name the hostelry (just in case there were any ‘issues’) he replied confidently that he remembered the sign clearly and the place was called ‘The Happy Hour’….

Day Two saw us take to the water on a rag-tag flotilla of seven-person paddleboards and selfmade rafts. Wind and prevailing tides kept us close to shore and meant that the programme had to be adjusted somewhat, but this didn’t deter the group at all. Collectively we found many, many ways to push each other into the briny. Amid the stramash of toppling bodies, ‘Mad’ Max Patience discovered the true value of being blessed with a low centre of gravity.

Nobody - but NOBODY - was going to get him off that board – not even ‘Kamikaze Collins’ or Dom ‘The Fridge’ Walsh.

“amid the stramash of toppling bodies, ‘Mad’ Max Patience discovered the true value of being blessed with a low centre of gravity”

However, when it became clear that two years of MHS training and catering had stiffened his sinews and put some more meat on his bones, Ivan (the Terrible) started looping about with the best of them. Indeed, he can be seen impishly lurking in the background as Messrs Yeoman and Webb failed spectacularly to put into practice their recent restraint training when they tried to dump Josh ‘swipe left’ Lucas into the murky lake.

He barely had to look up from the episode of ‘Peaky Blinders’ he was watching on his phone.

You’d think energy levels might have dipped by Day Three, but not a bit of it. Sammy Matten’s birthday cake helped load up the carbs for us - though the buoyancy aids were sorely tested in consequence when we visited the Dorset Water Park for a morning dedicated to gyrating, grappling and goofing around on inflatable structures in neoprene (on which subject - if anyone needs a cure for the Brexit blues - just watch a grumpy teenager with co-ordination issues trying to squeeze into a soggy wetsuit whilst trying to maintain a sense of balance and cool detachment: talk about ‘Bambi’ with a hipster scowl…)

Tired but happy, we returned to Moons Hill in time for the traditional Friday traffic jam. I don’t know about the bright young things, but I slept for about a week.

Iain Yeoman, Head of Sixth Form

Now – we had one mission only at the Waterpark: don’t break Ivan Wheeler! When this group last visited the place (on a Year 9 residential), Ivan lasted about five minutes before sustaining a spiral fracture that saw him being whisked to hospital with blue lights flashing. Mindful of this - he spent much of his time on the erratically bobbing structures with a presidential guard of ‘big units’ phalanxed around him ready to repel all boarders (and indeed all boarding masters!).

87

upper sixth form

CULTURAL TRIP TO BERLIN Day 1 Twenty-one Upper Sixth Formers, along with three teachers, left for Berlin - an extremely early start with our flight leaving at 6.40am bound for Berlin Tegel International Airport where we were whisked off by coach to the Meininger Hotel. Duly checked in, we sallied forth to Alexanderplatz for lunch, followed by a guided tour of the Berlin Unterwelten (part of the WW11 bunker system, later used as nuclear shelters during the Cold War) and back to the hotel for a short rest and then off for dinner.

Day 2 After a hearty continental breakfast, we returned to Alexanderplatz to meet our guide for a walking tour of the major sites of Berlin, including the Holocaust Memorial, Hitler’s Bunker, the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin University and a range of fascinating off the beat places you would never normally see.

Our guide proved to be a charismatic character who was highly entertaining, had the group on and off the city trams like jack rabbits and would regularly halt traffic to allow us to cross roads – berating any motorist who disobeyed his instructions! After lunch, we visited the Palace of Tears - a former border crossing point between East and West - and now a museum with exhibitions about Berlin during the Cold War and the process of German reunification. We also saw the famed Checkpoint Charlie, which involved us passing a “garage” offering tourists a chance to drive a range of rather tired looking Trabants.

As evening approached, we prepared to visit the Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm); with its height of 368 metres, it’s the tallest structure in Germany.

In just 40 seconds, you are at 203 metres high in the observation deck with a breathtaking 360 degree view. Once down at ground level, we went off to dinner.

88

Day 3 Probably the busiest day of trip! In the morning, we visited the DDR Museum, showing what life was like in GDR before unification. On the way to the East Side Gallery, we visited the Berlin Dungeon, taking visitors on a journey through 800 years of Berlin’s dark history in an actor-led, interactive experience - huge fun! Following lunch, we made our way to The Topography of Terror (a permanent exhibition at the site where the HQ of the Secret State Police, the SS and the Reich Security Main Office were located during the “Third Reich”), providing a detailed exposition of the rise and fall of the Nazi movement in Germany.

After a hearty meal at the well-known Pirates Berlin by the East Side Gallery, we were treated to one of Berlin’s most spectacular events - the Festival of Lights. A yearly light art festival in which over 100 locations, including historical places, landmarks, buildings and famous squares all over Berlin are illuminated by national and international artists. At the Brandenburg Gate, we witnessed the most impressive interactive light display with the theme “freedom”, along with thousands of Berliners and their families, especially important as this was the 30th anniversary of unification.

89

Day 4 In the morning of our last day, we trooped off to the vast outdoor Mauerpark Flea Market, with an endless list of stalls including vintage clothes, antiques and used goods, jewellery and bric-abrac..!

With our visit drawing to a close, we celebrated our stay in Berlin with a final lunch in Alexanderplatz before returning to our hotel to collect our bags ready for the return journey home. Arrival back at Gatwick was slightly later than planned, due to a delay on our departure from Tegel Airport, but all was well.

An amazing trip - our German hosts were most welcoming and friendly, great food (always huge portions so no fear of ever becoming hungry between meals) and excellent accommodation.

But above all, it was the boys who made this trip so successful and enjoyable.

PS. I am sure all the boys will remember the image in this picture:

Hugh Rashleigh, Custodian of Sixth Form

90

events at school YOUNG WELLBEING AMBASSADORS – CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS When he was in Year 7, Young Wellbeing Ambassador (YWA), Oliver Benfield (now Year 8), came up with the idea of hosting a Grandparents’ Afternoon. This idea was well-received by the rest of the team and the boys set about planning and organising the event. First job was for Oliver to write a letter to the Headmaster outlining the plan and seeking his permission to host the event – Mr Hetherington agreed with the idea and a date was set. The adults stepped back and the boys ran the show…!

Ahead of the day, the boys held an empathetic discussion about how the event, which was designed to be celebratory, could leave some boys feeling excluded or disappointed that they did not have grandparents able to join us. They took this into account when planning the day. I was impressed by their sensitivity and maturity.

On the day, YWA Sam Matten began the proceedings, noting that he had started at the school in Year 4 and is now in our Sixth Form!

He called the audience to order before handing over to me so I could introduce Oliver Benfield who, of course, was given a huge round of applause by everyone!

Jacob Olsen, the Lead YWA, welcomed everyone and explained that we were holding the afternoon to help grandparents to feel more in touch with their grandsons and the school. He expected that, for pupils, the afternoon was an opportunity to not only show what they were doing at school, but a chance to feel proud of their work and achievements. He went on to say that, for grandparents, he hoped it would be an opportunity to learn more about current schooling and their grandsons’ lives.

After Mr Hetherington talked about the school, Mrs Davenport – herself the grandmother of seven – talked about the important role

grandparents play in supporting our pupils and their parents. She emphasised that the relationship between a boy and his grandparent is unique and special, but that it is the whole family who benefits from strong ties with extended family. A greater insight into MHS, she hoped, would help strengthen that tie.

YWAs Sam Matten and Max Patience (Lower Sixth Formers), along with their peers, organised groups of boys to take our visitors on tours of the school and YWA Lucas O’Connor made sure that those who did not want to tour the site viewed the grounds from Bradbury Heights and had the opportunity to talk to pupils about life at MHS. Joe Grinstead (Year 10) did an exceptional job of looking after the Junior boys and guided them skilfully through the afternoon, encouraging them to talk to our visitors and keep the tea and cake flowing.

Towards the end of the day pupils left lessons to spend some one-to-one time with their grandparents, resulting in an atmosphere of joy, pride and love! A wonderful end to our first Grandparents’ Afternoon. More ‘Family Days’ are being planned and will be shared with you later.

The boys want to thank the staff for all the work behind the scenes and front of house by the office staff, maintenance staff and teachers to help keep the school running as normal and manage the visitors on site. A huge ‘Thank you!” must go the catering team who put together the most amazing spread for the afternoon. The biggest thank you, of course, goes to the boys and their grandparents.

Mrs Ruth-Maria Hammond Deputy Head - Wellbeing

91

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WEEK 2019 The Learning Development Centre (LDC) encouraged the school community to join in celebrating the gift of being able to think differently during Dyslexia Awareness Week. We strive to empower our pupils by finding ways that enable them to achieve their potential.

Literacy Tutors support the development of reading accuracy, comprehension, writing and phonology with strategies that can be transferred to the students’ wider learning, and tutors and therapists balance the need to nurture the development of skills students find difficult, whilst developing strategies to enable them to work independently. We are creative and flexible in delivering our Literacy, Speech & Language, and Occupational Therapy sessions in ways that enable our students to access, enjoy and feel in control of their learning.

can be viewed on the school website and social media platforms.

Students were challenged to follow a treasure hunt around the school with eight posters to find, each revealing a strength that can be attributed to having dyslexia. Tutors and therapists shared videos explaining the strengths of dyslexia, which promoted some engaging discussions.

“

we strive to empower our pupils by finding ways that enable them to achieve their potential

Year 9 student, Alex, is pictured using a Reading Pen to access complex vocabulary.

During Dyslexia Awareness Week, LDC staff celebrated people who have achieved success due to the strengths that dyslexia can bring, rather than focusing on the difficulties that it can present. Year 7 pupil, Elias, gave an interview discussing his understanding of the benefits of being able to think outside of the box, which

“

92

november 2019 out and about VI FORM - SAFE DRIVE, STAY ALIVE On 12th November, members of LVI Form attended the award winning “Safe Drive, Stay Alive� road safety initiative funded and run

by Surrey County Council. An annual event, which targeted schools and VI Form colleges in Surrey, specifically for young people as a vulnerable group, to make them more aware of the risks and dangers associated with driving. It was a modern, original and extremely hard-hitting event that challenged student attitudes and perceptions.

The high impact performance covered a number of road traffic collisions and the actions of emergency services. At opportune moments, the film was paused whilst police, ambulance, fire, and accident and emergency staff spoke of their own experiences at the scene of accidents and of the aftermaths.

For the audience, the reality check didn’t stop there. For maximum effect, volunteer members of the public also took to the stage with their very personal stories about how their lives and their families had been affected by road traffic accidents, resulting in death and life-changing injuries.

These real stories of life, loss, tragedy and

93

regret, quietly told to a hushed audience, left the air heavy with raw emotion and very firmly stamped upon the audience the message that when driving their lives, and those of their passengers, are in their hands.

YEAR 11 - THEATRE VISIT AN INSPECTOR CALLS On a grey November evening, Year 11 English Literature students found themselves gathered in the light drizzle of the early evening train platform. Like a scene from a stylish Film Noir their minds turned to the salient questions of the night, contemplating it quietly as a young Humphrey Bogart might. What would it be like?

What did they need to look out for? Why had Jono decided to drink a whole can of Red Bull?

But this was no murder mystery, provided that everybody behaved on the train journey there.

No! This would be a performance that the Year 11s would not forget - An Inspector Calls, live, onstage in the big smoke.

“primed like private detectives ready for a night of action our heroes boarded the train for the evening’s entertainment”

Lights. Curtains. The gentle rustling of illicit Maltesers bags. This was the ultimate Year 11 theatre experience. As the curtains rose the boys knew they were in for a treat. One particularly refined individual took advantage of the in-show binoculars to peruse the production values whilst munching his Haribo. Some enjoyed the excellent company of their teachers and their fascinating insights into the play. A larger number were less interested in their teachers’ fascinating insights and instead simply gorged on unfathomably large tubs of popcorn. This was a version of the play that had to be seen to be believed, inviting the boys into an opulent yet fast unravelling Edwardian world of crime, passion and drama.

The boys’ tightly honed knowledge of the play marked every actor’s move. Discussion at intermission was dominated by more than snacks and Mr Renton’s boasts of his extensive Nike Air collection. Costume. Dialogue.

Scenery… Year 11 knew it all - commanding the kind of mise en scène knowledge that would shame a West End theatre critic.

As the curtain fell and the actors gave a bow, our boys could only respectfully applaud. With an outcome happier than the events of the play itself, the MHS staff and boys’ appreciation of the trip was certainly no mystery.

94

MORE HOUSE SOCIETY OF BELLRINGERS For close to two decades, MHS has had its own church bell ringing society. Instigated seventeen years ago by nationally-renowned campanologist and MHS Director of Music, Mr Place, it has comprised several members of the school’s staff, and many students over the years.

There are currently four members of MHS staff who ring, and all are members of the band at St Andrew’s Church, Farnham, where Headmaster, Mr Hetherington, leads the band as Tower Captain and Ringing Master. Mrs Hetherington also rings, as does Mrs Sutch from the Junior school.

Earlier this term, Mr Place relaunched the school’s Bellringing Society, inviting pupils who live close to Farnham to visit the bell tower at St Andrew’s to have a go at bell-ringing and to see the bell-installation.

Farnham has a grand ring of ten bells, cast by Taylor’s bell-foundry at Loughborough, and the heaviest of Farnham’s bells weighs one ton.

It was great to see many MHS pupils and their parents ascend the tower steps that evening, and have a go at ringing. England was the birthplace of Change Ringing – a style of bell-ringing in which the bells are each attached to a large wooden wheel, and swung through a full 360 degree circle. This is very tricky to master to begin with, and takes some weeks’ practice normally, but enables the ringer to control and change the

speed of the bell, so that it can be rung in time with others of different weights and notes. This means the traditional wedding sound of bells peeling down the scale, one after the other, can be achieved, as can complicated mathematical patterns of bell-music, with the order of the bells’ sounding varying continuously.

There are now several boys committed to learning to ring the bells at St Andrew’s church - many hoping to become good enough to earn weddingfee money next summer! In the photograph you can see some of the MHS boys, and some of the regular ringers and visitors at Farnham bellringing. Mr Hetherington is not in the photograph as he operated the camera, but his dog, Rosie, is a regular visitor to the bell-tower and its steps.

“it was great to see many MHS pupils and their parents ascend the tower steps that evening and have a go at ringing”

95

YEAR 11 - HISTORY TRIP TO BATTLE We had a brief tour of the site, including an opening video, before being introduced to our tour guides for the morning. From here, the pupils were constantly quizzed and questioned on their knowledge and understanding, with a chance to get involved in some role-play activities detailing the claimants to the throne.

As we moved around the site, we were faced with different characters, all depicting soldiers from the Battle of Hastings. Frequently, the boys would offer answers far beyond expectation, with Mr Clarkson being ‘kicked into touch’ by an inspired shout from one pupil in particular!

Year 11 History pupils had been gearing up to this moment for some time - the opportunity to travel to Sussex and to sample some of the south coast’s finest fish and chips (as enjoyed by their teacher, Mr Clarkson, fourteen years ago, on almost exactly the same trip)… …The other reason was to embark on a tour of Battle Abbey. On this spot in 1066, the armies of King Harold and William the Conqueror clashed at the Battle of Hastings.

With Mr Burnett in the driving seat, we felt we were in safe hands. Many were delighted to hear that older members of the group were unable to access the playlist he had planned - little did they know that ‘Ibiza Classics, 1999’ would be in the offering for the return journey.

Whilst each and every boy conducted themselves beautifully, they were not so graceful when looking to dodge a fairly sodden stretch of land - one pupil in particular opting to keep his hands in his pockets as he looked to jump an outrageous distance before sliding to a halt at the other end of the grass.

“it was fantastic to hear from the guides that the knowledge the boys had was far greater than that they had heard before”

It was fantastic to hear from the guides that they felt the knowledge the boys had was far greater than that they had heard before. This is testament to the hard work they have put into this topic, but also the general knowledge that they have and the ability to apply specific detail to questions. They were a true credit to the school and ensured that the day was an absolute success. As just reward, they treated themselves to ‘the works’ at the chippy and travelled home full-bellied but exhausted.

96

YEAR 11 & VI FORM - CLIMATE OUT OF CONTROL Upon the declaration of a 'Climate Emergency', Farnham Humanists invited a small group of our senior pupils to a 'Question Time' style debate at South Farnham School.

many were invited to share their thoughts with some offering questions from the floor.

The boys conducted themselves fantastically and were a credit to the school. Dr Montgomery was delighted to host us and made it very clear that the voice of youth is arguably far more important than that of the older generation! John Collins of the BBC filmed the event and has informed us that the film will be available in the not-sodistant future!

Eight senior pupils attended, bringing the average age of attendees down considerably!

However, this would prove to be one of their greatest strengths.

Dr Alan Montgomery, Chair of Farnham Humanists and presenting the evening, was keen to answer the questions previously submitted, as well as taking questions from the floor. Each of the boys who attended had submitted thought-provoking questions and

Many thanks to Uday, Angus, Max, Javed, Dominic, Hendrik and Luey for their involvement.

#OURHENRY - ANTHONY NOLAN SUPPORTERS AWARDS Friends and Family of Sophie Miller’ who raised an impressive £37,000 in three years.

MHS staff joined last year’s Head Boy, Henry Young, for the annual Anthony Nolan Supporters Awards at the Tower of London on Thursday 28th November. Henry, his mother and grandmother, were joined by boarding staff, Miss Collington, Miss Boyle and Mr Jones as the #OurHenry campaign was nominated as the charity’s ‘Group Fundraiser of the Year’.

Nonetheless, MHS staff should be incredibly proud of their fundraising efforts - jazz night at Farnham Castle, halfmarathons, bake sales, London2Brighton walk, swimathons and much more. The generosity of staff, parents and supporters has been as overwhelming as it has been remarkable. Thanks to the generous spirit of the wider community, two enormously deserving charities – Anthony Nolan and Aplastic Anaemia Trust – can continue their amazing community and medical work. You could help save another life by registering with DKMS and Anthony Nolan.

Henry, who left MHS in 2019, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia - a rare and serious blood condition - in October 2018. A bone marrow match was found in Germany and Henry is now on the long road to recovery, having had a transplant and chemotherapy earlier this year.

Hosted by comedian and presenter Nish Kumar, over the past six years hundreds of awards have been presented to deserving fundraisers, all of whom have supported Anthony Nolan in a number of ways. Despite raising the most money in 2019, #OurHenry (missing their stalwart Mr Place due to his Guys and Dolls commitments) narrowly lost out to fellow award nominee ‘The

97

events in school IN A SPIN ABOUT OUR NEW BIKES The PE Department is so grateful to the Friends of More House, who have very kindly upgraded our current spinning bikes, which have been so popular with pupils in all year groups over the past five years, but were definitely in need of an upgrade.

They are already being very much appreciated.

“MHS continues to give our son the security, support, understanding and acceptance to feel happy and confident enough, not just to learn, but to make great friends and to really enjoy his whole education” - MHS Parent

UKMT SENIOR MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGE Congratulations to all who participated in the recent UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC).

interesting problems designed to make students think. Accessible, yet challenging for those with more experience, they are also meant to be memorable and fun.

In particular, congratulations to VI form students, Isaac Davis, Isaac Joseph and Gary Li for getting Bronze certificates and Alistair Campbell for getting a Silver certificate.

It’s run by the UK Mathematics Trust and encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve

The SMC was established as the ‘National Mathematics Contest’ in 1961. In recent years there have been over 110,000 entries from around 2,200 schools and colleges. Certificates are awarded to the highest scoring 60% of candidates (Gold:Silver:Bronze, 1:2:3). Well done MHS!

98

PEN PALS VISIT TO MHS On Tuesday 26th November, some of our pen pals from Moorlands Care Home, Hindhead came to watch the dress rehearsal of Guys and Dolls.

Our boys were hosts for the afternoon and this is what Ricardo Long (Y8) had to say about their visit:

If I was an old person I would have enjoyed that day a lot because it was free and I could spend some time in the open world with young people such as me.�

Ricardo Long, Year 8

“Firstly, we were looking forward to meeting the pen pals, but not as many of them could come as we had hoped and one of them was my pen pal called Vicky. I was looking forward to meeting her, but she was at the care home.

So we took our seats in the Simkins centre and I sat next to my two friends. The show was really good and some of the actors where brilliant and the girls from the other school were making it feel more like a realistic play.

During the interval we helped the pen pals get some tea and coffee and I helped an old gentleman get some tea. Later we watched the rest of the show, but it finished a bit earlier because it was the end of the day.

99

FORMER YEAR 11 STUDENTS RECEIVING THEIR CERTIFICATES We warmly welcomed Class of 2019 students, former and current, back to celebrate their achievements of the previous two years, being presented with their GCSE/GCE/ BTEC/DEC! certificates by Mrs Babayan, former Head of Year 11 and Mr Yeoman, Head of Sixth Form.

It’s always an occasion which makes teachers feel incredibly proud of the boys, and a privilege to have been part of their school lives, not only academically, but in their development as confident young men.

It was great to hear how everyone was getting along and we all happily raised a glass and enjoyed refreshments to celebrate the company of boys, parents and staff.

100

Celebrating with some former students who’ve moved on‌

101

SENIOR SCHOOL PRODUCTION

guys and dolls “What’s next?”. This seems to be the question that the Performing Arts Department asks the most. It’s even the name of our department Whatsapp group. It has a horrible habit of being asked on the final night of a current show and last year was no exception. As the curtain closed on ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’, I believe it was Mrs Rashleigh who uttered those fateful words, and once ‘Guys and Dolls’ was thrown into the mix, it was an easy decision. After the solemnity of ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’, we felt that it was only right to explore a sizzling New York tale of gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers (and a missionary). Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, with some of Broadway’s biggest show-stopping tunes, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

We took on perhaps our most ambitious challenge with this one. Not only did we stick to the full Broadway score without any adaptations, but Mr Place also ended up arranging an extra piece of music for the nightclub dancers to dance to. The MHS

102

Drama department is now considered a loyal customer of Amazon, eBay and every charity shop in the South of England, as Mrs Rashleigh scoured her way across the country for the finest 1930s suits for the cast. She worked her magic on the set once again who knew you could make a palm tree out of a carpet roll?!

We had huge fun putting the show together and, although we say it every year, we genuinely feel we worked with the best cast yet, who performed to a packed house every night.

So... What’s next? I’ve heard rumours of a rather large Venus Fly Trap descending on the Simkins Centre. Watch this space…

YEAR 11 GCSE DRAMA STUDENTS PERFORMANCE OF

journey’s end

103

sixth form

FORMAL DINNER

The moment Mr Hetherington announced that James Sutherland was to be Head Boy, a very small part of my heart sank. Not, I hasten to add, because it was James but because I was his Form Tutor and it would therefore fall to me to help organise the VI Form Formal dinner - a task happily and successfully undertaken over the last few years by Mark Place‌ Big shoes to fill!

I need not have worried. James and his two deputies, Hayden Bishop and Ben Wigmore, were more than able for the task.

We put our heads together and decided we would like an Italian theme, so with the incredible guidance and resourcefulness of our Catering Manager, Mr Simon John, we created a mouth-watering menu.

Table plans were drawn up with military precision, flowers were arranged and candles bought. We handed everything over to the

capable hands of the wonderful kitchen staff and got ready to party!

No matter the VI Form dress code of smartcasual, all of us occasionally fall slightly shy of the mark, so the impact of arriving at Bradbury Heights, to find it bathed in candlelight with the sound of Prosecco bottles popping and to see your sons transformed into the most beautifully presented, sartorially elegant group of young men was a remarkable treat.

The evening was a huge success and ended in the most delightful way, when our beloved Mr Faasen took to the floor with Mrs Kerr in hand and started the dancing. Boys joined in with gusto as did all the test tubes in the science labs below. Thankfully they all survived‌ as did we!

104

105

team unlimbited On Friday 29th November, Drew Murray, co-founder of TEAM UNLIMBITED, talked to our VI form students about the amazing work they do in designing and building 3D printed hands and arms, helping to develop courage and confidence to limb-different children and adults around the world. After his presentation, Drew visited the School of Engineering and donated an example of an arm to the department.

TEAM UNLIMBITED was selected as one of the beneficiaries for money raised by the school’s sponsored walk - Deputy Head Boys Uday Pal Trabelsi and Ben Wigmore presented Drew with a cheque for £2,000.

A huge thank-you to everyone for their generous donations, allowing us to support the incredible work TEAM UNLIMBITED do to help and enrich the lives of so many limb-different children

106

in the classroom YEAR 8 - TECHNOLOGY Year 8 had the task of designing and making a product within the topic Contemporary Living.

Many had to learn and master 2D design, as well as more traditional fabrication methods using hand tools and machinery.

The high quality and creative products are great to see.

There were many different designs created by Year 8, all with their own specific usage. Their teacher, Mr Tim Morgan, was very impressed by the range and quality of the outcomes.

107

YEAR 9 - FORENSIC SCIENCE Pictured here is one of the beautifully dissected rats, prepared by the boys….don’t look too closely if you are squeamish!! Other activities during the day included blood splatter analysis and flame spectrometry forensic analysis of salt crystals…

Earlier this term, Year 9 spent a whole flexi-Friday undertaking a series of forensic science activities, organised by the Science department, which included an “autopsy” via the dissection of rats. Pupils were taught to look for signs of skin and tissue puncture or trauma, poisoning or other indicators of foul play...

Since the rats are bred, raised and prepared humanely in sterile conditions, specifically for education and research purposes, there were no prosecutions brought as a result of their forensic analysis! However, pupils could appreciate the amazing organisation and structure of rat physiology - which is not too dissimilar to that of humans.

The activity supports learning in GCSE Biology and BTEC Science, providing wonderful insights and activities for the boys, who worked with great focus and interest.

108

JUNIORS – ROBES BY JIM DINE

For All About Me, Year 6 looked at Robes by Jim Dine and drew their own hoodie in his style.

109

december 2019 out and about SIXTH FORM STUDENTS FROM ART & MEDIA VISIT TATE MODERN AND THE BRITISH MUSEUM In December, Sixth Form students from both Art and Media subjects visited London to research content for their Art sketchbooks, as well as to record video footage needed for their TV Idents Media coursework.

After arriving at Waterloo station we walked along the South Bank, where filming commenced almost immediately as there were so many interesting points of focus for them to film.

Upon reaching the Tate Modern, we were able to view the new installation in the Turbine Hall by Kara Walker – Fons Americanus. This is a giant fountain that explores the themes of Empire, Slavery, History and Trade.

More information on Kara Walker can be found on the Tate website here: https:// www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/ exhibition/hyundai-commission-kara-walker.

The students were able to film and photograph around the Tate galleries, with some choosing to film from the viewpoints high in the tower balconies.

We were able to undertake a lot of filming in the gallery, and some of this would

110

“after arriving at Waterloo station we walked along the South Bank, where filming commenced almost immediately” form the basis for TV Idents based around promoting a new TV channel – UK Vision Art. Art teacher, Miss Jivanda was able to give the art students ideas about what to look at before the group departed across the Millennium Bridge towards St Paul’s and the British Museum.

111

events at school WEAR YOUR CHRISTMAS JUMPER FOR THE MHS CHRISTMAS LUNCH! Our wonderful catering team provided a delicious traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings – quite a feat for around six hundred pupils and staff!

It’s become an annual tradition that your best Christmas jumper is the dress code for the day and as you can see everyone made the effort to add to the festive spirit with their individual celebration style – including the twins - Leo and Ed!

112

THE MHS CHRISTMAS TREE On display at St Mary’s Parish Church, Frensham, the theme this year was Wishes for the World. Our decorations were by Year 6. The boys made and decorated ceramic gingerbread men adding a ‘wish for the world’.

“stop chopping down trees”

“stop wasting good food. people are starving”

113

january 2020

out and about SKI TRIP TO PILA 2020 – A VIEW FROM THE SIXTH FORM for us to have? Dinner finished around 7pm - otherwise known as bedtime for those of us who hadn’t slept. However, some of our peers weren’t feeling tired and this became very apparent as the early hours of the morning rolled around...

Me, Ewan, being a veteran on the ski trip with this being my fourth consecutive trip with the school - I knew what to expect to some degree. Ollie, however, was a rookie and had never done the sixteen-hour coach journey before and therefore didn’t stay away from the germs!! By the time we got there, Ollie had been self-diagnosed - with death…

But, getting back to it… After a lovely, cramped journey we arrived in Aosta, heading straight to the ski shop to get our skis, boots, and poles for the week. It was only at this point in my 17 years that I clocked I had two completely different sized feet... This made for a fun thirty minutes of trying on many different pairs of size 10 boots, only to come to the realization that these also didn’t fit.

After this, we finally arrived at our hotel. We got settled and, for the boys that require sleep to function, we had a nap before dinner.

Dinner was served and, with us being in Italy and all, what else other than pasta was there

We woke and were ready for the day’s skiing ahead of us. But obviously not before MHS’s very own version of ‘Coachpool’ karaoke! We had nothing but bangers coming through the speakers. If you’re thinking it... yes, we played that too. Wonderwall... Check. Mr Brightside...

Obviously!!! Those of us who were ill were there in spirit, as we were told not to sing as we were out of tune with our sore throats…

As we pulled into the car park, a tuneful rendition of Bonkers could most likely be heard from the top of the mountain and had obviously got to bus driver, Paul, as he then proceeded to do donuts in the car park while we were all raging in the front, middle and back!

114

The first day on the mountain - for some it was their first day up a mountain ever and for others it was all too familiar. The boys and staff were greeted by the friendly fleet of InterSki instructors and put into groups ranging in ability. Ewan and I were in the top group and had the friendly face of Steph to guide us around the mountains.

The focus for our group that week was to practise our carving, but the real aim for everyone in the group was to go fast on every run on the mountain. By the end of the week, I’m pretty sure Ewan and Ollie Sutherland made this a religion as they followed this on every single run. On some of the days, we met up with other groups. One day we met up with Group 1 to help them with their skiing, which was good fun and hopefully they felt the same too.

“when we arrived, we found Mr Webb kitted out with his bright yellow salopettes, attempting to entertain the injured” After skiing, we went for hot chocolate together at the number one spot for hot chocolate - and for injured students... When we arrived, we found Mr Webb kitted out with his bright yellow salopettes, attempting to entertain the injured.

That evening, we went ice-skating, which was good fun, especially the races we had.

Next day our ski group tried tackling some of the more difficult slopes, including ‘the wall’ (30 degrees). No one fell…. unfortunately! Later we also joined Group 4 with their instructor, Richard, where we skied the natural half-pipe, which was fun, but I didn’t actually enjoy doing it because I couldn’t hack the turning! We also tackled some moguls, which are always good fun but Pila is the one resort that has barely any – so they were hard to find.

Later that evening we went bowling in ski groups, plus staff. The top group absolutely smashed it. I feel as if we uncovered a skill that nobody knew they had judging by their facial expressions.

We had strikes left, right and centre, even one coming from between the legs facing the wrong way. This was, of course, nothing but skill, nothing to do with luck or fluke! In the lane next to us Mrs Hetherington and Mrs Stiff were accumulating the most ‘misses’ but seemed to be having a great time anyway…

After bowling, all of MHS attacked the arcade. I think we occupied almost every machine in the whole place! There was a very realistic Formula One racing game, which Mr. Webb challenged me to play (I, Ollie, am calling this race the battle of the giants). The race began with both of us having a confident start until I misjudged a corner and Mr Webb sneakily took the lead, which I couldn’t recover. Well-played Mr. Webb!

The other days followed a similar pattern. A packed schedule of skiing followed by dinner (which was always delicious) and then activities.

The last day came very quickly, which was sad as we’d all had such a good time. The one good thing on our last day was that Mr Williamson was well enough to come up to the mountains with us and properly show us how the old “park and ride” is done. (Please note that we were informed that the “park and ride” style of skiing isn’t one to be proud of!)

To round off the trip, we gathered money from students, to buy Mr. Webb items of clothing to get him through the year until the next ski trip! Last year, it was a painfully bright neon green hoodie, paired with matching gloves. So this year we thought about nothing other than completing the set for him. With the money gathered, and everyone in the shopping mall, Operation Neon was given the green light!

115

Armed with just short of 200 euros in nothing but coins, I awkwardly ran through the car park sounding like a parade and we made into the ski shop. What we saw next was nothing but perfect! Right there hanging on the clothing rail in all its glory, an even brighter, more blinding, neon green windbreaker, to go over the hoodie. Without hesitation, we took it to the counter and constructed a small tower with all the coins in my bag. Just as we were about to pay, we saw a neon green football.

So, of course, we got that too. With the money we had leftover, we bought each member of staff a human-sized Teddy bear. Perfect for the already cramped coach journey back home…

“with the money we had leftover, we bought each member of staff a human-sized teddy bear. perfect for the already cramped coach journey back home...”

That night, it was Rewards Evening. Everyone got their well-deserved certificate and praise from the entire ski group upon collection.

The MHS Ski Trip 2020 is definitely one Ollie and I will remember for a long time. It would have not been possible without the staff. So, thank you, Mr Webb, Mr Williamson, Mrs Stiff, Mrs Hetherington and Mr Matthews.

Oliver Leitch and Ewan Mcintyre, Upper Sixth

116

YEAR 11 – PROM The Year 11 Prom at Farnham House Hotel on 24th January was a well-attended event with several gentleman arriving, almost unrecognisable with some James Bond swagger and a touch of debonair charm.

Upon arrival they were welcomed with a mocktail and hors d’oeuvres, and the boys set about mingling with the ladies from Alton School. After a sit-down meal where they showed the utmost of class - with some even pulling the chairs for the ladies in their company - the dining hall was swiftly turned into the dance floor, where an evening of dancing/jumping/bouncing began - some members of the cohort only leaving the dance floor for refreshment before getting straight back to it.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for both staff and boys.

“thanks to all staff involved in the year 11 prom. our son enjoyed it immensely and it did wonders for his confidence” - Y11 Parent

117

YEAR 7 – VISIT TO TUDOR HOUSE MUSEUM, SOUTHAMPTON Our trip to Southampton and the Tudor Museum certainly helped to bring history to life. Thanks to Mr Luff for organising it and to all the teachers who accompanied us.

While most of us think of King Henry VIII as overweight, he was actually a sporty young man until a horse riding accident when his leg got infected and he couldn’t walk. They had to re-modify his castle so that a lift could winch him up. We learned this on our Year 7 trip to the Tudor House Museum in Southampton, organised by Mr Luff for our History-themed flexi-Friday.

Max Evans, Year 7

We went around the city walls and looked at the history of Southampton from the historic dockyards to the Murder Rooms where attacking soldiers would be trapped between portcullises and had arrows and objects showering down over their heads. Luckily for health and safety and the risk-assessment of the trip - they don’t do that anymore!

We also did a fun workshop where we put our hands in boxes and had to guess what was inside from Tudor times, and ‘smell boxes’, where we could smell scents from Tudor times - an unpleasant experience that I probably never want to repeat!

118

events at school FRENSHAM SCHOOL’S MUSIC COLLABORATION What I (Don't) Know About Autism Never a department to shy away from a challenge, the MHS Music department were delighted to welcome Jill Bradford, Choirmaster of the Autistic Adult Choir, to record the final chorus of new show What I (Don’t) Know About Autism to be premiered in Dublin’s National Theatre from Saturday 1st January.

The show, written by Irish playwright and actor, Jody O’Neill, tells the story of love and acceptance, and takes the audience on a highly theatrical journey mixing narrative, song and dance to explore the often-misunderstood subject matter of Autism. The play looks to celebrate the autistic identify, whilst offering a deeper insight and understanding to non-autistic audiences.

MHS Director of Music, Mr Place said “The Music Department were contacted by the Autistic Adult Choir to ask if we would like to record a final chorus for this new show and could we record the following day. We duly took on the challenge, quickly assembling a group of keen singers for

the following afternoon. Jill took them through a series of warm-ups and I taught them the tune.

Less than an hour later, and after remarkably few takes, the job was done! The audio was exported from the studio computer and sent to Dublin where they have added it to the final click-track.

I have heard back from the production team that they are very pleased with our contribution, and I look forward to receiving a clip of the show where our boys feature.” The show sold out for its 10-day run, with hopes that it will become a touring production in the future. Mr Place added;

“for MHS students to be invited to collaborate with Jill on such an exciting, live project is invaluable in enhancing their learning experience. i hope the play is a huge success for everyone involved and that our students’ voices will be heard far and wide!”

119

CAREERS TALK BY VFX SUPERVISOR (AND PARENT), GARY BROZENICH At the end of January the senior school were very lucky to have Gary Brozenich – an Academy Award nominated VFX Supervisor - visit the school to give a careers talk about working in the Visual Effects industry.

Originally an artist, he later discovered a passion for special visual effects in film, despite having to learn all of the various computer-based skills required after leaving Art School.

In addition to overseeing visual effects work on Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, he was also Overall VFX Supervisor on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Ridley Scott’s All The Money in the World.

Disney’s The Lone Ranger. In his presentation he explained in great detail all of the various roles open to young people interested in a career working with special digital effects, and it was very impressive to see the wide range of visual effects shots he has worked on in a very varied and wide-ranging career.

Many of our media and art students were pleased to have the opportunity to ask questions and chat with Gary at the end of the presentation, and left with their imaginations fuelled by the prospects of working in the film industry.

In 2014, he was honoured with the Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects for his work as Production VFX Supervisor on

120

in the classroom YEAR 9 – HISTORY – A POEM WRITTEN

BY HARRY CALENTI One day in a camp, far away from reality We lived by an apple tree.

In the quiet hills.

We used to play in the garden.

We were happy there.

I heard yells and cries of “Freedom” I ran up to one of the soldiers, he looked me in the eye and took me under his arm.

I was surprised.

But one day, a group of Nazi soldiers knocked on the door.

All of a sudden, I was told to pack up one suitcase.

5 years later, when the war had ended.

I returned to my home.

I was confused.

Everything had been taken away.

I asked who they were.

There was no response.

Their eyes were dark and cold.

The sinister look was enough to destroy everything in the world.

We packed up one bag each and were marched down to the railway tracks.

Where we were to board a cattle car.

And I still remember packing up my suitcase.

I was lost.

I was distraught.

When we arrived at our destination, after days on end of hunger and darkness, We were separated into different lines.

I remember seeing a group of people entering a dark room.

I waited for them to come back out, but they never did.

I still think about those times, every time it hurts me more than the last.

The graphic sights that I saw, and the family I lost.

I may be free, but I am trapped in my memories.

I can’t believe how someone could be so sick to treat another fellow human being in such a way as I was treated.

I was thirteen when I entered the camp, and fifteen when I was liberated.

I never knew how many events could happen over the course of two years.

I was terrified.

I can’t say much about the camp.

Every day was the same, hard, endless labour.

One day allied troops entered the camp, guns drawn.

But the Apple Tree was gone.

On a trip to hell.

I lost my brother, two sisters, my mother and father.

My religion, my title, my name and my freedom.

I was furious.

At first, I was scared.

121

JUNIORS – FLEXI-FRIDAY - SCOTLAND The pictures show displays of work done on flexi-Friday. This January we took a look at Scotland, learned about places in Scotland and about 'Burns Night'; having listened to a folk story about the ‘The Tale of the Wild Haggis’, the boys each designed their own Wild Haggis!

They also wove paper to create a kilt and designed their own Loch Ness Monster.

“the boys responded really well to the day and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be creative”

122

february 2020 out and about PEN PAL VISIT TO FARNHAM MILL CARE HOME

On Tuesday 4th February, a group of boys from the Juniors up to Year 10 - Oliver Marquis, Kush Satsangi, Will Alcalay, Tanu Menon, Alfie Anstey, Milo Barrett, Luke Martin - visited their inter-generational pen pals at Farnham Mill Care Home. Some of the pupils have been exchanging letters for almost two years!

They enjoyed a chat and played various games with their pen pals, including dominoes and chess.

All boys were an absolute credit to the school and their visit was much appreciated by the residents.

123

events in school YEAR 9 – ENGLISH – YOUNG SHAKESPEARE COMPANY VISIT On Friday 14th February, during their English Flexi-Friday, Year 9 were involved in an exciting and vibrant workshop based on Romeo and Juliet. The Young Shakespeare Company are annual visitors to MHS and, as always, the current Year 9 students enjoyed their visit enormously!

Dear Diary,

The young actors encouraged much audience participation and our pupils enjoyed watching the way that Shakespeare’s words can be performed in many different ways, using many different genres. The boys particularly enjoyed a display of stage fighting which was very exciting!

Now when today began I thought it would just be a group of people, who were going to present the whole play of Romeo and Juliet. I could not have been any more wrong.

Today was an unusual day, and one that I might never forget. A Shakespeare production group came in this afternoon and it was one of the best things I have ever seen.

At the end of the workshop, some of our pupils took centre stage and joined the actors in a final scene in which they performed wonderfully. We look forward to welcoming the Company back to school next year.

Read on for some of the pupils’ reviews of the day…

In the morning, we were just in our English groups, learning about Elizabethan life: entertainment, marriage, swear-words, sport. The time passed very gradually, until we turned up for lunch, after which we were told to go to Bradbury Heights to watch the production group perform Romeo and Juliet.

The production group was amazing, and it wasn’t the whole play of Romeo and Juliet either. For starters, the whole year group were Directors, telling the production group what changes we wanted to make

124

at certain scenes of the play. Here were also a couple of scenes when the actors told us how we can hurt actors during plays without hurting them.

The best bit though, in my opinion, was when James R. took to the stage (God help us!) and impressed the whole year group to the point when everyone was laughing, even the production group and the teachers. He only had to say a line four times, but the way he said it was incredible. The line he had to say was “I am the extremely handsome Calvin Harris”, or something like that.

Sooner rather than later though, it was time to head back to our form-tutors before we could go home. Everyone paid their thanks to the production group and we all headed back to form. I felt incredibly shocked and cheerful.

When I came into school in the morning, I thought nobody would find this interesting, but now it seemed practically everyone wanted to study this play next year.

I walked to my car at the end of the day, thinking what a good day I had had, and what a good day it was for everyone in Year Nine.

Alex Hurren, Year 9 I was quite on the rocks on this play as I’ve never been a fan of Shakespeare, but when the actors explained and showed us what they do, I became interested and intrigued in knowing what else was going to happen.

In the first act, they took suggestions on how they could do the play, and they said the funnier the better. After they got suggestions in, it quickly went to chaos, but funny chaos.

In the second act they did the same thing, but because they were in a different space it changed the answers given and so it changed the play, and it was hilarious.

Altogether I think they did a great job, they brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the play, and they made Shakespeare much more fun to learn.

Max Power, Year 9

There were about five actors. They were young and energetic. All of them were very talented actors, and especially for someone like me, who does not find Shakespeare as interesting as some might, they managed to make it a fun and an enjoyable experience.

Most Shakespeare is played in the middle English it was originally written in and while the young Shakespeare Company did do that, they managed to break up the boredom that can form by regularly asking the audience for help and guidance.

Overall it was a funny play and kind of inspirational considering most of the actors had dyslexia.

Thomas Byrne, Year 9 My time watching the play was fantastic, it wasn't serious at all, but still to the point of Romeo and Juliet.

The entire thing was very relaxed and laid back.

The actors asked for volunteers and I got to be one of the lucky people. Another person who was chosen was James R, he made all of us laugh hysterically. I think his best line was repeating the sentence 'I am the most HANDSOME man here!’.

The play made me feel like stress isn't always needed because the actors made Shakespeare look fun and easy.

Oscar Williams-Master, Year 9

SATRO - 2020 Six Year 9 pupils attended the SATRO Problem Solving Challenge in February. Tasked with building a pulley-system to deliver a small pack of Love Hearts (it was February after all!), they were given a small selection of materials and an even smaller time-frame.

Working collaboratively to design and produce such a system was a challenge, but one that the boys relished.

At no point were staff allowed to involve themselves in any part of the process and therefore teachers, Mrs Richards and Mr Clarkson, were forced to spectate. Not that either felt qualified to offer any additional support.

The boys performed well and, whilst their system did not run exactly as it was intended to, their effort was a valiant one.

As always, they represented the school fantastically well and ensured that the evening was an enjoyable one for all involved!

Same time next year!

MUSIC DEPARTMENT – OFFICIAL OPENING - STEVE FORSTER DRUM STUDIO A poignant moment as the Steve Forster drum studio is opened by his son and MHS old boy Ned. Less than a year ago the music world was stunned when much loved music and venue promoter Steve Forster sadly lost his life after being involved in a road traffic accident.

“Steve was respected and influential throughout the industry and has passed on a great deal of knowledge and experience to those around him and for this legacy, we can all be eternally grateful,” a statement from his company VMS said at the time.

Director of Music, Mr Place, and Ned, who returned from his university study at the Leeds College of Music for the ceremony, both gave poignant speeches before cutting the ribbon, followed by a small reception attended by the headmaster, current drumming students and other old boys in support of their friend.

The new drum studio will allow students to enjoy their lessons in a warm, inspiring environment for years to come.

Today the legacy continues with a new Drum Studio built in his honour, replacing the substandard accommodation previously in place for hosting MHS student drummers' lessons.

That previous room had been his son's drumpractice shed for many years. Mrs Forster was keen that the MHS Music department, which had been such a prominent part of Ned's time at the school, benefit from fundraising which occurred in the weeks that followed the family's loss.

127

in the classroom YEAR 8 - ENGLISH LEARNING ABOUT THE GOTHIC GENRE… READ ON! It was a dark and stormy night. As I walked over to the haunted, spiky gate black crows were running at me like large bats. When I opened the creaky gate I could feel the wind blinding me with fear as I looked at the house. It was big with broken windows. This made me feel like I was not alone and someone was trying to find their prey. As I put one step on the doorstep it made me get goose bumps and feel alarmed. But I don't fall back - I keep going to find out more…

Charlie Drummond, 8KP

Eli Brozenich, Year 11 – Portrait

The house was huge with Gothic spires reaching towards the heavens. The windows were boarded up like they wanted to keep someone out - or in! It looked like if I ran my finger across the wall I would get splinters. There was always a shiver running down my spine and a scream ringing in my ear. The garden was a graveyard with the graves looking restless for souls. It seemed like no one had come back from there!

The forest around it looked tiny. The trees were like monsters towering over me!

Max Hutchinson, 8AH

128

march 2020 out and about YEAR 7 - SCIENCE TRIP, 6TH MARCH The Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium provided an excellent day of hands-on learning and fun for Year 7. Following a short coach trip, the activities started with an inspiring fortyminute journey around the solar system.

Most of the planets were visited - where the boys learned about the many different atmospheric conditions, gravity effects and moons. A brief lunar landing on Earth’s own satellite allowed us all to contemplate the familiar constellations and signs of the zodiac, not to forget an inspiring view of our precious home planet.

The next activity was laboratory based, with the boys experiencing the transforming effects involved with changes of state, using borax and other chemicals. Some interesting glue slime with seemingly infinite stretching properties was duly made. Some boys claimed they had reinvented the bogey!

Following lunch, the boys were let loose on the many interactive experiments at the centre.

These afforded exploration of forces in many novel and engaging ways including uplift, friction, speed, gravity, air-resistance and even mind waves (rumours of some of the science teachers reverting to boyhood play behaviour are not supported by photographic evidence!).

All in all, the boys were brilliantly engaged and delightful company throughout the day. Who could have imagined learning could be so much fun!? All of us of course! This is the way we aim scientific experiences to be, every day at MHS. Well done to Year 7!

129

“rumours of some of the science teachers reverting to boyhood play behaviour are not supported by photographic evidence!”

YEAR 9 AND YEAR 10 DESIGN VENTURA You may recall that Year 9 and Year 10 pupils, consisting of Oliver Clement, Jack Whelan, Thomas Byrne, Nathan Bernadini, Oliver Kekwick and Harry Morgan, had been entered for the Design Museum’s national competition – Design Ventura - by teacher, Mr Pointer.

He was delighted to announce that the MHS entry won the Independent and International category! Amazing news for the boys, who should be so proud of their collective achievement in the face of thousands of other entries.

This is what the organisers thought about their product – Grip Spin: The judges were very impressed with the Grip Spin and really enjoyed watching the video pitch from MHS. They liked the fact

130

that the product is customisable and selfassembled. They felt that Grip Spin met a real world need and that it would appeal to the Design Museum shop audiences.

They wanted to congratulate the team on a great idea and a strong submission.

What a fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to all involved.

events in school JAZZLEXIC The MHS Jazz Band’s eagerly-awaited New Album!

Members of the MHS Jazz Band were extremely busy in the Bradbury Music School Studio this term. Having completed a unit on Music Production, the Year 13 BTEC Music students took the opportunity to close-mic the Jazz Band playing an eclectic mixture of genres. The result was “Jazzlexic” – an album to raise funds for charity. Charts from the album to whet your appetite include: Girl from Ipanema, Soul Intro/ The Chicken, and Tequila plus a load more toetapping numbers.

The 2019-2020 Jazz Band Line-up: Alto 1 – Ben Wigmore; Alto 2 – Noah Lewington; Tenor 1 – Eddie Bruce; Tenor 2 – Mrs Gooderham; Bari Sax – Ed Choate; Trumpet 1 – Angus Mellstrom; Trumpet 2 – Matt Bond; Trumpet 3 – James Noe & Thomas O’Brien; Trumpet 4 – Aaron Cody & Kurt Hill; Trombone 1 – Alex Turner; Trombone 2 – Alex Read; Trombone 3 – Mr Place; Bass Trombone – Henry Hanssen; Guitar – Jacob Roughley; Piano – Noah TrotzigRuddick & Freddie Weaver; Bass – Lucas Walford; Drums – Toby Brown, Uday Pal Trabelsi & Finlay Rankin; Vocals – Flynn McGowan.

in the classroom JUNIORS – LIFE SKILLS In Life Skills the boys learned how to 'tie a tie'.

Their teacher, Mrs Virtanen, said,

“it was great to see those who grasped the challenge quickly, enthusiastically supporting those boys who needed a helping hand. all were suitably proud of themselves by the end of the lesson” Other Life Skills included setting of a table, learning to thread a needle and sew on a button, budgeting and personal hygiene.

132

YEAR 8 – ENGLISH

spring time As the daisies and sunflowers bloom under the beaming sun, children and teenagers alike run about like monkeys on the lush green grass.

For everything blooms, it's spring time at MHS. Busy staff and cheeky children eat scrumptious luncheons together under the beaming sun, sitting on crowded tables without a care in the world.

For everyone is together, it's Spring Time at MHS. Finally the pool is populated and not like the beaming sun above. The smell of chlorine and the sight of kids having fun- that means one thing: it's Spring Time at MHS. As the school chapel commemorates Jesus' sinless supper and his cruel Crucifixion rehearsals begin for a special service as the beaming sun projects light into the otherwise barren sports hall.

For new life is celebrated, it’s Spring Time at MHS. Bees hover over the soon elongated plants and the sporty ones kick about under the beaming sun.

More and more are encouraged to run around and play together on the busy playground.

For the football is being kicked, it's Spring Time at MHS. Jack Thomas, Year 8

JUNIORS – FLEXI-FRIDAY ON SPACE A visiting author, Colin Stuart, came in to talk to the boys about the race to walk on Mars.

Someone somewhere in the world, who is of primary school age, will be that person.

The boys spent the day, creating a quiz, writing acrostic poems, creating an alien, and creating space pictures using chalk.

133

134

learning under lockdown It was incredibly uplifting to see how MHS pupils showed their resilience and perseverance away from school. We are delighted to share some students’ work that they created at home.

Elias de Graff, Year 8, created a Computer Science animation explaining Binary numbers and coding - a brilliant example of completing work at home with technology available. Bravo Elias!

Jack Thomas, Year 8, did some Spanish cooking much to the delight of his teacher, Mrs King.

Jack embraced the culture by cooking Spanish Beef & Chorizo Stew and Magdalenas (Lemon Muffins). Delicious!

Thomas Simpson, Year 8, created a great collection of 3-D shapes for his Maths project and his teacher, Mr Cookson. Great effort, Thomas!

135

James Staple, Year 6, practised his Occupational Therapy tasks by working on his core strength exercises, folding his clothes as well as building a Lego bridge…

Well done James!

“thanks for all your dedication to this new way of working. the live lessons and interactions are great for morale and keep the MHS sense of community for them” - Y9 Parent

“i have been overwhelmed by how supportive my son’s teachers have been. they have been encouraging, understanding and kind” - Y11 Parent Freddie Thorpe, Junior School, delivered shopping to his neighbours. He said, “I am delivering shopping to our friends because they can’t get out.” How kind, Freddie! They must have really appreciated your help.

136

Gabriel Hird, Year 7, produced some interesting written work in the first week of remote learning.

RUIN! It’s the year 3000 and most of the human population has become extinct. Buildings, statues and famous landmarks have turned into bushes, trees and small flower-gardens, but, unlike things like the Hunger Games of the 21st century, we have discovered a power our ancestors only dreamed of!

MAGIC! We, the last humans now known as Hom, gather every so often for the day of the dead.

Now, you are probably thinking that the day of the dead is the same as the day of the dead in the olden days (21st century), but no! This new day is when we all gather and combine our powers to bring back one person from the dead. This is how I came to be.

It was 51 years ago when I was slaughtered by the Akmy. The Akmy are an unidentified

Charles Baird, Year 7, was asked by his English teacher, Mrs Hartley, to write a poem about a family pet, but as he doesn’t have one and lives in London, he wrote about the urban fox instead. Here it is…

The London Fox Fox, Thin as a shrivelled-up wrapper.

Laid back like a man working in a coffee shop.

Proud as the Queen herself.

Scruffy as a street thug.

Hungry as a harmless man.

Calm as a poodle in the park.

Bony as an abandoned stray street cat.

Bright orange fur like a fancy advert.

Creamy white fur like Vaseline in the chemist shop.

Sly as a fox.

By Charles Baird, Resident of London

species that have lived on Earth for longer than the Hom and before that. It happened so quickly. First, they rose from the ground in rage and then started killing people one by one, massacring mothers and fathers, families and friends and then suddenly, they started killing each other. Slaughtering anything in their way. However, after 51 years of constant war and pain, rivalry and slaughter, we have finally made a pact with the Akmy. They can have Europe but we, the proud Hom, own Asia.

If we don’t offend them, we can continue to revive the human population and use our powers to seal the Akmy back underground forever, but that isn't going to happen in a long time.

There are now only 500 Hom and 59,000 Akmy. This is the first of my diary entries so you will hear a lot more from me in the future…

We look forward to it Gabriel…

“thank you for all your hard work and support this week. we are living in extraordinary times and the online provisions and consistency that MHS has provided have really helped us transition” - Y7 Parent

137

Theo Panayiotou, Year 9 Theo’s been busy creating - Guess the PE teacher??

Thank you to Oscar Williams-Masters, Year 9, for his excellent explanation - through poetry - of how the atmosphere was formed and changed.

could not understand until it was translated, the steam that was there got thicker than the air and soon throughout the time, until then, with that, the world formed its atmosphere

The scientists are believing our atmosphere was formed by volcanos, but how could they be so sure, its most incredibly deceiving.

in that time, 800,000,000 fish evolved in the ocean and 3.2 billion years later, photosynthesis had evolved into something greater.

They think the large proportion of it is carbon dioxide, and if they're correct some of them must feel pride.

with the oxygen producing cyanobacteria, there must have been loads of porphyria in those times.

When the earth was formed, the solar system was a violent place, though it was clean, not polluted and that was just the case, all the rocks and ice that fell out of space, sat right down, on the earth’s face.

These uncontrolled elements big and plasma, the matter vaporised on impact, had left behind its magma, along with the steam that was created, we

“an amazing effort by the MHS team to continue to put our boys at the heart and centre of everything they do even in these challenging times. the online provision is outstanding and full of heart and soul. thank you to everyone” - Y6 Parent

Oh! And oxygen appeared 3.5 billion years ago, with the atmosphere containing almost no oxygen.

The blue-green algae became the first microbes to produce oxygen, and knowing we've had it for 2.7 billion years, being blessed with the gift of life, makes me want to shed some tears.

Oscar Williams-Masters, Year 9

138

Rhys Potter, Year 8, submitted brilliant work charting his week at home and working on his balcony garden as part of his work for English. He produced a substantial PowerPoint detailing what he did, what jobs gardening can lead to, and the benefits of gardening. “I am doing gardening because I am making a gardening patch at home and growing plants in tubs. I would say that I am good at gardening. I will look forward to doing it and to planting some cool, nice plants. The bees and the butterflies will hopefully like it and it is a food supply and it is natural to the bees to reproduce.

There are a couple of types of gardening - there is plant-pot gardening and then there is wildlife growing where you just let it grow and see what happens and it is good for the wildlife when you just let it grow.

Gardening is where you plant plants in your back or front garden. Some people do it so it looks nice or you do it for the agriculture or wildlife.

You can have a few jobs of gardening where you look after other people’s plants or you work on the basis of selling plants.�

What a great thing to do Rhys.

139

A life under Lockdown It all started on the 18th March 2020, when the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, told the British people that schools would be closing because of Covid-19. What is Covid-19? Covid is a shorter word for the Coronavirus. This horrible virus has been going around since the end of 2019, when the first case was found in China and they have said that it has come from bats. Then, out of nowhere, cases of Coronavirus increased in China meaning the country had to go into lockdown.

In China they also found out the main symptoms of Covid-19 - a continuous cough, fever and difficulty in breathing..

“for me it has been hard to not see friends outside of the Xbox because usually at the weekend i would be going out to Guildford and having fun with my friends”

Coronavirus. Italians can’t even go outside; that is how bad it is there and now, as you know, we are also in lockdown like the other countries.

That means no school, no going out to meet friends, only allowed to go out twice a day (was once but they have changed it now). So, for me it has been hard to not see friends outside of the Xbox, because usually at the weekend I would be going out to Guildford and having fun with my friends.

But now this Coronavirus has stopped us from doing the things we enjoy. In these challenging times I have told myself I want to get strong, so I do a lot of exercise in the garden, like football and I have been doing a bit of the Joe Wicks PE lessons online. I have been watching a new series on TV called War of the Worlds, I have been talking to my friends online and I have been walking my dog a lot to make me exercise.

“

so my conclusion for this lockdown is it isn’t as bad as it seems, because we are doing a few things differently and chatting online with family more than before

The UK government introduced recommendations to prevent the British public from getting the virus, such as social distancing.

Social distancing is where you need to stand well away from people who don’t live in your household and when you go to shops or food banks they will ask you to keep a 2m distance between other people to keep safe. In my local pharmacy they allow one person at a time to pick up medicine or other requirements.

“

Then later on, European countries started to get the Coronavirus – Italy, Germany and England were hit. Italy was hit very hard by the

140

I think my dog is enjoying us all being around because we are never normally at home - Dad’s in London, I’m at school and Mum’s at work. So, she would be in the house on her own, but now we are all at home and that makes us happy and my dog happy.

We need to appreciate what we have, because some people can’t even go out into their garden and have a run around because they may live in flats. So, I am happy to have a huge garden and to be able to do things I enjoy and to have my dog that likes to go on walks and makes my whole family have company.

I have also been doing some reading and in the holidays I have done about two hours of work every day to keep me busy. I have also watched a few cool movies like Creed and Rain Man.

In these difficult times we learn from all this so, if it happens again, we are ready and we can beat it once again!

So, my conclusion for this lockdown is it isn’t as bad as it seems, because we are doing a few things differently and chatting online with family more than before.

Evan McMullon, Year 9

Jumping Jack! – Jack Thomas, Year 8

and to see yourself get better, not just physically but as a person.”

HUGE congratulations to Jack Thomas, who raised £170 for the National Autistic Society, which started a fundraising campaign and asked people to walk, run, swim or cycle 7k in support of the 700,000 autistic people in the UK. Due to the lockdown restrictions, the challenge was adapted to suit activities that could be done from home.

Jack decided to make his challenge 70 starjumps a day for 7 days! At the start he found it hard to complete in one go, and struggled to raise his arms above waist level. With lots of help from his twin sister, Jack managed the starjumps and by day 7 he was also able to clap his hands above his head with each jump.

Some words from Jack: “I decided to do a fundraiser for the National Autistic Society because they have helped me over the last 10 years. I am very grateful for it. I wanted to do something to say thank-you. The challenge was difficult at first, but as it went on I felt I got better and better. It’s good to be part of a fundraiser

An inspiring tale of adapting in lockdown, perseverance, home learning and giving to others. Well done, Jack. We’re so proud of you!

141

Photography in Isolation – working from home Students all over the world are getting to grips with how to keep creative in their visual arts lessons whilst limited to being at home. However, the challenges of this are a fantastic reason to try thinking outside the box – and getting inspired creatively with what you have at hand in your own house.

Nathan Bernardini in Year 9 is no exception – and he has captured these great close-ups of everyday objects in his kitchen.

142

MHS support for the NHS - Covid-19 In response to the national Covid-19 situation, MHS’s quickthinking Head and Deputy Head of Science, Mrs Pickett and Mrs Newman had the brainwave of donating the department's stock of re-usable goggles and face masks to NHS workers.

Donating over 100 googles and masks, whilst the school was closed to all but the students of key workers, Mrs Pickett said, "Donating items to the NHS is the right thing to do in such challenging circumstances.

When every member of society has a role to play in supporting this situation, I am pleased MHS could do a little something." The goggles and masks went to the local hospital to be distributed.

Head of Design & Technology, Mr Stewart and teacher, Mr McCann used leftover A4 Acetate clear and Polypropylene to design, construct and distribute 35 visors for NHS staff at the Royal Surrey Hospital. They also donated goggles and disposable gloves.

With thanks to Send CofE Primary School for their artwork

Dear More House School, We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Trust to express our immense gratitude for your kind donation of masks and face shields.

You’ll be happy to hear that they have been received with great pleasure and appreciation from our staff which has been a real boost for morale across our organisation.

This extraordinary circumstance has really demonstrated how everyone can come together to support one another and your donation really does help us on our way more than you know.

Once again, we can’t thank you enough for your kindness. It really helps the community keep going in such a tough time for everyone.

Yours sincerely

Louise Stead Chief Executive

143

Sue Sjuve Trust Chair

Louise Hall Director of HR

On the same day Captain Tom Moore completed his 100th length of his garden, Alex Franks, Year 9, decided he wanted to do his bit to support the NHS. To begin with, he had a grand plan to support Geraint Thomas, Tour de France winner 2018 and runner-up in 2019, who had plans of his own to complete three 12-hour shifts to replicate the NHS staff’s time at work.

Receiving the items was Mr Alf Turner, unknown to the school when contact was first made, but actually a former MHS parent who heads up Healthcare Partners Ltd, a company which works closely with hospitals providing procurement services and who was able to deliver our donation directly to those in need.

He stressed the importance of all PPE items for frontline staff, and how donations of this kind were much appreciated by staff working at the sharp-end.

MHS, along with many other schools nationwide, has been proud to be part of the vast national effort supporting the NHS and other frontline workers with PPE equipment and also smaller elements such as braces and elastic, which Mr and Mrs Rashleigh had the pleasure of donating from the Simkins wardrobe to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham and was used on protective gowns used by the staff.

Other MHS staff and families who worked hard at home include Humanities teacher, Mrs McGuire - who made scrubs and washing bags, Database Manager, Mrs White - who made face masks for local carers, and Maths teacher, Mrs Hill - whose dining table became a workshop as she made face masks for local carers and as quickly as she was able to make them, they were distributed. Mrs Hill also made visor protection bags for Woking hospital after a McLaren donation.

144

Due to social distancing measures, Alex joined Geraint on Zwift, a cycling platform which allows for group rides from the (relative) comfort of your own home. As a result, the Franks family rallied around, preparing food, drink and towels, as well as offering psychological support throughout!

Alex’s intention was to complete six hours of Geraint’s middle shift (Thursday) from 7.30am1.30pm. This was split into three separate rides through London and the Surrey Hills.

“MHS, along with many other schools nationwide, has been proud to be part of the vast national effort supporting the NHS and other frontline workers with PPE equipment”

Paramedic Simba and Nurse Catherine from Brookfields Medical Centre, Cambridge using the visors made by the Department of Technology. Fantastic!

Alex was able to (virtually) take-in a number of famous landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, as well as Buckingham Palace, before climbing Box Hill a number of times.

Six hours proved insufficient for the budding cyclist, however, as he decided he would persevere through the next shift of two hours, followed by the next shift before he found himself completing the eleventh and twelfth hours.

Having cycled approximately 70 kilometres during each consecutive ride, Alex completed a total of around 420 kilometres! For context, this is roughly two and a half stages of the Tour de France, all in one day.

hours were a mental and physical battle. My legs were in pain like I had never felt before, but I was determined to push through. I even managed a sprint at the end!�

Having surpassed all expectation, Alex was then able to relax, eat plenty and watch as the money he raised increased.

Alex was sent congratulatory messages from Geraint Thomas himself, as well as Luke Rowe and Dani Rowe.

We at MHS salute you Alex!

Teacher, Mr Clarkson, thought he would join Alex for one two-hour stint, but actually found himself chasing to keep up.

As you may have seen via Facebook, Alex had to do some slowing down, and Mr Clarkson had to do some speeding up, but they did ride side-by-side for a time!

Alex explained, “I am used to riding and racing regularly, but the longest I have ridden before was for 4 hours. Riding for 12 hours straight was on another level. I felt pretty good up to 10 hours but the last two

145

BEN WIGMORE

deputy head boy’s speech Having survived more than 570 hours in Geography with Mr Luff, 350 hours in Jazz Band and, as I write this, 672 hours in lockdown, it is clear that I have been challenged by More House in more ways than I ever expected. Of course, it is not the way I expected my time at MHS to end.

There is still one more challenge for me to do and that is my end of year speech.

Writing this speech has seemed like one of the hardest things I’ve had to do for a while and certainly something I shouldn’t have left to the last minute. But with Mr Hetherington’s recent words of support in mind that ‘if artists were any more relaxed, they’d be horizontal’, I have persevered. I’m sure even some of the greatest speakers have faced similar problems along the way.

For a boy coming from a small primary school to MHS, it was a big change and one which made me question if this was really the right school for me. This doubt quickly went away after my first overseas trip with the school Jazz Band to New Orleans. Maybe it was More House’s famous duo, Mr Place and Mr Burnett, with their supporting cast of Mrs Rashleigh and Mr Bloomfield that opened my eyes to what the school had to offer. It made me realise that, for once, I wasn’t the boy at the back of the classroom who felt out of place.

Instead, they taught me that the differences each boy at MHS has, give them the potential to achieve in a range of subjects. For me this was Art and Product Design.

Having such a unique child as me is something my mother and father say they are

146

‘still trying to come to terms with’. I imagine, like most parents, they have seen a positive change in their son, which is thanks to MHS. My increasing self-confidence in seeing my dyslexia as an asset, and not a burden, would only have happened at MHS. The biggest improvement for me is my creativity, which has been supported by the Art and Technology departments.

“it is strange how quickly this last year has crept up on me, but the future has never been something I have been scared about” It is strange how quickly this last year has crept up on me, but the future has never been something I have been scared about. This is because, since the beginning of Sixth Form, Mr Yeoman and Mr Rashleigh have been preparing us for whatever life may throw at us. Whether it be the sights of Berlin or the football talents of Mr Yeoman, I feel I’m ready for anything. This has also been helped by the seven years of wit and music practice with Mr ‘Cannonball’ Capon. I feel I have also taught him that practice doesn’t always make perfect!

“

At the end of every year we gather to celebrate pupils’ success, but I feel that it should also be a recognition of the teachers as well. Although we might not be in a hot tent this year, I’m sure you don’t want to sit through another year of listening to a long list of names. However, I would like to particularly highlight and thank a few teachers to whom I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.

at the end of every year we gather to celebrate pupils’ success, but I feel that it should also be a recognition of the teachers as well

The first is the staff of the Technology department, who I’m sure may be finding it hard to cope in this isolation without the aid of our weekly gossip sessions. They have certainly fuelled so many creative minds – mine included.

Creating a new William Shakespeare was not something I feel that Mrs Margesson and Mr Renton were trying to achieve when they taught me English, but it is certainly how I felt after two years of GCSE English with them.

Although I am not thinking of writing any plays soon, they are certainly the reason I passed English, and for that I say thank you.

“

Finally, two people who have always been there since day one are Mrs Rashleigh and Mr Faasen. Whether it be for advice on art or life, I have always known where to go - and for that I would like to thank them both very much.

As I come to the end of this speech and to my time at this school, there is still only one problem I can think of and that is that there is only one More House School! As a pupil, you are in a very select group of 500 boys who get to benefit from all that the school has to offer.

Although you may not see it now, after 672 hours of lockdown (and counting) you most certainly soon will. May you all realise how fortunate you all are to be here.

147

social media platforms Social media platforms at MHS have continued to grow over the last academic year. These platforms serve as an important part of our communications to parents, students, alumni, and driving new enquiries to our website.

During our Trinity term, they have become more relevant and important to our #MHScommunity than ever. We use them to signpost to different areas of the school, share good news, highlight national days, tell jokes, inspire collective responsibility, highlight fundraising initiatives, share others’ key messages and keep us present as much as possible.

For those who do not actively use social media, here is a run-down of our channels which you may want to dip into at a future date.

Our official MHS channels: Facebook: @More House school, Frensham

what students are currently doing in English lessons; and Boarding who post all things boarding-related, and can be found at: @FredPennell1 Our other major platforms belong to our Wellbeing Ambassador #Wellby, who can be found at: Instagram: @allbeingwellmhs Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Twitter: @MHSWellbeing Wellby curates a beautiful feed where he shares positive quotes, words of wisdom, national days and most recently jokes! Under the guidance of Deputy Head and Director of Wellbeing, Mrs Ruth Hammond, Wellby engages the school community with his warmth and reassuringly consistent online presence - he is there when you need him.

Instagram: @MHSFrensham Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Twitter: @MHSFrensham These channels all mirror each other with regard to content, but we see parents preferring to engage with Facebook, and alumni and students engage better with Instagram - the stories feature is particularly well received. Twitter has a mixed engagement. The most popular posts are ALWAYS the ones that feature pictures of staff or students and we always hope posts like this make people smile and, in some small way, to feel part of their community.

Mr Hetherington can be found on Twitter, posting items as he goes about his work; @HMMHSFrensham.

We also have Twitter accounts from @MHSFrenshamPE talking all things sporty and active; @Eng_MHSFrensham with their links to

148

the MHS community MOMENTS OF REFLECTION Mr Nicolas Bloomfield, 1958-2020, Teacher of Music and History, and Form-Tutor It is with great sadness that we announced the news that Mr Nicolas Bloomfield, long-serving teacher at MHS, passed away unexpectedly at his home following illness.

Bryony Alea Faasen – Pixie… Princess… Jelly 20.04.2007 – 05.01.2020 In January 2020 we learned with great sorrow that Bryony Faasen, daughter of Armand and Carol and sister of Kale, lost her fight against Leukaemia.

The Faasen family had been very much in our thoughts and prayers as Bryony showed such spirit during her battle and will forever stay in our hearts.

149

WELCOME TO NEW ADDITIONS TO THE MHS FAMILY:

Evelyn Maria Charlotte Turner Born on 1st September 2019.

Maia Ada May van Herwijnen Born on 19th October 2019, weighing 7lb2oz.

May Ziphezinhle Gugulethu Ndlovu (middle names mean "beautiful gift" and "our treasure").

Born on 2nd September, weighing 10lb 7oz.

Caitlin Freia Louise McGuire Born on 25th September 2019, weighing 7lbs 9oz.

150

Esme Beatrice Wright Born on 29th March 2020, weighing 8lbs 11oz.

Spencer Cooper Born on 18th January 2020, weighing 6lb 8oz.

Ezra Singh Kalsi Born on 9th April 2020, weighing 7lb 10oz.

Briar Renton Born on 12th April 2020, weighing 7lb 2oz.

Rafferty Richards Born on 1st May 2020.

151

“when we came through MHS doors we carried no expectation of scholastic or social success for our son yet - here he is holding down a steady job in the automotive industry with offers of apprenticeships waiting in the wings” - Y13 Parent

MHS alumni stay in touch Former MHS pupils continue to keep in touch and update us with their news and achievements. Here’s a selection received during the last academic year…..

Craig Peters left MHS in 2006 and has kept in regular contact with us about his career at Reading Football Club.

His current role is Assistant Disability Officer, which predominantly finds Craig going out to deliver football training sessions to people with physical or learning disabilities in SEN schools and the local community.

Craig has also taken on the role of Head Coach of Reading Deaf Football Club, who have played in a number of

152

competitions, such as the English Deaf Football League & Cup, FA Disability Cup and the FA Disability County League. Under Craig’s guidance the team have won twelve titles and produced talented young deaf players who have gone on to play for Great Britain. Craig believes that this demonstrates that the more hard work and sacrifice you put in, the greater the rewards.

Indeed, since the age of sixteen, Craig recognised that football coaching was the pathway for his career and his passion for football has helped him to achieve his UEFA B Coaching qualification and BSL Level 1.

We were delighted to hear from Alex Dudfield, updating us on his time spent at Southampton University having left MHS in 2013.

Alex told us that History was always one of his most enjoyable subjects at MHS, paving the way for him to achieve a BA in History and then go on to study an MSc in International Risk and Security.

Music at MHS continued into university life for Alex, spending time in various ensembles, such as the symphonic wind orchestra, brass band and symphony orchestra.

Alex has travelled across the UK and Europe on music tours and competed in national band competitions.

Old MHS boy, Matthew Holliday, provided us with a welcome update on his journey since leaving MHS in 2007, going on to achieve a FirstClass Honours degree in English from Southampton Solent University, a Distinction (MA) from the University of Nottingham, and is currently in the third year of a PhD. Matthew commented to us that, ‘by learning through different, unorthodox routes, I was still able to make literature and language visual, which made it manageable’.

“our son has had the best of experiences at school. we can’t thank you enough” - Y13 Parent

153

Jordan and Zachary Hart Jordan is still working for Siemens and has achieved an HNC in Electrical Engineering (Distinction) and, this year, achieved a Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering (FdEng).

He is doing really well and has impressed his boss so much that he has been promoted early from an Apprentice to an Assistant Electronics Engineer, and has been informed that they intend to fasttrack him to Senior Engineer within the next year!

He has bought himself a three-bedroom house in Derbyshire - 20 minutes’ drive from work - and is currently working hard on the automation of the Scottish railways project, so is spending a lot of time near Glasgow currently.

He still enjoys his music and plays guitar and keyboard for his own enjoyment, thanks of course to Mr Place and Mr Bloomfield!

Zachary has been at college since leaving MHS and has achieved a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma Level 3 in IT at Distinction, and starts an internship at University of Surrey in their HR Department as an HR Assistant, though he is still on the lookout for a role in IT. The boys are doing amazingly well despite their challenges - it proves that with the right support, nurture and education through their school years, it provides them with a great start on the path to achieving and reaching their full potential.

Hugo Patterson-Knight Hugo has his eyes set on Tokyo in the GB Paralympics Team.

Thank you to all at MHS.

We thank all the old boys who take time to update us with their stories and wish them all the best in their continued journey after MHS. Once again this year we have welcomed our Alumni visitors to give presentations and chat to our current pupils about their careers and indeed life after MHS. During the next academic year we are investigating ways in which MHS Careers and Alumni can expand with further sharing our Alumni boys’ experiences throughout the school using assemblies and video presentations.

We encourage all old boys to keep in touch with us after they leave - an email update or to reminisce on time spent at the school is always gratefully received. We are also open to suggestions on how we can shape our Alumni in the future, please email us: alumni@ morehouseschool.co.uk.

154

personal, social, health and economic education PSHEE continues to hold a high profile at MHS. Learning how to keep safe in the real world and online, how to develop meaningful and lasting relationships and how to keep physically and emotionally healthy, are a few of the of the varied topics covered this academic year.

Before school closed, the highlight of senior PSHEE was a visit from Dick Moore (a speaker for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust), who came to talk to pupils in Year 9 and above about mental health, depression and dealing with loss. His talk was hard-hitting and emotive, but delivered some profound messages, which truly engaged our pupils.

As part of the programme, we are always looking to expand our bank of external speakers, so if you are aware of anyone who works in a particular field related to Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, who would be willing to speak to our pupils, then please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Mrs Hannah Stiff, Director of Personal Development Education

Lower school PSHEE has covered many topics aimed at developing and maintaining friendships and relationships - including tolerance, respect, patience and empathy.

During the period of lockdown some PSHEE sessions, of course, have had to be postponed, but we will be sure to pick up these again in the Michaelmas term, to ensure that our pupils continue to receive this important area of their education.

“your plan for ‘interesting lessons in science...and to have fun, learn and build enthusiasm’ is working! our son said year 7 is great and that he is really happy to be learning. what could be better? thank you” - Y7 Parent

155

UDAY PAL TRABELSI

deputy head boy’s speech Good morning, Good afternoon or Good evening. I imagine you are all sequestered at home, either trying to battle the harsh reality that is isolation or reaping the benefits of a “self-imposed” exile from society – I know I am. Yet as this rather surprising pandemic has put many lives on hold, we begin to feel alone, divided from society and, to an extent helpless, it's imperative that we all stay together as one community, and dare I say it, a More House community. I hope I can put a smile on your face and provide a sense of hope and comfort for these harsh times.

Ronaldo’s quick feet or speed, but instead has both the mental and physical strength of Tommy Burns (a Scottish legend). His unrelenting strength to push on - no matter the task - is always admirable. Considering the fact he’s a Portsmouth fan, I'm sure he’s had his fair share of football disappointments.

Mr Yeoman will always be a character to remember, whether he’s embracing his Scottish heritage, or being the vigilant and strong teacher, he has always been. I hope, when reading this passage, you realise how special you are, and I hope that you continue to be you – a legend of MHS.

Over the years, I’ve received unstinting support from teachers and boarding staff alike.

The list could go on forever, which is why I've singled out just a few who went above and beyond for me and, in turn, provided some embarrassing, yet life-affirming experiences, along the way.

Mr ‘wannabe Tiger Woods’ Flynn, more commonly known by his Sixth Form boarders as “Papa Flynn”, seems to be a man of many talents - aspiring golfer, performance artist and father figure to us all. There’s not a day goes by where he’s not embracing his inner Picasso or honing his golfing ability in the middle of the night on Wii Sport. This is honestly true. After all, I learned the hard way. After a Saturday Jazz Band concert, I had come back to school half asleep. I approached the Common Room space hoping for a breath of silence, but my hopes weren’t considered as I could hear a competitive golfer shouting at a TV screen in the middle of the night. I guess I should be grateful for the fact that I had a human alarm, which effectively prevented me from turning the Common Room into my brand-new boarding bedroom.

Mr Yeoman’s ability to impress his students with his extensive understanding of English literature, may not be on a par with his traditional Scottish attire, or his stoic attitude to football. Don’t let appearances fool you.

He may not, at first glance, have Cristiano

Setting aside the embarrassment Mr Flynn is truly a father figure to the Sixth form boarding community. He encourages everyone around him to leap into everything. Although his criticism may be daunting, it does have a positive impact - tough love, I guess you’d call

Be assured this is not an incredibly detailed account of my MHS experience, but instead a list of memories. Memories that I will, for many years to come, hold close and treasure.

MHS as a school seems a bit like a more condensed and less dangerous Swiss Army Knife, providing you with the necessary tools needed to excel in exams (not like I had any this year) and also in life.

156

Mr Stewart, more positively, has inspired me to follow my passion and love for Architecture, which is the subject I will be studying at university. He’s taught to me scrutinize every building I come across and think in a more innovative way. His invitation to the Hyperloop project lined me up with an array of architectural contacts and practices. In the end, I can't thank you enough for the opportunities.

Let me end with a few fond memories of my Art lessons with Miss Jivanda. Zazu is everyone's favourite, pragmatic and grumpy talking bird (from the Lion King). That, sadly, was the name given to me within the Art department, and I'd say it was rather fitting.

As a person, I can be sometimes a tad pragmatic and maybe grumpy. I just couldn’t imagine myself being compared to a tiny blue bird. I guess my inner Zazu emerged when I was ‘forced’ to explore abstract art - firmly but kindly by Miss Jivanda. Little did I know I was going to be subjected to some positively mind-bending tasks - painting with fingers (why waste a brush?) and taping pencils to my fingers and drawing (why hold a pencil in your hand?). The list goes on. For a kid with OCD, you can imagine this was an ‘interesting’ experience. Yet these techniques moulded me into an artist ready to explore both subject and technique. Now that I've stopped playing Zazu, it's safe to say that the times I have spent in the Art department were amongst the best. There

was a sense of freedom, positivity and humour.

Miss Jivanda as a teacher always brought such positivity and excitement, but whenever she had to be firm there was a silence within class. Her exceptional kindness will never be forgotten nor taken for granted. I thank you for making me the artist that I am today.

And, as we approach a conclusion, there’s one final, very important person I must thank – my mother. She fought tooth and nail for me to receive the best education I could get. Without her undying support, or her tenacious attitude towards everything concerning my wellbeing, it's safe to say I wouldn't be where I am. I only hope everyone reading this understands a mother’s love for her child and the lengths a mother will go for their child. There’s nothing in this world I can do or say to show how grateful I am. Thank you.

And on that heartfelt note I would like to refer back to the point I had made earlier – More House isn’t just a school “for the gifted”, it’s a community consisting of students and teachers and friends. So, if you’re sequestered at home alone, just remember you’ve always got someone by your side - and with social media, everyone’s by your side now.

“

MHS isn’t just a school ‘for the gifted’, it’s a community consisting of students and teachers and friends

157

“

it. I will always remember the kindness you’ve shown to me over the years.

And now to the ‘always nattily attired’ Mr Charles Stewart. The staff at MHS are brilliant. If there’s a job that needs doing, they’ll without a doubt sort it out - like making a cup of tea, retrieving a parcel or delivering materials or resources to other staff. They’re incredibly independent individuals, apart from Mr Stewart. You see, for the last two years, I was given the role of Mr Stewart’s delivery services - a one-man DHL service - except I wasn’t getting paid! I suppose another way of looking at this harsh labour is to think of it as exercise.

After all, climbing up and down that hill was tiring in an aerobic sort of way. I certainly have stronger leg muscles by the end of the two years, but to my disappointment my legs still look like twigs instead of boulders.

class of 2020

Joshua Barnsdale-Ward Exploring university-based options to study Art & Design or Catering

Hayden Bishop Gap year, then Camera Operator Apprenticeship in Film/Sport

Henry Bruce Gap year, then Winchester University to study Business Management

Hamish Burley-Knox UCA Farnham to study Art

Finley Campbell-Brady Winchester University to study Computer Science

Alistair Campbell University of Western Australia or Curtin University, Perth to study Physics

Edward Choate Leeds College of Music (Conservatoire) to study Jazz

Morgan Collins West Herts College to continue his studies

Leo Cornelius Alton College to study Media

Angus Crawford Reading University to study Medieval History

Isaac Davis Gap year and then Chichester University to study Mathematics

Marcus Dowdeswell Guildford College to study Health & Social Care

158

Cameron Haire Winchester University to study Business Management

George Hannah Joining the British Army

Alexander Heron Joining Team Sport to develop a career in Motorsport

Oliver Higgins Royal Holloway, University of London to study Computer Science

Kurt Hill Winchester University to study Journalism

Jean Baptiste Horne Brunel University to study Game Design

Alex Honnor Woking College to study Business Studies & ICT

Sheriff Khan Brooklands College to start an Engineering course

George King College to take a BTEC Level 3 in Public Services

Elliot Larkin-Wood University of the Creative Arts, Farnham to study Art

Alexander Lazell Farnborough College to study Business Studies

Oliver Leitch University of the West of England to study Business Management

159

Yves Madoc-Jones South London College to study Media or Computer Games Design

Ewan McIntyre Oxford Brookes University to study Sports Coaching

Daniel Mellor Aeronautical Engineering Apprenticeship at British Airways

Zachary Metaireau Taking a gap year then looking for Apprenticeships

Harry Middleton Support Internship at Guildford – looking into museum/heritage-based employment

Kieran Moss Farnham College to study A-level programme

Uday Pal Trabelsi University of Westminster to study Architecture

William Pettifer Lincoln University to study Architectural Science

Rafe Pezier Chichester College to undertake a supported internship in Automotive Engineering

George Quinlan Farnborough College to study Game Design/ Development

Max Saich-Wagerfield Exploring careers in writing

Ben Salter University of the Creative Arts, Farnham to study a Foundation Year Diploma in Art & Design

160

Finley Skynner Solent University to study Architecture

Yanlong (Dragon) Sun Winchester University to study Film and Television Production

James Sutherland University of the West of England to study Business Management

Samuel Tilley Merrist Wood or Sparsholt College to study Wildlife Conservation

Alexander Turner Continuing with his studies

Scott Valentine Applying for Apprenticeships and employment in the IT sector

Lucas Walford Gap year in Greenland, then Bath Spa University to study Creative Music Technology

Benjamin Wigmore Central St Martins, University of the Arts, London to study Art

Rintaro Yazawa Birkbeck, University of London to study Media/ Culture

Hector Ziegel Foundation Degree in Art at Kingston.

We look forward to hearing about your post-MHS adventures, please do keep in touch... alumni@morehouseschool.co.uk

161

Samuel Flood, Year 11 – ‘Homage’ unit Elliot Larkin-Wood, Upper Sixth Form

162

Monty Johnson, Year 10

163

www.morehouseschool.co.uk Twitter: @MHSFrensham Facebook: More House School, Frensham Instagram: morehouseschoolfrensham Telephone: 01252 792303

More House School is firmly committed to safeguarding children.

Accredited Member

164

MORE HOUSE SCHOOL Registered Charity No: 311872