Canons Life - Summer 2016

CANONSLife The Summer Term 2016 at North London Collegiate School

FEATURING Arts Festival

Arabian Nights

Sports Day

Trips & Exchanges

Contents

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ARTS FESTIVAL Drama & Performance Gala Music Evening Arts Showcase

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HOUSE & CHARITY NEWS Livability Summer Party Science For Sixth Formers Sports Day

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JUNIOR SCHOOL Make a Splash Preston Montford Cressida Cowell Frances Mary Buss Talks

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NEWS AND EVENTS The Queen’s Birthday Water Polo Success Jeju News

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PERFORMING ARTS Arabian Nights Musical Theatre Evening Middle School Concert

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TRIPS & EXCHANGES Summer Partnerships

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ONL NEWS Latest Events Development Update

FRONT COVER: SPORTS DAY 2016

Welcome from the Headmistress Summer is one of my favourite times of the year at Canons, especially when I look out of the window and am struck as always by our beautiful green surroundings.

This setting inspires creativity, which is perhaps why music and the arts have played such an important role in the history of Canons; the Duke of Chandos was a well-known patron of the arts and Handel was his composer-in-residence, hence the musical names of many of the roads surrounding the School.

It is with this heritage in mind that I am proud to tell you about our inaugural Arts Festival which took place from 26th June to 4th July and galvanised the entire school. As you will read about in this edition, we held a fantastic number of concerts, performances and exhibitions which provided our students with the chance to explore the opportunities and experiences that the arts can bring, and to celebrate their creativity.

Our talented vocalists in the Chandos Singers, students of Mr Caley and others had the honour of opening the festival. The audience were entertained by a wonderful repertoire of songs from folk tunes, operatic arais and duets as well as German lieder and show songs.

Also as part of these Arts Festival activities we were thrilled by the Year 6 full-scale production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Year 10 performance of the darkly funny love story Blink. We welcomed leading art critic and TV presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon who gave an inspiring speech about art appreciation, and we were treated to a Gala music evening, a concert unlike any other seen at North London, including a special choir involving former students, staff, parents, friends and family. The festival ended with an emotionally charged farewell concert organised by our current Year 13s before they leave the School. I hope you were able to enjoy some of the events on offer and feel part of the North London community for life that is so special.

The summer term has been a busy one for the Junior School girls, who welcomed author Cressida Cowell, visited the Chiltern Open Air Museum and held a street party in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday celebrations. It was wonderful to see the marvel on their faces via our “egg watch”, which was a webcam to

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observe their eggs hatching into chicks.

Despite the rain, we thoroughly enjoyed cheering girls on at Sports Day, and our Year 13 student Issy Dean, a member of the GB water polo team, kindly donated her swimming costume which has been framed and put up in the sports hall for all to see.

As you know, it is such an important part of a North London Collegiate education that our students develop a sense of social responsibility and make a practical difference to the world around them. As such, our students are returning to Zambia this summer to take part in the ninth year of our partnership with the Flying Angels School and we are launching a new charitable expedition in Uzbekistan which will include working with the local community in the Nuratau Mountains.

On the last Saturday of term, I was immensely proud to attend a pioneering science conference for sixth formers across the capital at Queen Mary University of London, run by Laila Shah and Megan Wilson, in order to raise funds for a science lab at the Zambian school.

I congratulate them for their initiative and commitment to making the project work – another great example of the impressive talents of our students.

I know many of you are now aware that I shall be stepping down as Headmistress at the end of next academic year, having had the privilege of leading North London Collegiate School for 20 years. When you feel as connected to a school as I do to NLCS, to leave is a very difficult decision to make and I shall miss the inspiration and warmth of the community here at Canons immensely. But I am also excited about the new role I shall be taking on as the Director of International Schools and Education Strategy as NLCS Enterprises continues to expand its international educational footprint in a way that brings exciting educational opportunities to the students in London as well as to those in our overseas schools.

September 2017 is a long time off in our students’ lives and there will be plenty of occasions before then to say goodbye. In the meantime, I look forward to leading the School for another enjoyable and successful year.

I wish you all a happy and restful summer break.

Bernice McCabe, Headmistress

Arts Festival This year the School was tremendously excited to hold its first ever Arts Festival.

From Sunday 26th June to Monday 4th July, a great number of concerts, performances, exhibitions and workshops took place to celebrate the creativity and talent of students. The festival was full of fantastic events ranging from a Modern Foreign Languages soirĂŠe to Tai Chi and Botanical

Illustration workshops. Other highlights included an evening with renowned art critic and presenter, Andrew GrahamDixon and a Gala Music Evening, as well as contributions from all subjects including Maths, Science and English.

The festival contributes to the School’s principal aim of providing a broad and stimulating education for girls to develop

their skills and confidence, and to give them the best preparation for the experiences of adult life.

Over the next few pages, we are delighted to be able to share a selection of some of the creative and artistic events and activities that have made our inaugural Arts Festival such a success and hopefully the first of many to come.

The Performing Arts Centre was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow!

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON

BLINK

YEAR 13 LEAVERS’ CONCERT

GYM & DANCE DISPLAY

BLINK

Blink

Gym & Dance Display

Year 10 students performed Blink, a tale of modern love, by playwright Phil Porter. This romantic comedy explored the developing relationship between two characters, Sophie and Jonah, and a fox called Scruffilitis. The play was performed by two different casts over two nights, in the Black Drama Studio, which provided an intimate venue for this thought-provoking and intriguing look at loneliness and love in the 21st Century.

Students in Years 2 to 13 came together for the annual Gym & Dance Display. This innovative and impressive show included gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and trampoline routines. It was a fantastic opportunity for girls throughout the School to perform together.

Leaver’s Concert Year 13 students, accompanied by staff, held a final farewell Leavers’ Concert in the Music School. It was a fabulous evening of

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music and song, and a few goodbye tears!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Performing Arts Centre was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow as Year 6 participated in a full-scale production of the classic children’s story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Year 6 production always proves to be a wonderful way of showcasing their talents as they celebrate the time they have spent in the Junior School.

Gala Music Evening A highlight of the week was the Gala Music Evening. The whole School community – current students, ONLs, staff, parents, friends and family – came together to create a choir for the occasion and sang extracts from Handel’s Messiah. Students

and music teachers formed the orchestra to accompany the choir. Before the main concert, performers and guests enjoyed a picnic and refreshments in the School grounds. It was a wonderful celebration of music and a great way to bring the NLCS community together.

It was a wonderful celebration of music and a great way to bring the NLCS community together.

GALA MUSIC EVENING

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

MONET BY THE POND

K-POP DANCE

STEEL PANS

LATIN DANCE

TAI CHI

Arts Showcase The Arts Showcase took place on the final Monday of term throughout the afternoon and evening – the finale of the whole Arts Festival. It was an extravaganza of workshops, performances and exhibitions.

Activities included poetry, dance, film and theatre, photography, music and painting.

Many students organised and participated in these activities through their societies, clubs and academic subjects. Activities included a Korean dance workshop, a

Modern Foreign Languages soirée, a dance showcase, a ‘science behind music’ workshop, a ‘play in a day’ produced by the Drama Department and a musical talent show. Year 7 students performed Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the grounds, the Afro-Caribbean Society provided a steel pan workshop, and students took part in workshops on botanical illustration and a performance poetry competition.

A group of girls in Year 10 organised a

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K-Pop Dance performance and workshop and throughout the afternoon, French and Art came together for ‘Monet by the Pond’ where girls painted giant colour murals inspired the artist and his work.

During the week students also enjoyed projects and activities including a Public Speaking Morning, Tai Chi classes, short film and photography competitions, art installations, a creative writing ‘Moth Storytelling’ event, trips to the Theatre and a Performing Arts Jamboree.

News and Events THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS The whole school came together to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday.

Throughout the School, classrooms were adorned with red, white and blue decorations, and life-size cardboard cut-outs of the Queen filled the corridors and dining hall. In the Junior School, girls took part in many royal themed activities, dressed in their regal attire. They also enjoyed a grand street party with cakes and sandwiches fit for royalty.

During the summer term, seven girls from Year 9 participated in the annual exchange with NLCS Jeju. Hannah Shewan and Romy McCarthy who took part in the cultural exchange between the two

schools, talk about their experiences: ‘The Jeju exchange was an inspiring experience and one we had heard about and looked forward to ever since joining the School. Despite us being over 5,000 -6-

miles from London, the students’ kind nature and warm welcome made us feel at home. During our visit, we were given the opportunity to explore the beautiful island, take part in the School’s Arts Festival, and meet some amazing people. It was also interesting to get an insider’s account of boarding school life. Attending a day school, we have never had the opportunity to experience the tight friendship created within a boarding house and the fluidity it created between the year groups. We saw many Year 11 girls assisting the Year 7s in their daily routine, whether it be homework or just socialising at lunch. There was so much to take from this experience, including learning about the cultural differences between the UK and Korea, which were fascinating. We recommend taking part in this exchange to other girls in Year 9; it is an experience that we will never forget!’

ONL News Latest Events This term we welcomed back many ONLs at our 10, 20, 30 and 40-year reunions. The sun shone for us on the day, and ONLs filled the grounds, enjoying a day of reminiscing. Two Career Networking events were held in May for the Media and Business societies, attended by ONLs from a wide range of sectors within each field.

Last month, three former members of

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Development Update Thank you to all our donors who have supported the School this year – either through a regular or one-off gift. As the School moves into the summer holidays, we are busy preparing, as part of our development plan, to start fundraising for the redevelopment of part of the School.

The main concept of this will improve and upgrade our facilities by redeveloping the Art & Bursary area and extending the Music School. Benefits of the more

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the Big Six came to talk to older students about life after school and the steps they have taken to achieve a work-life balance. They participated in an open and frank discussion of the challenges they have faced and gave advice on how to overcome them. The term closed with our annual ONLA Picnic. All ONLs are invited each year to bring a picnic and relax in the grounds along with their families and friends.

sustainable and up-to-date buildings include larger and better-equipped art studios and rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, galleries as well as performance spaces. More details will follow in the autumn term.

We now also have a new and improved fundraising section on our website, complete with videos, case studies and an online donation feature so please head over to the ‘support us’ section and see for yourself.

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Contact Us ONLs are always welcome to visit the School. Please contact the Alumnae Office, at onla@nlcs.org.uk or on 020 8951 6475 for further information or to join any of the upcoming events.

Please befriend Frances Mary Buss Follow us @NLCS1850

Poorvi Smith (ONL 1991) runs the Careers Networking Service for ONLs. This popular and ever-growing network should be the first port of call for any ONL looking for career assistance. Contact psmith@nlcs.org.uk for more details.

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House & Charity News LIVABILITY SUMMER PARTY

A highlight of the term is the annual Livability Summer Party. This year we welcomed residents from care homes in Borehamwood and Edgware. The party was enjoyed by all, with entertainment provided by the girls, including a specially formed choir which sang a medley of songs. As always, good food and conversation were enjoyed by both the residents and girls.

SCIENCE FOR SIXTH FORMERS An exciting one-day Science Conference ‘Science for Sixth Formers’ took place at Queen Mary University of London on Saturday 2 July, planned and organised entirely by Year 12 students, Laila Shah and Megan Wilson. The event explored the broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, covering Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Medicine, and how advances in these fields impact our everyday life. Leila and Megan explained their motivation for organising the event: ‘It is

our aim to show science not as a collection of individual niches but as a holistic subject which will significantly expand opportunities and create new careers for our generation.

We organised the event to raise funds to support the building of a science laboratory at the Flying Angels School in Zambia, where we are lucky enough to be teaching this summer. With the prospect of teaching science to the Zambian children, we believe that this event is the perfect way to spread awareness and raise money for the school’.

SPORTS DAY On Sports Day, the grounds of Canons were transformed into a sea of yellow, green, red, purple and blue as the girls, dressed in their House T-Shirts, took

part in a variety of sporting activities; they cheered each other on, waving banners and posters they had made for their House team. As always, Sports

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Day was a wonderful opportunity for the whole of the Senior School to come together to celebrate the end of another school year.

Performing Arts ARABIAN NIGHTS A cast of more than 70 students from Years 7 & 8 mesmerised audiences with their production of Arabian Nights.

Staged over two nights, this was a visually thrilling show which showcased the talents of this huge cast. Arabian Nights is a collection of stories and folk tales collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and

Year 12 students gave intimate performances of songs from classic musicals. Audience members enjoyed a cabaret style environment, seated around candlelit tables as the cast performed around them. Solo and group performances were taken from

scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa. The tales trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Mesopotamian, Indian and Egyptian folklore and literature. This was a beautiful piece of story-telling with the actors drawing on inventive physical theatre techniques to bring these tales to life.

a range of different musicals including Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Carousel and Copacabana. It was wonderful to see many new soloists in action, and it certainly whetted the appetite for our next Senior School Musical West Side Story.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT

Featuring music and song ranging from The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby to Rhosymedre by Vaughan Williams, the girls’ performances in the Middle School Concert once again delighted audiences. This jam-packed show included nine different groups, including the Middle School Orchestra, Canons Choir, Clarinet Ensemble, Middle School Choir, Flute Ensemble, String Orchestra and a Cello Septet.

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Junior School News This term, the Lower School were treated to a series of talks from Old North Londoners about their careers.

The visitors widened the girls’ horizons about life after education. Many of the professions presented were unfamiliar to the girls, such as public relations and government policy.

The clear and engaging presentations by our visitors helped the girls to understand what these jobs involve and inspired them

to consider their futures.

Girls have been thrilled by author visits from Anne-Marie Conway, who visited Year 5 and Cressida Cowell, who visited Year 3 and 4. Anne-Marie Conway, author of Forbidden Friends and Butterfly Summer, is very popular with our Year 5s, who were full of questions about how she writes her books. The girls enjoyed creating their own ideas, using Butterfly Summer as inspiration. Cressida Cowell

is the international bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series of books and films. She spoke animatedly about her carefree childhood summers living on a tiny Scottish island without electricity or running water and fishing every day for food, experiences that inspire her writing. She enthused everyone with great writing tips and quizzed girls and staff alike on their knowledge of the Vikings.

The whole Lower School delighted the audience with a performance of Surfing NLC by Chuck Berry.

MAKE A SPLASH

PRESTON MONTFORD

The students have also enjoyed a variety of trips and outings this term, including two residential trips: Preston Montford for Year 5 and Maison Claire Fontaine in France for Year 6. Year 1 travelled back in time at the Chiltern Open Air Museum and Year 2 had an adventure at Paradise Wildlife Park.

Many sporting activities have taken place this term: all girls in the Junior School participated in the annual Swimming Gala. With every race, the girls displayed eagerness, determination and speed. There were some close races and a remarkable sense of sportsmanship; it was also the first event for the new Junior School mascot, Frances Mary Bear. A fantastic team spirit was also shown by all girls in both the Rainbow Sports Day and the Lower

School Sports Day. Thank you to all the parents who came dressed in team colours to cheer on the girls.

Girls have entertained their families and staff in a variety of plays and performances. Year 1 parents were

The girls have also enjoyed a variety of trips and outings this term including two residential trips. treated to alternative versions of traditional tales. 1C told the story of the Three Nanny Goats’ Fluff and 1H performed the story of the Fairy Tale Hairdresser and Snow White by author Abie Longstaff, who visited earlier in

the term. As part of the School’s first ever Arts Festival, Year 6 took to the stage in a full-scale production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the Performing Arts Centre, which even included snow! The Lower School Concert, Make a Splash was a wonderful way to end the term. The concert included a variety of music and song including Handel’s Alla Hornpipe from Water Music Suite No.2 and Hold Back the River by James Bay. The concert involved the Junior Orchestra, the Junior String Group, Canons Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Clarinet Group, Saxophone Group, Cello Quintet and the Flute Group. For the finale, the whole Lower School delighted the audience with a performance of Surfing NLC by Chuck Berry.

FRANCE

CRESSIDA COWELL

FRANCES MARY BUSS TALKS

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Trips & Exchanges A wide variety of exchanges and trips have taken place this term, including China, France and the Isle of Wight.

Many girls have also been busy fundraising towards the overseas partnership projects that they will be taking part in over the summer holiday.

MUNICH

CHINA

CHAMBERY EXCHANGE

PARIS

YEAR 9 ADVENTURE WEEK

ISLE OF WIGHT

LUDWIGSBURG EXCHANGE

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ZAMBIA

Summer Partnerships During the upcoming summer holidays, girls will be taking part in many exciting trips. A new trip this year, is an expedition to Uzbekistan. Seventeen students will participate in a two-week trip, which will entail a six-day trek in the Chimgan Mountains, overlooking the river canyons, waterfalls and rolling hills. The girls also have the opportunity to engage with the local people in a big community project in the Nuratau Mountains. Once arriving at the local village, the team will settle into nomadic-style yurts and be able to explore the surrounding sand dunes.

Individually they have been raising £2,000 in various ways, such as holding bake sales during lunch times. The team’s financial contribution will aid the Uzbekistani people to build wells and create safer housing to assist with their annual fruit harvest. The girls will also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful cities of Bukhara and Samarkand.

All money and resources for the annual trip are raised through student-led fundraising efforts.

The School is delighted to be celebrating their ninth year of the annual community service trip to the Flying Angels School in Zambia. NLCS is proud of the partnership between the two schools and each year girls embrace the opportunity to work with and support this ambitious school in the Ngombe community. This year, there will be eighteen students from Year 12 travelling on this life-changing journey.

During the 16-day trip, the girls will teach lessons, organise activities for the children and learn about each other’s cultures. The girls will also spend time travelling to the former capital city, Livingstone and the iconic Victoria Falls.

All money and resources for the

TEACHING IN ZAMBIA

annual trip are raised through studentled fundraising efforts. This year, two Sixth Form students organised a Science Conference at Queen Mary College, London to raise funds. This event is a new and innovative way in which the students have decided to raise money for the trip.

All proceeds will go towards finishing off the construction of the science laboratories and paying for equipment and resources at the Flying Angels School.

In preparation for the trip, alongside fundraising, the girls have been attending a Teacher Training Programme led by teachers at NLCS. Girls are learning how to plan and structure their lessons and develop skills so that they can provide support to the teachers in Zambia. This training will then allow the Flying Angels staff to help their colleagues in lesson planning and delivery in the future, an essential factor in developing the school and enabling them to build the high standards that they are continually working to achieve.

GREATER CHIMGAN MOUNTAINS

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CANONS LIFE TEAM: Students: Lizzie Quinn & Leila Hussein (Year 12), Hana El-Chamaa, Aanya Shah, Samantha Breslauer, Anouk Wijeratne, Athena Ham and Shani Paun (Year 11) Staff: Larraine Bristow Additional photography: Steve Gregson and Bob Workman