Claremont Chronicle - Autumn Term 2 - 2025

CHRONICLE THE DECEMBER 2025

IN THIS EDITION: BRONZE EQUALITIES AWARD Creating an inclusive environment for all HALF TERM TRIPS Trips to Berlin, Morocco and Italy FRIENDS OF CLAREMONT Christmas Fair REMEMBRANCE DAY 2025 Coming together to reflect, learn, and pay tribute SIXTH FORM CHRISTMAS PANTO Sixth form pupils present Robin Hood

END OF TERM REFLECTIONS

As you will see in this edition of The Chronicle, this half term has been filled with fantastic achievements. Our Remembrance service brought our community together with real thoughtfulness and we were proud to be presented with the Equaliteach EDI Bronze Award - an important milestone in demonstrating our commitment to valuing every pupil. Residential trips to Berlin, Italy and Morocco, a huge variety of day trips, inspiring lectures and talks, strong sporting performances, and the Friends of Claremont’s wonderful Christmas Fair have all enriched pupils’ experiences.

The festive season itself has brought further highlights. Singers, readers and instrumentalists worked incredibly hard to deliver uplifting performances at Christ Church Esher and in our special Christmas assembly at school. Sixth form students treated us to their hilarious pantomime, and I am certain they enjoyed creating it every bit as much as the audience enjoyed watching it!

Claremont families have again shown remarkable generosity, collecting over 350 kg of donations for the East Elmbridge Food Bank and supporting charities through initiatives like the sixth form Rentstart sleepout and Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children. Thank you to all our families for your support.

The determination shown by our examination year groups makes me particularly proud at this time of year. Year 11 pupils approached their mock examinations with real focus, and Year 13 students will be revising throughout the festive break ahead of their A level mocks.

We wish all pupils and families a happy, restful break and we look forward to an exciting spring term in 2026!

William Brierly Head

EQUALITEACH EQUALITIES AWARD We were proud to receive our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion award last week through the organisation 'Equaliteach'. The bronze Equalities Award is an auditing tool that Claremont has used to assess and improve our equality and diversity practices, by using a collaborative working party approach. With both pupils and staff contributing to the four key standards of Leadership and Management, Behaviour and Welfare, Personal Development of pupils and Teaching and Learning.

The award has allowed the school to think deeply about our equality curriculum and implement change where needed.

Rachel Heard, Assistant Head, said: "The Equaliteach Bronze Award celebrates the progress and dedication of our staff, students and wider community in creating an inclusive school culture where everyone feels valued and respected. It inspires us to keep developing our practice as we work towards the next stage of our EDI journey.”

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CHRISTMAS HAMPERS EAST ELMBRIDGE FOOD BANK

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, senior school pupils collected donations to create festive Christmas hampers for East Elmbridge Food Bank. Pupils brought in everyday essentials alongside thoughtful seasonal treats, demonstrating impressive generosity and teamwork. Many tutor groups went the extra mile by decorating their boxes to make them even more special for the recipients.

We are delighted to share that the total weight of the hampers exceeded 350kg, an incredible achievement that reflects the compassion of our school community. We hope these hampers bring warmth and joy to the families who received them this Christmas.

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REMEMBRANCE DAY 2025 CLAREMONT ENGAGED IN A RANGE OF COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES TO MARK REMEMBRANCE DAY, COMING TOGETHER TO REFLECT, LEARN, AND PAY TRIBUTE. REMEMBRANCE SERVICE On Tuesday, 11 November, the senior school gathered for our traditional Remembrance Service honouring those who have served.

Staff, pupils, governors, and the Mayor of Elmbridge joined in a moment of reflection to commemorate their courage and sacrifice.

The service also featured a poignant address by alumnus Major Toby Clutton (Class of 2010).

TRIP TO THE POPPY FACTORY Pupils from Years 7 to 11 visited The Poppy Factory in Richmond for an enriching educational experience on 4 November. The visit deepened their understanding of remembrance, history, and the ongoing support provided to veterans. Pupils also explored the story behind the poppy as a symbol of remembrance through interactive learning sessions.

SERVICE AT ESHER WAR MEMORIAL Representatives from our school community paid tribute at the Service of Remembrance at the Esher War Memorial and Christ Church, Esher.

We will remember them.

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ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

EXPLORING CAREERS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Mrs Cilliers delivered an excellent talk on the role of a clinical psychologist, which was well attended, with over 35 pupils expressing an interest in this career field. Mrs Cilliers is a Clinical Psychologist and CBT therapist and has also trained in Cognitive Analytic Therapy. She has extensive clinical experience working with complex mental health difficulties, including personality disorders, and has a keen interest in the training and supervision of CBT therapists and psychologists.

AUTHOR VISIT FOR YEAR 7 PUPILS Year 7 pupils had the exciting opportunity to meet Jordan Lees, author of The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found. During the visit, Jordan shared insights into his writing process, from developing characters to understanding the challenges and rewards of being an author. Pupils were fascinated to learn about the inspiration behind The Whisperwicks and how stories progress from ideas to published books.

POLITICS AND CITIZENSHIP WITH BARONESS RITCHIE Sixth form politics students, along with Year 9 and 10 pupils studying GCSE citizenship, took part in an exciting Learning With Lords session, gaining the unique opportunity to speak directly with Baroness Ritchie. During the session, pupils were able to ask thoughtful questions about the work of the House of Lords, the role of a life peer, and current political and social issues.

INSPIRING STEM CAREERS TALK Mrs Earthrowl delivered an inspiring talk on careers in STEM, offering insights into geology, project management, and the wide range of opportunities available in science and technology. Pupils valued the chance to learn about the real-world impact of STEM and the diverse pathways the field offers.

JOYCE GRENFELL PROGRAMME (JGP)

INSPIRE TALKS Ewan Birney, Interim Executive Director of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), delivered an inspiring lecture on “DNA: life, history, and a surprising twist”, offering pupils a fascinating perspective on genetics and the story of life.

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Professor Lewis Dartnell, an astrobiology researcher, author and science communicator, gave an engaging talk on The Hunt for Alien Life, providing pupils with insights into the search for life beyond Earth.

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Friends

of Claremont The Christmas Fair raised £5,000 this year and the Friends are delighted to donate £2,500 to the Claremont House Charities. Thank you to Mr Walker and Mrs Tullett for supporting our senior pupils run amazing stalls to raise valuable money for their chosen charities. A massive thank you to all of you who have supported the Friends and to the local businesses and parents who donated amazing prizes as well as those who had Plusroom boards up.

The Friends have always been about building a community and we have very much felt that sense of belonging this year.

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.

For those looking to the New Year… Ticket sales for the Ceilidh go on sale Tuesday 16th December 2025 at midday.

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UNIVERSITY APPLICATION UNIVERSITY APPLICATION HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS It has been a hugely productive and positive term for Year 13 pupils as they have sent off applications to universities in the UK and beyond. Students have worked diligently to produce high quality personal statements with the support of subject specialists, form tutors, the student futures and sixth form teams. Several students have sat Oxbridge admissions tests and have prepared thoroughly for interviews by engaging in numerous mock interview sessions.

The diversity of our sixth form has been showcased by the broad spectrum of courses applied for - anthropology, architecture, biological and environmental sciences, fine art, French and Scandinavian studies, law, medicine, neuroscience and PPE to name but a few. Remarkably, a quarter of students have already received a full house of offers. The cohort has received offers from many prestigious universities including King's College London, UCL, Edinburgh, Bath and Warwick. Several students have also been applying for degree apprenticeships in a variety of sectors and two students have received offers from US universities. In addition, several students are working on applications for Australia and Europe.

Year 12 students have also benefited from a trip to Oxford University's open day, during which they experienced lectures across different departments, toured colleges and spoke to student representatives. This experience ‘sowed a seed’ for many, encouraging them to proactively engage in super-curricular activities beyond their classroom learning. Students have also been attending inspiring Careers talks as part of the JGC programme. We look forward to welcoming pupils and families to the student futures evening in February 2026.

STUDENT FUTURES EVENING 2026 12 February 6pm-8:30pm

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE EXHIBITION The history department, in collaboration with the school heritage team, hosted a captivating lunchtime exhibition on Princess Charlotte. Pupils and staff had the rare opportunity to view remarkable artefacts, including a lock of Princess Charlotte’s hair (on short-term loan to the school), her dress and handkerchief, and commemorative pottery produced following her death. This exhibition offered a fascinating glimpse into royal history and provided Year 12 pupils with the opportunity to take a leading role in curating and overseeing historical artefacts.

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RENTSTART SLEEP OUT

DofE SILVER CERTIFICATES

On Friday 28 November, 13 sixth form students and two teachers headed to Esher rugby club to sleep in a box overnight in support of the homelessness charity Rentstart.

“Throughout the night we bought pizza, heard moving stories from exhomeless people, came up with raps, sang to live music and most importantly made our homes for the night from scraps of cardboard and masking tape. It was a wet and cold night which was good in making us reflect and realise the suffering that many people endure night after night whilst we were privileged enough to return to our warm beds the following morning. We raised lots of money for their charity making it a good experience overall.”

On Tuesday 2 December, we held a Silver DofE awards assembly in the Great Room. Our Year 11 students showed great determination and resilience throughout their Duke of Edinburgh journeys, and this celebration recognised the impressive effort they put into achieving their awards. Well done to all involved.

- written by Megan T, sixth form student

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TRIPS AND TRAVELS EXPLORING ANCIENT ROME GCSE Latin and classical civilisation pupils from Years 9–11 enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Italy this half term. From the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Vatican Museums, Ara Pacis, and Ostia Antica, pupils explored iconic sites that brought their Latin and classics studies vividly to life.

WALKING THROUGH HISTORY Over half term, Year 10 and Year 11 pupils enjoyed an inspiring GCSE history trip to Berlin. They explored key sites linked to their studies of the Cold War and Nazi Germany, including the Berlin Wall, Holocaust Memorial Centre, Topography of Terror, DDR Museum, and Sachsenhausen. The trip offered pupils valuable insights that went far beyond the classroom and textbook.

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SIXTH FORM TRIP TO MOROCCO During half term, Claremont students embarked on an unforgettable school trip to Morocco! Divided into two groups, they experienced the country’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and unique adventures. From bustling souks and historic kasbahs to trekking in the High Atlas and camel rides in the Sahara, every day was filled with excitement, learning, and new experiences.

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RUGBY TRIP TO ITALY A hugely enjoyable and successful rugby tour saw the Under 14 and Under 15 squads travel to the Lake Garda region of northern Italy. Each team took on two Italian club sides, both emerging with one win and one loss. The five-day trip featured a full and eclectic itinerary, ranging from the best-preserved amphitheatre in Italy, boat trips into Venice and on Lake Garda, a professional training session at Benetton Treviso, the best club side in the country, to a last-day “chill and thrill” excursion at the Gardaland theme park.

The opening matches against Parabiago were both narrowly lost, before two hard-fought victories against ASD Rugby Lions (Parma). The Italian teams played with great flair, handling superbly and being dynamic when jackling for the ball. Claremont was more structured in its approach, setting up four excellent games, the teams’ contrasting styles providing compelling match-ups.

A rugby tour is, of course, about more than the sport: it is a chance for the two year groups to bond, to enjoy each other’s company, and to experience a different culture. The team runons to the pitch before kick-off set the tone, and shared postmatch pasta teas with the opposition honoured a rugby tradition.

Highlights included the motor-launch cruises on Lake Garda, watching a professional match in Milan, cruising to the entrance of the Grand Canal in Venice, and the breathtaking 30,000capacity Verona Arena. Most pleasing of all was the desire and ability of the two year groups to support each other, the shared humour and competition of evening quizzes, tour courts, and coach-trip karaoke an absolute joy to watch.

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CLAREMONT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

YEAR 9 LIVING RAINFOREST TRIP Year 9 geographers explored tropical rainforest biodiversity, learning about animal adaptations and plant survival, and enjoyed experiencing the magic of the rainforest without leaving the UK.

YEAR 9 TRIP TO THE V&A AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Year 9 photographers enjoyed a visit to the V&A and Natural History Museum, exploring new techniques and drawing inspiration for their Art & Design projects.

A LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE TRIP On 7 November, our A level computer science students visited Computer Science in Action in London, exploring AI, cloud computing, computer vision, and tech ethics, and gaining fresh insight into the future of technology.

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MODEL UNITED NATIONS Year 10 and Year 12 pupils attended the Model United Nations at RGS Guildford, taking part in debates that developed their diplomacy, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.

SOME OF THIS HALF TERM’S TRIPS AND ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES Poppy Factory – Enrichment trip Morocco – Sixth Form Rome – GCSE Latin and classical civilisation Berlin – GCSE history Lake Garda – Rugby tour V&A and Natural History Museum – GCSE art and design English & Media Centre Annual Conference – A level English Living Rainforest – GCSE Geography The Stoop: Harlequins vs Saracens – Sport Model United Nations – Debating Computer Science in Action – A level computer science 12

HOUSE NEWS

BANANAGRAMS

HOUSE COMPETITIONS CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATING

CHRISTMAS CARD MAKING

HOUSE DANCE

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MOTTE AND BAILEY

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ART COMPETITION WINNER

YEAR 9 BUSINESS ENTERPRISE STALLS

We are delighted to announce that Thea D has been selected as one of this year’s winners of the International Spirited Arts Competition. This is an exceptional achievement, particularly given the thousands of entries submitted from around the world.

Thea produced her winning piece while in Year 7, an outstanding milestone for both her and the school.

During the week of 17 November, the business department hosted its annual enterprise stalls week.

Our Year 9 GCSE Business students have been learning about enterprise this term and worked hard on a project to develop their own business ideas. Their creative stalls featured a range of products, including donuts, popcorn and fidget toys. We are delighted to share that, with the addition of fundraising for STEM4, the pupils raised an impressive £491.33 for their chosen charities. This achievement reflects the hard work, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit of our students and a huge well done to everyone involved.

CLAREMONT’S CAKE AT BREAK WINNERS The Claremont cake is awarded weekly in recognition of pupils who go the extra mile, both in the classroom and beyond.

Congratulations to those who have been celebrated this half term including: Lacrosse teams: Our first, second, third, and fourth teams all achieved excellent results at the Senior County Tournament.

Senior maths challenge: Sixth form students took part in this nationally recognised exam, showcasing their problem-solving, reasoning, and logical thinking skills.

Admissions day buddies: Pupils welcomed prospective Years 8, 9, and 10 pupils, giving them a “day in the life” experience at Claremont.

Year 9 citizenship: Pupils worked hard to support the Stem4 charity, organising a highly successful fundraising event.

Year 11 house captains: They dedicated their Saturday to running six stalls at the Christmas Fair, raising £775 for the school community.

Sixth form sleepout for Rentstart: Thirteen students and two teachers slept outdoors at Esher Rugby Club, raising funds for local charity Rentstart.

Singing at Princess Alice Hospice: Pupils devoted their Sunday afternoon to performing at the Light Up a Life memorial event, singing with exceptional commitment and talent.

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CLAREMONT’S SIXTH FORM presents

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CO-CURRICULAR LIFE TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH CLUB TIMETABLES AND THE FULL PROGRAMME PARENTS CAN ACCESS CO-CURRICULAR INFORMATION VIA THE PARENT PORTAL.

CHRISTMAS TUNES: STRING AND JAZZ ENSEMBLE

JOHN MUIR CLUB BEE KEEPING On Thursday 13 November, Year 7 and Year 8 pupils who are in the John Muir Club enjoyed an educational visit to our school beehives with Mark Gale from BeesMax. Dressed in full beekeeping suits, pupils explored the hives, learned about bee behaviour and honey production, and used the bee smoker to safely view the frames.

They also had the chance to collect and taste fresh honeycomb, making for a truly sweet experience!

FINN’S DJ SET On Friday 21 November, Finn in Year 13 transformed the JGC into an exciting lunchtime hub as he led DJ Club. He introduced the fundamentals of mixing, supported pupils as they created their own mini sets, and filled the space with music, energy, and plenty of future DJ talent.

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SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Click here to view all of this term’s sport

U15 COUNTY LACROSSE TOURNAMENT Claremont were proud to host the U15 Surrey County Tournament for a fantastic day of competitive lacrosse.

It was a tough but enjoyable day for our U15s, who showed amazing effort and teamwork throughout. Our B Team achieved an impressive 3rd place finish, and our A Team finished 5th overall! Congratulations to St Catherine’s, who took home the wins in both divisions!

Well done to all players for a brilliant display of commitment, resilience, and true Claremont spirit!

U15 RUGBY SQUAD MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN The U15A side preserved their unbeaten record in a hardfought match against CLFS, who offered the strongest challenge of the term amid difficult weather conditions.

Playing uphill into wind and rain in the first half proved a smart tactical decision, keeping the game balanced at the interval before Claremont took control.

Tries came from Lucas, Max, Ed and Archie, with Eden adding two conversions and managing the kicking game effectively.

Strong performances across the team included Ed’s powerful carries and Hector’s outstanding defensive work, while Max earned player of the match for his decisive, dynamic running.

OUTSTANDING GYMNASTICS RESULTS At the ISGA 2-Piece Gymnastics Competition, our teams delivered excellent performances across the board. The U13 team placed 5th overall, with Imogen securing an outstanding 2nd place individually. The U15 team achieved a strong 3rd place finish, and Ellie performed brilliantly to take 4th individually. A fantastic set of results, well done to all our 11gymnasts!

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SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

U16 SECURE HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY

Jinny P delivered an exceptional performance at the European Championships, securing two bronze medals. She achieved third place in her specialist category and third overall in the Open, competing in an older age group despite battling a cold. Jinny’s determination and talent were clearly evident throughout the competition.

The U16 rugby team claimed a well-deserved victory in their penultimate match of the season. Two crucial tries, scored by Alex T and Hugo, secured the win, with Chester adding both conversions. The forward pack delivered a series of strong performances, with Seb W named player of the match, and Alfie, Alex T, Hugo and Rafferty working tirelessly throughout. The defence was resolute, highlighted by a try-saving tackle from Leo that maintained the two-score margin when St James were pressing. The team’s determination and effort were evident in their smiles at the final whistle, reflecting a hard-earned and memorable victory.

CELEBRATING GRETA’S TENNIS SUCCESS Claremont celebrated Greta B’s outstanding sporting achievements in tennis recently. Competing in her first international event, Greta finished second in her group, an impressive feat given the winner was a GB Top 10 player a year older. She showed remarkable resilience, including a comeback win against one of Ireland’s top players, and reached her first national final in the U11 G2 category. Greta returned to school inspired and more passionate than ever about the sport.

WE HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING THE CHARACTER QUALITY OF ENDEAVOUR, AND GRETA’S RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS COULD NOT HAVE EMBODIED IT MORE CLEARLY. SHE HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE RESILIENCE, DETERMINATION, AND A REAL DRIVE TO PUSH HERSELF, EVEN IN THE MOST CHALLENGING MOMENTS ON COURT. HER POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING HAVE BEEN TRULY INSPIRING, AND ALL OF RADNOR HOUSE HAVE BEEN CHEERING HER ON EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

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SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS RUGBY 1ST XV SEASON FINALE VICTORY The 1st XV concluded their season in excellent fashion with a well earned 19 to 12 victory against Dunottar in the end of season finale. The team showed great determination and quality throughout the match. Congratulations go to Josh H for an outstanding performance, with two superb tries. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to our departing Year 13 students, whose commitment and leadership have made this season one of the most memorable in recent years.

HOUSE LACROSSE AND HOUSE RUGBY

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