Suttonian 24 April work in progress

THE SUTTONIAN

SUTTONIAN: EDITOR’S NOTE

Editorial Note

Sutton Valence School

Headmaster: Mr J Thomas

Editor: Miss SJ Adams

Website: www.svs.org.uk

Phone: 01622 842 117

Email: svsenquiries@svs.org.uk

Instagram: @suttonvalenceschool

Twitter: @svs_news

Facebook: Sutton Valence School

YouTube: youtube.com/ suttonvalenceschool

Sometimes a School is more than just a School - not only a place to learn the things you need to study as part of the curriculum, but to learn about yourself. Sutton Valence School is one such place. Encouraging creativity in the arts, success on the sports pitch, developing strong leaders through CCF training and the joy of musical accomplishment, SVS is rich in opportunities to develop and grow in a warm community environment.

It has been my task to capture just some of this vibrant School life in the newly returned Suttonian magazine. After a period of absence, we’re thrilled to see this historic publication restored, in order to document the 22/23 academic year. As resident photographer, reporter and now editor for School activities, I have witnessed first hand the breadth of skills and achievements that are showcased daily - now featured here for you to remember for years to come.

Despite this being a hefty volume, no single issue can encompass all that takes place here - for ongoing updates on your child’s education and extra-curricular programme, don’t forget to open our weekly email newsletter, delivered each Friday, and follow us on social media.

From our Sutton Valence family to yours, welcome back to The Suttonian.

Sarah-Jane Adams Marketing and Communications Manager for Sutton Valence School and Sutton Valence Prep School adamss@svs.org.uk

SUTTONIAN: HEADMASTER

MR JAMES THOMAS

We are such a busy School with so much going on so often, that it is important every now and then to take a moment or two to sit down and reflect. This edition of The Suttonian enables us all to do just that and I hope you enjoy the many articles, images and memories from so many different spheres of life here.

At the moment the School finds itself in a very strong position, despite the challenging times for the independent school sector. This is due to the combination of highly motivated students, wonderfully supportive parents and brilliantly inspiring and committed staff on a gorgeous site. This blend creates an atmosphere and framework in which students can thrive as individuals, and in groups and teams.

Each week in the Junior and Headmaster’s assemblies, we gather together and celebrate the many achievements of each week and we look forward to the future opportunities on the horizion. We do our best to share as much as we can in the weekly newsletters too, hence this volume is so thick – there is so much to applaud and reflect upon.

I often remind the Senior School community that we are part of a wider institution that is greater than just those of us on this site. The Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep Schools in Chart Sutton, as well as the HIK-SVS campus in Tianjin make up the SVS family, which itself is part of the wider United Westminster and Greycoat Foundation of Schools. This group mentality can give us strength and confidence in our provision and underlines the point that the values and excellence of Sutton Valence School spread much further than just this ridge here overlooking the Weald.

That said, systems, structures and buildings only tell a part of the story. The key to all this is very special indeed – the people. I thoroughly enjoy interactions with all the different corners of our community – the students, parents, colleagues, Old Suttonians, Governors and the many friends of the School. We are indeed a very broad church and that is another of our strengths.

You will see in the many images and in the numerous articles here that it is the people who make the stories, embrace the challenges and opportunities, and enable us to be so proud of this very special institution.

The School year culminates in the celebration of Speech Day in July. We have changed the format somewhat so that now it is for the most part student-led. The students perform, give speeches, share reflections and give thanks. That is how I believe it should be. While of course we provide the framework for them to excel here, it is their story to tell and their School to enjoy and celebrate.

I very much hope that you will enjoy reading this edition and I am most grateful to everyone who contributed to it, most notably to SarahJane Adams who masterminded the project.

Let’s now look forward to the next year and aim to create even more special memories in this most special institution.

Floreat Suttona!

SUTTONIAN: THE JUNIORS

As ever, it has been another full on, exciting, invigorating, exhausting and happy year in the Juniors. We have enjoyed having the largest number of pupils in this part of the School since 1576 and for the first time in many years, the ratio of boys and girls has just about been 50:50. We were sad to see the departure of Mr Laraman and Mr Rushforth last July, but we welcomed Mr Dawling into the Junior’s fold, with Mr Alexander becoming a Junior tutor in his own right in Lambe’s House.

A large number of activities have taken place this year. In October the First Form enjoyed an excellent trip to the Royal Dockyard in Chatham which they thoroughly enjoyed, especially the visit to HMS Cavalier and the ice cream which the Head of Juniors treated them to at the end of the day! The pumpkin carving competition was another rip-roaring success with some extraordinary, weird and wonderful creations being made.

In November the Juniors designed a Christmas display for the village hairdressers, which was well received by members of public. Many of the children also enjoyed planting hyacinths on Prefects’ Lawn. This followed the beautiful display of daffodils created by students when raising money for Sepsis Research last year.

In December we had a brilliant Junior Christmas

disco party with a lot of money being raised for a school in Nepal. The quality of dancing was remarkable and the children had a wonderful evening. The Christmas Quiz, which was superbly organised by Lauren Harris and Elspeth Head, was absolutely brilliant - it really has become one of the highlights of each year.

January saw the annual Tug of War Competition. As ever this was fiercely competitive, and congratulations must go to the Clothworkers’ team who came out on top. All power to their elbow!

We were delighted to welcome Mr Dick Moore as a guest speaker, who addressed the Junior boys about how to develop long and lasting friendships. The quirky annual Pancake Race was won by Holdgate this year and in the Baton Race Clothworkers’ sped their way to victory, with Holdgate taking second place.

As ever the Juniors rose to the occasion when raising over £500 for the JackTheLad charity when purchasing Easter chicks which had been knitted by Mrs Ros Dines, who worked at Sutton Valence School for over fifty years.

The resurrected Penguin Race took place in the Summer Term and what an extraordinary event it was! Founder’s swam the most lengths to win the Penguin Cup, but perhaps the highlight was

MR R CARR Head of Juniors

Pancake Race

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

Story Here Easter Chicks

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Story Here

76 History students took a wintery trip to the city of Krakówin Poland, starting with a tour of the Jewish Quarter, taking in synagogues and the Schindler’s List factory, and learning about what life was like for the local Jewish population under Nazi occupation. The group then took in the wider history of the city by visiting the salt mines, a product that made the area wealthy for hundreds of years. The next day they made the snowy drive to Auschwitz and Birkenau, viewing the exhibitions housing the legacy of those who lost their lives at Auschwitz through the rooms of shoes, hair and suitcases that were stripped from the victims on their arrival. The mood was lightened with a trip to a Christmas market, and visiting medieval parts of the area.

LStory Here

ower Sixth Geography students ventured to the North Kent coast in June to conduct some data collection.

On the first day, the enquiry centred around human geography as the pupils wanted to investigate how Margate has changed through the years, and which of the settlement morphology models it most closely replicates.

Day two saw the pupils travel to Reculver and Botany Bay to compare the characteristics of both beaches. Back at School, the pupils then used their sediment analysis and beach profile data to create dispersion graphs and beach transects of each site.

Story Here

STEM students from the Fourth Form enjoyed time exploring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during July, focusing on the many unique designs in the area, as it has developed since the Olympics in 2012.

The tour included the skyline views from the top of the Orbit and a ride on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. Pupils then took a guided tour of the London Stadium, looking at how it has been transformed from the time of the Olympic Games to the home of West Ham United and the venue for major concerts and events.

IStory Here

n Mathematics, Second Form students have been looking at the area and circumference of a circle and the formulas – pi x radius squared and pi x diameter. They were having some trouble remembering these formulas and so they took a trip to St Margaret’s House to use the kitchen and make cookie pie!

Students were given parts of the ingredients and recipe in exchange for correct answers to questions on circles and despite a slight mishap with tbsp vs tsp, all students thoroughly enjoyed this task and can now tell Mrs Bridger the formula for area and circumference!

Juniors Filming for Open Morning Video

Fourth Form STEM pupils enjoyed a very different day with a trip back in time to see how the principles of science and design shaped history. They enjoyed a visit to the Tenterden Railway Museum followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam. After marvelling at the impressive castle structure and picnicking in the beautiful grounds, they returned by steam power to Tenterden.

Story Here Story Here

For World Book Day, Juniors had the pleasure of Mrs Ball reading to the First Form in their weekly reading session, from the book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley.

A short story about a small devil shaped statue with scary powers was read beautifully by the Academic Deputy Head, with each character given its own voice, which made the story very vivid and exciting for the young listeners!

Our Fourth Form Computing group took part in the Bebras Computing Challenge. This challenge introduces computational thinking to students and is organised in over 50 countries. This is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing as each participant answers questions that focus on computational and logical thinking. Of the ten students that participated, we gained three Distinctions, two Merits and one Gold. The Gold student, Kaiwen Wang, having been placed in the top ten per cent of entries, was invited to take part in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

Junior Disco Story Here

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

Story Here Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

SUTTONIAN: ACADEMIC

It has been extremely pleasing to see that our students continue to achieve excellent results, after the return to 2019 grading. Two exciting and engaging Kingdon Lectures were held - in October, Simon Parker, British travel writer and broadcast journalist gave an inspiring talk, A Reporter’s Adventures in Over 100 Countries. The second was given by Dr Paul Morland. As the UK’s leading demographer, his lecture, entitled How Population Has Shaped the Past, is Shaping the Present, and Will Shape the Future, focused on the greatest of global problems and challenges.

A Level and GCSE Results

Sutton Valence School is delighted to announce another excellent set of A Level results. In 2023, 61 per cent of all grades achieved by our students were A* to B. Once again, 100 per cent of our students who completed the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) passed with grades A* to C, with 48 per cent achieving A* to A grades. The EPQ is an independent research qualification which is held in high regard by both universities and employers, ensuring that students’ UCAS applications are additionally impressive.

Amongst the very good results, there were numerous exceptional performances - Annie Moore achieved two A*s and two As and is going to read Geography. Katie Moore also achieved two A*s and two As and will be heading to Exeter to read International Relations. Scarlett

Washington achieved four A grades and will be reading Medicine at Lancaster. It is very important to note that for many of our A Level pupils, this was the first time they had taken external examinations following the Teacher Assessed Grades of their GCSE year.

Following the successes at A Level, the following week the GCSE results were released. Almost 44 per cent of GCSEs were graded 9 to 7, and this year’s performance was even more impressive given the return to pre-pandemic grading. The percentage of grades 8 and 9 gained by students at the School increased from 2019 (the last year of external examinations) with over 27 per cent of our GCSE grades awarded at the very highest level. Of the 101 students in the year group, 27 per cent of students achieved four or more grades 8 or 9 (formerly A* grade). There were a great number of outstanding achievements to celebrate amongst this year’s GCSE cohort and, as ever, there were some exceptional individual performances. These include Daisy Dallamore (eight grade 9s and two grade 8s), James Lloyd Jones and Katherine Slipper with ten grades 8 and 9. Rhys Harmer, Elizabeth Myers and Florence Wood achieved nine GCSEs graded 8 or 9.

Having returned to School to embark on GCSE courses after lockdowns, for all our students, this was a hard two years of work. The effort invested by our students along with the excellent teaching provided by our teachers has resulted in this very pleasing level of achievement.

MRS R BALL Academic Deputy Head

Young Enterprise Apecs Sportswear

Fourth Form STEM pupils enjoyed a very different day with a trip back in time to see how the principles of science and design shaped history. They enjoyed a visit to the Tenterden Railway Museum followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam. After marvelling at the impressive castle structure and picnicking in the beautiful grounds, they returned by steam power to Tenterden.

Author Simon James Heart Origami

For World Book Day, Juniors had the pleasure of Mrs Ball reading to the First Form in their weekly reading session, from the book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley.

A short story about a small devil shaped statue with scary powers was read beautifully by the Academic Deputy Head, with each character given its own voice, which made the story very vivid and exciting for the young listeners!

Our Fourth Form Computing group took part in the Bebras Computing Challenge. This challenge introduces computational thinking to students and is organised in over 50 countries. This is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing as each participant answers questions that focus on computational and logical thinking. Of the ten students that participated, we gained three Distinctions, two Merits and one Gold. The Gold student, Kaiwen Wang, having been placed in the top ten per cent of entries, was invited to take part in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

Heart Annotation

76 History students took a wintery trip to the city of Krakówin Poland, starting with a tour of the Jewish Quarter, taking in synagogues and the Schindler’s List factory, and learning about what life was like for the local Jewish population under Nazi occupation. The group then took in the wider history of the city by visiting the salt mines, a product that made the area wealthy for hundreds of years. The next day they made the snowy drive to Auschwitz and Birkenau, viewing the exhibitions housing the legacy of those who lost their lives at Auschwitz through the rooms of shoes, hair and suitcases that were stripped from the victims on their arrival. The mood was lightened with a trip to a Christmas market, and visiting medieval parts of the area.

Geography Stars

Lower Sixth Geography students ventured to the North Kent coast in June to conduct some data collection.

On the first day, the enquiry centred around human geography as the pupils wanted to investigate how Margate has changed through the years, and which of the settlement morphology models it most closely replicates.

Day two saw the pupils travel to Reculver and Botany Bay to compare the characteristics of both beaches. Back at School, the pupils then used their sediment analysis and beach profile data to create dispersion graphs and beach transects of each site.

Story Here

STEM students from the Fourth Form enjoyed time exploring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during July, focusing on the many unique designs in the area, as it has developed since the Olympics in 2012.

The tour included the skyline views from the top of the Orbit and a ride on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. Pupils then took a guided tour of the London Stadium, looking at how it has been transformed from the time of the Olympic Games to the home of West Ham United and the venue for major concerts and events.

IFairley Talks

n Mathematics, Second Form students have been looking at the area and circumference of a circle and the formulas – pi x radius squared and pi x diameter. They were having some trouble remembering these formulas and so they took a trip to St Margaret’s House to use the kitchen and make cookie pie!

Students were given parts of the ingredients and recipe in exchange for correct answers to questions on circles and despite a slight mishap with tbsp vs tsp, all students thoroughly enjoyed this task and can now tell Mrs Bridger the formula for area and circumference!

Eco Society Goes Wild for Survey

Fourth Form STEM pupils enjoyed a very different day with a trip back in time to see how the principles of science and design shaped history. They enjoyed a visit to the Tenterden Railway Museum followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam. After marvelling at the impressive castle structure and picnicking in the beautiful grounds, they returned by steam power to Tenterden.

Story Here Story Here

For World Book Day, Juniors had the pleasure of Mrs Ball reading to the First Form in their weekly reading session, from the book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley.

A short story about a small devil shaped statue with scary powers was read beautifully by the Academic Deputy Head, with each character given its own voice, which made the story very vivid and exciting for the young listeners!

Our Fourth Form Computing group took part in the Bebras Computing Challenge. This challenge introduces computational thinking to students and is organised in over 50 countries. This is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing as each participant answers questions that focus on computational and logical thinking. Of the ten students that participated, we gained three Distinctions, two Merits and one Gold. The Gold student, Kaiwen Wang, having been placed in the top ten per cent of entries, was invited to take part in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

Second Form volcanoes

76 History students took a wintery trip to the city of Krakówin Poland, starting with a tour of the Jewish Quarter, taking in synagogues and the Schindler’s List factory, and learning about what life was like for the local Jewish population under Nazi occupation. The group then took in the wider history of the city by visiting the salt mines, a product that made the area wealthy for hundreds of years. The next day they made the snowy drive to Auschwitz and Birkenau, viewing the exhibitions housing the legacy of those who lost their lives at Auschwitz through the rooms of shoes, hair and suitcases that were stripped from the victims on their arrival. The mood was lightened with a trip to a Christmas market, and visiting medieval parts of the area.

LStory Here

ower Sixth Geography students ventured to the North Kent coast in June to conduct some data collection.

On the first day, the enquiry centred around human geography as the pupils wanted to investigate how Margate has changed through the years, and which of the settlement morphology models it most closely replicates.

Day two saw the pupils travel to Reculver and Botany Bay to compare the characteristics of both beaches. Back at School, the pupils then used their sediment analysis and beach profile data to create dispersion graphs and beach transects of each site.

Story Here

STEM students from the Fourth Form enjoyed time exploring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during July, focusing on the many unique designs in the area, as it has developed since the Olympics in 2012.

The tour included the skyline views from the top of the Orbit and a ride on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. Pupils then took a guided tour of the London Stadium, looking at how it has been transformed from the time of the Olympic Games to the home of West Ham United and the venue for major concerts and events.

IStory Here

n Mathematics, Second Form students have been looking at the area and circumference of a circle and the formulas – pi x radius squared and pi x diameter. They were having some trouble remembering these formulas and so they took a trip to St Margaret’s House to use the kitchen and make cookie pie!

Students were given parts of the ingredients and recipe in exchange for correct answers to questions on circles and despite a slight mishap with tbsp vs tsp, all students thoroughly enjoyed this task and can now tell Mrs Bridger the formula for area and circumference!

A Level Physics Experiments

Fourth Form STEM pupils enjoyed a very different day with a trip back in time to see how the principles of science and design shaped history. They enjoyed a visit to the Tenterden Railway Museum followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam. After marvelling at the impressive castle structure and picnicking in the beautiful grounds, they returned by steam power to Tenterden.

Story Here Story Here

For World Book Day, Juniors had the pleasure of Mrs Ball reading to the First Form in their weekly reading session, from the book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley.

A short story about a small devil shaped statue with scary powers was read beautifully by the Academic Deputy Head, with each character given its own voice, which made the story very vivid and exciting for the young listeners!

Our Fourth Form Computing group took part in the Bebras Computing Challenge. This challenge introduces computational thinking to students and is organised in over 50 countries. This is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing as each participant answers questions that focus on computational and logical thinking. Of the ten students that participated, we gained three Distinctions, two Merits and one Gold. The Gold student, Kaiwen Wang, having been placed in the top ten per cent of entries, was invited to take part in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

Politics Trip

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members. Story Here Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Story Here

76 History students took a wintery trip to the city of Krakówin Poland, starting with a tour of the Jewish Quarter, taking in synagogues and the Schindler’s List factory, and learning about what life was like for the local Jewish population under Nazi occupation. The group then took in the wider history of the city by visiting the salt mines, a product that made the area wealthy for hundreds of years. The next day they made the snowy drive to Auschwitz and Birkenau, viewing the exhibitions housing the legacy of those who lost their lives at Auschwitz through the rooms of shoes, hair and suitcases that were stripped from the victims on their arrival. The mood was lightened with a trip to a Christmas market, and visiting medieval parts of the area.

LStory Here

ower Sixth Geography students ventured to the North Kent coast in June to conduct some data collection.

On the first day, the enquiry centred around human geography as the pupils wanted to investigate how Margate has changed through the years, and which of the settlement morphology models it most closely replicates.

Day two saw the pupils travel to Reculver and Botany Bay to compare the characteristics of both beaches. Back at School, the pupils then used their sediment analysis and beach profile data to create dispersion graphs and beach transects of each site.

Story Here

STEM students from the Fourth Form enjoyed time exploring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during July, focusing on the many unique designs in the area, as it has developed since the Olympics in 2012.

The tour included the skyline views from the top of the Orbit and a ride on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. Pupils then took a guided tour of the London Stadium, looking at how it has been transformed from the time of the Olympic Games to the home of West Ham United and the venue for major concerts and events.

IStory Here

n Mathematics, Second Form students have been looking at the area and circumference of a circle and the formulas – pi x radius squared and pi x diameter. They were having some trouble remembering these formulas and so they took a trip to St Margaret’s House to use the kitchen and make cookie pie!

Students were given parts of the ingredients and recipe in exchange for correct answers to questions on circles and despite a slight mishap with tbsp vs tsp, all students thoroughly enjoyed this task and can now tell Mrs Bridger the formula for area and circumference!

Trip to Parliament

Fourth Form STEM pupils enjoyed a very different day with a trip back in time to see how the principles of science and design shaped history. They enjoyed a visit to the Tenterden Railway Museum followed by a steam train ride to Bodiam. After marvelling at the impressive castle structure and picnicking in the beautiful grounds, they returned by steam power to Tenterden.

Story Here Story Here

For World Book Day, Juniors had the pleasure of Mrs Ball reading to the First Form in their weekly reading session, from the book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley.

A short story about a small devil shaped statue with scary powers was read beautifully by the Academic Deputy Head, with each character given its own voice, which made the story very vivid and exciting for the young listeners!

Our Fourth Form Computing group took part in the Bebras Computing Challenge. This challenge introduces computational thinking to students and is organised in over 50 countries. This is designed to get students all over the world excited about computing as each participant answers questions that focus on computational and logical thinking. Of the ten students that participated, we gained three Distinctions, two Merits and one Gold. The Gold student, Kaiwen Wang, having been placed in the top ten per cent of entries, was invited to take part in the Oxford University Computing Challenge.

CHOCS AWAY IN SWEET WORKSHOP!

The international students at Sutton Valence School choose to study with us for a variety of reasons, but they come predominantly to improve their English language skills.

In November 2022, 18 international students from the Third Form to the Lower Sixth sat the Cambridge English First Certificate examination. The results came out in January and we heard that all of the students passed the examination.

Friederike Stula (Fifth Form) says: “The Cambridge First Certificate examination shows you how good your English is and which areas you still need to improve, for example, reading. It is also really important later in life when you are applying for a job to show your level of English.”

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

HEAD OF SCHOOL: SOPHIE BROWNING

MICHAELMAS TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope you have had a good first few weeks and that you have settled in well. I would like to start by saying how privileged I am to have been given this role as Head of School for this term and I would also like to congratulate Katie, who I look forward to working alongside.

As the nation looks back at the amazing life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have to come to terms with what the future now holds and look ahead to the reign of His Majesty King Charles III. With this in mind, I realise that it is important to reflect upon and appreciate all that we have, in order to help us to manage the uncertainties that the future can bring. Whilst preparing to leave the safety and security of Sutton Valence School and plan for the future, I find myself, (as many of us are), looking back on my time at SVS and appreciating more than ever, all that it has to offer.

There are many things that I have learnt whilst being here since the Third Form, but I would like to talk about two of these today. Firstly, make the most of the opportunities that you are offered, and secondly, appreciate all that you have.

As I reflect on my time here, I have learnt that it is important to make the most of all the opportunities that the School provides. It is often down to you to make the first and sometimes bold step and to grasp these chances, with determination and positivity. Do not be afraid to get involved and do try out new things.

Secondly, always appreciate what you have. It is all too easy to take for granted the environment we are in and all the School has to offer. The guidance and knowledge that is conveyed to us certainly helps us to become the best version of ourselves. Make the most of it.

I still have nine months or so left at SVS but, as I look back, I can safely say that I have enjoyed every minute of it – even the lockdowns! Establishing friendships and making the most of all that this great School has to offer, (whether it be on the sports field, in the music hall or in academic lessons), has equipped me to cope with the uncertainties that the future

can bring.

It must also be said that whilst it can be useful to look back, it is important not to dwell on the past and to become too nostalgic. Instead, it is important to use those memories to realise the progress you have made. Whilst reflecting on the past, it is important to look ahead to the future.

So – as I look back, what advice would I give to my 13 year old self?

1) Make the most of the opportunities that you are offered.

2) Don’t be afraid of what the future might bring.

3) Appreciate all that you have.

As Dr Seuss writes – “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.” So, as I approach the last few terms here at Sutton Valence School, it is important to remember that maintaining the balance of looking back at the past and looking forward to the future, is key. It is important to try not to get too nostalgic and the future must not be feared.

As is traditional, I would like to end my speech with a quote. It is Albert Einstein who sums this up perfectly, “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Thank you for listening.

HEAD OF SCHOOL: SAM LAIRD

MICHAELMAS TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope that you all had an enjoyable and restful summer holiday and that you are looking forward to the new School year. Firstly, I would like to express my excitement at taking on this role, as it is an amazing opportunity, for which I am grateful. I would also like to congratulate James; I hope we will do a great job together as your Heads of School.

I am sure you can imagine that standing up here, in front of the whole School, is an intimidating thing to do, especially since we are now back to a pre-Covid normality, with the Chapel buzzing with all year groups and houses present in one place. My response to how I can deliver this speech successfully is a matter of self-confidence.

Confidence is not something that can be taught, but it is something that is developed internally. It can be defined as the belief in oneself and one’s abilities. Many of us struggle with confidence. In an age of social media, it can be difficult not to compare ourselves with other people and their ‘perfect’ lives. We might lack self-confidence, for example in public speaking, in meeting new people, in performing on the sports field, or in doubting our own abilities to succeed.

I imagine there are people sitting in the Chapel here today, who are not feeling their most confident right now. You might be a newcomer to the School, still finding your feet, or maybe you are too used to relaxing at home or with friends for the past six weeks and might find the beginning of a new School year overwhelming.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the past few years is that I must not care so much about what other people think of me. Of course, this is much easier said than done. I used to have little self-confidence and I cared way too much about everyone’s opinion. I used to be very quiet and never accepted any challenges outside of my comfort zone for fear of being judged. I have grown in confidence over the years, I have started caring less about everybody’s opinion of me and I began to only care about the opinions of those who I admire and whose opinions I have come to value.

The words of an anonymous writer captures this message so well. They said, “Confidence is not walking into a room thinking you are better than everyone, it is walking in and not having to compare yourself to anyone at all.”

Confidence allows you to trust in your own abilities, qualities, and judgement. Everyone can gain confidence, but it takes time and effort. You should surround yourselves with positive people. You should step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of opportunities on offer, even if they might seem scary. Sutton Valence School is a great place for this, as we have a close community with supportive teachers and pupils. Outside the classroom there is a wide range of opportunities on offer. Whether it is representing the School on the sports pitch, in a music concert, in one the S chool’s drama productions, on one of the many CCF trips, or taking part in academic challenges such as debating, there are so many extra-curricular activities the School has to offer.

A final point I would like to make, is to appreciate your time at the School, because it goes so quickly. Even if you are not enjoying a specific period of your School life, whether it be exam season, a challenging academic term or friendship drama, please make the most of these days, because once they are gone you will miss them. I speak from experience because my journey from Third Form to Upper Sixth has gone so quickly. I am extremely grateful for all I have accomplished at this School, and I look forward to embracing all that is on offer to me in my final year.

As is tradition, I will end my speech with a quote, with the wise words of our late monarch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, “I believe that young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride.”

Thank you for listening.

HEAD OF SCHOOL: OLIVER AYLETT

LENT TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope you have all had an enjoyable and restful Easter break, after what was a very busy Lent Term. When I joined in Second Form, I did not expect to be standing here today talking to you all, let alone being one of the Heads of School.

Before I start I would just like to thank Mr Thomas and the Senior Management Team for giving me this opportunity. And also a huge congratulations to Dan, I look forward to working with him this term.

My journey at Sutton Valance School started when I tagged along to an open day, when my parents were looking at options for my brother. I was so impressed with the School and the opportunities that they offered, especially the sport and CCF, that I was keen to join as soon as possible, as I knew this school would be the right one for me.

One of the main aspects that I have learnt throughout my years here at Sutton Valence School is to be myself and this is what I want to talk about today. As you can see, I am not your typical girl, but it’s 2023, what is your typical girl? To some people this could be someone with long hair and wearing a skirt, but as you can see, I am standing up here as Head Girl, with short hair, wearing a suit and love being a goalkeeper, whether it’s in football or hockey. I would encourage you all to be yourself and do things that interest you, regardless of other people’s opinions.

Whilst Covid was a very challenging period of time, it did give me the opportunity to express myself. This was the time when I cut my hair, and I am happy to say that for me it was the best thing I did, as it enabled me to be myself and not feel like I had to look like everybody else. As Covid made us all work from home it meant that we could wear what we wanted, so when I knew that School was re-opening, I wanted to make a change to the School uniform so that girls had the opportunity to wear trousers.

It was a very long process, with countless meetings with Mrs Rose and Mr Sealy and going to multiple shops to try to find some trousers that I thought would be suitable with the current uniform. Eventually we found a

pair that ticked all the boxes that we were looking for. I was extremely happy when I saw that the 2021 uniform list included girls’ trousers. I really felt like I had made a change to the School, and that other girls didn’t have to worry about wearing the skirt as they could express themselves wearing the trousers. If there is something you care or are passionate about, don’t give up no matter how long it takes, as the benefits in the end will be worth it.

We are all lucky enough that this School’s environment is the right environment where we can all be ourselves, and this is something that myself and many others are grateful for. There are two main areas within the School that I feel stand out personally to me. These are the sports department and the CCF. Both have motivated and pushed me to be the best version of myself, even on CCF trips where it has been pouring down with rain or after a heavy loss in a sports fixture. So a massive thank you to all the staff in these areas. School offers lots of opportunities whether it’s sports, music or academics, it doesn’t matter what it is, just focus on yourself and take all the opportunities that come to you.

As you can tell, being yourself is important for me, and sometimes it’s not easy and it does take time, but regardless of other people’s opinions it is the best thing you can do. I can honestly say that this School has shaped me into the person I am today and has helped me to build the resilience and courage that a younger version of myself would not have thought was possible. So a massive thank you needs to go to my friends and family and those in the School community who have helped me and been there for me, throughout my years at Sutton Valence School.

As is tradition, I will end with a quote. Mary Earps, the England and Manchester United goalkeeper, said when she was collecting her FIFA Award for being the 2022 Best Goalkeeper of the Year, “be unapologetically yourself.”

Thank you for listening.

HEAD OF SCHOOL: KATY BARR

LENT TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I want to start by thanking Mr Farrell and Mr Thomas, and the School, for giving me the opportunity to be Head of School. I also want to congratulate Chadwick on becoming Head Girl, and I look forward to working with her in the future, especially as she has done so much for the School community.

I would like to talk to you about how, if you use your time correctly in this School, you can achieve unimaginable things. I want to begin by talking about everything that Sutton Valence School provides that can help you to figure out the path you want to walk in life. There will be a few people listening who know exactly what career path they want to take and what jobs they want to achieve, and to those people, I encourage you to talk to the many people in the School who can help you to achieve that. Whether it is the careers team or your Head of House, I assure you that this School will help you in every way it can, to advise you and aid you in achieving your dreams. There will also be many, and possibly the majority, who will have no idea what they want to do. Some may not even have thought about where they want to go in life – I can assure those people that they are not alone. I myself am also part of this group.

What I can advise to people is to make the most of what this School provides, and try a little bit of everything. Try art, sciences and sport, possibly something you’ve never even thought of like music, design, photography. Maybe even join the CCF or the shooting team. Use this approach, and I can guarantee that by the time you are finished at this School, you will have found something you are passionate about. Once you have found what you are passionate about, the only limits are the limits you give yourself.

What Sutton Valence School does so well is support its students in every and any endeavour they may have. As long as you as a student are willing to put in the work, be willing to persevere after failure, and most importantly, ask for help when you need it, then I assure you, you will succeed in your goals, whatever they may be, and I have absolutely no doubt, that this School, and the

people in it, will help you get to where you want to be in the future.

A common feature in previous Head of School speeches is that everyone has their defining moment that changed them and helped them to overcome something. When writing this speech, I found it very difficult to find my moment. I thought about many options, including my time spent in the music block performing in concerts, or on the sports field playing rugby. Whilst all of these are part of me, none of them stood out as defining. I realise now that the moment that is defining for me, is this moment, this speech.

For those of you that aren’t aware, I am not a naturally confident person – I have always been introverted to say the least, and always preferred the thought of being alone to putting myself out there. However, I see this moment, standing here speaking to you as what is hopefully the beginning of change, and I hope you can see me, engaging in a task that is uncomfortable for me, and that it encourages you to do the same, in whatever sense that may be.

As is tradition, I will finish with a quote. The quote comes from US Track and Field gold medallist, Wilma Rudolph. As a child, she suffered many hardships, such as childhood polio, even to the extent that for a brief time, she was completely paralysed. She contracted scarlet fever and double pneumonia multiple times during her infancy, and doctors told her she would never walk again. Throughout all of this, this remarkable woman never failed to recognise her potential, and strived to achieve it. The quote reads, “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion. The potential for greatness lies within all of us.”

Thank you for listening.

HEAD OF SCHOOL: BRENNAN O’KEEFE

SUMMER TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope you have all had an enjoyable and restful Easter break, after what was a very busy Lent Term. When I joined in Second Form, I did not expect to be standing here today talking to you all, let alone being one of the Heads of School.

Before I start I would just like to thank Mr Thomas and the Senior Management Team for giving me this opportunity. And also a huge congratulations to Dan, I look forward to working with him this term.

My journey at Sutton Valance School started when I tagged along to an open day, when my parents were looking at options for my brother. I was so impressed with the School and the opportunities that they offered, especially the sport and CCF, that I was keen to join as soon as possible, as I knew this school would be the right one for me.

One of the main aspects that I have learnt throughout my years here at Sutton Valence School is to be myself and this is what I want to talk about today. As you can see, I am not your typical girl, but it’s 2023, what is your typical girl? To some people this could be someone with long hair and wearing a skirt, but as you can see, I am standing up here as Head Girl, with short hair, wearing a suit and love being a goalkeeper, whether it’s in football or hockey. I would encourage you all to be yourself and do things that interest you, regardless of other people’s opinions.

Whilst Covid was a very challenging period of time, it did give me the opportunity to express myself. This was the time when I cut my hair, and I am happy to say that for me it was the best thing I did, as it enabled me to be myself and not feel like I had to look like everybody else. As Covid made us all work from home it meant that we could wear what we wanted, so when I knew that School was re-opening, I wanted to make a change to the School uniform so that girls had the opportunity to wear trousers.

It was a very long process, with countless meetings with Mrs Rose and Mr Sealy and going to multiple shops to try to find some trousers that I thought would be suitable with the current uniform. Eventually we found a

pair that ticked all the boxes that we were looking for. I was extremely happy when I saw that the 2021 uniform list included girls’ trousers. I really felt like I had made a change to the School, and that other girls didn’t have to worry about wearing the skirt as they could express themselves wearing the trousers. If there is something you care or are passionate about, don’t give up no matter how long it takes, as the benefits in the end will be worth it.

We are all lucky enough that this School’s environment is the right environment where we can all be ourselves, and this is something that myself and many others are grateful for. There are two main areas within the School that I feel stand out personally to me. These are the sports department and the CCF. Both have motivated and pushed me to be the best version of myself, even on CCF trips where it has been pouring down with rain or after a heavy loss in a sports fixture. So a massive thank you to all the staff in these areas. School offers lots of opportunities whether it’s sports, music or academics, it doesn’t matter what it is, just focus on yourself and take all the opportunities that come to you.

As you can tell, being yourself is important for me, and sometimes it’s not easy and it does take time, but regardless of other people’s opinions it is the best thing you can do. I can honestly say that this School has shaped me into the person I am today and has helped me to build the resilience and courage that a younger version of myself would not have thought was possible. So a massive thank you needs to go to my friends and family and those in the School community who have helped me and been there for me, throughout my years at Sutton Valence School.

As is tradition, I will end with a quote. Mary Earps, the England and Manchester United goalkeeper, said when she was collecting her FIFA Award for being the 2022 Best Goalkeeper of the Year, “be unapologetically yourself.”

Thank you for listening.

HEAD OF SCHOOL: ROSALIE PARSONS

SUMMER TERM SPEECH

Good afternoon School, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I want to start by thanking Mr Farrell and Mr Thomas, and the School, for giving me the opportunity to be Head of School. I also want to congratulate Chadwick on becoming Head Girl, and I look forward to working with her in the future, especially as she has done so much for the School community.

I would like to talk to you about how, if you use your time correctly in this School, you can achieve unimaginable things. I want to begin by talking about everything that Sutton Valence School provides that can help you to figure out the path you want to walk in life. There will be a few people listening who know exactly what career path they want to take and what jobs they want to achieve, and to those people, I encourage you to talk to the many people in the School who can help you to achieve that. Whether it is the careers team or your Head of House, I assure you that this School will help you in every way it can, to advise you and aid you in achieving your dreams. There will also be many, and possibly the majority, who will have no idea what they want to do. Some may not even have thought about where they want to go in life – I can assure those people that they are not alone. I myself am also part of this group.

What I can advise to people is to make the most of what this School provides, and try a little bit of everything. Try art, sciences and sport, possibly something you’ve never even thought of like music, design, photography. Maybe even join the CCF or the shooting team. Use this approach, and I can guarantee that by the time you are finished at this School, you will have found something you are passionate about. Once you have found what you are passionate about, the only limits are the limits you give yourself.

What Sutton Valence School does so well is support its students in every and any endeavour they may have. As long as you as a student are willing to put in the work, be willing to persevere after failure, and most importantly, ask for help when you need it, then I assure you, you will succeed in your goals, whatever they may be, and I have absolutely no doubt, that this School, and the

people in it, will help you get to where you want to be in the future.

A common feature in previous Head of School speeches is that everyone has their defining moment that changed them and helped them to overcome something. When writing this speech, I found it very difficult to find my moment. I thought about many options, including my time spent in the music block performing in concerts, or on the sports field playing rugby. Whilst all of these are part of me, none of them stood out as defining. I realise now that the moment that is defining for me, is this moment, this speech.

For those of you that aren’t aware, I am not a naturally confident person – I have always been introverted to say the least, and always preferred the thought of being alone to putting myself out there. However, I see this moment, standing here speaking to you as what is hopefully the beginning of change, and I hope you can see me, engaging in a task that is uncomfortable for me, and that it encourages you to do the same, in whatever sense that may be.

As is tradition, I will finish with a quote. The quote comes from US Track and Field gold medallist, Wilma Rudolph. As a child, she suffered many hardships, such as childhood polio, even to the extent that for a brief time, she was completely paralysed. She contracted scarlet fever and double pneumonia multiple times during her infancy, and doctors told her she would never walk again. Throughout all of this, this remarkable woman never failed to recognise her potential, and strived to achieve it. The quote reads, “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion. The potential for greatness lies within all of us.”

Thank you for listening.

Blue Gowns: Michaelmas Term

Blue Gowns: Lent Term

Orchestra:

Back row: H King, H Kyd, L Esposito Lee-Kemp, Mr A Penfold Front row: Z Pantony, F King, L Hanna, F Lee

Back row: A Sharp, E Garner, H Plummer, I Trott, I Davis

Second row: M Russell, E Smith, C Stanley, T De Lucy, G Stanley

Front row: I Martin, C Lewin, P Cowburn, L Martin, A Plummer

Blue Gowns: Summer Term

Orchestra: Back row: Mr C Westlake, H Worrell, A Brown, Dr A Bromley Front row: D Wild, C Davis, A Cook, J Gardener, F Rivanenok

SUTTONIAN: LEADERSHIP

Leadership activities form a large part of our aim to create well-rounded pupils, encompassing the Combined Cadet Force, instilling discipline as they progress through the ranks, and programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

It is students’ involvement in such opportunities that present the chance to face challenges otuside of the classroom - our gold standard DofE groups faced a trip to the Lake District in August, whilst the silver cohort undertook expeditions in the May Half Term holiday. These outdoor experiences encourage resilience, a love and respect for nature, and forging friendships and team building skills.

The DofE programme has produced stong results for the 22/23 year, with more bronze awards being completed by the Third Form than ever before, rather than in the Fourth Form.

The Combined Cadet Force continues to motivate participants to become dependable leaders and inspirational role models for younger pupilswe have been impressed by the calibre of NCOs who have risen through the NCO Leadership Programme. These Sixth Formers have delivered excellent lessons in order to teach junior members and have led by example on all fronts.

An example of the positive attitudes built in

difficult circumstances came during the Third Form CCF Induction Camp right at the start of the year, back in September. The weather was a washout, but the NCOs rallied the younger troops and cared for their charges admirably. Despite the disastrous conditions, the elder students demonstrated how they meant to continue the year, with determinaton and real leadership.

It has been a year of superb shooting results, with a number of team wins and individual successes, such as taking home the 11SFA BDE Target Rifle Competition title.

The Junior Leadership team have also been playing an active part in the School community, raising funds for charity, supporting the local area and planning events around the King’s Coronation, as well as being helpful in acting as waiters and waitresses at the Old Suttonian Foundation Quiz Night.

Throughout all of these activities, Sutton Valence School hopes to prepare students not just for examinations, but for the world of work and the realities of life beyond the School gate - and we are incredibly proud of the strides they make towards becoming the leaders of the future.

MR D SANSOM Deputy Head, Staff and Student Development

Martin Phelps Guest Speaker

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members. Story Here Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Christine Kitchen 12 Years of Service

Braving the snow showers, SVS Cadets gathered around Prefects’ Lawn to witness Mr Millbery’s promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank available in the CCF. Mr Thomas, Headmaster, was present to award Mr Millbery with his new rank slides to denote the change: “The CCF at Sutton Valence School applauded Lieutenant Colonel Glen Millbery, following 20 years of outstanding services to the Combined Cadet Force. Many of the current students look up to him, and students who have already been through the School will have very fond memories of him. He is an inspirational leader, with the highest standards and the greatest level of care for his own profession and the young people he oversees in the CCF.”

Story Here

Third Form Cadets and Lower Sixth NCOs ventured to Hythe Ranges for their annual shooting day in April. The weather was good, although a little windy and the sun was shining.

The activities involved archery, trying the Army’s large video training system (DCCT), two short ranges (firing the A2 and target rifle) and a long range – 100m shooting the A2. The day was the culmination of weeks of learning about weapon safety and passing a weapons handling test.

TStory Here

he Navy section of the CCF travelled down to Portsmouth, where they took part in activities such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and laser TAG, sleeping overnight at Fort Purbrook. On the trip were members of the Third and Fourth Forms, and Lower Sixth.

The Senior Army field day consisted of a shooting day at Hythe Ranges, before moving to Mereworth Woods so that the Cadets could practise their field craft. Each platoon conducted a night ambush and platoon attacks the next morning to try and eliminate enemy forces.their first opportunity to take on a leadership role. The Officers were very impressed with the Cadets’ engagement and hope that they learnt

Story Here

The Science department donated spare equipment to Lab Aid this year - the equipment and tools will be sent to developing countries to support Science students’ learning by providing them with adequate resources. Lab Aid is a charity organisation that facilitates the collection of old Science equipment from UK schools and distributes it to schools in developing countries. Mrs Plummer led the donation of potometers, beakers, thermometers, fish tanks, conical flasks, clipboards, pooters, and haemocytometers to support this cause.

NCO Dinner Story Here

The closely fought Lambe’s House cake contest raised £315 for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal back in March.

Judged by Mr Metcalfe and Mr Henshaw, the winners were named as Charlie Wells and Bradley Vermeulen (both Third Form) for the SVS themed category, with their impressive mathematical effort.

The annual sale of knitted Easter chicks amongst the Juniors has this year raised over £500.

The chicks are knitted by Ros Dines who was a cleaner / Matron at SVS for an incredible fifty years, who joined the Junior assembly to be congratulated on her charitable crafting.

Proceeds go towards the JackTheLad Foundation.

Year 5 Taster Day

The Science department donated spare equipment to Lab Aid this year - the equipment and tools will be sent to developing countries to support Science students’ learning by providing them with adequate resources. Lab Aid is a charity organisation that facilitates the collection of old Science equipment from UK schools and distributes it to schools in developing countries. Mrs Plummer led the donation of potometers, beakers, thermometers, fish tanks, conical flasks, clipboards, pooters, and haemocytometers to support this cause.

Story Here Story Here

The closely fought Lambe’s House cake contest raised £315 for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal back in March.

Judged by Mr Metcalfe and Mr Henshaw, the winners were named as Charlie Wells and Bradley Vermeulen (both Third Form) for the SVS themed category, with their impressive mathematical effort.

The annual sale of knitted Easter chicks amongst the Juniors has this year raised over £500.

The chicks are knitted by Ros Dines who was a cleaner / Matron at SVS for an incredible fifty years, who joined the Junior assembly to be congratulated on her charitable crafting.

Proceeds go towards the JackTheLad Foundation.

CCF INDUCTION

In the traditional annual Penguin Race, Juniors made a splash by competing in a frenzied swimming relay for their Houses. The winning House is determined by the most lengths completed by each team within a fifteen minute session.

In a new addition to the watery fun, established by Mr Thomas last year, Head of Juniors Mr Carr found himself not only dressed like a penguin, but being pulled into the pool!

Congratulations to Holgate House for achieving the greatest number of lengths within fifteen minutes, for which they earnt a large cuddly penguin toy! Founder’s House was the runnerup and received an award for House spirit, presented with the penguin statue.

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

KEEP YOUR BEAK OUT! Mr Carr takes over from Mr Thomas as the penguin mascot.

REMEMBRANCE

The end of the Lent Term saw our Combined Cadet Force showcase their might with their final parade on Prefects’ Lawn, with the Biennial Inspection attended by Commander Barker RN and the handing over of leadership roles from the Upper Sixth NCOs to their Lower Sixth counterparts. The occasion also marked the last act in post of CCF stalwart Major Prem Ale.

Major Prem joined us in 2011 from the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers. His exceptional knowledge, instruction technique and personality have motivated and inspired Cadets for the last 12 years. He has been involved in trips to Brunei, Malaysia and Nepal as well as annual visits to the Lake District and on summer camp. We wish him well in his retirement on the golf course.

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Miss Hannigan keeps the orphans in check!

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

FINAL PARADE

In the traditional annual Penguin Race, Juniors made a splash by competing in a frenzied swimming relay for their Houses. The winning House is determined by the most lengths completed by each team within a fifteen minute session.

In a new addition to the watery fun, established by Mr Thomas last year, Head of Juniors Mr Carr found himself not only dressed like a penguin, but being pulled into the pool!

Congratulations to Holgate House for achieving the greatest number of lengths within fifteen minutes, for which they earnt a large cuddly penguin toy! Founder’s House was the runnerup and received an award for House spirit, presented with the penguin statue.

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

KEEP YOUR BEAK OUT! Mr Carr takes over from Mr Thomas as the penguin mascot.

SUTTONIAN: MUSIC

It has been another harmonious year in the Music Department, with an extensive programme of tuition, examinations, masterclasses and performances.

The winter season was particularly eventful - our Christmas Carol Concert had only been underway for a few minutes, when Mr Farrell arrived to the Chapel to send everyone home - it had snowed deeply, and treacherously, in the short while that we had been performing.

Another festive highlight was the visit to the Clothworkers’ Hall in London to perform at the Clothworkers’ Christmas dinner, taking a small String ensemble and vocalist Christine Mazuryk. The School’s founder, William Lambe, became a member of the Clothworkers’ Guild in 1568.

A second and highly memorable trip was that of the Chapel Choir to sing at the Menin Gate, in Ypres. The daily ceremony of remembrance is always a moving experience, and the School was honoured to have been invited to be a part of it.

During the year we welcomed Professor Miller on two occasions, holding violin masterclasses for pupils from all year groups to better their technique and learn from a maestro. These sessions were particularly helpful for those students who were preparing for grade examinations on this instrument.

As ever, there have been numerous opportunities for our musicians to share their talents with the School community, and a wider audience, with informal concerts taking place in October, February and March, alongside our two Advent concerts. We also came together to mark the departure of our Upper Sixth with the Leavers’ Concert taking place before Speech Day in July, with some leavers taking to the stage watched by family members, and supported by students from other year groups.

Perhaps our biggest musical offering came in the form of our Music Department showcase concert in May, featuring the Chapel Choir, Senior Strings group, the School Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Girls’ Choir and the Clothworkers’ Ensemble Band.

A particular highlight was the Bach Concerto in A, with three different violinists playing the solos.

Lower Sixth students were also pleased to see Hans Zimmer live at the O2, for which we offer a big thank you to Mr Edwards.

And another thank you goes to all of our dedicated music staff, both in house and visiting, and to our gifted young students, who continue to bring the joy of music to us all.

MR PHIL HORLEY Director of Music

Story Here

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

Violin Masterclass Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Story Here

Afestive treat, the Senior Strings performed at the Clothworkers’ Hall, London to Guild members during their Christmas dinner. They started with Bach’s Aria from the 3rd Orchestral Suite which the School heard in assembly the week before. Christine Mazuryk (Lower Sixth) then joined in to sing Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga (Let Me Weep). Finally, the Strings performed the complete Vivaldi’s Concerto in E minor. Participants: Sophie Browning (Leader), Mark Edwards, Haydn Fletcher, Jana Kvapilova, Christine Mazuryk, Joshua Robinson (all Lower Sixth), Grace Bartleet, Amalie Ondrova and James Pepler (all Upper Sixth).

Story Here Brass Taster SVPS Year 4

Music was in the air as we welcomed renowned violinist Professor Nicholas Miller for a day of masterclasses. Professor Miller is an orchestral musician, founding member of the Pirasti Piano trio and a Professor of violin and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music London. He studied at the Royal Academy, the University of Yale and the Julliard School in New York. In 1990 he taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School before moving to the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed throughout Britain, Europe and the United States, including at the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, London and Alice Tully Hall, New York. He also happens to have taught our Head of Strings, Mr Holmes, even though he looks too young!

On Sunday December 4th 2022, Aylesford Priory held the annual Light Up a Life Carol Service for the Heart of Kent Hospice. The service allowed reflection on the loss of life, yet the transformation of a person into a precious and eternal memory. During the evening, Phoebe Connell, Lower Sixth, led the congregation into Once in Royal David’s City with a solo of the first verse. The carol was accompanied by East Peckham Silver Band, who added a wonderful brass accompaniment. The Maidstone Singers also featured in the service, as well as the West Malling Community Choir. Various readings allowed the congregation to remember those they would be without at Christmas, and lights were distributed to be held in memory of a loved one.

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT

In the traditional annual Penguin Race, Juniors made a splash by competing in a frenzied swimming relay for their Houses. The winning House is determined by the most lengths completed by each team within a fifteen minute session.

In a new addition to the watery fun, established by Mr Thomas last year, Head of Juniors Mr Carr found himself not only dressed like a penguin, but being pulled into the pool!

Congratulations to Holgate House for achieving the greatest number of lengths within fifteen minutes, for which they earnt a large cuddly penguin toy! Founder’s House was the runnerup and received an award for House spirit, presented with the penguin statue.

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

SUTTONIAN: DRAMA

As the Director of Drama, I am delighted to present the year in review for our lively and thriving Drama Department. The past year has been filled with remarkable accomplishments and outstanding performances, showcasing the immense talent and dedication of our students.

One of the highlights of the year was our impressive Senior Production of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, The Winter’s Tale. The production captivated audiences with its powerful performances and brought the magic of Shakespeare to life on our stage. The commitment and enthusiasm shown by our students was truly commendable, and their hard work paid off in creating a dynamic, memorable and engaging production.

Additionally, our Junior Production of Annie in the Summer Term was a resounding success. The production sold out completely, a testament to the talent and dedication of our young actors and actresses. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, leaving the audience spellbound. We are incredibly proud of their growth and confidence throughout the process, and we were delighted to witness the overwhelming support from the School community.

Furthermore, I am thrilled to announce that our students have achieved the highest LAMDA awards in the School’s recent history. Their commitment to developing their acting skills, combined with

the exceptional guidance provided by our teachers, has resulted in this remarkable success.

Another area where the Drama Department has excelled is in examination performance standards. Our students have consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability, resulting in outstanding results. Their commitment to their craft and their willingness to push their boundaries has been truly inspiring, and we are confident that their achievements will continue to rise in the coming years.

It is important to acknowledge the unwavering support and dedication of our Drama Department staff. Their commitment to nurturing our students’ talent, their tireless efforts in rehearsals and classes, and their passion for the subject have been instrumental in our success. Their guidance and mentorship have not only helped our students develop their skills but have also instilled in them a love for acting that will endure beyond their time at Sutton Valence School.

In conclusion, I am thrilled to report that the Drama Department at Sutton Valence School has had an exceptional year, filled with remarkable achievements and memorable performances. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students, teachers, and staff involved in our productions and accomplishments this year. With the solid foundation we have built, I am excited to see the Drama Department continue to thrive in the years to come.

MR B FEWSON Director of Drama

Story Here

Afestive treat, the Senior Strings performed at the Clothworkers’ Hall, London to Guild members during their Christmas dinner. They started with Bach’s Aria from the 3rd Orchestral Suite which the School heard in assembly the week before. Christine Mazuryk (Lower Sixth) then joined in to sing Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga (Let Me Weep). Finally, the Strings performed the complete Vivaldi’s Concerto in E minor. Participants: Sophie Browning (Leader), Mark Edwards, Haydn Fletcher, Jana Kvapilova, Christine Mazuryk, Joshua Robinson (all Lower Sixth), Grace Bartleet, Amalie Ondrova and James Pepler (all Upper Sixth).

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Music was in the air as we welcomed renowned violinist Professor Nicholas Miller for a day of masterclasses. Professor Miller is an orchestral musician, founding member of the Pirasti Piano trio and a Professor of violin and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music London. He studied at the Royal Academy, the University of Yale and the Julliard School in New York. In 1990 he taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School before moving to the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed throughout Britain, Europe and the United States, including at the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, London and Alice Tully Hall, New York. He also happens to have taught our Head of Strings, Mr Holmes, even though he looks too young!

On Sunday December 4th 2022, Aylesford Priory held the annual Light Up a Life Carol Service for the Heart of Kent Hospice. The service allowed reflection on the loss of life, yet the transformation of a person into a precious and eternal memory. During the evening, Phoebe Connell, Lower Sixth, led the congregation into Once in Royal David’s City with a solo of the first verse. The carol was accompanied by East Peckham Silver Band, who added a wonderful brass accompaniment. The Maidstone Singers also featured in the service, as well as the West Malling Community Choir. Various readings allowed the congregation to remember those they would be without at Christmas, and lights were distributed to be held in memory of a loved one.

SENIOR PRODUCTION: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

The CCF stood to attention for an honour guard in March, held on Chapel Lawn, ahead of the final parade. The School welcomed Commander Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself.

Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy. Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy.

SUTTONIAN: ART & DESIGN

As the academic year drew to a close, we were thrilled to reflect on the remarkable journey of our GCSE and A Level Art and Photography students. The annual end of year exhibition showcased an impressive display of creativity, experimentation and tenacity.

In their GCSE and A Level projects, students were encouraged to explore their personal interests and passions, resulting in a wide array of subject matter and mediums on display. From atmospheric paintings and thoughtprovoking photoshoots to intricately crafted printmaking and fashion-based pieces, every artwork embodied the student’s unique voice and perspective.

The results were such that 60 per cent of A Level Art students achieved an A* pass, with 80 per cent achieving an A grade or better.

In Photography, 88 per cent of our A Level students achieved an A grade or better, with 25 per cent achieving an A*.

At GCSE, 63 per cent of our Art students achieved an 8-9 pass (A*) with 79 per cent achieving a 7-9 pass. (A grade or above.)

In Photography, this was 48 per cent grade 8-9 (A*) and 74% 7-9 (grade A or above.)

These results were exceptional and are testament

to the huge amounts of time and effort all our students invested in their coursework projects, given the continued postponement of the examination component.

Beyond the final pieces, the end of year exhibition highlighted the students’ growth as individuals and artists. It was evident that they had invested countless hours and dedication into extending their creative ideas and refining their imagery. Furthermore, the positive response from visitors and the broader community demonstrated the impact these young artists and photographers have had on those who engaged with their work. This year Miss Peart-Price initiated the production and sale of greeting cards featuring some of our GCSE and A Level artists, with a substantial number of cards sold raising funds to support the charity CRY.

A number of stimulating trips were organised throughout the year, including an A Level Photography photoshoot at Dungeness, along with a visit to Nick Veasey’s studio to undertake X-ray photography, and a Sixth Form Art ‘Street Art’ tour with expert Dave Stuart. A neon life drawing workshop took place with Sixth Form artists, Art scholars, and photographers in Gulland Hall, and the Fourth Form went on an Art trip to the Lucian Freud exhibition at the Tate Britain. Fourth Formers also attended the Art and Photography trip to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.

MR M THOMPSON Director of Art

Fashion Design at Prep School

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members. Story Here Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Art Field Day

November saw GCSE and A Level Art students being invited to participate in a morning of vibrant, artistic fun. Students that are focusing on the figure, form and atmospheric light for their personal projects took part in a neon life drawing and photography class. Neon Naked is an immersive UV experience that creates a colourful twist on a traditional idea. Moving away from the perfectionist teachings of traditional life drawing, they tried out several different image-making techniques using reactive art materials to draw the colourful life model. The atmosphere in Gulland Hall was very relaxed with music playing in the background, whilst students were busy drawing the model. The life drawing class was created and taught by the then fashion designer and now artist Jylle Navarro.

First Form Art

On 27th of January, our Fourth Form Photography students took a trip to London. “I visited Canary Wharf and Brick Lane as part of the Fourth Form Photography trip and both areas were amazing. We went to these two specific areas of London for inspiration for our new photography project ‘Spaces and Places’. Since both are completely different from each other and have beautiful architecture, they are the perfect places for photoshoots. Whilst in Brick Lane, we photographed battered-down doors, buildings, gates, a church, and walls covered in graffiti. Whereas in Canary Wharf, we photographed more modern aspects like railways, trains, buses and tall skyscrapers. Personally, I would love to go back to both areas.” Francesca Arduino (Fourth Form)

Story Here

First Form Art students have been working on their new project theme ‘Pets and Predators,’ learning the hand printing technique, dry point, with the help of our Art Technician, Mr Allen.

Dry point printing is an intaglio printmaking method that involves scratching an image into a piece of plastic, copper, or zinc with a sharp pointed, needled tool. The lines create a blur that holds ink, meaning that the print reveals the drawing. When the design is completed on the plate, you are ready to print using ink!

They printed designs inspired by their pets, which included horses, cats and dogs, or predators such as lions, zebras, and cheetahs. Well done students for your fantastic work, you created some intricate prints.

Christmas Card Competition

Third Form Art students in 3Z, 3B, and 3L have been creating lino print designs inspired by their topic ‘Endangered Species’. The print designs include animals such as Javan rhinos, mountain gorillas, African forest elephants, hawksbill turtles and snow leopards.

Linocut is a printmaking technique that students explore during their Lower School Art lessons and develop in Upper School. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife using a V-shaped chisel, or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller, and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The printing can be achieved by hand or with a printing press.

Story Here

November saw GCSE and A Level Art students being invited to participate in a morning of vibrant, artistic fun. Students that are focusing on the figure, form and atmospheric light for their personal projects took part in a neon life drawing and photography class. Neon Naked is an immersive UV experience that creates a colourful twist on a traditional idea. Moving away from the perfectionist teachings of traditional life drawing, they tried out several different image-making techniques using reactive art materials to draw the colourful life model. The atmosphere in Gulland Hall was very relaxed with music playing in the background, whilst students were busy drawing the model. The life drawing class was created and taught by the then fashion designer and now artist Jylle Navarro.

OStory Here

n 27th of January, our Fourth Form Photography students took a trip to London. “I visited Canary Wharf and Brick Lane as part of the Fourth Form Photography trip and both areas were amazing. We went to these two specific areas of London for inspiration for our new photography project ‘Spaces and Places’. Since both are completely different from each other and have beautiful architecture, they are the perfect places for photoshoots. Whilst in Brick Lane, we photographed battered-down doors, buildings, gates, a church, and walls covered in graffiti. Whereas in Canary Wharf, we photographed more modern aspects like railways, trains, buses and tall skyscrapers. Personally, I would love to go back to both areas.” Francesca Arduino (Fourth Form)

Story Here

First Form Art students have been working on their new project theme ‘Pets and Predators,’ learning the hand printing technique, dry point, with the help of our Art Technician, Mr Allen.

Dry point printing is an intaglio printmaking method that involves scratching an image into a piece of plastic, copper, or zinc with a sharp pointed, needled tool. The lines create a blur that holds ink, meaning that the print reveals the drawing. When the design is completed on the plate, you are ready to print using ink!

They printed designs inspired by their pets, which included horses, cats and dogs, or predators such as lions, zebras, and cheetahs. Well done students for your fantastic work, you created some intricate prints.

TStory Here

hird Form Art students in 3Z, 3B, and 3L have been creating lino print designs inspired by their topic ‘Endangered Species’. The print designs include animals such as Javan rhinos, mountain gorillas, African forest elephants, hawksbill turtles and snow leopards.

Linocut is a printmaking technique that students explore during their Lower School Art lessons and develop in Upper School. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife using a V-shaped chisel, or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller, and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The printing can be achieved by hand or with a printing press.

Sienna DT Copy Prize

During the Easter holidays, our Design and Technology Scholars and Ambassadors were welcomed to Clock House Farm by Managing Director and Old Suttonian Oli Pascall (2008 C). Personally guided around different sites, the group experienced broad aspects of a working farm. Students were educated on the science behind selecting, caring for, analysing, and monitoring crops, and the biological alternatives to pesticides and insecticides. After this, they were welcomed to Linton Growing to see nursery and strawberry production with autonomous robotics in action, with fleets of robots maintaining the crop and collating valuable data from their sensors whilst pacing the fields.

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Second Form pupils have been developing their understanding of what ‘inclusive design’ is and exploring the importance of designing products to be used by a range of different people and abilities. Pupils undertook an empathetic modelling task, a method that simulates some of the everyday challenges that people with reduced physical abilities experience, from a first person perspective. Students simulated a range of different user issues, including those with arthritis and blindness. Pupils went on to be tasked with redesigning an everyday handheld object to be inclusive and ergonomic so that it aids a specific user group of their choice.

ODT Trip to Delga

ur First Form students have been busy designing and creating a range of bug houses during their afternoon Design and Technology activity in the Lent Term.

Shortly after our return from Easter, the handcrafted bug houses were purposefully positioned around the community, within the village, on the School site, and across the road, within the grounds of Sutton Valence Primary School, to help local insect life.

SUTTONIAN: SPORT

It has been another thrilling year of sport at Sutton Valence School, an area for which we are rightly revered. Each child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, whether they are destined to play locally, nationally or internationally, or are just looking to stay active and have fun with their teammates.

A huge achievement in which the whole School can rightly celebrate is the success of the Girls’ Under 16 Hockey team, who triumphed at the National Tier 2 Finals of the Notts Sport Girls’ Schools’ Championship. They were supported by a crowd full of fellow students, and have served as an inspiration to not only our sport lovers, but every pupil who strives to achieve excellence.

Our School teams across a number of sporting disciplines have excelled this year, with a large number of students also participating in external teams and competitions. We are always pleased that the love of sport we instill encourages players to actively seek out teams and matches in their own time to continue their involvement and increase their skills.

Students also belong to a multitude of teams outside of School, playing for their local areas for fun, or the more serious task of representing their county, or even country. Dedicating themselves to sport in their own time builds determination and discipline, as well as the forging of real life

skills as they encounter the battle of competition, and the building of friendships, and rivalries, outside of the School bubble.

One time that the whole School comes together to celebrate sport is, of course, the annual summer Sports Day. 2023 may have been grey and blustery, but that didn’t stop two of our talented girls from breaking School records in the Intermediate Girls’ Javelin, and Junior Girls’ 400m. Founder’s House won the competition overall to lift the trophy. This year’s Sports Day was the subject of a fast paced promotional video, which I hope you’ve had a chance to watch at youtube. com/suttonvalenceschool

Our students also regularly get the opportunity to flex their sporting muscles against the athletic stars of years previous, when Old Suttonians return to take on our current teams in areas such as netball, football and hockey. The victory is always particularly sweet when it comes over former pupils, and the sense of competition is always strong. (On both sides!)

With everyone at Sutton Valence School being so immersed in sport, the 2022-2023 year was another period of ups and downs and highs and lows, and I continue to be so proud of the strength, energy and willingness to persevere that is demonstrated by all age groups and abilities.

MR V WELLS Director of Sport

Netball with SVPS

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members. Story Here Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

U10 Rugby Festival

Braving the snow showers, SVS Cadets gathered around Prefects’ Lawn to witness Mr Millbery’s promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank available in the CCF. Mr Thomas, Headmaster, was present to award Mr Millbery with his new rank slides to denote the change: “The CCF at Sutton Valence School applauded Lieutenant Colonel Glen Millbery, following 20 years of outstanding services to the Combined Cadet Force. Many of the current students look up to him, and students who have already been through the School will have very fond memories of him. He is an inspirational leader, with the highest standards and the greatest level of care for his own profession and the young people he oversees in the CCF.”

Story Here

Third Form Cadets and Lower Sixth NCOs ventured to Hythe Ranges for their annual shooting day in April. The weather was good, although a little windy and the sun was shining.

The activities involved archery, trying the Army’s large video training system (DCCT), two short ranges (firing the A2 and target rifle) and a long range – 100m shooting the A2. The day was the culmination of weeks of learning about weapon safety and passing a weapons handling test.

TStory Here

he Navy section of the CCF travelled down to Portsmouth, where they took part in activities such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and laser TAG, sleeping overnight at Fort Purbrook. On the trip were members of the Third and Fourth Forms, and Lower Sixth.

The Senior Army field day consisted of a shooting day at Hythe Ranges, before moving to Mereworth Woods so that the Cadets could practise their field craft. Each platoon conducted a night ambush and platoon attacks the next morning to try and eliminate enemy forces.their first opportunity to take on a leadership role. The Officers were very impressed with the Cadets’ engagement and hope that they learnt

Story Here

The Science department donated spare equipment to Lab Aid this year - the equipment and tools will be sent to developing countries to support Science students’ learning by providing them with adequate resources. Lab Aid is a charity organisation that facilitates the collection of old Science equipment from UK schools and distributes it to schools in developing countries. Mrs Plummer led the donation of potometers, beakers, thermometers, fish tanks, conical flasks, clipboards, pooters, and haemocytometers to support this cause.

Story Here Story Here

The closely fought Lambe’s House cake contest raised £315 for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal back in March.

Judged by Mr Metcalfe and Mr Henshaw, the winners were named as Charlie Wells and Bradley Vermeulen (both Third Form) for the SVS themed category, with their impressive mathematical effort.

The annual sale of knitted Easter chicks amongst the Juniors has this year raised over £500.

The chicks are knitted by Ros Dines who was a cleaner / Matron at SVS for an incredible fifty years, who joined the Junior assembly to be congratulated on her charitable crafting.

Proceeds go towards the JackTheLad Foundation.

RUGBY U18 NATIONAL BOWL

On Wednesday 1st March, our Under 16 Girls’ Hockey Team competed in the U16 National Tier 2 Finals of the Notts Sport Girls’ Schools’ Championships. Captain, Caitlin Calverley (Fifth Form) reports:

After travelling to London the previous day, a trip to Zizzi’s, and a sleepover at Premier Inn, the girls were set the task of becoming Tier 2 National Champions. After walking to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and having a team photo taken, we walked out onto the pitch to warm up and play. It was great to see so many familiar faces supporting us.

From the start, Manchester High School were relentless, scoring a goal after just 13 minutes, giving them an early lead. Despite this, the girls did not let their heads drop and willed on by the constant cheer of the crowd, we were able to score an equaliser with Evie Smith (Fourth Form) scoring a backhand past the keeper’s gloves. We finished the half still 1-1 even after some defensive chaos with Pippa Campbell (Fourth Form) receiving a green card and multiple defensive short corners.

Coming out of a stern but encouraging half-time chat urging the girls on, we were able to have an early wellcrafted attack giving Florence Wood (Fifth Form) a great 1 on 1 opportunity with the keeper. Florence was able to skilfully beat the keeper and put us 2-1 up. Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalise on Manchester having a player green carded. After a quick counterattack, Manchester were able to score a deflection on the back post after some miscommunication in defence. We were equal. The tension continued right until the last play with us hammering balls towards their goal, but to no avail.

The game went to a shootout. With the memories of our shootout with Wellington still fresh in our minds, we were ready. We knew the Manchester players were skilful, but we also knew how far Abigail Miles (Fourth Form) had come as a goalkeeper and with her confidence. After winning the toss, and electing to go first, I went to take the first shuffle.

After missing my shuffle, Florence stepped up and took hers, scoring it. Evie, Pippa and Lettice Allchorne (Fifth Form) also all scored their shuffles. Again, we were tied with four goals apiece after Abigail was able to save one of Manchester’s.

OVERCOMING HURDLES

The high jump is a popular event as part of Sports Day.

1ST XVI FOOTBALL VS BETHANY

Racing towards the end of term, the annual SVS Sports Day saw the whole School compete across track and field events! Girl power proved the order of the day, with two School records broken - Tess Hodson, Intermediate Girls’ Javelin, 24.93m and Sophie Petrie, Junior Girls’ 400m, 1 min 10 sec, and Founder’s House lifting the overall trophy.

Ready, set... slow mo! Relive the energy of the day in our fast and furious promo video via our QR code below!

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

ANNUAL BATON RACE

The CCF stood to attention for an honour guard in March, held on Chapel Lawn, ahead of the final parade. The School welcomed Commander Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself.

Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy. Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy.

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

KENT U16 RUGBY TOURNAMENT

Racing towards the end of term, the annual SVS Sports Day saw the whole School compete across track and field events! Girl power proved the order of the day, with two School records broken - Tess Hodson, Intermediate Girls’ Javelin, 24.93m and Sophie Petrie, Junior Girls’ 400m, 1 min 10 sec, and Founder’s House lifting the overall trophy.

Ready, set... slow mo! Relive the energy of the day in our fast and furious promo video via our QR code below!

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

SUTTONIAN: COMMUNITY

This year, the Charities Committee, made up of volunteers from the Sixth Form, agreed to support The Red Cross in Ukraine, The Hile School in Nepal, and the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Clayton Olson.

The School’s focus on charitable contributions started off in the first week of September with the community ramble, raising over £4000 for CRY. Over the course of the year, fundraising included the Junior pupils crocheting for the Goat Sanctuary, planting blue and yellow hyacinths on Prefects’ Lawn for Ukraine, the Hairy Hiles raising over £3000 for our partner school in Nepal, and other events such as the Junior Disco, our annual poppy appeal and the Common Room Raffle for the Salvation Army. The Friends’ Big Quiz and the Nepalese Evening were very well supported, as was the Sixth Form Ball. A big thank you to St Margaret’s House who raised money and awareness to fight against prostate cancer, and to Ros Dines, who once again produced over 150 Easter chicks to sell to the Juniors for the charity JackTheLad, in memory of Old Suttonian, Jack Fenton. We also had two cake sales in support of our partners Dandelion Time, and the charity Unicef. We ended the year with the Art Department selling greeting cards of the A Level and GCSE students’ work.

As well as fundraising, SVS pupils and staff were also involved in planting trees and providing bug boxes for Sutton Valence village, organising

donations for the Salvation Army’s food bank in Maidstone and Christmas hampers for the Hedgehog Ward at Pembury Hospital. The CCF also took part in the British Legion’s Remembrance Sunday Parade and completed a 50 mile night walk in support of St Dunstan’s. We celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by having a tea party for the Juniors, decorated by bunting given to us by the Tower of London because it included artwork by a number of our pupils.

We continue to develop our work with other schools in order to foster links, make friends and share good practice. We work closely with our other school partnerships, in particular, The Wealden Hub and The Foundation Schools. Staff and students from the Lenham School visited SVS for a talk from The Human Dignity Trust. Our Junior music scholars went to Benenden for an orchestral concert and some of our Fourth Form pupils enjoyed taking part in a Macbeth workshop.

A big thank you to everyone for supporting such worthwhile initiatives and fostering our School’s ethos where we are a community “where each cares for all and individuality is cherished.” In particular, I wish to thank the members of the 2022-2023 Charities Committee for all their initiative, hard work and enthusiasm. They really did a tremendous job this year.

MRS F PORTER Community Engagement Co-Ordinator

Sunflower Planting

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

Halloween Bake Sale Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

Movember

Braving the snow showers, SVS Cadets gathered around Prefects’ Lawn to witness Mr Millbery’s promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank available in the CCF. Mr Thomas, Headmaster, was present to award Mr Millbery with his new rank slides to denote the change: “The CCF at Sutton Valence School applauded Lieutenant Colonel Glen Millbery, following 20 years of outstanding services to the Combined Cadet Force. Many of the current students look up to him, and students who have already been through the School will have very fond memories of him. He is an inspirational leader, with the highest standards and the greatest level of care for his own profession and the young people he oversees in the CCF.”

ELS Bulb Planting

Third Form Cadets and Lower Sixth NCOs ventured to Hythe Ranges for their annual shooting day in April. The weather was good, although a little windy and the sun was shining.

The activities involved archery, trying the Army’s large video training system (DCCT), two short ranges (firing the A2 and target rifle) and a long range – 100m shooting the A2. The day was the culmination of weeks of learning about weapon safety and passing a weapons handling test.

TStory Here

he Navy section of the CCF travelled down to Portsmouth, where they took part in activities such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and laser TAG, sleeping overnight at Fort Purbrook. On the trip were members of the Third and Fourth Forms, and Lower Sixth.

The Senior Army field day consisted of a shooting day at Hythe Ranges, before moving to Mereworth Woods so that the Cadets could practise their field craft. Each platoon conducted a night ambush and platoon attacks the next morning to try and eliminate enemy forces.their first opportunity to take on a leadership role. The Officers were very impressed with the Cadets’ engagement and hope that they learnt

CRY Heart Screening

The Science department donated spare equipment to Lab Aid this year - the equipment and tools will be sent to developing countries to support Science students’ learning by providing them with adequate resources. Lab Aid is a charity organisation that facilitates the collection of old Science equipment from UK schools and distributes it to schools in developing countries. Mrs Plummer led the donation of potometers, beakers, thermometers, fish tanks, conical flasks, clipboards, pooters, and haemocytometers to support this cause.

Sponsored Walk Story Here

The closely fought Lambe’s House cake contest raised £315 for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal back in March.

Judged by Mr Metcalfe and Mr Henshaw, the winners were named as Charlie Wells and Bradley Vermeulen (both Third Form) for the SVS themed category, with their impressive mathematical effort.

The annual sale of knitted Easter chicks amongst the Juniors has this year raised over £500.

The chicks are knitted by Ros Dines who was a cleaner / Matron at SVS for an incredible fifty years, who joined the Junior assembly to be congratulated on her charitable crafting.

Proceeds go towards the JackTheLad Foundation.

IMAGE: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

Volunteering at Prep School

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

LSOH fundraising Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

SUTTONIAN: WELLBEING

Wellness and the wellbeing of pupils has grown to be a key part of how we look after students within our care, and our provision for mental and physical health has grown with it.

The past year has seen us make huge strides in how we deliver our wellbeing programme. In the first instance, we have assembled a staff wellbeing team of ambassadors, who meet regularly throughout the year to try different wellbeing strategies - we also have a student wellbeing ambassador team, and both staff and students are qualified in Mental Health First Aid. This enables more members of our community to be trained in spotting the signs of mental ill health and to signpost support.

There has also been the introduction of practical wellbeing sessions for staff and students, to keep the body as fit and healthy as the mind. These have taken the form of exercise sessions such as yoga, boxercise and Zumba.

We have been providing two break out sessions each week for different year groups, as well as one to one support meetings for students, either arranged or as drop ins. There are also one to one sessions available for staff.

Alongside these structured sessions, pupils have

access to our calming space, the James Room, a supervised area that pupils may make use of each break and lunchtime.

The James Room is a special space that really supports our efforts in wellbeing, as a light and airy informal area for activities, socialising and just taking moments of quiet reflection or a moment of peace out of a busy day.

At the beginning of the year, we delivered Wellbeing Week, launching the 5 Ways to Wellbeing framework, from which we work. The week was packed full of activities for both students and staff, to encourage mindfulness and movement.

We have also presented our wellbeing strategies to parents, and keep them further updated by writing a weekly article for the School newsletter, outlining what we have been working on from the PSHE and RSE Pathways that week, and providing a handy wellbeing tip to work through at home.

The School has also had an impressive rosta of guest speakers to support its self development programme this year, including the CEO of the Human Dignity Trust, and Girls on Board, alongside talks on driving awareness and drugs, alcohol and gambling education.

MRS M TRACHONITIS Assistant Head, Wellbeing

Mental Health First Aiders

Benenden’s STEM Convention saw accolades for SVS Sixth Formers, with first prize awarded to Hannah Slipper (Upper Sixth) for the best student project, an investigation into the best type of sunscreen.

Ten students attended, and another presentation was given by Thomas Dolan and William Howgill (Upper Sixth) on their Crest Award project on the effectiveness of different types of Impact Attenuators. We had two stands with posters outlining the projects which sparked lots of discussion at the Science fair.

Wellbeing Boards

As part of their LWOST activities, students in the Lower Sixth have been engaging in workshops on employability skills, navigating the Unifrog software and creating their UCAS applications.

With the support of Durham University, our Lower Sixth students engaged in an interactive workshop centered around personal statements, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their applications.

Mental Health Ambassadors

Having previously worked in education, before falling into severe gambling addiction and debt, author of Might Bite, Patrick Foster, now visits schools to inform pupils of the consequences of this debilitating habit.

In March, older pupils had the chance to hear his inspiring story, and to reflect on the mental health implications of adversity, a particularly timely visit with it being the week of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which features dramatically in Patrick’s story.

SUTTONIAN: BOARDING

Wellness and the wellbeing of pupils has grown to be a key part of how we look after students within our care, and our provision for mental and physical health has grown with it.

The past year has seen us make huge strides in how we deliver our wellbeing programme. In the first instance, we have assembled a staff wellbeing team of ambassadors, who meet regularly throughout the year to try different wellbeing strategies - we also have a student wellbeing ambassador team, and both staff and students are qualified in Mental Health First Aid. This enables more members of our community to be trained in spotting the signs of mental ill health and to signpost support.

There has also been the introduction of practical wellbeing sessions for staff and students, to keep the body as fit and healthy as the mind. These have taken the form of exercise sessions such as yoga, boxercise and Zumba.

We have been providing two break out sessions each week for different year groups, as well as one to one support meetings for students, either arranged or as drop ins. There are also one to one sessions available for staff.

Alongside these structured sessions, pupils have

access to our calming space, the James Room, a supervised area that pupils may make use of each break and lunchtime.

The James Room is a special space that really supports our efforts in wellbeing, as a light and airy informal area for activities, socialising and just taking moments of quiet reflection or a moment of peace out of a busy day.

At the beginning of the year, we delivered Wellbeing Week, launching the 5 Ways to Wellbeing framework, from which we work. The week was packed full of activities for both students and staff, to encourage mindfulness and movement.

We have also presented our wellbeing strategies to parents, and keep them further updated by writing a weekly article for the School newsletter, outlining what we have been working on from the PSHE and RSE Pathways that week, and providing a handy wellbeing tip to work through at home.

The School has also had an impressive rosta of guest speakers to support its self development programme this year, including the CEO of the Human Dignity Trust, and Girls on Board, alongside talks on driving awareness and drugs, alcohol and gambling education.

Mr S Head Head of Boarding

Westminster Chinese New Year

Benenden’s STEM Convention saw accolades for SVS Sixth Formers, with first prize awarded to Hannah Slipper (Upper Sixth) for the best student project, an investigation into the best type of sunscreen.

Ten students attended, and another presentation was given by Thomas Dolan and William Howgill (Upper Sixth) on their Crest Award project on the effectiveness of different types of Impact Attenuators. We had two stands with posters outlining the projects which sparked lots of discussion at the Science fair.

St Margaret’s Compass Story Here

As part of their LWOST activities, students in the Lower Sixth have been engaging in workshops on employability skills, navigating the Unifrog software and creating their UCAS applications.

With the support of Durham University, our Lower Sixth students engaged in an interactive workshop centered around personal statements, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their applications.

Having previously worked in education, before falling into severe gambling addiction and debt, author of Might Bite, Patrick Foster, now visits schools to inform pupils of the consequences of this debilitating habit.

In March, older pupils had the chance to hear his inspiring story, and to reflect on the mental health implications of adversity, a particularly timely visit with it being the week of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which features dramatically in Patrick’s story.

IMAGE: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

World Boarding Staff Day

Green-fingered gardening volunteers from the First and Second Forms were out early one morning in spring to plant up new bedding schemes on Prefects’ Lawn with the help of the School’s horticultural experts. The display was designed to come into flower ready for Speech Day in July, when the area acts as an event space for graduating students and visiting family members.

Westminster Chinese Dinner Story Here

During Junior Leadership sessions, pupils in the First Form were working on a project looking at the significance of Remembrance in today’s society.

They each made a patch with a Remembrance design, which were combined and turned into a poignant wall hanging.

The Juniors were delighted and surprised when returning from the first Half Term break to discover that their two Almshouse Day Rooms had been refurbished. The rooms have been completely redecorated and refurnished with colourful orange and grey sofas and chairs. The Almshouses are the oldest buildings in the School, having been built on the instructions of William Lambe way back in the sixteenth century. They housed six of the poorest families in the village in six one-up, one-down dwellings. They were replaced by the six ‘new’ Almshouses which were built in 1888 and which stand next to the village green.

SUTTONIAN: EVENTS

Sutton Valence School prides itself on being a community. As such, it’s important that alongside the key academic and extra curricular work that goes on here, that there are also opportunities factored into the School calendar for staff, parents, pupils and former pupils to come together to celebrate, socialise, and get to know each other better.

Perhaps the largest such occasion is Speech Day, when family members are welcomed in to take their seats for a showstopping day of prize giving, speeches, picturesque lunch, and a certain crowd-pleasing video, Speech Day, The Movie!

Grandparents’ Day is another event focused on bringing relatives to the site, with students giving their loved ones tours of the site and sharing a meal, with generations enjoying the Sutton Valence School facilities together.

Whether it is a concert, a play, a drinks reception or a quiz night, our network of parents form the backbone of their children’s education, and having them with us for all sorts of occasions, some formal, some far less so, goes a long way to building a strong connection between School and home. As new parents join us for the 23/24 term, many having begun their journey at Sutton Valence Prep School, we encourage you to join us for the inclusive and entertaining programme of events that we host here.

Students themselves have access to a number of fun and stimulating activities and special days, such as the chaos of Junior traditions like the Penguin Race and Tug of War, and special teas and outings for overnight boarders. As they near adulthood, these evolve into formal balls and barbeques, with plenty of opportunities to dress up. These too can be family affairs, with many parents choosing to attend Sixth Form balls alongside their teens.

Leaving the School does not close the door on such events, in fact opening up further possibilities to gather together and stay in touch as part of the Old Suttonian network. The Development Office delivers a rosta of outings and School based events for former pupils to get involved in, such as trips to the Chelsea Flower Show this year, visits to the annual Ploughing Match, and a special lunch to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of coeducation at Sutton Valence School. Whether you left the School last year, or fifty years ago, it is well worth keeping up with the vibrant calendar of sporting and social events available as an OS.

The next academic year is set to be another busy few months. Whether we see you at the side of the pitch, in the front row, or at the bar, thank you for being part of the social side of Sutton Valence School.

MISS SJ ADAMS Marketing and Communications Manager

HAPPY QUIZMAS!

Speech Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to gather as a community with families, friends and guests to celebrate the many things that make Sutton Valence School such a special place to be. I very much hope that it was a chance to reflect on another fine year and the vast range of things that have happened both here at the School and further afield.

The day was also a chance to experience some of our creativity at its very best via the Leavers’ Concert in the Chapel, and also in the exhibitions taking place in the Art and DT departments in the village.

When we gathered in the Sports Hall, we once more held a presentation,

IMAGES: SARAH-JANE ADAMS

SUTTONIAN: SIXTH FORM

Wellness and the wellbeing of pupils has grown to be a key part of how we look after students within our care, and our provision for mental and physical health has grown with it.

The past year has seen us make huge strides in how we deliver our wellbeing programme. In the first instance, we have assembled a staff wellbeing team of ambassadors, who meet regularly throughout the year to try different wellbeing strategies - we also have a student wellbeing ambassador team, and both staff and students are qualified in Mental Health First Aid. This enables more members of our community to be trained in spotting the signs of mental ill health and to signpost support.

There has also been the introduction of practical wellbeing sessions for staff and students, to keep the body as fit and healthy as the mind. These have taken the form of exercise sessions such as yoga, boxercise and Zumba.

We have been providing two break out sessions each week for different year groups, as well as one to one support meetings for students, either arranged or as drop ins. There are also one to one sessions available for staff.

Alongside these structured sessions, pupils have

access to our calming space, the James Room, a supervised area that pupils may make use of each break and lunchtime.

The James Room is a special space that really supports our efforts in wellbeing, as a light and airy informal area for activities, socialising and just taking moments of quiet reflection or a moment of peace out of a busy day.

At the beginning of the year, we delivered Wellbeing Week, launching the 5 Ways to Wellbeing framework, from which we work. The week was packed full of activities for both students and staff, to encourage mindfulness and movement.

We have also presented our wellbeing strategies to parents, and keep them further updated by writing a weekly article for the School newsletter, outlining what we have been working on from the PSHE and RSE Pathways that week, and providing a handy wellbeing tip to work through at home.

The School has also had an impressive rosta of guest speakers to support its self development programme this year, including the CEO of the Human Dignity Trust, and Girls on Board, alongside talks on driving awareness and drugs, alcohol and gambling education. Name Head of Sixth Form

Story Here

Benenden’s STEM Convention saw accolades for SVS Sixth Formers, with first prize awarded to Hannah Slipper (Upper Sixth) for the best student project, an investigation into the best type of sunscreen.

Ten students attended, and another presentation was given by Thomas Dolan and William Howgill (Upper Sixth) on their Crest Award project on the effectiveness of different types of Impact Attenuators. We had two stands with posters outlining the projects which sparked lots of discussion at the Science fair.

Story Here Story Here

As part of their LWOST activities, students in the Lower Sixth have been engaging in workshops on employability skills, navigating the Unifrog software and creating their UCAS applications.

With the support of Durham University, our Lower Sixth students engaged in an interactive workshop centered around personal statements, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their applications.

Having previously worked in education, before falling into severe gambling addiction and debt, author of Might Bite, Patrick Foster, now visits schools to inform pupils of the consequences of this debilitating habit.

In March, older pupils had the chance to hear his inspiring story, and to reflect on the mental health implications of adversity, a particularly timely visit with it being the week of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which features dramatically in Patrick’s story.

SPRING BALL

The CCF stood to attention for an honour guard in March, held on Chapel Lawn, ahead of the final parade. The School welcomed Commander Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself.

Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy. Barker RN as a guest to oversee the biennial inspection, who stayed on to present accolades during the parade itself Commander Barker RN has spent over 25 years as an Air Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy.

SUTTONIAN: FACULTY

Suttonian 22/23 filming with DP, issue 308

All the way from Tianjin, China, Andrew Hurst, Principal of our partner School, HIK-SVS International, enjoyed a day at SVS with his British counterparts, Headmaster, James Thomas and Head of Sutton Valence Prep School, Mark Scholey. Starting at Sutton Valence Prep School, Andrew met staff and students, and attended a performance of the Year 1 play, Wiz, Wham, Alakazam. At the Senior School site, Mr Hurst toured new build areas such as the James Room and centre block boarding houses, and was introduced to staff and governors. Opening in 2017, HIK-SVS is an English-speaking primary School, founded as a collaboration between Sutton Valence School and Hopeland International Kindergarten.

Catering

Back in May, the School hosted a training day for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) from schools within the United Westminster Grey Coat Foundation, of which Sutton Valence is a part. Ten teachers from Sutton Valence, Westminster City, Grey Coat Hospital and Emanuel School joined us for the day. They had the opportunity to observe teaching, engage with other teachers to share best practices, and participate in discussion forums on various aspects of pedagogy, led and organised by Mr Sansom. The visiting teachers were highly impressed by the quality of teaching, the level of challenge, the support provided, and the progress observed during the lessons.

Christmas Trees

During the Summer Term the Headmaster welcomed our friends from local Prep Schools Sevenoaks Prep, the New Beacon, Somerhill, Marlborough House, St Ronan’s, Sutton Valence Prep School, Dulwich Prep School and St Michael’s Prep for lunch alfresco and tours of SVS with students who used to attend their Prep Schools.

SVS values the strong relationships it has with feeder schools and other Headteachers in our area, and the visitors relayed how nice it was for them to catch up with their former pupils - looking a lot bigger!

International Women’s Day

Braving the snow showers, SVS Cadets gathered around Prefects’ Lawn to witness Mr Millbery’s promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank available in the CCF. Mr Thomas, Headmaster, was present to award Mr Millbery with his new rank slides to denote the change: “The CCF at Sutton Valence School applauded Lieutenant Colonel Glen Millbery, following 20 years of outstanding services to the Combined Cadet Force. Many of the current students look up to him, and students who have already been through the School will have very fond memories of him. He is an inspirational leader, with the highest standards and the greatest level of care for his own profession and the young people he oversees in the CCF.”

Headmaster’s Christmas Message

Third Form Cadets and Lower Sixth NCOs ventured to Hythe Ranges for their annual shooting day in April. The weather was good, although a little windy and the sun was shining.

The activities involved archery, trying the Army’s large video training system (DCCT), two short ranges (firing the A2 and target rifle) and a long range – 100m shooting the A2. The day was the culmination of weeks of learning about weapon safety and passing a weapons handling test.

TStory Here

he Navy section of the CCF travelled down to Portsmouth, where they took part in activities such as kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and laser TAG, sleeping overnight at Fort Purbrook. On the trip were members of the Third and Fourth Forms, and Lower Sixth.

The Senior Army field day consisted of a shooting day at Hythe Ranges, before moving to Mereworth Woods so that the Cadets could practise their field craft. Each platoon conducted a night ambush and platoon attacks the next morning to try and eliminate enemy forces.their first opportunity to take on a leadership role. The Officers were very impressed with the Cadets’ engagement and hope that they learnt

Story Here

The Science department donated spare equipment to Lab Aid this year - the equipment and tools will be sent to developing countries to support Science students’ learning by providing them with adequate resources. Lab Aid is a charity organisation that facilitates the collection of old Science equipment from UK schools and distributes it to schools in developing countries. Mrs Plummer led the donation of potometers, beakers, thermometers, fish tanks, conical flasks, clipboards, pooters, and haemocytometers to support this cause.

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The closely fought Lambe’s House cake contest raised £315 for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal back in March.

Judged by Mr Metcalfe and Mr Henshaw, the winners were named as Charlie Wells and Bradley Vermeulen (both Third Form) for the SVS themed category, with their impressive mathematical effort.

The annual sale of knitted Easter chicks amongst the Juniors has this year raised over £500.

The chicks are knitted by Ros Dines who was a cleaner / Matron at SVS for an incredible fifty years, who joined the Junior assembly to be congratulated on her charitable crafting.

Proceeds go towards the JackTheLad Foundation.

SUTTONIAN: PROMO VIDEOS

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/SUTTONVALENCESCHOOL

The use of video content has become an important way for the School to document daily life this year, from promotional content to messages directly from the Headmaster - and who could forget the use of special effects in Speech Day, The Movie? To keep up to date with the latest premieres, subscribe to our Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/suttonvalenceschool, or scan the QR codes listed on this page to watch a specific episode. former staff to a reunion at Sutton House to celebrate girls' boarding at the School. The group included SVS leavers spanning from 1991 through to 2016,

Moving up to SVS from SVPS

Two First Form and two Second Form Juniors explain how they found the transition of moving up from Sutton Valence Prep School to Sutton Valence Senior School in this content created especially for Open Morning.

Little Shop of Horrors

Get a backstage pass to the Baughan Theatre as we chat to the Senior cast of Little Shop of Horrors, many of whom are taking part in their final production at the School as Upper Sixth leavers.

The Suttonian Magazine

Discover the history of the School’s publication, The Suttonian, dating back to 1880, as we meet the School Archivist in the video linked below. daily - now featured here for you to remember for years to come.

SVS Christmas Message

Headmaster Mr Thomas (and canine companions!) addressed parents and the student body, as he reflected on the academic year so far, and offered his best wishes for the holiday season.

Remembrance Day

Two First Form and two Second Form Juniors explain how they found the transition of moving up from Sutton Valence Prep School to Sutton Valence Senior School in this content created especially for Open Morning.

Sports Day

Get a backstage pass to the Baughan Theatre as we chat to the Senior cast of Little Shop of Horrors, many of whom are taking part in their final production at the School as Upper Sixth leavers.

A Level Results Day

Discover the history of the School’s publication, The Suttonian, dating back to 1880, as we meet the School Archivist in the video linked below. daily - now featured here for you to remember for years to come.

Junior Production of Annie

Headmaster Mr Thomas (and canine companions!) addressed parents and the student body, as he reflected on the academic year so far, and offered his best wishes for the holiday season.

MORE TO WATCH FROM SUTTON VALENCE PREP SCHOOL...

It’s not just SVS where our access all areas cameras have been whirring - we’ve also been busy showcasing the activities that take place at our sister site, Sutton Valence Prep School. You’ll find a range of entertaining short films covering our Pre-Prep and Prep departments alongside our Senior School content on our Youtube channel - subscribe for free at www.youtube.com/suttonvalenceschool