Headmaster's Letter to Parents December 2019

HEADMASTER’S LETTER DECEMBER 2019

T0 PARENTS

Dear Parents I hope that all pupils feel that this term has gone well. Certainly a great deal has been packed into the six weeks since half term and I sense that the School is ready for a break.

Contents Page 1

Gold Duke of Edinburgh

Page 2

Hustings Visit of Sarah Crossan

Page 3

Parent Power Jack Murray

Page 4

Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition Supporting Children at Home

Page 5

Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition 2019 Meet The Future Drama

Page 6

Music

Page 7

Royal Parks Half Marathon

Page 8

Girls’ Hockey

Page 9

Girls’ Hockey

Page 10

Boys’ Football

Page 11

Boys’ Football

Page 12

Remembrance

Page 13

Christmas By Candlelight Election University News O.C. Mitre Bad Weather

Page 14

Staff News And Finally

Page 15

Message from the Chaplain

Page 16

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

Page 17

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

Gold Duke of Edinburgh During the first week of half term

eight students from the Lower Sixth completed the DofE Gold canoe training

and practice expedition in South Wales.

The first day was focused on paddling

skills, rescue training and navigation which was carried out on Llangorse Lake

on the edge of the Black Mountains.

Evenings where spent with lectures on

equipment, camp craft and route planning exercises. The second phase of the

expedition

was

the

practice

expedition itself where the group completed a two-day-one-night expedition,

remotely supervised, with a 40km route on the Brecon and Monmouth Canal.

The group is now fully prepared to tackle the qualifying expedition in July when the

plan is to paddle the Great Glen in

Scotland. This is a 120 km paddle, including the famous Loch Ness.

1

Hustings

Visit of Sarah Crossan

On Thursday 21st November we hosted a hustings-style event in which four of the

candidates seeking to become the MP for

Epping Forest answered a range of questions. Chigwell students were joined

by others from Roding Valley High School, Epping St John’s and Davenant

Foundation School and together they asked candidates about the funding of

party policies, prevention of knife crime, the future of Trident, care for members of

the LGBTQ+ community and any party policies

with

which

candidates

themselves do not agree. Thanks go to Rt.

Hon

Dame

Eleanor

Laing

Sarah Crossan, the current Children’s Irish

Vicky Ashworth Te Velde (Labour) and

author visited school recently. She spoke

(Conservative), Steven Neville (Green), Dr

Laureate and Carnegie Award-winning

Jon Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat) for

eloquently to our Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils,

engaging so enthusiastically and to

highlighting the need for them to carry on

Middle Sixth student, Ziyad Chaudhary,

reading and enjoying poetry beyond their

who was the chairman.

studies. Sarah explained that they hear

poetry all the time and it is not limited to

just books. School librarian, Mrs Sara Bloomfield, commented that Sarah’s

performance of a scene from Romeo & Juliet was one never to be forgotten.

Later, Sarah also spoke at the Senior School assembly and then took a Q&A session from our Reading Champion and Book Clubs.

2

Parent Power

We have been celebrating the excellent

league tables are determined by the

School as the fourth best independent

gaining A* to B grades at A level this

news that Parent Power has ranked the

percentage of examination entries

school in East Anglia. This rating is based

summer and the percentage of entries

on our recent public examination results.

returning 7, 8 or 9 grades at GCSE.

The rankings in the secondary school

Jack Murray

Lower Fifth pupil, Jack played a set at

will come. They were so well received that

was chosen from all the pupils at the

space available for them so that they can

the London Jazz Festival recently. He

the NYJO are going to make rehearsal

National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) to

continue to play as a trio and see where it

put his own group together and perform

takes them.

at this world-famous festival. The NYJO

promotes the exciting, engaging and inspirational musical genre through world-class performances and education

work. Since its founding in 1965, NYJO has grown from a single jazz orchestra to

a multi-faceted organisation that works in jazz education at all levels across the

country. The Troubadour, a jazz club in Earls Court where the likes of Bob Dylan,

Sammy Davis Jnr, Jimi Hendrix, Adele

and Ed Sheeran have all played, was the prestigious venue for the set. Jack chose

to form a trio with a pianist and drummer, and they played an eclectic set including

some fast-paced bebop from Jack’s favourite, Charlie Parker, ending with his own arrangement of One Day My Prince

3

Howard and Mitchell Essay Competition

looking at links between mathematics and philosophy. This year was the first time that the essay prizes were opened for submissions from incoming Year 12

students so it was particularly pleasing to

see Zachary rise to the challenge and win in a contest with students in the

year above him. The Howard essay prize was won by Alice who asked ‘Should the cognitive or behaviourist perspective be

the primary focus when it comes to second

Congratulations to sixth form students,

language learning?’ in her piece. The

Zachary Edwards and Alice Chapman for

runner-up in the humanities category was

winning this year’s Howard and Mitchell

Julia Lasiota. Both Zachary and Alice

Essay Prizes. These prestigious awards are

presented the ideas contained in their

in recognition for a well-researched and

papers at an event in the Swallow library

written extended essay on science

which was attended by staff, students and

(Howard) and humanities (Mitchell). This

parents. Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Dr

year’s Mitchell essay prize was won by

Gillian Groszewski, would like to thank the

Zachary who wrote a piece entitled ‘To

judges for the essay competition: Mr Bryan

what extent is a unified theory of physics

Porter, Mr Richard Maynes, Mrs Emma Rea

possible?’ The runner-up for this prize was

and Mr Simon Pepper.

Benjamin Hamid who wrote an essay

Supporting Children at Home

Kiran Nijabat from the Wellness Practice

and 10 at 7pm on 22nd January, and

parents aimed to provide strategies to

those in Years 11 and 12. Places for each

another on 18th March for parents of

has led two highly successful sessions for

session are limited to fifty so if you are

enable us to support children through the

interested please look out for the

stress of school life. Such has been the

Chigwell Post message which will be

popularity, we are offering two further

coming out in the New Year.

sessions for parents of children in Years 9

4

Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition 2019 At a keenly contested debate about climate change protests between eight

different schools, the Chigwell School team of Nichita and Filip were judged

runners-up. The event, which was held

at Debden Park High School, was Nichita’s first debating competition and

he acquitted himself extremely well,

backed up by the more experienced

Filip Chigwell debating students: Julia, Denys, Aleksa and Matthew all attended

to give the pair their support. Mr Roderick Lonsdale said that it was a most successful

evening where the pupils all learned a lot about different debating techniques.

Meet The Future

Drama

for Upper Fifth students but the ‘Meet

went to Latymer School in Enfield to see

Careers interviews have been taking place

Earlier this term, the drama department

The Future’ talks have also continued this

their

half term. Meera Ragha O.C. spoke about

school

production

of

“Blue

Stockings”, the GCSE set text for drama.

her path from Chigwell to Cambridge to

This was a full scale show that gave the

becoming a financial regulatory lawyer

students an excellent idea of the

for Clifford Chance. Charlotte Lait O.C.

costume, set design and acting style. The

spoke about her work in the office of the

production was of a very high standard

London Mayor, William Weightman and

and students found it both entertaining

Harry Benjamin described how they have

and a useful insight into how to stage this

become a radio presenter and a trainee

text.

TV producer.

5

Music

We have been fortunate to witness

Similarly the Senior School Concert

a variety of styles. The Chapel Choir were

strength of Music ranging from the

presented an enormous breadth and

wonderful performances this half term in

Percussion and Drum Line ensembles,

in magnificent form at the Remembrance

String Orchestra, Rock Band, Flute, Cello

services, highlights of which were the

and Saxophone ensembles and a

Nunc Dimittis from Herbert Howells

beautiful King’s Singers arrangement of

Collegium Regale with tenor soloist

Silent Night from a quartet made up of

Oliver Jackson and Agnus Dei from

Nadia Antoniou, Charlotte Ross, Rose

Requiem in D minor Op.48 by Gabriel

Jackson and Elizabeth Ebden. The

Fauré.

Symphonic Wind Band finished the

The Michaelmas Term Junior School

evening with a blistering, lively and

Concert was one of the strongest yet,

engaging performance of Just Like John.

featuring music from 11 of the larger a

You will have received a Chigwell Post

Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance from the

Hall on Saturday 18th January. This

ensembles.

Music

ranged

from

message about the concert at Cadogan

wonderful display of skill and technique in

promises to be a very special occasion

Junior Percussion Ensemble; Haydn’s

where seven choirs will be singing. We

Finale from The Bird Quartet by the

very much hope you will join us.

String Septet; Sticks and Tricks from the Junior Drumline; Abraham’s Woza Wena

from the Modern Music Ensemble. In

The Box Office at Cadogan Hall is

performances from the Boys’ and Girls’

follow the link HERE or on 020 7730 4500.

responsible for all ticket sales. You can

addition we had excellent and vibrant

They are not available through school.

Choirs under the direction of Mr Joel

Please

Goodman and Ms Susie Proctor. A

book

early

to

avoid

any

disappointment and to get your choice of

medley of show stoppers from the Lion

seat! There will be a bar open before and

King from the enormous Intermediate

during the interval in the front of house

Orchestra finished off what was a

area. I hope that is all clear. For more

spectacular evening of music from the

information on the venue click HERE..

younger pupils in the School.

6

Royal Parks Half Marathon

A team of nearly 100 parents, staff, and Old Chigwellians ran in the Royal Parks Half

Marathon for charity again this year. The team had a wonderful day running in the capital and the race took the athletes on a stunning route past many of London’s most iconic sights. All

the hard work and fun saw them raise just over £87,000 for Cancer Research UK. It is brilliant to see so many of our Chigwell community come together for an exhilarating and exhausting event which has raised such a staggering total again for such an important cause.

Selena Colmer, the Senior Manager Sports at Cancer Research UK, commented, “Every year Chigwell School come out in force and fundraise enthusiastically for CRUK with a huge

range of events that engages everyone: staff, alumni, governors, parents and pupils.

Congratulations to each and every one of you who have taken part in an event. Whatever you

have done – pulled on a pair of running shoes or supported someone else’s challenge, you are

making a difference. You are helping Cancer Research UK to save lives and improve quality of

life. Thank you all for your support and every penny you raise is helping us to make faster progress towards our goal of 3 in 4 people surviving cancer by 2034.”.

7

Girls’ Hockey

The senior girls have continued to field three teams throughout the whole term and the 2nd XI ladies have been our most successful team in terms of results and

goals this season. Led by Middle Sixth

Captains Alice Chapman and Olivia Mor and under the assistance of Mr Will

The middle school have had an abundance of fixtures this half term, with block

fixtures against New Hall and Bishop’s Stortford College. Testing ourselves

against big hockey schools such as these has been a positive challenge and a great yard stick to see how far the girls have come throughout the term. In addition to

the outdoor calendar, we added an indoor

Tomsett and Mr Chris Gladman, these girls have had an outstanding season, only

losing out to a Highgate 1st XI side. The 1st XI finished the term strongly with an

unbeaten run since half term. This record was nearly shattered with a close run game against Brentwood School, but luckily a great come back performance in the

second half saw Chigwell claw a goal back

and then Captain Ellie Ahern scored in the

dying seconds to rescue the draw.

8

Girls’ Hockey

U10s and U11s have had an abundance of

fixtures on Friday afternoons, including an U10ABCD and U11ABCD fixture v New Hall, where all sixty KS2 girls took part.

We continued our annual tradition of

hosting Cundall Manor School from Yorkshire, with a friendly afterschool

fixture, to accommodate their journey

down south in preparation for a Lee Valley

fixture to the diary this year to give our

tournament. This year we hosted two

ladies an experience of the fast paced

fixtures with our U12s and U13s. Our U12s

game. The U16 side consisted of U15/14/13

started the term off on a high, playing at

players and despite losing 6-3 to a strong,

the East of England regional finals. Despite

established Queenwood side, the future

not getting the results needed to proceed

looks bright for these talented youngsters.

to the national finals, the girls improved

As part of our department development

massively throughout the day and the U13

plan is to support and nurture talent, those

girls have been the flagship team of the

showing an aptitude for the sport from the

year. Under the guidance of Mr Tim

middle school have been invited to 1st XI

Watson, numbers of 22 or more each

training this half term.

week has meant constant rotation was a necessity and competition was fierce

In the Junior School, mass participation

for A team spots. This year group finished

continues to be the main focus and the

their season off with an 11-a-side

developmental game against Bishop’s

Stortford College U14B, and the Chigwell

ladies dominated play and came away 4-1 winners. This squad is full of talent,

exuberance and commitment and we are

really excited to watch this squad flourish over the next couple of years.

9

Boys’ Football

In the ISFA cup it was again another year of

right spirit. Mr Steven Moore and Mr

a dramatic penalty shootout but in the next

this group. They are playing the game in the

Damien Rabbitte have worked hard with

frustration as the 1st XI beat Westminster in

right way as well as being competitive.

round they succumbed to a difficult tie at

Marlborough College who were desperate

The U13s have had a mixed year. The

for the result. The boys were rightfully disappointed competition.

at

their

exit

in

highlight was winning their regionals and

this

finishing 2nd in the plate at the National

Finals in Bury St Edmunds. If this group can stay focussed and work hard yet again, it should be very strong as they progress.

The U12s have been excellent this year. The

influx of new boys into the group has really improved their play and results. The U12s have progressed in the Essex Cup and met Moulsham School in round 6 with the

quarter finals looming. They have been

incredibly keen and all the boys in the year

group have represented the School so far this season.

The U11s have had a successful year. Having

come third in the West Essex Region, the

U11s attended Queens College Taunton for the National Finals. The national final

The U15s have made steady progression this

comprises of the top twenty-four schools in

year. At times they have lost players to

the country. The U11s featured well in the

academies but the U15s are a strong

group stages managing an impressive win of

contingent going into the seniors next year.

4-0 over Wycliffe College and qualifying 3rd

The U14 boys have had yet another tough

in their group. The U11s unfortunately lost

season. They have found it hard to find any

in the knock-outs but were happy to have

victories this season but have again

reached the final stages.

persisted with determination and in the

10

KS2 football club on a Thursday is as

two fixtures and the standard of

and girls playing every week. Mr Micky

matches were extremely competitive. All

opposition was very good and all eight

popular as ever with over forty-five boys

members of the touring party had plenty of

Payne and Mr Steven Moore have worked

football over the five days and there was a

hard to improve technical ability and

dramatic improvement in all, especially

develop the core skills of all involved.

their understanding of the game. The

Over the October half term break, fifty

squad also visited the main tourist

pupils from Chigwell School took part in a

attractions in the City as well as Espanyol’s

football development tour to Barcelona.

‘El Prat’ stadium and Football Mania,

Staying in the coastal resort of Salou, the

which is one of the biggest football stores

group trained at the Salou Football

in Europe. The members of the group were

Complex on 3G pitches. As always the

complemented on their behaviour on

highlight was the trip to Camp Nou. The

many occasions during the tour and were

boys were amazed and inspired by the

great ambassadors for their school both on

trophies, changing rooms, and stadium.

and off the pitch.

Over the course of the five-day visit, the U13/12 boys took part in four training

We send a huge thank-you to staff, parents

sessions, one self-conducted, as well as

and students for their support throughout

two training sessions with Catalan

the football term. Once again the football

Coaching federation and one with La Liga

programme has expanded and continues

side, Espanyol CF. The boys took part in

to build with every season.

11

Remembrance

All pupils and staff assembled to carry out

their annual act of remembrance on the anniversary of Armistice Day. The entire school came together to observe the two

minutes silence with the Last Post played by trumpeters Christopher Antoniou and Oliver Jackson. Two remembrance services were held in St Mary’s Church, supported

by the excellent Chapel Choir, and during

these the names of all the Old Chigwellians who fell in the two World Wars were read, with a wreath laid by a former serviceman.

12

Christmas By Candlelight

O.C. Mitre

join us for this stunning service in St Mary’s

organises events throughout the year. In

All Old Chigwellians are members of the Old Chigwellian Association which

Thank you to those of you who were able to

addition, the O.C. Mitre is published

Church. It was also good to welcome back

annually and you might be interested to

Old Chigwellians and friends.

read the 2019 edition which is published on line here.

Christmas by Candlelight

Election

Alongside the campaigning for yesterday’s General Election, Sixth Form candidates have

SERVICE

been working to galvanise support in the school election. Candidates spoke at a Senior

School hustings and the pupils went to the vote yesterday.

9 th december, 7.00 pm at st mary ’s church, chigwell

Congratulations to

candidates: Aleksander Matys (Labour), Jyoti Nag-Chaudhury Novakovic

A service of readings, carols and Christmas music, led by the Chapel Choir and Junior School Choirs.

(Independent),

(Independent),

Filip

Samantha

O’Connor (Green), Zain Parvez (Liberal

Democrats), Deyan Patel (Brexit) and

All are invited to the Dining Hall afterwards for mince pies and mulled wine.

Matthew

Punt

(Conservative)

However, the winner with a 2% majority was

University News

Ziyad Chaudhary (Independent).

some really good offers of university

Bad Weather

come through. Please encourage your

please consult the school website

Chigwell students have been receiving places and I hope these will continue to

In the event of heavy snow or ice,

sons and daughters to keep tutors and

(www.chigwell-school.org) for confirmation

Mr Simon Coppell informed of offers,

of arrangements for the school day. We

even if the news comes during the

would be very reluctant to close the

Christmas period. We currently have

School but we are mindful of the safety

twelve Oxbridge interviews confirmed.

of pupils and staff.

13

Staff News

And Finally

Standen, Learning Support Co-ordinator,

I hope all families have some time off

Sadly, we say farewell to Mrs Lucy

who is moving away. We also say goodbye

to Dr Gillian Groszewski who is moving on to a new role at Cambridge University. We send them both our very best wishes and hope that they will stay in touch.

Mr Colin Glover is retiring after fourteen years working at Chigwell School. We hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement.

Thank you, as always, for all your support. together over the holidays and a very

happy Christmas. I look forward to seeing you again in 2020.

With best wishes Yours sincerely Michael Punt

14

Message from the Chaplain As I write, Charities Week is in full flow

provides cochlea implants for deaf

being thrown at volunteers in Chapel

who organises the administration of the

children. We also heard from Mr Norman

and I can hear the sound of wet sponges

Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust which

Quad. Each day of the week has been

supports the Tim Pruss Memorial School

taken by one of the four school Houses

and other projects in Tamil Nadu.

who come up with ever more enterprising

Chigwell has supported this charity,

ways to raise money for our chosen

named after a former pupil, for over ten

charities. At this point in the week it is

years and the school will be visited by a

unclear if enough has been pledged to

group of our students as part of the India

tempt Mr Rabbitte into the sponge booth.

trip in February.

We do, however, have another two days to go!

I am always impressed by the enthusiasm

Christmas is now getting close and there is

Week and their genuine commitment to

appearing and lights flicker through frosty

a festive feel around. Christmas trees are

with which our students support Charities

windows. I hope the Christmas break is a

the causes chosen. We have had a number

happy time for you and your family. In

of speakers from different charities this

whatever way you spend the holiday,

year and heard inspiring presentations by

have a blessed and peaceful break.

Mr Bhudia who along with his sons Trishul

(Year 8) and Nayan (Year 12) are

The Chaplain

undertaking a 2500km ‘Rickshaw Run’ raising money for the SEWA charity which

15

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell The FoC team has been busy this

Michaelmas Term organizing activities and

raising funds for exciting new projects. As usual, this has required help from parents

who have been as enthusiastic as ever in delivering these events and Sana Abbas has taken over from Sarah Innocent as Chair.

In October we hosted the Family Quiz

Night which was very well received. The firework event on 8th November was

spectacular and attended by almost 900

parents and students. The Christmas Fayre on the 6th of December was a festive event

with lots of stalls giving shopping

opportunities for children, all of whom had

a wonderful time shopping for gifts, trying their luck on the tombola and eating

freshly baked brownies and mince pies. We

were joined by a host of Christmas jumper

wearing Chigwell parents, who very kindly

volunteered to run stalls throughout the

day and shopped with us after school. To wrap up the year we arranged a Pre Prep

party on 6th of December where there was

an entertainer dazzling the children with fun and games. All of these activities helped us raise £7,500 for the School.

We would like to thank the Chigwell friends

and families who have tirelessly supported

16

Message from The Chair of the Friends of Chigwell

our events this term. Without your help and support the money we have raised for

our children and our school would not

have materialised. Everything that you have to offer the FoC is hugely

appreciated and it is very much a team effort.

17

2019 Lent Term Staff Lent meetings Term 2020 and INSET on Monday 7th January First Tuesday 8th January Staffday: meetings and INSET on Monday 6th January Half Saturday February to Sunday 24th February Firstterm: day: Tuesday 7th 16th January Half term: Saturday 15th3rd February Term ends: Wednesday Aprilto Sunday 23rd February Term ends:

Friday 27th March

Trinity Term (Easter Day is 21st April) First day: Wednesday 24rd April Half term: Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June INSET Day Monday 3rd June Term ends: Wednesday 10th July