Musical Accompaniment for Barns Green Half Marathon
This year’s Barns Green Half Marathon, with an expected 2,000 runners, will pass through the magnificent grounds of Christ’s Hospital School on Sunday, 30th September to the sound of the school’s famous Band.
Now in its 30th year, the race will take place a month earlier than usual to avoid a clash with the Great South Run. The change of date means the race will take place during term time when Christ’s Hospital’s Band, whose impressive list of engagements includes Lord’s and Twickenham, will be up and running to provide a musical accompaniment.
John Franklin, Head Master, said “We are delighted that the pupils and staff at the school will get the chance to see such a wonderful local event that last year raised over £10,000 for local causes. We intend to have our famous Band of over 100 pupils playing in the Quadrangle adjacent to the runners as they pass through. This will be a great spectacle and will hopefully give all those running in the race, including some of our staff and senior pupils, an extra lift.”
For further details on how to take part in the race, please visit the Barns Green Half Marathon website
Chartwells EHO Visit
Horsham District Council has joined ten other Sussex local authorities in introducing the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) scheme, providing consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses at the time they were inspected.
Christ’s Hospital had a visit from the local Environmental Health Officer (EHO) to inspect our premises on 13th January 2012. A routine food hygiene inspection was carried out.
Following the inspection the local authority has to issue an Award of the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme depending on the results of our inspection. We were very pleased to receive a food hygiene rating of 5, which is the highest scale on their ratings. We received a certificate to display in the school servery and in the kitchen so that we can make pupils, staff and visitors aware of our award. It is also going to be published for public viewing through the Food Standards Agency website on 3rd February 2012.
Horrible Histories
Junior school children from across the county visited Christ’s Hospital on Tuesday, 24th January to participate in a matinee workshop on the topic of Tudor crime and punishment.
The Birmingham Stage Company, the official Horrible Histories theatre producers, brought their famous performance workshop to Christ’s Hospital’s Theatre. The topic of ‘Tudor Crime and Punishment’ was explored with actor Neal Foster who called on members of the audience to help him bring this gruesome era of history to life!
After this blood thirsty performance, the children stayed for a very civilised tea in Christ’s Hospital’s magnificent Dining Hall!
Horrible Histories is a famous series of illustrated books which capture children’s imaginations and engage them with history.
Life in the RAF
Christ’s Hospital’s RAF section of its CCF (Combined Cadet Force) welcomed Wing Commander David Wynn, Senior Careers Liaison Officer, and Pilot Officer, Charlie Nell, aged 20, to the school on 19th January for a talk to senior pupils about ‘Life in the RAF’.
Commander Wynn, from the RAF Armed Forces Careers Office in Chatham, gave a brief account of the diversity of careers and entry points for CH pupil cadets who may be keen to take their interest in the RAF one step further. Commander Wynn was ably assisted by Charlie Nell, who spoke about his career journey in the RAF since leaving school.
David Mulae, teacher and Officer Commanding RAF Section, said “this was a most informative session which not only highlighted the breadth of excellent career opportunity but realistically pointed out the tough and competitive entry process”.
The school’s RAF CCF section currently has around 30 cadets. The connection stretches back to links with the 617 Squadron and Barnes Wallis, a former pupil (1900- 1904). Soon after World War II, Barnes Wallis was given an award by the government in recognition of his inventiveness during the war. He used it to establish the RAF Foundationers’ Trust to help children of RAF families to be educated at Christ’s Hospital.
Christ’s Hospital’s CCF unit is one of the oldest units in the country comprising 170 pupils which provides cadets with life skills such as teamwork and leadership.
Top of the bench
Four Christ’s Hospital pupils on 19th January attended the regional heats of the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Top of the Bench Competition at Roedean School. This is a national competition with regional heats held all around the country. The competitors had to work as a team of four to complete a practical challenge and then a chemistry quiz.
They did really well coming 4th out of a field of 11 other strong schools attending the regional heat. The team consisted of four chemists, Hans Chan and Lydia Seeley, (aged 14), Poppy Koronka, 15, and Florence Carr-Smith, 16, (offered the Chemistry Scholarship). Florence achieved the highest mark for the practical test in the competition.
Lydia said “This was a great opportunity. It was great fun working in a different atmosphere and seeing another school, I especially enjoyed doing the practical experiment. Overall it was an interesting experience and I would love to do it again”.
Award Winning Poet Jo Shapcott visits Christ’s Hospital
Christ’s Hospital was delighted to welcome Jo Shapcott, award winning poet, to Christ’s Hospital on Thursday 19th January, 2012.
Jo Shapcott was invited to judge the LE (Year 9) Poetry Competition and later in the day give a Poetry Reading to Deps and Grecians (Year 12 & 13) pupils.
Jo Shapcott has won a number of literary prizes including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Collection, the Forward Prize for Best Collection and the National Poetry Competition (twice). Her most recent collection, Of Mutability, was published in 2010 and won the Costa Book Award. In 2011 Jo Shapcott was named the latest recipient of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
Each member of the LE was invited to write a poem about their favourite place in Christ's Hospital, the poems were then short-listed to the top six poems for Jo Shapcott to judge.
During the judging Jo Shapcott read to the audience all of the finalists’ poems giving each of the six pupils every encouragement to carry on with their writing and highlighting what she liked about each poem.
Following the announcement that Gianni Fortes was the winner of the competition he said: “I am delighted about winning the poetry competition, and was very surprised to win, as all the other candidates poems were really good. I was honoured to have been chosen by Jo Shapcott as the winner and I hope I can improve and be as good as her one day. I would not have won if it had not been for the support of my teachers who helped me as well as my friends who encouraged me. I wish poetry could be spread across communities so everyone can appreciate the benefit of poetry.
The Library
Enter the library and the world shrinks.
The outside is blind to its power.
Caged in one building knowledge unfurls.
Dancing in its halls is the music of silence.
Two hands, humble but eager,
Grasp a book, seeking words unknown in the outer world
And with swift movement turn pages,
Swarmed by curiosity and mystery.
The tired shelves, ragged with the wear of time,
Holding on their shoulders the strength of 10,000 men
Dignified and humble, stand, a waiting servant,
Fragments of fiction and history on their bare backs.
The clock chimes, reminding you of your time
Its noise subtle yet alarming
And every time you stop reading
All you hear is the inevitable tock tock tock
The air dampened by the sweat of discovery
Soothes the mind and aching soul
And as you leave this place of calm
The library dances, dances, dances on.
U14 Rugby Team Reaches County Cup Semi-Final
Christ's Hospital u14 rugby team beat Brighton College to reach the semi-final of the Sussex county cup.
The u14 rugby squad were able to overcome a committed Brighton College side 32-20 in the QF of the Sussex county cup competition. The away team started the brighter scoring 2 early tries and at half time CH were trailing 15-12. After the break Christ's Hospital began to gain momentum and dominate possession; playing some excellent rugby, scoring 4 unanswered tries and putting the game beyond Brighton College.
U14 Head coach Richard Baker said, "There were some outstanding performances today especially by Moses Gbonda, Elliot Nelson-Addy, James Kennedy, Oliver Frost, Jamie Packham, Hareef Asunramu and man of the match Abdul Ahmed."
He added, "Preparation has been difficult after the Christmas break but the whole squad showed great commitment and team work to pull through a tight encounter."
The victory puts the team through to a semi-final match away to Hurstpierpoint or Worth in a couple of weeks' time.
Jake's Tour de France for the Teenage Cancer Trust
Deputy Grecian Jake Hill (Maine B) is in training to cycle the 2161 miles of the famous Tour de France this summer. Too young at 17 to take part in the race itself, Jake decided to tackle the route independently as "there is no other bike ride so long and so tough".
Jake sent an email around Christ's Hospital asking which charity should benefit from his endeavour and over 80 percent voted for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Old Blue and friend Tim Gauntlett will be joining Jake for 1200 miles of the journey and other Old Blues and CH staff will cycle the remaining section with him. Jake says: "I am really looking forward to it. I think it is going to be painful but a great experience."
To sponsor Jake visit his Tour de France website page.
Stuart Confirms Place with Sussex Academy
Christ's Hospital's fast bowler Stuart Whittingham (Grecians West) has clinched selection for the Sussex Cricket Club Academy for next season after successfully coming through a two-month academy audition prior to Christmas.
The coveted place will give Stuart the benefit of a one-year programme covering physical, technical, mental, tactical and life skills delivered by professional coaching staff. Stuart was Player of the Season for Christ's Hospital last year and was both the leading run scorer and wicket taker with 42 wickets in the school season.
Renie is Outstanding Delegate at MUN Conference
The newly established Model United Nations team attended their first conference at Benenden School in Kent this term, where they won an award for their contribution to debate.
Eighteen Christ's Hospital students attended the conference during the winter holidays, representing China, Iran, Nigeria and Syria on eight different committees including the prestigious Security Council and Crisis Committee. Renie Anjeh (GE) was awarded an Outstanding Delegate Award at the Closing Ceremony for his participation in the Human Rights Committee and the General Assembly.
Dr Alistair Goddard, Master-in-Charge of MUN at Christ's Hospital, commented: "I was extremely impressed by the eagerness with which our students participated in the conference. Although levels of confidence and experience of public speaking differed greatly, every member of the delegation demonstrated an impressive willingness to challenge themselves. For Renie to win an Outstanding Delegate Award at his first conference was an extraordinary achievement."
Big Band Concert is a Christmas Sellout!
Jazz and Big Band music fans filled the theatre at the end of term for an evening of entertainment by the school's most accomplished young musicians and singers.
The 39 members of the band played a mixture of old favourites and new pieces and introduced a festive theme with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Here Comes Santa Claus. Inspiring performances from senior pupil vocalists included Blue Moon, The Look of Love and Orange Coloured Sky while the audience was reminded of Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra with Mack the Knife and My Way. The band played old favourites That's Life and Amazing Grace mixed with hits by Lennon & McCartney, KC and the Sunshine Band, Barry Manilow and Bill Withers.
Bandmaster Terry Whittingham said: "We had some very fine players on the stage for this concert who gained valuable experience performing in front of a full and appreciative audience."
Six Mathematicians Gain Gold
Six Christ's Hospital students shone brightly in the Senior Maths Challenge, a national competition entered by young mathematicians at 4000 schools across the country. Fred Reckless, Evie Jamieson, James Parrott, Galen Yang, Sam Shaw and Chloe Webb all won a Gold Award.
Top-scoring Fred Reckless (Deputy Grecian) has now been put forward for the first round of the prestigious British Mathematics Olympiad in which the brightest teenage brains in the country compete. Fred believes Maths is not just a practical subject but has an individual beauty in its own right. "It’s great to have a new mathematical problem to solve and to be able to think differently about it," he said. "People are scared of Maths but it's a challenge; something to make you think."
Alan Smith, Master of the Royal Mathematical School, is delighted at the high standard achieved by students. He said, "Success in qualifying for the follow-up competitions is seen by universities as a key way of identifying the very best mathematicians."
Carol Singing and Bell Ringing at Community Lunch
The Court Room was a fine and festive setting for the Community Christmas Lunch on Thursday, 8th December. As well as a delicious turkey dinner, there was carol singing from the youngest students, under the direction of Ed Jones, Assistant Director of Music, bell ringing from the boys of Middleton A, a quiz, a raffle and of course a visit from Father Christmas!
Part of the extensive Christ's Hospital Community Action programme, the monthly Lunch Club involves 70–80 elderly people, some with disabilities, who live in Horsham and the surrounding villages. The Christmas lunch is always the highlight of the year and was again kindly sponsored by J K Leech Fuels Ltd of Coolham.
If you would be interested in joining us or indeed helping with the transport to and from the lunches, please contact Marjorie Holdsworth on 01403 247571.
Re-gilding the King
Specialist work to re-gild the famous statue of King Edward VI on the Wren Façade on the south side of Big School has recently been completed as part of a conservation project at Christ's Hospital.
The statue took four weeks to re-gild in gold leaf and is lit for effect after dusk. Analysis during the course of the works showed that the stone statue had been re-gilded four times since being carved, and experts predict that the new gold leaf should now last at least 40 years. The work was project managed by Bromley-based building surveyors and architects, Pellings LLP and completed by Paye Stonework and specialists Hirst Conservation.
In 1552 King Edward VI gave money and lands to build three Hospitals – Bridewell, St Thomas' and Christ's Hospital – and Sir Robert Clayton erected the statue of Edward VI and much of the fabric of the building in London in 1682. An oval inscription records that the statue, as well as this portion of Sir Christopher Wren's building which formed the CH passage entrance, was relocated to the Horsham site in 1902.
Pictured (L-R) After and Before
Horsham Area Schools Badminton Competition
Christ's Hospital pupils played a competitive badminton match for the first time in recent years after entering The Center Parcs National Schools Championships.
Mr Baker of the CH Sports Department said, "When Miss Henry and I started the initiative we had an instant response from over 30 pupils wanting to play and train on a Thursday afternoon in their free time. A huge thank you must go to Marianna Apicella (Dep, Col A), who was a fantastic assistant."
The standard of competition was varied with a number of nationally ranked players from Horsham Arun's Performance Centre entered alongside many players in their first event. Mr Baker added: "It was great to see our pupils competing for the first time against other schools. Hopefully the experience will encourage more pupils to play badminton."
Congratulations to the junior boys who went through to the Sussex county round. View the full list of results and a report from Horsham Leisure Link.
Santa Played in by the Band at Southwater
Father Christmas arrived at Southwater Christmas Festival this year escorted not by elves but by 27 members of the Christ's Hospital Band.
Led by Band Captain Matthew Coster (GrE), the Christ's Hospital musicians played a selection of Christmas songs to entertain the crowds as they enjoyed the market stalls and fun fair and waited to visit Santa's grotto. Bandmaster Mr Terry Whittingham said, "The Band were delighted to be asked, once again, to play at and support this local event and it was great to see such a large and highly appreciative audience."
Photographs courtesy of Dave Powell
Christ's Hospital Hosts Reaching Higher Games
The Sussex Reaching Higher Games came to Christ's Hospital this term with a range of sports events for children and young people with disabilities. 80 youngsters took part; many enjoying their first competitive experience.
32 Christ's Hospital pupils from UF to Grecians acted as officials in the seven competitive events – table tennis, trampolining, football, athletics, badminton, tennis and cricket – and as helpers in the non-competitive swimming and activity areas which siblings and other family members could also enjoy.
Ian Ford of Horsham District Council’s Leisure Link, the lead organising team, was delighted with the success of the day and with the enthusiasm and commitment of the young sports leaders from the school. Rachel O'Boyle (GE), who helped with the tennis competition, said: "Our afternoon was not only fun but the standard of tennis was amazing; there was so much talent."
Christ's Hospital hopes to welcome back the Games next year.
First Outing to Knole Park for Junior Runners
In the picturesque setting of Knole Park, Sevenoaks, 48 Christ's Hospital runners competed in the Junior Knole Run for the very first time on Friday, 2nd December. There were some impressive individual performances and the best-placed competitors were:
Remus Goldsmith, 4th out of 279 competitors
Rosie Vallance, 14th and Dani Heath, 23rd out of 242 girls.
Of the teams, the Third Form team was best-placed, finishing 13th out of the 37 schools who competed.
Black History Fashion Show
An exciting Fashion Show was hosted in Grecians Club as a continuance of Black History Month in the UK. Planned, prepared and performed by pupils, the Show included a catwalk display of symbolic clothing from different countries and tribes in Africa, where the same traditions are celebrated in different ways.
Fashion show coordinator Nana Ohene-Djan (Grecian) explained: "Different pieces of clothing always mean something to the person wearing them: whether the person is young or old, male or female. Each piece, which is usually sewn to conform to the individual's shape, has some kind of story that explains how it was made, why it was made and which occasions it should and should not be worn to."
15 models visually told the story on the catwalk; three people designed hair and make-up and Annabelle Baldy-Gray (Grecian) provided the music.
CH Presents First Ever Lifetime Achievement Award
On 23rd November Christ's Hospital was proud to present its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to John 'Jack' Doyle (PrepB, MdA 40-48). The Award was in recognition of Jack's lifetime achievement in the field of Electronic Engineering and his outstanding support to Christ’s Hospital.
In front of a gathering of over 60 guests, the Head Master, John Franklin, introduced the Award outlining Jack's illustrious career in the Electronic Engineering industry which spanned five decades at Hewlett Packard, with many Executive positions within HP and culminating as Executive Vice President of Business Development on his retirement in 1991. Jack's continued support of Christ's Hospital has been exceptional, with generous benefactions towards the Design and Technology Centre and the establishment of the recent Doyle Science and Technology Scholarship. Richard Carden, Chair of the School Governing Body, presented Jack with a Lifetime Achievement Medal, especially cast for the occasion, and a citation signed by HRH Duke of Gloucester. Jack responded with a moving and fascinating account of his time as a pupil at CH and how his formative years here equipped him for a successful career beyond the School gates.
This happy occasion gave staff, Old Blues and old friends an opportunity to thank and honour Jack, and it was particularly pleasing to be able to reunite Jack with his CH Presentees, past and present.
Down on the Farm
On Friday, 18th November, the LE (Year 9) geographers set off to visit Weston's Farm to gain a unique insight into a real case study. Our thanks go to Farmer David Exwood, who gave us a really interesting tour of the site, discussing in depth the inputs, processes, and outputs of the farm, as well as the challenges faced within modern farming.
Head of Geography, Miss Megan Waller, said: "The trip was enjoyed by all and will provide the students with a great example to use in their examinations."
Pictured: Two team photos
Flute Masterclass with Ian Clarke
CH flautists to work with internationally renowned flautist, Ian Clarke, for the day.
Ian Clarke will be visiting CH on Sunday 27th November to work with our flautists for the day. 39 CH flute students will take part in workshops and masterclasses throughout the day and finish off with a Concert for their parents where Ian Clarke will perform for the flautists before they all play one of Ian’s own works together.
Visit Ian Clarke's website to hear excerpts of his music.
Pupils Plant Their Poppies in a Moving Act of Remembrance
The Christ's Hospital community gathered on Sunday, 13th November, to remember the 590 former pupils (Old Blues) who lost their lives in wartime. 375 Christ's Hospital boys died in World War I, 213 lost their lives in World War II and a further two died fighting in Korea and Suez.
In his sermon in the School Chapel the Chaplain, Rev Stephen Golding, spoke of the sacrifice made by so many Old Blues and gave an example of a Christ's Hospital pupil, Peter McRae, aged 28, who was serving as a ship's doctor on HMS Maharatta in 1944. The ship was hit by a torpedo and sank. Survivors took to the sea and Peter McRae climbed onto one of the few life-boats and set about hauling others aboard. The life-boat however soon became overcrowded. There was not enough room for everyone so he put himself over the side and into the water and was never seen again.
The service was followed by a two minutes silence at 11.00 o'clock in the School quadrangle when pupils removed their poppies from their Tudor-style coats and planted them in the ground as an act of Remembrance. The green grass of the Quadrangle was left speckled with red poppies.
Living History Day
A parade of Tudor Royals welcomed 80 Year 5 pupils and their teachers to Christ’s Hospital's Living History Day on Thursday 13th October. In the atmospheric setting of Dining Hall, Cloisters and Theatre the children were soon immersed in the world of Tudor England and the doings of its scientists, astronomers, actors, dancers and cooks.
The lunchtime Banquet, in the company of Henry VIII and his royal relations, was a highlight of the day with servings of Tudor Meat Pie, Roast Roots, Poor Knights Pudding and Taffaty Tarts. Alex Bird, Head of History at Great Walstead School, said, "The Tudor Banquet really had the 'wow factor'! Our children – and staff – thoroughly enjoyed the carousel of activities throughout the morning."
Find out what the children really thought.
CH Band Makes New Friends in Lord Mayor's Parade
Thousands lined the London streets and watched the Christ's Hospital Band march in the procession for the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday, 12th November: an event watched by millions of viewers on TV. The new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, welcomed CH pupils and six thousand other participants in London’s most colourful and spectacular parade.
Band leader Terry Whittingham said, "It was a fantastic day for our 110 band members. There's no experience like it; the opportunity to play in front of thousands of people doesn't come along often." Third formers and flutists Bridget Zheng and Imogen Muir joined the annual parade for the first time. Imogen said, "It was really exciting. We made some new friends and met lots of young people in the parade." Bridget said, "I really enjoyed it, especially when people were cheering."
Since Christ's Hospital’s foundation by Edward VI in 1552, the School has maintained strong links with the City of London and is still supported by the City of London Corporation and 20 livery companies.
Fireworks Stage a Sizzling Show
There was plenty of whoosh and crackle over Big Side on Friday evening, 4th November, as the now traditional annual fireworks display provided a magnificent aerial spectacle for the warmly-wrapped CH crowds.
Nick Armaah (UF, Maine A) captured the rocket trails and fountain showers with his camera; with extra contributions from Adam Rogerson (GE, Mid B).
Expedition Leads to John Lewis!
Mhairi Potts-Wyatt (GE, Coleridge A) put her summer holidays to good use by completing her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Assessment and Expedition with Westminster Local Authority’s DoE Team and giving a presentation of her experiences at the Head Office of the John Lewis Partnership.
The DoE Leader for Westminster, John Nolan, invited members of a mentoring scheme run by the John Lewis Partnership to accompany the expeditions to East and West Sussex and the JLP team were so impressed by the skills and enthusiasm of the young people that they asked them to present to other JLP employees who may want to get involved with the mentoring programme.
Mhairi said: "It was great experience to present in a corporate environment and to talk about why I am doing the DoE and what I hope to achieve."
National Competition Success for Joel and Oscar
Two Christ's Hospital sixth formers have been recognised in The Times Stephen Spender Prize 2011, a national competition for Poetry in Translation. Joel Farrance (Gr E) has been awarded 2nd prize in the U18 section for his version of Robert Desnos's surrealist poem 'Comme' and Oscar Davies (Gr E) was 'highly commended' for his translation of a Victor Hugo poem called 'Open Windows'.
Both boys will attend a prizegiving ceremony in London and Joel's poem will be published in the prizewinners' pamphlet. Full details of the winners can be found on website of the Stephen Spender Trust. The Trust was established to honour Stephen Spender's achievements as poet and translator of poetry, and as champion of the rights of creative artists and writers to free expression.
Joel and Oscar's accomplishment can be counted as another success for the School's creative writing programme. Stephen Walsh of Christ's Hospital's English Department explains, "Modern Languages and English teachers collaborated to help the pupils: the French and German teachers helped the students select and produce early versions of the chosen poems, after which the students were able to discuss their versions with their English teachers.
"This is the first time CH has submitted entries in the U18 section and it is an outstanding achievement in a national competition for two out of our three entries to be recognised by some very distinguished judges."
Plans are already afoot for a wider CH Translation Project next year involving in particular the first cohort of International Baccalaureate Diploma students.
18 Choirs – 830 Singers – One Singing Competition
830 Christ’s Hospital pupils sang their hearts out in a bid to win the House Singing Competition on Friday, 14th October. Eighteen choirs performed pop songs including the 1960s hit "I can’t let Maggie Go" by Honeybus, "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel, Robbie Williams’ "Let me entertain you" and Jessie J's "Price Tag".
Pupils began preparing for the event at the start of term with strong but friendly rivalry between the teams. Every boarding house chose a song and rehearsed twice a week while teachers also combined to form a choir, choosing "Don’t Stop Believing" by Glee. Grecian Phil Glenny composed one of the entries – a Boy Band Tribute – and said: "The competition was a great chance for everyone to sing together and have a really great time. It boosted everyone's morale". Fellow Grecian Julie Panzieri agreed: "Singing is so good for your soul. It’s really uplifting".
Guest Adjudicator, Robert Costin, Director of Music at Ardingly College announced the winners. The girls' contest was won by Coleridge B who stole the show with their performance of "Blame it on the Boogie", the boys' contest winner was Middleton B with its version of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" and the senior students' contest was won by Grecians East singing "Beyonce Mashup".
"Great Teamwork" at CCF Biennial Inspection
Christ’s Hospital Combined Cadet Force (CCF) carried out a range of exercises for the biennial inspection on Thursday 13th October. The day began with a formal inspection by Gp Capt D Robertson (RAF) in the Quad where the three sections – Royal Navy, Army and RAF – formed up under the Contingent Commander, Major Matt Commander. After lunch Gp Capt Robertson toured CCF activities including Observation, Paintball, Command Tasks, Stalk and Signals.
Christ’s Hospital CCF is one of the oldest units in the country. Major Matt Commander says that’s a great source of pride: "We have 170 students in the unit who are all volunteers and very keen, they very much enjoy CCF. It’s all about teamwork, working together and getting the most out of things in life."
After the inspection Gp Capt D Robertson (RAF) told Christ’s Hospital CCF leaders that he was very impressed with the high standard of the unit. Major Matt Commander praised the efforts of the cadets as "outstanding throughout in both attitude and effort".
Victory for U14s at the JP Morgan Rugby Sevens
On Sunday, 9th October, a squad of 13 players travelled to High Wycombe to compete against eight other teams in the JP Morgan-sponsored Sevens tournament. The Christ’s Hospital team swept all the opposition aside in their three group fixtures and the final, scoring an unbelievable 154 pts and conceding only 12!
Coach Richard Baker said: "The performance of the team throughout the competition was outstanding and the whole squad demonstrated an excellent attitude and sportsmanship. We matched the physicality of our opponents, who were all club players, and we played some well structured and intelligent sevens. The team is blessed with some exciting players, with great potential."
For further news of the tournament visit the London Wasps website.
Results:
| Christ's Hospital | 44 | Chesham RFC | 0 |
| Christ's Hospital | 48 | Grove RFC | 7 |
| Christ's Hospital | 36 | Witney RFC | 5 |
Final:
| Christ's Hospital | 26 | Wallingford RFC | 0 |
After winning the event the team transferred to Adams Park to watch London Wasps and Old Blue Joe Launchbury win a tight contest against Bath in the Aviva Premiership.
Pictured: CH Captain Abdul Ahmed is congratulated by Wasps wing Richard Haughton.
Presentation to CH squad at Adams Park, London Wasps, with Wasps players Riki Flutey and Elliot Daley.
Unique History Lesson for "Evacuees" at Christ’s Hospital
World War II history came alive at Christ’s Hospital on 6th October when eighty-four Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from Gossops Green Community Primary School, Crawley, caught the train from Ifield to Christ’s Hospital pretending to be evacuees.
The children, dressed in 1940s costumes with pretend gas masks they made themselves, were met at the station by Christ’s Hospital Deputy Head, Ben Vessey, who marched them off to the School to discover what it was really like for WWII children who were separated from parents. At a mock-up evacuee clearing station they were collected by Christ’s Hospital students pretending to be their foster families for the rest of the War. They also toured the remains of a wartime air raid shelter in the Head Master’s garden.
Gossops Green Year 6 Teacher, Breda Brookson, says "The children were really excited about the visit. We wanted them to get an idea of what children actually experienced in World War II; to let them see the difference between their lives in 2011 and the lives of children in the 1940s."
Pictured: Christ’s Hospital pupils (back row) welcome young "evacuees" from Gossops Green
A Welcome to Five New Academic Heads of Department
The new Heads of Department introduce themselves:
Andrew Cleary, Director of Music, was previously Director of Music at The Portsmouth Grammar School, having taught at Dean Close School, Oundle School and Pangbourne College. Andrew was a boy chorister, read Music at the University of East Anglia and became Assistant Organist at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church prior to embarking on a full time teaching career. Andrew is President of the Music Masters & Mistresses Association, an ISI Schools Inspector, a Fellow of the RSA and a member of the Kings Theatre Trust. "It is very exciting to be taking on the role of Director of Music at this prestigious school with its fine history of music making."
María Gallego, Head of Spanish, is Spanish and was born in Madrid. After studying at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, she embarked upon a career in England at Eton College and then taught French and Spanish at Millfield school before moving to Christ's Hospital. Maria aims "to develop the Spanish Department and to make the number of students grow by making the subject practical, challenging and fun".
Claire Page, Head of PE, studied Sports Science at Chichester University before completing a PGCE in Physical Education. She has now been teaching Physical Education for seven years and says: "I have a real passion for my subject, both in the classroom and on the field. Physical Education should be available to all and I hope in my new role I can inspire more students to study a subject that gives them not just a grade but other skills needed to be successful in whatever path they chose to take."
Lucy Ransley, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, read Interpreting and Translating at the University of East Anglia. Before coming to CH, she was Head of Languages at The Warwick in Redhill and was credited with transforming the department and creating a real lust for languages among her students. Having spent the first couple of years of her career teaching French and English in Japan, Lucy is keen to introduce Japanese as part of Christ's Hospital’s co-curricular programme. She joins the Modern Foreign Languages department at an exciting time; the department now has 15 staff covering French, German, Spanish, Chinese and MFL.
Adam Reid, Head of History, studied History at Birmingham University and was commissioned into the Light Infantry, serving for five years as an infantry officer in the UK and elsewhere. He retrained as a teacher and has spent the last thirteen years at Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire, latterly as a housemaster but also as Head of History. Adam is passionate about putting young people in touch with the past outside the classroom through field trips and is also a keen sportsman who has led two major adventure training expeditions. Andrew says: "I believe strongly that young people will rise to any challenge if it is well presented."
Pictured L/R: Claire Page, Adam Reid, Andrew Cleary, Lucy Ransley, María Gallego
Cross Country Runners Through to South East Regional Final
Christ’s Hospital runners entered the ESAA Cross Country Cup for the first time this year at Ardingly College on 3rd of October. There were many pleasing individual performances but the junior boys team performed beyond all expectations finishing 2nd to an exceptionally strong team from The Judd School , Tonbridge. The performance will see the junior boys competing in the South East final in November.
CH junior boys team: Remus Goldsmith, Oliver Ball, Rashaine Weeks, Sam Winsbury, Tom Carter, Arron Shaw.
Mr Baker Head of X-Country said: "We entered the competition to try to raise the profile of X-Country among pupils at the school. The achievement of the junior boys team was outstanding and clearly demonstrates the huge amount of athletic talent and potential at the school. The long term aim is to foster and nurture this talent and we have recently forged a link with Crawley AC, which will allow our pupils to train harder during the winter and have access to club competitions."
There were also pleasing individual performances from: intermediate boy James Winsbury who finished 4th, junior boy Remus Goldsmith who finished 6th and junior girl Rosie Vallance who finished 9th.
UN Under-Secretary General launches MUN Society
Former UN Under-Secretary General Sir John Holmes recently visited Christ’s Hospital to launch the school’s new Model United Nations (MUN) Society. Sir John served as UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Relief Coordinator between 2007 and 2010. He was responsible for managing the UN’s response to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies requiring international assistance.
MUN is a new addition to the co-curricular programme this year. Simulating the diplomacy of the many forums of international relations, it aims to build an understanding of current global challenges amongst the next generation of world leaders and thinkers. Participants take on the role of diplomats and political leaders, attending international conferences to debate pressing world problems.
Master-in-Charge of MUN, Dr Alistair Goddard, commented: "MUN gives students an extraordinary opportunity to experience the complexities of international policy formation at first hand. The activity has proved particularly popular amongst new International Baccalaureate students, who are asked to develop international and intercultural understanding as part of their studies."
Guests Enjoy "A Taste of Sussex"
Ashdown Partridge Pudding, Slipcote Cheese & Vegetable Crumble followed by Christ’s Hospital Apple & Quince Tart was on the menu for 160 guests who took lunch at the School on Tuesday, 27th September as part of the annual Horsham Food and Drink Festival.
The lunchtime entertainment began with a chance to hear the Band and watch the daily parade of pupils march in to Dining Hall for lunch. Then guests sat down to their meal prepared with fresh local produce by Kevin Whitlock, Executive Chef for on-site caterers, Chartwells.
Diners were entertained to a lunchtime concert by the talented young musicians of the Christ’s Hospital Ensemble. They played "The Simple Symphony" by Benjamin Britten, "Solo De Concours" for Clarinet and Piano by the French composer Andre Messager and "Beati quorum via" by Charles Villiers Stanford.
Stuart Whittingham - Cricketing Success
It has been a memorable cricketing summer for Stuart Whittingham (Grecians West) who crowned a successful season with selection for the Sussex CCC Academy. He begins training at Hove in October.
Playing for the Christ's Hospital 1st XI he was both the leading run-scorer with an average of 40 and the leading wicket-taker with 42 wickets at 11.50 apiece. In addition he made an impact for the Sussex Under 17 team which resulted in his selection in the day-night game for the Sussex Academy against Surrey in August.
An extra boost came with the news from Douglas Henderson, Schools Cricket editor of Wisden, that Stuart was the leading wicket-taker in Independent Schools cricket in the season just past, an achievement which took him by surprise. "I had no idea that this would turn out to be the case, but it has given me the incentive to achieve my aim to become a professional cricketer," Stuart said.
Dorset Field Trip to the Dunes
On September 22nd the Grecian geographers went to Studland Bay, near Swanage, Dorset to complete a psammosere succession fieldwork project that they will be able to use in their Geographical Skills examination in January.
Miss Waller, Head of Geography, reported: "The group completed several transects of the dune system, collecting data on gradient, infiltration rates, soil pH, vegetation cover, and vegetation species present. The weather was absolutely fantastic and a fun day was had by all."
Christ’s Hospital Pupils Bring Cheer to the City of London
Hundreds of delighted spectators lined the route and cheered as over 400 Christ's Hospital pupils, led by the School's famous Band, marched through the City of London for the annual St Matthew’s Day parade on Friday, 23rd September. Following a thanksgiving service at the Church of St Andrew, Holborn, they marched to the Guildhall where the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Bear, took the salute.
Lauren Adeyemi, aged 16, said "I felt quite special because so many people came and watched. They stopped their cars and started taking photos". Fiona Blair, aged 15, played saxophone as the Band led the march. "It can be difficult to play the sax and march at the same time but I have been doing it for quite a while now so I’ve got used to it," Fiona said. "I felt proud to be there, it was a really uplifting feeling."
After the parade through the City the pupils received Largesse from the Lord Mayor, a monetary gift, fresh from the Royal Mint. St Matthew’s Day was, traditionally, the day on which the Governors of the School were elected. They would meet in the School’s Great Hall and then process to Christ’s Church, Newgate Street for a service.
St Matthew’s Day, 23rd September 2011
Senior pupils from Christ’s Hospital and the School’s famous band of 120 instrumentalists will march through the City of London on Friday morning in the annual St Matthew’s Day ceremony.
Order of the Day:
| 10:30 | Pupils march to St Andrew Holborn via Holborn Viaduct (where there is an excellent view from the top of the bridge). |
| 10:50 | Arrive St Andrew Holborn. |
St. Matthew's Day Service for ticket holders only.
| 12:15 | Depart St Andrew Holborn and march to Guildhall. |
| 12:45 | Arrive at Guildhall where the Lord Mayor takes the salute. |
Pictured: March Past practice in the Quad for Band and Seniors
Bart Plays at the Proms
Grecian Bart Callaghan (17) was seen on BBC TV playing double bass at the Proms in The Royal Albert Hall this summer. Earlier in the year he was invited to join the prestigious National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and he’s since toured the country with them.
Bart said: "The NYO require a minimum standard of grade 8 distinction for audition so I was absolutely delighted to get my place. During the year I have played at the greatest concert halls in the country with world class conductors and soloists."
This term, Bart’s first engagement was with the Christ’s Hospital String Ensemble, playing a selection of music by British composers, in a public concert held at the Horsham Unitarian Church on 18th September. For details of further musical events this term see our latest Performing Arts brochure.
