Chigwell Newsletter Autumn 2014

AUTUMN 2014

NEWS FROM CHIGWELL

CHIGWELL SCHOOL

CELEBRATING SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHIGWELL SCHOOL COMMUNITY

In this Issue A first-class start at

02 the Pre Prep

05 Outstanding Results

Over £70,000 Raised

22 for Charity

and much more...

FIND A WAY OR MAKE A WAY

PRE PREP SCHOOL

A first-class start at the Pre Prep!

Planning for the new Chigwell Pre Prep took several years but, in September 2013, the first Chigwell Pre Prep pupils began their career at Chigwell. The school was full from the start, such was the demand for places, and in a wonderful purpose-built environment the pupils have had a first-class start to their education.

PRE PREP SCHOOL

Headmaster, Mr Michael Punt, commented, “Our challenge in planning for the Pre Prep was not just about creating a first-class building, which it is, it was creating a first-class school, which it is – arguably one of the very best in the country. I would like to pay tribute to Mrs Evelyn Gibbs and her team of staff who have worked so hard this year to get the Pre Prep so right, and to the Pre

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Prep children and their parents who have engaged so well with all that we have set out to establish. Pre Prep pupils work hard and are busy and challenged, but their time at school is also very happy.”

Meanwhile, Pre Prep Head Mrs Evelyn Gibbs reflected, “Over the first three terms of our new Pre Prep school, our new, young Chigwellians have brought incredible joy and enthusiasm to Chigwell

which has greatly enriched the wider school community.

We expect outstanding academic achievement and the pupils have certainly not disappointed us; they have benefitted considerably from the enrichment opportunities that we have made available to them, and which have also ensured that the school is full of enthralling activities and learning experiences in and outside the classroom.

The first year of the Pre Prep has certainly been extremely busy and rewarding for our pupils who have set excellent standards in all areas of learning and have demonstrated the values and behaviours that are at the core of Chigwell School’s ethos; showing respect for each other, valuing friendship, accepting differences, and setting and achieving high academic standards.” n

02 | 03

ACADEMIA

Speech Day 2014 Speech Day was a happy celebration of achievements from the past year. Guest of Honour, Mr Michael Pruss OC, who is the Senior Vice President for Scott Free, Sir Ridley Scott’s film and TV company, delivered an inspirational speech and presented the prizes.

Leavers In the week before Speech Day, the School held a service for the leavers which was followed by a party on the Swallow lawn.

We shall miss all the students of the year group of 2014 and we are proud of what they have achieved during their time at Chigwell. n

Over Friday and Saturday there were three services for the different sections of the School, held in St Mary’s Church Chigwell. The preacher at the service for the Pre Prep and youngest Junior pupils was Reverend Gill Hopkins, Vicar of Holy Innocents, High Beach, and Chaplain to Epping Forest. At the other services the preacher was Tony Miles, Deputy Superintendent Minister of Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, media chaplain and broadcaster. n

ACADEMIA

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Outstanding Results A level results gave cause for celebration at Chigwell School.

20% of all grades were A*, compared to a national average of 8%; 54% of Chigwell grades were at A grade or better, over double the national average; and 84% of grades were at least a B. These grades will enable students to take up offers of places on a whole range of highly selective university courses and a small number will move directly into employment.

By way of example, Head of School, Katie Marshall will take up her place to study Medicine at

Christ Church College Oxford, having achieved three A*s and one A grade; Head Boy, Richard Stavri’s three A*s and two As take him to Durham University where he will study Natural Sciences; Marcin Wajs and Yitian Zhao both achieved four A*s and one A grade taking them to Cambridge University where they will study Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering respectively; Lolita Gendler will be studying Philosophy at Durham with her two A* grades and an A, whilst the same grades, in different subjects, mean that Kirthana Selvakumar will be studying Economics at Warwick University.

GCSE RESULTS Headmaster, Mr Michael Punt, commented: “We are really proud of the students in this year group, some of whom have studied at Chigwell for just two years whilst others have been with us for most of their lives. As teachers we are always delighted when the young people we have supported work hard and achieve the very best grades they can, enabling them to go on to fulfil their dreams in their lives beyond school. This year, as always, students leave us to follow a whole variety of paths. We wish them all every future success and happiness and hope that they will stay in touch with us.” n

Of the year group of 82, 18 students achieved seven A* grades or more, and Rhea Gupta gained an impressive set of twelve A* grades. In addition to their full complement of GCSEs, four students also took the Higher Project Qualification which requires considerable independent study, and all achieved an A*.

Indeed, A* was the most common grade awarded to Chigwell pupils this year and 34% of all grades were A*, five times the national average; 67% of grades were at least an A grade, and 89% were at least a B grade. n

Leavers 2014 04 | 05

ACADEMIA

Howard and Mitchell Essay Prize Presentations Lower Sixth students compete for the Howard and Mitchell Essay Prizes each year which are awarded to the best extended essays, written on a topic of students’ choice. The essays are judged by panels chaired by eminent professionals.

An audience of a hundred packed the Library to hear the winners of this year’s competition give presentations on their essays. Cordelia Griffith (Howard Essay) spoke on ‘Does Dicey’s conception of the “rule of law” apply in a dictatorship?’ Katie Marshall (Mitchell Essay) presented on ‘How close is a cure for

Chigwell Pupils reach for the stars Astronomer, author and TV personality Will Gater opened the Chigwell School Astonomy Dome. Aside from being an accomplished scientist himself, Mr Gater is widely published and has appeared on TV programmes including Countryfile, The Sky at Night and The One Show.

The Chigwell Astronomy Society meets weekly and includes pupils of all ages. The dome itself was provided by parents, Mr and Mrs Kansaran.

Will commented: “I saw many parallels at Chigwell to my own start in astronomy. I wish you all the very best of luck with the new dome and am certain that Chigwell School has a great future in astronomy and science.” n

Parkinson’s disease?’ Both speakers were excellent, particularly for the deft way they handled some tough questioning.

Afterwards the annual dinner took place – at which there was a talk by former Mitchell Essay winner Jessica Beagley, OC, who left Chigwell in 2008. n

Cordelia and Katie

Law Scholarship Winner Congratulations to Jessica Arapu who has been awarded the Dickson Poon Law Scholarship by King’s College London. Jessica, who joined Chigwell in the Sixth Form two years ago, is taking A levels in Spanish, Government & Politics, Mathematics and Russian. She was offered a conditional place to study law at King’s College and was encouraged to compete for the scholarship by writing a law case study essay.

She was delighted to

hear that she had been awarded the scholarship, which is worth £18,000. n

SENIOR MATHS CHALLENGE Congratulations to the students who performed so well in the Senior Maths Challenge in which 4,000 schools participate. Two students, Yitian Zhao and Marcin Wajs, were ranked in the top 100 students, and also special mention must go to Kurran Gujral who, along with a thousand other candidates, went through to the British Maths Olympiad. n

Biology Challenge

Chemistry Highlights

This is only the second year that pupils from Chigwell have taken part in the Biology Challenge – an online quiz run by the Society of Biology for students in Years 9 and 10.

Over 30,000 pupils took part in the competition this year and, once again, the Chigwell team enjoyed considerable success.

Tom Marshall was in the top

A level Chemistry students enjoyed impressive success in the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad.

15% of all participants and achieved a Bronze certificate; Gregory Jackson, Nathan Watkis-Popat, Jada Coker and Kian Nikookam were all awarded a Silver certificate for achieving scores that put them in the top 10% of participants and Emma Cadman was awarded a Gold certificate for a score that placed her in the top 5%. n

Yitian Zhao and Marcin Wajs both achieved gold certificates placing them in the top 7.4% of the 5,682 students who sat the test.

Milan Pavlovic achieved a silver certificate, and bronze certificates were awarded to Katie Marshall, Richard Stavri, Adam Keiller and Samuel Ogunmola.

Lower down the school, other chemists progressed to the national final of the Royal Society of Chemistry Top of the Bench Competition.

Milan Patel, Lewis Maclean, Emma Cadman and Grace Styles travelled to Loughborough University for the event in which each team competes in tasks which test high level theoretical and practical chemistry.

Congratulations to Year 10 chemists Emma Cadman and Tom Marshall who have been selected to attend a Salters’ Chemistry Camp this summer at the Universities of Nottingham and York. n

DRAMA

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

‘What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out?’ — Alfred Hitchcock

In the drama department, the Gala Evening got the year off to a great start. This was the third year that James Harrington’s charity evening of sketches, monologues, music and dance has given such pleasure and raised so much money. This year over £2,000 for Haven House Hospice was raised on the night and in bucket collections and other charitable activities that week. n

Staff Panto The staff pantomime, Cinderella, directed

by Sixth Formers Matthew Scudder and Carrie Pollock, was a huge success again.

Both nights were sold out and the staff played to lively audiences who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show.

Memorable performances were given and thanks to your very generous donations we have been able to send cheques for £1,250 to both Smiles With Grace and Haven House. n

06 | 07

DRAMA

Following on from the pantomime, Year 10 pupils entertained us with a veritable festival of drama involving five scripted pieces performed as part of their GCSE practical course work.

Productions included extracts from A School for Scandal, Bouncers, The Opposite Sex, A Game of Soldiers and Nuffin’, written by our very own Mr Joe Maingot.

Lastly, the English department put on four extracts from texts that they are currently studying: An Inspector Calls, King Lear, The White Devil and A View From the Bridge. This was an evening of workshop theatre that gave pupils an outstanding opportunity to explore their set texts on stage and literally get inside the characters’ minds.

Students from Year 10 to the Lower Sixth took on roles and enjoyed good audiences on both nights. n

GCSE & AS Drama The Year 11 GCSE Drama classes produced four devised pieces that were their final performances for GCSE. All candidates achieved A* for their outstanding work that evening. Candidates offered a wide range of skills including improvisation, costume, makeup, lights, sound, mask design and props.

The AS Drama classes treated their audiences to several excellent monologues and plays. Monologues drew from modern writers such as Kane and Berkoff, but also included a delightful traditional piece from Sheridan. The plays were a striking ensemble performance of Sophocles’ Antigone and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night performed in a physical comedy style with non-stop paced multi-rolling. n

DRAMA

The Wind in the Willows

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Three toads, three performances and three full audiences were all part of the Junior School performance of The Wind in the Willows.

Over a hundred pupils participated in the two-hour production in which so many were keen to have a part that the leading roles were taken by three actors each evening. The marvellous costumes, make-up and innovative set design all made for an epic performance that will be long remembered by actors and audience alike. n

The Scholars’ Play, Plunder by Ben Travers (1921), rounded the year off in true style.

Once again, comedy was the name of the game and very much spearheaded by a double act consisting of William Lord as the bumbling buffoon, D’Arcy Tunks, and Harry Benjamin as the suave Freddie.

Beautifully costumed and intelligently stage-managed, this was a remarkably smooth realisation of this vintage Aldwych Farce that has, despite everything, somehow stood the test of time and remains a highly entertaining bit of fun. n 08 | 09

MUSIC

Chapel Choir Following their stunning performances at Pembroke College and St. John’s College, Cambridge, the Chapel Choir visited Christ Church College, Oxford to lead Evensong.

The pupils’ voices demonstrated their evergrowing confidence and maturity of musicianship. The afternoon rehearsal was open to the public, in particular

the tourists from around the world who passed around the choirs stalls in their hundreds, photographing and videoing as they went. The Preces and Responses by Kenneth Leighton produced vocal textures and timbres that are synonymous with the college choirs of Cambridge and Oxford, whilst the romantic setting of Stanford Canticles in A and Bainton’s I saw a new heaven, allowed the quality and beauty of phrasing, clarity of harmonic movement and neat ensemble between organ and choir to be demonstrated to the full. n

Choral Concert One of the musical highlights of the year, was the coming together of the School for the Choral Concert in Brentwood Cathedral.

Heather Cook and Christopher Ball.

The Chapel Choir concert in Tarragona Cathedral.

The works presented this year included Parry’s I was glad (with Vivats!), Dyson’s Confortare, and Rutter’s setting of seven Negro Spirituals Feel the Spirit, written for Mezzo-

soprano, Chorus and Orchestra.

It was a truly dazzling display of vocal and orchestral colour.

Heather Cook, the winner of the School’s Young Musician of the Year Competition 2013, gave a truly inspirational performance that was both incredibly detailed and sensitive of Christopher Ball’s Concerto The Piper of Dreams for recorder and strings. She was presented with the Concerto Shield by the composer himself. n

MUSIC

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Young Musician of the Year

Christopher Dee with winners Katie Marshall and Lucas Abrami-Gill.

Professional singer, Mr Christopher Dee, adjudicated the prestigious Chigwell Young Musician of the Year Competition in which over 40 of the School’s top musicians competed. Mr Dee has sung all over the world and has worked with everyone from Pavarotti to Kermit the Frog!

Throughout the day the musicians performed in front of Mr Dee and the finalists performed again in the evening.

The excellent concert also presented the adjudicator with the unenviable task of selecting the winners of the Junior and Senior categories. The overall winner was final year student, Katie Marshall (piano), with Gopal Kambo (piano) highly commended. In the Junior category, Lucas Abrami-Gill (voice) was victorious, with Yasmin Antoniou (violin) highly commended. n

Junior Concert The standard of the Junior School Concert was excellent both in terms of the standards achieved and the number of pupils involved. New Hall was packed and there were fine performances from the Junior Orchestra, the Stringles, the Drum Corps, the String Octet, the Junior Flutes, the Junior Clarinets, the Junior Brass group and Glee Club. n

Chigwell Primary Schools’ Music Festival Over one hundred pupils from a variety of local primary schools converged on Chigwell for the annual Music Festival.

The day comprised full orchestral rehearsals, smaller

instrumental sectional rehearsals taken by professional coaches, singing classes with a specialist vocal coach and rehearsals en masse of songs from the musical Joseph. The day culminated in a ‘Celebratory Concert’, given by all participants to an eager and highly appreciative audience. n

10 | 11

ART & DESIGN

Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition This was the 17th Chigwell Open Art, Design and Technology Exhibition, where maintained and independent schools are invited to submit up to six pieces of 2D or 3D work, without restrictions on size or medium.

So far, we have succeeded in exhibiting every piece of work submitted. There is no theme to the exhibition, or prizes; its aims are to celebrate the achievements of young people and their teachers. All the two-dimensional exhibits are framed, giving the exhibition a uniform and professional appearance.

Mrs Claire Tilbrook, the Head of Junior Art, Design and Technology at Chigwell, said, “It was delightful to see the joy on the artists’ faces when they attended the Saturday morning exhibition private view, and to share the pleasure of their families and schools. We have had a bumper response this year, with 22 schools submitting work!” n

David Shepherd Global Canvas Art competition

The following pupils were entered for the 2014 David Shepherd Global Canvas Art competition, and were chosen to be exhibited in the Flett Theatre at the Natural History museum in London.

2,500 entries were received from all over the world, and 300 chosen for exhibition, that is a real achievement, so congratulations to: Anna Sagoo, Trinity Rungasamy, Clementine Carr, Abby Pollins, Teila Morris. n

ART & DESIGN

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

The Chigwell Chair Challenge The Chigwell Chair Challenge was a project which involved designing and decorating a 20cm tall model chair. The aim of this initiative was to bring all members of the school together in one HUGE, exciting design project! n

Ed Liddle: New Paintings in the Chigwell School Gallery

ART MURALS 2014

The Art and Design Department were delighted to present an exhibition of the work of Ed Liddle in the school gallery. He produces work that questions the traditional nature of painting both as imagery and as an object. n

12 | 13

ART & DESIGN

Art & Design and Design & Technology Summer Exhibition

Annual ‘Postcards from the Edge’ Exhibition Jamie Sliwa, the school’s Gallery Manager, exhibited a piece of artwork in New York City, in the annual Postcards from the Edge exhibition.

Since 1998, Visual AIDS has produced the Postcards From The Edge exhibition and benefit sale of original, postcardsized works on paper by established and emerging artists.

Most importantly, by participating in Postcards From the Edge artists and collectors support the activities of Visual AIDS. n

The 2014 Art & Design and Design & Technology Summer Exhibition was a great success again this year.

The busy opening was attended by pupils, parents, staff and friends of the school.

Examples of art, design and D&T work created by pupils from all year groups were exhibited in the school’s art gallery. An incredibly wide variety of work was displayed and the quality achieved by the pupils was extremely impressive. n

ART+ for Chigwell Riding Trust

Chigwell Art+ students used their talents to help the fundraising activities of the Chigwell Riding Trust. To help celebrate the Trust’s

50th year anniversary, the pupils have made a giant thermometer which will help to track the Trust’s progress towards their target of £50,000. A number of pupils have worked on this project during extra curricular sessions after school and at lunchtime as a part of the school’s Art+ scheme.

Art+ was begun in 2002 with the aim of enriching and enhancing the pupils’ experience of art and design through a series of visiting workshops at the school given by prominent artists and designers. n

OUT & ABOUT

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Ecuador Forty Chigwell students returned tired but inspired after an amazing four-week long expedition to Ecuador this summer.

The trip, which had been two years in the planning, included various community projects as well as exploration of this fascinating region.

At Camp Kuri Kuchu, situated 3,000 metres above sea level, students worked on two different development projects. The first involved construction of a cultural centre for the local community and the second was to develop an organic garden to provide more food for the local community. The trip then moved on to their second camp found in the Amazon Rainforest where they had to endure hot and humid weather whilst working hard on environmental and construction projects.

All the staff commented on how well the students coped in tough conditions and on how successfully they pulled together as a group.

This is an opportunity that they will remember for a very long time. n

Scouts Trip to Fairlop Water

14 | 15

OUT & ABOUT

Activities Week Pupils from Year 3 upwards were involved in a variety of activities as part of activities week which aims to provide opportunities and experiences outside of the usual curriculum.

Some of the main activities included visits to care homes, an expedition to the Lake District, an activities holiday on the Isle of Wight and camping on Mersea Island.

Chigwell Riding Trust

Lower Sixth students travelled up to the Lake District for three days of outward bound activities including walking up Loughrigg Fell. The trip allowed students to experience activities and an environment that some may not have encountered previously – and to do so together. n

Colne Valley Railway

Mountfichet Castle

Royal Gunpowder Mills

National Gallery

Mountfichet Castle

Stubbers

Royal Observatory

Isle of Wight

The Lake District

OUT & ABOUT

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

There were two groups of pupils from Chigwell who spent part of their holidays skiing. The Lower Sixth group travelled to Flaine, whilst the Year 9 and Year 10 pupils spent their week in Sugarloaf Mountain. Pupils on both trips made significant progress with their skiing and the local instructors commented that they were an absolute credit to the school. n

Duke of Edinburgh Awards Year 10 and 11 students have undertaken bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards this year. Some chose canoeing for their expeditions whilst others opted for hiking on foot.

Assessors were very impressed with the groups who explored the South Downs and the New Forest. n

Chigwell Gardening Club

Epping Forest Youth Council Every two years, pupils from schools in the Epping Forest district are able to stand for the Epping Forest Youth Council, a maximum of two per school.

Pictured are Nathan WatkisPopat and Thomas Bromwich who have been elected from Chigwell to the new Council together with Imogen Padwick.

Imogen has just completed a two year term but has just been re-elected as an independent candidate. The Youth Council works to promote issues that relate to young people locally and provides valuable training for all those involved. We look forward to hearing about their work and wish them every success. n

16 | 17

SPORT

Sports Day Healthy competition combined with mass participation were characteristics of the three Chigwell School sports days. Pre Prep, Junior and Senior pupils competed for the honour of their houses in traditional athletic events. The weather was kind and large numbers of parents supported their children who took the occasions very seriously. n

Seniors

Juniors

Pre Prep

SPORT

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Hockey The U16 Girls: Essex Indoor Hockey Champions In a fiercely fought tournament, Chigwell girls defeated tough opposition to be crowned Essex champions. The whole squad played with fantastic enthusiasm throughout the day, but special mention must go to co-captain and goalkeeper Hannah Leiper who was voted ‘keeper of the tournament’. n

IAPS Success The U12 girls performed extremely well in this year’s IAPS competition for Southern Schools. They qualified for the plate competition and after a run of good wins they found themselves in the final. This was a closely fought game, and the girls were unlucky to lose 1-0. This meant that they finished as runners up. n

U16 Girls

Chigwell Girls’ Sporting Success Outside of School Congratulations to Stevie Southall, Chloe Stack and Maisy Howson who played at the U14 National Club Finals with Old Loughtonians Hockey club. The girls travelled to Wakefield to play the top club sides in the country and finished 7th.

In addition to the club success, Year 8s Stevie

Southall, Chloe Stack and Venetia Bailey have all been selected for the Essex U14 squad. From the same year group, Charlotte James-Pajwani’s efforts and achievements were rewarded at county level by receiving the Essex Junior Academy Award for her age group at the Essex County Association Youth Presentation Evening.

Charlotte was presented with the award by Emily Defroand, England U21 Captain and a former Essex Junior. n

Stevie, Chloe and Maisy

Charlotte (right)

U13 Barcelona Hockey Tour Chigwell’s U13 hockey girls travelled to Barcelona and were treated to play at some of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, such as El Club Real de Polo de Barcelona. n U13 Barcelona Hockey Tour

Boys’ Hockey

Conor Caplan

It was a fantastic season for both the junior and senior boys’ hockey teams this year.

The 1st XI continued their excellent form by progressing to the fifth round of the Hockey Association Trophy, although they lost in the quarter final to a strong Stamford School side.

Congratulations to Conor Caplan (pictured below) who has been selected for the U18 England Hockey Squad. n

A special mention should be made of the U13 boys who remained unbeaten in all school matches for the whole season. n 18 | 19

SPORT

Football Chigwell student captains national football side Sixth former Joshua Banfield captained the national Independent Schools FA U18 team.

He has represented ISFA at every level from U14s through to the U18 side. Joshua was also voted ‘player of the tour’ when the team travelled to Holland. n

U13 IAPS and ISFA finals Chigwell School’s U13 football team reached two national finals this year. Six of the team went on to represent the Essex & Herts regional team in the Independent Schools U13 regional festival. n

U13s

U11 Football The U11 football team (below) qualified for the Independent Schools FA National 7v7 finals at St George’s Park, near Burton. The boys played very well and narrowly failed to make the quarter finals. n

1st XI

Tennis & Rounders The senior girls were undefeated in all their tennis and rounders matches. Against local rivals Bancroft’s they managed an impressive victory of 30 games to 1. Tennis captain Rebecca Leon and doubles partner Zoe Garnish won their match 9-0.

In the rounders match Chigwell won 18-10 following some strong fielding. The U15s beat Bancroft’s 37-22 with Maddie Tyson and Lucy Chillingworth being undefeated in all three matches. n

SPORT

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Cricket Some Junior School girls played their first competitive cricket matches this summer.

At the other end of the school, Aryan Gupta was selected to join the Essex U15 Performance

squad as the sole wicket keeper/ batsman. Saf Imtiaz continues to represent the Essex 2nd XI and has scored a couple of hard-fought centuries this season. Meanwhile, Cordelia Griffith has been a member of the England Women’s Academy and the Essex Women’s team. n

Netball The U19s began their season by reaching the final sixteen in the ISNA Cup and performing superbly at the Nationals.

The U15 Netball squad took part in the Kelsall Independent Schools Cup at Brentwood School. After beating Brentwood and Felsted amongst others, the girls continued their winning streak by defeating Bancroft’s in order to win the tournament. n

Swimming National Success at the IAPS National Swimming Finals Seven Chigwell pupils qualified for the IAPS National Swimming Finals in Surrey.

Members of the Chigwell squad were Joseph and Eleanor Ahern, Cayley Cochrane, Alex Bibby, Emily and Jasmine Iley, and Zoe Wright.

Emily Iley won the U10 25m backstroke, crowning her as National Champion again.

She swam a new personal

best clocking a time of 16.14 seconds. The U13 girls medley relay team finished 4th in the country, impressively shaving 6 seconds off their qualifying time, and again swimming a personal best. Jasmine Iley came fourth in the final for U13 breaststroke. Joseph Ahern won his qualifying heat, and then participated in a ‘swim off’ as another boy swam exactly the same time as him in his heat.

Unfortunately, Joseph narrowly missed out qualifying for the final by just 0.2 seconds. n 20 | 21

CHARITY

OVER £70,000 RAISED FOR CHARITY

Smashing Sunday!

Celebrity cricket and netball teams came to Chigwell to play school sides and raise money for Cancer Research UK. The celebrity cricket side was captained by former England cricketer and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Mark Ramprakash and the netball team was captained by former England netball captain, Amanda Newton. Other players included Bradley Walsh, Carlos Remy and Rob Rollins.

The Chigwell sides were made up of current and former pupils who played well and relished the opportunity to play against such prestigious opposition. In both sports, the visiting sides won in highly competitive games.

The day was very well supported and included an auction of memorabilia carried out by former England cricketer David ‘Syd’ Lawrence. The occasion raised £1,100 for Cancer Research UK which made the total raised for the charity this year over £28,000 through the efforts of Chigwell’s Gill Punt and the School itself.

Mark Ramprakash’s excellent innings included a six that unfortunately resulted in a smashed clubhouse window.

Headmaster Michael Punt commented, “We normally take a very dim view if pupils damage school property but on this occasion, I think we can make an exception!” n

The Eren Pars Cup

Marathon Fundraising Effort Congratulations to all members of the Chigwell community who completed the London Marathon.

Amongst these were Mr Freddie Meier who ran to raise funds for WWF; Miss Laura Thomas who raised over £6,000 with her fiancé for the

M.S. Society; Old Chigwellian Raheem Chaudhary who ran in support of the Oxfam Syria Crisis Appeal and to Gill Punt who has raised over £28,000 for Cancer Research UK. Thank you to everyone who generously supported the runners and, in so doing, these worthy causes. n

Few football matches within school are contested with as much enthusiasm as the Eren Pars Cup. This match is played in memory of Old Chigwellian Eren Pars who sadly died at the

age of 21, shortly after leaving school. This annual fixture is played between Middle Sixth and Lower Sixth teams and this year the Middle Sixth were victorious. They were presented with the Eren Pars trophy by Eren’s parents and chose to give £5,000, donated

by Eren’s family, to Cancer Research UK. n

CHARITY

News From Chigwell | Autumn 2014

Grace Boxall The very sad death of Year 11 pupil Grace Boxall was indeed a tragedy but all that she achieved in her lifetime gave great cause for celebration.

Mr Michael Punt commented “I am very proud of Grace, the spirit that she showed as she battled against illness, and the tremendous work that she did for others through the charity that she founded, Smiles With Grace.

In addition, we could not have asked for more of her friends and their families in terms of how they have supported each other and Grace’s parents, Karen and Peter”. n

On the day of Grace’s 16th birthday last year, pupils and staff released hundreds of purple-coloured balloons to celebrate and remember her life.

Smiles with Grace Football In a football match that, to many, rivalled anything that has been played in Brazil, Chigwell Year 11 boys took on a Chigwell staff team.

match which was very well supported by fellow pupils, staff and parents including Grace’s parents, Karen and Peter.

Both sides battled hard but the maturity and experience

of the staff side was not quite a match for the fitness and skill of the boys who won 4-3.

Headmaster Mr Michael Punt commented, “It makes me very proud when I see pupils come together in this way, to

organise an event like this for such a worthy cause. In her lifetime, Grace worked very hard to help others and it is very fitting that her friends should choose to support her charity in this way”. n

The match was played to raise funds for the charity Smiles with Grace http:// smileswithgrace.org/ set up by the late Grace Boxall who tragically passed away last September, days before her 16th birthday. Chigwell pupil Jusden Halabi organised the

Citizens of the Year We were delighted to hear that James Harrington has been recognised as an Epping Forest District Young Citizen of the Year as a result of his impressive fundraising for Haven House. He was also the first winner of the Grace Boxall Award presented to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to charitable fundraising. n

Charity CD The Chigwell School Chapel Choir has raised over £25,000 through a concert and CD recorded at the Chapel of St. John’s College, Cambridge.

Recorded in memory of Grace Boxall, copies of this wonderful CD are available through the Music Department. The money raised is going towards the work of ‘Lifebox’, a medical aid charity making a difference in some of the poorest countries in the world. n 22 | 23

Dates for your diary 6 September Primary Schools’ Football and Netball Festival 9 September Bernard Williams Philosophy Lecture, Tim Chappell Professor of Philosophy, Open University, 4.15pm 19 September House Music Competition 20 September Chapel Choir lead Evensong at Pembroke College, Cambridge 21 September Smiles with Grace Charity Sponsored Walk

Designed and Printed by N2 Visual Communications www.n2vis.com

3 October Charity Gala Evening, 7.00pm 11 October Primary Schools’ Music Festival 7 November Friends of Chigwell Firework Night, 7.30pm 27 November Junior School Concert, 7.00pm 1 December Advent Carol Service, St Mary’s Chigwell, 7.00pm 11-13 December Senior School Musical, 7.00pm 19 December Charity Concert at Christ Church, Spitalfields 14 March Choral Concert at Christ Church, Spitalfields

Letters or Enquiries to: The Editor News from Chigwell, Development Office, Chigwell School, High Road, Chigwell, Essex IG7 6QF Telephone: 020 8501 5748 Email: development@chigwell -school.org Website: www.chigwell-school.org

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, number 1115098.