News From Tonbridge, Autumn 2018

Autumn 2018

Pages 2 & 3

Headmaster Plastics Exam success Rocketry

Pages 4 & 5 Community Writing Music Maths

Pages 6 & 7 Sport Suffrage Drama Debating

Page 8

Pink Day Science

View from the top - Page 2

Headmaster sets out vision for school shadowing Novi (first year) boys in their lessons and activities at the beginning of term.

“It was a very special moment walking into the Chapel and seeing the boys assembled together for the first time. I love the strong sense of community here. This is particularly apparent in the Houses, which play such an important part in the boys’ lives.”

As a former Chairman of Portsmouth Festivities, a city-wide arts festival, James says he is thrilled to be at Tonbridge, a school associated with writers such as EM Forster and Vikram Seth, and with a fantastic reputation for the creative arts.

Tonbridge welcomed James Priory as its new Headmaster in August 2018.

James, who is married to Helen and has three children, was previously Headmaster of Portsmouth Grammar School. He read English at Lincoln College, Oxford, and started his teaching career at Bradford Grammar School before moving to Portsmouth, originally as Head of English.

“I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Tonbridge already. Everyone has been welcoming and it feels very exciting to be part of such a historic and dynamic school,” he said. James spent a day

Looking ahead, he is keen to see how the ‘supercurricular’ life of the school can be developed, to enable the boys to make exciting connections in their thinking and learning, and to prepare them for university and future careers.

James is also considering the ways in which the school can widen access, making it possible for more bright and talented boys to attend Tonbridge regardless of their family’s financial circumstances, thanks to the support of the Tonbridge Foundation.

He joins Tonbridge at an exciting time, with the new Science Centre due to open in January (see Page 8).

Tonbridge makes a stand against plastic pollution Tonbridge is bringing to an end the single use of bottles and cups across the school. By issuing all boys and staff with reusable, durable water bottles, as part of its drive to combat plastic waste, the school is playing its part in an international campaign against plastic pollution.

The bottles are easy to clean, dishwasher safe and suitable for classroom and exam room use. They can be re-filled at six state-of-the-art fountains around the school, which provide clean tap water, ready to drink.

The water fountains and bottles have been supplied by Join the Pipe, a Dutch organisation that sets up drinking water projects in poorer parts of the world.

Join the Pipe has decided that all profits from the UK market should fund water projects in Sri Lanka, and therefore Tonbridge’s new initiatives will

be directly benefitting Child Action Lanka, one of the school’s key partnerships.

Juliet Burnett, the school’s Community Action Manager, said: “Getting rid of single-use bottles was a natural first step. We take our social responsibilities seriously, both to our local community and to the wider world, and we are committed to reducing plastic waste.”

Exam success at GCSE and A-level Headmaster James Priory said: “Well done to the boys for a terrific set of results. It is exciting to consider their potential as they move in to the Sixth Form.”

There was also an extremely strong set of A-level results, with nearly two-thirds of all grades being A* or A, or their Pre-U equivalent. The ‘average’ set of results for a Tonbridge boy is A*AA.

Boys celebrate GCSE results with their families and the Headmaster.

Tonbridge boys recorded an outstanding set of GCSE grades this summer, achieving 91 per cent A* / A grades or equivalent, the school’s second highest performance in these exams. Sixty-five boys were each awarded at least nine A*s or equivalent grades, a record for the school; and for the fourth year in succession, the average award for a Tonbridge boy is 7 A*s and 3 As.

Some of the boys who achieved a ‘clean sweep’ of top A-level grades.

Novi team wins UK Youth Rocketry competition A second Tonbridge team, ‘PR Ltd’, which included Takuya Boehringer (FH2), Toby Harrison (WW2), Ben Gardner (CH2) and Thomas Masding (OH2), also took part in the finals.

Tonbridge team ‘Rocketon’ won the UK Youth Rocketry competition. The team, consisting of Freddie Lacey (PH1) and Cameron Dymond (OH1), were crowned winners after competing in the national finals, held in Buckminster, Grantham.

The competition challenges young people aged between 11 and 18 to design, build and launch model rockets.

Students combine practical experience with the chance to learn more about maths and science.

The winning boys proved they were the best at launching a rocket carrying a ‘cargo’ of two eggs into the air, to a height of 800 feet. They also received a £500 prize for the school.

Boys rise to the Aerospace Challenge Three Tonbridge boys have been named as winners of the Schools Aerospace Challenge 2018.

Matt Barker (PS5), Jasper Driessen (WH5) and Tommy Rochussen (SC5) participated in the final round of the competition, which was held at Cranfield University in the summer.

In order to qualify for the finals, entrants had to write a report detailing some innovative technologies that the RAF could use in the future.

As well as winning £1,000 for the school, the boys presented their ideas to the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff in an event at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Hundreds take part in Community Day Activities included archery, arts and crafts, various sports, photography, creative writing, dance, drama, digital creativity, language classes and music.

A total of 17 primary schools and community groups were looked after by the school’s first year boys, while the activities were run by sixth formers and school staff.

More than 600 primary school children tackled an exciting range of sporting, artistic and academic pursuits during the annual Community Day. This popular event, a key part of the school’s commitment to social responsibility, sees boys and staff working with the local community, inspiring all participants to enjoy themselves and to have a go at something new.

Fundraising weekend

The day ended in a Big Sing, with everyone joining together to learn and perform a song, under the guidance of internationally-acclaimed conductor Dominic Ellis-Peckham.

Prose Fiction entries impress author Entries to the school’s EM Forster Prose Fiction competition were judged by the award-winning writer and journalist Rob Cowen, author of the acclaimed nature book Common Ground.

Tonbridge’s first years slept rough in aid of a charity which supports homeless and vulnerable young people in Kent.

The event saw 137 Novi boys spending the night in a ‘cardboard city’ constructed in the school’s Quad, raising funds for Porchlight.

The sleepout was part of a magnificent fundraising weekend which saw more than £26,500 raised by boys and staff. Other events included a concert, a cycling challenge and a swimathon. Organisations which benefitted included the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Family Spirit Child Care Centre in Uganda, The Silas Pullen Fund and The Brain Tumour Charity.

The winner of the Novi competition was Leo Black (JH1) for his story Desolation. The gold prize in the Intermediate section was awarded to Colin Chow (Sc3) for The Art of War, while Angus Crawford (OH4) won top prize in the Senior competition for The Game. Nick Waywell, Head of English, said: “Many of the entries displayed great writing skill and the standard was extremely high. Our judge’s comments showed how impressed he was and how much he enjoyed reading these pieces.”

Musical innovation takes centre stage More than 270 Tonbridge boys took to the stage to perform during the school’s annual House Music Competition.

In an event which showcased musical innovation and creativity, boys from all 12 Houses played their own arrangements of classic songs by artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Arctic Monkeys. Each House did one amplified and one acoustic song, performing to a capacity crowd at the school’s EM Forster Theatre.

Whitworth were crowned winners of the House Music Cup, with Parkside runners-up.

Mark Forkgen, the school’s Director of Music, said: “The boys showed great imagination in coming up with their own interpretations of songs, and were not afraid to take risks and create bold new arrangements.”

Concerts culminate with Symphony Orchestra The depth of musical and vocal talent at the school was showcased in a series of autumn concerts.

The Green & Pleasant Land series, organised by the Music Department, was based on quintessentially English themes.The Chamber Choirs of students and solo singers gave a concert of ‘Secular Vocal Music’.The Tonbridge School Chapel Choir and Vocal Group then performed alongside students and staff from the school in an evening of ‘Organ and Sacred Choral Music’.

The final concert featured the Tonbridge School Symphony Orchestra performing William Walton’s Crown Imperial, described as an ‘ebullient overture’, and Vaughan Williams’ renowned Symphony No.5.

Manor’s mathematicians win House contest Manor House took the honours in the House Mathematics competition.

Now in its second year, the contest sees boys pitting their wits against each other as they tackle mathematical tasks. Most of the boys taking part were in Years 12 and 13, with a few Year 11 boys also competing.

A phenomenal performance by Manor House won the day, with its team managing to avoid dropping even a single mark throughout the evening.

Parkside came a very honourable second.

Hat-trick of cups for cricketers Sam’s Kent call-up

There was plenty of success for the school’s cricketers, who managed to bring home three top trophies in 2018.

The U15 cricket team, pictured above, won the ESCA (English Schools’ Cricket Association) National One Day Cup for the first time since 1979, beating Bedford School by 8 wickets in the final, played at Oakham School.

The school’s 1st XI won the Cowdrey Cup in June, having competed against strong opposition in Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Radley and Charterhouse throughout the season. The U14 side were crowned Kent champions, winning the Oliver Cup for the school for the third year running.

Sam Hadfield (FH2) capped a fine year by being selected for Kent Cricket’s Academy at the age of just 14. Sam, who is an all-rounder, will be receiving professional coaching in all aspects of the game, and will develop his technical, tactical, leadership and lifestyle skills during the next 12 months. He has already represented Kent’s second XI.

Smarden Bell success

The school’s U15 coach, Adam Sixsmith, said: “The boys have been absolutely fantastic, and this completes a wonderful season of school cricket at Tonbridge. Everyone in the team has played their part throughout the rounds and they fully deserve their success.”

Double honours!

Tonbridge won a competition featuring some of the leading golfing schools in Kent, Surrey and Sussex for a remarkable tenth time in the past 11 years. The school’s 1st team – including Tom Nicholls (WH5, captain), Calum Mackenzie (SH5), James Earl (JH4), Fergus Jacobs (MH4) and James Norris (JH4) – helped Tonbridge to claim the sought-after Smarden Bell trophy once more.

In addition, Fergus also won the ‘Little Bell’ prize for the best individual score (34 points) in the competition.

The school’s Swimming Club won two events at the Kent Schools’ Team Swimming Championships.

The club’s A-teams were victorious in both the senior 200m freestyle and 200m medley relay competitions.

Harry Bevan-Thomas (WH3) was awarded the Kent Cricket U15 George Pope Cup as player of the season and the Kent Cricket U15 Academy Prize as most valued player.

Women’s voices to the fore in festival

Deeds & Words, a celebration of women’s achievements in the 100 years since they were first given the vote, took place in the school’s EM Forster Theatre in October.

The three-day event brought together authors, politicians, scientists, campaigners and performers, with historian Lucy Worsley and broadcaster Jenni Murray among those taking part.

In addition to talks, panel discussions, poetry readings and workshops there was also a fascinating exhibition of suffragette material. The festival opened with Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, who reflected on the changes in the UK since the first women were enfranchised.

Pictured: From left, Lucy Worsley, Helen Pankhurst and Jenni Murray.

Drama’s dark tales

Junior Debating final

The latest Junior play, Stories in the Dark, told the story of a terrified 12-year-old boy, sensitively played by Kit Rawlins (WW2), who finds himself in a bombed-out house in a war-torn city. The set was a naturalistic tour de force complete with realistic explosions.

Two school teams went head to head in the Junior Debating Competition final. Boys from School House and Manor House came up with plenty of thoughtful arguments and well-reasoned ideas as they tackled the question of whether, as a superhero, they would use their powers solely in the service of the democratic state.

The Lower Sixth play, Never The Sinner, was thrillingly directed by Drama teacher Larry Thornbury. Based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb case, this was a darkly engaging, one-act piece that had the audience on the edge of their seats.

School House (opposition) emerged as the victors, claiming an impressive trophy, with Manor House (proposition) finishing as runners-up. The event took place in the Smythe Library gardens.

Pink Day supports cancer research

The school had a distinctly pink look on Friday 12 October to show its support for cancer charities.

Boys donned a variety of outrageous and eyecatching clothing, including onesies, leggings, wigs and bonnets for the school’s annual Pink Day. Teachers and support staff also joined in and sported pink attire in order to increase awareness of the disease, and raise funds both for Breast Cancer Now and for vital research into improving cancer survival rates for all.

More than £3,500 was raised, which beat the school’s previous record for this cause.

Barton Science Centre puts school at ‘cutting edge’ The school’s state-of-the-art Science Centre will be opening in January 2019.

Boys will have full use of the three-storey, fully equipped building when they return after the Christmas break. This new development will put Tonbridge at the cutting edge of school science and further stimulate boys’ aspirations for embarking on scientific careers.

It is being named after distinguished British organic chemist Sir Derek Barton, an Old Tonbridgian and a Nobel Prize winner. One of the most ambitious developments to happen on the campus since the first science building was constructed in 1887, the Science Centre will combine new classrooms and latest technology with many original architectural

features, and will include teaching areas for Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Central to the design is an atrium space for lectures, experiments and events. The building will also have areas for group work and private study, project rooms, a greenhouse and even a roof top garden.