Canons Life - Spring 2016

CANONSLife The Spring Term 2016 at North London Collegiate School

FEATURING Following in the Footsteps • Performing Arts • Junior School News

Contents 2-3

FEATURE Following in the Footsteps

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NEWS AND EVENTS Geography and Economics Week Classics Week Holocaust Memorial Day Book Week Philosophy Week Science Week

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HOUSE & CHARITY NEWS Talent Show Bake Sale Canonaid House Fête MasterMind in Harrow

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ONL News Latest Events Development Update

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PERFORMING ARTS The Revengers’ Comedies Senior Concert Chamber Music Competition

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SPORTS UPDATE Skiing Lacrosse Gymnastics Indoor Athletics Trampolining Netball Cross Country

12-13 JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

The Afterdark Princess

Broadcast with Major Tim Peake

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page 11

page 6

page 2-3

page 4

page 12

Visit to Wembley Stadium

page 9 FRONT COVER: FOUNDER’S DAY 2016

Welcome from the Headmistress This edition of Canons Life looks at the Victorian women who followed in the footsteps of Miss Buss with a shared passion for developing girls’ education

The School is extremely proud of its traditions and rich history. Each Spring Term the School’s community unites to celebrate its heritage and to commemorate its founder, Frances Mary Buss. This year’s Founder’s Day celebrated Miss Buss and the resilience and determination she demonstrated in her ambition to set up what was recognised as the first of the large academic day schools for girls. This edition of Canons Life takes a closer look at the Victorian women who followed in the footsteps of Miss Buss with a shared passion for developing girls’ education, and how this outward-looking and pioneering spirit remains at the forefront of the School’s values today.

As always, the term has been full of enriching activities for our students, from the Geography and Economics Week and Philosophy Conference, to talks by notable speakers. We were privileged to host Lady Zahava Kohn and her daughter Hephzibah Rudofsky (ONL) to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and have had many other visits from inspiring and thought-provoking figures. These have included Team GB Paralympian Stefanie Reid and Professor David Cowan, Head of Forensic Science at King’s College London and Director of the Drug Control Centre.

The Senior School production of Alan Ayckbourn’s The Revengers’ Comedies delighted audiences with some hilarious performances, and girls have entertained us with their musical talents in many concerts this term.

Following the success of last year’s event, we once

again held our Canonaid House Fête, with money being raised for the charity, Make a Wish UK. I was very proud to see lots of girls making a difference in a practical way, putting so much effort into their stalls and creating a fabulous atmosphere.

I have again been extremely impressed by our students’ sporting talents and achievements in many events this term, including the British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races in France and the National Schools Lacrosse Championships. In addition to this, girls have been scaling new heights on the School’s new climbing wall this term!

Girls have participated in numerous trips and exchanges abroad this term, with destinations including Florence, Berlin, Madrid and Amsterdam.

We also welcomed students for the 67th year of exchanges with the Goethe-Gynmasium in Ludwigsburg, Germany, as well as students from SCEGGS our Australian exchange school in Sydney, and a group of Year 9 NLCS Jeju students. We were delighted that students from our partnership schools were able to attend Founder’s Day and celebrate our heritage together.

We also welcome our new Senior Committee, known as the ‘Big Six’, and bid farewell and thank you to our departing Big Six, who have led the School admirably, lending energy and enthusiasm to their role.

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

Bernice McCabe, Headmistress

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Following in the Footsteps

FRANCES MARY BUSS

Following in the footsteps of Frances Mary Buss, two ONLs overcame numerous challenges to successfully steer the development of girls’ education in the Victorian era

Each Spring on Founder’s Day, the School community unites to celebrate its heritage and to commemorate its founder, Frances Mary Buss. Each year in her address to students, staff and guests, Mrs McCabe focuses on an aspect of the School’ s history. This year she spoke of the pioneering spirit and determination Miss Buss demonstrated when founding the School in 1850. Under Miss Buss’ leadership, North London Collegiate School became a model for girls’ education and the educational values that she taught became the blue print for many schools throughout the UK and overseas.

Following in the footsteps of Frances Mary Buss were two ONLs, Sara Burstall (1859-1939) and Edith Aitken (1861-1940), who also overcame numerous challenges to successfully steer the development of girls’ education in the Victorian era. Miss Burstall initially attended the Camden School for Girls, the other school founded by Miss Buss, before taking Cambridge Junior Local Examinations in which she won a scholarship to North London Collegiate School. She was later offered a scholarship to Girton College, Cambridge.

When she returned to North London Collegiate School in 1882 as an assistant

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mistress, she began to show an increasing interest in women’s education. In 1894 she wrote a book entitled The Education of Girls in America, based on a visit to Chicago. Miss Burstall was Deputy Head of North London Collegiate for four years before becoming Headmistress of the Manchester High School for Girls in 1898. There she faced many challenges, as she had to provide for girls of all abilities. She introduced a range of domestic and secretarial courses to run alongside the academic subjects for university applicants. This decision increased the number of pupils who could attend Manchester High School, and as a result it flourished under her Headship, especially during the period 1908-1914.

Edith Aitken also became heavily involved in girls’ education. She too attended North London Collegiate, before studying Natural Sciences at Girton College, Cambridge. She taught at a number of different schools, including NLCS, and lectured at Bedford College before founding Pretoria High School for Girls in 1902. The country had not yet recovered from the impacts of the South African War, hence Miss Aitken only had a school building which had been closed in 1899 and she suffered a general “shortage of everything else”.

SCREEN PRINT OF PRETORIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

EDITH AITKEN

SARAH BURSTALL

Despite this, she was eager to model her school on North London in the hope that “girls of different races and different denominations might meet in that commonwealth of letters which gave Erasmus and Shakespeare to the World.”

She endeavoured to mirror the academic and extra-curricular diversity of NLCS, and in 1917 was able to acquire playing fields for hockey and cricket. In 1902 there were only 106 pupils but, due to Miss Aitken’s efforts, by 1923 Pretoria High School was known as the best girls’ school in South Africa. Today, there are almost 1500 students and 100 staff, and the school is continuing to prosper both academically and culturally.

Following in the ground-breaking tradition of Frances Mary Buss, and consistent with the School’s outward-looking ethos, in 2011 NLCS opened its first overseas campus on the beautiful island of Jeju, South Korea.

We are extremely proud of what has

NLCS JEJU STUDENTS WITH THEIR EXCHANGE PARTNERS AT CANONS

been achieved in Jeju, bringing the NLCS philosophy to life in a new geographical and cultural context. Although it is never easy being a pioneer, taking risks and following a vision are key to successful innovation – as the courage of Sara Burstall and Edith Aitken illustrated.

Students at NLCS Jeju have quickly absorbed the North London ethos and the spirit of ‘working in hope’, and this year we have been delighted to welcome students from the School to NLCS (UK) to celebrate Founders’ Day with us as part of the annual exchange.

Building on the success of NLCS Jeju, we are now in the process of establishing NLCS Dubai, which is scheduled to open in September 2017. A third school, in South East Asia, is also in the pipeline, although not yet confirmed.

The aim is for the relationship between the schools to be mutually beneficial. Exchanges, visits, and Skype

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and Facetime encounters all serve to reinforce the close ties which bind us and to create new professional links and personal friendships. In addition, the revenue generated from this enterprise supplies significant funds for bursaries at NLCS (UK), safeguarding the School’s philosophy of providing able students with the best education, regardless of their financial means.

Now in the 21st Century, it is both heartening and telling that the values held by Frances Mary Buss, the virtues of an outstanding education, scholarship and individuality, remain as significant to the NLCS community today as when the School was established in 1850; our new international ventures are built on firm and enduring foundations.

By Jungmin Seo (Year 11) and Lizzie Quinn (Year 12) with thanks to Mrs Karen Morgan, Miss Sarah Prentice and Ms Yasmin Fahiya

News and Events GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMICS WEEK As a part of Geography and Economics Week, multiple events took place, including a Geography Symposium, ‘Balloon Debate’ and a Cake Competition.

Upper School girls attend a Geography Symposium on the topical theme of Migration. The evening began with a talk about the economic and emotional impacts of migration by Dr Kavita Datta, Reader in Geography at Queen Mary University of London. Girls then heard from Amelia Gentleman, Social Affairs Correspondent for The Guardian, who addressed her concerns on the depiction of migration in the media. A ‘Balloon Debate’ at Harrow School involved six pairs of students (three from NLCS and three from Harrow) making the case for ‘saving’ a prominent economist from ejection of a hypothetical hot air balloon. The selection of economists included Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, John Maynard Keynes, Karl Marx, Joseph Stiglitz and Milton Friedman.

The winners were NLCS pairing Leila Hussein and Aditi Shringarpure, with their persuasive argument to save John Maynard Keynes.

Two school magazines were released during the week; Spatial, the Geography

CLASSICS WEEK

Department magazine, with articles written by girls looking at different geographical topics ranging from migration to art; and Capital, Economics Society’s publication, focusing on the subject of economic development.

During this year’s annual Classics week, Mr Langdale gave a talk focusing on the tale of the very earliest opera performed at the start of the 17th Century based on the works of Virgil, Ovid, Boethius and others.

A Nicholson Lecture delivered by Ms Picton investigated why the worlds’ ‘democratic’ government was established in Athens and explored how democracy in Athens functioned and interlinked with geography, politics, religion and identity.

Also during the week, a group of students in the Upper School and Sixth Form had the opportunity to see a modern interpretation of Menander’s Dyskolos at University College London. After a lecture on the background of Classical Theatre, the play soon had girls collapsing with laughter, especially with the comical appearance of an ONL as the old hag!

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HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

As part of the School’s commemorations of Holocaust Memorial Day, North London was honoured to welcome the Holocaust survivor Lady Zahava Kohn.

Accompanied by her daughter, Hephzibah Rudofsky (ONL), Lady Kohn shared her personal experience of the Holocaust and how she survived the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Lady Kohn’s family’s seemingly unbelievable survival and subsequent rebuilding of her life were incredibly inspiring and uplifting.

This term we celebrated World Book Day, with an array of creative activities that extended over the whole week. Girls created book reviews using only emoji stickers, and the Library held a ‘Doctors Open Surgery’ prescribing books as a form of medication. Other events included book sales and a book-themed cake stall, with all proceeds going to ‘The Flying Angels’, our charity partner school in Zambia.

Philosophy Week focused on the theme of Mind and Body and involved lots of different activities ranging from competitions and

quizzes to society debates and lectures.

The week’s Nicholson Lecture ‘Can God forgive?’ was centred on the meaning of forgiveness and its consistency with God’s attributes. Film and Media Society together with the Young Philosophers’ Society, presented a discussion on the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence in the film Bladerunner, and Classics club discussed the Greek thinking behind Mind and Body. We were also delighted to welcome students from Oundle School, Forest School, Bedford

During this term’s Science Week, there was a vibrant and exciting programme of activities organised by the Science Department.

A lecture symposium on ‘The Science of Sport’ involved enriching talks from Professor David Cowan, Head of the Department of Forensic Science & Drug Monitoring at King’s College London and Co-Director of the London Anti-Doping Laboratory; Mr Richard Nieveen, one of the most experienced prosthetists in the UK, and Miss Stefanie Reid, Team GB Paralympic Athlete. It was a fascinating

opportunity to hear a range of speakers discuss the impact science continues to make in the world of professional sport.

During Senior Societies, girls in Years 11 to 13 welcomed Professor Martin Elliott, paediatric heart and lung surgeon and Medical Director at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, who spoke about the impact of Formula One in medical practice.

The week’s finale was the Science Fair, which contained lots of demonstrations, hands-on science-related activities and displays of competition work the students have been creating.

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School, St Albans High School for Girls, Bentley Wood High School and Queen Elizabeth’s School to our annual Philosophy Conference. Our distinguished speakers included Professor Margaret Boden OBE, who spoke about Machine Consciousness; Dr Robyn Waller, who gave a talk about exploring Free-Will, Action and the Mind; and Professor Ray Monk, who spoke about investigating the life and work of the most influential and iconic figures in 20th century philosophy.

CANONAID HOUSE FÊTE

House & Charity News HOUSE UPDATE & CANONAID HOUSE FÊTE

HOUSE TALENT SHOW

AITKEN SWEET STALL

BAKE SALE

Girls have been participating in a wide range of new and exciting House activities, including the first ever House Talent Show. Each House presented a variety of talents, ranging from Rap to Bollywood dancing, musical performances to Poetry reading.

Congratulations to Aitken and Gibbons Houses for winning the House Prize and to Nikhita Nandi, from Collet House, for winning the Individual Prize.

Also held this term was the House Bake Sale, which raised £230 for Make a Wish Foundation UK, a charity that ‘grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions’. Each House was given a stall outside the Dining Hall and throughout break time girls sold their home-made cakes and biscuits which were created based on the House

CHARITY NEWS Two NLCS teams travelled to Harrow School for a Mastermind style quiz in aid of the charity Mind, which provides support and care for those suffering from mental illness. The two teams went into battle against teams from

several other local schools, including two teams from Harrow School.

The contestants were asked questions on Maths, Science, Music, Arts and Humanities as well as taking part in a nail biting head to head round.

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colours and mascots.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon at the end of the term, girls busily prepared an amazing range of charity stalls and activities for the second Canonaid House Fête. Visitors could choose from delicious cakes and sweets, tempting milkshakes and even fresh waffles! In addition to this there was a variety of creative games, activities and musical performances. The afternoon was a great success; there was a wonderful community atmosphere, and the event raised £1,234 for charity.

LINDSAY WAFFLE STALL

ONL News Latest Events The Spring Term began with the Big Six Dinner in January. Members of the Big Six from the last 19 years came together to share news and explore ways in which they could help current and future generations of North London students.

The second ONLA Arts Society drinks event was held at Alice House in Queen’s Park, attended by ONLs from varied sectors of the arts including authors, presenters and journalists. Our Women in Media Symposium took place in February; this was the third in the series of industry specific events to inspire and

Development Update We extend our warmest thanks to donors who have supported the School at all levels this year – whether through a monthly direct debit or a one-off gift.

Since the start of this school year, we have raised over £1.3 million in pledges and donations to allow us to support the Bursary Fund and also enhance the School and its facilities. The 18th in

WOMEN IN MEDIA

inform current students about a variety of careers. Guest speaker Stevie Spring, Chairman of the Inspired Thinking Group and Children in Need, together with a

panel of accomplished ONLs in the media industry, discussed how they began their careers and the factors contributing to their success.

the School’s series of neighbourhood drinks parties for parents will be held in April. These events allow parents across all school years to come together and socialise with other parents locally, and to chat informally with the Headmistress and other senior staff.

We will keep you informed of events in your area. If you would like to host a neighbourhood drinks party in your

home, please contact Gavin Mann, Development Manager at gmann@nlcs.org.uk.

If you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to find out how you or your company could support the School, please contact Russell Marriott on 020 8951 6376 or by email at rmarriott@nlcs.org.uk

The Old North Londoners’ Association Today

ATTENDEES

DATE

TIME

ONLA MEDIA SOCIETY

ONLs WORKING IN MEDIA

13 APRIL 2016

7-9 PM

ONLA AGM

ALL ONLs

7 MAY 2016

10.30 AM

10,20,30 & 40 YEARS REUNIONS

1976, 1986, 1996 & 2006 LEAVERS

7 MAY 2016

11 AM

ONLA BUSINESS & FINANCE SOCIETY

ONLs WORKING IN BUSINESS & FINANCE

19 MAY 2016

7-9 PM

ONLA PICNIC

All ONLs

26 JUNE 2016

12-4 PM

CLASS OF 2013

2013 LEAVERS

28 JUNE 2016

5-7 PM

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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5,521 ONLs in touch with us

TOP 5 CAREERS

Law

Banking and Finance

Engineering

18 101

AGED

EVENT

to

Medicine

Media

How ONLs can benefit from ONLA

guests at 16 events

Keeping up to date with news about ONLs and School

Reasons to attend events

Catch up with old friends

£1.9 14 4

Revisit North London

Network

m donated to the School by 399 ONLs over the last 10 years ONLA Committee Members Development and Alumnae Staff at NLCS

CANADA

Attending interesting events volunteering to give career advice to students and other ONLs

ISRAEL

Getting internship opportunities, work placements and career help Applying for ONLA Academic and Travel Awards

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USA

AUSTRALIA

OvER ThE LAST yEAR

636

Top 5 Countries outside the UK

Career Networking Societies for ONLs - Arts - Business & Finance - Law - Media - STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine)

1,700 Friends on Facebook 252 Followers on Twitter

FRANCE

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Financial awards ONLs given in 2015 to wishing to continue their studies or travel abroad after leaving School

Performing Arts The Revengers’ Comedies Audiences were treated to wonderfully entertaining and funny performances of Alan Ayckbourn’s 1989 play The Revengers’ Comedies which combines Ayckbourn’s brilliant observation for detail, comic genius and social commentary. The story centres on two individuals who collide at midnight on Albert Bridge;

a girl crossed in love and a man who has lost his job. Instead of jumping into the water as intended, they make a pact to take revenge on each other’s enemies.

Performed by two different casts the actors showed remarkable maturity in dealing with this fast-moving text. “This is a challenging text for young people, and I was so impressed with how the

performers stayed true to Ayckbourn’s writing. Their comic timing was superb, and I am so delighted that they rose to the challenge of performing two full-length plays”, said Miss Gibbs, Director of Drama.

Designed by Steve Gregson, Technical Manager, a complex set created numerous locations including a drawing room, pig sty, wine bar, office and a flying bridge.

Their comic timing was superb, and I am so delighted that they rose to the challenge of performing two full-length plays

THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT THE REVENGERS’ COMEDIES

Senior Concert As a wonderful end to the term,

girls performed at the Senior Concert.

Groups included the Senior Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Group, Chandos Singers and the Concert Band.

Highlights of the concert included Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1 by the Senior Orchestra and John Williams’ Star Wars by the Concert Band.

SENIOR CONCERT

Chamber Music Competition

CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION

The annual Chamber Music Concert saw performances by groups throughout the Senior School including piano trios, quartets and other mixed ensembles. The concert served as a preliminary round of the South East Chamber Music Competition.

Groups from this event were chosen to perform in the following first round of the competition, which took place at NLCS

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in February. Groups in this round played their repertoire and received specialist coaching by professional chamber music players. Two groups from North London were selected to take part in the Finalists Concert, which took place at St John’s Smith Square. Congratulations to Anoushka Sharp, Tiffany Cheung, Inis Oirr Asano, Izzy Lever, Romy McCarthy, Rosa Pike and Coco Cresswell.

Sports Update SKIING Seven girls participated in the British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races 2016 in Flaine, France this term. Over 50 schools entered the event which is the most prestigious ski event in the school calendar. After two days of intensive competition, the girls achieved some impressive results. Cerys and Giselle Gorringe were both placed 1st in their age categories in both the

Giant Slalom and the Slalom, and in the combined events both girls also placed 1st in their age groups. In the overall competition across all age groups, Cerys placed 2nd and Giselle 3rd in the Giant Slalom, and in the Slalom Cerys placed 1st overall. This is an amazing achievement as the girls were skiing against Under 18 and Under 21 Great Britain squad members.

LACROSSE The National Schools Lacrosse Championship sees the best schools in the country compete for the National title. More than 20 girls from North London travelled to Surrey to take part in this year’s Senior Tournament, which took place over two days, with many gruelling matches. The Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, 1st and 2nd teams all gave outstanding performances in their individual games,

showing resilience and determination throughout. Despite the inclement weather and tough competition, girls remained focused under pressure and applied all the tactics learnt in training very well. Congratulations to the entire Senior squads who excelled in their performances. Their cohesive, supportive and professional approach was commented on by other coaches, and we are extremely proud of them.

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In the team events, North London finished 1st making the team champions of the British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races 2016.

This is a fantastic achievement and very well deserved. The team consisted of Giselle Gorringe, Cerys Gorringe, Annecy Stevens, Lilyella Stevens, Anastasia Malugin, Isobel Williamson and Caroline Utermann.

INDOOR ATHLETICS

GYMNASTICS The Under 13 Gymnastics team participated in the Independent Schools Gymnastics Association (ISGA) Competition. It was the girls’ strongest performance to date allowing them to win 1st place. The team consisted of Justine Sansom, Hannah Tang, Sophie Empson, Sophia Waller and Luna Williamson, who all competed in two floor routines and two vaults. Congratulations for

the first ever National Final and victory. The Under 19 Senior gymnastics team took part in the London Schools Gymnastics Competition.

The girls put in an excellent performance on both floor and vault which secured them 5th place overall in the team event.

Congratulations to Aashni Patel whose individual performance placed her in the top 10. Well done to all the girls involved.

Eight Year 8 girls competed in the Harrow Borough Indoor Athletics Championships. The girls all performed superbly with many people commenting on their successes. The team finished in 1st place overall and were delighted to hear that their total point score was higher than the winning boys’ team!

TRAMPOLINING North London entered three teams in the Harrow Trampolining Competition.

The girls had to complete one set routine and one voluntary routine each and performed brilliantly. Overall Sandhya Sivakanthan and Thiviya Sivakanthan both won in their age groups. Sophia Waller, Hannah Tang,

NETBALL

Isobel Williamson and Lottie Liddell all placed in the top 10 out of 50 girls in the junior section and Mia Simovic placed 4th in the Senior category. In the team competition the Junior girls placed 2nd and the Senior girls won overall. After winning the London rounds of the competition, the NLCS

The Senior Netball Team qualified for the Regional Round of the National Schools Competition having finished as runners up in the County Round; a fantastic achievement. At the Regional Round the girls played well in all their matches and enjoyed many closely fought games. The Senior Team and the Under 14 Netball Team have qualified for the County Finals tournament to be held at the end of March and we have high hopes for both teams. All of the Netball teams have played well throughout the season and enjoyed some important victories. A particular ‘well done’ must go to the Under 13A Netball team for reaching the third round of the Independent School Cup.

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Senior trampoline team attended the zonal round of the LSGA competition.

After performing routines the three girls placed 5th in their age category as a team. Individually Thiviya Sivakanthan placed 5th overall, narrowly missing out on National qualification. Well done to all girls taking part.

CROSS COUNTRY A total of 30 North London girls braved the muddy and cold Harrow School’s Cross Country course. With exceptional performances throughout the Minor and Junior teams came 1st. A special mention goes to Justine Sansom who achieved 1st place in the Minors category and to Larissa Giles and Alice Purves who gained 1st and 3rd place respectively in the Juniors section. Twelve girls in total went on to gain the honour of representing Harrow in the Middlesex Championship. Emily Godwin ran an outstanding race to be placed fifth overall, and she will now represent Middlesex at the National Cross Country Championships in March.

Junior School News The Junior School has had another busy and exciting term with girls participating in many exciting activities.

As a wonderful beginning to the term, Year 4 delighted audiences with their vibrant adaptation of Annie Dalton’s mystical adventure story

The Afterdark Princess.

The Focus Week for this term centred on the theme of construction. Girls had the opportunity to build structures and create moving models using Lego in robotics workshops, harnessing both their creative and logical skills. During

the week, the entire Junior School visited Wembley Stadium. During their visit, girls were tasked with designing a building that would withstand extreme conditions and meet challenging requirements. All their models were then transported back to school for everyone to see.

Girls delighted audiences with their vibrant adaptations of Annie Dalton’s mystical adventure story

THIS PAGE THE AFTERDARK PRINCESS

YOUNG FILM ACADEMY WORKSHOP

Years 4 and 5 had the unique experience of a live broadcast with an astronaut!

Gathered in the Senior School lecture theatre, the girls watched as Major Tim Peake answered questions from school children and explained some of the work he is doing in the International Space Station. They were inspired by his weightless water tricks, such as playing ping pong with a drop of water using hydrophobic paper and adding a fizzing tablet to a drop of water.

Closer to home, girls were visited by performance storyteller, Xanthe Gresham, who spent the day visiting classes throughout the Junior School, performing a wide range of stories with them.

This term has also been packed with various themed-based days. Year 5 were taken back nearly two centuries as they

TRIP TO WEMBLEY STADIUM

participated in a Victorian day, while Year 6 was treated to a business day organised by educational organisation SATRO. Their business acumen was put to the test as girls were challenged to create a stationery company and generate as

Years 4 and 5 had the unique experience of a live broadcast with an astronaut! much profit as possible. The girls learnt a great deal about buying and selling and the importance of teamwork. Year 6 also enjoyed a workshop led by the Young Film Academy, where they learnt about the history of film and some of the tricks

MAJOR TIM PEAKE

of the film industry, before creating short 10-shot films of their own. At the end of the afternoon, they even had the opportunity to screen their final films at an Oscars ceremony and the winning team were awarded a golden trophy.

This term many girls have seen great success in various extra-curricular competitions. Two teams recently took part in the DCBeagle Maths Challenge held at Belmont School, where they worked incredibly hard to solve extremely challenging problems. This follows last term’s success at the First Lego League Regional Robotics Competition, in which the team’s robot, named Frances Mary Bot, managed to score an impressive 277 points, resulting in the girls being awarded the ‘Joy of Learning Award’. We are sure that next term will be full of similar triumphs!

FIRST SCHOOL GIRLS DURING FOCUS WEEK

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CANONS LIFE TEAM: Students: Lizzie Quinn (Year 12), Leila Hussein (Year 12), Ashlin Gadhia (Year 11), Jungmin Seo (Year 11) and Ella Broomberg (Year 11) Staff: Larraine Bristow and Evelina Miller, Marketing Department