cranleigh-matters-issue-36

The Cranleigh School Newsletter Issue No 36

Lent 2010

Head s Up Dear Parents,

Throughout my time as Head of Cranleigh, I have always been extremely proud to be part of such a school: a school known for its warmth, its diversity, its outgoing, self-confident pupils and for the sheer busyness of the place. Every so often, however, a term comes along that takes my sense of pride to another level, because of the truly extraordinary achievements of those who are part of this community. This term is one such term: it simply, in the words of one of my colleagues, doesn t get much better than this .

The January modules provided some extremely promising results in the lead up to the summer exams, especially for those heading into the home straight of their A Levels.

On the sports pitches, on the netball courts and in the swimming pool there have been an outstanding number of successes for both school teams and for individuals, with many pupils achieving at county, regional and national level success stories that we have every hope will continue with a wide range of tours and fixtures taking place in the holidays.

And then of course there was Fiddler on the Roof a collaboration between the musicians and the actors that blew audiences away night after night thanks to the sheer professionalism of the cast, the orchestra, the Art Department s set-making skills and the pupil-led technical crew who ensured it all came together so seamlessly. Mr Martin Allison and Mr Marcus Pashley deserve huge credit for their inspirational direction.

Add to this the behind-the-scenes efforts of the Bursarial departments generally; the continuing developments within the Cranleigh Foundation; and, of particular note this term, the sterling efforts of the Grounds Department (especially during the particularly adverse weather conditions, throughout which we were able to carry on with business as usual ), and all in all it makes for an extremely uplifting Cranleigh Matters!

Well done to all the pupils who have given so much of themselves throughout an exciting term and to all the staff who dedicate so much of their time and themselves in supporting those endeavours so successfully. Enjoy catching up on everything they ve been up to either in these pages, or with this term s 70-plus news articles on the website and, of course, have a wonderful Easter break.

Guy Waller Head

Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ Tel: 01483 273666

Devizes to Westminster Diary

Each year a select team of Cranleigh pupils bravely battle the odds and the elements to take on the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race, one of the most gruelling challenges that pupils face. We get the inside track on just what it feels like to be part of that determined team, with extracts taken from the diaries of two Cranleigh girls .

TUESDAY 5th JANUARY 2010. We arrived back at school last night, and as we discussed the excitement of doing the DW, making closer friendships and achieving such a great task, we didn t even consider the pain we were about to go through.

We arrived in Mr Parker s classroom at 3.30pm this afternoon, ready to run. First he tried his best to terrify us (he succeeded), then we filled out various forms.

Nerves started to mount. Finally, at 4.00pm, we prepared for our first run. We were attempting to beat last year s time of 38 minutes; by the end I think everyone was just glad to be able to breathe again.

My lungs and throat burned, and that s when I realised I probably hadn t run farther than up the stairs in two months.

The entire way through, my body was telling me to give up; I stopped twice when I thought I would be seeing my lunch again, but the encouragement of the others and of our coaches made me really proud to be part of the team, and I didn t want to let them down already!

It s now three hours later, and I am very stiff! I ve just sat down for too long and as I stood up my legs turned to jelly and I fell over... Very embarrassing.

TOP TIPS TO MYSELF: 1. Warm up. 2. Warm down 3. Don t stop! 4. Have a hot shower afterwards. 5. Find a masseuse for next week.

WEDNESDAY 6th JANUARY. We swam today, and learnt about technique in a single kayak in the pool. It

was fun and I was the first one to fall in! It uses completely different muscles to normal, and after just two strokes it started to hurt! It s quite difficult to keep your posture as well. My balance may not be quite up to scratch. Am very, very, very stiff.

THURSDAY 7 th JANUARY. Have just finished circuits: I really enjoyed them. It hurt a lot but it was fun and very bonding , with everyone encouraging each other to keep going.

FRIDAY 8th JANUARY: The Bleep Test. We arrived in the Sports Hall and were horrified to find the whole balcony filled with people watching. Level 1: phew, I was out of breath already (almost at walking pace). I finished at Level 8, which I am happy with. I can t wait to improve.

MONDAY 18th JANUARY. We now have a timetable for training Monday: recover. Tuesday: technique/ run. Wednesday: recover/gym. Thursday: river.

Friday: circuits. Saturday: river. Sunday: race.

Yesterday we spent a long day on the river, where we ran for the first time with the boat on our shoulders.

I am in soooooo much pain mainly in the shoulders, back and legs. But we ve already started to bond with our teammates and had a lot of fun splashing the others yesterday. And I ve not fallen in yet!!

TUESDAY 19th JANUARY. We ve just been on a 3.5-mile run: I almost threw up three times. BUT I did it! It was hell I am so not ready for anything this big. The question is, can I do it? Answer: I will try.

THURSDAY 21st JANUARY. Today we paddled eight kilometres. It was the hardest physical thing I ve ever done. Considering our race in a week is 12 miles, I m not sure I m ready. I ache, I m in SO much pain, I can barely move: my neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs hurt so much.

Continued over.....

For full details of all School and House news, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community

Devizes to Westminster Diary continued FRIDAY 29 th JANUARY. We kayaked eight miles yesterday!! I had my inhaler with me this time, so it was much better. We fell in for the first time and it was horrible, I almost cried.

We ve just finished circuits and I feel like death, I need to sleep! First race this weekend HELP. SATURDAY 30th JANUARY. We had our race, it was impossibly hard and I cried at the end but we did so well, not stopping and even beating some of the boys!! I M SHATTERED.

FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY. Things are really taking their toll now. I can barely stay awake and I am going to bed early every night. We were on the river yesterday and when I got into the boat it felt like I was starting afresh and had forgotten everything! It was awful, I m really nervous about this weekend and our race.

I have circuits now and I am not sure I can handle it. I think I have hit the wall.

SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY: Waterside A Canoe Race (Great Bedwyn). Waterside A was 13 miles, with something ridiculous like 29 locks. Locks are not our strong point This was the most horrible race!! Olivia cried this time, although I was extremely close after the second time of falling in!

GRIFF S GRIPES

There are two key things that have become real bugbears for staff this term: pupils should please take note!

1. CHEWING GUM: whether it is stuck under desks, thrown thoughtlessly on the floor to get glued to the shoes of the next passer-by, or even occasionally put in the bins (to which it also adheres), disused chewing gum is a disgusting by-product of an unsociable habit that is banned in School (for precisely the aforementioned reasons). As such, anyone caught chewing it will be put to work removing offending items from wherever a similarly antisocial pupil has opted to dispose of them.

2. WASTED FOOD: there is a truly extraordinary amount of food wasted each and every day because people take too much and then change their minds once at the table. Pupils are asked to ensure that they take only what they intend to eat, rather than simply loading their tray with everything that takes their fancy as they walk around. We can thereby reduce the amount of largely or totally untouched food that we have to throw away after every meal.

Thank you Andrew Griffiths, Deputy Head

The Term in

PICTURES It is of course impossible to include everything that has gone on at Cranleigh this term in such a limited space: we ve simply picked out a few highlights, and tried to give a taste of Cranleigh life...

Please refer to the website/The Cranleighan at the end of the School Year for a more detailed review of all news and events.

Pictures, from left to right, working across: Netball: Surrey U19 Runners-Up Rotary Public Speaking Rosie Singleton, Winner, Helen Wareham Competition: Vocal Performance Outdoor Education Netball: Surrey U15 Champions Ms Louise Ramsey, Opportunities in Sport

PURELY ACADEMIC

The Easter holidays will again provide an important time for our pupils to get some academic work done.

All years have summer exams to face next term: for the three senior years these will be key external modules, which for the Sixth Form may well have an impact on university prospects. It will be important for everyone to enjoy some rest and recuperation, but also to utilise their time wisely in order to do some revision along the lines suggested by their teachers.

Teresa Yoon, Best School Performance, UK Intermediate Maths Challenge Oliver Harris, Winner, Helen Wareham Competition: Brass Performance Lenten Address Rebecca Street: Science at University and In Industry Classics Debate v St Catherine s Winter fun Cross-country home fixture Boys football match West House Play: A Light-Hearted Evening of One-Act Plays Tom Avery Society: Beyond Cranleigh Mixed Hockey Tour setting off for Holland

SUNDAY 21st FEBRUARY: Waterside B Canoe Race (Newbury). This race was 17.5 miles, paddling downstream from Newbury and then back upstream. It was carnage as everyone turned around and we were then pushing against each other s wakes, making it even harder. We finally made it, however; even though I think I cried, I found it better than the last one.

SUNDAY 7TH MARCH: Waterside C Canoe Race (Pewsey). HELL. The first 7.5 miles were frozen, so we had to run them! After that we had to climb back in, already exhausted, and paddle another 15.5 miles!! I DON T THINK I CAN DO THIS!!

Extracts taken from the diaries of Ellie Shaw and Olivia McConnell-Wood

Careers Evening: Zane Sennett (OC), Red 2 Fiddler on the Roof Please note the following dates for Study Leave: Upper Sixth Study Leave to begin after school activities on Saturday 12th June.

Lower Sixth Study Leave to begin after school (6.00pm) on Monday 24th May and to run until 8.10am on Wednesday 9th June. (LVI pupils are encouraged to note that their teachers are available in school during study leave for consultation as required.)

Upper Fifth Study Leave to begin after each individual pupil s final exam on Friday 28th May. Martin Allison, Director of Studies

SPEECH DAY 2010

This year we are delighted to be once again welcoming OCs back to School on Speech Day. Full details will be sent out at a later date, but please do come along and enjoy the day to the full: the regular Speeches and pupil exhibitions, plus a Chapel Service with the School Choir followed by a hog roast/picnics (as preferred) around the School v OC cricket match on Jubilee, with plenty of family fun to be had throughout the afternoon.

Chapel Choir singing Evensong, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford European CICERO Classics Competition Devizes-Westminster training session Hockey 1st XI: Winners of the Boarding Schools Cup Inter-House cross-country Voting in the Knoller Society Mock General Elections Rob Merry - UVIth Purvis Society Speaker Boys hockey match Emma Wallis, Winner, Helen Wareham Competition: Pat Dixon Woodwind Performance James Thompson and Henry Taylor, representative honours in rugby The Memorial Pavilion in winter Battle of the Bands House Debating, Winners, North Loveday Charity Walk

For weekly updates of all of CranleighÂ’s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community. For House News, please visit the Houses section

CRANLEIGH BEHIND THE SCENES FIRSTS Even in this mid-year term, we have seen a few Cranleigh firsts occurring, centred largely upon the pupils ever-widening range of events and activities. The one that has undoubtedly proved most popular is the new bouldering wall, kindly funded by a very generous parent and installed in the new Outdoor Education Centre over Christmas, which has been a hive of activity with pupils of all levels down there almost every afternoon.

Last term s initial foray into girls fives, in the form of the girls first inter-House competition, has now developed further,with the School s first external girls fives fixture, against Westminster. Next year it will be theNationals!

Likewise, we have branched out into our first external badminton match, against Charterhouse. And it s not just Cranleigh pupils who have benefited: the sporting theme continues with Cranleigh s first Masterclass for Prep School girls,an extremely popular event overseen by Steve Batchelor, at which girls from nine different Prep Schools gathered for high-level tutoring in lacrosse, hockey and netball.

FLYING COLOURS

Well done to the following, who have been awarded their School Colours this term:

Fives: Will Langmead (E) and Michael Haynes (E) Squash: Tory Sawyer (W), Duncan Allan (L) and Sam Wilson (C) WaterPolo: Charlie Cope (E) and Brandon Cragg (N) Cross Country: Henry Wilson (E) Lacrosse: Kelly Hughes (W), Chrissie Hoolahan (S) and Nina Beeston (S) Football: Jonnie Russell (E) Netball: Carly Rothman (W), Rowena Morgan (S), Ella Dormon (S), Issy Croker (S), Zoe Crouch (S), Rosie Smith (S) and Fran Beaumont (S) Hockey: Tom Forster (N), Harry Thomas (L), Sam Wilson (C), Duncan Allan (L), Will Langmead (E) Other Colours awarded at the end of term were: Academic Competitions: Tom Grafton (N), Henry Wilson (E), Zeno Agnew-Davies (N) Music Achievement: Dom Murray (C) and Tory Sawyer (W)

Many staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to make Cranleigh the School we all know and love. The first thing that strikes most people as they come up to Cranleigh are the magnificent grounds, which are invariably immaculate come snow, falling leaves or late summer drought. So for this issue, we caught up with the Grounds Manager, Denis Bloomfield...

What qualities do you think a good Grounds Manager should have, and why?

Most Grounds Managers are only as good as the team they lead and it is vital that all of that team have a passion for what they do, whether trying to produce the best parks, gardens, open spaces or sports facilities. The ability to multi-task and be flexible in such a busy environment, and a good relationship with the teaching/coaching staff to ensure a two-way understanding are all also key.

How big is your team, and who does it comprise of?

18 full-time members of staff, including seven Groundsmen, seven Gardeners and the Estates/ General team.

Are you usually able to pre-plan your week?

I start each week with a fair idea of what s planned, but often this goes out the window by coffee time on Monday...

Depending, however, on the time of year and the sports involved, we do have a fairly regular structure to our week especially during term time, when we have to avoid using noisy machinery during lessons/exams. Generally the team s work is dictated by the season and the School calendar.

You also have to expect the unexpected, such as escaped horses running over the golf course or having to put cricket practice nets up again two days after they ve been taken down, following a last-minute request by Surrey 1st XI squad!

Describe your team s average year For the grounds team, the Easter holidays are one of the busiest periods, as we switch from the winter sports programme to summer sports turning rugby/football/hockey pitches into cricket outfields or athletics facilities. Come the summer, there are intensive cricket preparations especially now Cranleigh hosts various Surrey cricket, from the District U11s up to the 2nd XI, in addition to School and OC matches. From July to September the team carry out end-of-season renovations of the cricket facilities while preparing sports pitches ready for the Michaelmas term.

The rest of the time, they carry out routine

maintenance of the sports facilities to ensure that the pitches are fit for play.

The gardeners are usually busiest throughout the summer and into autumn, as they plant out all the plants they ve been growing under glass, tend the many bedding displays and cut lawns/hedges etc.

This usually peaks as we approach Speech Day and the beginning of the new school year.

What is the biggest challenge you ve had this term?

Obviously we ve just experienced the worst winter for 30 years. During the heavy snow our primary concern was to keep both Schools safe and open for business. Post thaw, our main challenge was getting the facilities back into play ASAP without the natural surfaces being torn to shreds. Our next challenge is that the cold ground conditions mean that, growthwise everything is about a month behind!

What is your favourite part of the job and why?

I still find it really rewarding looking at the grounds when they are prepared for an event or matches.

When the sun is out and the grounds are well presented, you can t help feeling a sense of pride and relief that all the plans and hard work have fallen into place.

What is your least favourite part of the job and why?

Having to put facilities out of play due to weather conditions and, in so doing, having to disappoint the staff and pupils involved.

What is your fondest memory?

There are a few, for differing reasons, but recently we have hosted various events such as the Bunbury Charity Cricket Matches and OC Day last year where all has gone as planned and people have enjoyed a cracking day. It s a real boost when top sportsmen such as Mark Ramprakash compliment the pitch, and when returning OCs are particularly positive about the grounds.

And your funniest?

The CCF fire engine sinking like a U-Boat on South Field in late October... apparently the ground was firm enough to take it in June, when they last attempted it! And enquiring as to the health of one of my staff, who had managed to amputate part of his thumb at home. In my caring way I asked his wife if there was any chance of the missing part of his body being frozen and stitched back on... to which she said unlikely, as one of his dogs had eaten it!

I m glad she laughed first!

FAST FACTS

Only 15 boys out of around 290 avoided falling ill during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which killed more than 50 million people worldwide. Because of the illness the School was shut on Armistice Day. Fagging (running around after one of the Seniors), although never a major factor in Cranleigh life, was formally abolished only in 1964.

Between 1865 and the early 1890s, boys were served with a glass of beer (known as swipes ) at dinner.

Cranleigh School Shop Ideally situated within Cranleigh School grounds, with its own parking

Stocks every item of school uniform required for both Cranleigh Preparatory School and the Senior School and in every size that is called for, providing excellence of quality and service in every respect. In addition, it offers a comprehensive array of sporting goods, school ties for all of the Schools clubs and societies, plus general toiletries and other essentials.

Dominic Murray

SPOTLIGHT ON...

A LEAD IN THE SCHOOL PLAY

How did you feel when you were given the lead role in Fiddler on the Roof?

What have been the highs/lows of taking on this role?

I was shocked because I didn t think I suited the part at all. The guy was old, fat, Jewish and had a beard, and I m none of those!

I learnt a lot about leading a cast, which was something I hadn t really done before. There s a huge onus to lead by example, and not muck up. The low of taking the role was growing that wretched beard!

Who did you have to audition in front of?

I had my audition in front of Mr Artus and Mr Pashley. I had to sing a few songs from the show and do a bit of dialogue nothing out of the ordinary. I remember I did have to tell a joke, and it was one of those that are so terrible that it was funny anyway. It went, What s E.T short for?...

Because he s got little legs. I think I got it from a Christmas cracker or something. God knows how I got the part!

How long have you been interested in acting and singing?

I ve always been interested in them both. I don t know why, they re just two of those things that you have a passion for. It s hard to say which I prefer. I ve certainly been singing far longer than I have been acting. They both do very different things. Let s just say I wouldn t want to give up either of them.

Which of your musical achievements so far mean the most to you?

Getting my Grade 8 Distinction at the start of last term was pretty good, and also winning the Helen Wareham Competition last year for singing.

Opening Times:

Senior School Term Time: 8.30 am 4.30 pm Monday to Friday (excl. lunch, 12.00 noon 1.00 pm)

What other parts have you had in previous School plays?

Senior School Holidays: 9.00 am 3.00 pm Monday to Friday, (excl. lunch, 12.00 noon 1.00 pm)

I was a very minor part in Les Mis as a student/ farmer in the Fourth Form, and in the Upper Fifth I played the part of the Judge in Sweeney Todd.

The first three Saturdays of each term, 10.00 am 11.30 am.

Aside from acting and singing, what other things do you particularly enjoy doing?

Telephone: 01483 273666 Email: schoolshop@cranleigh.org How did you prepare for the part once you d been given it?

At first I just had a load of one-to-one rehearsals with Mr Artus, where he spoke to me about the character of Tevye. And I suppose I just prepared the same as everyone else learned my lines, songs, etc and took the directions given. When Mr Allison took over the Director s role he told everyone that he was keen on accents and he wanted us to try them out. I think mine started out sounding like an upper-class old English guy, but eventually it started sounding more authentic, and luckily it stuck.

How did you find the whole experience?

Well, I d be lying if I didn t say about halfway through the process I was feeling a bit daunted by the whole thing. Obviously it was hard work, but looking back I m really pleased I did it. It s been one of the most rewarding things I ve done.

What were your favourite and least favourite elements of the role?

I think the best bit about the role was the interaction with the audience. Not many famous lead parts in shows get to chat directly to the audience it s good fun, and it takes a bit of pressure off because you break that audienceperformer barrier down. You act more like a standup comedian in that sense. My least favourite part was that I was barely off stage for two-anda-half hours!

Were you worried/nervous about performing?

In the blackout before the show started, yes, I was very nervous: I always get nervous before shows, everyone does, but you need the nerves I suppose.

But as I was on stage they went away and I just did what I d practised. I think it was on the last night, when my nerves went away entirely, that I didn t produce as good a performance.

I m a big fan of live music, so I go to a lot of gigs out of school. I used to be a keen rugby player, but unfortunately I had to stop due to injury and I concentrated more on music. I do miss it though.

What are your key extra-curricular activities in school?

As a Music Scholar I am in the orchestra and wind band, as I play the clarinet and double bass. On top of a load of other music things like choir, etc.

Now that Fiddler is over, what are your key aspirations for this year?

I suppose my real goal is to get my grades. I need an A in Music to get into Leeds, which is where I want to go, so that s my most important focus. I also long to get picked for Mr Neill s legendary 3rd XI cricket squad in the summer. The banter, I m told, is of the highest quality!

What is your fondest memory from your time at Cranleigh?

That is the hardest question. I ve had an amazing time at this school, I ve got the best friends in the world and Cranleigh has taught me a lot of things but if I had to choose then I would say going on the rugby tour to New Zealand and Fiji.

And your worst?

Feeling travel sick on the way to a hockey match and having to be sick in my lucky hat!

You are going to spend your gap year working in an English School in the South of France what you will be doing there?

Everything from getting the kids up in the morning to supervising meals, taking a few music lessons, sports practices etc just helping out on whatever needs to be done.

And does acting/singing feature in your long-term professional plans?

I hope so. It s definitely something I want to go into later in life, but obviously it s very competitive so we ll see what happens.

For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org. For House News, please visit the Houses section under School Life

SPORTS ROUND-UP The two major sports for the Lent term are, of course, netball for girls and hockey for boys and both sports have had much to be proud of this term.

The U15 netballers are an extremely strong year group, where the standard in the A, B and C team matches was very high: the B team lost only their last match of the season and the C team were undefeated in all seven matches. The U15 As, having lost a couple of players since last year, and despite suffering a couple of uncharacteristic defeats, finally came together in the last week of term to become Surrey Champions.

In the senior squads, the 1st and 2nd teams were, remarkably, unbeaten for the second year in a row an outstanding achievement for both teams. Furthermore, the 1st team were narrow runners-up in the Surrey Championships.

by Tim McConnell-Wood, Assistant Deputy Head

The boys hockey 1st XI had their most successful season in many years, not losing any of their scheduled fixtures though they were disappointed when a below-par performance saw them go out in the quarter-final of the Surrey Cup. Still, they were runners-up in the prestigious St George s Sixes tournament and played magnificently to retain the Boarding Schools Cup, beating Canford 3-2, having knocked out Felsted and Repton in the process.

The U16As have been hugely successful in the Nationals.

They knocked out the National Indoor Champions and tournament favourites Whitgift in the Surrey Cup, and qualified through to the South regional round. The South semi-final took place in the last week of term at Surbiton Hockey Club, where our U16s enjoyed a convincing 6-1 victory, taking them through to the National Finals on 19th April.

The strength in depth goes on, with both the U15 and U14 A teams being unbeaten in regular fixtures the U14s joyously turning around a whitewash in the rugby season, which has been heartening for all. The U15s are currently away on tour with the girls U15 A team in the Netherlands.

The girls swimming team achieved a fabulous first for Cranleigh by qualifying for the Bath Cup final for the first time and finishing sixth out of 35 schools. This in addition to the boys relay teams, who finished fourth and sixth out of 60 schools in the freestyle and medley relays respectively. Fourth Former Charlie Cutting (North) was also selected for the National Speedo League, which is organised for the UK s elite swimmers.

Readers will be interested to learn that Cubitt recaptured the House cross-country, re-establishing their long-term supremacy having lost the trophy to East last year for the first time in over 11 years. Also in cross-country, the Bray

Cup for Commitment to Cross-Country in memory of Wes Bray (Cubitt, 2003) was won by Ben Allon-Smith (Cubitt, Lower Sixth).

The rugby sevens team has been active in three tournaments so far this term and is representing the School over the holidays at Rosslyn Park in the National Sevens. Impressively, Henry Taylor, Henry Lamont, James Thompson, Toby Quarendon and Katie Wallis have all achieved higher representative honours at rugby this term.

The weather interrupted the start of the football season, but the School is now running six successful XIs, and the standard of play is high.

And after an incredibly intensive term of training (as indicated by the personal diary extracts on the front page of Cranleigh Matters), the 20-strong Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race team will be pitting their minds and bodies against the gruelling 125-mile course over the Easter weekend for which we wish them luck.

PERSONAL BESTS...

This term has seen some outstanding performances by Cranleigh pupils (individuals and teams) competing or performing at the very highest level in various spheres, who undoubtedly deserve a special mention:

OXBRIDGE:

School fixtures: the boys hockey A teams had exceptional results, with three of the four A teams (the 1st XI, U15 A and U14 A teams) ending the season unbeaten in regular school matches, and the U16 A team losing only one match.

DEBATING:

England U18 squad: Jonny Gall has been selected for the Four Nations Tournament in Hanover over Easter, while Tom Batchelor is first reserve.

ACADEMIC James Atkinson, Georgia Lubbock, Peers Lyle, Olivia Lyster, Charles Rea, Ben Sanderson, Tory Sawyer, Will Stillwell and Anna van der Zalm received Oxbridge offers.

English-Speaking Union Regional Debating Final:Nicola Hardwick and Henry Wilson came second overall.

MATHEMATICS:

UK Intermediate Maths Challenge: Teresa Yoon scored 92, placing her best in the School and earning her a place in the Olympiad. Gold certificates were gained by James Thompson, Emma Wallis, Sophie Kinally, George Colgan, Jonny Pullar, Peter Westcott, Zak de la Bedoyere and Matt Heath, who have also all made it through to the second round of the Challenge.

DESIGN:

National Science & Engineering Competition:Anna Forrester was invited to showcase her Knight Coaster to over 10,000 visitors, including students, journalists, celebrities and VIPs, in the finals.

England U16 squad: James Gall is first reserve.

LACROSSE:

National Schools Lacrosse Tournament at Imperial College, London: the 1st VII finished third (by just one point) in their section.

NETBALL:

Surrey Schools Netball Tournament: the U15s emerged as Champions, while the Seniors finished as the Surrey runners-up.

SWIMMING:

Bath Cup: the boys 4x100m freestyle team finished fourth by a split second in their final, while the 4x50m medley team came sixth.

SPORT

The girls 4x50m medley team became the first Cranleigh girls team to make a Cup final, and in a very close finish they secured sixth place.

HOCKEY:

RUGBY:

St George s Boys Sixes: the 1st XI won the silver medal.

London and South East U16: Henry Lamont

Boarding Schools Cup: the 1st XI beat Canford 3-2 in the Final to take the Cup.

Nationals: the boys U16 As will compete in the Final on 19th April.

Surrey Captain, London and South-East U16 and final England trial: James Thompson South West U16: Henry Taylor, Cranleigh s Under 16s captain London and South East U18: Toby Quarendon

South West and South of England Girls U18: Katie Wallis

MUSIC Concert Series: Tory Sawyer gave a stunning solo performance in Mendelssohn s Violin Concerto with the Merriman Concert Orchestra Helen Wareham Vocal Performance: Seniors through to Final: Georgie Banks, Hilary Cronin and Dominic Murray Junior Winner: Rosie Singleton Helen Wareham Pat Dixon Woodwind Performance: Seniors through to Final: Chloë Allison, Ellie Ayling and Pip Mansergh Junior Winner: Emma Wallis Helen Wareham Brass Performance: Seniors through to Final: Katherine Chevis, Millie Crane, Henry Harrod Junior Winner: Oliver Harris

DRAMA Such a round-up of outstanding performances would not be complete without a mention of the extraordinary Fiddler on the Roof: the cast, the orchestra and of course the staff involved in putting it together. Lead actor Dom Murray has given an engaging one-on-one interview on page 5, and Peter Longshaw s Performing Arts Overview (opposite) details the cast but for the full review and photo galler y, please do go to the website at www.cranleigh.org/community

PERFORMING ARTS OVERVIEW by Peter Longshaw

The Lent term was a tale of two fiddlers, with the January concert focused on one gifted pupil and the March musical involving as large a cast and crew as any production of recent years. Tory Sawyer gave a stunning performance of the Violin Concerto in E Minor by Mendelssohn as the centrepiece of the concert by the Merriman Concert Orchestra under Marcus Pashley. The standing ovation and tossed bouquets at the end showed not just great personal support, but also genuine awe for her performance.

roles: Shaunagh Duncan as the terrifying Golde; Alice Bryant, Hilary Cronin and Sara Williams as the daughters; and Sam Barrett and Jonathan Oldfield as two of their suitors. And there was great character acting from the other principals: Anthony Dunkley, JJ Bee, Georgina Banks and Harry Rudd. The Speech Hall was packed full for five nights with enthusiastic audiences for this show, with a West End-quality band (including two pupil musicians) under the subtle musical direction of Marcus Pashley. Peter McNiven s stunning stage design (inspired by Chagall) was complemented by Mark Jenkins lighting design and the work of his amazing technical crew.

Another performing highlight was off-campus: the Chapel Choir s singing of Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, with several OCs studying at Oxford joining the congregation.

The fiddler in March was Sam McCagherty, but Tory also made a cameo singing appearance as a ghost. Martin Allison s powerful production ensured the singers also had to be real actors and in the lead role Dom Murray combined the two better than most professional actors, as they rarely have his quality of singing voice. The vocal level was high in all the key

As well as the weekly lunchtime concerts there were three performance evenings in which the top three Seniors won through to the Helen Wareham Competition and in the Junior sections the following won first prizes: Oliver Harris for a delightful rendition of Leroy Anderson s Trumpeter s Lullaby; Rosie Singleton for a phenomenal show-stopper from Les Misérables; and Emma Wallis for her poised fluteplaying.

The hugely entertaining West House triple bill in February comprised Beyond Therapy, Bus Stop and Chekhov s classic The Bear, which was directed with great imagination by Sixth Formers Megan Abbott and JJ Bee.

FOUNDATION FOCUS The Cranleigh Foundation has had a busy few months, with a wide range of successful fundraising initiatives to support the ongoing Rugby Excellence and Multi-Sports Clubhouse project; Foundationer Bursaries for disadvantaged children, and the Chapel Restoration. For full details on these, please see the Foundation newsletter, also enclosed in the end-of-term mailing.

We would, however, like to take this opportunity to highlight some key fundraising events that are happening over the course of this year, arranged by various parents and OCs, which we think may provide some exciting additions to your social diary!

On 9th June the ever-popular Ladies Tennis Tournament is being revived, to which ladies of all abilities are warmly invited. Do come along and join in the friendly competition in the morning, followed by a delicious lunch in the Memorial Pavilion, while at the same time raising money for Foundationer Bursary places.

On 18 th September an exclusive Rugby Dinner will be held at School, featuring some high-profile names from the sport, a Champagne reception and a three-course dinner. As with the Winter Wonderland Ball, the event is likely to be a sell-out, so do put it in the diary and reserve your tickets early.

Keen golfers can enjoy an all-inclusive

Loch Lomond Golf Club

midweek break at the spectacular Loch Lomond Golf Club, ranked as one of the best inland courses in the UK and Ireland, on 4th-5th May or 29th-30th June: highlights include not only the world-class golf, but also outstanding cuisine and a spa in which to relax at the end of each day. Or get together with friends (teams of four) for a one-day 18-hole tournament, with lunch and dinner, at the excellent Kingswood Golf Course in Surrey in early October.

And, finally, there is the rare opportunity to join a 250-bird shoot at the Chilgrove Shoot on the West Dean Estate in Sussex on 6 th December a memorable event that will include four drives and supper.

Details and tickets for all events can be booked through the Foundation Office please call 01483 542118.

For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community. For House News, please visit the Houses section

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Speech Day, circa1897

FOND FAREWELL...

Helen Oliver joined Cranleigh School in October 1980 and, having provided a committed presence in the Enquiry Office on a Saturday morning for many years, she moved to work with the Clerk of Works from 2001 until her retirement in 2010.

During the last nine years Helen s role has changed quite dramatically, in line with the Schools ambitious building development programme and all the extra works required to maintain the larger estate. As Assistant to the Clerk of Works from 2005 she took on even more responsibility, dealing with the increasingly technical aspects with great efficiency and competence and an everready smile. At a reception on the last day of term, members of the Bursarial Staff and Common Room gathered to hear Patrick Roberts pay tribute to the length, variety and high quality of her service - including the huge number of green maintenance forms she had processed over the years!

As a well-respected member of the Works Department she will be sorely missed, and we all wish her the very best for the future as she heads off to spend more time with her family and friends and, no doubt, her golf clubs.....

For comments and requests for content you would like to see featured in Cranleigh Matters, please email egmd@cranleigh.org A sincere thank you to Stephen Owen for providing the photography featured within, and to Nick Smith at Andesign for all the design and artwork.

GOOD LUCK in the holidays to the:

LVth Mixed Hockey Tour to Holland CCF Easter Camp to Harlech UV French trip to Antibes Rugby players competing in the National Sevens Tournament Paddlers taking on the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race UVI Russia Trip D of E Gold Expedition Practice in the Black Mountains Senior Tennis Tour to Spain

DATES FOR NEXT TERM S DIARY

A quick-glance round-up of some key events (in-school and out) to which parents are warmly invited or at which their support would be, as ever, extremely welcome!

Tue 25 Thu 27 May

Junior Play: The Comedy of Errors

by William Shakespeare (7.30pm, VCT)

Sun 25 April

East House Charity Day (5.00am to 5.00pm)

Thu 29 April

Tom Avery Society Lecture: Rowing the Atlantic, Mr Richard Hume, OC (7.30pm, ALT)

Sun 13 June

Charity Family Triathlon (3.00pm)

Fri 30 April

Helen Wareham Competition: Grand Final (7.00pm, SH)

Sat 19 June

Athletics: Home Fixture Boys & Girls U19, U17, U15 (K2 Crawley)

Wed 5 May

Summer Concert (7.30pm, SH)

Sat 8 May

Concert Series: Helen Wareham Competition Encore - Winners Concert (7.30pm, EC)

Wed 23 June Girls Cricket U18 v MCC (H) (2.00pm) Concert Series: Nuove Musiche with David Sheringham (7.30pm, EC)

Sun 9 May

Confirmation Service: The Rt Revd Ian Brackley, Bishop of Dorking (6.00pm, St Nicolas Church) Confirmation Supper (7.30pm, DH)

Sun 27 June

North House Charity Day (All Day) Cubitt House Charity Sports Event (Afternoon)

Mon 10 May

Concert Series: Richard Saxel (7.30pm, EC)

Wed 30 June East House Music Evening (7.30pm, MMS) Loveday House Music Evening (7.30pm, Loveday Quad/ALT)

Fri 21 May

House Athletics (3.20pm, Lowers)

Sun 4 July

Sat 22 May

Riding: Stonar Mini and Junior ODE (All Day, Stonar)

Speech Day and OC Day (Speeches begin 10.45am)

Sun 23 May

South House Charity Summer Fair (3.00pm)

Tue 6 Wed 7 July

Boys Cricket 1st XI v Charterhouse (H) (11.30am, Jubilee)

Thu 8 July

Boys Cricket 1st XI v MCC (H) (11.30am, Jubilee)

N.B. Some events do require tickets.

For full details of all of next term s events, including individual teams sporting fixtures, please refer to the School Calendar and to the Events Guide (also available online at www.cranleigh.org).

...and finally, Cranleigh Staff would like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter

For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community For House News, please visit the Houses section at www.cranleigh.org/school-life/houses