Canons life - Autumn 2016

CANONSLife The Autumn Term 2016 at North London Collegiate School

FEATURING

Celebrating Languages Glimmers Dahlicious Delights Arts Festival ArabianFantasy NightsFashion Sports Day Trips & Exchanges

Contents

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CELEBRATING LANGUAGES

8

SPORTS UPDATE

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10-11 HOUSE & CHARITY

House of Lords Livability Christmas Party House Photo Competition

MUSIC NEWS Lunchtime Concert Senior and Middle School Concerts

PE Week Year 7 Dance Display

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12-13

Everyman The Trojan Women Glimmers Our World

Hispanic Theatre Festival Modern Foreign Languages Week International Choir Interviews

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PERFORMING ARTS

NEWS & EVENTS GSK Fight Malaria Challenge Esme Dollow Exhibition Senior Societies Fantasy Fashion

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS Roald Dahl Day The Big Bad Book Dahlicious Delights Book Week

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INTERNATIONAL

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ONL & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

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TRIPS & EXCHANGES

FRONT COVER: THE TROJAN WOMEN

Welcome from the Headmistress Overseas visits continue to enhance the girls’ education and broaden their outlook.

As the Tatler Schools Guide 2016 reported in a special feature that North London Collegiate School was selected for, “there is so much more to the school than mere brains” and like Tatler, I have been incredibly impressed by the way the girls “make things happen”.

The term began with Languages Week, a vibrant array of activities including lunchtime salsa and a treasure hunt, and in November, Year 11 girls visited Chase Farm Hospital to sing to resident patients- both these initiatives were created and run by the girls themselves.

Pupils celebrated the fine tradition of music at North London with a lunchtime concert at St George’s, Hanover Square. The concert showcased solo items and Chamber Music including Bach, Handel and Mozart and it was a wonderful event. Our School Choir were praised for their performance in a demanding competition at an international music festival in North Wales in the Summer, and in the run up to Christmas we have enjoyed Singing and Piano Festivals which combined performances with talks, trips and other learning events.

An increasing number of our students are considering the option of American Universities: in response to this interest, the School was pleased to welcome visitors from Princeton, Tufts and Yale Universities to an evening attended by students, parents and visitors from other schools in London. Attendees learnt more about these prestigious US universities and the opportunities that are available for UK students, and it is likely that in the future, there will be an increasing number of our

students travelling overseas to study in the US. Overseas visits continue to enhance the girls’ education and broaden their outlook, with trips or exchanges to Colombia, Naples, The Western Front, Fontainebleau and Croatia. Pupils pursued their passion for the waves and went surfing in Cornwall, and trekked across the South Downs as part of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh award.

As we frequently remind ourselves, the Founder’s Day prayer “Thou dost require much from those to whom much is given” is an intrinsic part of our ethos.

During half term, girls were invited to the House of Lords by Lord Hastings to learn more about two charities we are fundraising for at school, one of which is the Happy Child International, a charity for underprivileged children in Brazil. As part of this, a group of Year 12 and Year 7 students gave up their free periods and cycled non-stop for 7 hours outside the dining hall to raise money. I am incredibly proud of their dedication.

As most of you are now aware, I shall be stepping down as Headmistress at the end of this academic year. Whilst I am very excited about my new role as the Director of International Schools and Education Strategy, this will be my final Christmas at Canons leading the School, and I have been enjoying every minute of the warmth and community spirit that the School shows, particularly at this special time of year.

I wish you all a very happy and restful festive season.

Bernice McCabe, Headmistress

INTERNATIONAL CHOIR

Celebrating Languages At North London, girls have many opportunities to immerse themselves in foreign cultures, whether it’s through the many languages taught or the extracurricular activities on offer. There is no end to the enthusiasm and energy of the vibrant members of the Modern Foreign Languages department, who are always finding new ways to expose students to the different cultures and languages from around the world.

Girls begin learning French in Year 7

before being given a chance to take up Spanish, German or Mandarin in Year 8. Then in Year 10 there is the further opportunity to study Russian and Italian in the Sixth Form. Girls studying languages in Years 10 and above have weekly conversation lesson with one of our many native speaking language assistants, enabling them to engage in conversation, improving both fluency and accuracy.

An immense range of extra-curricular events and activities is offered to girls

throughout the School, to support the curriculum. Highlights of the year include the Hispanic Theatre Festival, the French Soiree and numerous trips overseas.

Alongside these, are the weekly clubs and societies organised by the students, including Polyglot for the Upper School and Sixth Form, and Miniglot for the Middle School. In addition to this, there is a Modern Foreign Languages Debating Club and the International Choir, started by our Sixth Formers.

Hispanic Theatre Festival

HISPANIC THEATRE FESTIVAL

This term NLCS hosted the fourth annual Hispanic Theatre Festival. It was a night full of incredible talent, attended by many schools including Eton College, Harrow School, Wellington College, Mill Hill School, Eltham College, James Allen’s Girls’ School, Queen’s College, Latymer Upper School and Bedford School. The students showcased their fluent Spanish skills, reflecting many weeks of preparation. Some schools chose to re-enact plays written by the students themselves, while others performed extracts from famous plays including Lorca’s Yerma.

Our panel of judges including Maria del Pilar Mira Ponton, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Colombia and Dr Javier Muñoz Basols, Senior Instructor of Spanish at the University of Oxford had the difficult task of selecting the winners. NLCS girls performed the play Los Cachorros and were awarded ‘Best Overall Spoken Spanish’ - a great achievement. Well done!

Modern Foreign Languages Week Modern Foreign Languages Week was an excellent opportunity for the whole school to become more involved with languages.

Special sessions of Languages Club, Polyglot ran throughout the week where extracts from literature were read in different languages; from German fairy tales to Japanese haiku. There were also different language discussion groups every day, a symposium on the topic of migration and crossing cultures, a Galician taster session, screenings of foreign language films, Salsa Lessons, as well as a variety of competitions.

International Choir Last year, Leila Hussein and Deena Seennapen, now in Year 13, set up the School’s first International Choir. The choir sings in various languages, performing at Modern Foreign Languages events, including in Russian for a Russo-Uzbek evening, in Spanish for the Hispanic Theatre Festival, and in French for the French Soiree. The girls have enjoyed singing in a variety of languages; this has presented many challenges, which they have overcome fantastically to give wonderful performances.

SALSA

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YEAR 6 NETBALL TEAM

Sports Update As always, this term has been jampacked with fixtures, tournaments and competitions. Girls have enjoyed many successes across the sports, including badminton, cross county, netball, gymnastics and lacrosse. It is wonderful to see more and more girls getting involved in such a variety of activities. The Under 14 Netball team have qualified for the regional round of a National Competition, the Year 6 Netball team took part in their first tournament at Berkhamsted School, the Under 14 Lacrosse team won the Abbott’s Hill Lacrosse Tournament, and the Under 12 Lacrosse team are unbeaten so far this season!

STAFF VS STUDENT FOOTBALL

RMS ELITE BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

PE WEEK

HARROW CROSS COUNTRY

ISGA GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

UNDER 14 NETBALL TEAM

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WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION SILVER MEDALLIST, SHONA RICHARDS

YEAR 7 DANCE DISPLAY After weeks of practising, the whole of Year 7 took part in the annual Dance Display, inspired this year by the theme ‘Emotion’. There was a fantastic range of styles from contemporary pieces that explored the issues of loss, to hip-hop dances exploring mania and courage. These performances were further enhanced by spectacular costumes featuring U-V paint, capes and truly frightening masks. With the help of older students, girls contributed to the choreography and costumes. This collaboration was an opportunity for the Year 7 students to make new friends and develop skills such as confidence and teamwork.

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House & Charity HOUSE OF LORDS A group of students were honoured to be invited to the House of Lords during the half term by Lord Hastings, in order to learn more about the two charities that they would be fundraising for at school: Happy Child International and It’s A Penalty Campaign. The students not only learnt about the work and history of these charities, but were also given ideas about fundraising. They were also lucky enough to meet Paul Bennet, a Rio 2016

Olympic Gold Medallist.

On International Volunteering Day, a group of students cycled non-stop from 9am until 4pm on their ‘Life-Cycle’.

Giving up their free periods, the girls dedicated their hours to raising money for Happy Child International. They were supported by many enthusiastic volunteers, including staff and students, who all helped to reach their target of 150km in one day!

LIVABILITY CHRISTMAS PARTY

We were delighted to once again welcome residents from several local care homes for another excellent Christmas Party. The highlight of this highly successful event was a pantomime performed by girls in the Sixth Form, in which there was a Christmas twist on current issues such as Brexit and the US elections, including guest appearances from Princess Hillary and King Trump! Guests were also treated to a wonderful choir performance from Year 11, who sang an entertaining medley of festive songs. The Christmas Party is a lovely opportunity for the girls and residents to get to know each other better, after regular weekly visits to the care homes.

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HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION This year’s House Photo Competition saw girls invited to submit a photograph inspired by their House.

The standard of entries was very

JOINT WINNER YEAR 10-11 SOFIA JOHANSON (AITKEN)

high with many creative and colourful images. Well done to all those who took part and congratulation to those selected for prizes.

JOINT WINNER YEAR 7-9 – NEESHA MURALE (GIBBONS)

JOINT WINNER YEAR10-11 MIA LANE (COLLET)

WINNER SIXTH FORM – VIDYA NANTHAKUMAR (AITKEN)

JOINT WINNER YEAR 10-11 MIRANDA BELL (LINDSAY)

JOINT WINNER YEAR 7-9 – AMÉLIE GADSBY (COLLET)

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Performing Arts Everyman At the end of the summer break, after many weeks of rehearsals, a group of Sixth Form students travelled to Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Performing a piece entitled Everyman, the girls had the opportunity to participate in this world renowned event.

Everyman tells the story of its eponymous hero, as she is told she is going to die as a punishment for a self-indulgent lifestyle. Through a mix of dialogue and physical dancing, this original tale perfectly captures feelings of despair in the face of death. Congratulations to all the cast and crew for delivering such a unique and imaginative production.

The Trojan Women With a cast and crew of more than 100 Year 8 and 9 girls, The Trojan Women was the largest Middle School production to ever perform in the Performing Arts Centre. This adaptation blended two of Euripides’ popular tragedies, The Trojan

TROJAN WOMEN

Women and Hecuba, whose narratives run parallel to each other. The story explored the aftermath of the Trojan War and how it affects every character from a Grecian Soldier to Hecuba, the Queen of Troy. The claustrophobic world of Troy was re-created beautifully with an abstract monochrome set, including a large revolving chessboard which brought to life the idea that this is a strategic game with planned manoeuvres. It was a spectacular play with commendations awarded to both the girls and the director.

GLIMMERS

GLIMMERS

Glimmers

Our World

Students from Year 7 to 13 performed in an evening of monologues and dualogues entitled Glimmers. The girls worked exceptionally hard to deliver an engaging and entertaining show. The subjects of the pieces ranged from the act of ‘fangirling’ over a pop star to the question of what to do when you have been repetitively cloned without your knowing.

Students from Years 10 to 13 drew upon a variety of news stories from across the world to provide the inspiration for their original dance work. Using a range of styles and physical theatre techniques, students performed solos, duets, trios and large group pieces that explored ideas from the different stories.

Music News

LUNCHTIME CONCERT

This term, the Music Department have been extremely busy with rehearsals for the many performances, festivals and concerts that have taken place.

The String Orchestra, Concert Band, Chandos Singers, Senior Orchestra and Senior Choir all gave amazing performances at the Senior School Concert. The Senior Choir sang choruses and duets from Purcell’s Come Ye Sons of Art and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.

Students took part in a singing concert, as part of a week-long ‘Singing Festival’, performing trios from The Magic Flute

by Mozart. Afterwards, Mr Caley led a masterclass, helping the girls to develop their singing in this challenging, threepart-harmony piece. Accompanied by Mr Ham, the girls performed wonderfully, with great confidence and technique.

A highlight of the term was a lunchtime concert held at St George’s Church, Hanover Square in Central London. A group of 32 girls came together for a celebration of the fine tradition of music at North London. The concert was an excellent showcase of the outstanding talents of our music scholars.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT

SENIOR CONCERT

MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT SENIOR CONCERT

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A group of Year 11 girls sang at Chase Farm Hospital to provide entertainment for the patients. We are very proud of the girls, who set up and run the choir themselves, for giving up their time for this very worthwhile cause.

The Middle School Festive Concert was a wonderful end to the term.

There were performances from quartets, ensembles and choirs, including the Middle School Orchestra and the Middle School Chamber Choir, as well as two soloists - Hana Lacka and Chloe Prins.

News & Events

On 29th November two Year 8 students competed in the GSK Fight Malaria Challenge Final. Their task was to come up with a novel method of combating the risk of malaria faced by

millions of people across the world. Gaya and Schulyer in Year 8 presented their idea to a panel of expert judges, beating fierce competition from five other teams, from schools across the country, to become the winners.

The final was a culmination of months of hard work. Over the previous summer in Sri Lanka, Gaya had begun experiments which proved that the Sri Lankan native plant Ocimum sanctum exhibited a mosquito repellent effect. She went on to perfect a method to produce incense coils containing the vital Ocimum and scientifically validated their repellent

quality. Back in the UK Gaya enlisted the support of Schulyer to further research malaria, and produced presentations and prototype kits to explain how families in affected countries could produce the incense coils themselves.

On the day of the final, held at the Science Museum, Gaya and Schulyer had to sell their idea to the judges and faced tough questioning on many aspects of the project. On announcing their win, the judges commented on how impressed they were by the enthusiasm and passion of the girls and the practicality of their idea.

SENIOR SOCIETIES On Thursday 8th September, the author John-Paul Flintoff visited the School to deliver an inspiring speech on how the girls of NLCS can change the world. This interactive and exciting talk, based on his award-winning novel How to Change the World, allowed the students to discuss the elements of the world

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and society today, which they would want to change, and how they could go about doing this. John-Paul made it clear to the students that even a small change, whether it is physical or mental, can make a big difference, an important lesson that they can carry with them throughout their school life and the world beyond.

FANTASY FASHION Fantasy Fashion this year celebrated its 20th anniversary, and girls from Year 7 to Year 13 created spectacular outfits based on the theme of ‘Time’.

Creations included a Dr Who’s Tardis and an Alice in Wonderland inspired Tea Party. This exciting event, organised by the Art Society continues to raise money for the Karenni Student Development Programme (KSDP), which was founded by ONL Stephanie Lee. The charity works in close collaboration with the Karenni people, providing basic needs and education in the poorest states in Burma.

Prizes were awarded by three prestigious judges: ONLs Chloe Nelkin, founder of a PR company specialising in supporting the arts, and Make-up Artist Holly Pollack, accompanied

by British Fashion Designer, James Lakeland. The evening also included an auction which was a great success with lots of money raised for the charity. Well done to all the girls who participated in this wonderful event.

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Junior School News First School girls dressed up in fantastic costumes and sang their hearts out in their unique production of Dahlicious Delights.

It has been an exciting term full of performances, new activities and charming visitors. Both girls and staff took part in Roald Dahl Day dressing as a character from their favourite book. Following the theme, First School girls dressed up in fantastic costumes and sang their hearts out in their unique production of Dahlicious Delights. The audience watched intently

VIVA LA MUSICA

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as many classic Roald Dahl stories were combined in front of their eyes.

During the Lower School Festive Concert, Viva La Musica, the Performing Arts Centre was transformed into a ‘Singing Playground’ with stunning solo vocal performances and everyone joining in with a selection of traditional playground games and songs from around the world.

PRESTON MONTFORD

THE BIG BAD BOOK

BOOK WEEK

DAHLICIOUS DELIGHTS

Year 3 treated their parents to a performance of The Big Bad Book, based on books by the author Lauren Child.

The girls brought alive the humour and adventure in the story, and songs were beautifully performed. The girls’ enjoyment shone through to make this a hugely entertaining show.

During Book Week the Junior School were treated to visits by some of the girls’ favourite authors including

ROALD DAHL DAY

Jacqueline Harvey, Robin Stevens and Elen Caldecott. Author and illustrator, James Mayhew, who visited the First School, told each year group a fascinating story, while imaginatively illustrating it by drawing upside down. There were plenty of giggles when the Flying Pizza Theatre Company gave a hugely energetic oneman rendition of The Jungle Book.

The Autumn Term is always filled with exciting extra-curricular and after

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school clubs ranging from languages to music. The Junior School also provides many sports clubs including games, gymnastics, and netball, and the older girls are given a taste of Senior School life by learning pop lacrosse. In addition to this, a group of students from the Senior School have started teaching the younger girls how to play the ukulele. We look forward to hearing a performance from the girls soon.

International Four musicians from NLCS flew out to Dubai to the launch event, showcasing our strong tradition of music and the performing arts.

On 24th November, at a launch event held at the Dubai Opera House, we were delighted to formally announce that North London Collegiate School, funded by our partners Sobha, will be opening a campus in Dubai in 2017. At the event, plans were announced for an International Baccalaureate curriculum school located at Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum City.

Four musicians from NLCS flew out to Dubai to take part in the launch event, showcasing our strong tradition of music and the performing arts. Sisters Chloe (Year 7) and Amy Prins (Year 4) performed Prelude by Shostakovich and Dvorák’s Humoresque, followed by Year 13 students, Aisha Goodman singing Bob

Dylan’s classic Make You Feel My Love, accompanied by Wendi Fan on piano.

Leading the new school as Principal will be former NLCS UK Deputy Head, Mr Daniel Lewis, who said: “NLCS Dubai will provide an outstanding extra-curricular programme that makes full use of our setting in Dubai and the UAE. Music and performance are a particular strength at NLCS schools, hence our decision to hold our launch at Dubai Opera. A focal-point of the NLCS Dubai campus will be our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre; combined with our sporting and games facilities, this will provide an opportunity for each student to develop their own interests.”

An emphasis on developing confidence and a love of learning is at the heart of North London Collegiate School’s extraordinary success. The School has been ranked number one in the UK for International Baccalaureate results consistently since the Diploma programme was first offered in 2004. The School’s average Diploma score has never dipped below 40 points, and an average score of 41.7 out of 45 points in 2016 demonstrates a level of excellence and consistency which the Dubai School will strive to emulate. NLCS Jeju is already amongst the best in North East Asia for International Baccalaureate results.

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One of the most important aspects of our sister schools is the increased bursary provision that they provide for NLCS UK. There are currently 16 girls here at Canons whose entire Secondary education has been funded by the franchise income from NLCS Jeju.

And our new school in the Middle East will be able to fund additional bursary places. When the school in Dubai reaches capacity, each year’s income will fund the equivalent of five full bursaries at NLCS UK. Close links will be established between the schools, involving student and staff exchanges and many opportunities for working collaboratively including joint projects, journals and debates. A particularly compelling part of this project is the opportunities for community service and work experience. Sobha’s Chairman has devoted half of his wealth to a charitable project in Kerala, India, which supports over two thousand people across three villages: providing food and clothing, education, healthcare, housing and jobs for young widows, and care for the elderly. A group of students and staff from NLCS UK are visiting Kerala and the chairman’s charity projects over the Christmas break. We look forward to hearing more about their trip.

ONL News

1966 - 50 YEAR REUNION

Latest Events

2015 1 YEAR REUNION

This term we welcomed back a large group of ONLs at the Class of 1966.

The sun shone for us on the day, and ONLs filled the grounds, enjoying a day of reminiscing. There was also a

Development Update

2015 1 YEAR REUNION

Events We are delighted to announce that the School will be hosting ‘The Emerald Ball’ on Saturday 1st July 2017. This fundraising evening, set in the magnificent and historic grounds of Canons, will mark Mrs McCabe’s 20 years as Headmistress and her contribution to the all-round success of NLCS. The monies raised will go towards a variety of projects for the school, which will enrich and widen the range of opportunities for the girls. The Ball will also donate to local children’s charities. You are warmly invited to join the celebration and support this memorable school event. Further information will be available in the New Year.

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.

Development activity continues to focus on The Annual Fund, Bursaries and Capital Appeal as part of our 10-year vision. This is the first year that we have had a fundraising drive for an ‘Annual Fund’. This consists of various items that have been requested

by Departments and includes branded gazebos for events, a piano, iPads for pupils and other equipment that will enhance the learning environment. The Annual Fund ‘shopping list’ is available online and to date, we have raised over £10,500 through the online donation portal. There is now a facility to make online donations through

one-year reunion for the Class of 2015.

A Career Networking event for Law was held in October with guest speaker Lady Justice Victoria Sharp (ONL 1967-1974) talking to ONLs at varying stages of their legal careers.

Virgin Money Giving via the School website which can cater for both one-off and regular payments.

The main concept for the new build programme and Capital Appeal is to improve and upgrade our facilities by re-developing the Art area and extending the Music School. Benefits include more sustainable and cutting edge buildings, larger art studios and rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, galleries and performance spaces.

For more information on any of the above, please visit the ‘Support Us’ section of the School website.

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.

Trips & Exchanges Students have taken part in many exciting trips and exchanges this term and over the summer break. They have travelled across the globe to visit Colombia, Zambia, Uzbekistan

and Croatia. Closer to home, girls have completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition to the South Downs and experienced riding the waves on a surfing trip to Cornwall.

COLOMBIA

SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH

UZBEKISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

YEAR 9 TRIP TO THE WESTERN FRONT

CLASSICS TRIP TO NAPLES

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ZAMBIA (TOP ROW)

CROATIA

SURFING IN CORNWALL

And finally NLCS Monopoly is coming...

Mayfair and Park Lane have their charms but, as every North Londoner knows, the true prime properties are to be found at Canons. Whether your heart is set on leafy Lime Avenue, fun-filled Budge Square or the elegance of the Drummond Room, it is all there for the taking in the NLCS new custom Monopoly set. And it is not just the locations that have been adapted. Pick up a Community Chest or a Chance card and you will find many familiar aspects of school life. Be prepared to be fined for forgetting the words of To be a Pilgrim, or win some cash for remembering your daffodil on Founder’s Day. The Parents’ Guild, together with current and former pupils and staff, have developed this limited edition treasure with custom games specialist, Winning Moves.

The North London Collegiate School Monopoly set will be available to buy from January, at a cost of £34.99. To reserve your own limited edition set please email Leoni Kohler at nlcspgenquiries@gmail.com.

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CANONS LIFE TEAM: Students: Leila Hussein (Year 13), 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