Sutton Views - February 2009 (41)

The Voice of Sutton Valence School

Edition 41 February 2009

SUTTON VIEWS ‘Golden Rules’ and Playground Zones t Sutton Valence Prep School we have started to implement new strategies for teaching personal, social and health education. Golden Rules and Golden Time are sending very positive messages to our children.

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Golden Rules are simple in their creation and easy for the children to understand. All school and class rules can be referred back to these six golden rules: we are gentle; we are kind and helpful; we listen; we are honest; we work hard; we look after property.

The children understand these rules and are aware of the consequences of breaking them. This dovetails with another initiative started this term: Golden Time. Golden Time is a 15 minute period at the end of the week that the children are

Eco-Schools

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School Contacts:

awarded for following the Golden Rules. If however, a child chooses to break a golden rule, their amount of golden time at the end of the week will be cut. Within Golden Time children can choose from various activities: maths games, puzzles, construction or art time for example.

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Baughan Theatre

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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 845277

Sutton House

01622 845228

Sutton Valence Preparatory School

01622 842117

Chaplain

01622 842814

Imlil Trek

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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: February 2009

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

Head of School im Forster, Head of School for the Lent Term, delivered this speech to the assembled school in the second week of term. Tim is currently studying for his A Levels in Geography, Biology and Business Studies, whilst still finding time to train with the Rugby 7’s squad and play 2nd XI Hockey.

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“Over Christmas, while you were all enjoying yourselves, I was struggling to put together thoughts for this speech. Friends and family offered advice that included: “If you’re nervous just imagine that everyone else is naked.” Um, yeah Mum … that is really no help at all!

In this speech I am supposed to set out my aims and objectives for the term ahead and in thinking about this I have been struck by the thought that, while many of us are building up to A levels, AS and GCSE we are all also moving closer to the departure of our headmaster Joe Davies... ...As I have struggled to get my head around completing course work, revising for exams and even preparing for this speech I began to feel as if it was all getting a bit too much – I guess I am not alone?!

To put all this pressure into perspective my Father showed me a letter written during the Second World War by a boy who had just had his 18th birthday, so he was the same age as many of us in the Upper Sixth.

This particular boy was writing to his parents explaining how he had decided to leave school early, after being asked if he wanted to be Head Boy. He turned it down in order to join the army and was later parachuted into France the night before D Day, with responsibility for blowing up a bridge. He later led a group of soldiers into a concentration camp where all the prisoners had been killed before he arrived. This experience haunted him for the rest of his life.

As a result this boy, my Grandfather, never had to stand up in front of his school friends and make a speech like this, but the pressures and responsibilities put on his shoulders at such a young age make mine seem rather pathetic … nonetheless I have to admit that there have been times recently when I thought of joining the army myself!

So my message to you today is a short one: G Let’s meet the challenges that we face full on and take responsibility for our decisions and actions; G Let’s look out for others – we all need support at times, and that includes the teachers, and a considerate word can make a big difference; and finally G Let’s all make the most of our time here and recognise that we get out of it what we put in.

Thank you for listening.”

Foundation Art Exhibition 008 saw the second ‘Foundation Art Show’ at London’s SW1 Gallery. Art students from Sutton Valence School and the other four schools in the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation were selected to take part in a joint exhibition that showcased examples of some of the best art that each school had produced over the past year. Once again the art was incredibly diverse, ranging from lively figurative paintings to challenging conceptual pieces.

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Sutton Valence had a plethora of strong work to submit. The artists, who included Julian Rodriguez, Harry Darkins, Olivia Spens, Fran Davies, Emily Porter, Jack Gill and Benny Buckle produced a range of very sophisticated pieces which were incredibly well received at the packed private view.

Nick Gorman G Head of Art

After another very successful year, in terms of exam results, the Gulland Hall Art Department at

Sutton Views: February 2009

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Sutton Valence School

‘Eco-Schools’ Bronze Award in Sight

Cont’d from Front Page.

utton Valence Preparatory School is ‘going green’ whilst striving to become an Eco-School.

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‘Eco-Schools’ is an international award programme that ‘guides schools on their sustainable journey’ by promoting ‘excellence in the field of environmental activity’. Through participation in the scheme, SVPS is raising awareness of environmental issues; embedding ‘education for sustainable development’ in the curriculum and whole-school life.

This term, the children have been enthusiastically working towards the Eco-School Bronze Award. Led by the School Council, they have conducted an ‘Environmental Review’ to assess the school’s current environmental performance. This audit has led to the creation of an ‘Action Plan’ which identified three key areas for improvement: litter, energy and waste. In developing a formal litter picking rota, electing ‘Energy Monitors’ in each form class and considering how best to recycle paper, the children have made rapid progress towards meeting their targets.

In order to ensure whole-school participation, they have also introduced a ‘Green Target of the Week’; begun creating a bold Eco-School display; recorded an Eco-School podcast and received expert advice from Alison Sollis of Environmental Services at Maidstone Borough Council.

On track to receive the Bronze Award by February half-term, the children will soon begin planning for the Silver Award and they have a number of ambitious projects in mind including motion sensor lights, solar panels and wind turbines! http://www.eco-schools.org.uk Alexia Bracewell G

his new scheme has also spilled over into the playground where the children are offered various zones for playing in: the ball zone, games zone, free zone, quiet zone and the new craze corner. From January SVPS have implemented a Craze of the Week where children are taught and encouraged to play games such as marbles, top-trumps and yo-yos. The feedback from staff, pupils and parents has been excellent. The crazes encourage children to play with different peer groups, take turns and show children that even simple, relatively cheap games can be as entertaining as playing with a video game.

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To help out with the zones, the Year 6 children have been given the role as play leaders. As a play leader you have the extra responsibility of exchanging the children’s tags for toys during break. At the end of break the children return their toy for their named tag. They must then look after this until the next break time. This teaches the children responsibility because if they mistreat a toy their tag will not be given back and they won’t be able to borrow more. Consequently, the number of toys being damaged has been dramatically reduced.

The new schemes and incentives at SVPS have created a very positive atmosphere around the school, which in turn creates a more successful learning environment for the children.

Alexia Bracewell G Sutton Views: February 2009

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Sutton Valence School

The Keeper of the Records avid Pickard (Staff 1977-2001) was recently asked to return to the school to take over the role of Archivist, now that Colin Shaw (Honorary Secretary, Old Suttonian Association) has moved to Hampshire. Here he explains the value of the Archives and why they are important:

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Why have Archives?

This school has had a long and varied history and we hope the future will produce as many notable events and interesting characters as the past has done. The school has changed enormously in its long history and the job of the Archivist is to record all those changes and to collect as much information as possible on the characters and the events. Further, it is important that this ‘history’ is made available to present generations that they may better understand the contribution and evolution of the place that is helping to shape their future.

What events do the Archives cover?

From the seemingly insignificant to events that helped shape the world. For

example, just after the birth of the school one of its ex pupils had a major role to play in the story of Pocohontas. The pupils here had a ring-side seat to, and maybe even participated in, a major cricketing revolution at the beginning of the 1800s. The contribution of ex pupils to the events of WWI is both large and very inspiring. In recent years coping with the ever increasing pace of educational change has necessitated developments which make the institution almost unrecognisable from that which it was in the early 1960s. For a relatively small school our pupils have had made a significant contribution to county and national sport, both whilst at school and afterwards. The list is endless but I hope I have given you a flavour.

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What the Archives can do for you?

Provide information about pupil contribution and help you find out more about those of your ancestors that came here; Allow you to research the activities of clubs, teams and societies and to help you investigate the history of the ‘houses’ pre 2000; Help to reunite you with your contem-

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poraries (using the OSA records); Add colour to your own recollections of your (or relatives’) time here through photographs and contemporaneous written accounts.

What you can do for the Archives?

Give or lend material relevant to our purposes, which might include old reports, photographs, play bills, other memorabilia – don’t throw anything away! It will be far better to send it to me and let me discard it, or use it as is most appropriate; Submit a written or recorded account of your recollections (good or bad) of the school, its characters and its ethos while you were here; Provide an account of any specific ‘major’ event that you witnessed; Contact the OSA and let us know what has happened to you since you left.

Email pickardd@svs.org.uk. If you prefer to give us a call, try 01622 845271, or write, care of the School. We really will be very pleased to hear from you.

David Pickard G Archivist

Science Curriculum Evening arents at the Prep school were invited to take a step back in time and become ‘mature’ students in a science lesson at the curriculum evening last term!

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Some parents opted for the Year 5 curriculum on Gases led by Jane Deveson. They were amazed at the ‘learning through play’ approach as they were given a free rein to use their ‘toys’ in any way they wished to find out about Air. This led into discussion and investigative ideas. The pig’s lungs were a definite success and gave parents informative hands on experience on how the lungs work.

Those parents that opted for the Year 6 curriculum covered topics such as Solids, Liquids and Gases and Physical and Chemical changes.

They donned clean white lab coats (courtesy of the senior school) and entered the lab with some trepidation.

Sutton Views: February 2009

In the lab parents were treated to variety of experiments, which included using the Bunsen Burners and reactions between vinegar and bicarbonate of soda and inflating balloons. The evening culminated in a coordinated, explosive reaction between Mentos and Coke, leaving Mrs Sagrott and Mrs Stanford cleaning the ceiling with mop and bucket!

The old adage, ‘there’s always one in every group’, was just as appropriate with adults! (no names will be divulged!!). The staff had as much fun as the parents and a very positive and pleasant evening was had by all.

Alexia Bracewell G

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Sutton Valence School

‘Growing Scientists’ t the start of the current academic year the Growing Scientists initiative was launched. The aim of the project is to promote science and its applications to pupils in eight schools in the Maidstone area. It is part of the Governments Independent School State School Partnership programme (the Building Bridges Scheme) and as such Sutton Valence School plays a key role. After a successful launch event during October at the Friars, Aylesford, the next step was for each school to participate in a day long Space Camp; showcasing the science involved in taking man into orbit and beyond.

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The day involved the various Second Form (Year 8) teams (Mercury, Apollo, Gemini and Discovery) making their way round a circus of activities. In the Mars

Missions pupils had to design a landing craft (using some fairly basic equipment – Blue Peter style) to get their rover vehicle safely onto the planet’s surface (or

weight free environment and novel methods of overcoming these. The Flight School looked at the theory of aerodynamics and put the ideas to the test with the construction of some ‘flying machines’.

Pupils also spent time in an astrodome (which only just fit into the Old Gym). Here the constellations were displayed above there heads as they were taken on a journey around the stars.

in their case the Cornwallis Quad).

In another Mars Mission they looked at the design and assembly of a solar powered rover. There was a workshop on life in space where pupils looked at the challenges involved in a

Perhaps the most spectacular event of the day though was the rocket launch on BM. Two rockets blasted into the sky, one of them a scale model of the Saturn V rocket. The day was a great success; the feedback from pupils and the Space Camp staff was very positive. The next stage of the project will to build upon this success with a series of more specialist workshops extending some of the principles explored in the Space Camp.

Dr S Hiscocks G Head of Science

Fives Revival ives at Sutton Valence has undergone something of a renaissance in recent times. With a full fixture list against recognised and established schools on the circuit and an appearance at the National Schools’ Championship scheduled for the end of March, there is a lot to be excited about.

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Notable successes against Eastbourne and Christ’s Hospital, both of whom have access to superior resources and a far larger pool of regular players than us, have added to the growing expectation by players and staff alike. This is due, in no small part, to the commitment, enthusiasm and skill of those who are playing this fastpaced and athletic sport.

As experience is gained through match competition, coupled with a greater range of shots and appropriate shot selection, it is hoped that the great potential that exists

Sutton Views: February 2009

within the Fives Society will be realised.

Training sessions are on a Tuesday afternoon with fixtures played on a Tuesday, Thursday and sometimes Saturday afternoon. An ideal game for cricketers and tennis players during their

winter hiatus, it is hoped that many more will see the advantages of playing this game and look to take it up in the coming months and years.

Peregrine Nunes-Carvalho G Fives Master

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Sutton Valence School

Baughan Theatre stages first production ‘in the round’ his year’s whole school production was “Under Milk Wood” by Dylan Thomas. This comic masterpiece, set in a small Welsh town, was beautifully brought to life by a cast of over 70 students from all years. Tom McMahon was a suitably grotesque Mr Pugh planning the destruction of the hideously spiteful Mrs Pugh, played with panache by Head Girl, Natasha Froud. Harry Townsend and

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Catherine Robinson made a breathtakingly manic pair as Mr and Mrs Cherry Owen. Lucy Baxter sang with extraordinary feeling as Polly Garter. Special mention must be made of the exuberant school children played by students in Forms 1 and 2.

Andrew Brook G Head of Drama

Imlil Trek e flew to Morocco and spent the night in Rihad Sahara which is just outside the vibrant centre of Marrakech.

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The trek started the next day about 50 km South of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountain foothills. Using a team of muleteers, local guides and cook we trekked to the Imane Valley to spend the night in Imesker village.

The next 5 days were spent in similar fashion, visiting villages getting to know the culture and sampling the local food. The trek itself was strenuous in that long days on foot over difficult terrain can be a real test of team work, patience and stamina. In sub zero temperatures we reached our highest altitude of 2900m on the 3rd day.

We had the opportunity to experience something outside our normal life. We got to know ourselves a bit better by embracing the challenge and being exposed to a different environment and culture.

The last night was spent back in Marrakech. The markets and street shows provided more than enough sensory experience!

The “Gal” and guys had a great time in the souks (some good haggling was done) and were mesmerised by all that was going in the square.

On our last morning we hired a guide and trudged through torrential rain on a visit to the inner city.

We were able to visit a spice emporium (more retail therapy), watch wool being dyed as well as being able to watch metal work and leather merchants at work.

We all had a great time but were very glad to be back to our own beds!

Coenraad Wesselink G Master in Charge

Sutton Views: February 2009

Amazonia: Years 3 to 6 Trip to London ou never know quite what to expect from the Young Vic Christmas production, but you can be sure it will not be disappointing.

The entire Prep department, accompanied by staff and parents, took 5 coaches to see this year’s production, Amazonia. Everyone agreed it was great fun; even the picnic in classrooms before the journey was a treat.

(The hotdogs provided by Kirsty and the girls in the kitchen were a huge hit especially as there was freedom to ‘ketchup at will’.)

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The show was terrific, holding every child from Year 6 to Year 3 spellbound.

There was drama, dancing, acrobatics, singing, laughter, a serious message and unexpected entrances, (I still don’t know how the Dolphin man shot out from under the water). It’s a great thing to share an experience with colleagues and friends and I am sure it touched everyone who was there. I hope this will become a school tradition and part of the bank of shared memories a child takes from the school. A big thank you goes to Mrs Bracewell for her impeccable arrangements and Mrs Davies for making the bookings.

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