Inside Heathfield enews issue 28

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 History Trip to Ypres On Friday 31 October 2014 the Form III girls were woken early for a most memorable day trip to the First World War battlefields around Ypres.

After picking up our wonderful guide Mick at Maidstone Services and having a spot of breakfast we made our way across the channel to Belgium.

Our first stop was Lijssenthoek, on the outskirts of Ypres, where the students were introduced to a huge British military cemetery. We learnt about the gravestones as well as some of the individuals who were laid to rest there. There were many different nationalities of soldiers buried there alongside the British including Australians, Americans, French, Canadians, Indians, Chinese and even Germans. There was also a female nurse called Nellie Spindler who, we learned, had been hit by a shell whilst trying to save wounded soldiers. It was alarming to see that the vast majority of those buried there were aged between 19 and 24 years of age.

Our next stop was another cemetery which was notable for two things. Firstly, it was where the doctor John Macrae is said to have written the poem In Flanders Field and secondly, it has the grave of a 15 year old boy called Valentine Strudwick, one of the youngest to die on the Western Front in World War One. Here we stopped for a wonderful picnic lunch by the canal which we were able to enjoy because of the beautiful, unseasonal weather and the fruits of our excellent catering staff’s labour.

Once we were fed we took our first trip into the town of Ypres, a beautiful town dominated by the medieval-looking Cloth Hall. We learnt that this had been completely rebuilt after the war because the whole town had been decimated by fighting. This was the location of the In Flanders Field museum, a very modern, artistic and interactive museum that certainly does not hide away from the horrors of the war. Girls were given ‘poppy bracelets’ which enabled them to learn about real case studies from the war.

Then it was off to the preserved German trenches at Bayernwald to experience a bit of trench life.

Despite the lovely weather they were still muddy and most unpleasant. Here the girls learnt about the conditions soldiers lived in and the everyday health and hygiene problems they had to deal with, such as rats as big as dogs! While the girls enjoyed running through the zig-zagged patterns of trenches, they were glad to be able to leave them, something they appreciated was not possible for the soldiers in the First World War. After a quick hot chocolate stop we were ready to embark on our last two stops of the day: a German cemetery at Langemarck and the largest British cemetery in the world at Tyne Cot. By visiting both belligerents trenches the girls were able to draw sobering comparisons between the two; the German cemeteries were small, dark and full of mass graves which was a stark contrast to the huge, light, open rows of bright white stones marking the graves of individual Commonwealth soldiers.

The day ended with a meal and a chance for chocolate shopping in Ypres followed by the very moving Last Post Cemetery at the Menin Gate. Three girls (Chloe, Jenny and Nicole) were chosen to lay a wreath during the ceremony because of the interest they had shown during the day.

An inspirational day was had by all and this was reflected in the work books completed by all students, particularly Arielle, Ellie, Lydia, Grace, Harriet and Esme who won prizes for their efforts.

Thanks to Mr Pithers and Mr Hart who accompanied the trip.

Mrs N Holsgrove-Jones, Subject Leader: History and Politics and Gifted and Talented Coordinator

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 Celebration Lunch On Friday 7 November the Lower Sixth celebrated their GCSE results with their parents and teachers. To start there were drinks in the Library, followed by a delicious three course lunch. This gave us time to discuss our results, the years ahead in Sixth Form at Heathfield and our further education options that loom in the not too distant future. The lunch also celebrated our transformation from GCSE to A Level students, which could have gone unnoticed, as time is definitely flying by quickly! It also helped create a relaxed and informal atmosphere to discuss everybody’s achievements, outside the classroom, with our Heads of House and Tutors.

After lunch we all gathered in the Assembly Hall for the presentations. Mrs Heywood and Mr Hart talked to us about the academic expectations at Heathfield and the standards required for the years ahead. Afterwards everyone was awarded their GCSE grade certificates and prefect badges, to remind them of their roles and responsibilities around the school this year.

Elinor and Daisy put together a video displaying memorable moments of our school life and our many cherished friends at Heathfield. This encouraged and allowed us to look back at our years at the school and motivated us for the rest of our prefect year.

It was a wonderful afternoon, and we would like to thank all those who made the lunch and presentation a big success, especially the Catering Team for preparing a delicious lunch.

Congratulations to all Lower Sixth Form for their amazing GCSE results.

Ginny and Matilda, LVI Form Students

Year of Reading, Form III’s ‘Emporium of Reading Delights’ Inspired by Heathfield's 'Year of Reading' and supported by the school’s Eco Committee, Form III have created an 'Emporium of Reading Delights', a dedicated 24hr access teenage library resourced with donated pre-loved books from our school library, students and parents. The library is housed in the Form III boarding area and helps to encourage girls to read in their free time at evenings and during the weekends.

Form III student and avid reader Victoria commented "It’s really nice to see the other different kinds of books people my age read”. Once the girls have read a book they leave a quote about the book for the other girls using the library to read; this helps the girls to see how others have found the book. The ‘Emporium of Reading Delights’ also runs different themes which have included Spooky Novels for Halloween and War Stories around Remembrance Day. We are always on the lookout for donations to keep our range current and welcome any suitable contributions.

Miss L Champion, Form III Housemistress

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 Heathfield School Choir visit to Venice Early in the morning on Friday 17 October, a sleepy but excited group of girls and staff left Heathfield in rather gloomy, autumnal weather for the warm sunshine of Venice. Arriving before lunch allowed us time to settle into our hotel, explore the vicinity, enjoy supper together and still get an early night and a good rest before our first full day in this spectacular and unique city. Bustling and vibrant, Venice nevertheless feels calmer than other conurbations, on account of the absence of road traffic; rush hour on the vaporetto, although somewhat uncomfortable, was still preferable to the London Underground!

On Saturday morning, a visit to the Museo della Musica gave us an opportunity to see a range of ancient and more modern musical instruments and to learn about the famous Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi, born in Venice in 1678. This was followed by a challenge to girls and staff: to make our way, in groups, through the picturesque streets to the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Mrs Dance issued maps and reassured us all that street signs pointed the way to significant landmarks, adding that the tourist guides all agree that the best way to see Venice is to get lost there! In the event, everyone arrived in plenty of time for the scheduled rehearsal, perhaps a minor miracolo! The marble church was stunning and offered a wonderful acoustic to the choir. Unfortunately, the organ proved unusable, but the girls were undaunted by a last-minute change to some items in the planned programme and sang beautifully to the accompaniment of a violin. As always, it was encouraging to have the support of a number of loyal parents, as well as Ms Lavender, who by coincidence was in Venice on holiday.

I imagine that few tourists in Venice fail to visit St Mark’s Basilica, but not many have enjoyed the privilege of singing at Sunday Mass there. Once again, the girls rose to the occasion, singing four unaccompanied items to a large congregation in this awe-inspiring edifice.

After the service, we visited the Doge’s Palace and were able to soak up a little of the history of Venice: as well as being the ducal residence, the palace housed political institutions of the Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city in 1797 and had been linked to the prison since the 16th century by the notorious Bridge of Sighs.

The choir’s final performance took place at the English International School in Padua. This was a programme of mostly secular music in the form of vocal and instrumental solos, an a cappella group number and full choir items, all of which proved popular with the school’s staff and pupils, who clapped along enthusiastically to the upbeat numbers. After three days in Venice, it felt strange to be transported to and around Padua on trains and buses.

In addition to the music (including some spontaneous busking) we had plenty of time to explore Venice, enjoying the scenery, the architecture, the shops and markets and, of course, the gelati. However, the greatest treat has to have been the gondola rides which we all enjoyed on our last morning in the city of canals.

I am sure the girls will all agree that this was a wonderful trip and huge thanks are due to Mrs Dance, who worked tirelessly to ensure its success. Thanks go too to Alison and Miss Liokoura for their support, but most of all to the girls themselves, without whom the tour would not have been possible.

Mrs J Liepa, Form V Housemistress

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 De Valois Weekend The weekend began with Open Morning and in the afternoon a Mary Berry inspired bake-off took place when Forms I & II competed in Houses to create a Spooky Showstopper piece. Austen produced a triple layered chocolate cake topped with white icing & drizzled dark chocolate and decorated with ghosts, pumpkins, spiders and chocolate graves all handcrafted from fondant. Seacole created a chocolate cake with cream cheese velvet icing and decorated it with googly eyes and black rats. De Valois created a spooky graveyard scene made from chocolate cake with gingerbread head stones and chocolate fingers as railings and various ghoulish decorations. Somerville baked a chocolate cake with coca cola flavoured cream cheese icing and decorated with a creepy hand, ghost and spooky skeleton. Following the hustle and bustle in the cookery room parents had a chance to peruse the fabulous cakes and vote for the ‘best tasting’ and ‘best visual appearance’. Following a speech from both the girls and ‘Mary Berry’ (aka Liz Curtis – Director of Boarding) Austen were crowned The Bake-Off Champions.

While this was going on the Third Form had a quiet afternoon in the Theatre watching DVDs following a trip to the Battlefields at Ypres, and Form IV headed off to Gravity Force to perfect their skills on the trampolines. On Saturday evening, Ginny (LVI Form) Junior School Prefect, entertained the whole school with a spooky disco. On Sunday, Forms I & II diversified from the traditional pumpkin carving for the time of the year and gave watermelon carving a go, followed by a fruit fondue. The senior school enjoyed the delights of Ascot and Windsor and Form III took on the challenge of the Junior Apprentice. In teams they had to compile a list of challenging ‘selfies’ in Windsor and present their findings to Lady Sugar (aka Liz Curtis – again!) and Karren Brady (Louise Champion, Form III Housemistress) and battled it out in the boardroom to become the Director of Boarding’s next Apprentice. The battle was fierce, but ‘The Tinsel’ group with Beatrice (Form III) as Project Manager and Tatiana, Alexandra, Harriet, Na’ima, Paige and Esme were awarded the prestigious position. The weekend finished with the inflatable course at the pool.

Miss J Talbot, Head of House — De Valois and Teacher of PE

Old Girls’ Reunion, 28 October 2014 We started at Heathfield in the Michaelmas Term 1972 (those of us who arrived in Form I), and many people left after Form V in 1977.

“The date was set, and plans made. Each of us approached the reunion with some trepidation, but within an instant 37 years melted away and it was as if we were seeing each other after the summer holidays. I think we broke the Council’s acceptable decibel level with our shrieks of delight. Everyone looked fabulous and it was wonderful to hear so many different tales. Most of the year came for the reunion and some had come from far and wide — LA and the far extremes of the UK. Sadly there were a few whom we were not able to trace.

The idea of gathering together came after the sad and untimely death of our form mate, Annabel Freyberg (1972—1977). She was a clever, beautiful and sociable person, who would have loved the reunion, so we raised our glasses in her memory."

Melissa Disney (née Colston, 1972-1979)

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 Speed & Agility for St Leonard On Thursday 6 November we celebrated St Leonard’s day in style, with our second annual St Leonard’s Day Dash.

St Leonard was said to have been given a piece of land by the king thanking him for his intercession for the queen who had survived a traumatic labour. The tradition is that the king would give St Leonard as much land as he could travel around in 24 hours. As you know, anyone can sprint at full pelt in a straight line but to succeed at our Dash you need considerable speed, agility and stamina. Students had to sprint the four sides of a square in under 10 seconds. Each time the course was completed under the time limit, the square was made larger. Congratulations to Anoushka (Form IV) who had the fastest time over the largest distance and to Miss Sass who, with her trademark blue duffle coat and bright pink trainers, was voted most inspirational runner.

Fr Tim Tregunno, Chaplain

LVI Form History of Art Trip to the Tower of London and the National Gallery The timing of our visit to the Tower of London was perfect. Not only did we manage to see the Poppy installation but we had also just been studying medieval art in our lessons.

The Poppies created a powerful impact and we could see why the crowds were drawn to them. The display of 888,246 ceramic poppies marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. The effect of the river of red was very poignant.

At the Tower we visited the crown jewels and talked about the Tower as home to a treasury and the royal mint, before exploring the Byward Tower wall paintings. These are a national treasure and a closely guarded secret; very few people are able to get permission to see them as they are so fragile. The girls had an insight into the world of conservation. We felt very privileged indeed. The Byward Tower was the Royal Exchange and the paintings were the patronage of Richard II, commissioned as a warning against failure and corruption and a reminder to behave honestly whilst conducting the king’s business. The girls explored medieval painting, and attempted to decipher the mysteries of this work. They looked at the International Gothic style and the message Richard II was sending out to the merchants in the 1390s. The girls worked hard looking at the meaning of this work, as well as how it was made.

Very unusually, oil paint was used on the stone wall.

At the National Gallery we spent the afternoon studying the Wilton Diptych, patronised by Richard II and thought to have been painted by the same artist as the Byward painting. The gilding was phenomenal and it was wonderful to see the work in reality.

Finally we looked at a few more works before returning to school after a very stimulating day out.

Mrs J Meeson, Teacher in Charge: History of Art

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014 Geography Photography Competition - IMPACT Every year during the Summer holidays the Geography and Photography departments run a successful and very popular photography competition amongst girls and staff. This year the theme was IMPACT. There were some fantastic entries, with winners from each year group. Below is a selection of the winning photographs.

Mrs S Frost, Marketing Manager

Geography Photography Competition Winners

Olympia (Form V), Most Photographically Challenging

Clemmie (Form II) Overall Winner Forms I-III Alice (UVI Form), Overall Winner Sixth Form

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014

Rain (Form III), Most close to the theme - Environmental

Ella (Form IV), Most close to the theme—Urban

Lizzy (Form V). Most Unusual India (LVI Form), Most Geographically Challenging

Issue Number 28 w/c 20th October 2014 - w/c 3rd November 2014

Mr Whitehurst, Overall Staff Winner

Fernanda (Form V), Overall Winner Form IV and Form V

Lunchtime Concert This term’s lunchtime concert took place on 5 November 2014 and started aptly with Music for the Royal Fireworks

by F Handel, performed by the Brass Ensemble. There were seven individual performances which included Fernanda (Form V) playing Das Balletts by Turk on the piano and Clare (Form IV) singing O for the Wings of a Dove in Soprano by Mendelssohn. The Form I choir concluded the concert by singing Cowboy Chorus by Shelia Nelson.

The concert was well received and was a lovely addition to the school day.

Mrs J Dance, Director of Music

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