Summer 2017
In Touch Summer 2017
In this issue...
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Editor: Katy Chantrey Artwork: Julia Thurling
Print: Doveton Press Cover: Croquet on Cedars Lawn
Wells Cathedral School, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ST Tel: 01749 834200 http://wells.cathedral.school
Principal's Letter Successes RIBA Award Share a Pencil Election Hustings Fire! Fire!
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We love science Creative Arts Junior School Summer Chicks Beyond the Seven Seas Arts Week Double Winners Sport Regional Hockey Girls' Cricket CCF Dining in Night Outdoor Education Bronze, Silver and Gold! Trips & Visits Jazz Combo in Hong Kong Geneva Exchange
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Music Open Mic Night Event in the Hall Promenades Quintet at The Hague Mid Somerset Success Chamber Choir at Bath Basses Galore! Taunton Young Musician Double for Nikita Choristers Old Wellensians Foundation People
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Principal's Letter its gap to see Jocelyn and the junior school. These are just some of our everyday buildings - there are many others, most beautiful, some way beyond their sell by dates, all useful.
Welcome to this end of year In Touch. This is a celebration of recent events: times when others have come to us and times when we’ve gone out to them, times of individual and group accomplishment, aspiration and achievement. I’ve just been privileged to see an exhibition of Cezanne’s work called ‘Le Chant de Terre.’ Recently, someone commented, ‘This place sings’ as we walked around Cedars Field. It was a comment about people - we were surrounded by croquet players, football kickers, cricketers, people of all ages and sizes and many nationalities anticipating a good lunch, reflecting on exams just past or to come, or focusing on the next destination in a busy day. It was a comment about greenness and heritage landscape, well maintained. Its metaphorical content was a tribute to a school with music at its heart. But it was also a comment about place, and about buildings in that place. We’d seen the cathedral, seen Cedars and its pragmatic dining hall extension, seen the ancient and protected yew hedge, and looked through
Wells Cathedral School
And we’d seen Cedars Hall. I confess that I hadn’t realised until the building was finished how much of its own personality it would develop and how quickly it would start to affect so much that we do: Arts Week, dramatic productions, the concerto competition, A level art and photography exhibitions, routine assemblies, practising, recording, rehearsing, listening, speaking, teaching, learning, our toddlers’ ‘Sing and Swim’ twice weekly group (the ‘sing’ part of it only - flooding the John Baxter foyer was never part of the design brief), staff briefings, open days, congregational coffee - as well, of course, as concerts of all kinds in different parts of the building. People want to visit us more because of it. And the building itself keeps on challenging us to do all these things differently and better, as well as being beautiful, simple and startling. So if ‘This place sings’ , it sings better and in new ways because of Cedars Hall. We’re very proud that it has won regional and national RIBA awards, grateful to all those of you who helped us to achieve it, and pleased to have welcomed this new personality to the community. Keep coming to visit us, and keep telling us how to make this place sing even better!
In Touch Summer 2017
RIBA South West
Building of the Year Award 2017 Cedars Hall was presented with a South West RIBA award, as well as the prestigious RIBA South West Building of the Year Award 2017 for the South West & Wessex region, at the RIBA South West Architecture Awards held in Bristol in May.
Cedars Hall has enabled the school’s many ensembles and orchestras as well as individual performers. The Crucible had major impact in it and the senior school house singing competition used it to capacity. - Principal, Elizabeth Cairncross RIBA Awards always bring out the best in local and national architects across our vast region, and this year’s shortlist offered quality, diversity of type and scale, excellence in design, and lots of delight. - RIBA South West Regional Director, Jon Watkins
In Touch Summer 2017
This year Cedars Hall has already played host to some of the top acts of this year’s Wells Comedy Festival; it has been filled with young audiences captivated by maths and science lectures from Simon Singh and Steve Mould; and has attracted a wide and exciting range of international artists, from Clare Teal and the Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra, to classical cellist Leonid Gorokhov, guitar phenomenon Mike Dawes, and Somerset legends The Wurzels. Most recently, comedian Vikki Stone presented her debut orchestral work alongside the Wells Cathedral School Chamber Orchestra. Cedars Hall has now gone through to the National RIBA Awards, taking place in London later this year. Wells Cathedral School
Successes
Wells Young Chef Congratulations to Year 9 student Saskia Clarke, who won the local round of the Rotary Young Chef Competition, held at the
Share a Pencil Day Students from Years 6 to 9 took part in Wells' first national Share a Pencil Day in May under the guidance of Jules Desmarchelier-Arpino. The aim of the day, organised by the charity, HOPE, was to raise awareness of the lack of access to education for 124 million children around the world, as a result of conflict and war, poverty, health, family circumstances and lack of resources.
Blue School in mid-January. Saskia’s winning menu consisted of Kandala curry, poppadoms and rice, served with a tomato and onion side dish. Her dessert was a delicious mango mousse with lime biscuits. Saskia’s winning menu was prepared for a celebratory meal at The Swan Hotel in Wells in March, and served to over 60 rotarians and their guests.
The students were introduced to the topic through a special assembly, visited by guests Mr Evan Lewis, founder of HOPE, and councillor Tessa Munt, a long time supporter of HOPE. This was then followed up with an hour long lesson to raise awareness of the difficulties of learning when you do not have access to the most basic of equipment. The day was organised both in support of HOPE and Wells’ own Sierra Leone Project, with all students encouraged to donate £1 to buy a special pencil made by HOPE from recycled CD cases. Over £300 was raised from the sale of the pencils.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Election Hustings 2017 On 1st June the school, in partnership with Sustainable Wells, held a hustings event in Cedars Hall for the Wells prospective parliamentary candidates. The evening took the form of a Question Time-style debate, with members of the audience quizzing the panel on national and local issues, just one week before the country went to the polls. Panel members included James Heappey, Conservative, who was re-elected, Tessa Munt, Liberal Democrats, Andy Merryfield, Labour, and Lorna Corke, Christian Peoples Alliance. Local and national journalists covered the event, with sixth form students James Karpinski, Kaia Nisser and Sorrel Wilson interviewed for The Guardian. The school streamed the hustings live on youtube. To see the debate, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VxQG2Tiptoo
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Successes
Team Maths Challenge Winners! In March a team of four Year 10 and 11 students
UK Maths Challenge Gold Award Congratulations to the group of students who gained Gold in the Intermediate UK Maths Challenge: Harry Chantrey and Amber Cooknell in Year 9; William Haskins, Jonathan Knott and Danni Woodnutt in Year 10; Lulwa Al-Shamlan, Samuel Anoyrkatis, Maxim Cooper, Miranda Green, Jane Lee, Jason Lo and Samuel Pritchard in Year 11. In the Senior UK Maths Challenge, six Wells students were awarded Gold: Year 11 student Samuel Pritchard, Year 12 students Connie McDonnell and Samuel Sutherland; and Year 13 students Herman Leung, Phoebe Lu and Benjamin Richards.
Congratulations to the Wells Young Enterprise company, T-Mix, who took part in the Young Enterprise County Competition held at Castle Green in Taunton in May.
took part in the Millfield Team Mathematics Competition. The team of Sam Anoyrkatis, Miranda Green, Emma Greenshields and William Haskins, along with 13 other teams from local schools, battled through rounds of different mathematical challenges and came out winners!
Young Enterprise win award
This was a live trading event with most stallholders selling locally-produced food and drink, alongside four Young Enterprise teams. T-Mix sold plenty of their hand-made, decorative, perfumed crystal candles; and were presented with the award for Best Presentation. All teams learnt from each other, and from the judges, all successful entrepreneurs themselves, and continued with their businesses to the end of term.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Emergency Services Training Exercise at Wells
At the end of April, trained officers from the Wells police, ambulance and fire services took part in a pre-planned two hour-long simulated emergency services exercise, along with school staff and students from Cedars.
provide ‘real life’ practice for the emergency services, as well as to give the school the opportunity to rehearse their fire drills, and health and safety procedures with trained school fire officers.
From 7.00pm, fire engines, police cars and ambulances, along with the command control vehicle for the Wells emergency services started arriving on the school site from across the city, to take part in a simulated fire and rescue exercise in the basement of Cedars House. The command control vehicle was lined up for the exercise, allowing all three emergency services to coordinate their joint response to a large scale danger.
The exercise was able to provide realistic experience of the safe and controlled evacuation of large numbers of children living in residential property, on a real site, complicated by the idiosyncrasies and complexity of a large historic building like Cedars House.
Kept a secret from all students and most school staff, the exercise was planned to
In Touch Summer 2017
In addition to the fire engines, police cars and ambulances, the fire service added realistic simulated smoke, and the extra requirement for the firemen to ‘rescue’ 20-stone dummies from the basement of Cedars House as part of the operation.
Wells Cathedral School
Successes
French Spelling Bee Competition In April, Year 7 students Abigail Gough, Florence Hutchison and George Marwood, attended Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton to compete in the South-West Regional Finals of the National Languages Spelling Bee competition. This is the second year that the Wells languages team have taken part in this Routes Into Languages competition. Over 5,000 students in Year 7 entered the competition in September in the UK and at Wells, around 15 students volunteered to have a go. Each term, students had to learn 50 new French words and and at the end of the term, there was an internal competition, where students had one minute to translate and spell as many words as possible! Each term, only the top students were taken forward to the next stage, until only three remained.
We are very proud to have had three very worthy regional competitors, who did superbly on the day! - Jules Desmarchelier
Wells Cathedral School
English Speaking Union A public speaking team consisting of Year 11 student Angus Lo, Year 10 student Frances Fraser and Year 9 student Benjamin Summers took to the stage to impress the judges in the annual Taunton and District Final of the ESU public speaking competition. Angus spoke with passion and expertise on the subject, Are referendums a pure form of democracy? and answered many challenging questions with agility and confidence. Ben chaired the presentation superbly and was awarded the coveted 'best chair of the competition' award. Frances acquitted herself very well too in what was her first experience of competitive public speaking. The team were judged runners-up overall, pipped by Taunton School and were awarded generous book tokens for their efforts.
In Touch Summer 2017
We
Science !!
The Science department at Wells has been even busier than usual this year! Here is a round-up of some of our most notable news, achievements and successes: British Physics Olympiad Congratulations to eight Wells students who participated in the British Physics Olympiad Round 1. This gruelling paper challenges the 2,000 most able physicists in the UK to solve problems well beyond the school curriculum. Particular mention must go to Year 13 students Orlando Fraser who achieved Gold, and is in the top 10% nationally; and to Benjamin Richards who achieved Silver, and is in the top 25% nationally.
Simon Singh and The Simpsons In March, Somerset-born particle physicist, cypher expert and TV science guru, Simon Singh gave an inspiring lecture The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets to an appreciative audience of students from schools across the south west, their teachers, parents and local guests in a packed Eavis Hall.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Successes
Science Comedy Show In March comedy physicist Steve Mould brought his unique mix of experiments and comedy to students in Years 9 and 10, in the Eavis Hall, part of the events season at Cedars Hall.
Particle Physics Masterclass In March 15 sixth form physics students had the opportunity of taking part in a Particle Physics Masterclass at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories in Oxfordshire. In the morning the students were given the opportunity to process real data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and search for the elusive Higgs Boson. In the afternoon the students were given a tour of ISIS, a neutron accelerator. The students relished the opportunity to see the applications of the physics they have been learning in the classroom and to learn about cutting-edge developments in physics.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
New Conference Pear for Boarding Orchard In early June a conference pear tree was added to the school’s Boarding Schools’ Association orchard, planted in Jocelyn Gardens. Year 7 students Markus Hoppe, Alex Wong, Dhanya Dharmendran and Demi Adekola were helped by head boy Angus Mitchell and directed by head gardener Paul Barnett and head groundsman Craig Keast.
HRH the Duke of Gloucester Visit HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited Vicars’ Close and Cedars Hall in midJune. His Royal Highness was escorted on a tour of Vicars’ Close; the most complete example of a medieval Close in the UK and built 650 years ago to house the men of the Cathedral choir. Later in the afternoon, he visited Cedars Hall, where he met Elizabeth Cairncross, Andy Kemp, Julie Barrow and Cedars Hall architect, Eric Parry, along with head boy Angus Mitchell and head girl Zoë Tweed. The Duke attended Evensong in the Cathedral before departing Wells in a helicopter. In Touch Summer 2017
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Successes
Sylvia Selected for Stanford Summer College Programme
Confirmation in May A group of pupils were confirmed in May by The Rt Revd Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, at Wells Cathedral.
Year of the Rooster The senior school celebrated the Chinese New Year at the Cathedral in style with a moving song about returning home, a Chinese flute solo, prayers in Chinese, Chinese zodiac sign organisation, and an inspirational talk about outward, inner and secret animal characters from head of EAL, Julia Bird. The celebratory assembly was concluded with rousing percussion and an energetic dragon dance! Wells Cathedral School
Congratulations to Year 11 Wells International Study Centre (WISC) pupil Sylvia Xia, who has been selected for the prestigious eightweek Stanford Summer College Programme over the summer holidays. The Stanford courses are compressed to fit the eight-week school term, and are designed to challenge students academically as they are more fast-paced and rigorous than traditional senior school courses.
Emma and Bandit Runner Up at Crufts Congratulations to Year 10 student Emma Greenshields and her gorgeous dog Bandit, who were Runners-up at this year’s Crufts in the Young Person's Dog Agility section! In Touch Summer 2017
A selection of GCSE artwork from Y ear 11 students ...
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Creative Arts
And from Y ear 10 ...
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Open Afternoon Pupils put on a vibrant display of dancing on Jocelyn Lawn and gym routines in the Eavis Hall for parents at this summer’s junior school open afternoon.
Nursery and pre-prep pupils have enjoyed learning about nature this term, and had a lot of fun incubating and hatching eggs from their hens, as well as cuddling the resulting chicks!
World Book Day Pre-prep pupils dressed as characters from their favourite books and nursery rhymes to embrace World Book Day.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Junior School
Beyond the Seven Seas Pupils in the pre-prep and nursery classes gave a series of vibrant performances of Peter Paninspired musical, Beyond the Seven Seas, to audiences of junior school pupils, parents, friends and family in mid-March, a joyous culmination of their work in music and drama over the last two months. Beyond the Seven Seas was written and directed by Wells' own Penny Lambert, and featured mermaids, pirates, native American Indians, the Lost Boys, crocodiles, as well as Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Smee, Wendy, her brothers John and Michael and little Tinkerbell. It proved a colourful and lively way to round off the Lent term for all the pupils.
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In Touch Summer 2017
Arts Week
Pupils across the junior school enjoyed the annual arts week at the end of May, with the focus this year on the National Gallery Take One Picture initiative. The picture used was Pintoricchio’s Penelope with the Suitors.
This year specialist artists worked alongside the children, demonstrating their skills and conducting workshops with specific year groups. There were versions of Greek myths, Greek tri-remes, a scarecrow super hero and even Greek dancing!
Spring Fayre The Parents’ Association and Chorister Parents’ Association raised over £900 and created a fabulous end of term celebration at this year's Spring Fayre!
Year 3 History Trip In March pupils in Year 3 enjoyed a Roman and Saxon experience at The Museum of Somerset in Taunton. The children attended workshops during the day, including painting their own Alfred’s Jewel, designing mosaics and even re-enacting a Viking and Saxon battle.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Junior School
Double Mendip Cross Country Winners! Congratulations to Year 4 pupil Linsey Mitchell and Year 6 pupil Dimity Williams, both champions in their age group categories in this year’s Mendip Junior Cross Country League, helping to ensure a first and second place podium position for Wells respectively for the Lower School Girls and the Upper School Girls team event, in a thrilling end to the season. A special mention must also go to Year 4 pupil Aeryn Ross-Greek, who was runner up in the Lower School Girls category to Linsey.
In total, ten Wells pupils were selected by Mendip to represent the region in the Somerset Schools Inter-Area Cross Country championships against Yeovil, Chard, Huish & Langport and Sedgemoor. Congratulations to Year 4 pupils Daniel Allen, Georgie Chappell, Ava Cooke, Darcey Lucas, Isla Miller, Linsey Mitchell, Aeryn Ross-Greek and SianMarie Valuto; and to Year 6 pupils Florence Gummer and Dimity Williams. At this event Linsey was crowned champion of her age group for the whole Somerset schools area.
Congratulations to Isabelle Knott in Year 5, who has been selected to represent Somerset at tennis, for the second year in succession; and to Alex Karseras in Year 5, who has been selected to represent Somerset at Under 10 cricket.
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In Touch Summer 2017
Congratulations to the Under 15 Boys Hockey Squad who reached the Quarter Finals in the national Independent Schools Hockey Cup. The team, coached by head of hockey, James Mayes, beat teams from Warminster School, King’s Bruton and Bristol Grammar School to reach the last eight, and were narrowly beaten 2-1 by St George’s Weybridge.
U15s Hockey quarter finals
Congratulations to the 14 man squad: George Birkett, Maxim Cooper, Callum Deans, Jack Denegri, Alex Eastment, Matt Howard, Andy Kwon, Luke Martin-Jones, Harley Mycock, Hugh Page, Jack Pidgeon, Jacob Potts, Tom Stephens and Quentin Taschini.
Hockey Performance Centre Congratulations to Year 9 hockey players Jack Denegri, Hugh Page and Lily Webb, and to Year 10 player Megan Taylor, who have been selected for the prestigious West Performance Centre. The Performance Centres are for students aged between 14 - 17, nominated by their Academy Centre coaches for consistently demonstrating talent and potential, and represent the final stage of selection before the elite Futures Cup squads.
Bath Buccanears Congratulations to Year 9 hockey players Jack Denegri and Harley Mycock, whose team Bath Buccanears won the Avon League in the U14 Boys category this year; and also to Poppy Agabani, Amber Cooknell and Lily Webb, whose U14 Girls Bath Buccanears team were runners up.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Sport
Junior Ginetta podium places Congratulations to Year 10 student Tom Canning who came second and third on the podium in the Junior Ginetta Races at Thruxton in May - placing him 11th in the championship.
Triathlon success
Thomas competes at British Schools Competition
At the County Athletics Championships in Yeovil in early June, Year 10 athlete Matthew Howard won the 3,000m and was crowned county champion. This follows continued success for Matt in high level triathlon, where he has been competing against other European youth athletes in European qualifiers, recently coming 15th in a major event at Blenheim.
Congratulations to Year 8 judo star Thomas Hill, who competed in the British Schools Competition held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield in April, having won bronze and silver in the under 55kg category of two of the Western Area Championships.
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In Touch Summer 2017
Sport
Mimi Selected for Somerset Congratulations to Year 7 student Mimi Corr, who has been selected for the Under 12 Somerset Tennis squad, based on her ranking. She represented Somerset in the County Cup in early July.
Girls take on Millfield The newly formed senior girls’ cricket squad played a two-way fixture against Millfield during the summer term. Training began with coach Sorcha Brivio-Stone straight after Easter, with only three weeks to the first match. Despite losing both games to a well-drilled opponent, the team played with style and skill. Stand-out players were Year 9 batsmen Poppy Agabani and Lily Webb; whilst bowlers Adele Potts in Year 12, and Lily Webb took some very impressive wickets. In Touch Summer 2017
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CCF
CCF Dinner The third Tonks Memorial Dinner, in memory of Warrant Officer Gary Tonks, was held at the Swan Hotel in Wells in May. More than 60 officers, guests and cadets attended the Contingent's ninth 'Dining in Night' a tradition started by WO Tonks in 2009. The proud tradition of British military units holding a ‘Dining in Night’ goes back to the time of the English Civil War and it is seen as essential to maintaining a sense of esprit de corps and tradition. The guest of honour, Andy Kemp, gave an after dinner speech about the unique opportunities for leadership training within the cadet forces, the Tonks Memorial Trophy was awarded to Cdt Sgt Kathryn Offer and Douglas Howell was appointed Contingent Sergeant Major (CSM).
Royal Air Force Private Officers Congratulations to Charlotte Serpis and Jack Coward, recently commissioned as private officers in the Royal Air Force. They have both joined the school CCF as RAF section officers and will be doing their training course at RAF Cranwell later this year.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
The Duke of Edinburgh Award The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme goes from strength to strength at Wells, led by director of outdoor learning and Duke of Edinburgh Award coordinator Chris
of the student groups, and provide him with the ability to flag serious issues before they become full blown emergencies.
Rondel, and his CCF school staff instructor, Glyn Lancey. This year 133 girls and boys from Years 9 to 13 have taken part in the award, involving hours of voluntary service, developing a skill, taking part in a physical activity, and going on expeditions.
Two year groups have been working simultaneously on their Gold Award: 24 from the current Year 12; and 25 from Year 13. Led by Gold Award leader, David Rowley, both qualifying expeditions took place over four days and three nights in the Cadair Idris area of Snowdonia. The Year 12 group’s practice expedition was in the Black Mountains at Easter, with the qualifying expedition still to come later in the summer.
49 Year 9 students joined up to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and started working on their Bronze award last September, with the school year culminating in an overnight practice and later qualifying expedition on the Mendips - some groups experiencing cloudless skies and full sunshine, others heavy rain and mist, courtesy of the changeable British summer weather. 35 Year 10 students took part in the Silver Award this year, the first time this age cohort has been able to take part at this level. Their practice expedition took place on frosty Dartmoor in early October, with their qualifying expedition on Exmoor at the beginning of the October recess. Both groups have benefited enormously from the state-of-the-art Spot 3 satellite tracking devices with which they are issued at the start of each expedition. These devices allow Chris and his team to monitor the progress
In Touch Summer 2017
To date, 19 of the current Year 13 students have completed their Gold Award and will be presented with their Award at St James's Palace in the Autumn. Congratulations to Emily Ake, Emilie Colliar, Alicia Corr, Alex Corum, Orlando Fraser, Thomas Garty, Gemma Gordon, Freddie Gummer, Jessica Higgins, Joe Lewis, Angus Mitchell, Lydia Morris, Rhodri Moss, Oliver Passey, Holly Passmore, Benjamin Richards, Olivia-Grace Smith, Marianne Sutton and Patrick Tully. Finally, a big thank you to the Parents’ Association who recently funded a further 12 specialist youth fit expedition rucksacks for the 2017 season. The PA have been generous supporters of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme at Wells, helping us to outfit our participants with the latest equipment.
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Outdoor Ed.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Jazz Combo in Hong Kong Wells Senior Jazz Combo, comprising eight sixth form specialists, travelled to Hong Kong over Easter to present a programme of mainstream jazz standards and their own compositions at a range of venues across the city. The ensemble were welcomed by the Wells Music Society of Hong and by many local jazz fans at venues as diverse as Ned Kelly’s Last Stand, Grappa’s Jazz Night, Bert’s Bar and the prestigious Hong Kong Club. The highlight of the week was a recording in front of a live studio audience at Radio Hong Kong which was broadcast on 1st May on Radio 3 RTHK and presented by long time Wells supporter Phil Whelan. Wells musicians worked alongside Hong Kong based
In Touch Summer 2017
musicians, including Australian saxophonist Blaine Whittaker, who joined them for the radio broadcast. The combo also visited two schools, performing for 800 students at Yew Chung International School before helping them to launch the Earth Day Festival; as well as visiting Ying Wa College. Participating musicians were pianist Innes Yellowlees, bassist Matthew Mower, saxophonists Luke Riedlinger and Sylvan Biscoe, drummer Alex Henshaw, trumpeter Felix Brandis, trombonist James Thomas and vocalist Cian Ducrot.
Wells Cathedral School
Trips & Visits
Going Dutch In March a chamber music ensemble from Wells performed in the presence of the former Queen Beatrix, now Princess Beatrix of the
Geneva Exchange At the end of March, ten Wells students travelled to Geneva for a week on the first leg of their French exchange with students from the Institut Florimont in Switzerland. Students spent the weekend with their Swiss families, returning to school on the Monday to attend lessons in French and English. Later in the week they went on excursions to the European headquarters of the United Nations, visited the old town, tried out the little Geneva train, enjoyed spectacular views from the top of St Peter's Cathedral, and had a picnic in the Parc des Bastions. There was also a trip to Lausanne to visit the Olympic museum. Students had a great week and their Swiss partners could not wait to come and spend time in Somerset! They arrived two weeks later and Wells hosted a big BBQ and introduced the Swiss to the game of croquet. During their week here, the students visited Bristol, Bath and Longleat and had a private guided tour of the Bishop's Palace. The exchange is always a great opportunity to discover new cultures, practise language skills and create new friendships, and there are already plans afoot for reciprocal visits amongst the students.
Wells Cathedral School
Netherlands, with eight European schools forming the new European Network of Schools for Young Talent. Wells musicians joined the Sächsisches Landesgymnasium für Musik, Dresden, Germany, the Musikgymnasium C.P.E. Bach, Berlin, Germany, the Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham, United Kingdom, the Academia de Música e Dança do Fundão, Fundao, Portugal, the Escola Professional de Artes da Covilha, Covilha, Portugal, the East Helsinki Music Institute, Helsinki, Finland, the Barrat-Due Musikkinstitutt, Oslo – Norway and the School voor Jong Talent, Den Haag, The Netherlands. Director of music, Mark Stringer was delighted to sign the agreement on the school's behalf and declare that Wells Cathedral School was delighted to opt in.
In Touch Summer 2017
Open Mic Night Success The first sixth form open mic night to take place in the new performing space in the foyer of Cedars Hall was populated by students from the rock and popular music department. Although the night belonged to the sixth form, the student-led event invited the Year 7 rock group to perform a guest set as the opening act. The band romped through four classical rock covers of Paranoid by Black Sabbath, Enter the Sandman by Metallica, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana and American Idiot by Green Day. All the covers were performed with an extraordinary attention to detail and adherence to the original classics.
The evening also featured a second performance of the day from Year 13 singer songwriter Marianne Sutton, who had started the day by becoming the first student to perform one of her own songs in the weekly music assembly to the whole school.
Debut FOR Marianne
In February Year 13 singer songwriter Marianne Sutton made her performance debut in Cedars Hall in front of 230 people as she performed a set of original material. For 45 minutes Marianne entertained an appreciative audience with a set list of own songs penned over the last year.
The open mic night provided an opportunity for any sixth form student to step forward and perform any piece they wished; and following the evening’s success, further similar events are planned.
Marianne is currently a specialist musician, with violin as her first study, but has decided to take a very different career path in her plans for life after Wells. This term she has been hard at work in the studio recording a new song specially written for this year’s speech day, as well as shooting a video to accompany the song with other students. The song is entitled Shoulder to Shoulder.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Music
Event in the Hall
On Saturday 25th March, sixth formers hosted Event in the Hall: a musical spectacle that exhibited a wealth of talent from across the school. The music performed included an eclectic mix of rock, jazz, pop, acoustic and so there was something for everybody. As well as Wells bands such as CiphA, Cian Ducrot & friends, Folkeilidh Revival and Jazz Orchestra, Old Wellensian Josh Betley alongside his band Signature was welcomed back to Wells. Profits of over £3,000 went to Médecins sans Frontières, an independent charity providing impartial medical aid where it's needed most, to 65 countries.
Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Great Torrington School Visit As part of the outreach programme at Wells, creative workshops in choral work and percussion were held in April with Great Torrington School. Great Torrington had won a Music Education Award for the diversity of their extracurricular activities and they chose to have a workshop day with us as their prize. 25 students enjoyed a full day of choral workshops run by Chris Finch, Phil Lawson, and a percussion session courtesy of Sean Rigby on the African drums. As well as a performance by Choralia, the day was rounded off by the pupils attending chorister rehearsals and Evensong at Wells Cathedral. The students really enjoyed the day's opportunities and would love to forge future links with Wells
Daniel Selected for LSO Academy Congratulations to Year 12 percussionist Daniel Watt, who has been selected for the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra Timpani and Percussion Academy, which will take place at LSO St Luke’s in Old Street in London during the summer.
The Colin Currie Group Wells percussionists experienced an inspiring residency with the Colin Currie Group in early January, pictured here with head of percussion, Jayne Obradovic. Led by British percussionist Colin Currie, the Colin Currie Group is a virtuosic percussion ensemble that specialises in the music of Steve Reich. Formed for a performance at the 2006 BBC Proms in London, since which they have performed across the world from Amsterdam to Tokyo, the Colin Currie Group is warmly endorsed by Reich, who has described Colin Currie as “one of the greatest musicians in the world today” - Herald Scotland, March 2013. In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Music
Brass and Percussion Promenade The annual Brass and Percussion Promenade concert took place at the end of January in Wells Cathedral, featuring a broad and eclectic mix of repertoire played by musicians aged from 9 to 18. From Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks to the Ferio performance of Glennie’s Little Prayer, the evening’s music was selected in commemoration of the popular BBC Radio
programme, Desert Island Discs, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. In contrast to many other concerts, the audience of the promenade concert is able to wander around and explore the three dimensions of music, light and space within the grandeur of the ancient cathedral, a truly special evening, with a diverse repertoire for everyone to enjoy.
Orchestra places awarded to Wells pupils Congratulations to Year 12 horn player Josie Whale who has been awarded a place with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, and a Leverhulme Arts Scholar Award. Congratulations also to Year 5 percussionist Isabelle Knott who has been selected for the National Children’s Orchestra for 2017.
High Sheriff Trumpeters Congratulations to Year 13 trumpeters, Jacob Griffiths, Darcey Jago and Meghan Shepherd, who played a fanfare for the annual Legal Service in Wells Cathedral. The retiring High Sheriff wrote, "Please thank each of them on behalf of the (ex) High Sheriff and all present. They make the Legal Service a high point of the year."
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In Touch Summer 2017
Darcie Selected for Kennedy Center Summer Music Institute Congratulations to Year 13 trumpeter, Darcie Jago, who has been selected to participate on full scholarship in the Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) National Trustees Summer Music Institute (SMI) for a month over the summer. The prestigious course will take place between June 26-July 24, in Washington, DC and will include lessons with an NSO or Washington National Opera (WNO) musician; master classes and seminars with music professionals; side-by-side rehearsals with the NSO; and participation in the NSO Summer Music Institute orchestra, which will be conducted by Abel Pereira, Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic.
There will also be two public concerts, on July 9th and July 23rd in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Roger Argente Returns to Wells Roger Argente, principal bass trombone of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, made a welcome return visit to Wells in May to work with senior school brass students on brass chamber music repertoire. This included classes for quintet, dectet, septet and trombone ensemble. There was also time for a session on symphonic brass technique, which included working on Tchaikovsky’s magnificent 5th Symphony.
In Touch Summer 2017
Roger said: "Thanks once again for a fabulous day, I always feel completely recharged and inspired after visiting the school. Keep up the good work! �
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Music
Trombone Inspiration Helen Vollam, Principal Trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra,
Jazz Trumpet Virtuosi Visits Wells The brass department, in partnership with the jazz department, were delighted to welcome jazz trumpet virtuosi, Percy Pursglove, for a trumpet masterclass at the end of January. Percy, in his first visit to Wells, spent the day working with trumpet pupils from Years 6 to 13 in three classes exploring jazz improvisation and creative soundscape work. Percy is a lecturer in jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire and works with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Wales and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland. An inspiring performer, Percy brought his unique style of jazz teaching to Wells, accompanying the students on double bass as well as playing trumpet in a dazzling array of different jazz styles and genres.
Jesse Performs Solo Charity Recital Year 11 student Jesse Musson was recently invited to perform a full solo recital to an appreciative audience at Cadnum Methodist Church near Salisbury, accompanied by the Rev. Julian Williams. The concert was a charity event to raise money for the work of Evangelical Action Brazil who support and care for vulnerable people from slums and farming communities in South America. Jesse performed a mixed repertoire of solo trumpet works with music by Telemann, Peeters and Bach.
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made her first visit to Wells to give a stunning day of trombone masterclasses to trombone pupils, including both specialist and nonspecialist trombonists. The day included individual masterclasses, audition technique as well as trombone choir rehearsals, with Helen Vollam playing alongside Wells pupils.
Brass Visit West Hill Park As part of Wells outreach activities, a creative brass workshop and concert were held at West Hill Park Prep School at the start of March. Ten brass players, led by Paul Denegri, gave a lively and interactive workshop to a group of 20 enthusiastic West Hill pupils and their music teachers.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wind Quartet at The Hague A woodwind quintet from the school participated in a two day music festival at the Royal Dutch Conservatory of Music in The Hague in April. The festival was attended by ten invited specialist music schools from Europe. Representatives of these institutions have recently signed an agreement to collaborate on various projects over the
next few years. Our musicians will perform in concerts in The Hague and also at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Ashby Mayes, Poppy Webb-Taylor, Alicia Steanson, Josie Whale and Flora Cooknell played a piece in which all the students attending collaborated, whilst the Wells solo piece was Hans Kox Little Lethe Symphony.
Farleigh Prep School Visit The 6-piece Jazz Combo had a productive visit to Farleigh Prep School, near Andover in May. The sessions commenced with a workshop for a group of 20 children, which quickly led to an improvisation lesson and demonstration from Ed Leaker, head of woodwind, whilst the youngsters gamely tried out their solo improvisation skills. The four hour session ended with a finale concert to 25 Farleigh parents, who were very impressed with what their children had achieved.
Stephen Hough Masterclass Stephen Hough gave a commanding masterclass to Wells pianists, followed by a thrilling recital in the Eavis Hall. Described in The Guardian as, “The most perfect piano playing conceivable" , we were delighted to welcome Stephen to inspire our musicians and provide a wonderful evening of musical entertainment.
In Touch Summer 2017
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Music
Year 13 trombonist Thomas Williams was the winner in the Brass, Woodwind and Recorder Concerto competition, and Year 7 cellist Freya Hyde won the Advanced Cello/Double Bass Solo.
Mid Somerset Festival Wells musicians performed well in this year’s Mid Somerset Festival, held in Bath in March. In the keyboards section Wells students entered ten classes, winning nine of these, as well as the two discretionary awards. Particular congratulations must go to Lulwa Al Shamlan in Year 11 for winning The Piano Shop Bath Salver as most outstanding senior pianist; and to Bridget Yee in Year 8 for winning the Western Daily Press Challenge Trophy as most outstanding junior pianist. Other keyboard results included wins for Year 12 student Julian Chan in the Concerto and Open 20th Century classes, for Year 13 student Phoebe Lu in the Open Recital class, for Year 9 student Sejin Yoon in the Open Baroque class, and for Year 6 student Jeremy Tan in the Under 11 Repertoire class.
Lulwa also performed at the Kuwait Opera House in the spring and at the opening ceremony of The Gulf Youth Festival, in March.
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Year 8 harpist, and nonspecialist, Amy Law came first in the Intermediate Harp Solo class; whilst Year 12 harpist Katie Sherratt won the Advanced Harp Solo Repertoire class. Katie also went on to compete for the Thelma King Instrumental Award. Year 11 singer Madeleine Perring was awarded the prestigious Mary King Vocal
Award for the best vocalist, having been awarded first place in the senior Art Song and Opera/Operetta categories. Year 13 singer Charles Secombe won the Oratorio class; Year 12 singer Thea Grace Callaghan won the senior Vocal Recital class; and Year 8 singer Lilian Hopper won both the junior Art Song (13) class and the Own Vocal Composition class. In Touch Summer 2017
Cordelia Performs in Messiah Congratulations to Year 9 student Cordelia Wood, who was selected to perform the role of treble in MESSIAH, a co-production between Bristol Old Vic and the English Concert Orchestra at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre in April. Her role combined singing, acting and stagecraft and she was lowered onto the stage at the Old Vic! Cordelia was also selected to perform in an Open Stage event at the Bristol Old Vic at the end of May with fellow Year 9 student June Rippon. The girls sang two duets from Wicked and June joined Cordelia in a solo from Beauty and the Beast.
Dragon School Oxford Visit The Wells String Quartet, comprising lower school girls, wowed students and parents alike on a visit to the Dragon School Oxford. Violin tutor, Joanne Green, led the workshops and concerts which included working with two of the Dragon School ensembles on their repertoire, as well as a presentation to the pre-prep department. The Quartet were thanked for their inspirational performances as well as their good humour with the Dragon School students. Â
Chamber Choir in Bath The Chamber Choir, made up of vocalists in Years 9, 10 and 13, sang in Bath Abbey in May as part of the Bath Festival. Performing alongside Tenebrae, one of the country’s top professional choirs in a piece composed by Old Wellensian Owain Park, they contributed to a magical evening and created a real impression in the city.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
Music
Bristol Eisteddfod Congratulations to specialist harpist Jess Hughes, who was awarded first place in both the Harp Solo Advanced Class and the Harp Advanced Recital Class at this year’s Bristol Eisteddfod, as well as the prize for the most promising harpist.
Three Concerti In March, Wells' Symphony Orchestra played two evening performances of three concerti in Cedars Hall, with Old Wellensian Nigel Thean playing the Shostakovich Cello Concerto 2, which injury prevented him from playing last summer. Nigel and Adam Heron played Chopin's Piano Concerto no 2 in F minor, and Luke Riedlinger played Binge’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone. They were supported by their own orchestra who were on exceptional form.
Galicia Graves Basses Galore! Basses Galore! was held at the Silk Mill, Frome at the end of April. Directed and organised by David Heyes, the concert brought together 18 bassists from across the UK, including three Wells bassists and one ex-Wellensian. Eloise Riddell, now a professional bassist and teacher in London, Alexander Heather, Jan Cowell and Miles Wragg were key players in the concert which featured 45 pieces from 10 countries, including 21 premieres and 42 works by living composers. All the Wells bassists performed as soloists, and played in several ensembles, culminating in seven works for a spectacular massed bass orchestra.
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David Heyes, Wells specialist double bass tutor, was the featured composer, juror, soloist and teacher at Galicia Graves 2017 in February. Held at the Conservatorio de Culleredo, in Galicia, Spain, the competition and workshop attracted young bassists and teachers from throughout Spain and Portugal for an amazing weekend of bass playing, workshops, lessons and concerts.
In Touch Summer 2017
Congratulations to Year 13 pianist Adam Heron who won first prize in the prestigious Intercollegiate Beethoven Competition 2017.
In Touch Summer 2017
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Music
Taunton Young Musician Congratulations to Year 12 cellist Ian Lum who has won first prize at the prestigious Taunton Young Musician Competition. As well as a significant cash prize, Ian has been awarded a glass trophy and will perform with the Taunton Sinfonietta at one of their annual concerts. Wells pianists Nick Zhou in Year 12 and Nikita Burzanitsa in Year 11, came second and third, respectively, in the competition, also winning significant cash prizes. A clean sweep for Wells musicians.
Double Win for Nikita Congratulations to Year 11 pianist Nikita Burzanitsa who won first place in the piano section of the London International Music Competition earlier this year. He also won overall first prize in the 2017 Gregynog International Young Musician of the Year Competition in April, sharing equal first place in the piano section with fellow Wells pianist Nick Zhou. Both went on to play in the grand final along with the winners of the strings, brass and woodwind categories. Nikita won a cash prize of £3,000 and a series of concerts.
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In Touch Summer 2017
Choristers
Recordings Since February, the choristers have been busy recording two new CDs for release.
BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong Broadcast On Wednesday 24th May BBC Radio 3 broadcast Evensong live from Wells Cathedral to an estimated audience of 300,00 listeners. The service was sung by the girl choristers and Vicars Choral, and included music for the Eve of Ascension.
Jubilate CD In March Decca released a CD, Jubilate - 500 Years of Cathedral Music, with music recorded by the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral. It also includes four tracks sung by The Cathedral Choristers of Britain - a group of 50 choristers, one from almost every cathedral in the country, assembled by the Friends of Cathedral Music’s Diamond Fund for Choristers. The school head girl chorister at the time, Astrid Rose-Edwards, represented Wells Cathedral in the Diamond Choir and was selected to sing some The CD can be purchased at: of the solos for the https://decca.lnk.to/stpaulsID recording.
In Touch Summer 2017
Over four nights in February and March the Cathedral Choir recorded its second disc of works by American composer Gary Davison, following the successful initial disc, The Armour of Light. Gary has built up a close musical relationship with the choir over the last seven years and the new disc features works written for Wells Cathedral Choir, including a Requiem Mass. In May and early June, the choir also recorded a disc of music by John Joubert, one of the UK’s leading composers, who celebrated his 90th birthday at the end of March. Missa Wellensis, Locus Iste, and the St Mark Passion were all written for the choir between 2013 and 2016, and were all commissioned by Wells Cathedral’s Cathedral Commissions scheme (cathedralcommissions.co.uk).
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Old Wellies
Wells Comedy Festival Founder Congratulations to Wells Comedy Festival founder and Old Wellensian,
Jake represents Welsh Universities Congratulations to Old Wellensian Jacob Connock who was selected to play for the Welsh Universities team in a Home Nations Tournament over the Easter break. Each nation put together a team from the universities for their country. Jacob played against England and Scotland; losing to Scotland 4 - 2 and drawing against England 2-2. The England match ended with penalty flicks, and despite Jacob scoring, his team eventually lost out to England.
Ben Williams, who ran another successful comedy festival in the city during the second bank holiday weekend in May. This year the festival was even bigger and better than ever and the city was packed with crowds enjoying gigs in venues across the city in the early summer sunshine. This year, Cedars Hall was one of the main venues in the festival, hosting sellout events from celebrated comedy acts Bridget Christie, Stewart Lee and Milton Jones.
Tagore Gold Medal for Kizzy Congratulations to Old Wellensian percussionist, Kizzy Brooks, who has been awarded the Tagore Gold Medal from the Royal College of Music. Kizzy met HRH The Prince of Wales, who is the President of the Royal College of Music, at the recent prestigious awards ceremony. Wells Cathedral School
In Touch Summer 2017
Photos: James McCormick
Leading Roles Old Wellensian horn specialist, Alison Balls, has been offered and accepted the full time position of Principal Horn in The Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany. Another Old Wellensian horn student, Elizabeth Tocknell, who left Wells in 2012, has been performing regularly with The Philharmonia Orchestra London. In her final year at Wells Elizabeth reached the Brass Final of BBC Young Musician of the Year and was awarded a scholarship to The Royal College of Music. In Touch Summer 2017
Trombone Superstar Old Wellensian trombonist, Mike Buchanan, returned to Wells to run a masterclass in Cedars Hall for aspiring brass musicians, followed by a wonderful concert in the Eavis Hall the following evening. Mike, current principal trombone of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and living in Austria, took time out of his busy international career to return ‘home’ and performed a stunning concert, accompanied by pianist Katarzyna Wieczorek.
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Old Wellies
Trombonist James wins ROSL Music Competition Congratulations to Old Wellensian trombonist, James Buckle, who won the Gold Medal at the finals of the prestigious Royal Overseas League Music Competition, held at Cadogan Hall in June - the first brass player to win the Gold Medal in its 65 year history. The ROSL Annual Music Competition is the centrepiece of ROSL ARTS’ year-round programme of events. The competition offers more than £70,000 in awards with a £10,000 first prize, the Gold Medal, for solo performers and two chamber ensemble awards of £10,000. The international competition, open to musicians across the Commonwealth, is of the highest standard, with previous winners going on to win Grammys, enjoy solo international careers and take Principal positions at some of the world’s leading
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orchestras. ROSL ARTS offers support and mentoring to competition winners, as well as promoting prizewinners' concerts and events throughout the Commonwealth. James, a specialist bass trombone whilst at Wells, took up a scholarship to continue with his trombone studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2011. Since graduating he has played regularly with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and he has been hand picked to study amongst the best in the world, with celebrated trombonist Ian Bousfield in Bern in Switzerland next year. James played three pieces including Schumann’s Adagio and Allegro, and New Orleans by Eugene Bozza for the Cadogan Hall finals. He was accompanied by British pianist and Old Wellensian Alison Procter.
In Touch Summer 2017
Quilter Hall Dedication
At the end of February we renamed the concert hall in the music school the Quilter Hall as a mark of remembrance to Alan Quilter, head 1964- 1986, his wife Sheila and family. During the dedication Elizabeth Cairncross described the "Quilter Hall as a fitting tribute to someone who saved and recreated the school."
The dedication was a wonderful family event and it was a pleasure to be able to share the special occasion with Alan and Sheila’s daughters, Carol, Trish and Lizzie, and their extended families, including Alan and Sheila's great-grandchildren. It was an honour to welcome back former students and staff whose time at Wells coincided with Alan and Sheila's. During the dedication we launched the Quilter Family Bursary Fund as a way of
In Touch Summer 2017
remembering Alan, Sheila and their family. The fund will help provide the opportunity for a local gifted and talented child to enjoy the benefits of an education at Wells.
We invite you to consider remembering Alan Quilter by making a one-off or regular donation to this special fund. For more information please contact Emma Jenkins on e.jenkins@wells.cathedral.school or 01749 834251.
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Foundation
Peter Baines, President of the RFU, former head chorister, and Old Wellensian, returns to Alma Mater The school was delighted to welcome back, old Wellensian and current President of the Rugby Football Union, Peter Baines on Wednesday 3rd May. Peter, who attended Wells between 1953 and 1959 took an active role across many areas of school life, singing as head chorister at Wells Cathedral, representing the school in rugby and cricket, as well as starting his own jazz band with fellow students known as The East Liberty Stompers. Peter went on to study at St John’s College, Cambridge after Wells, and then became a successful solicitor. Peter and his wife were taken on a tour of the school led by head boy and rugby player Angus Mitchell and sports scholar Rhodri Moss, before enjoying a roast dinner in the dining hall with members of the sports department. During the afternoon Peter spent time with sport scholars before
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watching the under 12’s cricket match in the comfort of the new sports pavilion. After the match Martin Swarfield and Alex Battison, enjoyed the opportunity to discuss sport development at the school with Peter. During this meeting Peter kindly presented the school with an RFU engraved plaque which will be displayed in the sports pavilion. The visit was concluded with a pre concert drinks reception before the Mike Dawes and Jerry Crozier-Cole Guitar Extravaganza in Cedars Hall.
It was a great privilege for me to meet and spend time over the course of the day with so many staff, students and others involved with the school and to see how it has gone from strength to strength over the years. The school clearly remains, as it was in my time, an inspiration to staff and students alike. - Peter Baines
In Touch Summer 2017
Leavers Sally Greenhalgh Sally has worked at Plumptre for the past 19 years, nine as matron and ten as house parent, and over this time has provided support and guidance to numerous young girls. Sally’s mum, Shirley Smith was house parent before Sally, so care of Wells students has been in the family for 36 years! In addition to pastoral care, Sally was head of domestic services for nine years, and with her husband Spud, has transformed the gardens of Plumptre, winning prizes in the Wells in Bloom competition.
Michael and Sarah Meally Mike has been an English teacher at Wells for nine years, and Sarah, house parent of Edwards and before that assistant at Haversham for a total of seven years. In addition to his teaching commitments, Mike managed the Sierra Leone Project at Wells for six years, raising thousands of pounds to help students at the Ballanta Music Academy and JT Reffell School, and travelling to Freetown five times, including the first post-Ebola crisis trip in 2016. Sarah accompanied Mike on four of those trips to coordinate the activities in the JT Reffell school and she also set up a link between St. Joseph's Catholic school in Wells and another St. Joseph's in Freetown. Mike, Sarah, their daughter Tess, and a new baby due in December, will be returning to their native Ireland at the end of the summer term to be closer to family.
Jane Tucker Jane has been head of art at the junior school for the last 32 years, and a creative inspiration for generations of pupils! Jane has run numerous Arts Weeks in the junior school, covering themes as diverse as India, Shakespeare, Gardens and Time, as well as introducing the Take One Picture initiative in collaboration with the National Gallery. Jane helped ensure that the junior school was repeatedly awarded Arts Mark Gold, in addition to helping other schools through the process in her role as Arts Mark examiner herself.
In Touch Summer 2017
Wells Cathedral School
People
Janet Bennett Janet joined the pre-prep in 1993 and over the last 24 years has provided a joyous and robust foundation for hundreds of young pupils during her time firstly as class teacher, and then as head of pre-prep at Wells. Janet has led an ever-growing team with calmness and wisdom, bringing her insight to the needs of young children to management strategy, as well as running a smooth and streamlined department day to day, and motivating children through hands-on technical expertise and humour. Under Janet’s stewardship much loved preprep sports days, Christmas and Easter shows have flourished, and she has also been responsible for the introduction of themed days such as Wellie Wednesday, Fitness Friday and the Forest Schools initiative. A Wells parent herself, Janet’s considerable experience and creativity have ensured that she has always provided the individual guidance and gentle steer needed by young pupils at this stage in their development and education. A keen sailor, Janet is looking forward to having more time to spend on her boat, as well as enjoying trips through France and India over the forthcoming months.
Jan and Steve Tapner Jan Tapner, firstly art teacher and then head of art at Wells for a total of 24 years, is retiring at the end of the summer term, having inspired countless budding young artists. Jan is in the process of leaving Somerset to move to Mallorca, with husband Steve Tapner, where she is looking forward to indulging her own creative talents, and reclaiming time in her studio for abstract oil painting. Steve is also retiring from Wells after 24 years teaching students mathematics, as well as coaching girls’ and boys’ hockey, and leading the boys’ tennis teams. Steve is hoping to have more time to play tennis and go travelling, once he and wife Jan are established in their new home in the Balearics.
Dan Shorland-Ball
This summer, Dan is retiring as assistant clerk to the governors, a position he has held at Wells for the past 11 years. Dan’s meticulous attention to detail has proved both impressive and invaluable in his close work with the school bursars, principal and governors during this time. Dan, originally the bursar at King’s School Bruton before Wells, also spent 35 years of his career in the Royal Navy, before moving into education. Dan is looking forward to a glorious summer ahead and to spending more time with his wife and family.
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In Touch Summer 2017
People
Leavers (...cont) At the end of the academic year, we also say goodbye and thank you to a number of other colleagues: on the academic staff Joseph Campbell-Orde, laboratory technician; Graciella Chery, foreign languages assistant; Georgina Ford, SEND assistant; and William White, IT technician, who will all be moving on to pastures new. Earlier in the year we said goodbye to Jackie Powell, Saturday matron at Edwards and Canon Grange, and to Catherine Smith, Saturday matron in Plumptre. Sorcha Brivio-Stone will be much missed by the younger boarders for her joy and vibrancy as assistant at Beaumont, as well as by older students in her Year 9 tutor group. Her successful year as graduate sports assistant will be particularly remembered for her limitless energy and the reinvigoration of the girls’ cricket team. Fellow sports assistant, Callum Stonier is also moving on after two years at Wells - his dedication to running the fitness suite providing a fitting legacy for future Wells athletes. In music the following colleagues have moved on: Andrew Barrett, Lisa Nelson, Jonathan Vaughn and Amy Whittlesea; whilst this year’s cohort of graduate music assistants leave Wells for new adventures with our thanks: Hannah Boxall, Bryony Clark, Oscar Golden-Lee, Morven Graham, William Marshall and Shaun Rigby. On the support staff, Sally and Dave Francis are heading off around the world having set up and managed Cedars Hall operations and the Cedars Hall technical supervision, respectively, for the last two years. Mary Browning retires after many years in music administration. Earlier in the year, head of development, Annabel Green left Wells for a new job in Bristol; whilst receptionist Heidi Carey left to begin her training as a social worker. Michele Muir, data manager; Zoe Gallacher, finance officer; and Hannah Carter, school nurse, also moved on. In catering, head chef Mark Wintersgill is leaving at the end of term; and catering manager Angela Churches will also depart at the end of the summer. Their warmth and sense of fun will be much missed by staff and students. Finally, ‘the two Sues’ - Sue Weare and Sue James, who clocked up 45 years combined service working in Shrewsbury, working with four different housemasters and four different matrons, retired from Wells in the Spring.
Babies Congratulations to Chris and Charlotte Rondel on the arrival of Hannah Reece; to Damian Todres and his wife Victoria on the arrival of Joshua Edison; to David Crowther and Gemma on the arrival of Lewis Jacob; and to Ellie Smith and her husband Tom on the arrival of baby Beatrice.