Issue 50 Summer 2014
ST
ALBANS
Highlights
SCHOOL
YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN JOINT CONCERT Both soloists and massed forces were on impressive form in this year’s Joint Schools’ Concert. The new venue, St Saviour’s Church, proved more intimate than the Abbey, though there was some difficulty in fitting the combined choirs of St Albans School and St Albans High School on the stage. They produced a great sound, however, in the opening choral pieces by Bruckner, Lotti and Purcell. The Joint Schools’ Orchestra gave a lustrous performance of Albinoni’s famous Adagio. The soloist in the 2nd movement of Ravel’s Piano Concerto was Fourth Former Thomas Dilley, who led the piece with calm poise, supported by a rich string tone from the orchestra. The centrepiece of the evening was perhaps the opening movement of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto, featuring the School’s cello teacher Joely Koos, principal cellist with the London Chamber Orchestra and the City of London Sinfonia. The surging cello led the jagged strings and martial brass breathlessly through the piece. The evening finished with the combined forces of choir and orchestra in Vaughan Williams’ complex Serenade to Music, which gave a number of young singers opportunities for solos. The piece was shaped to its exquisite last note, rounding off a tremendous evening’s music.
Dramas Explore the Mind
Joely Koos was a dramatic performer in Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto (above) while Thomas Dilley played Ravel’s Piano Concerto with calm poise (below)
A key feature of the A2 Drama performances was the quality of the ensemble work, blending stylisation and naturalism. The students had devised two original and compelling dramas, taking inspiration from a source text. The psychological aspects of Poe’s gothic tale The Black Cat were the focus for the first group, which targeted a growing mental obsession, culminating in brutality. There was also brutality in Peter Pan, but more in the spirit of a children’s story book (above). Movement and lighting were used imaginatively with cleverly-choreographed sequences to create the dramatic story-telling.
AS Drama students gave a thrillingly fast paced performance of Davey Anderson’s 2012 play, The Static, which explores the mental world of a troubled teenager. The performance (above) was an ingenious mix of movement, physicality and dialogue, each member of the cast taking on the central role at different times.
Mental Maths A special Maths Day at the University of Hertfordshire enthralled Fourth form students, as they learned how Barcelona FC’s tactics, flashing fireflies and traffic jams can be understood through the concept of mathematical complexity. They were also taught how to make quick computations and the best tactics for success in Monopoly. The entertaining talks opened up the wider applications of mathematical understanding.
School Takes the International Lead T h e S c h o o l ’s i n v o l v e m e n t i n international examinations has taken a further step with the publication of a new textbook written by English teacher Mark Pedroz. The book, English Literature for Cambridge IGCSE, is a comprehensive guide to essay writing on drama, prose, poetry and unseen texts for the Cambridge International IGCSE studied by students across the world, including our own pupils. St Albans School was an early adopter of the Cambridge IGCSE English syllabus, which now has much increased take-up among UK schools.
Cambridge and Edexcel both offer IGCSE qualifications
straightforward mark schemes. The IGCSE allows our students to show their knowledge and understanding more successfully as the mark schemes are less prescriptive. That means intelligent and individual answers are more easily recognised and rewarded.’
Head of History David Stone agrees. ‘The IGCSE History exam is structured in a way which allows bright candidates like ours to flourish better; they have time to develop more sophisticated answers,’ he Pupils (right) explains. Michael prepare for IGCSE Smyth, Head of English Biology, gives an example of the different emphasis in the international exams: ‘In UK GCSEs, students have to look at the arguments between kidney transplant and dialysis without ever actually Mark Pedroz has needing to understand the kidney’s written a new function. The IGCSE focuses on core textbook for facts like these, which are fundamental IGCSE English to a proper understanding of biology. Literature That approach is also the reason why Where English led, other departments we will move to the international A in the School soon followed, with Level next year.’ Maths and the Sciences now entering Te a c h e r s h a v e students for the IGCSE. History will “Our students are better also found that the follow next year. equipped to take on A Level IGCSE exams give ‘The UK GCSE is subject to too much Maths because they have done students a better political interference in the setting of IGCSE.” preparation for A grade boundaries,’ says Headmaster Level studies. ‘We Andrew Grant. ‘We also did not find it’s a smoother progression from welcome the modularisation of the IGCSE to A Level,’ says Head of Maths revised UK GCSE exams, preferring Jennifer Higgins, ‘because the IGCSE a linear examination and more contains more real mathematics. Our
students are better equipped to take on A Level Maths because they have done IGCSE.’ Mr Pedroz, a senior examiner for several years, stood down as Head of English last autumn in order to work on further examining work. The School has the benefit of a number of teachers who are experienced in international exams. In the English Department, as well
as Mr Pedroz’s work for IGCSE, Mr Cassidy is Principal Examiner for A Level Literature. Mr Stone examines IGCSE History, while in Languages, Mr Russ is a team leader for the German IGCSE oral component and Mr Palmer examines IGCSE French. In Science, Mrs Zaver is an examiner for both international A Level and IGCSE Chemistry. Such staff expertise benefits the teaching and learning in the School enormously. This, combined with syllabuses and examinations which are suited to our pupils, has ensured that results in recent years have vindicated the School’s decision to go global with its exam entries.
All-Steinway Status
Oxbridge Record The School has enjoyed its greatest success in Oxbridge entry for over 20 years. Nineteen students from the School have received offers, fifteen from Oxford University and four from Cambridge, where the selection procedures are heavily reliant on statistical data. This is part of a drive to increase the proportion of applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. The subjects chosen range from Law to Engineering and include Languages, Mathematics, Economics and History, reflecting the breadth of academic excellence at St Albans School. ‘This is the best set of offers we have had in my time at the School,’ said Headmaster Andrew Grant. ‘It is a real triumph for the pupils concerned, and for the teachers who have taught and prepared them.’
Science Matters L6 physicists successfully competed in the NPL School Science Film Challenge. ‘Refraction,’ produced by Joe Zacaroli and Will Barnes, won the top prize for the Best Overall School Produced Film, while ‘Dry Ice Physics,’ produced by James Wiltshire and George Roussouw, was highly commended. The Stephen Hawking lectures tackled two different subjects. Professor Steve Jones of UCL deliberately provoked the audience with his title,‘Evolutionism is Right and Creationism is Wrong’. However, the talk focused on the evolution of the human species, while only briefly examining creationist stories. In fact, Professor Jones spent a significant amount of time focusing on variation within human beings, looking at how and why natural selection has resulted in different hair and skin colours, and the fascinating evolution of languages. Dr Steve Maynard delivered an engaging talk on ‘Detection of Drugs in Sport: The Science behind the Headlines’. This covered the use of drugs in horse and dog racing as well as human events. He demonstrated how mass spectrometry now makes the detection of drug use much easier. Several students enjoyed success in the Biology Olympiad: Eric Edmond and Chris Williams won Gold awards, Edmund Wrigley a Silver Award and Harry Sampson and Mark Pearce Bronze awards.
St Albans School was officially declared an All-Steinway School by Managing Director of Steinway & Sons, Craig Terry, at a celebratory evening concert at Steinway Hall in London. Performers from the School played a variety of pieces to an audience of parents and teachers. All-Steinway Schools demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and Music Departments with the best equipment possible for the study of music. The School officially achieved the status with the delivery of its latest grand piano. Back at School, a professional concert, given by cellists Tim Gill and Joely Koos, was a delight, following a workshop and lunchtime performance for pupils earlier in the day. Pupils gave a lunchtime concert at St Peter’s Church in St Albans, which featured singers, pianists, string players, brass and wind. At the annual Jazz Evening, students combined with members of the band Harmless Funk in a full, varied and rousing programme of popular band music and vocals.
The Steinway plaque is presented to the Headmaster (above) and Joe Zacaroli playing Examination students, many of whom had taken part in in the Jazz various musical competitions, performed at an evening Evening (below) recital in School. At the St Albans Young Musician of the Year 2014, held at the Abbey, five awards were won by our musicians. N i c h o l a s Springthorpe (Secondary Vocal), Tom Dilley (Secondary Wind/ Brass), Theo Gill (Secondary Strings), the Barbershop Group (Secondary Vocal Ensemble) and the Jazz Band (Secondary Band) were all winners in their categories. Over the Easter holidays the School Choir enjoyed a very successful tour of northern and central Spain, giving performances at Burgos Cathedral, Vitoria and Salamanca, where they received standing ovations.
2nd, Daniel Myers 4th, Tim Richards 8th and Harrison Pyrke 9th. All four of them were selected for the County team, as were Tom Fulton and Ben Clark. Hockey: This season proved to be a particularly successful one for our players. The 1st XI enjoyed some fine victories against Woodbridge 6-1, Mill Hill 7-0, Windsor 2-0 and Watford Grammar 1-0. The 2nd XI enjoyed a particularly fine series of wins against eight strong opponents. These included Haberdashers 3-1, Windsor 6-0, Dulwich 3-1, Watford Grammar 3-0, Aldenham 9-2, the Leys 3-1, Mill Hill 6-0 and Berkhamsted 2-1. The U14As also enjoyed an impressive tally of victories, including a fine win against Dr Challoner’s 5-1.
CROSS COUNTRY SQUAD UNBEATEN Cross Country: With such a strong squad, it was always the Seniors’ aim to end the season unbeaten, and this was achieved at the Harrow and South East Championships, a fitting climax to a thrilling season. Among the season’s other trophies, two in particular stood out. The gruelling Knole Run at Sevenoaks, held on a new, challenging 9km course, was won for the first time in ten years with Mark Pearce, Robbie Lightowler and Joe Redwood finishing in the top ten. This was followed by the prestigious King Henry VIII Relay in Coventry, a race against over 50 other schools. With strong tactical running over the five legs, Joe Redwood finished off the race 55 seconds ahead of nearest rivals Judd School to record St Albans’ 11th victory in this event. There were other triumphs too during the term and at the Cross Country Club Championships, the U17 team won its event with Robbie Lightowler coming
Mark Pearce (above) had an excellent season, helping the senior cross country squad to its unbeaten record
Lacrosse: This is a relatively new sport in the School., but our Sixth Form girls have tackled the challenges of the game with notable success. The season opened with a thrilling 5-3 victory against St Albans High School. An 11-4 win against Bedford Girls School kept spirits high, despite a loss against St George’s. This deficit was soon overcome when St Albans trounced St George’s 14-3 later in the season. The season finished on a light-hearted note, when our girls beat our boys 2-0 in a friendly match at the end of term. Football: This was a season of mixed fortunes. Nevertheless some good wins were recorded for the 1st XI against Shiplake College 5-1, Berkhamsted 1-0 and St Columba’s 6-1. Other worthy victories included a 9-0 win against Roundwood and 7-1 against St Columba’s from the U14s and a stunning 10-0 victory against Sandringham by the U13s. Thirty-two boys enjoyed a tour to Portugal in February. They were based just south of Lisbon and very much enjoyed this international experience. Tolaji Bola was selected for the England U15 Football team. He also plays for the Arsenal Academy and has been selected for the forthcoming Nike tournament.
Golf: The School’s golfers tasted success when they outclassed Rugby School in the Independent Schools Gold Association Knockout Tournament. Louis Meadows, Will Maynard and Daniel Gott achieved a 3-0 victory, the regional trophy and the opportunity to compete in the national final at Carnoustie. Here the team performed well and was awarded with Bronze medals. Shooting: A record five teams were fielded for the Emsall Trophy competition, which they dominated,with our A,C and D teams winning their sections. At the British Schools’ Smallbore Rifle Association, top shot Lilian Moran achieved an average of 94.6 and Harry Lampert achieved a 94 average, which he later surpassed with an average of 95.2. There were other individual successes both here and at the competitions hosted by the West Kent Rifle Club. Swimming: The season culminated with a fine win by the Senior Freestyle Relay team against the top eight teams in the league in the final gala. A taster session of scuba diving in the School’s pool began a new extra-curricular option for pupils.
Skiing: The ski trip to Jay Peak, Vermont, afforded students the opportunity to enjoy smooth runs over fine powder snow. Five hours of tuition was available each day. Before departing for home, pupils enjoyed some sightseeing in Boston. Tennis & Cricket Camp: This annual Easter fixture, held at Millfield School, was attended by 42 of our pupils, who benefited from the attentions of tennis and cricket coaches in a quite outstanding environment.
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