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

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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 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.

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.

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."