Canons Life - Spring 2014

Canons Life The Spring Term 2014 at North London Collegiate School

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canons life

Message from THE HEADMISTRESS With such a rich past, it is no surprise that history and tradition are very important at NLCS. Each Spring Term this is evident at Founder’s Day, when the school community comes together to celebrate its heritage and to commemorate its founder, Frances Mary Buss. To coincide with the centenary of the First World War, the focus at this year’s Founder’s Day was NLCS during the Great War and the many ways that North London girls and Old North Londoners took part in the war effort.

Much of the information that we have about the School’s history is held in our extensive archives. In this Canons Life we learn about the wealth of historic materials held at NLCS from an interview with Mrs Morgan, who tells us about her role as Chief Archivist.

This Canons Life also looks at the subject of History at the School. We feature an interview with Nicky Robertson, the Chair of the History Society, and find out about historical activities the girls have undertaken this term. These include the Story Box project set up by the library and Year 7’s code-breaking project, in which they used a real-life Enigma machine from the Second World War. Girls have also had the opportunity this term to learn about history further afield on trips to Florence, Berlin and Washington.

As always, there have been numerous enriching and engaging activities taking place at NLCS, from talks by notable speakers to challenging problemsolving workshops. The second annual Philosophy Conference, attended by eminent speaker A.C. Grayling, also took place this term, along with exciting and unique activities organised as part of Classics Week and Maths and Science Week.

CANONS L I F E

Head Librarian/Archivist

The NLCS Archive houses material reflecting the history of the school since its foundation in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss. The other major collection contains books and documents on Canons and all its owners, especially the Duke of Chandos in the early 18th century. Between them these two collections number thousands of items and a range of media such as books, letters, diaries, and photographs, and artefacts such as historical uniform and pupils’ work.

How do you receive information?

In addition to the wealth of material collected by Miss Buss and her family, and by previous generations of pupils and staff, I receive donations from ONLs or their families, and sometimes acquire items I spot on the Internet.

I also collect contemporary documents and other “On the Land”, August 1917 Pupils shocking the crops, stacking them upright to dry ready for the harvest

The ambitious and exciting Senior School production of Earthquakes in London produced some highly professional performances as well as an extraordinary transformation of the PAC! The student-directed production of Jumpy was engaging, funny and sensitive, and Years 7 and 8 gave a compelling performance of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. The Arts Celebration, the South East Schools’ Chamber Music Competition and the many other music concerts have once again delighted us and given the girls a chance to demonstrate their talents!

items, and always welcome suggestions and donations from the school community.

Archive comes into its own.

With the help of the other staff in the department, I research a different topic every year, and every year new light is shed on our illustrious past.

How do you preserve historical material?

Photos and documents are stored in acid free plastic pockets and boxes, which protect them from damage, and the room in which they are stored has no windows and a constant temperature. As an extra precaution we even wear special white gloves when handling some items!

It is also amazing to employ 21st century methods with historical items. One moment I’m carefully handling an 18th century letter, and another I’m scanning it and viewing it on an iPad!

What is the most satisfying thing for you?

I love the contrast and the variety, and using important collections with a wide range of people from outside the school, such as academics and the media. Even more satisfying is working with staff and pupils to make the Archive a living collection which we can all enjoy. Every day I learn something new, and the highlight of the year is Founder’s Day, when the

Twenty girls from Years 10 and 11 visited New York and Washington as part of their study of the history and politics of twentieth-century America.

The trip took in historic sights relevant to the civil rights movement, the Cold War and 9/11. As part of the tour, students visited the UN building, Wall Street, Harlem and Ground Zero in New York and the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, White House and National Holocaust Museum in Washington, but of course they also found time for shopping in Times Square, a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe and a trip up the Empire State Building!

Why did you become Chair of History Society?

From studying the localised history of the site of our school to learning about Northern Iberian law in the 10th Century, NLCS’s History Society has never failed to delight me. I began attending the weekly lectures in Year 10, and every week, my passion grew.

As I moved up through the School, there were more opportunities to get involved with the Society. Mrs Brown and the History Department encouraged me to explore history outside the school syllabus, for which I will always be grateful. ay 1917 e Sports D e pupils of th th d he n T a . t e m ll a o e Miss C r Flag T to three g Senio winnin y was donated sent e n rm o prize m s, and “one Fo f war” charitie its prisoner o to money

This term we have been delighted to welcome two groups of NLCS Jeju students to Canons; a large group of Year 6 boys and girls spent time here with their Junior School peers in early March and a group of exchange students from Year 9 joined us in midMarch. Hosted by our own pupils from Year 9, they were able to attend Founder’s Day along with all students and staff and celebrate our shared heritage.

We also bade farewell and thank you to our departing Senior Students, known as the ‘Big Six’, who have led the School admirably, lending great energy and enthusiasm to their role as well as sound judgement.

History Trip USA

Story Box Project

Enigma Machine

Story Boxes were created by Archives staff to enable pupils to experience the excitement of using primary historical material. They include copies and transcriptions of original NLCS archival documents based on topics covered in the curriculum and on extracurricular subjects.

The original documents and photographs are also available for pupils to see and handle.

As part of this year’s annual Maths and Science Week, Year 7 had the unique opportunity to take part in an Enigma code-breaking project presented by Dr Grime from the Millennium Mathematics Project in Cambridge. He demonstrated an actual Enigma machine from WW2, one of only very few remaining.

The first four boxes were launched to coincide with National Archives Awareness Week, and covered: The Great Exhibition 1851; The British Empire; Sophie Bryant and Irish Home Rule; and 18th Century Life at Canons. The boxes are available in the Library and can be borrowed in the same way as a library book.

Nicky Robertson – Chair of History Society

Sports D ay 1918-1 Instead o 919 f awardin Sports D g prizes ays, mon at ey w as annually to war ch donated arities

Pupils wait for the “Wagonette ” August 1917, “On th e Land” in Briantspuddl e

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History Focus

Interview with Mrs Morgan What is the NLCS Archive?

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What have you enjoyed most in your role?

We’ve had a variety of incredible speakers and it has been a privilege to host them and have them share their knowledge with us. The highlight of my time with History Society was the History and Politics Week we held last term, particularly exciting was having Lord Hennessy, the noted historian, speak at our symposium.

Nicky Robertson (right) and the History Society Cake Sale

What activities have you got planned for the Summer Term?

We will go to a lecture on the Nazi regime during the Second World War given by the famed military historian Richard Overy held by Birbeck University and we are currently planning an event for November to commemorate the First World War.

NLCS during WW1 This year’s Founder’s Day celebrations looked at NLCS during WW1 and the impact the war had on the school, its staff and girls. Mrs McCabe also spoke of ONLs who made a contribution to the war effort.

War Poem s

by Jessie Pope, ON L, published in 1915

Who is your favourite historical character and why?

George F Kennan is my source of historical inspiration. The main reason that I admire him is because he was not a great leader of a nation, or a decorated war hero, but his contribution to the diplomatic service in the United States had profound implications for the Cold War. He has influenced me by showing me what impact an individual can have on history, one which I hope to emulate.

Pupils punting, photograph taken fro m the album of Doris McAdam, ONL

At the end of another busy term, I wish you all a restful holiday.

Bernice McCabe, Headmistress

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“The North Londoners”, Briantspuddle, August 1917, Pupil Lucy Parker with NLCS friends

“Going Home at 6 o’clock” August 1917, “On the Land” in Briantspuddle

Sports Day 1915 the r VIth pupils at Staff and Uppe ce Ra g Fla e beginning of th

of her Pupil Lucy Parker’s photograph work friends Molly, Ida and Irene at , “On the Land” in Briantspuddle August 1917

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CANONS L I F E

PERFORMING ARTS REVIEW

Earthquakes in London This year’s Senior School production Earthquakes In London was a resounding triumph. Written by playwright Mike Bartlett for the National Theatre, the play is an exploration of the effects of apocalyptic Climate Change predictions on three sisters leading very different lives in London. The play is an account of life, love and extreme unease in present-day London, flashing back to 1968 and forward to the years 2026, and 2525.

Over three nights students from Years 10-12 produced astonishingly mature performances to bring this challenging and exciting play to life. The PAC was transformed with a new mezzanine floor to accommodate a traverse stage with rooms at either end. The result was an exciting, fast-moving and ever-changing experience for the audience.

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Trips & Extra-Curricular News Fontainbleu, France

Berlin, Germany

Florence, Italy

Zell am See, Austria Philosophy Conference Senior Concert The Senior Concert was a wonderful evening of music and song provided by the Senior School students including the A cappella Choir, Senior Orchestra, the Show Choir, Chandos Singers, Senior and Parents Choir and the Chamber Orchestra.

Year 13 Studentdirected play ‘Jumpy’ Year 13 presented a highly entertaining and hilarious version of April De Angelis’ Jumpy. First performed at the Royal Court Theatre in 2011, the play explores the trials and tribulations of a mother facing up to being 50 and her dealings with her mutinous teenage daughter. Directed by Year 13 student Tamara Schindler, the cast expertly presented characters of both sexes and a range of ages.

Blood Brothers Years 7 & 8 gave a compelling performance of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. Written in 1982, this award winning play revolves around fraternal twins separated at birth and explores the issues of nature vs nurture. The show delighted and entertained audiences over two nights.

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The PAC hosted 90 Sixth Formers and staff from visiting schools, including QE Boys, Oundle, Bedford School, Kingston Grammar School and King Edward VI, Southampton for the annual Philosophy Conference.

Four eminent thinkers came to NLCS to share their ideas, inspire and show Sixth Formers what it might be like to study Philosophy at university. Professor A.C. Grayling, Master of the New College of the Humanities, talked about two fundamental questions which form the basis for the whole of Philosophy: ‘What

exists?’ and ‘What matters?’.

Dr Stephen Law, author of The Philosophy Files, spoke on atheism. King’s College London’s Dr Eleanor Knox spoke on Physics and the Philosophy of Time and finally Tim Crane, Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy and fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge, gave two opposing arguments on the relationship between mind and body.

Classics Week Students enjoyed a wide range of classical themed events to celebrate the annual NLCS Classics Week. Activities included a trip to the theatre to see Aristophanes’ Clouds, a captivating student-led performance and the girls finished off the week with a classically inspired ‘mufti’ day.

Maths success

Twelve students took part in the Finalists’ concert of the South East Chamber Music Competition at the prestigious venue of St John’s Smith Square in Central London. The girls made up three ensembles, playing in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Age categories, and every year the standard in the final is formidable.

Congratulations to Nicole Rosenfeld, Joanna Yass, Sarah Li and Danishia Vijayakumar for winning against King Alfred School 49 to 9 in Round 3 of the Hans Woyda Mathematics Competition. The girls impressed with their ability to answer questions in 60-second time limits. Mrs Jacques' training programme has been entirely effective in getting the girls to the top of their game. Their speed and accuracy were devastating.

This year, the girls achieved an unprecedented success, as all three ensembles won their categories – a fantastic achievement!

Gayatree Amalananda, Aisha Goodman, Wendi Fan and Aberami Shanmugarasa have qualified for the

Professor A.C. Grayling (left) and Dr Stephen Law

Chamber Music Competition

London Finals of the Year 10 Maths Challenge and Sarah Li, Thiviya Sivakanthan, Amy Sankey and Glara Yu came a very close second in the Team Maths’ Challenge scoring almost full marks.

This year's Senior Maths Challenge results were also the best in the School's history, with 22 girls obtaining gold medals, more than ever before. Congratulations to all medal holders, and those who qualified for the Senior Kangaroo Competition and the British Mathematical Olympiad.

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CANONS L I F E

ONL News

We also run an ONL Career Network group on LinkedIn.

Two drinks evenings were held in March, reuniting NLCS staff with ONLs at university in Oxford and London. University drinks for Bristol and Cambridge will be held in May. Please contact Emma Maltz, Alumnae & Development Officer, on 020 8951 6475 if you would like to join any of the upcoming events.

ONL Careers Network 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.

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

Please contact Poorvi Smith, Alumnae & Development Officer, at psmith@nlcs.org.uk for more details.

Facebook There is a bespoke group on Facebook for NLCS Alumnae. This will enable you to connect with other ONLs both from your own year group and the wider community, as well as keeping you updated with latest news and events. To join this group, please befriend Frances Mary Buss.

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.

ONL Undergraduate University Drinks: Tuesday 29th April 2014 – Bristol Tuesday 6th May 2014 – Cambridge ONLA AGM – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am Reunions for the Class of 1984, 1994 and 2004 – Saturday 10th May 2014, 10.30am

Poetry Competition

ONL Industry Drinks: Media Society – Thursday 15th May 2014 Law Society – Thursday 22nd May 2014

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

FMB Fellowship Lunch – Tuesday 17th June 2014, 11.45am

Poetry Competition

ONLA Picnic – Sunday 22nd June 2014, 12.00pm-4.00pm

The first ever Junior School Poetry Competition was launched in January. Girls chose poems to learn by heart and recite. Girls from Years 3 to 6 performed their poems and each team chose a single winner. The girls then performed their poems at a grand final.

Class of 2011 Reunion – Wednesday 2nd July 2014, 5.30pm-7.30pm

Chinese New Year Oxford Drinks

junior school visit The Junior School girls in Year 6 welcomed their Jeju counterparts this term. Thirty eight students participated in a joint Jeju/London experience which saw the two groups working together in teams to build skyscrapers, write poetry, create posters and debate.

The speed with which the groups made friends and exchanged email addresses was impressive and there are many girls keen to visit NLCS Jeju.

The Korean students were delighted with their visits to museums and iconic London landmarks but the highlight of their trip was spending time with the girls at Canons.

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Forthcoming ONL Events

The winners of the two competitions were Aria (4H), for the Year 3 & 4 competition, with a delightful rendition of A.A Milne’s Lines and Squares and Georgia (6R), whose animated recitation of Robert Louis Stephenson’s My Shadow secured the Year 5 and 6 cup.

Jeju NEWS

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Year 9 Exchange At the end of the Spring Term girls in Year 9 welcomed their Jeju exchange partners for the second annual exchange between the two schools. During their stay the students attended school for two weeks taking part in lessons and activities, they were also able experience Founder's Day. The girls then spent a week with their exchange partner in and around London.

The girls from NLCS will travel to Jeju during the Summer Term for their leg of the exchange visit.

They will get the opportunity to experience life as a student at NLCS Jeju and gain an insight into Korean culture during their stay with their host families.

Reception girls were treated to a fun morning of Chinese New Year celebrations! They learnt how to make exciting Chinese dragons, beautiful lanterns, and were shown how to write their names in traditional Chinese calligraphy.

World War Two Workshop Year 6 girls were transported back to the years between 1939 and 1945 as they learnt about life during WW2. In a very ‘hands-on’ workshop, they created their own Anderson Shelter and

propaganda posters, carried the wounded on stretchers and wore gas masks.

They also had the opportunity to learn some Morse code and demonstrated their skills of observation by identifying and describing potential enemy agents.

Year 3 Viking Day

Vikings in training Year 3 had a splendid day being ‘Vikings in training’. The Freshwater Theatre Company introduced them to all things Viking – oatcakes, longboats, sagas, jewellery and even arguments! The girls made their own ‘mini’ long boats which were good enough to rule the waves, just like the real Vikings.

Junior School Chamber Choir

Tempest Hits Year Four Seas raged as sailors from Year 4 were tossed about on a make believe ship that was wrecked on a strange island. The girls were enthralled as they met extraordinary characters and became embroiled in the magic and plot Prospero set against his brother, Antonio.

Listening to and reciting the words of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the girls had lots of fun taking part in this mini production organised by the Young Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Junior School Choirs The Chamber Choir have received rave reviews for their performance at the National Choir of the Year 2014 Competition. They were named ‘Choir of the Day’ and have been put through to the National Selection Stage. We now wait to hear if they will be one of the four choirs selected to perform in the Category Finals at London’s Royal Festival Hall in October.

This term the Year 5 & 6 Choir have participated in the annual Watford Festival. This large group of talented girls competed with five other local school choirs, and were awarded first place with honours. The choir were praised by the judges for achieving a beautiful choral sound. This is a wonderful achievement for this all-inclusive choir.

Junior School World Book Day

Introducing the new Senior Committee “I am really excited to have been chosen as Senior Student for this year.

I can't wait to work with the rest of the Senior Committee to represent the School and the students. I'm honoured to be part of such an amazing team and am looking forward to a great year.”

Lucie de Cock, Senior Student for 2014-2015

Amy, Yasmin, Lucie (Senior Student), Phoebe (Sports Captain), Tori and Ella.

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sports News Netball At the beginning of the term the Under 12 Netball team participated in the RMS Annual Netball Tournament. It was a challenging match but some fantastic team and individual performances led them to victory by one goal, winning 9 goals to 8. The team also took part in the Middlesex

Tournament where they played exceptionally well winning all their group matches. In the semi-final they played a terrific game and after extra time emerged victorious scoring a golden goal. They had a tough game in the final and were defeated by 2 goals but all girls played fantastically well and should feel proud of this outstanding achievement.

Table Tennis The NLCS Table Tennis team competed in the English Schools Table Tennis Association’s regional tournament in the Under 19 Girls category in January. The tournament took place in Bournemouth and had teams from all over the South East region of England.

The team of four which is made up of Sophie Tofalides and Anisha Rasan from Year 12 and Maria Wang and Michelle Mui from Year 10 played 24 matches in total, with 8 matches against each team. There was an overall victory for NLCS as they won all of their 24 matches, not losing a single game.

As a result of this amazing achievement the team qualified for the National Finals which took place at the end of term in Leicester. After a long day of competitions against four other teams from across the country the girls were delighted to be awarded Runners Up.

British Schoolgirls' Skiing To rival the recent Winter Olympics three girls have been showing off their skiing skills. Cerys Gorringe and Manon Lowth in Year 8 and Annecy Stevens in Year 9 travelled to Flaine in France to take part in the British Schoolgirls' Races.

The girls took part in a range of events, including a team parallel slalom knock out and individual competitions.

With some wonderful performances the girls finished the competition as the top Under 14 team. In addition to this, they came sixth overall out of the 43 teams, despite competing with older rivals up to the age of 21 many of whom were Junior Nationals.

Harrow Schools Cross Country Thirty three North London girls braved the exceptionally wet and muddy conditions to take part in the Harrow Schools Cross Country course. With excellent performances throughout, all the year groups came first in their age categories.

Eighteen girls then went on to be

selected for the Harrow team, with almost the entire senior section being made up of NLCS runners.

Individually, out of a field of more than 100 girls, Megan Wilson came fourth in the Under 17 category and now goes on to represent Middlesex at the National Cross Country Championships.

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) Staff Editor & Production: Larraine Bristow