The Frognal - Spring 2024

THE FROGNAL UCS NEWSLETTER – ISSUE MARCH 2024

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

Oxbridge outcomes

Spring Concert

Macbeth triumphs

Football finalists

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Welcome To The Spring Term Edition of The Frognal

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ast week I heard a Lower School pupil explain how belonging to the UCS Dance Company, and attending lunchtime practices, gives him the safe space and all the breathing space he needs during the school day. That was pleasing and reassuring in equal measure.

We pride ourselves on our busy-ness here, which is intended to ensure the widest and broadest possible educational experience for pupils. It is within the context of this provision that we have just lived out a remarkably busy term.

Mocks, academic enrichment, visiting speakers, trips, sports fixtures, music concerts, assemblies, performance platforms, acting showcase, Middle School production, Dance show, improv night, volunteering, partnerships, character education, Deme competitions, Lower School diploma, PSHE talks, Careers networking… to reel off just some of the term’s activities and highlights.

All grist to the mill, and that’s without the co-

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curricular staple of clubs and societies.

Our sports staff will be able to tell you, rather ruefully, that this has been one of the wettest winters on record. Yet the UCS mentality doesn’t suffer stuck-in-the-muds – it prefers have-a-go heroes. So, for all the difficulties faced in staging fixtures, this has been a remarkably successful term on various sporting fronts including football, rugby 7s, hockey, fencing and table tennis.

It is a good thing when we can provide the right conditions for success, and even more so for our young people’s happiness and development into the best versions of themselves. There is undoubtedly a synchronicity between these twin goals.

This term’s chamber music competition revealed, or at least reminded us, of some of the prodigious musical talent that we can sometimes take for granted here at UCS. |

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WELCOME

Academically, two of our younger pupils scaled the heights in a national computing challenge while, at the other end of the age range, our Sixth cohort achieved UCS’s third-best ever outcome in terms of Oxbridge offers received.

Brilliant stuff.

state than they found them in. Or about how “reasonable, polite and sensible” the pupils have been in meetings with school staff. Not necessarily the most obvious epithet for a UCS pupil, but praise nonetheless that I am delighted to take!

Now it is the turn of the Transitus to begin to prepare for life ‘BeyondUCS’.

Joking aside, our pupils are, for the most part, kind and considerate. And, on the evidence of their flourishing in so many different fields, they appear to be happy and secure too.

It gives me hope that they are being well prepared to positively impact tomorrow’s world when I hear from colleagues about UCS sports teams leaving their changing facilities in a better

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— Mark J. Beard, Headmaster

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HIGHLIGHTS

Lower School Highlights

New Lower School course contains everything from the Beatles to the Classics.

Watch Edd Roberts, Head of Lower School, talk about his Spring Term Highlights.

Prolific uptake of Trinity Acting provision matched by prodigious performances.

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Title success shows that rugby 7s is the sporting craze that pays!

HIGHLIGHTS

Middle School Highlights

Spring Term draws to a close in the wake of some wonderful endeavour and achievement. Since half-term in particular we have seen Middle School pupils throw themselves into school life with gusto. Over a hundred of us enjoyed the mountain air and snow of Italy during the half-term break. The Gressoney (Aosta Valley) ski trip was a huge success, blessed with perfect weather and snow conditions, and it was a pleasure to see Middle School boys not just having fun but also conducting themselves with maturity and kindness away from home. Getting to know pupils outside the school environment is always rewarding and hopefully they see a side of their teachers they might not always appreciate is there.

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Football, hockey and rugby 7s have dominated the sporting scene this term.

Though impacted by the weather, we have had some significant success capped with silverware. The Middle School Production has been a stunning achievement too; Macbeth drawing together pupils from across the school both on and backstage, and the seamless performances of Middle School pupils again reminding us of the ability and determination within our young people. The Spring Concert similarly brings together top talent in the term’s showpiece music event – but we should not forget the Ensembles Concert and year group platforms which have taken place, also. One of my highlights was the young

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HIGHLIGHTS

violinist in the Shell/Lower Remove Platform who actually chose to play Chopin on the piano. The same person showed great resilience in learning to ski over half-term; a reminder to his peers that school life is full of opportunity, and that giving as much as possible a go is what we are about.

they were and how sensible many of their ideas are. Well done!

As we reach the end of term, we wish Upper Remove well with their revision programmes leading to GCSEs next term.

They are in a good place and should all feel that they can face the challenges ahead with optimism and ambition. The Lower Remove and Remove also have Summer Term assessments and I would like to encourage these two year groups to stay calm. These tests are part of the learning process. If undertaken properly we will be able to use them to identify what is going well and to strategise where there are gaps to be plugged.

I am particularly grateful to the Middle School Council once again. They have represented their forms effectively and we have managed to move a number of things on. Pupils have therefore seen some changes as a result of the work of this group. The latest initiative involved a group of reps meeting with the school caterers. The catering manager commented how polite and reasonable

Picture perfect in Gressoney as UCS tourists excel on and off the slopes.

— Contributions by S. FitzGerald

Footballers finish with flourish thanks to Under-14s’ cup run to final.

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How character education helps to develop wellrounded citizens of tomorrow.

HIGHLIGHTS

Upper School Watch Rebecca Baxter, Head of Upper School, talk about her Highlights Spring Term Highlights.

Programme helps Transitus students to shape their vision of life after UCS

Sixth Form musicians hit high notes to reach chamber music grand final.

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Basketballers on their toes as senior pupils set sporting standard.

ACADEMIC

Oxbridge

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, founded in 1096 and 1209 respectively, have long captured the collective imagination; from Brideshead Revisited to Saltburn, they are institutions as infamous as they are distinguished. They’ve educated some of the finest and most influential scientists, writers, poets and thinkers of the past 1,000 years – and every Prime Minister. And this year almost half of the Sixth cohort applied to join that number. The journey is a lengthy one, challenging and rewarding in equal part. However, there is an enormous amount to be gained from going through the process, even if the outcome isn’t an offer! The academic rigour, the opportunity to discuss your subject at a higher level, and the inherent challenge of the process itself are all valuable experiences in this final crucial year of A Levels. Students were successfully offered places at both Oxford and Cambridge PA G E

on a wide variety of courses: Medicine, Psychological Behavioural Sciences, Chemistry, History, English, and more. A remarkable achievement in such a very competitive process – and our third-best ever Oxbridge outcome. They join the students from across the year group who have been offered places on similarly competitive courses around the UK, including Computer Science at Edinburgh, Material Science at Imperial, Economics at LSE, and English at UCL, to name but a few. Our pupils have worked hard for these opportunities, and should embrace the pride and sense of achievement that comes from these offers. We wish them the very best of luck as they head into the final stretch of their A Levels, where they can make these possibilities a reality.

— Contributions by L. Jenkins and R. Baxter |

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ACADEMIC

Beyond UCS

The Spring Term of the Transitus year sees the earnest beginnings of our BeyondUCS programme where we provide guidance and advice to students on their options for Higher Education. An introductory talk at the beginning of the term from the Head of Higher Education, Lisa Jenkins, as well as the opportunity to explore different options such as applying overseas, taking a gap year or applying to a conservatoire, took place in January and focused on the importance of students researching their options. The term ends with our annual BeyondUCS Convention and University

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and Careers Fair on Wednesday 27th March.

Pupils benefit from subject talks from Old Gowers as well as presentations from some of the leading Russell Group universities and leading employers. The day culminates in the fair which parents are also welcome to attend. By the time our students return to school after their end-of-year exams, we hope that the majority have made wellinformed decisions that will help shape their futures as they move BeyondUCS.

— Contributions by L. Jenkins and R. Baxter

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ACADEMIC

Pupils mix with pros at Careers in Media event February’s inaugural Careers in Media networking evening proved a resounding success thanks to the participation of pupils, parents and notable industry figures who committed time and energy to the event. The evening, organised by the Careers Department alongside the Old Gowers network, was an exclusive networking event hosted by Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4. Pupils from Entry to Sixth had the chance to speak with leading players in the media – from tech, gaming, TV and film production through to advertising, photography and journalism – as the guests made themselves available for one-to-one mentoring sessions, offering invaluable advice and insights.

— Contributions by M. Baron

Helping Hands On Monday 25th March, we held our annual Helping Hands event where the Transitus had the opportunity to pick the brains of our current Sixth formers about the university application process. The event provided invaluable peer advice and it was lovely to hear the buzz and witness the enthusiastic exchange of hints and tips!

— Contributions by L. Jenkins and R. Baxter

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ACADEMIC

Lower School Diploma Talks

When I spoke to the Lower School about the prospect of a Diploma, I didn’t quite anticipate that their response would be quite so enthusiastic. Things have changed since I was at school. Back then Manchester United were almost unbeatable, and a teacher asking whether pupils would like to give up their lunchtimes to voluntarily attend extra lessons every Friday would have produced an awkward silence or perhaps even raucous laughter. Whilst the demise of Manchester United in the last ten years still makes me smile, the number of pupils who volunteered to be part of the inaugural diploma, and the sheer enthusiasm for learning that these boys exhibited, has delighted me and will inspire me for years to come.

• The Beatles – Mr English • When people use self-tracking apps, do they enhance their self-knowledge? – Mr Hughes • Classical Architecture, Deconstructivism and the language of loss – Mr Mee • Introduction to Psychology – Miss Kurokawa • How does a computer run a programme – Mr Spence-Hill • Greek Tragedy – Ms Lewis The pupils are now tasked with writing a short essay based on one of the talks. The talks were truly inspiring and it was fantastic to see just how engaged the Shell pupils were. The boys have recently been fuelled by a talk on research skills by Ms Martini and Mrs Davison and I now look forward to reading the essays. I know I won’t be underwhelmed!

This is a testament to the pupils and the quality of talks they have heard. Twenty pupils embarked on this course in January and they have heard demanding, enriching talks on the following subjects: PA G E

— Contributions by E. Roberts |

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WELLBEING

Lower School focus on wellbeing

Terms are themed in the Lower School.

During the Spring Term we focus on wellbeing and pupils spend time learning about mental health and how to support their own (and other people’s) wellbeing.

Wellbeing is discussed in academic subjects and how it links to the subject matter. For example, Shell pupils in Biology have studied the positive effects of plants on mental health.

Assemblies have also looked at wellbeing.

Dr Bugler talked about how stargazing has impacted his mental health and Ms Trinder discussed the benefits of volunteering and community work.

In February we held the second Life

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Values Week of the year. This gave pupils the opportunity to discuss the ABCDs of the Lower School (aspiration, bravery, compassion, decision-making and self-reflection) and they also examined factors which are important in maintaining wellbeing. The Shell discussed strategies for coping with stress and the pros and cons of perfectionism. They also considered how to process difficult feelings and how to manage responsibilities. The Entry examined the role gratitude and fun have in life today and also investigated the differences between worries and anxiety. A recent article in The Guardian highlighted the importance of play for young people. It is something we are extremely conscious of and through varied

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WELLBEING

House competitions and our co-curricular provision, we hope that pupils have sufficient time to unwind during the pacy school day.

Entry pupils benefit from the five-week Peer Education Project which is taught by trained Sixth Formers. The Entry take a great deal from the lessons taught by fellow pupils and I am looking into further ways of involving the Sixth Form in delivering such important lessons to our younger students.

The Shell took part in our annual Wellbeing

Symposium. The boys spent the morning researching various factors which affect mental health and then presented their research in short talks. It was an intense couple of hours but the standard of talks was superb. One pupil commented, “I enjoyed working with a partner and we learned about how money can affect your mental health. Presenting the talk to my class boosted my confidence.”

— Contributions by E. Roberts

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WELLBEING

Heart January beats winter blues

“When ‘Heart January’ was announced, I knew it would be a fantastic way to begin 2024. I set myself ambitious goals, many of which I still maintain. I feel grateful for the opportunity I had to renew and reflect – it really has helped.”

The new year at UCS began with an invitation from Director of Sport, Ed Sawtell, to take on the school’s ‘Heart January’ challenge. The idea was to inspire the school community to venture forth into 2024 with a proactive and positive outlook – thus banishing the spectre of any ‘winter blues’. Pupils were tasked with completing all five activities pooled under the ‘Heart January’ banner: Helping, Eating, Activity, Resting and Thinking. One of the many enthusiastic participants was Year 7 student Ilan Driver, who said: “’Activity’ was my favourite – challenging the body to join in a local park run or walking around the whole school during morning break.”

Isaac Redi, Year 9

— Contributions by E. Sawtell and A. Peck

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WELLBEING

Positive Strategies for Pupil Wellbeing

We take care to give our pupils every opportunity to be happy and well-rounded individuals with various initiatives running alongside the PSHE provision.

UCS pupils love volunteering, including reading to Pre-Prep boys in the library.

The Wellbeing Symposium tasked Shell boys with researching and presenting.

Volunteering PHOTO TBC

Food, glorious food was the focus for the Lower School’s nutrition workshop.

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‘House pancake flipping’ made for some tasty competition among students. |

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CO-CURRICULAR

Deme competitions

Never mind Gryffindor and Slytherin, the competition is fierce whenever house points are at stake for our six lovely Demes!

It is always a source of fascination to see the boys take on the girls in netball.

Our pupils love their football, even more so when representing their Demes.

Basketball is hugely popular and always a source of intense Deme competition.

More than 100 Sixth Formers took part in this term’s Deme Fives competition.

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NEWS

Economics Trading Simulation

On 30th January our beautiful Great Hall was transformed into a trading floor where 90 keen Transitus Economists participated in an immersive online simulation, using their knowledge and skills to trade $20 million. The team from training providers AmplifyME have developed a highly realistic equity trading platform that is used in banks and in some cases as part of the recruitment process when hiring traders, including from universities.

The hands-on market experience, purposely punctuated by news events that significantly impacted share price, was fast moving and exciting. The room was filled with emotion as the sounds of traders reflected one minute market-induced stress and the next pure euphoria!

Students learnt how to sell short and long, how global events affect share prices, and how quick thinking market makers really need to be.

Our winning traders were: 1. Jay Langham: PnL of $21,697,432.00 2. Harry Lee Born: PnL of $4,893,241.00 3. Felix Levene: PnL of $4,838,993.00

“Students learnt how to sell short and long, how global events affect share prices, and how quick thinking market makers really need to be.”

K. Shah

— Contributions by K. Shah PA G E

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NEWS

Whizz-kids rise to computing challenge UCS pupils Isaac Morrow and Matteo Carriere finished third and ninth in their respective age groups of the nationwide Oxford University Computing Challenge. This was a remarkable achievement given that Isaac faced over 117,000 other junior contestants and Matteo more than 209,000 intermediate challengers in November’s preliminary round. However, the pair earned top 10% rankings to enter January’s Oxford Computing first round where they secured places among the top 20 pupils in their categories to reach March’s prestigious final test of their computational and logical thinking. Overall, USC students gained six distinctions and nine merits in the Oxford competition.

— Contributions by C. Spence-Hill

Economics competition winners Aadi Jain, Daniel Brunas and Robert Riechert won the Economics Department’s inaugural ‘Be the MPC’ competition where Transitus Economists put themselves in the shoes of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to formulate a policy to keep inflation on the 2.0% target. According to the judges, Aadi, Daniel and Robert showcased remarkable dedication and expertise in their understanding of monetary policy, impressing with their thorough research and ability to effectively convey their case to an audience. The worthy runners-up were Felix Levene and Arjun Kumar.

— Contributions by K. Shah and HC. Wong PA G E

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Biology Society visits the Pre-Prep

After Pre-Prep pupils had learnt about Richard III and how his skeleton was identified using DNA, two boys wrote a letter to Mr Beard asking if pupils from the Senior School could come to explain more about DNA. Miss Potter asked the Biology Society presidents to help out and we subsequently visited the Pre-Prep, discussing DNA in greater detail and how it was used to identify King Richard.

The pupils all had a chance to carry out an exciting practical, extracting DNA from strawberries, and also got to take home the DNA samples at the end!

— Contributions by E. Johnson, J. Park Lovering, R. Lorello, I. Domingo and R. Potter

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CO-CURRICULAR

Deme Dance: Olders TakeAward A Bow! The Duke of Edinburgh’s

“The DofE training day went down a treat.

Staff and students alike ensured that the day ran smoothly and seamlessly! We now look forward to the greenery, tranquillity and hopefully warmer weather of our practice and expeditions.”

This year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is well under way, with record numbers signing up at each award level. We have 108 Lower Remove candidates for Bronze, 35 Remove pupils for Silver and 34 Transitus students for Gold. All candidates have begun their physical, skill and volunteering sections with a range of activities being undertaken from peer mentoring to charity shop work via go-karting and climbing. All students have recently attended a training day where they planned their expedition routes as a team and learned how to use gas stoves, set up tents and pack their (very heavy!) rucksacks efficiently. We hope to see all pupils continue to enjoy the challenge and gain a variety of transferable skills from their respective awards.

C. Moore

— Contributions by K. Chiu

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TRIPS

Trips Highlights

Galleries, theatres, the seat of UK government, Roman Baths and Italian ski slopes all featured on a fascinating itinerary – expanding pupil horizons both physical and figurative.

Lower Remove Latinists enjoyed a study visit to the Roman Baths

The Politics A Level trip to Westminster was an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blended history, culture and education.

Year 9 Italian students encountered futurism, figurative art... and fun at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art!

Transitus and Sixth A Level English students brushed up their… Webster with a trip to the Globe Theatre.

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TRIPS

A spectacular week’s skiing in Gressoney Ninety-four intrepid members of the Lower School and Middle School ventured off to the Italian Alps for a week of skiing over half-term. We were blessed with fabulous overhead conditions as well as fresh snow that had fallen just before our arrival in the resort of Gressoney and the party made the most of the opportunities that came their way both on and off the slopes. It would be hard to imagine a more spectacular ski resort for the party to enjoy with 28 4000m+ visible from the slopes. As ever, evening activities included our annual bingo fest, a night of quizzing and a wonderful evening in a local pizza restaurant. Thank you to everyone who travelled for making the trip such a happy and successful one and attention now turns to our return to Sestriere in March 2025!

— Contributions by A. Wilkes

Model United Nations A pocket-sized delegation of UCS students punched well above their weight at St Paul’s Boys’ School in January. A third of our participants secured recognition for their work, including Asher Hill (Sixth) as Best Delegate in Committee and Jacob Sinker (Transitus) as Highly Commended. Best of luck to our 14 delegates now looking to capitalise on this momentum at the Haberdashers’ Aske’s School conference.

— Contributions by X. Pollock PA G E

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

South East Schools Chamber Music Competition

On 27th February, UCS hosted a preliminary round of this prestigious competition, welcoming groups from South Hampstead High School, Queenswood and St Helens School. They were joined by six UCS ensembles who performed in front of violinist Nicole Wilson, formerly of the LSO and a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Subsequently we were delighted to hear that the Zhong Piano Trio (James Zhong, Ruben Lee, Nathan Tran) and the Senior String Quartet (Finn Kjaergaard, Maya Patel, Jaren Ziegler, Bice Sharp) had made it through to the Finals’ Concert at St George’s Hanover Square on 12th March. All UCS chamber groups involved were a credit to the school and to the inspirational coaching of Caryn Cohen and David Robinson.

— Contributions by C. Dawe

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Spring Concert

The Spring Concert was graced with three magnificent concerto performances. Joe Young (trombone) projected power and poetry in Søren Hyldgaard’s Rapsodia Borealis, Jaren Zielger (viola) put in a spellbinding performance of Suite in Old Style by Dobrinka Tabaokova and Bice Sharp brought out the full tragic intensity of Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The evening also showcased the collective prowess of Concert Band, majestic in Howard Shore’s The Fellowship Of The Ring, and Chamber Orchestra, scintillating in Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No 10.

Symphony Orchestra contributed a rare outing of Grace Williams’ astringent Symphony No 2 while Senior Jazz treated us to vibrant readings of Duke Ellington’s Blue Cellophane and Chick Corea’s La Fiesta. Huge congratulations are due to the 70-plus performers involved and to Mr Gibson, Mr Walton and Mr Da Silva for their fantastic work with these ensembles.

— Contributions by C. Dawe

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

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CO-CURRICULAR

Music Highlights

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Trinity Showcases reveal true depth of acting talent

Over two nights at the end of January and the start of February over 100 pupils across all age groups performed scenes from a selection of modern plays at the Trinity Showcase Evenings.

Pupils had achieved excellent marks in the Trinity exams the previous week. Both evenings were exceptionally well attended and the quality of acting on display was universally high. This year they had a wonderful set and lighting to support them with four different acting areas which allowed the scenes to flow really well and the transitions were seamless. It was such a team effort so it seems invidious to single anyone out but Matt Goldberg in Transitus was asked to cover for an absence about 15 minutes before the show began and performed a scene from Harold Pinter’s Dumb Waiter without a script and absolutely seamlessly. It was fantastic to see so much depth of talent and hard work on display and bodes well for future Drama productions at UCS. — Contributions by D. Swanson

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Macbeth “The characters in the play are all so psychologically complex - so hopefully audiences got an insight into how we have tried to bring these roles to life!”

Markus Chartouni, Year 10

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Fresh take on an old classic This term’s Middle School Production Macbeth took to heart esteemed director Sam Mendes’s advice to “treat every Shakespeare as if it were a new play”, as director Michael Taktak and his cast and crew served up an interpretation of the Bard’s ‘Scottish play’ that was both stark and sophisticated.

The company, featuring pupils aged 13–17, handled this classic work with confidence, alertness and maturity - and in doing so, showed how centuries-old Shakespearean drama warrants not only studying by today’s generation of students but also performing.

Cast member Maya Haim, who played a witch, said: “We spoke a lot in rehearsals about how the play’s themes transcend any particular time period, and that was a key feature of this production.”

This was an assured and visually striking adaptation of Macbeth, marking a successful directorial debut by UCS Drama teacher Mr Taktak.

The live band and original score by Year 10 pupil Joseph Sainsbury lent the piece a suitably eerie atmosphere which was further enhanced by the lighting and set design of Martin Hutching and Carys Bedford. “The music really helped create a sinister atmosphere,” added Lucas Sauma, who played the doctor.

— Contributions by C. Abbott

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

‘In Motion’ returns for stunning sequel

Our annual dance show, ‘In Motion’, returned for its second edition during the penultimate week of term. The UCS Dance Company performed alongside pupils from across the school in the ultimate showcase of dance at UCS. The event in the Lund Theatre gave a platform to the plethora of dancing talent at the school, which spans everything from world-class practitioners to, if not quite absolute beginners, then at least enthusiastic converts to this wonderfully varied art form.

— Contributions by R. Tran

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SPORT

Arsenal star Gabriel survives Lower School grilling!

UCS were very lucky to have title-chasing Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães come to the sports fields in early February to watch the Year 7s play and train. During his visit, some boys got to ask the Brazil player questions. I asked “What emotions were you feeling on your debut at your very first club?” Gabriel replied that he was excited as well as nervous and felt like he had just realised a dream. Another question was “Who do you think is the best player of all time?” In response he said Brazilian Ronaldo. The last question was “What position did you play growing up?” – and surprisingly it wasn’t centre-back but striker!

Rafa Bayfield, Year 7

— Contributions by Alfredo Fragomeni, Year 7

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“I asked Gabriel ‘Who is the funnest player in training at Arsenal?’ and ‘If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?’. His answers were ‘probably Jorginho’ and ‘only football’”

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SPORT

Sports Highlights

We have had another busy term despite the record rainfall. Our Head Groundsman informs me that our sports fields absorbed well over 300mm of rain in February; the investment in drainage is paying dividends! We had to alter some Games’ lessons with trips to Power League football, but I think our pupils welcomed the smaller-sided games.

and Mill Hill in the same week. The U15B and U16A teams went unbeaten this season (clearly needing more challenging opposition!).

The hockey programme now involves more established hockey schools; the U12s reached the final national tournament of their Tier 2 competition while the 1st XI faced Royal Russell in their regional semi-final.

The number of pupils we have playing for UCS is growing each year, and we will continue to do what we can to progress this. We have had numerous successes in various sports and my thanks go to my dedicated team of staff and coaches.

The Rugby 7s also witnessed silverware, with wins in the U18 and U15 Ibstock Place tournaments. The U12s topped off these achievements by winning the Middlesex Rugby 7s.

Next term sees cricket and tennis, and hopefully drier weather!

The Under-14 footballers reached the Middlesex Cup final, losing 1-0 to a penalty. The 1st team beat Highgate PA G E

— Contributions by E. Sawtell |

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

The U14A footballers were runners-up in the Middlesex Cup after an epic semi-final

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SPORT

Deme Dance: Olders Take A Bow! Sport Highlights

The U13A footballers made school history by progressing to a national quarter-final.

The Ringers basketball team made a habit of winning to post a near-perfect season.

Transitus student Sophie starred for UCS at the public schools’ fencing championships.

Our rugby 7s teams have won regional trophies at Under-18, U15 and U12 levels.

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SPORT

been a term Deme Dance: Olders Take ItAhas Bow! Sport Highlights

marked by prodigious rainfall and some equally prodigious success in a number of sports.

The U19 chess team played in, and won, two regional contests to reach two national finals.

Frognal Flyers entered two U18 and a U16 team in the Inter-Schools Champs.

The netball 1st team were Sisters in Sport Plate Tournament quarter-finalists.

The 1st XI claimed double-digit wins, including back-to-back victories vs.

Highgate and Mill Hill.

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TERM HIGHLIGHTS

Girl power as table tennis debutants impress

UCS sporting history was made in the table tennis arena after the debutant Under-19 girls team of Abi Shaw, Samira Bhutani and Mia Lalovic-Madani reached the regional finals of Table Tennis England’s prestigious Butterfly Schools Team Championships. The girls U19 team, in their debut season, had come second in the zonal finals to earn their progress, as UCS’s last-standing representatives, to March’s regional stage in Bristol where they finished in a commendable fourth place.

— Contributions by J. Enemuwe PA G E

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PARTNERSHIPS

Art with Sixth Formers from both UCS and partner school LAE Stratford

A key aspect of the workshop was the exploration of new artistic techniques. Putting a spotlight on tonality, pupils experimented with underpainting and glazing. These techniques allowed them to create layers, giving their artworks depth and dimension.

The underpainting provided a base, with subsequent layers of glazing added to achieve a beautiful interplay of light and shadow.

The UCS Art Department together with Sixth Formers from both UCS and partner school London Academy of Excellence, Stratford had the opportunity to take part in a ‘laid-back’ painting workshop.

The workshop, which took London as its theme, drew inspiration from two canonical books, Susan Sontag’s On Photography and John Berger’s Ways of Seeing.

As students delved into these techniques, the workshop became a space for both learning and creative expression. The blending of theoretical insights from Sontag and Berger with hands-on exploration of London’s visual elements elevated the artistic process. It became an environment where pupils not only improved their technical skills but also

Guided by the ideas of Sontag and Berger, students were prompted to look at London’s iconic elements with a critical eye, going beyond the surface to uncover deeper layers of meaning. This encouraged them not only to observe but to ponder how they perceived the various aspects of the city.

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PARTNERSHIPS

gained a greater appreciation for the cultural and historical significance embedded in the cityscape.

The LAE students’ visit to UCS became a source of inspiration for artistic growth, encouraging the next generation of painters to navigate the balance between theory and practice. By connecting the intellectual concepts of Sontag and Berger with the practical experience of creating art, the workshop highlighted the transformative power of education and exploration in the world of visual arts.

The blending of theoretical insights from Sontag and Berger with hands-on exploration of London’s visual elements elevated the artistic process. It became an environment where pupils not only improved their technical skills but also gained a greater appreciation for the cultural and historical significance embedded in the cityscape.

— Contributions A. McVicker

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COMMUNITY

1830 Society Lunch

Tuesday 13th February was a red-letter day at UCS, marking the first-ever dedicated event for the school’s new 1830 Society.

The 1830 Society aims to celebrate legacy donors and their generous contributions to the school and highlights how their gifts make a difference to pupils’ lives.

February’s inaugural 1830 Society Lunch, organised by the Development Office, served as both a de facto launch event for the group and the first in a series of bespoke events and initiatives, which will include publications and on-site recognition. Eilish Sorohan, Head of Fundraising and Stewardship, said: “The 1830 Society recognises all those who have

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made, or plan to make, a gift to UCS in their will. Legacy gifts enable us to plan for the future, invest in wellbeing provision and support our Bursary Award Holders as they journey through the school. We are hugely grateful to all those who have pledged to support us in this way.” Guests at the lunch, which took place in the Gower Room during half-term, learned more about the work that the Development Office is doing to increase bursary provision, enhance the current wellbeing offering, and expand arts and music capacity.

— Contributions by E. Sorohan

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Project 200 ready for launch

On Thursday 16th May the Headmaster and Chair of Governors will welcome donors and prospective supporters of the school to celebrate the launch of UCS’s 2030 bicentenary fundraising, celebration and engagement campaign – aka ‘Project 200’.

arts capacity and increase the number of Bursary Awards provided to young people.

Together, we can build a school that will thrive in its third century; providing the same excellent education for which UCS is known, to the next generation. If you would like to find out how your gift can support our mission, please contact the Development Office at development@ucs. org.uk.

The campaign celebrates UCS’s long history as an outstanding educational institution and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With the support of our community, we aim to enhance wellbeing provision on site, significantly expand performing

— Contributions by E. Sorohan

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Class of 1999 & Class of 1974 Reunions This term we were delighted to welcome more than 50 Old Gowers, as well as some current and former staff members, to the reunions of the classes of 1999 and 1974. In January the 1999 leavers marked 25 years since leaving UCS and in March the 1974 leavers marked 50 years.

They were really nice evenings of reminiscing and reconnecting with classmates and friends.

Some of the OGs hadn’t returned to the school since they’d left. Thank you to all those OGs who joined us, and please watch this space for updates on future reunions.

— Contributions by E. Dwek

Old Gowers Annual Dinner In February, we held the 147th Old Gowers’ Annual Dinner in the Great Hall and the Refectory. We were thrilled to be joined by 164 Old Gowers and friends of UCS, and honoured to host Dr Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, as our guest speaker. We also heard from former Co-Captain of Monitors, Minnat Mohammed, during the reception.

This year’s Annual Dinner was special, as we trialled an industry networking event beforehand. UCS pupils and parents, as well as pupils from our partner schools, were invited to hear from ten media professionals for information on their careers, and also given an opportunity to network.

— Contributions by E. Dwek

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COMMUNITY

Supper Quiz success… and not just because the teachers lost!

This month’s Parents’ Guild Supper Quiz was not only a fabulous social occasion but also an important fundraiser in support of Bursary Award Holders. The good news was that, for once, the teachers didn’t win; even better, the proceeds from the event went to the UCS Bursary Co-Curricular Fund. The Guild were particularly grateful to Laura Norton who donated multiple prizes signed by leading sports people. Meanwhile, the evening’s guest speaker, Nadir from the class of 2020, discussed the profound impact that UCS and the bursary programme had had on him and his family.

Thank you to everyone who donates to this cause, the event raised £6,000; your generosity is hugely appreciated.

— Contributions by T. Levenfiche

Boogie night at Frognal In a coda to the Autumn Term’s Community Action programme, UCS staged a fundraising Year 7 Disco on 2nd March.

The event, organised principally by Flooks Deme, and involving pupils from other local schools, took place in the Great Hall, with all profits going to WaterAid. The UCS Year 7s mixed with their counterparts from girls’ schools Channing, South Hampstead and Francis Holland, successfully establishing an ‘entente cordiale’ on the dancefloor.

— Contributions by E. Martin PA G E

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