At the beginning of this term, there is generally a heightened and determined focus on academic matters: those about to write public examinations in the Summer (the Upper Sixth IB and A level candidates, as well as our GCSE pupils) take their trial examinations and start to gear themselves, for the real thing some months away. Right at the outset at our first assembly, I encouraged all of our pupils to examine their reports in an analytical fashion in each of their subjects, along with the comments of their tutors and Housemaster or Housemistress. I explained that reports are written with the view to making specific adjustments which might see them do better in many cases than they currently are doing and that it takes maturity to consider those diagnostic comments in a positive light and to take appropriate action. I encouraged our young people to consider any differences of view that they may have with their teachers and their tutors so that they are able to be as confident as possible that they know where their strengths lie and where there are areas for improvement.
I also asked them to reflect on the notion that actions have consequences and that positive actions generally raise self-esteem which sets them on the road to fulfilment and success, but that bad mistakes and outcomes of inadvisable actions can become so much more telling as they move into their middle and late teens. A single incident which is not clearly thought through can, in certain circumstances, lead to very significant long-term consequences and so the link between actions and outcomes needs to be at the forefront of their minds.
New members of staff
We welcomed two new members of the academic staff this term.
Reverend David Ibbotson has joined us as our Chaplain. He took degrees in Chemistry and Theology and was a highly-regarded Chemistry teacher through much of his career, as well as being Deputy Head: Academic at Lord Wandsworth School, before he became Chaplain at Eastbourne. He is, consequently, a strong academic as well as having an enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
Mr Tom Tuthill and his family, have joined us in No.9. He was himself at Rugby School and then went on to Newcastle University and, for much of his career, taught at Bloxham where he was variously Head of Politics, Head of the Lower School and Director of Sport.
We are very pleased to have both Reverend David and Mr Tom Tuthill on board at Malvern.
Big Physics Quiz
We constantly look for opportunities to stretch and challenge pupils in the academic realm. Twelve FY pupils competed in the Big Physics Quiz held at Birmingham University last week. Rosie Russell, Georgina Kenyon, Nick Wilson, Oliver Kidson, Tom Birley, Bobby Boyes, Reuben Dargan, James Kidson, Sam Ingram, Sam Cook, Sam Laverty and Sam Shardlow all benefitted from testing themselves in such a situation.
Assassins Game
At the end of last term, there was an Assassins Game which was a lot of fun for pupils and staff, but had as a more profound goal the raising of a significant amount of money to assist with the provision of water to many of the poorest parts of developing countries. Known as the Toilet Twinning Project, the aim was to raise £2,000 for the creation of over 35 sustainable facilities in sub-Saharan in Africa. We are very grateful to those pupils and staff who participated in this thoroughly worthwhile activity. Simultaneously, under the aegis of the School Council comprising Sixth Formers, pupils and staff donated nearly 300kg of food and other essentials to the Malvern Food Bank to enable members of our local community to enjoy a marginally happier Christmas than might otherwise have been the case.
Immigration White Paper
Please find below a link to a FAQ sheet from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) which answers practical questions around the Government’s immigration and visa proposals in the event of either a Brexit withdrawal agreement or no deal. The content is accurate at time of publication (January 2019) and the link will be updated should there be a change in political circumstances or Government Policy. The content has been agreed by Home Office officials and has been reviewed by the legal firm VWV. https://www.malverncollege.org.uk/Independent-SchoolCouncil-Immigration-FAQs
Confirmation
It is commonly agreed that we should have an academic, a physical, and a spiritual dimension to us. Last Sunday, the Bishop of Worcester confirmed a number of our pupils in the presence of their families, extended families and godparents. Congratulations to Andrea Agut Artigas, Sam and Sylvan Agyeman-Duah, Harriet Carpenter, Bella and Imogen Cole, Charles Faujour, Emile Goneder, Will Hartley, Jess Kenyon-Slaney, Gemma Luscombe, Agueda Ortiz Flores, Annie and Harry Slater, Johnnie Stephenson, Lara and Sasha Wilson and Georgia Zhang. The beauty of the service was complemented by the voices of our Chamber Choir.
Musicians
Several of our musicians received good news about recent examinations: Ani King passed the ARSM Singing with Distinction, whilst Poppy Delingpole achieved Grade 8 Singing (with Merit), Shea John Grade 8 Flute (with Distinction), Henry Queen Grade 8 Percussion (with Distinction), Aodren Clemit Grade 6 Piano (with Merit), Kitty Holroyd Grade 6 Singing (with Distinction), Harrison Hudson Grade 6 Singing (with Merit), Georgina Wood Grade 6 Singing (with Merit), Morgann McGee Grade 5 Singing (with Merit) and Geyu Wang Grade 5 Piano (with Merit).
Sporting Snippets
Football
Our First Boys’ football team entered a triangular tournament just before the start of the term at Abingdon and beat St Edward’s, Oxford, 4-0 with Jonny Asamoah scoring twice and Toby Moran and Luc Tulcaz once each. We then drew with Abingdon 1-1 and won this tournament on goal difference. Since then, we have lost 2-4 to Marlborough and drawn 3-3 with RGS, Worcester. Our First Girls’ Football team has played Rugby School and, with goals from Vivien Kruse, Cate Mercurio, Lucy Leicher and Molly McNicholas, pulled off a 5-3 victory.
Netball
Our netball girls beat Bloxham 25-18 at 1st Team level with Milly Page being named Player of the Match and Poppy Underwood, Molly Gibbard, Phoebe Palmer O’Riordan and Louise Little all being mentioned in despatches.
Boys’ Hockey
The Senior Boys’ hockey team lost 4-1 to Rugby. Our goal was scored by Tristan Hubbard and William Vande Vyvere was our Player of the Match. The Junior Hockey Boys played Kings, Gloucester, and won 4-0. Our goal scorers were Finley Morris (two), Clemens Tuczka and Harry Finch, with the Player of the Match, Olly Cox.
Rackets
We had a very good rackets outing against Clifton with the first pair, Dan Holland and Aaron Tomson winning 3-0, the second pair Gus Stephenson and Robbie Hardwick winning 3-1 and our Under 15s, Myles Holland and Rehaan Edavalath, winning 3-0.
Cross-Country
In cross-country, we competed in the District event: congratulations go to Thomas Birley who won the FY boys’ event, whilst Lily Hutton was second in the equivalent girls’ race. Lawrence Hooker ran to a second place in the senior boys’ event, whilst Harriet Carpenter and Megan Jones finished first and second respectively in the intermediate girls’ event.
National Under 16 Indoor Hockey
One of the most exciting events of the term was the National Under 16 Indoor Hockey finals where the wonderful skill of our girls was on show. With the best eight teams from all over the country in attendance, we lost 1-0 to Cranleigh, the eventual winners, in the opening encounter. We then beat Redmaids 3-2 with goals from Jasmine Ellis (two) and Lucy Marriott before securing a 1-0 victory over Bromley High with Millie Kold scoring. To get into the semi-finals, we then needed a win in our fourth match, but went down 3-2 to the Grange after hitting the post twice. Our girls were magnificent ambassadors for Malvern and did us proud.
