Winter Assembly 2012

ASSEMBLYWINTER 2012 From the Headmaster

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very year, Penny Williams our much treasured registrar, organises individual appointments for prospective parents to meet with me to discuss their interest in Arnold House.

It is a time-consuming affair; ten sets of parents a week for 20 minutes each, beginning in September and stretching through to early March.

Of the 170 or so meetings that take place I see increasing numbers of parents who recognise that a truly all-round education

(one which recognises a boy’s progress, achievement and contribution to all areas of school life) is the environment most likely to equip their son with the necessary skills and character needed for success and happiness in later life. Arnold House parents, past and present, have always known this to be the case and it

th the London on Prep 1st XIs wi stival The AH and Newt t at the Football Fe Ambulance masco

Year 3 Trip to London Zoo

Christmas Concert

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is reassuring for us as a school to see that there are so many families who admire what we do and hope in time to join us.

Viv Thomas Headmaster

Year 1 Nativity Play

Year 2 Victorian Day at Canons Park

Kids’ Lit Quiz

The School’s 107th Birthday

Year 7 Visit to th e United Biscuits Fa ctory

Armistice Day

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n their final hours this would have been a consolation for them, that they find a place of safety in your hearts as you remember them Serge Klarsfeld, “Memorial to the Deportation”

The boys of Years 6 to 8 gathered, as they now do every year, in the beautiful surroundings of St Cyprian’s, to honour the War Dead of Arnold House. The solemn service of remembrance followed the traditional pattern and many parents and some Old Boys were also present.

The Chapel Choir provided suitable music and this added much to create a commemorative atmosphere. The address was given by Mr Charles Keal, currently Head of Maths, who retires in July 2013.

Before becoming a teacher he served in the Royal Navy and his time of service included the Falklands War in 1982. He used his experiences from this conflict to reflect on the humbling nature of military service and warfare. The stark message was that soldiers have to be prepared to face the fact they may die in the service of Queen and Country

– a realisation that takes different men (and women) in different ways: some who are well known for being extroverts, suddenly become introverted and others, who may not have yet made a mark, take on a new resilience. It was good for boys to hear about the impact of warfare on the individual as it added to their understanding of what the Old Boys of Arnold House faced during the two world wars.

John Hill Head of History

‘So many lovely comic moments’: Much Ado About Nothing

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ovember 8th heralded the much awaited Year 8 performance of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. This year we performed at Platform Theatre, part of the new Central Saint Martin’s building development in Kings Cross.

The performance marked Arnold House’s fourth year of involvement in the ‘Shakespeare Schools Festival’, a fantastic annual national celebration of Shakespeare’s plays which brings together pupils from hundreds of schools across the United Kingdom. The cast and crew are to be applauded for their sensational work both on the evening, and in rehearsals leading up to the night.

The play is set in the aftermath of a battle and is one of Shakespeare’s more challenging comedies, with big characters, complicated relationships and much witty repartee. The boys performed with aplomb and the audience was delighted by both the very amusing and the more moving

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scenes. The production was appraised on the evening and we were applauded for our ‘truly entertaining performance’. The boys were recognised for the maturity and integrity of their performances, their strong grasp of Shakespearean language, the way they dealt with complex characters and their clear storytelling. The festival organisers commented that the entire cast demonstrated ‘great commitment to their characters’ and that the ‘performances were mature and measured’, showing ‘excellent understanding of the text’.

Jonah Lowenstein, Hrishi Shah, Max Hatter, Adam Wissen, Lucas Kearsey, Nikita Joukovski, William Watts, Harry Gestetner, Jean Charles Agbo, Frankie Tudball, Joseph Moore and James Leof.

The cast was supported by a technical team including Asher Laws (stage manager), James Curtis (lighting and sound), Freddie Poser (publicity), and Bertold Minksz (publicity). A special mention must go to Umer Hassan and Adam Gold, who maturely and efficiently led their peers as Assistant Directors.

Our wonderful, committed cast included: Charles Flax, Mani Monibi, Matteo Perper, Qumarss Bagheri, Ayomide Soleye, Otis Frisby, Daniyal Sachee,

Allie Baker Head of Drama

Art and Science Collaboration

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n the 21st century, some of the most dynamic works of Art are being produced not in the studio but in the laboratory Stephen Wilson - Art and Science Now

For me Art and Science have always gone hand in hand, ‘twin engines of creativity’ they share many common practices; experimentation, exploring, discovering, reviewing and revising. Both Art and Science teach us to question, think outside the box, look at things from new angles, problem solve, analyse and evaluate.

relationship between Art and Science.

Madi worked with the boys to produce light boxes inspired by their observational studies of microscopic cells. They experimented with trapping fibres between sheets of plastic, drawing with glass paint and scratching off layers of fluorescent paint to reveal light.

As I studied at UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) for a BSC in Design, I have always had a keen interest in Science as well as in all things creative. I spent my university days in a lab coat, mixing my own dyes and inks and analysing the structure and performance of fibres as well as being covered in paint in the Art studio.

My scientific studies have greatly informed and inspired my teaching and all of the children I have taught will know that experimenting and evaluating are at the core of what we do in the Art room.

It therefore seemed very natural to suggest a collaboration with the Science department at Arnold House and luckily Head of Science Jenny Lyons was just as keen.

‘There will be small pieces of all our own work in the project. They will be in a frame and have lights behind the pieces. When our pieces are finished they will look like an amazing cell light’. Arthur Goldbart

Jessica is fascinated with the intricate and often beautiful symmetries found in crystallography (the science of determining molecular structure from crystals) Her Art work describes the symmetries and regularity to be seen in all crystal structures and is reflected in the wrapping, stitching, folding and repeated printed motifs.

After lots of discussion Jenny came up with a working title of ‘Micrographia’ inspired by Robert Hooke’s historic book detailing his observations using the microscope and we approached three Artists to work with us.

Jessica taught the boys a range of different techniques inspired by her own creative practice.

The first Artist we worked with was Jessica Hymas, who studied at Central Saint Martin’s and is currently studying at the Royal College of Art. She showed the boys her textile piece “Repeat. Evolve”, which recognises a long-standing association between Art and crystallography.

‘There were four activities. One of the four was embroidery, where you select a piece of mesh and tie some thread to a needle.

You push the needle through the piece of mesh to make your masterpiece. The next was drawing. The drawing tools were fabric pastels and pens. We gained inspiration from pictures of crystals. The pictures were drawn onto the net of a 3D shape. The third activity was bondaweb which involved placing smaller pieces of fabric of different colours onto a larger piece of fabric, and the final activity used a film which was shiny on one side. We cut the film into the shape of crystal pieces and arranged them into a crystal mosaic.’

Jacob Carroll

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The second Artist we worked with was Madi Boyd, who studied at The Slade School of Art and The Cooper Union, NYC. She has received funding from The Wellcome Trust and the Arts Council. Her work focuses on perception and the brain and she is currently collaborating with neuroscientists at UCL. Her work combines installation, moving image and light. Madi showed the boys lots of examples of her work including ‘The point of perception’ which explores the

The final Artist we worked with was print maker and illustrator Lara Harwood. Lara studied at Camberwell and has exhibited widely with her work being displayed in the V&A collection.

Lara’s work explores shapes, movement and repetition and she helped the boys to take elements from their complex observational studies and to simplify them into simple motifs which were then made into rubber stamps and stencils.

‘I really liked having an Artist with us whilst we made our work. I also enjoyed the opportunity to make different mono prints by layering diverse colours on top of each other. There were some great results!’

Felix Wallis ‘Before this project, I didn’t think Art and Science linked together but now I realise that they do’ Arash Bagheri

‘I never knew that Art and Science were so similar’ Rory McQuater I have found the whole experience enlightening, enriching and very rewarding.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jenny and learning a lot more about cells and crystals. We will be having an exhibition in the spring term to highlight the achievements of the boys and also so that parents can meet the Artists that have inspired the boys so much.

Kate Housden Head of Art & Design

“Why are man-hole covers round?”

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his alleged question from a Google interview shows the very different job market that your sons will be entering. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, has observed that over the past century, the UK has stopped nurturing its polymaths. He recently suggested a remedy to this situation, “You need to bring art and science back together.”

The Wellcome Image Awards are given to the creators of outstanding photographs and micrographs of the numerous imaging techniques available in laboratories. Spike Walker, a veteran of the awards, with twenty four under his belt, was first given a microscope at the age of ten. His father paid £4.50 for it, more than his weekly wage at the time. His winning photomicrograph of Micraserias in the 2012 awards was exhibited at The Wellcome Trust.

Our lucky boys at Arnold House will hopefully be inspired by the wonderful microscopes so generously donated by our parents through their donations to ASSEMBLY

the Annual Fund. Before the Micrographia collaboration started, Year 6 had already made and viewed both animal and plant cells, allowing them to impress our visiting artists with their knowledge. They gained many skills that would not normally be covered in the curriculum, maybe even something that would make them shine at an interview. Indeed, Zach Brandman impressed at a recent tour of Westminster School when he excitedly pointed out a portrait of Robert Hooke!

And the answer to the manhole question?

Google were expecting the best candidates to realise that a round cover would not

fall into the whole. The person they hired, however, immediately replied that not all manhole covers are round, they came in a variety of shapes, but if they were round then the shape would stop the cover from falling through.

Jenny Lyons Head of Science

The Arnold House Experience During the end of term assemblies, two boys from each class are presented with a large bar of chocolate. On the face of it, this may appear to be a quaint, if highly popular tradition but it is in fact an important culmination of a carefully thought out and highly integrated system.

The boys have earned their House Points through their Report effort grades and Citizenship contributions. They realise that their effort, contribution, courtesy and conduct count for themselves as well as for their House and the captain of the leading House collects the House Cup. The boys allegiance to their house is fermented in House Assemblies which are brilliantly run by the House Captains and Vice captains and, of course, at Canons Park during House matches.

All that the boys do count towards their Citizenship reports; their clubs and activities, commendations for residential trips, participation in musical concerts and dramatic productions, teams and sporting

accolades, responsibilities such as being Form Captain or elected School Councillor.

The residential trips programme itself is a carefully considered series of visits that support the boys’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The challenge of gorge walking in Devon, the realisation of the huge sacrifice made by so many when visiting war cemeteries in Flanders or the unsurpassed quality of paintings in Parisian museums offer our boys a rich array of experiences.

Residential trips, day visits, visiting speakers, music, drama, charity work, activities and positions of responsibility all provide fertile ground that encourages curiosity and learning as well as a sense of purpose, belonging and duty.

Sebastian Stones Second Deputy Headmaster

History of Arnold House Book – Missing Title!

The Headmaster and the Board of Friends invite you to the

The History of Arnold House book is currently in production and the content is now complete and in the hands of the designers.

We are, however, missing a title and welcome ideas from old boys, current boys, parents and staff. If there is an aspect of the School that captured your imagination or sums up your time at AH please e-mail smiller@arnoldhouse.co.uk with your suggestion. The deadline is 15th February.

Thank you Stephanie Miller Director of Development

Missing Cups If any current or old boy has a School cup at home please do let us know. Many of our cups go back to the early 1930s; they have a high value and are of historical importance to the School. Unfortunately over the years, a few have gone missing and we hope that they are still safely standing proud on a bookshelf in someone’s home.

Please contact smiller@arnoldhouse.co.uk if you find one in your possession.

Thursday 7th March 2013, 7pm at The American School in London £25 per person Auction of Promises In aid of the Bursary Fund

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Interview with an Old Boy Freddie Fox 1994-2002 What you have done since leaving AH in 2002?

I went to school at Bryanston where, after toying with the idea of training to be a Director of Photography for film and television, the acting bug bit hard in the form of school plays and my mind was set on going to drama school and getting better at acting (despite parent’s and careers advisor’s pleas to consider university. Fortunately I ignored them.) I have always been, and will always be, a firm believer in following your gut-feeling about something you want to do.

Freddie (sitting on the floor) and his class in Year 2

Judas Kiss which I’m touring round the country before we transfer to the West End next year.

What are your overriding memories of Arnold House?

So many memories: sports days, cricket tours (with Mr Faulkner’s penchant for 90s Brit Pop always pervading), rugby in the rain with an irate but motivating Mr Martin (cornet and pipe in hand at all times), Greek stories with Mr Lester and Granny’s Garden in I.T with Mr Turpie and his deciduous hairstyles. Perhaps best of all: Mrs Hunter’s welcoming arms in the morning, Romans and Celts battles at Miss Benham-Crosswell’s farm, French lessons with Mme Ferhaoui (always a favourite) and Mr Prosser’s legendary moustache.

Have you stayed in touch with any of your fellow pupils?

Absolutely. Patrick Alexander, Marcus Yuan and Alex Lass to name but a few. They’ll always be close friends to me.

How has being an Arnold House pupil impacted your life?

I learnt the value of friendship at AH, I still have many friends from my years there.

I think also the principle (instilled by bowler-hatted Nick Allen) that hard work would eventually be rewarded. (Also that I would never be any good at Maths or Science, and that actually, that was ok!)

What was your favourite subject at School and why?

Probably Latin with Mr Lester. The Latin bit was never really the key to that though, it was the Greek stories that he read in every Friday lesson. I have always been fascinated by the Greek myths and that is I think what made me want to do Classical Civilisation at Bryantson and then later to tell stories for a living.

Follow your instinct because in the end it’s usually right! In my view inaction is often the death of imagination and I think far too many people go to university simply because they lack the vaguest idea of something to pursue. That is why, after A-levels (where I got two As - in History and Classical Civilisation (more of that later) - and a B in English), I went to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2007. I graduated from there in 2010 but not before having faked illness to go and shoot a TV movie for BBC2 called Worried About The Boy in which I played Boy George’s friend (a drag queen pop star) called Marilyn. After I officially graduated I played in two shows at the Old Vic Theatre and made a series of television shows (Any Human Heart, The Shadow Line.) Then, at the end of 2010, I made my first major feature film - The Three Musketeers. Last year I shot 2 mini-series for the BBC, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Parade’s End, Freddie performing in Upsidownia and this year have been working in the at AH in 1998 theatre on Hay Fever and, right now, The

Freddie performing in the Judas Kiss in 2012 (photos courtesy of The Hampstead Theatre) What has been your greatest achievement?

I think probably getting into drama school would be one. Working with Christopher Waltz (who won an Oscar for his role in Inglorious Basterds) possibly another.

Ultimately though staying in work is probably my greatest achievement to date.

Describe an average day as an actor?

Well at the moment... Get up late, big breakfast, read a script, go to the gym, (probably get distracted on the way to the theatre and buy a new pair of trousers), warm up for an hour, then do a play. After that it’s a bowl of soup and in bed as soon as possible. Quite cooshy really.

What advice would you give someone who would like to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in acting?

Follow your gut instinct. Be brave, even better, be naughty. And accept rejection we all have to.

Arnold House School 1 Loudoun Road, St. John’s Wood, London NW8 0LH Telephone: 020 7266 4840 Facsimile: 020 7266 6994 Email: office@arnoldhouse.co.uk Website: www.arnoldhouse.co.uk Arnold House School Ltd (Limited by Guarantee). Registered in London Number 889424. Educational Charitable Trust Number 312725

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