Sutton Views - May 2008 (39)

Edition 39 May 2008

The Voice of Sutton Valence School

SUTTON VIEWS Head of School

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an Masters came to Sutton Valence School in 2003 from Stoke Brunswick School in Sussex.

In his time here he has, in true Sutton Valence fashion, played 1st XV rugby, 1st XI Hockey, been a committed and well respected NCO in the CCF and handled his duties as Head of House in Westminster with compassion and diligence.

Next year he is taking a Gap Year to extend his hockey skills playing 1st team with Gros Flottbek, Hamburg and to brush up on his German.

13 year old, the contrast between the Sixth Formers who were helpful and supportive and those who were only interested in themselves and who must have forgotten what it was like to be a new boy at a senior school.

As a boarder, I found myself in a situation where it has been easier to integrate with others; this for me is what boarding life is all about. I have loved the feeling of being part of a community, and have learnt a lot from it. Team work and sensitivity towards others, to name but two.

Dan recently spoke of his time at Sutton Valence in his speech to the School, “I remember only too well when I started at this school as a nervous

Sucessful Tour

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Cont’d Page 2

Jonathan Bradshaw visit

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School Contacts: School Secretary

01622 845200

Admissions Office

01622 845206

Head of Year 1

01622 845242

Head of Year 2

01622 845226

Head of Year 3

01622 845216

Head of Year 4

01622 845234

Head of Year 5

01622 845233

Director Sixth Form

01622 845231

Director of Studies

01622 845225

Bursar’s Office

01622 845204

St Margaret’s House

01622 845219

Beresford House

01622 843459

Westminster House

01622 845222

Sutton House

01622 845228

Sutton Valence Preparatory School

01622 842117

Chaplain

01622 842814

Brain Training

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Information A member of the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation Registered Charity No. 309267 Founded in 1576 by William Lambe

Sutton Views: May 2008

For information about Sutton Valence School or to request a prospectus, please contact:

• the Admissions Office at Sutton Valence on 01622 845206 or email enquiries@svs.org.uk • Sutton Valence Preparatory School on 01622 842117 or email enquiries@svprep.svs.org.uk 1

Sutton Valence School Cont’d from Front Page.

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ife as a boarder has been one of the highlights of my time here. With my passion for sport, it has enabled me to take full advantage of everything on offer, whether it be football in the Sports Centre, using the gym or best of all living with friends. The routine of boarding has also helped me concentrate on my work and get it completed before I relax in the evenings, a skill that I am sure will help me when I get to university.

Sucessful Tour

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he School Jazz Band has just returned from a very successful tour having thrilled audiences at the prestigious Isle of Wight Jazz Festival.

The band played three one-hour gigs and was so appreciated that it was asked to perform an extra three numbers as a warm-up to another jazz group, and there are two open invitations to return and play “at any time”.

The band, under the superb direction of Natalie Hall, comprised Nell Bennett, Jenny Reid, Harry Turpin and Harry Darkins, all Upper Sixth; Vicky Townsend, Lower Sixth, Jemma Hosmer and Elliott Chacksfield, both Year 5, Tom Beeson, Year 4, Alex Davidson, Josh Greaves and James Costin, all Year 3 with Father Paul Kish, Mr Jones and Mr Piper. Mr Keeping also played in our first gig.

Geoff Piper

When the time comes for me to move on from this school at the end of this term, and metaphorically speaking, the keys to my future are handed to me, I know I will feel that I have made the most of the opportunities offered here and I really hope that all of you will do the same.”

Dan hopes to take up a place at Reading University in 2009 to read Food Marketing and Business Economics. We wish him well in what is arguably the most difficult term to be Head of School and for success in his A Levels (Information Technology; Business Studies and Sport and PE).

Helen Knott

Jonathan Bradshaw Visits The Prep School

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olar explorer Jonathan Bradshaw fascinated the pupils at SVPS when he peeled off layer upon layer of clothing to show the children just how cold the Antarctic could be. Jonathan, who is the uncle of Isabella Gordon (Year 6), presented an assembly to the whole school wearing all of his Antarctic gear, including four pairs of gloves, four hats, two jackets and multiple layers of jumpers and vests.

Jonathan returned home from the South Pole in February following a similar trip to the North Pole a year ago. Following seven plane journeys to reach Wedell Bay, the expedition starting point, Jonathan proceeded to travel over 1100km with each of the five members hauling a sledge weighing more than 150kg. He successfully planted a pennant at the pole on January 8th before being airlifted off with his colleagues.

Jonathan told the pupils how his friend had lost the end of his nose to frostbite and described how it had turned black before dropping to the floor!

He also mesmerised them with his tales of the cold and the distinct lack of penguins and polar bears he had spotted on his journey.

We hope to support Jonathan next year when he swims thousands of miles from Ireland to New York. Good luck!

Alexia Bracewell

Sutton Views: May 2008

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Sutton Valence School

Boys Sport Roundup

Girls Sport

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ollowing the high success of the last few years, Sutton Valence School was again consistently amongst the top hockey schools in the region. This was shown none more so than by making the county finals day at all of the possible age groups (U14, U16 and U18 level).

However, it is not only about ensuring that the school’s reputation in terms of high achievement is developed, there is also much to be said for the dedication all of the school teams. The total number of teams that represented the school last season was 15, a tremendous achievement, both by players and coaches.

Well done to all who represented Sutton Valence School at hockey last term, you should be rightly proud of your record!

etball at Sutton Valence is definitely on the up! Last term we entered the U14, U13 and U12 County Netball tournaments and did extremely well. Many thanks to Mrs Pankhurst for her efforts with the U12 and U14 Netball teams; the most successful in the school, only losing one game during the term. The U13s also had their County Hockey tournament that term; another excellent result reaching the semi finals.

This term sees girls competing in Tennis, Rounders, Athletics and Cricket fixtures. The 1st VI Tennis team, captained by Nell Bennett, have a win under their belts already against King’s Rochester and recently we saw fifty girls playing Tennis against CLFS – a great achievement with wins for the U13 and U14 A teams.

The Golf Team has notched up several successes this term with wins against Caterham and Tonbridge School in friendly matches and against Brighton College and Tonbridge again on their way to the semi-finals of the HMC Foursomes, where they beat Wellington College.

Unfortunately, their match against Kings Canterbury had to be abandoned and they were beaten 2-1 by Reigate Grammar in the HMC final, but with four members of the team with us for years to come the future of golf at Sutton Valence looks promising. The team are: Ronan McGuirk and Ben Brandreth, both Upper Sixth; Tim Forster and Alex Dove, Lower Sixth; Sam Jarrett, Year 5 and James Sanderson Year 4.

Paula Hallett

Charity Update

With only one member of the Cricket 1st XI, their Captain Ian Millman, coming from Upper Sixth, this season was always going to be about building for the future. However, despite their youth the team has put in several good performances so far this term, beating Caterham and Eltham College and managing a draw against Band of Brothers. With the match against Lashings looming on 20th June they will be hoping for more success against Worth, MCC and Hurstpierpoint to hone their matchplay before then.

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ast term’s second mufti day raised £927 for Cancer Research. This charity was proposed by Natalie Poggo who gave a presentation on behalf of the charity in assembly.

Natalie has also raised £250 herself by selling badges.

James Peverley (MIC Hockey and Golf) Alan Igglesden (MIC Cricket) Sutton Views: May 2008

This brings the total raised for charity by the senior school this year to £18,300 to date.

Geoff Piper 3

Sutton Valence School

Building Better Brains At The Preparatory School

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t the Prep school we are always looking for ways to maximise the learning of our children and there is no better way of doing it than to make sure they are using their brain power to its optimum. Amongst the leading experts on teaching and the learning brain in the UK are Debbie Belsher and Trevor Hawes from Optimal Learning. Having seen Trevor’s inspirational and passionate seminar at a Director of Studies’ conference I felt it was vital that we bring Optimal Learning to SVPS. The staff have now experienced two exciting training days with Debbie Belsher in January and April. The training gave us a fascinating insight into understanding the function of the human brain; how your brain learns best and the ways in which we are all gifted and talented – in different ways! We learned how to adapt our teaching to provide the best brain compatible learning environment. We also looked at fun and practical ways to encourage the children to be more confident learners by becoming more “brain aware”, not only of themselves but also their peers. Debbie’s training has

certainly inspired all the teaching staff to teach the children about their brilliant brains and how they can use them to become even more skilful learners and develop their memory and thinking skills.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Debbie back to put on a very popular Information Evening for parents in April.

This proved to be a very entertaining, interactive, knowledge rich evening where parents learned not just about their

children’s brains but also their own adult brains too and perhaps exactly why their partners do the strange things they do from time to time! Certainly we had some surprises exploring our brains “hot spots” and “cool spots”! Debbie encouraged us to recognise that all our children are “smart” in different ways and that we can all give the children tremendous confidence in the way we celebrate their talents.

As we continue to “Build Better Brains” at SVPS we are looking forward to some new and exciting experiences for our children. Later this term our very first “WOW Day” will be enjoyed by all the school and during next term we will be holding “A Brain Awareness Week”, a week dedicated to increasing our understanding of the human brain – how it thinks, learns and remembers. A week to celebrate our amazing brains!

Deborah Smith Director of Studies

Junior Drama Competition March 2008

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he Baughan Theatre was buzzing with activity! I was beginning to wish my name wasn’t Mrs Rickards! Soon the apparent chaos became order as all the Year 1 pupils settled into their places, sitting with their partners and groups ready to perform in one of the competition classes – Ensemble, Dramatised Prose, Duologue or Dance Drama. Some magnificent props and costumes magically appeared.

A tremendous supporting audience of parents, relatives and friends filled the stalls and, after an introduction to our adjudicator, Mrs Sally Bishop, assisted

by Colette Redgrave, the event began.

Sutton Views: May 2008

Space doesn’t allow for a mention of everyone who took part, however, in her feedback, Sally praised the year group for readiness, communication of intention to the audience, apt use of the stage and positive ensemble work.

This year the challenge cup for the Most Promising Performer was awarded to Richard Cantillon.

Chris Rickards Head of Drama

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Sutton Valence School

Global Rock Challenge 2008

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ell I’ve been asked, ‘What IS Global Rock?’

Here goes! Let me start with a short quotation: ‘The Global Rock Challenge mission and vision is social change and positive outcomes for young people through involvement in the arts.’

The challenge itself is to prepare from scratch an eight-minute dance and drama performance based on a theme of your choice, but which must stem from the spirit of Global Rock. The music track is usually linked extracts from pre-recorded songs, often modern but sometimes classical – anything goes as long as you get permission and it works for your theme.

In 2007 the Global Rock Challenge saw over 1500 primary and secondary schools and colleges with over 120,000 pupils from seven countries taking part.

But where did it all begin? In the late 1970’s in Australia, a local radio station in Sydney held a youth Rock Eisteddford. By 1993, the idea had spread to New Zealand

and in 1996 Sir John Hoddinott, Chief Constable of Hampshire police, introduced the Rock Challenge into the UK. It has grown since spreading throughout the British Isles and the World.

Award for the Spirit of Global Rock challenge, the Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team award for Achievement in Drug Awareness and fourth place overall for our event.

This year, our piece, choreographed by Colette Redgrave, focussed on the harm done to the body through ingesting drugs.

We competed at Southampton on 6th March and came away, after a very long and exciting day, proudly bringing back to Sutton Valence with us the Isle of Wight Healthy Schools Award for Best Drama Skills, the Hampshire Police Authority

On a personal note, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of all who took part and especially delighted that so many parents were able to attend the competition to give the pupils the support they so richly deserved.

Chris Rickards Head of Drama

Prep School Year 6 French Trip To The Chateau De Chantereine

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n 14th April, Year 6 arrived at school excited and ready for the French trip.

They hopped aboard the coach and two and a half hours later they were in France. During their stay they did a range of activities from archery to scrapheap challenge.

They went on a tour of the WW1 battlefields and visited a chocolate factory and cheese farm. They also went to Dieppe, looked around the market and did some shopping. Everyone enjoyed the trip so much that they didn't want to leave France... but of course they were really glad to see their families again. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

Amelia Sinclair 6S Sutton Views: May 2008

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Sutton Valence School

Cadet Challenge

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was fortunate enough to take part in the St. Dunstan’s sponsored walk last autumn. There were 6 pupils from SVS and Colin Williamson from the charity who is partially sighted. We started at around 8am from Ashford after camping the night before, then walked back to Sutton Valence though the morning and stopping in Ulcombe for lunch. We all helped to make sure that any obstacles were pointed out so they would not be a problem to our

guest. We arrived back late afternoon a little tired from our Cadet Challenge.

Everyone found the walk enjoyable and with Mufti Day we raised £800 for an extremely important and vital charity. I was particularly pleased and honoured to be awarded the cup for “Cadet Challenge Outstanding Individual” by Billy Baxter.

Old Suttonian v School Hockey OS 2nd XI v SVS 2nd XI

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This must have been a unique occasion: Simon Higgins (Groves 06) played against his brother James (Upper Sixth) whilst being umpired by their father Phil Higgins (Founders 70)! It was a closely fought match but experience and guile eventually won over youthful vigour.

In increasingly bad weather the final match between the School 2nd XI, along with some of the OS 2nd XI beat the OS 3rd XI. OS Ladies XI v SV Girls 1st XI OS 1st XI v SV 1st XI

Josh Dearing (Year 5) Billy Baxter and Colin Williamson with Joe Davies before Assembly

CCF News NCO Dinner

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fficers of the CCF joined Joe Davies, Headmaster in saying farewell and thank you to this year’s NCO’s at a dinner held in the Common Room.

Ros Harrison Retires

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As both these Old Suttonian teams were made of leavers from the last two or three years and with the majority having being taught by the current 1st team coaches the two matches were more intense this year, but none the less enjoyable.

The ladies’ game was slow to start but picked up as a few ‘old tactics’ came into play as well as some beautiful goals from Susannah Townsend, and when Robyn Peverley put herself on to play it certainly woke up the OS defence.

The men’s game was stronger and certainly more competitive than the ladies game. However, it was a great game to watch with exciting play from both teams and with all the parents on the sideline it was as if nothing had changed from when the OS team were playing as the School 1st XI. After the matches it was down to The Swan for food and the odd drink, for some friendly banter and to reminisce about those days of playing together. A thoroughly enjoyable day had by all!

Hannah Knott (Holdgate 07) Sutton Views: May 2008

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os retired last term after 27 years with the School. She joined the Prep School as Bursar and was a key supporting figure during the troubled times that led to the successful appointment of Ian Stainton-James, Headmaster. Latterly she moved to the Senior School to take over responsibility as Estates Bursar for both schools, whilst retaining responsibility for fee administration at the Prep School.

At her retirement party Andrew Hutchinson, Bursar, spoke warmly of her huge contribution, her dedication, sound judgement and overriding concern for doing what was in the best interests of the School, staff and pupils. Ros will be missed and we wish her a long and happy retirement.

Helen Knott 6