9 minute read
School News
The first outdoor Whole School ssembly
On Monday 13 September, pupils from the Junior School and Senior School gathered together for the first outdoor Alleyn’s whole school assembly. The event signalled the beginning of a new tradition, the reuniting of the school after 18 months of Covid and a celebration of the school’s identity and values as one connected community. Head Jane Lunnon began her speech with a quotation from Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American poet to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950, from the poem titled Paul Robeson: ‘We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.’ Head of Junior School Mr Severino added, ‘how immensely proud we are to be part of this bigger family and all that such a community brings… its inspiring, energising and reassuring collective spirit’. After further speeches from the Captain, Vice Captains and the Chaplain; a prayer read by Year 5 Mila and a performance by the saxophone quartet, everyone joined in for a rousing rendition of William Blake’s traditional school hymn ‘Jerusalem’.
Alleyn’s celebrates Black History Month 2021
Student leadership has long been a strong feature of Alleyn’s and it is no surprise that our pupils took an active role during Black History Month (BHM) in October. In addition to organising a series of events to mark Black history, our Minority Students Union (MSU) – a student-led group dedicated to combating racism – gave an inspiring address to the student body to explain both why BHM is so important and why it is vital to embrace diversity all year round; it also highlighted the value of being proud of one’s own identity and the need to create environments in which that pride can be celebrated and respected. Discussions have also been taking place about Black Curriculum recommendations in all departments and the MSU is working closely with the English Department to review texts for inclusion within our future curriculum. The MSU has also extended its membership to the Lower School and appointed a new Lower School Ambassador.
Tony Bruni lleyn's long-serving Maths teacher retires
After joining Alleyn’s back in 1983, Mr Bruni retired this summer,
an incredible tenure spanning over 3 decades and one which meant he taught literally thousands of Alleyn’s alumni. Below is his valete from close colleague and Head of Maths, Anne Poole.
Tony leaves Alleyn’s after 38 years. During his time at Alleyn’s he held a number of responsible posts: Housemaster of Brading’s from 1991-2000, Deputy Head of Maths from 2001-2020 and, perhaps his biggest claim to fame: instigator of the Fun Movement (or Fun Fizz) initiative which he started in 2001 and which still runs today. Tony was appointed Volunteering Co-ordinator in 2009 and this thriving section of the co-curricular at school owes much, if not everything, to Tony’s passion and enthusiasm. In addition to Fun Fizz with disabled children, the section also extends to visiting care homes and primary schools and to running computer courses for the elderly at School. The profile of Volunteering at Alleyn’s has increased exponentially over the years due to Tony’s commitment and vision. As if all of this wasn’t enough, Tony has been fully involved with sport at Alleyn’s over the years. He took cricket and football teams for many years and, in more recent years, he ran a Thai Chi class for the pupils.
As a teacher of Maths, Tony excelled. Whether it was teaching and turning around a disenchanted bottom Year 10 set or extending and captivating a Year 13 Further Maths class, Tony never disappointed. He was never that keen on schemes of work and his students quickly learned that they could easily encourage him to go off-piste with lesser known facts about mathematicians of old or obscure theorems. You could never accuse Tony of being a boring Maths teacher and his students loved him for it.
It is hardly surprising that, after 38 years at Alleyn’s, he is something of a School legend. He is held in such high esteem by the pupils that they wrote him into a Bear Pit production – 35000 decisions. Tony could have retired many years ago but he made no secret of the fact that teaching is his passion and he was is no hurry to leave a job that he loved. Even the mighty Bruni could not work forever, however, and having completed this most difficult of years, Tony decided that enough is enough and it was time to retire.
Tony is a family man. His loyalty to and pride in his family shines through when he talks of them and I have no doubt that a huge positive to his retiring is that he will be able to spend more time with them, including the most recent addition to the family; his third grandchild. He does not intend to sit around idly and he plans to do some volunteering work at St Christopher’s and a little part time teaching.
Alleyn’s will simply not be the same without Mr Bruni. He has been a rock in the Maths Department and an integral member of the staff team over the years. He will be hugely missed by students and staff and we send him on his way with our very best wishes.
Anne Poole, Head of Maths
CCF honour for Major Scott Benest
Congratulations to Major Scott Benest, Alleyn’s CCF Contingent Commander, who has been awarded the ‘Most Outstanding CCF Contingent Commander of the Year’ by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. After two Covidrelated cancellations the ceremony finally took place at Yeomanry House in Central London. The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and Ministry of Defence top brass.
This year the award reflected not only dedicated service to the Cadet Forces - and Major Benest can boast 21 years in total - but it is also awarded for leadership and resourcefulness during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using his e-learning experience, he was able to ensure the contingent remained connected, engaged and motivated during the various lockdown periods.
While Major Benest is rightly proud he is also thoughtful: ‘I am especially honoured that our very esteemed colleague, the late Colour Sergeant Kevin Granger, started the nomination process. His support and approval means a great deal to me.’
lleyn's In Partnership
Pupils and staff at Alleyn’s School engage in a range of outreach, community and partnership projects. Here’s some of our current projects:
Alleyn’s Summer School
Following the raising of funds during the pandemic by the whole Alleyn’s School community (including alumni), Alleyn’s embarked on delivering its very first Summer School to 44 families from eight different local state primary schools. The primary schools helped to identify families that they felt had had a difficult time during the pandemic and/or were classified as pupil premium. For five days pupils from Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 arrived at 8am for breakfast then had lessons in Science, Art, Design Technology, Mathematics, English, Music, Dance, Drama, PSCHE, swimming and first aid, as well as visiting talks from the Police and Fire Brigade! This was followed by sports activities each afternoon. Many members of our Junior School staff helped to teach the lessons throughout the week and our Year 12 students did an amazing job with volunteering and supporting the visiting pupils each day. One of the highlights of the week was the final afternoon presentation where all the pupils performed a dance and several songs, learned during the week, in front of parents.
Each pupil received a rucksack, packed full of school resources to help them get the academic year off to a good start as well as a family game and a £15 WHSmith voucher to buy a book.
Mr Green Assistant Head Co-Curricular & Partnerships in particular thanked alumna Zara Long (Brown’s 1989) who helped to coordinate the scheme and said: ‘This has been a brilliant scheme to offer to these families for free following the amazing fund-raising support from our parents and alumni. The aim of the Summer School was to provide every pupil (and family) with an engaging and positive educational experience to help gain confidence and enjoyment in learning so as to start the new school year positively. The visiting pupils were absolutely fantastic and there is no doubt that it has made a huge difference to all these families’.
Fume Cupboard Donation
Following the installation of new ‘built in’ fume cupboards, (used for experiments with noxious chemicals), the Science Department were able to donate their spare cupboard to Trinity Academy in Brixton. Trinity Head Teacher (and former Alleyn’s Senior Deputy Head), Antony Faccinello said: ‘A big thank you to Alleyn’s Science Department for the splendid fume cupboard; our Trinity Academy new Chemistry A level students are looking forward to putting it to good use.’
Making a mark with Maths
Saturday Maths Scheme
The Saturday Maths Scheme continues to flourish at Alleyn’s, with four tutors teaching 52 pupils from 12 local primary schools, with the help of Alleyn’s pupil mentors from Year 11. The sessions are aimed at Year 5 pupils who already demonstrate an aptitude for mathematics and provide exciting and educational tuition in an informal and inspiring environment which goes beyond the National Curriculum. Southwark Community Education Charity (SCEC) is a registered charity which for over 20 years has worked together with participating primary schools to offer selected children the chance to extend their skills in this way.
Meg, Alleyn’s Saturday Maths volunteer
Alleyn’s hosts Model United Nations
Alleyn’s Model United Nations 2021 (AMUN) marked the first in-person conference at Alleyn’s since the pandemic, bringing together over 100 delegates from six different schools, representing a total of 24 countries, including Alleyn’s, Dartford Grammar School, Dulwich College, Epsom College, Lingfield College, Royal Hospital School and St. Paul’s School.
The day began with our opening ceremony with a fascinating and inspiring talk from Dr Paul Chambers, a senior civil servant with significant experience of international climate policy. Rights Council, Special Political Committee, Historical Council and the World Health Organisation.
In a fictional crisis during the General Assembly, the lost city of Atlantis emerged from the ocean to threaten nuclear war and demand compensation for years of plastic pollution. This fictitious scenario was a welcome change of pace from some of the more serious aspects of Model UN and many speeches were made advocating international nuclear disarmament and the crisis linked well to a recurring theme of environmental action during the day! of China and the United Kingdom took home the prizes for Highly Commended and Best Delegation.
