Canons life - Autumn 2013

Canons Life The Autumn Term 2013 at North London Collegiate School

You can download Canons Life at Year 7 Dance Display

www.nlcs.org.uk

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Message from THE HEADMISTRESS The Autumn Term is always a very full one at NLCS, and this new academic year has already been packed with activities and excitement, with a whole range of ‘‘firsts” and new beginnings at the School.

I hope you enjoyed the Special Edition of Canons Life last month which focused on our new buildings. We have now moved into the new spaces and pupils and staff are benefitting from and enjoying the improved facilities for teaching and extra-curricular activities.

The changes have enhanced many areas of the School, and we are very grateful to all those who have supported the project financially to date.

This term, the girls have also been taking part in many new activities. In October, we saw the inaugural Economics Conference for students in Years 12 and 13, in conjunction with the Institute of Economic Affairs. This was part of Geography and Economics Week, another first at North London, to complement the long-established programme of focused weeks, which help enrich the curriculum and deepen the students’ passion for their subjects.

An Interview with

Miss Cocksworth Head of Middle School Canons Life journalists catch up with Miss Cocksworth, the new Head of Middle School, to ask her about her new role, favourite memories and aspirations for the coming school year.

Why did you apply for the role of Head of Middle School?

I applied, put simply, because I care an awful lot about the girls.

As Head of Year 8, I worked to develop the connection between the academic life of the girls and their pastoral care, which is really the cornerstone of what we do at NLCS. The role seemed the perfect way to continue in this. This is particularly important for the younger girls because so much of their school career is determined by how they are “bedded in”, as it were, through

The Hispanic Theatre Festival was just one example of how a real spirit of internationalism flourishes at NLCS. From the School’s beautiful parkland setting within London, we continue to find new ways to look outward and offer our students connections with the wider world, where they will work and make their lives in the future. We are developing more opportunities to interact with their peers at NLCS Jeju and this term, Senior School girls have begun writing to pen-pals at their sister school.

New trips have also been added to the already extensive list of international destinations visited by the girls. As well as their regular visits to the Flying Angels School in Zambia, girls travelled to Madagascar for the very first time over the summer, to work on a number of local projects there. The pioneering Colombian exchange to the Colegio Anglo Colombiano in Bogotá also took place during the Autumn Half Term (we believe this may be the first ever exchange visit to Colombia from any British school).

As we approach the end of another busy term, I wish you all a restful and joyous festive season.

Bernice McCabe, Headmistress

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What do you hope to achieve this academic year in your new role?

I want to set an academic tone and to end the year with a happy, healthy Middle School where girls feel that they have been empowered to fulfil their ambitions. I want to inculcate a sense of curiosity and a love of learning that is underpinned by academic confidence and social assurance.

What is your favourite aspect of NLCS? It’s definitely the girls, hands down, in an academic context as well as a pastoral one.

They’re what make every aspect of my job so fun and each day so varied.

A number of new extra-curricular clubs have emerged throughout the Autumn Term, ranging from Robotics, where girls design and build robots, to Yoga for Sixth Formers. Like other clubs and societies, more than forty in the Senior School, these new activities allow our students to explore areas of interest and try them out in a variety of ways outside the classroom. I never cease to be amazed at the originality of our students!

We have also enjoyed the display of creative talents in performances this term, with the return of regular Autumn Term highlights such as the Year 7 Dance Display, the Senior Concert and the Middle School Play, Daisy Pulls It Off. Our first ever Hispanic Theatre Festival was also held this term. Pupils from a number of other schools in the London region, including Latymer Upper and St Paul’s School as well as Harrow and Eton, joined NLCS girls in the Performing Arts Centre to perform extracts of plays in Spanish. Prizes were awarded in a number of categories by a panel of judges which included the Deputy Head of Mission at the Colombian Embassy in London. And it was no surprise that the NLCS students scooped the prize for the best spoken Spanish!

the lower years. It’s like building a house: if the foundations are strong then the building will stand tall. It’s during these Middle School years that girls develop that classically North London confidence, both academically and socially, and that we aim to instil a sense of ambition that they will carry with them as they move further up the school and beyond.

How has the school affected your life?

It’s made me a lot busier! It’s also really focused some of my

JEJU NEWS Over the summer, five NLCS girls visited NLCS Jeju on the return leg of an exchange with their South Korean counterparts. Asha, from Year 11, shares her experiences.

Saturday 22nd June saw history being made with five girls from Years 9 and 10, embarking on a unique and memorable trip to Jeju. The girls involved were Rhea, Libby, Eve, Tahnee and me. It was the first time that such an exchange had taken place between the schools and what an experience it proved to be!

After a long flight, we finally arrived on the small island and were warmly greeted by our exchange students. When we arrived at the school, we could not believe our eyes as to the vast size of the school campus. The school was modern and was decorated with murals, photographs

of the students and had features similar to NLCS London including the PAC, the pond and Canons village!

The house system was a major difference between London and Jeju. We thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with the girls in our house especially on Sports Day where the whole school travelled to an Olympic Stadium. We followed our exchange students in all their lessons and it was interesting to witness the similarities and differences in every aspect including the atmosphere, ethos and teaching within the school.

One of the highlights of our experience was “Arts Week”.

The NLCS Jeju girls

academic interests and given me a clearer sense of the direction I want my life to take: the corporate world didn’t suit me at all and as such, it has made me a lot happier!

What is your best memory at NLCS? It’s incredibly hard to choose!

One of my favourite memories is probably with my last form in Year 7. When it was my birthday, they turned out all the lights and surprised me with presents and a card that they’d made. That was a really lovely - if slightly bizarre - moment. That and when my Year 13s performed raps about characters from The Homecoming …

Do you feel you wear different hats being both a teacher and now the Head of Middle School?

I think I do wear different hats in terms of the academic and pastoral sides of my job but I try to bring the two together as far as possible. For example, I try to make my assemblies quite academic because I think if we raise expectations the girls will meet them. It’s important to encourage them to find that academic niche, to identify that area that they’re really interested in, so that they can develop that interest from an early stage. If they love school and they love what they’re doing at school they will excel, and that’s what it’s all about. had lessons in the morning and were either involved or had the opportunity to watch a performance, performed by internal students or external companies. I became involved in the drama piece and it was a lovely opportunity to actually be able to perform with my exchange student.

The event on the last night of our stay at NLCS Jeju was the Summer Ball. This was a sophisticated and extremely enjoyable event and marked the end of a most amazing and unforgettable experience.

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NEW FACES

Lily, Year 7: Having a buddy in Year 8 has really helped me settle in as they are friendly and tell you everything you need to know about the school.

One of my favourite aspects about NLCS is the space. The new building has provided lots of new classrooms, which means class sizes are quite small. I really love this as you feel that you can express your personal opinions.

Zusi, Year 9: Students have been incredibly welcoming, and the teachers work hard so that new students understand the school quickly.

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Canons Life reporters catch up with pupils who are new to NLCS this term…

Emma, Year 3: Lessons are always fun and interesting, especially Art and DT, where we discover new ways to make things.

Alex, Reception: I like the classrooms because of all the colourful decorations. I was a bit nervous before coming to the school but I’ve made a lot of new friends.

York

Iceland

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Alexandra, Year 12: Everyone has made me feel welcome and I no longer feel like “the new girl”. I love the choice of clubs and societies at North London. I am a member of the new Show Choir and really enjoyed my first performance in the Performing Arts Celebration in October for which we sang a piece from the musical Sister Act.

Italy China

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PERFORMING ARTS REVIEW Arts Celebration Evening Over 150 girls participated in the annual Arts Celebration Evening. Combining dance, drama and music inspired by the fields of film and television.

This was a wonderfully entertaining evening and highlighted the exceptional talents of the girls.

Concerts Musical highlights for the term included a Senior Societies Concert featuring the music of Prokofiev, performed by

teaching staff from the Music Department and former Director of Music, Mr David Podd on piano, and the Senior Concert which paid tribute to the work of Britten, Verdi

and Wagner. The term culminated with the Middle School Festive Concert, a wonderful showcase of a wide range of music and ensembles.

Daisy Pulls It Off Almost 60 girls from Years 8 & 9 presented wonderfully exuberant and professional performances in Daisy Pulls It Off. Denise Deegan’s play is an affectionate depiction of life in a 1920s boarding school for girls. Directed by

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Miss Atkinson, the play is often performed by an adult cast to enhance the humour and the NLCS girls showed remarkable maturity bringing the story to life. Supported by a technical team of girls from Years 10 & 11, the show delighted and entertained audiences over the two nights.

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NEW BEGINNINGS Madagascar Visit After months of fundraising by selling jewellery, braiding hair and taking part in sponsored runs,

sixteen NLCS girls visited Madagascar over the summer. The girls helped build a new classroom for a

IEA Conference

school in the village of Andranasoa, near the capital city, manoeuvring bricks, making cement and painting the walls with whitewash.

Colombia Exchange

Both legs of the first-ever Colombian Exchange with the Colegio Anglo Colombiano in Bogotá took place this term. The NLCS girls’ visit to Bogotá included excursions to Downtown Bogotá, Monserrate Mountain and the famous Salt Cathedral. A particularly interesting part of their trip was a visit to the headquarters of national newspaper El Tiempo.

Hispanic Theatre Festival

New Student Publications

NLCS students were joined by pupils from Bancroft’s School, Eton College, The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, Harrow School, Latymer Upper School, St Paul’s School and Whitgift School for our first Hispanic Theatre Festival.

In addition to the large number of varied and interesting school publications already produced

by NLCS students, the girls have added a number of new publications this term:

and Kanak Shah, Year 11 The Sport Report - Sports Magazine created by Naemi Melvin and Esme Wilson, Year 11 The Historian - History Magazine created by Katie Foxton and Tamsin Zandstra, Year 11

In October, NLCS hosted seven other schools at its first Economics Conference with influential think tank, Institute of Economic Affairs. In attendance were speakers Dr David Skarbek and Aris Trantidis from Kings College, London and Professor Hilton Root from George Mason University. The NLCS team was highly commended by the judges.

Students were awarded prizes for group performances of extracts from Spanish plays, with NLCS winning the prize for Best Spoken Spanish.

Buss Service - Charity Magazine created by Rebecca Fennessy, Year 11 Download - Technology Magazine created by Sophie Biber, Year 11 There Will Be Food - Culinary Magazine created by Mira Trenner

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Fundraising: This autumn, NLCS completed two new buildings, which are a very tangible demonstration of the positive impact made by donors to the School. Over the last year, over £1.3 million has been raised to help pay for the buildings.

We are delighted by the support given by parents, ONLs and Friends of NLCS. We are also pleased to have received gifts from the Doris Gregory Trust, the Wolfson Foundation, and the Kirby Laing Foundation.

Every bit as important in their positive impact, are the gifts made

New Buildings Project

by donors to support Suzy Taylor Exhibition bursaries at NLCS. Over the years, the School’s supporters have generously given to our bursary fund, which allows able students to attend NLCS even though their parents could not afford to pay fees. In November, we were delighted to hear that John Lyon’s Charity will give the School £528,400 to Basil Stein, widower of Sheila pay for four additional seven-year Stein, nee Bolton (ONL 1939); and bursaries. This followed on from Jocelyn Urmson, nee Maplesdon the parents of the 2013 leavers (ONL 1959). We are very grateful being asked, as in previous years, that they remembered us in their to donate the value of their deposit wills. The Frances Mary Buss to fund bursaries. These efforts, Fellowship exists for people who in addition to the royalties from have agreed to support NLCS NLCS Jeju which go to support through legacy giving. Each year the bursaries, help make an NLCS Fellows gather at NLCS for lunch education available to more bursary and entertainment. applicants. Yet each year, we are Events: This term, the Friends of unable to award the number of NLCS – an organization of former bursaries we would like because NLCS parents, former NLCS staff we do not have the funds to offer and other friends of the school places to all who qualify. Despite – held private views in the PAC the generosity of past and current for the Suzy Taylor exhibition and donors, we still have a need for a the “Outrageous Fortune: Artists greater bursary fund.

Remake the Tarot” exhibition on Legacy Giving: Legacy giving loan from the Hayward Gallery. has always been important to A new round of “Neighbourhood the School. Recently, we have Drinks” for parents has begun this had legacy gifts from Elizabeth year, with the first event held in St Acraman, nee Clifford (ONL 1940); Albans.

Parents’ Guild: The Parents’ Guild held their annual fireworks extravaganza on Saturday 9th November. Once again, the best fireworks display in London was held at Canons! Coming up in the Spring Term, the Parents’ Guild will host their annual Supper and Quiz Night on Saturday 25th January.

If you would like more information about supporting NLCS, including legacy giving and the Frances Mary Buss Fellowship, please be in contact with me on 020 8951 6376 or jvoelker@nlcs.org.uk On behalf of everyone at Canons, may I thank all of our supporters for their generosity.

Joseph Voelker, Marketing & Development Director Parents’ Guild Fireworks

2012 Reunion - September 2013

1973 Reunion - September 2013

ONL Events In the Autumn Term, we welcomed back the Class of 2012 – just one year after they left the School. There was much laughter, as well as great excitement over the new building developments which have taken place over the last year.

On the 11th September, the Class of 1973 enjoyed a wonderful day catching up with each other, some

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40 years after leaving NLCS. A week later, the 50 year reunion for the Class of 1963 took place in brilliant sunshine so the ONLs were able to enjoy exploring old haunts in the grounds.

Career Networking: Poorvi Smith (ONL 1991) runs a Careers Networking Service for ONLs. This popular and ever growing network will be, we hope, the first port of call for any ONL looking

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for career assistance.

By working with the broader NLCS community, including ONLs, parents and other contacts, the Service can help offer work placements and specific career advice to any ONL, regardless of where they are in their career.

For further information, please contact Poorvi Smith, Alumnae & Development Officer, at psmith@nlcs.org.uk

Forthcoming ONL Events: University Drinks (for ONLs currently at University): • Oxford – Tuesday 4th March 2014 • London (open to all ONLs regardless of University) – Thursday 26th March 2014 • Bristol – Tuesday 30th April 2014 • Cambridge – Tuesday 6th May 2014 Class of 2004 Reunion – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am Class of 1994 Reunion – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am Class of 1984 Reunion – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am AGM – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am ONLs are always welcome to visit and tour Canons. Please contact Emma Maltz, Alumnae & Development Officer, at emaltz@nlcs.org.uk or on 020 8951 6475 for further information or if you would like to join any of the upcoming events.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS The Junior School have been extremely busy this term. They have raised more than £15,000 in their World Wide Walk supporting charity Plan UK, and had their very first NLCS Bake Off competition creating their own pizza recipes.

In the First School, girls displayed their acting talents in the intriguing tale of Four Children in Search of a Story. For the annual Diwali Assembly the hall became a riot of colour as the girls dressed in brightly coloured clothes entertaining guests with traditional dancing and a Bollywood dance where everyone joined in.

Year 6 enjoyed a wonderful Spitfire Day combining Design and Technology with World War II History to make large scale “wicker” sculptures of aircraft including Spitfires, Doodlebugs, V-2 rockets and Barrage Balloons.

World Wide Walk

Spitfire Day

Once again the girls in the Lower School delighted audiences with their productions, this term of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox and of Tuishi Pamoja, a heart-warming story of friendship.

Diwali

FOCUS ON CHESS During the summer, NLCS had

at Uppingham School. Supported

our most successful season ever

by Mr Winston and Chess

by beating all the other schools

Grandmaster Lorin D’Costa, the

at the English Chess Federation

successful team included Apurva

National Girls’ Team Final held

Deshpande (ONL 2013), Joanna

Yass (Year 12), Sophia Sheera (Year 10) and Elizabeth Ivanov (Year 8).

take part in the first two rounds of

This term, 150 children from fourteen different schools in North West London enjoyed a fabulous evening of chess in our superb new dining hall. They visited Canons to

to 11. NLCS enjoyed a successful

the Barnet Primary Schools Chess League and ranged in age from 6 evening with a very encouraging start for the girls, mainly from Year 3 and playing opponents as much as three years older.

Harrow MasterMind Competition Twelve girls from Year 9 will be entering the MasterMind Competition hosted by Harrow School and organised by the mental health charity Mind. Before the quiz next year, each will be working hard to fundraise the £400 they need to enter the contest.

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Badminton

Harrow Badminton Tournament

Table Tennis

Table Tennis

Two teams of girls represented NLCS at the Harrow Badminton Tournament. Both the U14 and U16 teams played outstanding matches and were both crowned Harrow Champions.

Our new table tennis team attended their first competition this term. Sophie and Anisha in Year 12 and Michelle and Maria in Year 10 gave outstanding performances and won the tournament. They will proceed to the West London Jack Petchey Event Finals in early January.

Cross Country

Lacrosse The NLCS Senior and Under 15 lacrosse teams competed in the Greater London County Tournament this term. As a result of the day, seventeen NLCS girls have been selected to represent the county in the U18 and U15 A, B and reserve teams. Three girls have also been invited to train at the National Academy and four girls at the Regional Academy.

Athletics

SPORTS NEWS

Girls gave outstanding personal performances in the Harrow Athletics Club Schools Cross Country Challenge, running with great determination in extremely wet and muddy conditions.

Netball In the recent trials the U16 U15 and U14 1st teams all successfully qualified for the Middlesex County Finals in their age group.

Netball

Indoor Lacrosse Girls recently took part in the Greater London Indoor Lacrosse Tournament, a sport that is faster and tougher than field lacrosse. The day was a great success with the A team coming away with the title of Indoor Champions.

County Lacrosse

Year 7 Dance Display This year’s Year 7 Dance Display was based on various different West End productions and incorporated a variety of music and dance styles. Routines were choreographed by Miss Horncastle and girls from Years 9 to 8. The evening was a huge success, with every seat in the PAC filled.

The Canons Life Team

www.nlcs.org.uk

Production: Sophia Breslauer (Yr 11), Sophie Hiscock (Yr 11) & Rianna Shah (Yr 11) Journalists: Jasmine Beer (Yr 11), Meher Iqbal (Yr 11) & Claudia Mulholland (Yr 11) Photographers: Amber Abrahams (Yr 11), Dina Khadum (Yr 11) & Ella Steinert (Yr 11)