Arnold House Winter Assembly 2021

Assembly WINTER 2021

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL

IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE HEADMASTER THE HUXLEY BUILDING OPENS ITS DOORS A NEW NORMAL INTERVIEW WITH THE HEADMASTER A TERM IN PHOTOS

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL - ASSEMBLY WINTER 2021

FROM THE HEADMASTER This has been a term of many new beginnings. Following a lengthy period of disruption, we started the new school year with renewed routines and a fresh understanding of how we must use space, time and togetherness to enhance the boys’ education. Boys enjoyed spending more time at Canons Park, embraced a reinvigorated house competition and were excited to once again be fully engaged in our co-curricular programme and schedule of clubs and activities.

Of those boys, 120, a third of the school, were new in September. The opening of The Huxley Building is indeed a momentous occasion in Arnold House’s history. Long-planned, it is remarkable how quickly the sight of red blazers heading down Marlborough Place as well as Loudoun Road has become familiar, and new routines, events and friendships are already wellestablished.

Another arrival was the new Mr T: it doesn’t matter how experienced you are or how long you have been a headmaster, the transfer from one school to another makes you a new boy once again! I am very grateful to everyone for their warm welcome. Throughout the term, I have participated in many classes, attended events and absorbed all aspects of the school routine.

One change in Year 8 has been that of the role of head boy with one boy taking on the position each term. I would like to thank Virgile RiboudSeydoux for all his work this term – not least his headmaster interviewing skills - and congratulate Max Kennedy on his promotion for the Spring Term.

In other ways, this has also been a term of continuity: having spent most of the last 25 years teaching in top boys’ prep schools, the community, routines and aims of Arnold House have proved very familiar. I have the privilege of leading an outstanding staff team, steeped in the best practice of this sector, and excited about the future.

We also continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic and the Arnold House community has, once again, proved to be resilient in difficult times. There were not as many events for our community of parents, boys and staff to gather as we had planned and I very much hope we can rectify this in time, but I am delighted that the boys were able to participate in all that we had set out to do. The carol services that brought the term to such super conclusion were representative of the times: the school may have been not at full strength but nevertheless one could not be anything other than impressed by, and proud of, what Arnold House has achieved.

Giles Tollit Headmaster

1st row images from left to right: The Colts Football Tour, Official opening of The Huxley Building, School’s 116 Birthday Tug of War. 2nd row images from left to right: Year 8 Trip to the Houses of Parliament, Armistice Day 2021. 3rd row images from left to right: Year 2 Nativity Play, Book Character Charity Day in aid of St John’s Hospice. 4th row images from left to right: Year 6 Teambuilding Trip, Burying a Time Capsule at The Huxley Building, Michaelmas Concert 2021. 5th row images from left to right: Year 4 Trip to the Verulamium, Years 3&4 Community Service, Year 1 Harvest Festival.

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL - ASSEMBLY WINTER 2021

THE HUXLEY BUILDING OPENS ITS DOORS This Autumn Term marked the beginning of a whole new venture for Arnold House School, with the addition of the Early Years provision. On the 8th September, eighty boys aged 3-5 years old, along with their parents, flooded through the gates of The Huxley Building, Marlborough Place ready to start their school journey, full of much anticipation and excitement.

As the first few weeks unraveled and everyone settled nicely into their routine, the usual buzz and vibrancy often seen in the Early Years was clear to see. Morning greetings on the front steps, welcoming boys in to begin their day, and a busy timetable to look forward to, filled with a range of opportunities for play and learning to take place.

Forest School with Mrs. Wootten proved a big hit in the second half of term, with smaller groups, across both age ranges, for structured sessions in the lead up to making some delicious hot chocolate using a Kelly Kettle, having made their own fire.

This time outdoors played a tremendous role in helping to support the boy’s overall wellbeing and involvement.

This term, there was much to look forward to in class, following topics led by the children focusing on emotions and key texts such as The Colour Monster and Stick Man.

Each Monday and Wednesday, the boys looked forward to their French and PE lessons with Miss Stones, proudly marching around the building in their PE kits, ready for action, whilst on Thursdays, the boys could be heard singing and performing, taking part in Music with Mrs Templeton.

A mindful and reflective approach was adopted by all working in the Early Years, helping it grow organically, with the boys’ needs and interests central to everything.

Our incredible parents volunteered to share information about Diwali, which the boys all embraced, making diva lamps and beautiful mandala patterns.

Literacy focused on mark-making and writing, developing hand-eye coordination as well as helping to establish fine motor skills. In Reception, some boys even went on to write their own texts, making plausible and phonetical attempts. A love of reading was installed throughout the Early Years, with story time a highlight of the day. Story scribing and Helicopter Stories also offered a chance for the boys to develop their vocabulary and extend their imagination and creativity.

In Reception, the boys made huge steps starting the Read Write Inc. scheme, taking books home and completing work set in their Diddy Books.

Mastery in mathematics was introduced to the boys, having hands on opportunities, solving problems and working with a selection of numbers and shapes.

Towards the end the term, the boys took part in many festive activities including a Christmas Performance for our Pre-Reception boys, a Nativity Play for Reception, the burial of our commemorative Time Capsule, writing letters to Santa and a Christmas Fair provided by the AHPA. With the curtains closing on our first term, we can look back with delight and pride in all that we as a School have achieved.

The heart and soul of the Arnold House community continues to grow stronger each day, and we look forward to watching on as the boys in Reception and PreReception mature and progress further up the School.

Victoria McKenzie Head of Early Years

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL - ASSEMBLY WINTER 2021

A NEW NORMAL It is said a week is a long time in politics, if this is true, then nineteen months is an awfully long time in a schoolboy’s educational journey. It is nineteen months since the first impact of Covid arrived and ever since, we have adapted and honed our response to the restrictions that have been imposed by the government on schools. After two lockdowns, bubbles and limitations on the activities that were allowed to take place, this term has been the closest we have been to normal since March 2020.

There was a real sense of excitement on the first day of term in September as we experienced our first full assembly and sung a hymn! Quiet and with nervous trepidation at first, the boys were soon raising the roof to the words of an Arnold House favourite ‘Jerusalem’, and it is indeed these small first moments that have been cherished throughout the term. Playing in the yard without having to keep to designated bubbles, eating lunch in mixed double year groups. The return of inter school sports fixtures and the pride the boys feel when representing their school, mixed year group activities and of course day trips to supplement boys’ learning, including the Verulamium for Year 4 and Go Ape Activity Centre for Year 6. Whilst we have not undertaken a trip abroad, plans are in place for trips to France, Ireland and Holland over the rest of the school year. Another highlight was the return of the Michaelmas Concert and Nativity Plays with an actual audience providing an atmosphere that spurred the boys on to perform at their absolute best.

The experience of a boy in November 2021 is in marked and positive contrast to that in November 2020.

There have, however, still been some differences to our pre-pandemic school days as some of the positive initiatives that have come out of Covid have remained. The use of Canons Park has been maintained, but no longer as a way of getting boys out of the building twice a week (Y5-8) or once a week (Y3&4), but used in its own right, with thought being given to the types of subjects being taught there and enhanced provision of technology in the classroom spaces.

Google Classroom continues to be widely employed, due to its efficiency in providing resources and storing boys’ work. The use of CloudShare to enable online parents’ evening, introduced during the lockdowns, has been retained, as it was found to be more convenient for parents.

Of course, we all know that Covid hasn’t gone away, older boys and staff routinely test themselves and there have been cases of boys having to isolate, but not in the numbers we have experienced in the previous terms. Confident use of Google Classroom by both boys and their teachers has meant that continuing provision can be made for boys in this situation. Those teachers who have had to isolate are able, if they are well enough, to teach from home, via Google Meet, with their lesson being broadcast live into the classrooms at Arnold House.

Going back to the opening thought, a week is a long time in politics; as I write this article, the Prime Minister has just announced the return of some restrictions due to the new Omicron variant including the wearing of masks for our older boys and staff. By now we are well rehearsed in adapting to change when the need arises and whilst we can’t predict the continuing impact of the pandemic, we can look back fondly at a term of plenty of cherished moments reminiscent of pre-pandemic life.

John Hill Deputy Headmaster (Academic)

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL - ASSEMBLY WINTER 2021

INTERVIEW WITH MR TOLLIT

By Head Boy, Virgile Riboud-Seydoux

What was your first impression of Arnold House?

My first visit was on a glorious, summer’s day last July and I received an incredibly warm welcome from both the boys and staff. Returning as Headmaster this term, I have found a school full of enthusiastic, polite boys willing to try their hand at the huge variety of curricular and cocurricular activity on offer. A hard-working staff body who genuinely want the boys to succeed in everything they do. Three great sites with lots of unique opportunities for a prep school in central London and an incredibly supportive parent body.

everyone’s names. Working out where everything is and how to use the photocopier! And of course, the continuing challenges of running a school during an unpredictable pandemic.

What have been the highlights of your first term?

So many; the Football Festival, Singing in Church, Charity Day and of course officially opening The Huxley Building and launching our Early Year provision. Teaching Classics and getting to know the boys and staff. Meeting many delightful prospective families and enjoying the lovely surrounding areas of St John’s Wood.

What are your memories from school?

I was fortunate enough to go to a school very much like Arnold House called Holmewood House. It was all boys and my parents were very involved through the Parents’ Association. I had inspiring teachers and made many friends who I still speak to today. I loved every minute of it and there is no doubt that is why I am doing what I am doing now.

What are the main differences between Arnold House and Horris Hill?

Actually, there are quite a lot similarities, both all boys schools, both go from Early Years up to Year 8 and both have lots of busy boys running around being successful.

The biggest difference is that Horris Hill is mainly a boarding school and so there are lots of dormitories on site and I would have breakfast and supper with the boys as well as Saturday School and Sunday trips. For me personally, one difference is not seeing my wife who I worked with every day and not having my dog Bilbo with me!

What are you most looking forward to about working at Arnold House?

It’s a great school and I am looking forward to being part of the next chapter in its history. Embracing all the traditions of Arnold House whilst shaping a future that recognises the fast changing pace of education today.

How would you describe Arnold House in three words?

Successful, busy and exciting.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

Being the new boy, getting to know the school and

What would pupils be surprised to find out about you?

I am an Arsenal supporter and do the Times crossword every day. We are a very active family and enjoy time together swimming in lakes, sailing and running. On a few occasions in the last few years I have run around 100 miles in one go. Two years ago I broke my wrist skateboarding!

Who has inspired you in life and why?

I am always inspired by people who make me see the world in different ways, whether it is through art, theatre or photography or by professionals such as Scientists or Entrepreneurs. I have been lucky enough to meet and work with lots of people who have inspired me in this way throughout by career.

What wisdom would you like to pass onto the boys of Arnold House?

As I told the boys in my first assembly, it is important that whenever we need help, we must ask for it. I am also a great believer in ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again’. Finally, never stop learning. Education is very important; you should continue to learn for the rest of your life and the longer you can stay in education, the more skills you will develop which will ultimately contribute to your future success.

Finally, what is your favourite AH School Lunch?

The Mexican themed day was fabulous but I suspect that sitting here just before Christmas Lunch, I could well change my mind by the end of the day!

ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL, 1 Loudoun Road, St John’s Wood, London, NW8 0LH Tel: +44 (0)20 7266 4840 Email: office@arnoldhouse.co.uk