Week 24 WSS Newsletter

The

Barometer Week 24

WETHERBY SENIOR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

18th March

Year 9 visit Kew The Soloists’ Concert Announcements Classroom News Club News Sport

From the Headmaster Dear Parents, What a birthday weekend that was!

England won the 6 Nations but, much more

importantly in our household, Watford beat Arsenal in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup. I’ve said this before but supporting Watford identifies me as a person in many people’s eyes and whenever there is a high profile result, like last Sunday’s, I receive scores of emails, texts and messages from parents, past and present, staff past and present, friends from all walks of life and my Watford-supporting family.

They are all much

appreciated, great to receive and, of course, reciprocated when their team does well.

Despite

most

possession,

of

Arsenal

the never

looked like scoring a goal and Watford always looked dangerous on the break but, when Welbeck scored a goal with a few minutes to spare, there were a few (lot of) nerves

between

me

and

Patrick, particularly as we were sitting, clutching each other’s Arsenal

hands

in

some

corporate

seats,

looking down on the Watford Mr Meyer and Mr Baker survey the Year 9 InterInter-Trib Football

fans below.

I’ve been to some pretty scary football grounds in my life but, these days, football is completely safe and I was more than happy to let Patrick go to the loo halfway through the first half on his own. What was surprising though was when he suddenly up and went to the loo halfway through the 4 minutes of additional time! We hadn’t taken that much advantage of the hospitality at half time and why on earth would he leave at such a crucial time of the match? I didn’t really have time to consider this properly though, particularly when Danny Welbeck scooped over in front of an open goal when it looked easier to score.

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“Why did you go to the loo at the most exciting part, Patrick?” I asked him on the train home.

“I couldn’t watch, Dad; I was too nervous,” came his reply. He’s only 10 but bless him and sorry to Patrick, as he’ll have that feeling on Saturday afternoons for the rest of his life. Sometimes, I think my life would be so much less stressful if I didn’t support a football team!

Veterans of Wetherby will know that this is ‘Birthday Season’ amongst the staff and, on Tuesday, one of, if not our most, valued colleague, Hal Ogden, celebrated his 60th birthday. We love to celebrate birthdays and make a fuss of people here but thought that, as much as Hal would love to be at school, he would certainly rather be at Cheltenham.

Therefore, as a staff, we clubbed together to buy him and his partner,

Amanda, club level tickets for Cheltenham, train tickets and a bit of money to place a bet with, Chef Peter supplying a hamper for lunch and some fizz for the train journey. Hal had a great day, picking a few winners and was even interviewed on the train on the way down by BBC Points West, featuring in their evening news. As Mr Blundell pointed out, “Good job he wasn’t pulling a sicky!”

Have a good weekend…

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ON THE NOTICEBOARD Spring is here Our thanks to Toby Hall for enhancing our living space here at WSS by putting together an array of flower pots in the Dining Room and the Staff Room (see right).

From Miss Vanstone Madagascar After a successful parents’ evening on Tuesday, the deadline for signing up is the 31st March. Please contact me if your would like more information: dena.vanstone@wetherbysenior.co.uk

Croatia The final deadline for payments is Thursday 24th March.

From Mr Warner Normandy Please can I remind parents that the final payment for the Normandy Battlefields Tour is due by the end of term. If you have any questions please do contact me: henry.warner@wetherbysenior.co.uk

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DIARY & LUNCH MENU Monday 211st

Monday Clubs

WSS All Stars

Art & Design Basketball Future Writers Videography Ukulele

13:30

Tuesday 22nd

Tuesday Clubs

Le Garçon French Workshop

10:10-11:10

UKMT Team Maths Challenge Regional Final

09:25-15:30

Wednesday 23rd

Chess & Backgammon Fencing Football Quiz Yofit Music Tech

Wednesday Clubs

Year 7 Rugby – Inter-Trib Tournament - WSG

14:45

Thursday 24th

SlowMo Table Tennis Mandarin Family History

Thursday Clubs 12.30

BREAK UP FOR ALL BOYS Easter Holiday - Friday 25th March - Monday 18th April

Friday 25th

Saturday 26th & Sunday27th WEEK 3

MONDAY Tomato and

TUESDAY Cream of

Soup

Pasta served with bread

Celeriac served with bread

Meat main

Roast vegetable crumble

Meat free main To go with Served with

Puddings

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Sweet Potato and Chive served with bread

Spinach and Sour Cream served with bread

Mushroom and Tarragon served with bread

Beef lasagne

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom pie

Grilled Bacon Steak served with Pear Chutney

Fish Cakes served with a tarragon Mayonnaise

Vegetable sausages with onion gravy

Vegetable Lasagne

Baked Aubergine and Mozzarella

Vegetable Burger with Tomato Relish

Mushroom and Rocket Risotto

Mashed potatoes

Garlic bread

New Potatoes

Parsley Potatoes

Chunky Chips

Garden salad

Green Beans

Garden Peas

Peaches and

Banana Crepes with a Toffee Sauce

Apple and Blackberry Golden Syrup Sponge

Cream

Sauté Courgettes Oaty Ginger and Rhubarb Crumble and Custard

Green Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad

Available daily: fresh fruit, salad bar, homemade yogurt and dressings The Barometer - 18/4/2016 5

Pastoral News Mr Hartley writes...

useful ground.

emphasise just how important it is that boys,

School Council The

inaugural

parents and teachers keep communicating

Wetherby

School

Council

meeting took place on Friday 11th March.

Each Trib tutor group had elected two representatives (Tribunes, of course!) to the council who brought to the first meeting suggestions for ways in which Head Chef Alan Savage's excellent food could be made even better.

Karl was very keen to

The boys came up with some very

sensible suggestions for snacks and menu

with each other about how to make sensible decisions and stay safe online.

Karl also delivers talks and Q+A sessions to boys and I’m sure those parents who were able to attend Thursday’s talk will be pleased to know that Wetherby will be inviting Karl to return to the school in the Autumn Term 2016 to speak to boys directly.

choices and Mr Baker will be taking these

In

suggestions to Alan in coming weeks. It might

suggestions for how the school can support

be worth saying now, however, that it's

the work parents do at home in terms of

unlikely we'll be in a position to act on the

developing

suggestion of one Year 7 boy that sashimi be

opportunities and the potential pitfalls of a life

provided as a mid-morning snack.

When the

lived online, or has any concerns or questions

top level negotiations have taken place

related to the topic, then do get in touch on

Tribunes will be able to report back to their

the address below.

Trib tutor groups with news of what has been

Joe.Hartley@wetherbysenior.co.uk

decided, and why.

I'd like to thanks all boys for taking the election of Tribunes so seriously and electing boys who will represent their peers with great integrity. I'd also like to thank the attendees at the

first

School

Council

meeting

for

participating with great maturity.

E-Safety Talk, Thursday 17th March On Thursday evening Karl Hopwood, e-safety adviser and ex headmaster, gave a talk to parents on e-safety. The talk was very well supported by parents and covered much

6 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

the

meantime,

boys’

if

any

parent

understanding

of

has

the

Spring Recital Evening Miss Valentine writes...

Thank you to all the boys who performed at the recital evening on Tuesday. were, brilliant

without and

You

exception, a

great

showcase of the talented musicians that we have at Wetherby. Thank you again to parents and staff for your support.

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CLASSROOM NEWS Luke Kirilenko, 9C

Hamood AlBusaidi,

Lachlan Walker, 9C

From the Art & Design Department Mr Meyer writes...

I and the rest of the department were quite simply blown away by the standard of work produced by the Year 9 boys during the recent unit entitled, 'Bedside Bookcase'. This provided them with a number of challenging techniques, including the dowel joint, which they took to this with relative ease and produced work that they can feel exceptionally proud of. I know they can't wait to take their work home at the end of the year. ‘The teaching of quality Design and Technology in our schools is a vital requirement for the country's future in the 21st Century’ ~ (James Dyson)

Marcos Burnett, 9C

Nelson Tobin, 9B

Massi Malgari, 9B 8 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Harrison Phillips, 9C

Paul Schell, 9B

Giacomo Drax, 9B

Alan Azeaz, 9C

Nicholas Mantafounis, 9B

Jean-Paul Cairaschi, 9A

From the English Department Mr Morris writes...

Poetry at Wetherby Senior Since half term boys in both Year 7 and Year 9 have been studying units of work on poetry. As well as reading, discussing and writing about a range of classic texts (including ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by S.T. Coleridge and ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake in Year 7, and ‘Musée des Beaux Arts’ by W.H Auden and ‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ by John Keats in Year 9), boys have also put their poetic knowledge and understanding to creative use by drafting and writing poems of their own.

In 7A, boys were asked to use the ballad form of Coleridge’s original to recount the story from the viewpoint of the wedding guest. Leo Maydannik’s brilliant piece is printed below.

In 9B, using the model of Sylvia Plath’s ‘Mirror,’ boys were set the difficult task of anthropomorphising light and writing a piece of free verse poetry in which they created a voice for (or about) a source of light of their own choosing. The results were commendable, and four of the best - by Louis Jegou, Paul Schell, Josh George-Oppong, and Rahul Thacker - are also printed here for you to enjoy.

‘The Wedding Guest’s Tale’

by Leo Maydannik I met an Ancient Mariner Outside the ancient church.

I saw the ancient foreigner Who sat me by a birch.

I heard the bride come from the church, The bells rang loud and clear.

I tried a precipitous lurch From the Ancient Mariner.

I hear the hymns and muttered prayers, And here the tale begins: The white-haired, gloomy figure stares, His eyes rip to my sins.

I hear the deep, profound trombone, It rings out loud and clear.

I see the happy flowers thrown, And feel the wedding cheer.

The bride had walked into the hall, Red as a rose was she; Nodding their heads before her all The merry minstrelsy.

The oaken doors then closed behind The very merry bride.

The old man starts, with voice resigned, His story to confide.

“There was a merchant ship,” he said, “And I was in the crew.

A stack of barrels was my bed, The mighty north wind blew.”

“We sailed south to the southern tip, The land of ice and snow.

An albatross flew o’er the ship, I killed it with my bow.”

“And this is when it all began: A storm rose up ahead.

The struggling vessel slipped and ran; Soon all the crew were dead.”

“A ghostly schooner cracked the grey Its captains numbered two.

Death and Life-in-Death were they Who ruled a phantom crew.”

“At length, I reached my motherland, But penance still was due.

To never die is Fate’s command, So here I stand with you.”

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Poe ‘Honey’

by Louis Jegou It is early morning in my room.

With darkness flooding in I am waiting for the day, not a sound but the listening air.

I observe a tulip Standing in a clay pot to delight the eye In spare December’s patient nakedness.

Suddenly, softly on the pale wall a magical apparition, The shadow of the tulip’s stem.

And it seems to me that the beauty of the shadow Is more beautiful than the flower; a strange beauty Pencilled and silently deepening to distinctness.

I turn to the window and out of a low cloud Is a brimming over of brightness; dazzling the eye With absolute brilliance, fiery-fresh, the sun.

The light particles reach my eyes and tickle them Making my eyes flicker with happiness and joy.

As I stretch the tulip blossoms to a new and light-filled day.

As it permits life to live so the world’s bulb fills.

Oozing through the toxic, atmospheric gases The pure rich sweet honey Fertilises, makes life grow.

Yet there is no light without a shadow Icarus’ murderer aims fire balls at our planet Making the sweet honey bitter.

The heat dims as the sun yawns, Darkness re-filling my room.

The sun has given me an invitation to shut my eyes.

10 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

‘A Hundred Million Fireflies’

by Paul Schell The glistening gleam of fellow fireflies Fills the air. With spring at hand there is Nowhere to spare beneath the trees, In the breeze flying with the night.

Our colour glows bright when there is No beast in sight, emitting radiant yellow light Like a thousand million tiny sparkling kites.

The gentle buzz of our wings accompanies the singing of the spring. We know no other Way of life.

Ten million of us, strong, flying, In perfect song. However impure our Light may be there is beauty however hard it may be to see.

We prefer not to fly among men- the glass Jar is not our friend. Capture us in flight And bid farewell to our glowing light.

Our flame burns best when we are free To fly about with the rest.

However harsh the morning light We’ll be back again tonight.

etry ‘Fire (a public roasting)’

by Joshua George-Oppong

O

I am like a God: I am mnipresent and omnipotent.

I have a holy trinity: Oxygen, fuel and heat.

Qualifications - manyI have 3 university degrees, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd are all in burning, It’s the third degree burn that is hardest to master.

I am remembered from all the generations.

Burn down London! I’d gladly devour it, Frail foundations the bones I am not hungry enough to chew.

Omnipresent, I burn with a pride…A passion, No one must be controlled to be a necessity.

I don’t belong on the end of a wax stick.

I dwelt on Mount Olympus, A rare beauty…warm, colourful and full of life.

I was a sweet red elixir in which the Gods bathed, Free.

Omnipresent.

But my freedom was short-lived.

That ghastly Titan sent me to this swamp…

Prometheus is his name.

And now I rage out, no control, no mercy.

Omnipresent.

I scorch their dry bodies, Persisting through unhuman screams.

The roof collapses.

Falling…

Falling…

Falling…

Burning and burning…this world will I set ablaze.

One day I will rule.

Unquenchable. Unstoppable.

Omnipresent.

These men in blood red uniforms will not tame me!

Ha! You won this battle, but I’ll win the world.

‘I am Light’

by Rahul Thacker I am slave to the universe, Cursed as whatever I touch dies, Whoever stares at me too long goes blind.

The planets call me Big Daddy.

I give them what they needTo everyone I am a round hot ball of yellow flame And they are there to take, not give.

Many celebrate what I give But not me.

Why? Now I am a bulb Known to give ideas.

To be serious, everyone relies on me.

If I were on vacation nobody would survive, I am calm, peaceful, But I tire And when I do all of a sudden from being loved I am hated.

I bet I could beat you in a race.

I have many brothers and sisters.

At the end of the day I am one.

I am light.

Into the dark abyss.

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Year 9 visit K

12 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Kew Gardens Mr Hasthorpe writes...

As part of the Department’s celebration of British Science Week, Year Nine’s Field Day was a trip to Kew Gardens. The boys spent the day in their Tribs, on a biological/historical treasure hunt around the site. As Director of Art, Mr Meyer kindly judged the day’s photography competition, with winners to be announced next week and a special display put up in school. The boys had a fantastic time and even found time for a spot of football over lunch! See overleaf for some of the boys’ amazing photos.

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Jack Connolly

Seb Burkle

14 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Nick Stick

Giacomo Drax

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SPORTING NEWS From the Games Department Players of the week:

Mr Sullivan writes…

Role models A parent or teacher must be there to set an example for our boys, strong and positive models of what to be and how to behave when boys grow up. Being a role model is the most powerful form of education. Boys need good role models more than they need critics. It is one

of

a

parent/teacher’s

greatest

responsibilities and opportunities.

Well done to Armand Sharda and Thomas Terracciano for their amazing efforts against To develop the boys self-esteem I came

Westminster School. Super defence on his

across this below. This could help them

debut by Armand and two amazing strikes by

through tough decisions and times:

Thomas. #teamwetherby

If you FAIL, never give up because F.A.I.L means “First Attempt I Learning”.

END is not the end. IN fact, E.N.D means “Effort Never Dies”.

If you get NO as an answer, remember NO means “Next Opportunity”.

Be positive and look after one another!

16 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Year 7 Inter-Trib Rugby Our first ever Year 7 Inter-Trib Rugby is on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 and starts at 2:30pm. Come down and support your TRIB! Will Fleet make it a double? Come on Walbrook & Tyburn!

Please Wetherby Ground,

park

at Sports

Beechwood

Grove (entrance off East Acton Lane) W3 7HB.

Cross Country event at Malvern College Mr. Meyer writes...

Robert

Bektas,

William

Piccione,

Billy

Macpherson and Finlay Waters carried the flag for Wetherby. With a field made up of schools from as far north as Cumbria to as far south as

A selection of Year 7 boys from Wetherby Senior

Cornwall, the 3200 metre running course was set

School took part in the annual cross country

within

event at Malvern College on Sunday of last

landscape.

week. With the early morning clouds having

themselves incredibly proud running the course

dissipated this made way for a glorious afternoon

and, in some cases, smiling as they ran. Well

of spring sunshine; perfect conditions for long

done, boys!

a

quintessentially

English

rolling

All the boys who took part did

distance running. From Year 7: Luca Grinceri,

The Barometer - 18/4/2016 17

Bleep test

up to scratch.

The bleep test is a standardised assessment of a Is yours equal to Year 9s? person’s fitness levels. It is an extremely simple All results are on the Games bulletin board. Well but powerful test that allows you to estimate your done Oli Lind who scored 10.2 and beating his VO2 capacity and benchmark yourself against the last result by 2 levels. #fitness4all fitness requirements for your sport. In short, it’s a great tool for working out if your fitness levels are

Year 7 Rugby Arnold House 7s Tournament

I haven’t forgotten about you Year 7 – date for testing is Tuesday 22nd March.

built on our confidence. Westminster were our next opponents and we played some excellent 7s style of rugby but could only manage a draw. The

The Year 7s travelled to Arnold House in final opponents were the team that knocked Stanmore for our rearranged 7s competition. Arnold House out of the competition, and we knew Being placed in a strong group alongside they are a formidable outfit. With a game plan in Westminster, Durston, The Hall School and mind to use the ball in the wide channels and Arnold House this meant there would be no easy defend with vigour. We produced a fantastic games. performance by tackling and attacking superbly.

Our first game was against The Hall School who We eventually scored 4 tries winning the game broke our defence very quickly plus we lacked 20-5. attacking flair. Two tries down and we worked On the whole a learning curve, the tournament hard to bring the score back to 10-5. The next always attracts the strongest independent schools game we faced Arnold House who had pace and so we were in good company. Well done boys! size in abundance, who overpowered us but we 18 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Arnold House School Manu Dixit scored three (B) vs Wetherby Senior School (B) Mr. Meyer writes‌

tries, bringing his tally to four for the season. Well done to him for the progress he has made.

The last Year 7 rugby match Luca Grinceri played as a of the season was played at scrum half and his quick Arnold House on feeds into the scrums and Wednesday of this week. sniping runs made him a With the sun shining and difficult player to tackle. the Canon's Park ground looking as immaculate as always this made for perfect playing conditions.

Both

games

Max Hashem was made captain for the commitment he had shown throughout training.

He

had

a

were

close memorable game, cajoling encounters with Arnold his teammates and leading House only narrowing by example throughout. His winning on both occasions. tackle on the Arnold House Wetherby played with a lot outside centre made the of heart and here are the ground shudder, it boys who really stood out: technically brilliant.

was

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Year 9 Inter-Trib Football Tier 1 Mr Betts writes....

It was the final week of term and the Year 9 Inter-Trib Football was upon us. Having had a great Rugby Inter-Trib last term, we were ready to see what the Year 9s had in store for us again. Fleet, Walbrook and Tyburn were all ready to compete in what was sure to be a fantastic day of football.

The weather was sublime and we were all hoping the football would be too!

Game on!

Game 1 - Fleet 1 - 0 Wallbrook

contest. Tyburn knew they had some stiff competition having watched the strong Fleet performance in the first game. Louis managed to break through and, after a little battle with Paul in goal, slotted home a tidy finish. Fleet continued to put pressure on the Tyburn defence and goal area, but had no luck in finding the net.

Another extremely close game and a good win for Tyburn.

Game 3 - Tyburn 0 - 0 Walbrook The third and final game of the day arrived, and all was still to play for. As the 2nd Tier competition counted in the final scores, both teams knew how vital a win could be! Boys were tired from the previous matches but the adrenaline was kicking in to try and get the win for their teams. The game was a closely fought one, with loads of efforts flying in at both goals. Talal and Sean were both making great saves to match the strong strikes they had to face. The game ended 0 - 0 and the draw was a fair result for this match.

The first match to start the afternoon was Fleet vs Wallbrook. Both teams had warmed up well and were willing to give their all from the start. It was an action packed game from start to finish with both teams demonstrating what they have learnt over the term. Fleet managed to get an early goal, coming from William, and Wallbrook had no reply, despite making some great chances. It was a The Tier 1 Standings fantastic contest and the score line ended 1st - Fleet 1 - 0 to Fleet.

Game 2 - Fleet 0 - 1 Tyburn

1st - Tyburn

The second match was another fierce 2nd – Walbrook

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Tier 2 Mr. Meyer writes...

The inaugural Year 9 Inter-Trib football tournament kicked off under the warming spring sun.

This was a fabulously well organised event

by Mr Sullivan, each and every boy in Year 9 played two forty minute matches.

There were many highlights, from Armand's fizzing strike from 25 yards, which was superbly tipped over the bar by Michael Dimech DeBono to Rory Lawless' long run finished with a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Stand out players for Tyburn B: Ben Dye was made captain and took a series of curling corners that got the opponents thinking all the time.

Hamoud Al-Busaidi for his ability to run around an opponent and dribbling the ball into the final third.

Stand out players for Fleet B: Thomas Terracciano for his turn of pace and always looking for a quick pass.

Adin DeCarlucci for always tracking back and defending resolutely.

Stand out players for Walbrook B Lachlan Walker has come on in leaps and bounds this term and was turning defence into attack with his direct running from the centre of the park.

Tom Zundel for encouraging his teammates throughout.

Tier 2 results: Fleet 2 vs. Walbrook 0 Tyburn 1 vs. Fleet 5 Walbrook 2 vs. Tyburn 2

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The Overall Standings: 1st - Fleet 2nd - Tyburn 3rd - Walbrook Overall, it was a fantastic day and well done Fleet! There was lots of competitive football throughout and several moments of magic. All of the boys have improved a tremendous amount over the course of the term and this was evident on many occasions. The boys can be tremendously proud of what they have achieved not only in the InterTrib, but also throughout the term. All the boys have progressed both individually and as a team. The work rate and sportsmanship of the boys is something that I and the other teachers were extremely impressed with throughout the afternoon.

Definitely a day to remember!

We hope everyone has a fantastic Easter break and we are looking forward to getting into some cricket next term!

22 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

And finally…

It’s the last round of the Six Nations! Quickly change a few players and let’s hope we can knock off Mr Savage from the top of the table! Come Manuel!

The big question is: Can England beat France in Paris to win the Gland Slam? Of course we can! #ComeonEngland

Sports Quote of the Week ‘Think big, believe big, act big and the result will be big’ Follow us for results and updates on Twitter via @WetherbySSports #teamwetherby

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CLUB NEWS

Table Tennis Another round of intense action shots from Year 9 Table Tennis Club

24 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Grub Club Miss Lillington writes...

This week was the last Grub Club of the Spring Term. The boys

celebrated

the

end

of

another brilliant term by making chocolate nests cakes for Easter.

Star bakers this week were Alex and Frejvid for producing eggstremely delicious looking cakes.

The boys and I also wanted to say a big thank you to Alan Savage for all his hard work in helping with the Grub Club this term.

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Fencing Club Mr Dawson writes: This week saw three of our fencers take part in a competition against boys from WPS.

Adin

DeCarlucci, Robert Bektas and Mikail Demichev all took part to represent Wetherby Senior. The boys have only been fencing since

September

so

I

was

incredibly impressed to see just how far they had come in such a short space of time. Well done to all boys involved.

26 The Barometer - 18/4/2016

Basketball Club Enjoy

some

action

shots

form

Monday’s session.

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From the Editor This week’s front cover is Alan and Manuel hugging a Fagus sylvatica in Kew Gardens. On the back we have William, Adam and Jacques receiving expert Jenga advice from Mr Hasthorpe. For all comments and feedback please email: henry.warner@wetherbysenior.co.uk

http://www.wetherbysenior.co.uk/