The Frognal - Spring 2025

THE FROGNAL UCS NEWSLETTER – ISSUE MARCH 2025

Celebrating the events and achievements of the Spring Term at UCS Senior School.

Chess Success

Burying Your Brother in the Pavement

Spring Concert

London Basketball Champions

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“Exploration, brotherhood and emotions.”

Thomas, Lower Remove P PAAGGE E | | 2 2

Welcome to the Spring Term Edition of The Frognal

As Headmaster, it is lovely to contemplate the end of a school term filled with activity, opportunity and the pleasure of participation and achievement. This magazine will present events and successes from Spring Term while highlighting pupilled initiatives that enabled students to develop skills, share knowledge and benefit the community. We must value the ideas of our pupils, not just with a readiness to listen but with a positive, proactive response. For me, the essence of the pupil podcast and pupil publications stories here, is the fact of having listened to our pupils’ voices, then picked up and run with some wonderful ideas. A happy democratic school will prize authentic relationships.

Happiness and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive! Indeed, Old Gower and Nobel Prize winner Sir Roger Penrose once invented a mathematical ‘Penrose tiling’ system purely for fun; the original tiling sits in a Cambridge University library but its applications are wide-ranging. That’s one way of integrating happiness into the education system. Now, I write these notes during national Philosophy Fortnight and, according to the philosophical tradition, work carried out for a greater end or goal is inherently good – but the highest things are done for their own sake … ‘for fun’.

Hopefully this edition reveals something of the fun and happiness which enhance the learning experiences and outcomes at UCS. — Mark J. Beard, Headmaster

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HIGHLIGHTS

Lower School Highlights

Over the past three months, our Lower School pupils have worked hard and played even harder. In early March, we enjoyed a fabulous Ensembles Concert in the Great Hall, followed by an equally impressive Chamber Concert. At the end of term, it was wonderful to see so many Lower School pupils feature in the spectacular Spring Concert. The Trinity Showcase Evening in the Lund Theatre was also memorable, and the Lower School pupils showcased their confidence at the recent Dance Show evening, In Motion.

Our football and hockey teams have competed well throughout the term, and I enjoyed hearing about the achievements of several Rugby Sevens teams in recent tournaments. Congratulations to the Shell side on their triumph at the Habs tournament.

Each term in the Lower School has a theme, and this term’s focus was wellbeing. Throughout the term, pupils explored mental health and PA G E

wellbeing across various subjects. Discussing this theme has allowed pupils and colleagues to raise the profile of mental health and explore cross-curricular links.

This term also saw the return of the Peer Education Project. Over five weeks, Entry pupils received a weekly lesson on mental health from members of the Transitus. These students had undergone a rigorous training programme during the autumn, and the lessons I observed were excellent: creative, inventive and informative. Our Entry pupils benefited from having these topics discussed with older students, as they could talk openly about several very important issues. The Wellbeing Symposium in February gave Shell pupils the opportunity to research and present their ideas about wellbeing. Research topics varied from “the effect of sleep on wellbeing” to “how adventure can impact wellbeing”. The quality of the pupils’ presentations was indeed |

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HIGHLIGHTS

very high. Voluntary work can also impact on wellbeing, and two groups of Shell undertook several conservation projects on Hampstead Heath during this term. It was a pleasure to see the sheer enthusiasm of the boys as they worked on the various projects, and I was also delighted by the approach of two Shell groups to the Pre-Prep Reading activity, which happens every Tuesday lunchtime.

In February, we partnered with South Hampstead High School for the third Pupil Champion Course, where Shell pupils collaborated to examine the roles of humility, vulnerability, and empathy in today’s society. They examined a number of scenarios and discussed allyship together.

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The course was led by teachers from both schools, alongside UCS pupils from Remove, whose contributions were impressively insightful despite being only two years older than those attending the course.

In March, we launched the Headmaster’s Lower School Award and the Young Leaders Award to the Entry year group. They will have the next 12 months to complete these two awards, and I am delighted with their initial response to these projects. Miss Ahilan and I are looking forward to seeing how they progress through each. I now wish the Lower School pupils and their families a restful holiday and look forward to seeing the boys return ready for action in April.

— Contributions by E. Roberts

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HIGHLIGHTS

Middle School Highlights

mentors, and in the last two weeks, we have seen the Middle School Play (Burying your Brother in the Pavement), a Chamber Concert, an Ensembles Concert and the Spring Concert. This is not to mention all the sports fixtures, including a 1st XI football cup semifinal with Middle School representation and a winning rugby sevens team. The Remove will shortly consider their options for their Sixth Form Taster day when they have the chance to live like a Sixth Form student for the day; with talks on Sixth Form life and universities, Sixth-style lessons followed by a careers fair in the afternoon, this is a great chance to think about opportunities that lie down the line.

Fresh from Dr Salvatori’s excellent and stretching Enrichment Talk to some 30 Lower Remove pupils, it strikes me that Middle School pupils are increasingly identifying opportunities at school and widening their interests and development with growing maturity. Those attending the talk will compete in the Lower Remove Writing Competition, and accompanying this are academic lunches with senior pupils and staff for further exploration of challenging ideas.

There have been several other Junior Morris Lectures in support of this impressive programme. Many Remove boys have started to visit the Junior Branch as Maths

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HIGHLIGHTS

contributed well through their Form Reps. to The Middle School Council and everyone will notice some changes as a result of a number of items that we discussed.

will have their end-of-year assessments next term. And, of course, our Upper Remove will embark on their GCSEs proper a few weeks into the Summer Term. Busy, productive and opportunistic describes this fantastic Spring Term. Good luck to all with their upcoming challenges.

Lower Remove have now selected their GCSE Options and, along with Remove,

— Contributions by S. FitzGerald

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HIGHLIGHTS

Sixth Form Highlights

The Spring Term for UCS Sixth Form has been filled with achievements, creativity, and forward-looking ambition. Entrepreneurial spirit flourished through the Young Enterprise programme, where an exceptionally committed group of students developed and marketed their own products. Over the next month, they will compete in Young Enterprise markets and events, demonstrating impressive business acumen and innovation. Meanwhile, and completely differently, the Peer Education Project saw dedicated students, having undergone rigorous training, deliver essential lessons on mental health and wellbeing to the Entry.

Their work has been marked by compassion and sensitivity, helping to foster a culture of awareness and support within the school.

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Another standout moment was the International Women’s Day concert, a stunning showcase of Transitus and Sixth musical talent. A group of gifted musicians and singer-songwriters performed pieces celebrating women in the arts, captivating the audience with their brilliant voices, musicianship, and artistry.

Academic success has also been a highlight this term, with students from Sixth receiving offers from Oxford and Cambridge in subjects such as Computer Science, Archaeology and Anthropology, History, Music, and English.

These achievements, alongside offers for competitive courses across the UK– including Economics, Engineering, and Medicine–are a testament to their dedication. Their hard work has paid off, and they should take pride in these remarkable accomplishments.

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HIGHLIGHTS

For the Transitus, thoughts turned to considering life beyond A Levels, and the Beyond UCS information evening provided an invaluable starting point. Designed to inspire and inform, the evening laid the groundwork for research and discussions about Higher Education and future pathways.

professionals from medicine and related fields shared their insights and advice.

Students from Transitus and Sixth had the chance to engage with experts, gaining a deeper understanding of potential careers in healthcare. Another vibrant and diverse term of opportunity for the Transitus and Sixth.

Similarly, the Careers Department hosted a Healthcare networking event, where

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— Contributions by R. Baxter

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UCS NEWS

Giving Day How can you help?

Make a Gift — Every donation, big or small, helps to create lifechanging opportunities. Consider making an early gift to build momentum ahead of the day.

We are thrilled to announce our first-ever Giving Day! This 24hour event unites parents, pupils, Old Gowers, and staff to raise vital funds for the Bursary Award programme. The programme transforms lives by providing talented young people, regardless of financial background, with the opportunity to benefit from a UCS education.

What will happen during Giving Day? • 12 pm, 30th June

Kick-Off! A live-streamed launch with music and activities starts the challenge.

• 30 June—1st July

24-Hour Marathon Pupils, staff, and parents take part in sponsored activities—sports, performances, and more!

• Morning, 1st July

Final Push! Pupils rally to boost donations in the final hours.

• 12 pm, 1st July

Grand Finale! The Headmaster leads the last activity.

Join the Giving Day Parent Committee — Help spread the word, rally support, and encourage participation in the lead-up to Giving Day. Whether you’d like to assist with outreach, secure matched funding, or share ideas, we’d love your involvement. Email development@ucs.org.uk to express your interest.

Offer a Matching Gift, Sponsorship or Challenge — If you or your business would like to provide a matching donation or set up a giving challenge, this can inspire even more support.

We are also seeking sponsors for the event day. Contact us at development@ucs.org.uk to find out more!

• 1 pm – 1st July

Pupil Celebration! A festival with stalls, food, and games.

• 4:30 pm – 1st July

Evening Event Parents and pupils enjoy music, food, and fun.

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— Contributions by E. Pickering

UCS NEWS

Young Leaders Award

“I am doing the YLA, it is amazing.

Pupils participating in the Young Leaders Award have been actively developing their leadership skills through a dedicated course covering three key modules: communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making.

I have learned to work with people that I don’t usually work with or know well. It has expanded my

understanding of what leadership

As part of their journey, they have taken on three leadership challenges, including creating an informative video for Entry pupils and organising exciting Community Action initiatives such as hot chocolate sales, a lucky dip, a FIFA tournament, and a movie screening.

means and how to do it properly. I

love team discussions and debates – I would definitely recommend it to

people who want to learn what true leadership means and how to work

with other people to utilise what they

Currently, they are working on their next fundraising challenge for Heath Hands, which includes a raffle, a park run, and a book sale.

Along the way, they’ve developed teamwork, problem-solving, and organisational skills, and it’s great to see their hard work making a real impact in the community.

can do individually.”

Theo, Shell

— Contributions by T. Ahilan PA G E

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UCS NEWS

Chess Champions

It has been an incredible season for the school chess team! After months of dedication and tough competition, we have qualified for the national finals in all three major school tournaments: the Junior Team Chess Challenge, the British Team Chess Challenge, and the Team Chess Challenge. This is a big moment for us, as last year we only reached the national stage in one of the tournaments, where we won a runner-up board.

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This year, our A team delivered a standout performance at the regional qualifiers for the British Team Chess Challenge at Harrow School, remaining completely unbeaten. With excitement building, we are preparing to travel to Nottingham, ready to take on the best teams in the country and aim even higher!

— Contributions by K. Nizharadze |

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UCS NEWS

Culture Week

Culture Week culminated on Friday 7th February, which saw spirited participation in the best-dressed showcase, vibrant pupil recommendations of food, music and films from across the world, moving multilingual pupil testimonies on their cultural heritage and a (literally) sparkling representation of the breadth of UCS’s global community on a giant world map in the Great Hall. Activities over lunch included a demanding chopstick challenge, and an enriching flags quiz. The Modern Languages pronunciation contest and national animals quiz further encouraged our pupils’ competitive liveliness. But beyond the festivities, this celebration of diversity deepened our understanding and appreciation of our school community’s rich cultural backgrounds.

— Contributions by J. Lewis

A vibrant spirit of exploration swept through UCS this term, most notably during Culture Week. Pupils embraced the opportunity to showcase their heritage, transforming the Great Hall into a spectacle of global representation.

Clubs and societies celebrated cultural exploration and diversity over the course of the week, with Dungeons & Dragons Club exploring cultural world-building, Japanese Club demonstrating kimono traditions and hosting an origami workshop, and Music Society exploring Klezmer music and Chinese music, and many more fascinating topics besides. And we can’t forget about the movie showing and pizza afternoon hosted by the Modern Foreign Languages Department.

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UCS NEWS

Meet the Staff Podcast

with some questions and a microphone, or in our case, just our phones. There has been a lot of hard work and homework put into this project, coming a long way to where it is now. When we meet the teachers, we start with questions, but the conversations often take unexpected turns – some funny, some sensitive. We have loved every bit of it. It is fascinating to hear the stories and lives of those we interact with for most parts of the day, whilst also expanding our knowledge and understanding of media and production.

The Meet the Staff podcast has been a passion project for Shaurya and me. Over the last couple of years, we have been interviewing teachers about their lives in and around daily school life. To date, we have interviewed over 45 teachers in the school, editing and creating numerous podcasts for Enrichment Weeks and specific subjects. The podcast started after a phone call in the summer of 2023 that went as follows: “Hey, Dylan, I was thinking about a cool school project we could do. What do you think about making a podcast?” “That’s such a great idea! It could work like this...” And so, after two hours of discussion, the podcast was born. It all began

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— Contributions by Dylan & Shaurya, Remove

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UCS NEWS

Pupil-Powered Publications

Pupil-led subject publications and bulletins are a big feature of academic life in school and offer invaluable opportunities for our pupils to develop critical academic and transferable skills while deepening their engagement with their subjects. We are proud of such contributions as Eco Review, Interlingua, UCS Politics Journal, the AI Bulletin, Bocca Magazine (Classics and History of Art), the Economics Journal, Brainwaves (the Psychology publication) and the UCS Computer Science magazine, Cryptic.

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A good range of these can be found on MySchoolPortal (/Parent Information/ Academic). These initiatives encourage intellectual curiosity and independent thinking as pupils explore topics beyond the curriculum, often engaging with contemporary debates and original perspectives, contributing to a culture of scholarship within the school. Each and every publication is also a fascinating and insightful read!

— Contributions by T. Underwood

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UCS NEWS

Young Enterprise Successful Sale at Brent Cross Shopping Centre

Greenwood in Transitus. During their time at Brent Cross, the students gained valuable experience in sales, learning how to confidently approach passers-by and spark interest by engaging in conversation.

On Sunday 16th March, our Young Enterprise team, Toucan, had a successful afternoon showcasing their product at Brent Cross shopping centre. Their innovative, environmentally sustainable jogging trousers—made from recycled polyester— promote eco-friendly fashion and raise awareness of endangered species, such as the toucan. To further engage their audience, the team has also developed a marketing app featuring a game coded by our own Simon

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Toucan’s next challenge is presenting their work at the Company of the Year Competition on Monday 24th March, marking an exciting step forward in their Young Enterprise journey.

— Contributions by N. Salvatori |

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UCS NEWS

Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Finalist

This photo was taken at North Fambridge, I have only observed a Cuckoo well once, and in Essex, and is of a juvenile Cuckoo fed by a that was distantly through my scope. I spent Dunnock. GPS 51.642100,0.681200. I have been over two hours waiting for the bird to come into observing birds and other wildlife for the last 9 better positions, so I did not miss the moment. years, a passion of mine since I was in nursery. The experience of a juvenile Cuckoo being fed Visiting local sites every weekend, and more by its foster parent was something I have always recently, photographing and monitoring the wanted to see, and it was a real treat to have even wildlife I connect with. I had embarked on a witnessed this sight, as it is something only very trip to North Fambridge with my dad to see rarely observed in close-quarters this well. some scarce waders, but in fact, the highlight of the day was right at the very end, back where I started by the car park.

— Contributions by Milo, Entry PA G E

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UCS NEWS

Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year Award Joseph, Upper Remove excelled at the Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year Competition, securing second place amidst fierce competition. His captivating 15-minute recital, featuring Yoshimine’s ‘Mudai’ and Vivaldi’s ‘Recorder Concerto’, impressed the professional adjudicators, who praised the exceptionally high standard of his performance and that of all the competitors.

Joseph’s achievement of second place has earned him a substantial prize, with which he plans to invest in a Venetian-designed Ganassi recorder from the 17th century, enriching his repertoire of early music.

— Contributions by C. Dawes

Art History Articulation Prize 2025 Eli, Transitus, captivated the Articulation Prize 2025 audience with a thought-provoking presentation.

His bold exploration of Matisse, placing the artist’s work within a colonial context, garnered significant acclaim. Dr. Susan Foister praised Eli’s ability to challenge perceptions, highlighting his insightful analysis of both formal qualities and historical implications. This impressive presentation earned Eli a warm welcome into the Articulation Alumni network. We eagerly anticipate his participation in future Prize events.

— Contributions by S. Davis PA G E

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UCS NEWS

Duke of Edinburgh Award Spring at Frognal was accompanied, this year as before, by the rustle of tent canvas and the tinkle of trangias in the car park, as Bronze, Silver and Gold cohorts assembled for their preparation and training. Pupils have been working through map-reading riddles, how to pack a rucksack, and the most appropriate times to remove a tick. Diet took on a real focus this year: what to pack for the longer treks, and how best to keep up a variety of menus beyond UberEats. Thank you to Pioneer for such an excellent briefing and practical advice.

Watch this space as the three UCS cohorts transfer their learning to the mountains, valleys and hills!

— Contributions by A. Mee

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UCS NEWS

Careers in Healthcare

UCS Sixth Form Centre hosted a ‘Careers in Healthcare’ networking event, drawing an impressive panel of professionals. The evening provided invaluable insights for UCS and our partner schools’ Sixth Form students exploring career pathways in healthcare and related sectors.

The event was made even more meaningful by the participation of Old Gowers, parents, and friends of UCS, who generously shared their knowledge and experiences. Panellists

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included Tim Lockie, Head of Cardio at the Royal Free Hospital; Jacob Haddad, Co-founder of Accurx; and Jem Rashbass, Chief Executive and Medical Director at Health Data Insight C.I.C. These experts offered career advice, guidance, and valuable connections in a diverse and rapidly evolving industry.

This event is part of a broader UCS initiative this year, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the healthcare sector. It aims to introduce pupils, alumni, and parents to

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UCS NEWS

Careers in Healthcare

The event aims to introduce pupils, alumni, and parents to new professionals and career possibilities to explore. The next event in this series is exclusive to Old Gowers and current UCS parents, and will be hosted at a health tech company in Shoreditch.

new professionals and career possibilities to explore. The next event in this series is exclusive to Old Gowers and current UCS parents, and will be hosted at a health tech company in Shoreditch.

Elana Dwek, UCS’s Head of Community Engagement, emphasised the event’s success: “The cohesion within our community was evident at the event, helping to foster essential connections. It’s inspiring to see how our Old Gowers, parents, and friends are so dedicated to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. Events like these provide students with real-world insights into the various paths available, offering bespoke and comprehensive support that helps them build a solid foundation for their professional journey.”

— Contributions by N. Salvatori & E Dwek PA G E

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UCS NEWS

Enrichment Weeks

This term’s programme of Enrichment Weeks commenced with a deep dive into Philosophy, Politics, Economics and History. Highlights included the Meet the Staff podcast, which fostered insightful dialogues, as well as a compelling guest lecture from Rohan Pai on life in the Civil Service. Pupils also grappled with profound philosophical concepts in a seminar on the Buddhist notion of no-self, sparking critical thought.

perspective. Esteemed guest lectures from Prof. Nick Lane (UCL) on cellular life and Dr Jessica Wade (Imperial) on chiral materials and quantum technologies provided cutting-edge insights.

Concluding the term, Art History, Geography, PE and Psychology converged in a week of diverse intellectual pursuits. An Old Gower talk explored the complexities of psychosis, while a spirited Geoguesser competition pitted Shell against Upper Remove. Finally, a guest speaker shared the realities of a professional footballer’s life, offering a glimpse into the dedication and challenges of elite sports.

The subsequent STEM Enrichment Week ignited a passion for scientific exploration.

Students engaged in hands-on activities, from mastering suturing techniques to a captivating slime-making workshop. A spectacular pyro show dazzled audiences, while a squid dissection offered a unique biological

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— Contributions by X. Pollock & S. Davis

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UCS NEWS

Enrichment Weeks

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UCS NEWS

Deme Competitions

We have enjoyed a rich and exciting Spring Term of co-curricular endeavour. Following a lively start to the year in the Autumn Term, pupils have continued to engage in the life of UCS beyond the classroom with vigour and enthusiasm, as one might expect.

soft skills like communication, empathy, and leadership.

As it is the sport of the term, football unsurprisingly took centre-stage with competitions between Demes in every year group from the Lower Remove to the Sixth.

Perhaps winning a Deme Football tournament is more tantalising than even beating Highgate… who knows?! At the time of writing, many of these are yet to be played, but I am looking forward to announcing the winners in the endof-term assembly at the end of March.

We enjoyed competition between Demes in Football, Basketball, Fives, Netball, and even Chemistry! This really shows the range of the provision and the multi-faceted talents of UCS pupils who relish the opportunity to represent their Demes and further their skills, not just in the sport or skill at hand but also in developing

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— Contributions by S. Hawkins |

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UCS NEWS

Lower School House Competitions House competitions within the Lower School are a significant feature of the Spring Term. Frequently they offer Entry and Shell pupils the chance to work together in teams, and the House Captains in the Shell help to lead their teams and ensure as many pupils are involved as possible. The range of competitions is remarkable.

competition, points are awarded to each House and the House with the most points at the end of the Summer Term are crowned champions. Over the last three years, Kendall, Seacole and Macarthur have all had their hands on the trophy but this year could see a new winner engraved on the cup.

Over the last three months, they have included: Swimming, Basketball, Maths, Pancake Flipping, Engineering, General Knowledge, Football, Hockey, Fives, Chess, Lego, and Taskmaster. After each

The battle for the top place is tighter than it has ever been. Bonington are currently in the lead but it is so tight that any of the five Houses could seal the title.

— Contributions by E. Roberts

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UCS NEWS

Spotlighting Clubs

The co-curricular life of UCS remains healthy, engaging and full of ways in which our pupils can demonstrate and develop their eclectic range of skills. This term, pupils have set up new clubs including an Acapella group and a Middle Eastern and Asian History Society. I look forward to seeing these, and the existing list of wonderful clubs and societies, continue to grow.

clubs. It focuses on well-being and making friends.

I am delighted to say that Khadija and Sneh have now passed their club patronage onto Sara and Nika in the Transitus, who will keep the club going from next year. All four of these pupils visited the Royal Free Hospital last week to donate over 100 items made by the club, which will be sold at their charity shop and gifted to babies and their families who are receiving medical care in the neonatal unit.

The Charity Crochet Club, a popular club set up in the last two years by Sixth Formers Khadija and Sneh, has grown from strength to strength and is now one of our most popular

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— Contributions by S. Hawkins

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UCS NEWS

Spotlighting Clubs

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UCS NEWS

MUN and Debating

Simon Lee, Lower School pupils and easily the youngest team participating, almost broke through to the international round in their first year of trying.

Debating and Model United Nations have had a very successful year to date, winning no fewer than six prizes across two competitions (Latymer and St Paul’s MUN). Elsewhere, we fielded two teams at the Oxford Schools’ competition and two at Harrow’s Nehru Cup.

Finally, congratulations to Evans on winning the Deme Debating competition; the Lower School Houses will compete next term.

UCS nearly caused an upset at the National Round of the International Competition for Young Debaters, where Baer Bolton-Smith and

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— Contributions by X. Pollock

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UCS TRIPS

Transitus Trip to CERN

From 13th to 15th December, 28 Sixth physics students visited Geneva for an unforgettable visit to CERN, the world’s biggest particle physics research center (and biggest experiment!).

The day ended with a stroll by the lake and a visit to Geneva’s picturesque Christmas markets.

On Sunday, the students visited the History of Science Museum, a beautiful 19thSaturday saw the students travel through century building overlooking the lake. They snowy, Christmassy Geneva to reach explored fascinating exhibitions and handsCERN. They visited the Antimatter Factory, on activities, connecting historical scientific where they explored the challenges and progress to CERN’s modern advancements. breakthroughs of antimatter research, followed In the afternoon, they enjoyed free time in by a tour of the Data Analysis Centre, which Geneva, witnessing L’Escalade. The students processes the vast amounts of information demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity, and a generated by the Large Hadron Collider. After genuine passion for physics, making the trip lunch, the group explored the permanent an unforgettable experience for all involved. exhibitions and attended The Proton Express.

— Contributions by N. Salvatori

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UCS TRIPS

Transitus History of Art Trip to the National Gallery

History of Art BIOS has taken place every Friday for the last term and has undertaken multiple trips to the National Gallery in order to study the birth and evolution of Impressionism, the difference between Venetian and Florentine, and to informally accuse record breaking works of art of being of questionable provenance.

Personally my highlight of these trips has been spending nearly half an hour stood in-front of Rubens’ Samson and Delilah (bought for a record price in 1980) and Mr Mee drawing a crowd of around 30 with his loud exclamations that the piece was most definitely a copy and a not very good one at that. Friday History of Art BIOS has brought a lot of joy and I would like to thank Mr Mee on behalf of everyone involved for organising these wonderful trips.

— Contributions by Kester, Transitus

PE Trip to Wembley Stadium In late February, the girls’ football team attended the England Lionesses’ match against Spain at Wembley during the UEFA Women’s Nations League, where England won 1-0.

The atmosphere was incredible, and seeing women’s sports celebrated at such a prestigious venue, paired with the exciting football, was an unforgettable experience!

— Contributions by Eden and Sophia, Transitus PA G E

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UCS TRIPS

Classics Trip to Aristophanes’ Frogs

UCS Classicists attended UCL’s performance of Aristophanes’ Greek comedy, The Frogs. In a pre-show talk by Professor Rosie Wyles, we learned about the many types of comedy on display in the play, from creative metaphors to scatalogical humour to sociopolitical satire.

The show itself was full of hilarity as the Greek god Dionysus descended to the underworld in search of better tragic poetry,

accompanied by his trusty – though not always obedient – slave Xanthias. With riotous cameos from Heracles, Pluto, Xanthias’ ex-girlfriends, the initiates of the Eleusinian Mysteries, and of course the frogs of the title, the play demonstrated the remarkable vitality of ancient humour in the modern world.

— Contributions by J. Glueck

Psychology Freud Museum A lovely stroll down the hill for a fascinating look at Freud’s home in London, and some insight into his life as a family man. Transitus Psychology pupils hugely enjoyed this local trip, and considered the issue of Alpha bias in Freud’s approach.

— Contributions by C. Hawes

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Middle School Production: Burying Your Brother in the Pavement

In March, a cast of over twenty Middle School pupils took to the stage for a well-received production of Burying Your Brother in the Pavement by Jack Thorne. The play explores themes of grief, family, and identity, presenting complex material that the cast handled with maturity and care.

Over three performances, the production struck a balance between the play’s emotional depth and sharp humour. The cast delivered strong individual performances alongside committed

ensemble work, ensuring a dynamic and engaging presentation.

The show also featured an original score composed by one of the pupils, adding a unique element to the production. With its thoughtful performances and wellexecuted staging, Burying Your Brother in the Pavement was a successful and memorable production, demonstrating the dedication and talent of Middle School pupils.

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— Contributions by C. Abbott

TERM HIGHLIGHTS

“The best part of the process are the Sunday rehearsals because it is nice to work on a show with your friends and Sunday rehearsals give you more time to prepare the show.”

Alex, Lower Remove

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Trinity Showcase

January was a busy month for our Trinity Acting pupils, with 100 students performing their examination pieces for a visiting examiner. The following week, they took to the stage once again for the annual Trinity Showcase, performing to a full audience in the Lund Theatre.

This year’s showcase featured a range of contemporary duologues from plays such as The Pillowman, Dealer’s Choice,

and DNA, highlighting the talent and versatility of the performers.

Lower School pupils also demonstrated their creativity by presenting original mini-plays, showcasing their devising skills. The event provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to share their work beyond the exam setting, delivering a confident and engaging evening of theatre.

— Contributions by C. Abbot

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

In Motion

The school’s third annual dance show took place in March, marking its most ambitious production yet. Featuring over 40 dancers from across the Senior School, along with an exceptional performance from Junior Branch pupils, the event highlighted the growing popularity of dance within the school community.

inclusion, with standout pieces including a fusion of hip-hop and Bhangra, a showcase of work from the GCSE Dance cohort, and the Lower School’s hip-hop and street dance performances.

In Motion was a vibrant and dynamic evening, celebrating the creativity, skill, and dedication of the school’s dancers.

This year’s inter-foundation performance explored the theme of diversity and

— Contributions by C. Abbot AG P AP G E E | | 3 53 5

TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Spring Concert

The Spring Concert, the penultimate musical event of this term, was a wonderful evening for which our young musicians should be very proud. Concert Band opened with James Horner’s ‘The Perfect Storm’, playing with finesse but also considerable power in rousing refrains of ‘Eternal Father’. Scott Watson’s ‘Extraordinary Machines’ proved a tour de force for the seven-strong percussion section.

The Chamber Orchestra then contributed a moving performance of Barber’s Adagio followed by a stylish rendition of Respighi’s ‘Ancient Airs and Dances’. Senior Jazz closed the first half. Carol King’s ‘You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman’ featured

soulful vocals from Eden Marks and Gordon Goodwin’s Mueva Los Huesos was graced by outstanding piano playing from Joseph Kouyoumjian.

The second half saw two magnificent concerto performances from leaving Sixth Musicians.

Finn Kjaergaard proved the ideal advocate for Prokofiev’s scintillating Violin Concerto No 1 and negotiated the challenging pyrotechnics and mercurial mood changes with aplomb.

Yasmin Campbell excelled in Saint-Saëns’ Cellon Concerto No 1, projecting with a rich, rounded sound, and impressive authority. The UCS Symphony Orchestra proved sensitive and responsive accompanists throughout.

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— Contributions by C. Dawe

TERM HIGHLIGHTS

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

International Women’s Day Concert

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Ensembles Concert The Ensembles Concert was a celebration of the diversity of UCS music-making, featuring over a hundred pupils and ten groups that covered the full spectrum of instrumental colours. The 35-strong String Orchestra filled the Great Hall with the sumptuous tone of ‘Trepak’ from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, whilst the massed forces of Big Band packed a considerable punch in ‘Makin’ Whoopee’.

Flute Group, incorporating both alto and bass instruments, impressed with their beauty and depth of sound, while the 14 members of Guitar Ensemble achieved remarkable precision and unanimity.

The Saxophone Sextet had audience feet tapping in Dizzy Gillespie’s Manteca, and Percussion Ensemble’s hugely entertaining rendition of Leroy Anderson’s ‘The Typewriter’ featured an actual typewriter!

Jazz Ensemble closed proceedings with a stunning rendition of Freddie Hubbard’s ‘Latina’.

The quality of the music-making was a tribute to the dedication of Ensemble Directors and the talent and endeavour of UCS musicians right across the school.

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— Contributions by C. Dawe

TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Art Exhibition Disrupt

The Transitus Art Exhibition in the Lund Gallery has been a vibrant showcase of creativity. It features a diverse multimedia collection of ceramics, illustrations, paintings, and sculptures. Each piece reflects the pupils’ commitment, experimentation, and technical skill throughout the progress tests.

Their investigations ranged from exploring liminal spaces through digital photography and installation to challenging perceptions of livestock in painting and exploring the visual connection between anatomy and nature through metal sculpture.

The exhibition highlights their ability to refine ideas and artistic processes, resulting in a visually compelling and impactful display.

At the start of the academic year, they were given the theme Disrupt, which inspired them to explore contemporary artists and their processes to shape their final outcomes.

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— Contributions by K Allen

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PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY

Celebrating Partnerships

The UCS Partnerships Team had a vibrant and engaging Spring Term, hosting a range of enriching events that brought together UCS and partner school students.

Over 400 pupils participated in initiatives designed to foster collaboration and learning across our partnership network.

Highlights ranged from Maths/Literacy mentoring workshops and the Art Pen Pals project with our Primary School partners, to A-Level Physics practicals in collaboration with Michaela School. The Middle School welcomed LAE Stratford pupils to their production of Burying Your Brother in the Pavement.

The UCS Enrichment Programme expanded to include partner schools in our insightful career talks. These initiatives continue to strengthen community bonds, inspire creativity, and offer invaluable learning experiences to our entire community.

— Contributions by M. Sammon PA G E

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PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY

French Debating at LAE

We were delighted to visit LAE, Stratford for a Year 12 French debating competition. The motions for the debates were drawn from the AQA French A Level syllabus, which both schools use. One debate centred on whether civic service should be made compulsory, while the other questioned whether material or immaterial cultural heritage is more important. Students prepared both sides of each debate ahead of time, and so were in a good position to pick holes in each other’s arguments, which led to a lively and in-depth debate.

debating skills, improving their spoken French, and consolidating their knowledge of the A Level topics ahead of end-of-year exams. By interacting with peers who had studied the topics in a different school context, students were able to examine those themes through new lenses.

Both sets of pupils gained a tremendous amount from the event, sharpening their

— Contributions by B. Timson PA G E

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SPORT

Cross Country: UCS Runners Race to Glory

It was fantastic to see the hard work pay off for our senior runners at the London Schools Cross Country Championships at Wormwood Park. Tom C and Joe H have been committed UCS runners for many years and thoroughly deserve their place at the National Finals later this year.

The senior runners are outstanding ambassadors of the UCS Sporting values; hard work, Team first, and always improving. We were equally delighted with our younger runners who stepped up to perform in these very competitive age groups with over 40 schools.

— Contributions by E Sawtell

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Netball UCS netball teams have played in a range of fixtures this term, including the inaugural Old Gower Tournament, the Sisters n Sport Tournament (where the 2nd team progressed to the final eight of the Vase Competition), and Beat the Firsts as part of Community Action — where in the sport of fundraising for charity, no one managed to ‘Beat the Firsts!’.

The teams also played friendlies against many local and further afield teams, Mixed Deme Netball, and most recently against the Staff team where the Pupils took the lead in dramatic style with a last-minute score securing a 13-12 win.

— Contributions by C. Hawes

Hockey

The 2024–25 Hockey season has seen a new high for UCS in terms of total participation of pupils in teams, and also the total number of fixtures, with over 200 players and 90 fixtures.

We have had teams from the 1st XI all the way down to the Under-12Ds play fixtures against other schools, and in the Junior Branch both the U11A team and the U10A side played in the London Schools Hockey tournaments for the first time with the U10s winning gold!

Special congratulations are in order for Luca Knorr, the 1st XI captain, who has played a total of 42 matches for the 1st XI from his debut in Lower Remove to Sixth, a record for UCS hockey.

— Contributions by J. Hillyer PA G E

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SPORT

Basketball

The Ringers have returned with renewed conviction and determination. Led by a new head coach, the team raised intensity levels and defensive prowess to the next level, starting off strong with an undefeated streak of 9-0.

Captains Adam Hoff and Sam Wang guided the team through games that were both mentally and physically tough, making sure the whole team was absorbed in practise, developing into a mature side, covering

all bases of basketball: defense, offense and everything in between.

Thanks to an incredible overall game by the team and a mind-blowing three-point shot by Koru Ayan with three seconds left, UCS are crowned champions of the London Independant Schools Basketball Association for the first time since 2019. We have worked hard to improve the achievements and reputation of basketball at UCS; we hope this success is passed down into the next generation of Ringers.

— Contributions by Adam and Sam, Transitus

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SPORT

Rugby Sevens

The U13s emerged triumphant, claiming the championship at the Habs Tournament.

It has been another busy and successful season for UCS Sevens sides. The start of term was severely impacted by poor weather, with a number of tournaments unfortunately cancelled. The outstanding team has been the U13s, who were crowned champions at the Habs Tournament.

Other notable performances include the U15’s finishing runners-up in the Merchant Taylors Tournament before placing third in the Middlesex Festival. The U12s also finished third in the Middlesex Festival before losing out in the semifinal at the Habs Tournament. The U16s finished second in their pool at the QEB Tournament before narrowly missing out to St Albans in the semi-final.

We now eagerly look forward to the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, with various UCS teams competing.

— Contributions by D. Brown

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SPORT

Football

The UCS Football programme provided pupils with an eventful and competitive season, during which pupils demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and determination on the field.

The 2nd XI also displayed an incredible attitude in the London Independent Schools Cup, reaching the semi-final v Hampton School and narrowly losing 2-1 – a season campaign that everyone in the squad should be very proud of, following wins over ACS Cobham and RGS Guildford in the earlier rounds of the competition.

Despite the challenges faced with the weather, an incredible number of almost 600 pupils opted for football this Spring Term, making the competition for places very high.

Overall, this was an inspiring season filled with memorable moments, growth, and lessons learned. The dedication of the players, teachers, ground and catering staff played a vital role in making this season a success. With continued hard work and commitment, the future looks bright for UCS football.

A highlight of the season for the 1st XI Football Team was reaching the Semi-Final of the Middlesex County Cup, only to be knocked out on penalties after displaying a solid performance in normal time. Adding to the season’s successes, Alfie in Remove became the youngest boy to ever represent the senior team, and the team secured a thrilling 1-0 victory against formidable rivals Highgate in the last game of the season.

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The 1st XI Football Team achieved a commendable Semi-Final berth in the Middlesex County Cup, marking a significant milestone in their season.

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Football

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Master at Arms College. The Championship was a three-day event, with the first two days providing challenges.

Harry needed to deliver a stellar performance in the Saber discipline to win the trophy.

Harry, Upper Remove achieved a remarkable victory at the Public Schools Fencing Championships, securing the coveted Master at Arms title. Harry faced formidable opponents from schools such as Eton, Harrow, and Clifton

Displaying unwavering resilience, Harry succeeded, earning the necessary points and claiming the title. This triumph adds another prestigious trophy to the school’s collection, and we extend our warmest congratulations to Harry for his outstanding achievement.

— Contributions by S. Davis

Swimming Success

The UCS swim team had another stellar season this year. With the usual minefields of extra curricular clashes and mock exams

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falling nicely for us this year, we were able to field strong teams in every round of the Herts Middlesex League. We qualified for the final in all age groups. This is an elite-level competition, and as a coach I was hugely proud of this qualification. Led by our senior captains Alex and Lucas, we aquitted ourselves well and won gold in the Inter Medly Relay and Junior Fly, where Ayden took gold in a hotly contested race to be named as county champion. Well done all!

The future is looking very bright indeed.

— Contributions by P. Dillon

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PARENTS’ GUILD

Parents’ Guild Quiz Night

In early March, the Parents’ Guild had the pleasure of collaborating with Black Hawkins and Flooks to host a spectacular Supper Quiz.

The evening was kindly sponsored by Osbornes Law in Hampstead, which helped raise over seventeen thousand pounds for the Bursary and Fee Assistance Fund. This marked the first time the Guild partnered with the Demes, resulting in a truly joint event.

transformed the hall into a stunning space that accommodated 330 guests for a buffet dinner. Meanwhile, students worked tirelessly throughout the evening—marking, selling raffle tickets, managing the bar, and clearing up after the event. In a delightful role reversal, parents were seated while students took on the task of serving them!

As the night came to a close, excitement built, and the final scores were tallied. In true fashion, We were incredibly fortunate to have the the teachers emerged victorious—though this renowned actor, Damian Lewis—father of a time, they had to share the win with another pupil—host the evening. With his humour, table. charm, and infectious energy, he made the night The event was a tremendous success, and we even more memorable. eagerly look forward to next year!

This was truly a whole-school effort. With the support of several parents, the facilities team

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— Contributions by G. Jacobs

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PARENTS’ GUILD

Parents’ Guild Quiz Night

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OLD GOWERS’

Old Gowers’ Annual Dinner 2025

On Thursday 27 February, Old Gowers gathered to celebrate their ongoing relationship with the school at the annual Old Gower dinner. The event was held in the Refectory at UCS Frognal, where guests enjoyed a threecourse meal and excellent company.

We were thrilled to see 160 attendees at the dinner, especially the Old Gowers who travelled from as far away as Singapore, Canada, the USA, Spain and Ireland. One Old Gower commented, “I looked around our long table and marvelled at the diversity of our careers, both private and public sector, and our powers of reinvention – doctors, lawyers and accountants but also ad men and marketeers, consultants, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, a Maths professor, a rabbi and an inventor whose genius keeps us safe as we fly around the world.” John Jay (1970–1975) — Contributions by C. Hyotte

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The next OG event will take place in June 2025

OLD GOWERS’

Old Gowers’ Annual Dinner 2025

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@UCSHampstead

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