Issue 44 • May 2020 • Record of Lent Term 2020
THE
OCELLUS From the Headmaster
Watching old films has been on the increase these last weeks and, looking over some films lists, I was struck by the fascination the film industry has shown over the years with schools and school life. From Goodbye Mr Chips to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, via Billy Bunter and his closely guarded tuck boxes, St Trinian’s and The School of Rock. One very successful school film, made in the late ‘80s, and starring the late, great Robin Williams, was Dead Poets Society. It centred on an exclusive and conservative school in New England, and the arrival of Mr Keating - a somewhat avant-garde new English teacher. The title announces the main theme of the film, the teacher’s effort to inspire the pupils through poetry and to convince them it has the power to unlock their best qualities: their selfawareness, their individuality, their courage, their creativity. One memorable phrase from the film comes from the Odes of the Roman poet Horace – carpe diem, seize the day. Keating tells his pupils, ‘Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary’ - which is officially the 95th greatest movie quote of all time! American poets feature too, of course, including Robert Frost and his poem The Road Not Taken. It has a similar idea, of the decision to take a road ‘less travelled by’, to be true to oneself, to tread one’s own path. What I think the film does not make fully clear is precisely why poetry can have this power. For that I think we can turn to Alan Bennett and The History Boys. Discussing poetry with a pupil, the teacher says, ‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought was special to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.’ Poems do not always seem an accessible genre to school pupils, probably because sometimes their message can appear obscure. Sometimes the themes themselves do not seem to reflect their interests. But it is precisely that initial inaccessibility that makes them worth the effort. They are meant to be evocative, to stir up something inside us, an unfelt emotion, a new idea, a realisation. Dead Poets Society was set in the ‘50s, and the school was one that favoured teaching to systems, and honouring established values. We live in a different time, where schools are less regimented, and individual expression has more currency. But the film has a timeless message, about the power of poetry to raise our spirits and to help us to look at things in a different way. As I think about it, The School of Rock is basically the same film, albeit with more comedy, and 1 replacing poetry with Rock music. But I do not think it has such a moving final scene!
Academic Contents
Page
From the Headmaster 1 Academic 2-7 Junior School 8-14 Charity and Fundraising 15 Sixth Form 16-17 The Arts 18-19 Sport 20-23 Houses 24 Beyond the Classroom 25 AOB 26 From the Chaplain 27 The Grounds 27 The NHS 28 CPFA 28 The Cokethorpe Society 29 Annual Fund 30 Wider Community 30 Archives 31 Tail Feathers 32 ‘Ocellus’ (pronounced ‘oh, sell-us’) refers to the eye in the tail feathers of a peacock.
F1 in Schools Through to the National Championships
Peacock Power, one of two teams the School had entered into the competition, progressed to take part in the F1 in Schools Regional Finals, a fabulous achievement in itself. During the Regional Finals, they had to create a pit lane board display, give a presentation to the panel of judges, complete a marketing portfolio, as well as a design and engineering portfolio, not to mention race the car they had built down a 25m track which includes reaction time. They scored well across the board on all of the technical and design categories, but went one better in the race itself: they had the fastest car, completing the course in an astonishing time of 1.376 seconds. After all the points were totted up, the team finished an incredible second place and thereby qualified for the National Championships! These were due to be held in Bristol in April, so we can only but wonder where their racing pedigree may have taken them on the national stage. Very well done to the Peacock Power team.
Front Page Photo: Staff give pupils a rousing welcome as they arrive at School on the final day before lockdown
Classics Trip to King's College London
On Wednesday 26 February, the Sixth Form Classical Civilisation students attended the annual ancient Greek play produced by King’s College London. This year it was a combination of Aristophanes’ Frogs and The Bacchae by Euripides - two plays dealing with the god Dionysus, and both on the A Level syllabus. What makes the KCL play unique is the fact that it is largely performed in the original ancient Greek (with surtitles, of course). This allows the students to hear the rhythmic and melodic qualities of the verse, and to gain some sense of what a performance would have looked and sounded like in its original context. Both plays provided plenty of food for thought and discussion afterwards, and gave the students a new perspective on the texts.
Classical Latin Conference
On Thursday 13 February, our Sixth Form Classicists attended the A Level Latin Conference held at Dr Challoner’s High School. Along with fellow Classicists from other local schools, our students were treated to four lectures by leading academics from the University of Oxford on their prescribed set texts. A particular highlight was Dr Matthew Robinson’s illuminating analysis of Virgil’s Aeneid 11 as surprising as it is subversive, especially when one sets it within a ‘franchise’ of myths à la Marvel Universe – although written in the 1st century BCE, there are just as many crossovers, fan theories and ‘Easter eggs’ left by the director (or poet, in this case) for avid readers to spot in the original Latin and in translation.
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Sixth Form DT Trip to JSP Witney
The Design and Technology Sixth Formers had the opportunity to take a tour of JSP, a large PPE manufacturing company near Minster Lovell. Mr White and Mr Johnson accompanied the group, visiting the Design and Development Department and state of the art injection moulding facilities. It was highly informative and helped to put DT theory work into context. As a world-renowned supplier of safety equipment their testing department was a highlight of the tour and students were able to see first-hand the destructive and non-destructive testing of safety glasses and hard hats. The students were also delighted to be able to take away some samples of the equipment. The DT Department is very grateful to JSP for enabling the trip to take place and making the group so welcome.
Sociology Conference
'The Upper Sixth Sociologists were lucky enough to attend an entertaining, yet informative Sociology Conference held by University College London. There was a wide selection of different talks ranging from discussions of culture and identity to the importance of research methods. Important questions were considered such as ‘what actually is British identity?’ and ‘what are the benefits and limitations of quantitative methods of data collection?’. Each of the speakers enthusiastically offered their wisdom on the A Level course. The class was particularly interested in the talk held by Professor Paul Gilroy, a prolific Sociologist, who explored the concept of ethnic identity and ‘neighbourhood nationality’. The absorbing talks were followed by a highly engaging question and answer session. This trip proved to be an enriching experience.' Abbey Malin (Upper Sixth, Feilden)
Academic Gifted and Talented Conference
Mr Rudge and Dr Harrison took the Fourth Form and Lower Sixth Scholars to a fascinating day of lectures at Oxford Town Hall. The conference was designed to expose pupils to ways of thinking that sought to connect their various academic disciplines into an intellectual framework that encourages the exploration of ideas.
Second Form Art Trip to Swindon Steam Museum
On Tuesday 14 January, the Art Department took the whole of the Second Form to the Swindon Steam Museum. The trip served as inspiration for the Lent Term project entitled ‘Industrial Close Ups’. The pupils were set the task of taking a variety of artistic photographs of the locomotives, displays and other exhibits. Pupils then had the opportunity to draw their favourite area close-up. The trip was a huge success and every pupil now has a collection of images that they can work from and develop back in the Art Department.
The Cokethorpe Scholars first enjoyed a lecture that explored how philosophers have approached the gap between the world as it might be and how we perceive it, before a lively lecture on Shakespeare and how his work encapsulates the different elements of human nature. The final lecture before lunch was a fascinating exploration of the scientific research on human happiness. In the afternoon, a lecture on the nature of love demonstrated how our understanding of love has been shaped by the work of Classical philosophers. The conference finished with a debate on the importance of a healthy mind. It was an enlightening and challenging day which introduced complex and nuanced ideas. Most importantly, it explored the ways in which ideas from different subjects can be tied together into a coherent approach to a wide range of issues.
Latin Trip to the Troy Exhibition at the British Museum
On Friday 7 Feburary, Third and Fourth Form Latin pupils visited the ‘Troy: Myth or Reality’ exhibition at the British Museum. Pupils have been studying the myth of Troy in class so this was an excellent opportunity for them to explore the topic further. The exhibition looked at how the myth has been interpreted throughout history and how this may reflect changes in society, as well as the archaeological evidence for the existence of Troy. Pupils were also able to discover other classical artefacts in the permanent collection, such as the Parthenon marbles.
Third Form Trip to Hindu Temple
Hinduism is one of the most popular of all the religions we study here at Cokethorpe. It really is a multi-sensory religion, engaging pupils in all five of their senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. The annual trip to the Hindu Temple at Neasden gave all Third Form pupils the chance to experience Hindu worship for themselves. We attended the daily arti ceremony, sitting mesmerised as the candle flames were wafted around us to the sound of ancient Sanskrit chanting. Each group then went in turn to explore the museum, the shop (lots of henna and incense) and the beautiful prayer hall. Many pupils were able to separate out from their friends and spend time alone thinking, reflecting and just ‘being’. This was an enchanting visit which opened eyes and will leave lasting memories of peace and stillness.
Fifth Form DT NEA Workshop Session
On Tuesday 27 February and Wednesday 28 February, the Design and Technology Fifth Form pupils were given the opportunity to have a full day's access to the DT workshop to complete the practical part of their NEA. This enabled them to complete tasks that take longer that a lesson to complete, working more efficiently in the process. With the largest cohort ever to undertake the GCSE it was extremely busy and exciting. The pupils had been tasked to design and make a working prototype product, influenced by the need for sustainability in our consumer society. The range of outcomes demonstrates the creative and problemsolving capabilities of the pupils – from solar powered children’s nightlights to water powered phone chargers for remote locations. The DT Department were delighted with the outcomes and hosted an impromptu exhibition to celebrate the pupils dedication and handiwork just before School closed. We wish them all the very best as they await results in the summer.
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Academic Maths Explore Learning Competition
On Thursday 16 January, I took four pupils to Round Two of the Explore Learning Maths competition. This round followed a workshop held at the School where four pupils were chosen to participate in the next team round. The team consisted of two First Form pupils: Luke Taylor (First Form, Swift) and Emma Campbell (First Form, Vanbrugh) and two Second Form pupils: Rosie Burfield (Second Form, Harcourt) and Nathan Robertson (Second Form, Feilden). The team worked well together tackling a tricky problem which involved using rods to create odd and even areas. The competition culminated in the team having to present their findings to the organisers, which they did with impressive confidence and clarity. We await the result of the competition.'
English Trip to the British Museum
'On Tuesday 4 February, Lower Sixth English Language and Literature A Level students made our way down to London to visit the British Museum. Studying Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly, we had the task of finding various related artefacts to inspire our creative writing pieces for our coursework. We visited a variety of interesting displays such as the Ancient Egyptian Room, which altogether holds a collection of over 140 mummies. We also went to the Troy Exhibition, a place where we could examine the enthralling archaeological evidence to prove that Troy existed, in which the pieces displayed the facts behind the mythical stories. We ended our visit in the China Room which presented important parts of the history of China from 5000 BCE to today, showing the iconic porcelain and delicate handscrolls from magnificent tomb figures. After a day of collecting information about numerous gothic-related relics, we headed back feeling enlightened and interested, now having key ideas and themes about the gothic era which we will incorporate into our coursework.' Adela Wilson (Lower Sixth, Feilden)
Holocaust Survivor Talk
Academic Scholars First Form Archie Clarke (Clarke)
Second Form Archie Wilkinson (Clarke) Simran Panesar (Academic and Art Award Holder) Caellum Sharp (Academic and Music Award Holder) Third Form Flo Adepoju (Allen) Aoife Kirkham (Clarke, Trevis and DT Award Holder) Amy Goodgame (Academic and Art Award Holder) Rachael Elliott (Academic) Fourth Form Millie Pratley (Allen, Academic and Music Award Holder) Jamie Wehrle (Clarke, Academic and Drama Award Holder) Claudia Woods-Cano (Academic) Lucas Bennett (Academic, DT Award Holder) Fifth Form Alexander Brown (Trevis, Academic and DT Award Holder) Jossy Brown (Academic) Lucas Goodgame (Academic) Ciara McCarthy (Academic and Art Award Holder) Emily Mumford (Clarke, Academic) Harrison Procter (Allen, Academic and Music Award Holder) Zoë Smith (Academic)
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'On Friday 28 February, Kenneth and Beulah Appel visited Cokethorpe. Kenneth gave presentations to our Fifth Form pupils and Sixth Form students about his early life growing up as a Jew in Bonn, Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. Kenneth’s story was deeply moving, as he described and explained how he and his family were subjected to increasing persecution through the policies of the Nazi regime, and their implementation by ordinary Germans and those in authority including Kenneth’s school teachers. After the awful events of Kristallnacht in 1938, Kenneth’s mother applied for him to travel to the UK through the Kinder Transport scheme. He eventually arrived here in 1939, and was fostered by a family in London. He went on to have a highly successful career as an optometrist, meeting Beulah and having five children and many grandchildren along the way. In recent years, and with Beulah’s support, Kenneth has been telling his story to groups of all ages. Our GCSE and A Level pupils commented that learning about the Holocaust in the classroom is important, but that hearing first-hand from a survivor brought the enormity of it home to them in a deeper and more emotional way. Kenneth and Beulah left a lasting impression on everyone they met and spoke to, and it was a privilege for staff and pupils to have spent time with them.’ Mr Carter
Model United Nations
'On Saturday 29 February and Sunday 1 March, six Sixth Form students attended the Model United Nations Conference held at Magdalen College School. Representing Vietnam, they each took part in a series of debates on global issues. All six delegates contributed very effectively but special mention must go to Katie Procter (Upper Sixth, Feilden) who received a highly commended award for her work in the International Court of Justice. The conference was opened with a speech from Professor Eugene Rogan, a world-renowned scholar on the Middle East and we were privileged to hear him speak about his hopes and analysis of recent events in the region. It was a thought-provoking start to the weekend, but also an inspiring one, and I know all of our Cokethorpe delegation enjoyed the intellectual demands of diplomacy and world affairs that the conference demanded.' Mr Rudge
Academic Scholars' Dinner
'As I write this during the current lockdown, I am reminded how fortunate we were to gather for the Scholars' Dinner shortly before normal life was suspended. I am also reminded how fortunate we are at Cokethorpe to have such a fine group of Scholars whose achievements we celebrated at the annual Dinner. It has been a busy year for our Scholars and the Dinner is an opportunity to reflect on their efforts. We could look back on the excellence on display during the Scholars' Exhibition evening in November, the hard work and courage many of our Upper Sixth Scholars put into their Oxbridge, Medicine and Veterinary Science applications, as well as the weekly work of the Scholars’ AOB and the more recent visit to the Gifted and Talented Conference in Oxford this term. They have accomplished a great deal and they should be proud of what they have achieved. This year we saw some of our Sixth Form Scholars taking on many of the speeches during the evening and my thanks go to Katie Procter (Upper Sixth, Feilden), Jinda Sancar (Upper Sixth, Queen Anne), Mae Topley (Lower Sixth, Harcourt) and Barney Bolton (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) for speaking so impressively. My particular thanks go to our speaker, Dr St John Parker, who spoke so eloquently. It was a wonderful evening, not just an opportunity for our Scholars to be celebrated but also an opportunity for conversation amongst the Scholars, their parents and their guests in a delightfully convivial setting. My thanks go to those in the Foundation Office and the Catering Team who delivered such a fantastic setting, fine food and worked so hard on the evening to make it a success.' Mr Rudge
Intermediate Maths Challenge Results Fifth Form
Gold Harrison Procter - Best in Fifth Form, Jenny Allen Freddie Beaumont Jossy Brown Khadija Karrouchi Qualifies for Pink Kangaroo Round Harrison Procter Jenny Allen Freddie Beaumont Jossy Brown Khadija Karrouchi Silver Fabian May Ciara McCarthy Tony Nguyen Joe Ponsford Bronze Millie Knight Maddie May Jamie Minns Lucia Scott Fourth Form Gold Jamie Wehrle - Best in School, Best in Fourth Form Qualifies for Pink Kangaroo Round Jamie Wehrle Silver Charlotte Kemp Ben Orton Yichao Sun Bronze Gemma Croker Millie Pratley Third Form Silver Nathan Taylor - Best in Third Form
Second Form F1 in Schools
The pupils involved in this event have attended the F1 in Schools AOB designing their car, completing a portfolio, designing a pit display and producing a presentation for the judges. I personally am immensely proud of everything they have achieved. The team impressed the judges with their knowledge of engineering, showing an impressive amount of commitment, determination and team work. Having only started to use the CAD program a few weeks prior to this, the team designed a particularly impressive car which shows a huge amount of potential to be very quick in the future. During the competition the cars are propelled using a CO2 canister down a 25m track taking into account the drivers reaction time, unfortunately they did not have the quickest car on this occasion but have learnt a huge amount that will see them in good stead for future competitions.' Mrs Brown
Bronze Florence Adepoju Alexander Brazier Rafi Layish Narian Madar Freddie Murfitt Max Quartley
F1 in Schools Team Tye Hickey Tom Wall James Harris Qihao Sun Nicolas Woods-Cano George Keates Seb Tattersall Eddie Hawes Harry Kendall Finley Gregory-Newman Abigail Donald
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Academic Canada Leadership Exchange
'When I first started packing for my Canadian expedition, the first thoughts were: 'How cold will it be?' 'Will I run into any moose? And how many times will I hear the name Justin Bieber mentioned in the same sentence as "he’s so dreamy"?'. After touching down on Canadian soil a number of days later, I felt an uplifting sense of optimism race through my mind... it was either that or the jetlag had already hit. After zipping up my Colombia parka (Tog 164), Molly Cockin (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) and I disembarked the plane. Whatever one’s preconceptions of a Canadian high school may be - the endless rows of lockers, long corridors and a zany sport’s slogan like ‘Go Wildcats’ they were all met, except for the last one of course... a wildcat not being their mascot. As I raced to Derek’s (my exchange student) first lesson for the day, which happened to be Spanish class, the Mission Impossible music played as we got closer to the doorway which was actually being broadcast throughout the corridor, heralding the start of a new day. Lessons at TMS (Toronto Montessori School) were enjoyable and engaging, and it did not take long for the topic of Brexit to come up in Economics class. The lessons we attended were varied; while in the mornings we were learning about DNA and its double helix structure, we experimented with literary techniques, such as semantic fields, at the end of the day in writers craft. On Friday, we experienced the majesty of rural Canada when we visited Niagara Falls. I was taken aback by the sight of the cascading water and the cold vapour which soon convinced us to retreat inside. On Sunday we took the metro to downtown Toronto. While at the top of the CN tower we took in a panoramic view of the beautiful city. Following this, Molly and I took the opportunity to try Poutine. The Leadership Conference on Saturday had much in store for us both, and we met other students from schools across Canada who were all keen to demonstrate their skills in leadership in the various activities set up for the day, all of which centred around the question ‘What makes effective leadership?’. During our time in Canada we were able to gain unique insight into what school life is like in Toronto, how lessons are conducted and most importantly, how students at TMS demonstrate leadership in many different capacities. The weekly board meetings, monthly conferences and student-led assemblies all prove the School is an all-inclusive community. Overall, the exchange offered a phenomenal opportunity to embrace the sense of community and diversity of Toronto both within the school walls, and outside of them.' Louis Rawlinson (Upper Sixth, Harcourt)
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Canada Leadership Exchange
'We visited TMS (Toronto Montessori School) as part of the Leadership Exchange, a wonderful community of diverse ethnicities. The school's unique approach to education enabled us to take part in a range of subjects, from English and Maths to Biochemistry and Spanish. Their innovative way of running their school council also meant that we got to help organise one of their school activities - a western-themed afternoon where their school prefects and leaders organise events for the for the whole School to take part in.
Although we enjoyed going to school each day, we were also fortunate enough to visit Niagara Falls, a visual spectre of such magnitude no photo could ever fully capture the size and sound of the Falls. Not only did we learn that America and Canada share this gem, but that many 'brave' people have tumbled off the falls in a wooden barrel! But, of course, the Canadian Falls are the best.
On Saturday, we attended a leadership conference held at TMS, where we met even more peers. The day involved a series of talks led by students including how to lead a community and how to encourage school spirit. We both enjoyed meeting people from other schools, providing us with the opportunity to discuss leadership and future prospects. A favourite of ours was visiting downtown Toronto, where the view from the CN tower was a pictorial vision. Without a doubt Poutine became our favourite and most delicious delicacy (essentially cheesy chips and gravy). The exchange was a new and exciting opportunity for us to put ourselves out of our comfort zone and experience a new culture and educational style. Despite the jetlag, every second we spent in Toronto provided us with new experiences and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. We have both made friends for life, and we hope to stay in contact with the kind and wonderful people we made connections with in Canada.' Molly Cockin (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh)
History Trip to London
'The History Department took the First Form to London on Tuesday 14 January to visit the Tower of London as part of their work on the Norman Conquest. They enjoyed a tour of the Tower and also viewed both the crown jewels and the weaponry and armour displayed in the White Tower. The visit brought their studies to life, taking in re-enactments of royal government as well as a chance to try out simulations of medieval weaponry. The day also included a boat cruise along the Thames to Westminster which took in many of the major landmarks of London, from Cleopatra’s Needle to the House of Commons. It was a great opportunity to see the way that history has shaped London with historical landmarks sitting cheek by jowl with more modern construction. It also gave the First Form an appreciation of how the Normans have left their mark on the city, bringing context to their academic work in the classroom.' Mr Rudge
Academic Remote Learning in the Senior School
The remote learning provision began on Monday 23 March, with nine-and-a-half days of term completed away from the School site. Below are just some of the plethora of examples of the Cokethorpe community's ready adaption to remote learning.
It is time for @CKP_Maths 'Weekly Maths Challenge' number four. Answer at the bottom of the page!
Cokethorpe Languages @quizlet from home done and succeeded! Proud of you #CokethorpeThirdForm #TeachFromHome What a fabulous challenge! @KenilworthBook Fox face Come on @CokethorpeSch let's write about the beautiful Red Fox too...What is your fox like? @CKP_English @CKP_JnrEnglish
Sketching, comparing, observing, looking at negative space. It’s all about spherical objects in Art today with #CokethorpeThirdForm Eggcellent homework from the #CokethorpeFirstForm who were challenged to design fun and inventive egg cups.
The #CokethorpeThirdForm have been tackling #Trigonometry in their #remotelearning lessons this morning. Not only that but their cruel teacher has combined it with #Pythagoras too! No sweat for pupils with #CokethorpeCourage.
Remote Learning
'As prospects began to mount of a School closure, the staff at Cokethorpe jumped into action to prepare to teach pupils remotely from home. Over the course of three days before the closure, all Senior staff had training on how to use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft OneNote to set up a lesson. The main principle was to make a lesson at home as similar to the experience in the classroom. As such staff were taught how to use OneNote as a whiteboard, and present their lesson, while being able to narrate over it. They were shown how to allow pupils to contribute verbally, and some departments such as Art and Science talked through how to do a demonstration by preparing a video in advance. Many staff ran test lessons while the School was still open, trialling the system and refining their approach, meaning that on Monday 23 March they were confident enough to deliver lessons thoroughly and effectively. Following success with the Senior School, the Junior School had their training over the Easter break to implement remote lessons when they returned for Summer Term. Pupils and staff across the School have been very adaptable to the new system and, while it is not the full experience everyone enjoys within the classroom, it is a good enough approximation to keep pupils making progress. As the weeks have gone on, staff have continued with training to add functionality to their lessons, in terms of more in depth use of OneNote and Teams. Similarly, as pupils have become more familiar with the platform, they have become more adept, with some year groups even sitting assessments remotely. We are already looking towards when we return to School, and ensuring that those few benefits that remote teaching have offered above and beyond classroom teachers will be rolled into future use within the normal School operating system, as part of the School’s ICT strategy going forwards.' Mr Ladell Stuart
Lent Term Academic Tweets One of the #CokethorpeMusic classrooms for the next few weeks! Music dept ready for our first lessons on @MicrosoftTeams this morning! #ThisIsMyCokethorpe
Today has been surreal - but I am very proud of my colleagues @CokethorpeSch for embracing a new approach with such enthusiasm, patience and good humour. I’m very proud of our pupils, too. This isn’t how we want it to be, but we’ll make the most of it! Looking forward to ‘welcoming back’ pupils tomorrow morning. I wish it were different, but we must play the hand we are dealt. My colleagues will continue to deliver #remotelearning, building on the excellent work of last term. Good luck!
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Junior School Junior School RULER Parent Workshop
Junior School parents were invited to an insightful workshop by Lulu Luckock, who is a RULER trainer and has been working with the Junior School to develop a programme to explicitly teach emotional intelligence. A researchedbased programme from Yale University, RULER stands for Recognising, Understanding, Labelling, Expressing and Regulating emotions. As Lulu explained, it helps to ‘name it to tame it’. In this session, parents discussed the value of class charters and whether or not the same principles could work at home. They were given insight into the ‘mood meter’, a tool we use in the classroom for children to register their emotions throughout the day, and for teachers to quickly see how every member of their class is feeling. This can also be used at home and many parents were keen to give the RULER app a try.
Pre-Prep Trip to Oxford Museums
On Tuesday 21 January, the Pre-Prep children went to visit the Oxford Museum of Natural History and The Pitt Rivers Museum to find out more about the topics they are following. In Reception Class the children are learning about dinosaurs, in Year 1 they are investigating the history of toys and in Year 2 the topic is Ice Worlds, which encompasses the life of the Inuit people. It was a truly fascinating visit where the children were able to take part in workshops and lots of hands-on learning. They particularly enjoyed the free time to explore the main museum where they could experience the huge range of exhibits and handle some amazing artefacts. The dinosaur skeletons, the giant starfish and the glow in the dark rocks were especially popular!
Nursery Art Exhibition
This year, the theme for the annual Nursery Art Exhibition was the book Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, with artwork by Axel Scheffler. Children from sixteen local nurseries submitted some 400 pieces of artwork prior to the event, which was judged by our Headmaster. Once again it was a tough decision, with so many wonderfully creative pictures of witches, dragons, cauldrons, cats, dogs, frogs, birds and broomsticks! The winners received book vouchers for themselves and their nursery. On Saturday 29 February, 65 families joined us for a treasure hunt around the School, which ended in the Dining Hall where the artwork was displayed. The children then took part in some Room on the Broom-themed arts and crafts, and enjoyed some squash and cakes, with tea and coffee for the parents. This was a fabulous event enjoyed by all who attended.
Junior School Choir Performance
A lovely afternoon was had by all who attended the Junior Singer's Concert. The young vocal soloists shared what they have been working on in their singing lessons so far this year, with songs from the classical, folk and musical theatre genres, after which the Junior Choir lulled everyone into calm with a beautiful Shetlandic lullaby before getting the audience's toes tapping along to a joyful rendition of Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Both the performers and the audience left the Corinthian Room with smiles on their faces.
Junior School CrossCountry
On Tuesday 11 February, the Junior School team competed in the CrossCountry competition at Chandlings School. In freezing cold conditions and with delayed race times, the group rose to the challenge admirably. Hattie Hunt (Year 6, Gwyn) came 22nd out of 44, Antonio Virk (Year 6, Gwyn) 35th, Giovanni Virk (Year 6, Lockwood) 58th and Josh King (Year 6, Baker) 66th out of 97. All of the team should be proud of themselves for their performance and exemplary behaviour.
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Year 5 Victorian Day
'On Tuesday 11 February, Year 5 were visited by a historian who gave them a glimpse into what life was like during Victorian times. We spent the morning in a 'Victorian school' where we found out just how different it would have been. We discovered what it would have been like to write on chalkboards and learn the '3 Rs'. In the afternoon, we became Victorian engineers. We learnt about some of the amazing developments and inventions of the Victorian age and finally we got into teams and designed and built our own suspension bridges. We tested them using trains and found that some were more successful than others!' Mrs Davis
Junior School Corinthian Partnership Year 5 Reading Day
On Thursday 13 February, 88 Year 6 children from Cokethorpe Junior School, Aston and Cote Primary School, Ducklington Primary School and Combe Primary School spent the day immersed in a carousel of reading activities as part of The Corinthian Partnership initiative.
The children explored language on a watery theme that involved following instructions to cross imaginary seas of ‘piranha infested waters’, performing freeze-frames in their interpretation of poetry in ‘water falling’, examining and creating ‘watery myths’ and exploring the beautiful world of The Wind in the Willows, which was also the theme that the Catering Team brought to life magnificently in the creation of another superb lunch.
Story Time
During the closure of the School site, staff have been busy keeping the School running with children hard at work, working remotely from their homes. Rest assured, the Senior Management Team have been kept busy too... not least reading stories to the Junior School children! Some Sixth Form students have also joined in reading some lovely books for the children to enjoy.
Hayden Camidge (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) reads The Adventures of Pigsley and Rio by Michelle L Wessels
Mrs Black reads The Elephant and the Bad Baby by Elfrida Vipont
World Book Day
To celebrate World Book Day, on Thursday 5 March the Junior School staff and children dressed up as characters from books, fact or fiction. They chose heroes and role models from the past, as well as characters from their class readers and favourite stories. From Amelia Earhart to Mary Poppins, via knights, soldiers, dinosaurs, evacuees and suffragettes, the thought and planning that went into the costumes led to a wonderful and varied parade. Back in the classroom, books were the focus of the day (of course!). Classes were given the challenge of making their own book in a day, and they responded with gusto. Through teamwork and perseverance, they planned, wrote and illustrated, edited and collated until each class produced their own tome. Each was an unique and interesting read, whether a collaborative story, an anthology of poetry, or a history of Cokethorpe School itself. The results were proudly shared in Assembly and placed on display in the Entrance Hall.
Mr Stevens reads The Giant Jam Sandwich by Janet Burroway and John Vernon Lord
James Shaw (Upper Sixth, Harcourt) reads Marvin Wanted More by Joseph Theobald Click here to view the Story Time page, where you can hear all these stories and more, including Mr Ettinger reading The Enormous Turnip, Mr Sheer reading The Wishing Star by M Christina Butler and Mrs Black reading The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle.
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Junior School Audrey McCormick
In December 2019, for the first time ever, the multi award-winning children’s magazine The Week Junior invited children to design the front cover of its festive issue, which was to be delivered to over 70,000 subscribers. Huge congratulations to Audrey McCormick (Year 6, Symonds) in Year 6 who won the competition, judged by Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell and The Week Junior editorial team. What a fantastic accolade! As well as receiving a framed print of her cover, she also won a bundle of books worth £100. The Headmaster was so impressed with the artwork that he requested another copy that is to be displayed in the School for all to see.
La Fête des Rois
'Junior School started 2020 with our annual celebration of La Fête des Rois, a French celebration of Twelfth Night. It reminded the children of how French celebrate Epiphany and gave them the opportunity to taste delicious puff pastry cakes called Galette. Members of Year 6, started the celebrations by reminding the children La Fête des Rois takes place on the first Sunday in January when the galette is eaten. The cake has a small object hidden inside, called une fève and whoever finds the ‘fève’ will be king or queen for the day and wear a crown. The youngest person at each table calls out who is going to have which piece of cake, so that there is no cheating! We had sixteen Kings and Queens at our family celebration and enjoyed our delicious galette, all carefully prepared for us by our Catering Team.' Mrs Fuchs
Year 4 Drama Corinthian Partnership
Junior School Concert Programme Junior School Orchestra Ode to Joy
Stanley Harris - Trumpet Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Katie Sheldon - Piano Sunset
Junior School Football Report
The Under 10 boys enjoyed a good season, developing their ability to play cohesively as a team and utilising their speed to good effect. One of the features of their play was their ability to make the transition quickly to attack when they won the ball in midfield areas. In addition, their awareness of effective positional play allowed them to regularly have an outlet to spread the play in the opponents’ half. Their strong team ethic meant that they maintained a positive approach in any situation, which facilitated a few exciting games and come-backs.
Maggie West - Voice Dalmatian Cradle Song Katy Stiger - Oboe His Dark Materials Bing Brown - Oboe Men of Harlech
The Under 11 boys grew as a team throughout the season, developing an excellent ethos regardless of the game situation. Many opposition coaches remarked positively on how the boys played as a team, and this spirit saw them achieve many good results. There were many highlights, from stunning long-range goals to occasionally surprising headed goals! The boys should be proud of their efforts and their development throughout the season.
Recorder Group B Really Groovy Stripy Cat Crawl Leo Middleton - Violin Showstopper Hugo Mellor - Violin Song from the Show Alex Monaghan - Cello Calypso Time Millie Cross - Voice Wouldn’t it be Lovely Junior Band Someone You Loved
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On Thursday 12 March, the Drama Department welcomed 86 Year 4 children to the Senior School as part of the ongoing Corinthian Partnership programme. The children participated in a variety of different practical activities exploring Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The day began with the whole group in The Shed in a giant game of Whoosh – a fast-paced, fun-packed drama game that involved every child taking on a role, immersing themselves fully in the text and developing their understanding of the characters and plot. The children then divided into smaller groups and attended different workshops. These explored the style of physical theatre and how it can be used to bring a script to life, another examined the role of the witches where children developed their own characters, learned some Shakespearean text and wrote their own spells. One group looked at the skills of stage fighting and another at how the tale of Macbeth might be dramatised in a contemporary style. It was a hugely successful day with children from different schools working closely and imaginatively together to create some really magical moments and happy memories.
Junior School Pre-Prep Adventures in Forest School
Junior School Netball Report
Our Junior School netballers have thoroughly enjoyed playing this term. Our U11 and U10 girls had the additional benefit of Mrs Kilczynski’s expert coaching helping to develop their spatial awareness and reinforce the importance of timing. The U9 and U10 girls have responded brilliantly to England Netball’s new initiative, Bee Netball, adapting quickly and easily to this simplified version. Playing four-a-side, on a smaller court, with the freedom to use the whole space meant all players were much more actively involved, as well as all being given the opportunity to shoot. 'The U11s have been a joy to coach this term and have shown great maturity by taking responsibility for improving their own gameplay. They identify and work hard on those skills during our training sessions and the match results have been a great reflection of that growth. Their development specifically in their attacking play and shooting has been fantastic.' Miss Elgin Most Improved Player: Hattie Hunt Coaches Player of the Season: Millie Cross 'The U10s have really grown in their understanding of the game - they worked hard on improving their passing accuracy and their versatility by playing in different positions. They approached every game with positivity, despite sometimes playing up an age group or having to adjust quickly to new rules in Bee Netball. They also have a lot of character and are good fun.' Miss Gardiner
Junior School Concert
'The Junior School Concert took place in the Corinthian Room and opened with the Orchestra performing an arrangement of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. The Orchestra worked very hard on their ensemble listening skills over the Lent Term and, as such, were able to give a strong performance of the piece. They showcased their ability to play at different dynamic levels with some louder sections for the full orchestra and quieter sections for the woodwind and strings. The Orchestra should be very proud of all they have achieved so far this year, they are making a really impressive sound. The audience were then treated to a wonderful variety of performances from the talented instrumentalists and singers of the Junior School. These included several fantastic solos from string, brass and woodwind players as well as an impressive Year 3 recorder ensemble and highlights from the recent Singers' Concert. The Junior Band concluded proceedings with a specially composed song created for the occasion by our Year 6 children.' Mrs Du Feu
Most Improved Player: Sophie GrenvilleJones Coaches Player(s) of the Season: Isobella Clarke, Merryn Tattersall and Luella Hickey 'The U9s are a very spirited and competitive bunch, I have been continuously impressed by their positivity and enthusiasm. The highlight of the season was their final match against Kitebrook, which they won 8-2. It was a proud moment watching them passing the ball with so much confidence and shooting with such fabulous technique. It reflected the progress they have made but also the potential they have.' Mrs Lewis Most improved player: Izzy Filo Coaches Player(s) of season: Molly Harding and Sienna Timms 'The U8s have just been introduced to their first term of Bee Netball. Playing four-a-side on a smaller court, with no allocated positions has been such a huge success. The girls have experienced much more ball handling, court play and opportunities to shoot.' Mrs Topley Most Improved Player: Amy Lukama Coaches Player of the Season: Scarlett Gould
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Junior School Remote Learning Junior School Arts
I just love how resourceful CKP_Year3 have been creating their colour wheels and warm and cool colour blends today! CKP_Reception had a live 'How to Draw' sea creatures lesson, CKP_Year3 created a 3D colour-wheel from their toys and CKP_Year2 produced a 'Rainforest' photo shoot
Year 6 Mexicolore Workshop
On Monday 16 March the whole of Year 6 took part in the Mexicolore workshop, to give them an insight into what life was like in the Aztec era. The class entered the Corinthian Room to a throbbing drumbeat, culminating in a loud blast on a conch shell! The presenters from Mexicolore created a wonderful display of artefacts including ancient texts, musical instruments and an Aztec Sun Stone which depicts the five consecutive worlds of the sun from Aztec mythology. All of the children had the opportunity to dress up in authentic Aztec style clothing and play different instruments, including one wind instrument which worked with water movement. There was a re-enactment of a Mesoamerican game that was played by many people, including the Mayans, which involved manoeuvring a heavy ball of rubber into a hoop attached high on a wall. The children were delighted to discover that the Aztecs discovered xocolatl, and that they treasured cocoa beans so much they used them as currency! The Mexicolore presenters always impress with their enthusiasm, knowledge and humour, and another action-packed and informative morning was enjoyed by all.
Sing Up Day
The Junior School were excited to celebrate and demonstrate the power of music as they gathered in the Corinthian Room to create the special video performance for Sing Up Day 2020. Conducted by Mrs Du Feu and assisted by Mr Lewis and Mr Mullen, the uplifting song (composed by Lin Marsh), There’s a Power in the Music, proved to be one of the most emotional performances ever given by the Junior School. The soloists did an incredible job with some technically difficult melodies and, combined with the whole School singing the rousing chorus, the result was both moving and inspirational.
Year 2 Antarctica Talk
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On Monday 2 March, Peter Fuchs, father of the Junior School Languages teacher, presented a talk about animals living in the Antarctic to children in Year 2. Mr Fuchs, son of Antarctic explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs, took a postgraduate course in New Zealand about sixteen years ago which included fieldwork in the Antarctic. He came to the School dressed in the clothing that he wore and the equipment that he took with him on the trip. He also gave a slideshow presentation, which included a photo of his father on the expedition he led: the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955–1958. Mr Fuchs was able to compare the clothing and equipment he used, with that of his father and more modern equipment. The Trans-Antarctic Expedition successfully completed the first overland crossing of Antarctica, via the South Pole. It was the first expedition to reach the South Pole overland for 46 years, preceded only by Amundsen's expedition and Scott's expedition in 1911 and 1912 which the Year 2 children have been learning about in their classes. British explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs led the expedition with New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary leading the New Zealand Ross Sea Support team. Mr Fuchs showed Year 2 photos of the different types of animals in the Arctic and Antarctic, and explained the difference between the two landscapes. The children also asked lots of pertinent questions and thoroughly enjoyed this presentation, from a truly inspirational man.
Junior School Remote Learning Junior School Sports Here are some of the ways Junior School children have been keeping up with their sports during lockdown!
Sponsored Walk
'On Tuesday 3 March, the ground underfoot may have been wet, but the Twenty Twenty Walk took place on a sunny afternoon. The Head of Junior School, Mrs Black, set the children off. They were delighted to find a Twin Town 2020 car, (a purple and white striped taxi), parked up at the start! All of the children, from the Reception Class to Year 6, took on the challenge with gusto. It was great fun, with many children and staff wearing French-themed colours and outfits, linking with the Twin Town 2020 theme. There were lots of stripes and berets, 2020 glasses and head bands, and even a few baguettes! The route followed a circuit of three kilometres, with each child collecting a sticker at the half-kilometre checkpoints. Many of the older children ran the circuit, with several of them completing four laps! 1319 stickers were awarded and 659.5 km was covered. The approximate distance to Le Touquet is 350km, so we could have easily reached France! Thank you to all the walkers, their sponsors and everyone who helped with the checkpoints and the organisation of the event. This year our chosen charity is Special Effect. Witney is twinned with Le Touquet in France and this year is the Twin Town 2020 fun car rally. The rally is also raising money for Special Effect. Special Effect is a local charity dedicated to helping all young people with disabilities to enjoy computer technology. For these children, the majority of computers are simply too quick or too difficult to use, and Special Effect can help adapt technology to make it more easily accessible. The charity has visited the School to talk to the children in a recent assembly, whilst bringing along a desktop robot to show them.' Mrs Marchbank
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Junior School Remote Learning in the Junior School
'Conscious of an impending temporary closure due to Covid-19, the Junior School Management Team had been strategising since February half term. We knew we wanted even our youngest learners to benefit from live lessons in every subject, during which they could be taught new concepts and continue to benefit from the live interactivity with their teachers and enjoy screen connectivity with their friends. Reception Class through to Year 6 are now being taught live lessons via Microsoft Teams with all live lessons recorded to ensure flexibility for families. Quickly, staff were trained to use Teams and, as conscientious as ever, the teachers started to gather resources in order to emulate the creative classroom experience as much as possible. Amidst uncertainty it became certain that schools were shutting; Friday 20 March was an emotional day to say our handshake and hug-less goodbyes. Immediately the slightly adapted remote learning timetables were activated. The Junior School children have astounded us with their adaptability. They have embraced the new methods of learning with such acceptance and buoyant ease. All children from ages four to eleven have demonstrated great maturity and technological prowess. Their punctuality, diligence and etiquette in every online lesson signals their readiness to learn. A huge part of our curriculum is covered by live lessons: daily Maths and English, Science, Topic, Languages, Art, RS, PHSE, Philosophy, Music and Drama. Blessed with beautiful spring weather, children are able to continue Outdoor Learning lessons during which we have seen some splendid installations made from foliage and stones and insects fashioned from leaves and twigs. Always Creative Chameleons in Topic, RS and Art, the children demonstrate great household resourcefulness; for instance sculpting The Last Supper from wood, making sea creatures from cardboard rolls and mapping contours on potatoes. A highlight for the Junior School community are the Friday assemblies; more than 120 join the live Teams event during which children are seen to be singing heartily from their own homes accompanied by Mrs Du Feu on her piano. Every child has been a Resilient Rockhopper this term and we are so proud of them. Amongst the many positives, we intend to keep some of the newfound initiatives and skills in place. Digital learning has been propelled to the fore and paper is seldom wasted.' Mrs James
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Remote Learning in the Junior School
Here are some photos from our social media showing how the Junior School have been participating in lessons in lockdown.
Fundraising and Charity Rowing the Atlantic
Hamish Miller, father to Kitty (Lower Sixth, Swift) and Felix Miller (Fifth Form, Swift) undertook an incredible challenge, rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean for a charity called the Team Margot Foundation. Mr Miller, along with two other dads, embarked on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge which started on Thursday 12 December and finished on Tuesday 21 January, 39 days later. The aim of the expedition was to raise awareness for the Team Margot Foundation and their 'Fourth Rower' Peter who is currently waiting for a donor. The Foundation campaigns for every individual who is eligible to, to register as a stem cell and bone marrow donor. Over 37,000 people worldwide need a bone marrow transplant (also known as a stem cell transplant), but sadly the register of donors is not enough. The Foundation was set up in memory of the incredible, brave little girl called Margot who tragically lost her life aged two years and two months to a rare type of blood cancer. The team said 'each time we row a stroke, we want everyone who is eligible, particularly those of mixed heritage, to register as a stem cell donor. It takes about 1,500,000 oar strokes to row across the Atlantic, we want 1,500,000 people to register as stem cell donors. If we were to achieve this goal, then statistically there would be over 15,000 patients who would get a potentially life saving stem cell transplant.' During the trip, the intrepid rowing team experienced whales, dolphins and sharks 'visiting' the boat, waves over nine metres high and swimming in the mid-Atlantic - 1,500 miles from land.
Oxford Hospitals Charity
Eddie Hawes (Second Form, Queen Anne) helped to organise a fundraising event, including twelve hours of trampolining, to raise money to purchase additional electronic chairs for the Churchill Hospital, inspired by his grandad, Frederick Long. Frederick was diagnosed with cancer of the saliva gland and during his time at the Churchill Blenheim Head and Neck Unit, benefitted from the use of an electronic chair. However, there was only one of these chairs in the ward, and it was so helpful to Frederick that when he left the hospital, he set up a fundraising page with the aim of providing the ward with another chair. Frederick's grandchildren Eddie and Georgia (OC 2017, Swift) wanted to support his fundraising efforts and organised a fundraising day. Eddie and his friends successfully completed twelve hours of non-stop trampolining, even bouncing through the night in the pitch black. His sister Georgia made cakes and jam to sell and also set up a nail bar on the day of the event. Thanks to an amazing effort from the Hawes family and the support of their friends and family, the day was a great success. They raised an incredible £1,970, more than enough to cover the £1,200 cost of a chair. However, a local villager, supported by the generosity of the company that produces the chairs, managed to secure two chairs with the money they raised. Unfortunately Frederick has since passed away, but he will leave a legacy not only to his family and friends, but also to generations of patients to come that will benefit from the electronic chairs he and his grandchildren have been so fundamental in providing.
Catering Team London Winter 10k
On Sunday 9 February, six members of our Catering Team were due to run the London Winter 10k raising money for Cancer Research. Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, the race was cancelled. However that did not stop the determined team comprising Claire, Eileen, Laura, Rosy, Verity and Will from completing their runs, raising an incredible £1,834 in sponsorship. The team members had to record their personal 10k run and submit the evidence for verification, earning themselves a medal in the process. In addition to this, they held a cake sale at School which raised a further £400 for Cancer Research. Unfortunately, they did not get the opportunity to wear their penguin costumes, but there is always next time! Congratulations to all of the team for their fantastic effort and commitment, raising such a substantial amount of money for a charity close to everyone's hearts.
Fundraising at Cokethorpe
Community-mindedness is a key component of what it means to be a Cokethorpe pupil, and that compassion, empathy and sense of responsibility are seen every day through the deeds of our pupils, alumni and indeed those of the wider School community. Some of the fundraising achievements of the Cokethorpe community are shared here, well done to everyone who has made such valuable contributions to society this term.
Non-Uniform Day
The money raised from the non-uniform day this term was sent to support the work of Maggie’s Centre Oxford. Maggie’s Centres provide a unique programme of information, practical and emotional support to people with cancer and their loved ones. Their professional staff offer benefits advice, cancer support and a range of programmes in a warm, welcoming environment. For those of you who would like to understand a little more about the charity and the work that they do then please click here.
Team Margot
If you are between 17 and 55 years of age and in general good health you could save someone’s life. If you are interested in finding out more about registering please visit: https://www. dkms.org.uk/ or click here. To learn more about Team Margot please click here
Oxford Hospitals Charity To donate to the the Oxford Hospitals Charity, please click here. Oxford Hospitals Charity helps transform our local hospitals - the Oxford Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe, Horton General, Churchill and NOC - funding the latest medical equipment, research and facilities.
Crazy Costume Queen
Our very own 'Costume Queen' Mrs Mace is running a fantastic competition to design your own costume. The winner will have their design created and all of the funds raised are going to the NHS. Take a look at her post and get creative. Click here #CokethorpeEmpathy #CokethorpeCreativity
Cancer Research
To donate to the Catering Department for the completion of their London Winter 10k Run, visit their Just Giving page by clicking here.
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Sixth Form Fifth Form Visit to Southampton University
'The day started with an 8.30am departure, which was made very clear by the chorus of moans about the early rise. However, after three hours on a bus we arrived at the University. As soon as we got off the bus, spirits were high, and we launched straight into a talk about the many opportunities Southampton University offers. This included hundreds of extra-curriculars, from the Folk Music Society to the Tea Society. We then got the opportunity to hear about the experiences of some students, two of which were doing their PhDs. These really gave an insight into university life and helped us to see what we could achieve from a university education. After a quick tour in smaller groups, a trip to Costa was well-deserved and showed us the more casual side of Southampton University! After lunch we were lucky enough to experience a lecture, where we learnt all about evolution and we got an overview of the lifetime of earth itself, which was really interesting, and we found that the format was very different from the lessons we were used to. Then came the final bus ride back, which was more lively than the one so early in the morning! Finally, the last hour at school was spent chatting about the whole experience and was the perfect finish to such a packed day.' Jossy Brown (Fifth Form, Vanbrugh)
Sixth Form Scholars
Lower Sixth Academic Grant Holders Priya Ahluwalia Samuel Carter Jonathan Cowie Sam Elek George London Elen Moore Tom Potter Ewan Short Charlie Symonds Lauren Thomas Mae Topley Poppy Wehrle Upper Sixth Academic Grant Holders James Benali Barney Bolton Hayden Camidge Matthew Christensen Ella Dalton Hollie Jackson Neve Macken Dila Müldür Katie Procter Tallulah Kelly James Shaw Charlie Clarke Frankie Brown Jinda Sancar Leonie Watson Ambitious Application Scheme Molly Cockin Emily Counter Finley Wightman
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Fifth Form Visit to Surrey University
'I found the trip to be a good insight into what life is like as a university student, studying in your various areas of interest. There were multiple factors discussed today which benefitted the whole of the Fifth Form in deciding what path they would like to take in the future. The University was incredible with multiple buildings each belonging to a specific subject. The wide range of subjects that are available at university level really show how diverse people are, as certain people could be interested in Bio-Chemical Sciences and others interested in Music and Theatre. Also, the extra-curricular activities available at university are incredible. There are societies for almost everything you can think of, and even if there is not a society that interests you, you can create one yourself and invite people to join. The facilities available are excellent. The fact that Harlequins RFC use Surrey’s gym and sports pitches to train demonstrates how state of the art these facilities are. The ambassadors that helped us were exceptional and would answer any questions. It felt like an incredibly friendly place and also showed us that independence is a facit highly appreciated at university or college level whether learning to cook or continue your studies after your lectures. Overall, it was an amazing experience and insight into university life that will highly benefit all of us in the future when it comes to choosing our university as we will now keep Surrey in mind.' Alex Anderson (Fifth Form, Queen Anne)
Lower Sixth Wine Tasting
The Lower Sixth were treated to an evening of wine tasting, with tasting notes and anecdotes provided (along with the wine) by Ted Sandbach, Managing Director of the Oxford Wine Company. With three white wines and three red wines to try, the students were taken on a whistle stop tour of both the Old and the New Worlds, sampling everything from a sweet, fruity Riesling to a full-bodied Rioja. The students had a great evening and many were surprised by their changing opinions on wine. Many had not tried such a variety of wine before and came away with a desire to explore the array of tastes and smells available.
Upper Sixth Assembly
Lockdown did not stop us celebrating the Upper Sixth's time at Cokethorpe. A special assembly took place, where the Headmaster managed to get a message via twitter from Stormzy himself. A montage of pictures and memories were on display as the Headmaster gave a wonderful speech to wish the Upper Sixth well. Students were given Cokethorpe plates with each name printed on the back of it as a momento, while subject teachers and the Sixth Form team wished students all the best. We will certainly find time in the future to celebrate our Upper Sixth's time at Cokethorpe, but this assembly certainly was a special moment for all to treasure.
Sixth Form Enlightenment Lectures
Enlightenment Lecture Speaker Reviews
Mr Lapwood
'On Friday 31 January, Mr Lapwood, our Religious Studies teacher and Anglican priest, gave a talk entitled 'Is Seeing Believing?' to the students of the Sixth Form on the topic of the Turin Shroud. The Turin Shroud is an ancient piece of fabric with a negative image of a man being crucified. Early carbon dating of a small piece of the cloth placed its origins in the 13th century. However, there is a growing body of findings that appear to challenge that date. This includes data ranging from pollen, to 3D scanning and unique signature marks on the image itself. Some believe this image depicts Jesus Christ, whereas others consider it a forgery from the Medieval period. Neither Science nor Religion can firmly say that the tapestry is real or a forgery, thus the overall message to take away from the talk was about being open-minded when faced with subjects which can neither be proved fact nor fiction. It was an entertaining and light-hearted talk that involved a range of replica props and student interaction. Mr Lapwood left us intrigued and wanting to find out more.' Priya Ahluwalia (Lower Sixth, Harcourt)
Professor Paul Reicher
'On Friday 7 February, Professor Stephen Reicher of the University of St Andrews gave an Enlightenment Lecture entitled Dancing in the Flames. The lecture explored crowd psychology - explaining, through the use of both modern and historic examples, the power of 'the crowd', which is so relevant today given the mass protests throughout the world. Often portrayed by the media as violent and uncontrollable mobs, it was explained that actually the behaviour of a crowd is not as irrational as it first seems because the collective share certain values and beliefs. He also described the feeling of power an individual experiences when part of a crowd; for once, 'we' are in a position to change things. Therefore, 'the crowd' is not as bad as it might at first seem.' Poppy Wehrle (Lower Sixth, Queen Anne)
Dr Clare Bycroft
'As part of the Enlightenment Lectures programme on the theme of ‘Our Environment’, Dr Clare Bycroft of the Genomics Department visited us from New Zealand to deliver a talk entitled ‘DNA Diaries’. This fascinating talk explained how our genes can be heavily influenced by where our ancestors come from. It is therefore possible to tell if two people were descended from the same place by delving into their genetic code. It is this area of Genetics that is Dr Bycroft’s area of expertise. It is an area of tremendous potential and concern in equal measure, in the areas of Pharmacology, Medicine, Health Care and Health Policy. Dr Bycroft showed us how such potential and concern is an issue now for us. She depicted, in accessible detail, the advantages and the flaws of popular businesses such as Ancestry.com, who claim to tell us where we come from using our DNA.' James Shaw (Upper Sixth, Harcourt)
'Blood, gore, a Roman flagellum and a huge nail all featured in Mr Lapwood’s Enlightenment Lecture on the Turin Shroud. Drawing together a wide range of findings from scientific research, Mr Lapwood asked the Sixth Form to explore some of the possible theories about the Shroud. Is it a clever medieval fake, or might it be the 1st century burial cloth that once covered the crucified body of Jesus Christ? With the brave assistance of two students, the lecture demonstrated how closely the wounds on the Shroud match what is known of 1st Century Roman arrest and crucifixion methods. It traced how recent discoveries in anatomy support the Shroud’s depiction of the nails piercing the wrists rather than the hands – and how the nerve damage this would cause is also reflected in the Shroud image. Contemporary hi-res 3D imaging of the Shroud also showed how the design of two small coins, one over each eye, match Roman coins first minted in 29AD. Enlightenment Lectures aim to provoke discussion and spark the desire to find out more: this lecture clearly achieved these goals. No conclusions were drawn: the investigations continue.' Mr Lapwood In Mr Lapwood’s words 'Your mind is like a parachute: it works best when it is open.' 'It's always a particular pleasure to come and talk in schools, who, unlike when you talk to academic colleagues, in schools people are much more open to you and they will show you if they think it is interesting and they will equally show if it's incredibly dull, so it's a challenge: it forces me to up my game!' Stephen Reicher - Professor of Social Psychology at the University of St Andrews 'I had a great time: I loved talking to the teenagers; they seemed really receptive to the ideas I was presenting. Genomes are fascinating - in the future they will be a really important part of our lives, so I think it’s great I had an opportunity to talk about them, and what we can learn about them, here at Cokethorpe.' Dr Clare Bycroft
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The Arts We Will Rock You Theatre Trip
On Wednesday 4 March, Fifth Form Music pupils went to Oxford’s New Theatre to see a fantastic performance of the hit musical We Will Rock You by Queen and Ben Elton. As the musical relates to set works the pupils have been studying in preparation for their GCSE exam, this was a great opportunity to hear the music performed live. With 24 of Queen's biggest hits, this was a show everyone enjoyed.
Afternoon Music Recital
This term’s afternoon recital once again saw some of the School’s musicians presenting a varied and engaging programme of musical works to an appreciative audience of pupils, and staff.
Second Form Drama Showcase
This year, the Second Form have been learning about the challenging and exciting style of ‘Physical Theatre’. Each set was asked to create a devised performance which showcased their talent and imagination in front of a live audience and the results were highly impressive with a rich variety of styles, themes and storylines. We experienced the atmospheric tale of children lost inside a haunted house, replete with creepy paintings and statues which came to life. This was followed by an inventive escape into a giant book which transported the hero into a fairy tale with magical swords, crumbling castles and a vast and lifelike dragon. In ‘Granny’s Attic’ a group created the funny and unsettling discovery of an ancient room, stuffed with giant trains, forgotten toys and sinister dolls. In ‘Arthur Dent’s Bad Day’ one group chose to create the opening scene of The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, including a fully furnished house and the humorous re-creation of an inter-galactic bulldozer. This was followed by the haunting journey of a young boy from his bedroom into a visceral nightmare, with endless mazes, riddles and a giant spider that stalked the stage. In a highly imaginative performance, one class transported us to the hilarious and bizarre fantasy of the ‘Fridge Hunger Games’. Here our protagonists had to fight their way across a huge dystopian kitchen, ruled over by an autocratic piece of broccoli. The levelling-up through the fridge shelves to the final boss-battle was a delight to watch and exemplary of this talented year group, their ambitious imagination and commitment to the practical exploration of Drama.
The standard of performance was particularly high as many individuals used the opportunity to prepare for the Young Musician Competition later in the term, and included renditions of such pieces as I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables, Kreisler’s Prelude and Allegro, and Fauré’s Après un Rêve.
Exeter Evensong
On Tuesday 28 January, the Chapel Choir were invited to sing an Evensong service alongside members of Exeter College Chapel Choir. The service took place in the stunning setting of Exeter College Chapel in Oxford, the fourth oldest college of the University. The Choir sang the Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis in D by Charles Wood, Richard Ayleward’s responses and the anthem was In the Bleak Midwinter by Harold Darke. The College Choir and their Chaplain, Reverend Andrew Allen, were impressed by the focus of Cokethorpe’s Choir and the delicate and beautiful sound of their voices. The Choir were in awe of the magnificence of the building they were lucky enough to be singing in and gained so much from singing with members of Exeter’s Choir. We hope to revisit Exeter College again soon.
Theatre Online
A great tip from @CKP_Drama here: with the chance to see performances from the mighty @NationalTheatre and @The_Globe from the comfort of your own home, plus experiencing all the drama of Emma Rice's interpretation of Wise Children on @BBCiPlayer. To watch some of the best theatre online, go to http://nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-athome and http://shakespearesglobe. com/watch/#free-youtube-premieres.
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The Arts Young Musician of the Year
This year’s Young Musician Competition once again provided a platform for all of Cokethorpe’s musicians to showcase their talents and compete against one another to be crowned the Young Musician of the Year. Over 70 performances took place in the first round heats and featured individuals of all grades playing all types of classical and popular instruments. The process of selecting those musicians to proceed through to the two finals was naturally a most difficult one given the high calibre of this year’s competitors. However 23 musicians were finally selected to move on to the concluding stage on Thursday 13 February. We were pleased to welcome back John Traill from the University of Oxford to undertake this year's adjudication. He was particularly impressed by the quality of the music-making he heard throughout his time at Cokethorpe.
Cokethorpe 30 Day Art Challenge
During this period of lockdown, it has been heart-warming to see the work of Cokethorpe’s young artists in their online classes. They have quickly adapted to this new environment and now the digital learning space is filled with their vibrant artistic expression. Projects this term have includes Zentangle pattern exploration, watercolour fish, Jim Dine inspired drawing, paper sculpture and still life drawing. Pupils of all ages have responded to artistic challenges we have set them, with some taking up the loo roll challenge and others taking on the 30 day art challenge.
Above all, he was most taken by performances that best captured the emotion and character of the work, in addition to demonstrating a strong playing technique. As such, for the Grades 1 to 4 Final the runner up was Edward Chorley (Second Form, Gascoigne) on trombone, and the winner, on cello, was Alice Woodwards (Lower Sixth, Swift). For the Upper Grades final, the runner up was Isabelle Carnell (Lower Sixth, Vanbrugh) on cello and the overall competition winner was Poppy Wehrle (Lower Sixth, Queen Anne) on flute.
Upper Sixth A Level Drama Performance
On Wednesday 11 March, Upper Sixth A Level Drama candidates presented their practical work to a live audience and visiting examiner in The Shed. Hayden Camidge (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) opened proceedings with a very powerful performance as Roger from A Room to Let by Paul Tucker. The monologue, which was directed at his father, whom he had tied to a chair, revealed his deeply felt hatred and pain for the man who abandoned him as a child. Ella Dalton (Upper Sixth, Swift) followed with an impassioned monologue as the title character from Medea by Mike Bartlett, who candidly vented her thoughts about what it feels like to be betrayed and considered a lunatic outsider by her neighbours. George Kinniburgh (Upper Sixth, Harcourt) as Jason and Molly Cockin (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) as Medea presented a tense and commanding duologue as the sparring ex-spouses trying, but failing, to find a path through their complicated relationship. The ensemble performance of Act One from Anthony Neilson’s The Wonderful World of Dissocia was an excellent example of the extremely high standards set by this outstanding group of actors. The professionalism, characterisation, multi-rolling and comic timing from all candidates was outstanding. For a group of young performers to be able to successfully create such engagement, intrigue, shock and comedy leaving the audience desperate for more is no mean feat, and they should all be rightly proud of their exceptional achievements. 19
Sport Sports Colours
The awarding of Sports Colours in recognition of exceptional playing standards at Senior level and awarded as either half or full colours. Full Colours Netball Milly Pittaway Leonie Watson Jinda Sancar Tenisha Aparo Iboch Ezme Pickford
Hockey Elliot Stagg Luke Graham Téo Loeffen Football Alex Wheeler Charlie Clarke Athis Knox Cricket Téo Loeffen Connor Kirby Kayaking Hollie Jackson Charlie Dickson Sailing Joe Cantwell Henry Kerton James Shaw Equestrian Nell Summerley Half Colours Hockey Arthur Eve Netball Sasha Palfreyman Climbing George Kinniburgh Kayaking Hannah King Ben McDonald Louis Rawlinson Clays Jacob Godfrey Henry Roberton Tom Alford Oliver Stanmore
First VII Netball Results St Edwards: 24-5 (W) St Helen and St Katharine: 12-13 (L) D’Overbroeks: 25-17 (W) Oxford High School: 17-12 (W) Stowe School: 16-23 (L) Bloxham School: 10-22 (L) Princethorpe College: 9-16 (L) Tudor Hall: 36-16 (L)
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Football Report
'Despite this season being cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak, and with the potential still remaining to retain the Society of Heads Cups at both Under 15 and First XI level, there was still time for a number of excellent performances across all our teams this season as Cokethorpe football continues to go from strength to strength. With such a large number of boys signing up for football and with a positive attitude displayed in training sessions, competition for places, and the strength in depth across all age groups has all helped contribute to the positive results. The First XI under the guidance of Mr Capel, were excellent throughout, led brilliantly by the once again inspirational Alex Wheeler (Upper Sixth, Swift). Excellent victories against Shiplake and Gordon's completed an unbeaten first half of the season for what was a very young side, with only three boys currently in the Upper Sixth, highlighting their potential for the next few years. Fifth Formers Thomas Taylor (Fifth Form, Swift), Jason Moore (Fifth Form, Feilden) and Jacob Knight (Fifth Form, Vanbrugh) deserve special mention for their mature performances throughout the season. The Under 14s and Under 15s have been led brilliantly by their respective captains Freddie Murfitt (Third Form, Queen Anne) and Ben Orton (Fourth Form, Swift) who have shown leadership qualities over the course of the season way beyond their years. Despite results not always going their way against stronger opposition, the continued hard work and dedicated attitude shown by both age groups throughout their training sessions will no doubt prove over the coming years that hard work does indeed pay off. The Under 15s' Harry Furlong (Fourth Form, Vanbrugh) deserves special mention for his season playing in the Reading Youth Academy, certainly one to watch for the future. Lower down the School the Under 12s and Under 13s, under the guidance of Mr Purdie and Mr Biggs, have seen their performances improve significantly with their development of a more structured style of play and disciplined approach. The future of football at Cokethorpe looks very promising indeed on the evidence shown by these two age groups this term. Finally I would like to extend my thanks to all the coaches who have put so much time and effort into each and every age group this season, it has very much been appreciated by me and all of the boys under their guidance.' Mr Capel
Sailing
The Cokethorpe Sailors have had a testing Lent Term of strong winds, cancelled events and competitions against some venerable teams. The team has shown tenacity in adverse conditions, continuing to build their skillset as all-round sailors in a number of different craft. Adela Wilson (Lower Sixth, Feilden), Tom Whittenbury (Lower Sixth, Vanbrugh) and Lauren Thomas (Lower Sixth, Queen Anne) took charge at Warsash racing the SB20, in 37 knot gusts and very choppy conditions. A fantastic experience to build upon the skills developed on the reservoir. They had a fun-filled day at the RYA Dinghy show at Alexandra Palace and are currently honing their skills at home via online regattas against local schools. We are looking forward to getting back on the water!
Sport Netball Report
The First VII started the season well with an early victory against St Edward's, followed by a tightly fought match against St Helen and St Katharine, losing by just one goal. This certainly gave them the inspiration to work even harder winning the next two games, with the most rewarding being the match against Oxford High who were a particularly tough opposition. During every match they played with passion and a desire to win, led by Captain Milly Pittaway (Upper Sixth, Feilden). In the match against Stowe we demonstrated great patience and team spirit. Over the course of this season for the Second VII, we have witnessed a significant improvement in each and every player. They have come up against some particularly strong opposition along the way but thoroughly enjoyed their home and away victories. It has been an enjoyable season with the Under 16s, their commitment to training and matches has been faultless, and they consistently demonstrate an unwavering winning spirit. Every single player improved giving the opportunity to introduce specific tactics around centre pass, circle attacking rotations and zone defending. The Under 15s have had a mixed term but the highlight of the season was the fantastic win for our Under 15As against a strong Pangbourne side. This is certainly a group to watch for the future, particularly as they have a tremendous team spirit and determination. They have particularly dominated defensively while improvements in attack will be a target moving forward. The Under 14s are a squad with bags of potential. The teams grew in stature and confidence as the season unfolded with a particularly impressive victory for the Under 14As over local rivals St Helen and St Katharine. Their attitude to training and responsibility in their personal fitness has been highly impressive, which has certainly contributed to their significant improvements this season. The Under 13s as always are a delightful group who approached all sessions and matches with positivity and good spirit. They worked hard throughout the season to develop their skills and tactical awareness of the game allowing the fluency and pace of their game to improve, showing perseverance and determination. The U12s can always be relied upon to create a fun, dynamic and energetic training environment. Their commitment and desire to improve has been exemplified as they can often be seen practising shooting and passing even prior to the sessions starting. All 35 girls had opportunities to play in competitive matches and the improvement shown in their skill development and understanding of specific tactical aspects of play was particularly satisfying. It was a really enjoyable and successful introduction to Senior School netball.
Players of the Season Congratulations to the following pupils for their exceptional sporting performance during the Lent Term. First VII Netball Most Improved Player: Tenisha Aparo Iboch Coaches Player of the Season: Milly Pittaway Second VII Most Improved Player: Mae Topley Coaches Player of the Season: Claudia Barnett U16 Most Improved Player: Millie Knight Coaches Player of the Season: Isabella Smith U15 Most Improved Player: Ella Cripps Coaches Player(s) of the Season: Isobel Kirby and Rebecca Waite U14 Most Improved Player: Darcy Murray Coaches Player of the Season: Emily Martland U13 Most Improved Player: Monica Campos Coaches Player of the Season: Emily Stewart U12 Most Improved Player(s): Jade Neal and Rosie Doland Coaches Player(s) of the Season: Georgia Tibble and Bryony Wyatt
Individual Congratulations
Congratulations to Isobel Kirby (Fourth Form, Queen Anne), Gemma Croker (Fourth Form, Gascoigne) and Rebecca Waite (Fourth Form, Harcourt) who have all been selected to represent Oxfordshire Under 15s in Hockey.
Climbing
‘The Cokethorpe Climbers experienced a challenging term in many respects, as they started to build anticipation for the Independent Schools Climbing Competition, which was due to be hosted by Eton College on Wednesday 18 March. Dodging what seemed to be never-ending rain showers by attending indoor venues was a regular feature of the term, as were the hours spent building strength and stamina in the fitness suite. Many of our climbers were exceeding personal goals and expectations in training. While it is perhaps unfair to single out specific climbers, special mention should be made of those who were making especially noticeable progress this term. They were Jamie Sherratt (Fifth Form, Feilden) George London (Lower Sixth, Feilden) and Lucy Jenkin (Fourth Form, Gascoigne). Alas, all the preparation and anticipation was for nought: the competition fell prey of the restrictions and was, quite correctly, cancelled. Our climbers are being encouraged to maintain their form over the coming weeks as the competition will, undoubtedly, be re-scheduled, and we can all look forward to the reopening of climbing walls and crags with eager anticipation.’ Mr Carter
Congratulations to Lucas Bennett (Fourth Form, Queen Anne) who has been chosen to represent the county in the Under 15 Hockey squad. Congratulations to Isobel Kirby (Fourth Form, Queen Anne) who has been selected for the Under 17s Cricket squad, Rebecca Waite (Fourth Form, Harcourt) for the Under 15s and Charlotte Hopkins (First Form, Queen Anne) for the Under 12s. Congratulations to Tiego Logan (Lower Sixth, Feilden) and Cameron MacDonald (Lower Sixth, Queen Anne) who represented Oxfordshire Under 18s in rugby. Congratulations to James Benali (Upper Sixth, Gascoigne) who has been invited to train with the U18 squad at Gloucester Academy. Congratulations to Harry Furlong (Fourth Form, Vanbrugh) who has been selected to play against West Bromwich for Reading Football Academy Under 15s.
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Sport U15 Girls' Lady Taverners' Indoor Cricket The U15 girls cricket team finished top of their group stages as they fought off tough competition from Headington, Bartholomew and King Alfred’s School, winning all of their games in the indoor Lady Taverners' county cricket tournament. The team was made up of Third and Fourth Form girls who all performed admirably throughout the day. The Oxfordshire County finals were due to take place on Tuesday 17 March at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.
RYA Dinghy Show
On Saturday 29 February, our sailing coach took a group of sailors to the RYA Dinghy Show taking place in Alexandra Palace, London. The showcase is one of the biggest of the year and our sailors had the opportunity to take part in several interactive activities but also to speak about sailing to professionals, to meet a sailing Olympic gold medallist who was the host of this year’s show and to discuss with people as passionate about sailing as they are. However, the main attraction of the showcase was of course the boats. With over 100 boats inside the palace, the sailors had enough to keep them busy all day!
U16 National Hockey Finalists
Certainly, a highlight of the term has been the success of the U16 girls’ hockey squad. After successfully qualifying for the national finals in March, beating the top schools from the South, much preparation was put in to ensure this team held their own at the nationals. On the day, first up was Katherine Lady Berkeley School. The girls started off strongly, scoring first, but two goals from the opposition put the girls under pressure. An end-to-end team goal allowed the team to slot home an equaliser, securing the draw. After the game, the girls were met by a huge travelling fanbase, including a new mascot for the day: an inflatable peacock purchased by Mr Mumford. A strong Crundall Manor School was up next and although our girls fought hard, they were unable to secure victory making the challenge of qualification for the final stages difficult. The next two fixtures required two wins if we were to progress. Unfortunately, this included two strong hockey schools on good form. First was Moreton Hall. Gemma Croker (Fourth Form, Gascoigne) proved instrumental, moving the ball quickly, allowing us to put pressure on Moreton Hall’s goal. Eventually the girls found the back board as Jossy Brown (Fifth Form, Vanbrugh) slotted the ball home to give the girls the win. Up next was Sevenoaks School, from the start we had the psychological advantage and used this well throughout the game. Supporting each other and playing as team allowed the girls to reach 1-0 up with six minutes to go. Emily Mumford (Fifth Form, Feilden) held strong in goal to prevent Sevenoaks from scoring using her time well when in possession to run the clock down. We knew we would have to wait on the last game to see if we would progress into the final or play off for third and fourth place. After a nervous wait we went on to play Bromley High School in the third/fourth place play off. Bromley scored first and, as the clock ran down it became harder for our girls to penetrate their defence. In the last few minutes, a short corner was awarded. A strong set play was needed and, as the ball was injected, Isobel Kirby (Fourth Form, Queen Anne) stepped up to smash an equaliser home, into the penalty strokes we went. After a long day this just proved one step too far for our girls. However, what this team has accomplished is something very special: finishing fourth from over 200 schools across the country. A massive congratulations to all the girls who were involved; a truly special day with a wonderful team of young ladies.
Boys' Hockey
The senior boys' hockey squad developed in both skill and sportsmanship throughout the season. They applied themselves to every training session, diligently practising drills. They were led brilliantly by their captain Téo Loeffen (Upper Sixth, Gascoigne) who demonstrated both this skill and determination in the midfield. The climax of the season saw the Boys' First XI playing the Girls' First XI in a friendly match where both sides showed their enthusiasm for the sport whilst maintaining the highest level of sportsmanship.
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Kayaking Report
The Cokethorpe Kayaking team has had lots of success on the water in the last few months. Hollie Jackson (Upper Sixth, Swift) and Charlie Dickson (Upper Sixth, Feilden) became Ladies Doubles Champions at the National Schools Regatta and were victorious again at the Waterside Series race following a gruelling 37km of racing! The rest of the kayaking team has also shown huge tenacity, humour and improvement in the past few months with regular, long, training sessions in some challenging weather conditions.
Sport Remote Learning in the PE Department
PE is perhaps not a subject readily suited to remote learning. However, the indomitable Cokethorpe spirit has shone through.
Remote Learning in the PE Department
Our #CokethorpeThirdForm PE students have been getting creative this week making some working joint models from recycling. Check out some of the finished products so far.
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Houses House Competition Standings 2019-2020
Below is a list of results of the InterHouse sports that have taken place so far this year.
Senior Inter-House Hockey 2019 1st Gascoigne 2nd Vanbrugh 3rd Harcourt 4th Swift 5th Feilden 6th Queen Anne
Senior Inter-House Rugby 2019 1st Feilden 2nd Swift 3rd Queen Anne 4th Harcourt 5th Vanbrugh 6th Gascoigne
Junior Inter-House Hockey 2019 1st Baker 2nd Lockwood 3rd Symonds 4th Gwyn
House Countdown
In the last week of the first half of the Lent Term, the Senior Houses battled it out to be the first ever Cokethorpe Countdown Champions. With two heats and a final across the week, Houses had to have a representative from every year group, who competed in a combination of number and letter rounds, before finishing with the famous Countdown Conundrum. Queen Anne dominated their heat to make it to the final, whereas Harcourt fought a close battle with Vanbrugh, but eventually emerged victorious. In the final, Queen Anne faced-off against Harcourt. While Queen Anne edged a small lead, and held it through nearly all the rounds, it was Harcourt who managed to take the victory after Freddie Beaumont (Fifth Form, Harcourt) worked out the conundrum correctly to snatch victory in the last second.
Crawford Relay
Following the relentless wet weather during the Michaelmas Term, the much loved annual Crawford Relay had to be rescheduled and took place on Friday 13 March. As always it was a fantastic spectacle of grit, commitment and teamwork. The sun was shining as the whole School came out in force to line the route to cheer on the willing competitors from each House. At approximately 600m it is a tricky distance to navigate, if you go off too fast lactic acid kicks in, go steady and you will be left behind! Last year the record was smashed by Queen Anne, a record that had stood for seven years. It was so close throughout and the results were still not clear until the final positions were added together. Many congratulations to Swift House who had one of their teams cross the line first, securing a new record of 10 minutes 20 seconds and to the overall winners this year - Queen Anne.
Inter-House Crawford Relay 2020 SWIFT – NEW RECORD – 10.20 minutes 1st Queen Anne 2nd Swift 3rd Feilden 4th Vanbrugh =6th Gascoigne =6th Harcourt
Inter-House Drama Results Overall 1st Harcourt 65 2nd Vanbrugh 57 3rd Queen Anne 53 4th Swift 51 5th Gascoigne 47 6th Feilden 34 Mono/Duo 1st Swift 18 2nd Harcourt 17 = 3rd Vanbrugh 15 = 3rd Queen Anne 15 = 3rd Gascoigne 15 6th Feilden 13 Ensemble 1st Harcourt 48 2nd Vanbrugh 42 3rd Queen Anne 38 4th Swift 33 5th Gascoigne 32 6th Feilden 21
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Inter-House Drama
On Friday 6 March, this year’s Inter-House Drama competition took place over the course of a week in March. The Houses with the highest scores from the heats went through to the final round, which took place in front of the whole School and a visiting judge: professional actor and musician, Simon Parrish. There were two categories - Monologue / Duologue and Ensemble. The stimulus for the ensemble performance was the play 100 by Petterle, Monaghan and Heiman and each House had free rein to be as creative as they dared with the text. Lucy Marshall (Fifth Form, Harcourt) and Tom Orton (Fifth Form, Swift) and Caitlyn Alford (Fifth Form, Swift) battled it out in the final of the Monologue/Duologue category. Lucy gave a highly energised and comical performance of Medea by Mike Bartlett but was pipped to the post by Tom and Caitlyn’s excellent physicalised interpretation of a duologue from Evan Placey’s Girls Like That. The ensemble work was equally powerful, with Vanbrugh’s bid led by Molly Ferrier (First Form, Vanbrugh) and supported by some truly engaging ensemble work, which included moments of focused synchronised movement. The winners however were Harcourt with their very funny, but extremely poignant script that posed the question, ‘What would you wipe from your memory if you could?’ written by and starring Mae Topley (Lower Sixth, Harcourt), George Kinniburgh (Upper Sixth, Harcourt) and James Shaw (Upper Sixth, Harcourt). This outstanding performance took the audience on a journey through one man’s life on fastforward. The tragicomedy included pupils and students from all age groups, showcasing a huge amount of talent, courage, sensitivity and humour.
Beyond the Classroom Drugs Awareness Talk
On Friday 17 January, the Third Form attended a workshop run by DREDUK, which covered the risks associated with alcohol and drug use. Bob Tait, a retired police officer, spoke to the pupils in a blunt, honest and humorous way, reiterating the fact that no action in life comes without a risk. They were made aware of the legalities surrounding drugs and alcohol, both at home and abroad, as well as the dangers of legal highs and medicinal drugs. Pupils also took part in some games which reinforced some of the consequences of risk-taking. Pupils left the workshop well informed about all aspects of the law and more aware of some of the potential consequences of teenage decisions.
Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Training
'The journey to Dartmoor was long, but we managed to keep ourselves in high spirits singing with the occasional nap in between. With grey skies and showers we all wondered what we had got ourselves into! When we arrived, we met Alan who showed us to our rooms. It was a relief to know we were not sleeping in a tent. We planned the next few days and met our other leaders, then had a hot chocolate and went to bed.
Fifth Form Social
'Following the challenging experience of our mock GCSE examinations, the Fifth Form travelled to Swindon for a well-deserved evening of fun. We started the evening at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, where we feasted on a variety of cuisines. We then went to a local ice skating rink to test our ability to remain standing! We were even treated to spectacular performances from Jamie Hammond (Fifth Form, Gascoigne), an experienced figure skater, who skated with some of the elite ice skaters, and Luke Reid (Fifth Form, Harcourt), a GB ice hockey player, who raced around the rink with confidence. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.' Mrs Orton
Swedish Exchange Visitors to Cokethorpe
During the three days, we learnt a wide range of new skills and surprised ourselves with what we could achieve. We all had to read the map and use the compass accurately again, as some of us had done during our Bronze DofE, but this time the route was much more challenging. There were little paths to follow, a difficult terrain, steep inclines and many marshy areas to avoid. The weather remained against us as we practised putting up our tents and making sure not to let go! Our leaders helped us plan meals, how to pack efficiently and other necessary jobs that needed to be done in preparation for our training weekend.
'Cokethorpe has strong links with Campus Manilla Gymnasium (school) in Stockholm. At the end of February we welcomed twelve lively Swedish Third Form pupils to Cokethorpe for a week of sharing and discovery. During the day they sampled lessons in School, explored the sights and sounds of Oxford, visited the Hindu Temple at Neasden and, in some cases, explored further afield. In the evenings they returned to their host Cokethorpe families to enjoy some typical Oxfordshire hospitality. The Swedish pupils were amazed that teachers here are not called by their first names – which is the norm in Sweden. In turn, our Cokethorpe pupils were filled with admiration for our Swedish visitors, chatting to pupils of their own age who are already fluent in four or five languages.' Mr Lapwood We spent the final day undergoing first-aid training and putting all the skills we had learnt into practice, evaluating the entire experience. We all slept well on the journey home. The valuable guidance from our teachers and leaders was much appreciated. We are looking forward to the next phase of our expedition.' Alice Woodwards (Lower Sixth, Swift)
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AOB C-SALT
Pupils attending the C-SALT AOB (Cokethorpe Sound and Lighting Team) were fortunate to be the first to explore and experiment with the Drama Department’s new ‘Theatre in a Box’ – purchased by the Annual Fund. The set comes complete with flats, staging, backdrop and lighting gantry with working LED lights, for Drama pupils across the School to experiment imaginatively with stage design. As design forms a significant element to both the GCSE and A Level written component, this will be an invaluable resource in the creation of striking and authentic theatre set design.
The National Motorcycle Museum
‘On Thursday 30 January a group of pupils from the ‘Build-a-Bike’ AOB visited the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham. The aim of the visit was to learn about the history of the British motorcycle industry, and gather some useful information and advice about the School’s project BSA Bantam. Museum staff treated our pupils to a fabulous visit. They were given a talk by the museum’s restoration team about the methods they use to turn donor machines into the pristine examples on display. They were met by the archivist who talked to them about the manufacturers and owners records and documents that the museum houses and provides for restorers. Our pupils were overawed by the halls containing nearly 1,000 classic, vintage and veteran motorbikes. The final treat of the day was the restoration team taking us to see a recently restored 1958 Matchless outside, which was started and ridden – by the adults obviously! This really brought the trip to life. Our pupils came back to School raring to get back to restoring their little BSA, having seen an ‘as new’ version of the same bike on display in the National Motorcycle Museum.’ Mr Carter
Classic Bike Magazine
#CokethorpeFirstForm pupil Jack has been busy learning new skills in his spare time during lock down by making a kennel for his older sister's new puppy Arlo!
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'In late January we were extremely fortunate to receive a visit from Rick Parkington, the technical editor of Classic Bike magazine. They were running a series of articles on younger people involved with classic machines and Rick was very keen to come and see what we have been doing. Rick is an expert in his field and generously made time to speak to our pupils about his love of old motorbikes, how British motorbikes evolved and recall some fascinating stories about his restoration projects. Rick brought Lewis with him, a Sixth Form student from Kent who is restoring a bike very similar to our Bantam. This provided a great opportunity for our team to share stories and fixes with Lewis, who is further on with his project. The resulting article painted a rich and colourful picture of our School and the Bantam restoration team; something they can all be very proud of in years to come. The magazine is sold around the world and the article has given some of our pupils their first taste of well-deserved fame!' Mr Carter
Project Bantam is on hold, but our Build-aBike team have been hard at work. Max has shown great skill and initiative building this electric BMX from spare parts. Well done Max! #ThisIsMyCokethorpe #CokethorpeSTEM Lockdown project by @bkwy2002 with help from his Dad. Front and engine old dirt bike, rear old quad bike and custom chassis. Awaiting its first test drive!
From the Chaplain Greetings from Brize Norton and Carterton
Over the last seven weeks of lockdown, while church buildings have been closed, Revd Howard has been out and about in Brize Norton and Carterton, doing short posts on social media to encourage and motivate the local community. (If you are interested, see ‘Greetings from Brize Norton’ and ‘Greetings from Carterton’ on YouTube). To view the posts from our Chaplain please click here. ‘I had to stay at home during lockdown like everyone else,’ he says, ‘but I thought I’d use my one hour’s exercise to put out a positive message. I choose a different location every time and seek to relate it in some way to the latest news, the Church Calendar, a Thought for the Day, and Life after the Corona Virus.’
Team Vicar of Carterton
On Monday 27 April, in a 37-minute ZOOM conference meeting, our School Chaplain, the Revd Ian Howard, was also licensed as Team Vicar of Carterton and Brize Norton. As Bishop Colin (who is also one of our School Governors) spoke over the computer, Revd Howard had to swear his allegiance to the Church of England in front of a Witness in his front garden and sign a special Declaration on the table. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Revd Howard.
Among other things, for example, he has asked questions like: ‘Where should we turn next?’ at Carterton Crossroads, ‘Will we too have the necessary courage and commitment?’ outside RAF Brize Norton, ‘How important will the family be?‘ outside the new Carterton Family Centre, ‘How are we going to live in the future?’ outside the new Brize Meadow housing development, and ‘Where are we going to travel in the future? And how are we going to get there?’ by the old steam-railway bridge outside Brize Norton village.' Revd Ian Howard
The Grounds Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
On Easter Sunday, Cokethorpe hosted a virtual Easter egg hunt around the grounds of the School. Social media followers could explore the photos to find eggs hidden away in the buildings and parkland.
We might not be able to access the School site at the present time, but life goes on at Cokethorpe. William the Peacock is still making the most of the beautiful grounds!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful Maintenance Team and Groundsmen for all of their hardwork throughout the year. Even more so for this Lent Term where they have dealt with nearly every weather imaginable! Storm Dennis and Storm Ciara brought with them torrential rain, flooding, and gale force winds. The Maintenance Team not only looked after the grounds at Cokethorpe but also removed trees blown down by the storms on the roads outside the School site. If this lockdown has taught us anything, it has taught us that not all heroes wear capes!
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The NHS Will Lawson
This is Will Lawson (OC 2010, Gascoigne) and former Head of School who is now a doctor, emerging from a nine hour shift in the Covid-19 area of A and E at Sandwell General Hospital, Birmingham. Will has this message he would like to share: 'Times are scary at the moment so protect yourself, protect others, protect the NHS. Stay home.' We are immensely proud of him and thank Will, his NHS colleagues and other keyworkers for all of their efforts at these unsettling times.
The Mansion House
In recent weeks, the whole nation has come together weekly to recognise and give thanks for the efforts of the NHS and key workers across the country. Individuals have clapped and banged on kitchen utensils, sounding out their support, whilst venues have been lit up in blue light in tribute. Thanks to the efforts of Facilities Manager, Mr Bowsher, and the Headmaster, the imposing frontage of the Mansion House was among those displays of support to take on a blue hue. On behalf of the School, thank you to all those members of the Cokethorpe community who are working to keep others safe.
CPFA Recurring Events
CPFA Coffee Mornings Ue Coffee Roasters Coffee Shop, Cokethorpe School Every Friday during term time from 8.30am to 9.15am Nearly New Uniform Sales run on a fortnightly basis at the coffee morning CPFA Committee Meetings Corinthian Room, Cokethorpe School The first Wednesday of every month from 7.30pm
CPFA Committee
Chair Vice-Chair Treasurer
Clare Priestley-Smith Kirsteen Fellows Michael Ward
The CPFA committee is elected annually at the AGM and is composed of current parents/guardians and staff. The committee is keen to welcome new members, particularly parents/guardians from year groups that are currently under represented. For more information please email the Chair, Clare PriestleySmith. We appreciate that there are people who prefer not to commit to joining a committee but are very willing to volunteer their help at specific events. A list of such 'helpers' is kept and we are always grateful to hear from anyone willing to join it.
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Quiz Night
The Cokethorpe Parents’ and Friends’ Association Quiz Night on Friday 13 March saw twelve teams of parents, staff and friends battling it out to be 2020 champions, pitching their general knowledge against each other. Special thanks go to OCs Cameron Hughes (OC 2014, Vanbrugh) and Ali Hughes (OC 2008, Vanbrugh) for all their hard work in preparing such a fantastic quiz and helping to create a relaxed and fun evening. The CPFA would like to thank Mr and Mrs Fellows for ferrying the boxes of delicious fish and chips which were served during the break to keep everyone fuelled. Thanks also go to the Catering Team, Maintenance Department and Foundation Office for their help and the Box Office for managing bookings. It was a great evening of fun and socialising and we are already looking forward to the next one!
CPFA and Junior School Cheese and Wine Evening
On Friday 24 January, the CPFA hosted a Junior School Parents' Cheese and Wine event in the Dining Hall while the Junior School children attended a Mary Poppins Returns Movie Night. It was a very well-attended event with over 60 parents present, who were able to socialise with other Junior School parents whilst enjoying a glass of wine and an extensive cheese board. It was lovely to see parents enjoying themselves and certainly an event that we will be looking to run again later in the year. Thank you to the Catering Team, Mrs McNaughton and Mrs Black for helping to co-ordinate the event.
The Cokethorpe Society Penning a New Chapter in the Exchange Programme
Dominic House (OC 2019, Queen Anne) Penn Rugby Exchange 'England to Penn' http://bit. ly/2SEihnR #ThisIsMyPlaceToAchieve #CokethorpeAmbition #CokethorpeRugby @CKP_Society 'In April of 2019, rugby players from Penn Rugby, based in Indiana, USA, came on tour to the UK. Cokethorpe has in the past hosted very talented rugby players from Penn, namely Jack White, Satchel Carnine, Lucas Robinson and Cian Messner so we weren’t completely oblivious as to who Penn were. I was lucky enough to have been able to be the English exchange to Penn, following in the footsteps of ex-Cokethorpean Harry Stevens and upholding the strong link between Cokethorpe and Penn started by Mr Rees. Since arriving on 10 January, I have fully integrated into the American high school and student athlete life. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience thus far, meeting new people and being in a new environment away from home. I often feel like I’m in a Hollywood US high school film when I stroll past the lockers or go to watch a high school basketball game. My American host family have been very hospitable and the Penn Rugby lads have really made me feel like I’m one of their brothers. We’ve been training as a 50-man squad since January. We trained around four times a week in two to three hour sessions, including classroom sessions which were hugely beneficial in getting everyone on the same page. None of the coaches would settle for anything less than 100% effort, making training somewhat stressful and demanding at times, however this was great as it meant that we all went through the same hardship. This motivated the lads into helping each other get through the tough times and succeed as a team. There was also constant competition and pressure from those in the Second XV who would happily take your place in that starting First XV. Having played rugby since First Form, I have been able to share a thing or two with the coaches and players. I was assigned a leading role by Coach Bart as ‘Captain of Attack’ which I was honoured to have been trusted with as a foreign player new to the programme, and it was a role I didn’t take lightly. I would often write up attack patterns and phases whilst giving my personal feedback in writing to some of the players, giving them pointers such as to start running these specific lines or roles I think they should play in the team. I also tried my best to help the Second XV lads out doing the same sort of stuff outside of formal training sessions. I was lucky enough to play three months of rugby before coronavirus took hold around the world and shut everything down but I will always remember the two games we played at Lindenwood University, Missouri. It was truly an enjoyable experience playing alongside my new team mates who would give anything to win. I was also lucky enough to have been offered rugby scholarships by some universities here based on the games we played. Once again, I am very honoured but my home is England, thus that is where I will be attending university. I have made new friendships in the States and I have also learnt so much about America here, but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself and getting a taste of what it is really like. I would like to sincerely thank Mr Sheer for helping to set this trip up for me and also Mr Baker from the Cokethorpe Society who granted me a very generous £250 travel bursary. I really hope that I keep the Cokethorpe/Penn rugby link alive and that current Cokethorpe rugby players will consider coming to Penn during their gap year. In fact, I have been told that Penn rugby love having English players come over to strengthen the squad. I am more than happy to help any student who is interested. Just contact me and Ill set you up.' Dominic House (OC 2019, Queen Anne)
Annual Fund Stage-in-a-Box
We are delighted to announce that with the funds raised from the Christmas Wreath Workshops the Drama Department has been able to purchase a much needed Stage-in-a-Box. The Stage-in-a-Box is a portable metal box which transforms into a stage or performance area, and contains more than 60 pieces including replica rostas, manikins and a fully working lighting rig. It is designed to help pupils visualise how stage sets and lighting work.
Henry Purdy
Congratulations @henrypurdy_ on the new contract and the scintillating form this season @CKP_Sport @CKP_Rugby #ThisIsMyPlaceToAchieve Congratulations to Henry Purdy (OC 2012, Queen Anne) who has been signed to Bristol Bears for a two year contract.
Cokethorpe Society Donations
If you have any old photos, videos or stories you would like to share with the Society, we would be delighted to receive them for our archives and to share on social media. Please email any scanned documents to society@cokethorpe.org or, if sending by post, please address any packages to: Cokethorpe Society Cokethorpe School Witney, OX29 7PU
Cokethorpe Society Committee
Chair: Tom Biggs (2008) Treasurer: Tony Baker (1964) Secretary: Charles Bartlett (2008)
Cokethorpe Society Contact Details
society@cokethorpe.org 01993 892352 Facebook fb.com/groups/cokethorpesociety
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Annual Fund Ways of Giving
All donations to the Annual Fund are put to good use immediately, so the impact of your gift will be felt by current as well as future generations of pupils. Participation is the key, not the level of generosity. Quite simply, every gift helps.
Annual Fund 2019 – 2020 This year, we are seeking support for the projects listed below: Treehouse - £8,000 To develop the provision the woods offer to better develop their exploring, climbing, imaginative play and risk taking in an exciting new environment. It would additionally be used as an outdoor classroom to support environmental studies.
There are many ways you can support and donate to the Annual Fund and more information about each of these can be found on our website: www.cokethorpe.org. uk/2019annualfund Some of the most popular ways to give include regular giving, single gifts, bequests, payroll giving, matched giving and stocks and shares.
What to do Next
Full details of how you can support the Annual Fund using any of these methods can be found on our website. Alternatively, you can get in touch using the details below if you wish to discuss making a gift. foundationoffice@cokethorpe.org 01993 892352 Foundation Office Cokethorpe School Witney Oxon OX29 7PU
Melting Point Apparatus - £1,600 It is used for determining the melting point of a solid, and subsequently its identity or purity. It would benefit the Corinthian Partnership schools, Science clubs and A Level students. Trim Trail - £5,000 To provide the children with a variety of physical challenges to develop balance, climbing confidence, upper and lower body strength, core stability, coordination and gross motor skills. We have chosen a selection of both Senior and Junior School projects across the science, sport, drama and social areas of the School. The projects are of varying value so that you can make a contribution towards your preferred project or purchase a whole project outright for the School. So that you are aware of the value of each project, we have put an approximate cost for each project next to its description.
Wider Community
Use of Cokethorpe Facilities
This term, the School has supported a number of local groups, businesses, associations and sports clubs, including: Ducklington Football Club Juniors Lower Windrush Choral Society Standlake Beavers Standlake Explorers Standlake Scouts Witney and District Fustal Club Wychwood Hockey Club Witney Hockey Club MCC Cricket Club Foundation Darryl Woods Cricket Coaching Oxfordshire Cricket Board Youth Nets West Oxfordshire Business Awards Bampton Cricket Club
Darryl Woods Cricket Coaching
'Having two cricket lanes and nets is really useful as you can set up your bowling machine in one lane and then do bowling coaching in the other, and as there is still plenty of room outside of these, fielding and wicket keeping drills can also be carried out in the rest of the Sports Hall. One of the really great features are the windows up high on one side of the hall as this allows some natural light in. All of my players confirmed that they had a really great experience using the facility.' Darryl Woods
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West Oxfordshire Business Awards
In February, it was an absolute pleasure to welcome guests of the tenth annual West Oxfordshire Business Awards – a competition by nomination celebrating the successes of local businesses – to Cokethorpe for their Celebration of Business Reception. A transformed Dining Hall brought the usual air of glamour to proceedings, as some 180 business and commercial leaders sampled a delectable selection of themed canapés, provided by the seemingly limitless talents of our Catering Team, whilst they awaited the announcement of this year’s finalists. The School was delighted to sponsor the new Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, one of thirteen award categories announcing three finalists apiece on the evening. Cokethorpe’s academic ethos – providing a tailored, liberal education that focuses on the individual – is perfectly partnered with the spirit of the Young Entrepreneur Award. Mr Ettinger, who announced the finalists of the Award, went on to thank the organisers as well as the School’s Catering and Facilities departments for their immense efforts in delivering such a splendid event alongside the organisers. It is hoped that the success of their efforts will lead to the foundation of a partnership for many years to come.
Archives Tornado Aftermath 2012
Following Storm Dennis and Storm Ciara, here are some photos from the archives of the destruction caused to the School in 2012.
Turning Back the Pages Below are news items from past issues of The Bell Tower, The Peacock and The Ocellus. 50 Years Ago (1970) Changes in the staff are happily infrequent, but this term we are losing one of the best-known and best-loved of the younger masters - Mr David Davies, who after five years here is moving on to King's School, Peterborough. Its masters are the life of a School; everything depends on their readiness to fling themselves into their varied tasks, activities or interests, selflessly and wholeheartedly - to be, in the best and deepest sense, at the service of the boys. This is exactly what David Davies has been - to a degree which will make him long remembered by those generations of Cokethorpe boys who came under his sway. Geographers, rugby players, athletes, will have the most vivid memories of him, but all will remember gratefully his kindness and unassuming devotion to their varied needs. 30 Years Ago (1990) In 1979 Cokethorpe was 22 years old. It occupied a truly stately, if smallish, home in a favoured location, it possessed areas for sport, privacy and expansion. But it had not really arrived. Still suffering from growing pains, it lacked in particular the leadership to set it on a course towards success, and the depth of prosperity necessary for development. Not far away there was a man who had reached the peak of his teaching career. Sub-Warden of Radley; seventeen years a Housemaster, with 29 years service in all; known nationwide from the famous TV Radley series; recently married to the Warden's first rate Secretary, and with two small sons already to their credit; David Goldsmith was not content to rest on his laurels, but applied instead for the headship of Cokethorpe School. 10 Years Ago (2010) Cokethorpe held a fabulous celebration dinner on Friday 12 February to mark the official opening of the new Dining Hall and Sixth Form Centre and in honour of the out-going Chairman of Governors, Michael St John Parker. Over 100 guests arrived to the impressive sound of bag pipes drifting from the new development’s rooftop, before enjoying a champagne reception in the Sixth Form Common Room. Mr Ettinger and senior and long-serving members of staff were joined by current and former Governors, members of the Cokethorpe Society Committee, two former Headmasters, David Crawford and Philip Cantwell and the family of the late David Goldsmith, former Headmaster. Those that had helped in the construction of the building and representatives from a range of other companies, schools and organisations also attended. The Dining Hall looked particularly magnificent for the occasion.
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Tail Feathers Ave Atque Valete
Mrs James- Deputy Head of Junior School
'I imagine that one never tires of the breath-taking parkland view upon arrival at Cokethorpe. The Mansion House was a welcome reward having moved from London to Oxfordshire four days prior to Christmas with my two young children who also started at Cokethorpe in the Junior School this year. They too enjoy driving down the sweeping drive each morning, competing rigorously for first sight of the splendid wooden peacock! Both children have slotted in seamlessly thanks to their caring teachers and new well-mannered, inclusive friends. It has been a privilege to join the Junior School team as Deputy Head; the kindness and camaraderie of the staff is genuine and ongoing. Cokethorpe is as industrious as every other school if not more so. From an early age I have wanted to teach. I graduated from Exeter University with a BA (Hons) in Classics and soon fulfilled my vocation. In London, I worked at Wetherby School and then, at Dulwich College. Throughout my career, I have taught as a class teacher for Years 1 to 6 and I have been on the Senior Management Team as Head of English, Head of Pre-Prep and as Head of Communications. I have very much enjoyed working at these schools, yet now I am extremely grateful for the sanctuary and idylls of the Oxfordshire pastures.'
Miss Brigham - Head of Outdoor Education
'Before arriving at Cokethorpe to start in the new position as Head of Outdoor Education I had completed my teacher training and was managing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at a school in the West Midlands. In the years leading up to this I have worked with schools all over the world, particularly in the Middle East and South East Asia, delivering Outdoor Education and leading expeditions to a number of destinations around the world. Some of my highlights have been leading groups to Himalayan peaks in India and Nepal, experiencing life under the stars while cooking by campfire in Tanzania and cycling the Munda Biddi trail in Australia. However, it brings me great joy to be involved in all types of Outdoor Education, wherever the location. I hope to inspire in pupils an excitement for adventure, passion for the outdoors and to motivate the Cokethorpe community to embrace adventures, big and small, near and far.'
Staff News Congratulations to Maths teacher Mr Purdie and his wife Lyndsay, on the birth of their daughter Charlotte born on Wednesday 9 February weighing 6lbs 15oz.
Congratulations to Geography teacher Mrs Webb and her husband Peter, on the birth of their baby daughter Phoebe Isla, who was born on Tuesday 1 October weighing 7lbs 2oz.
Virtual Open Morning Saturday 13 June from 9.30am
Prospective parents interested in entry at any age are warmly invited to join us. Departments will be on hand to answer any questions, and there will be the opportunity to take video tours of the School. Details will be available on the School website. For personal visits or a tour after the lockdown has been lifted, or to arrange a discussion with the Registrar, Mrs S Sheer, the Head of Junior School if appropriate, or to meet the Headmaster, please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@cokethorpe.org or 01993 892333).
Contact Information
Headmaster Email correspondence with Mr Ettinger (dje@cokethorpe.org) is particularly welcomed during the Headmaster ‘Live’ hour (8.00pm – 9.00pm on the first Monday of each month during term time). At other times please contact the Headmaster’s Secretary (01993 892325 or hmsec@cokethorpe.org). Senior Management Team Bursar: Mrs H Stapleton bursar@cokethorpe.org Deputy Headmaster: Mr J C Stevens jcs@cokethorpe.org Head of Junior School: Mrs N Black nab@cokethorpe.org Director of Studies: Mr A E Uglow aeu@cokethorpe.org Director of Co-Curricular: Mr G J Sheer gjs@cokethorpe.org Housemasters and Housemistresses Lower House: Mr M J P O'Connor mjoc@cokethorpe.org Feilden: Mr S G Carter sgc@cokethorpe.org Gascoigne: Mrs E Semenzato es@cokethorpe.org Harcourt: Mr W G Lawson wgl@cokethorpe.org Queen Anne: Mrs S A Orton sao@cokethorpe.org Swift: Mrs M H Cooper mhdc@cokethorpe.org Vanbrugh: Ms L A Mountain lam@cokethorpe.org
Editor’s Notes
The icon indicates that a longer write-up and/or further photographs are available on the School website. THE OCELLUS is edited and typeset by the Foundation Office. It is published by Cokethorpe School.
Cokethorpe School Witney, Oxon OX29 7PU Tel: 01993 703921 Email: admin@cokethorpe.org
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