We were delighted to welcome Keynotes Choir for the third year in a row to run a workshop with our Gospel Choir.

Keynotes brought top-notch industry experience and musical expertise and really put our choir members through their paces, focusing on projection, communication, and support to lift their sound to the next level.

The student-led Gospel Choir has soared in prominence and quality over the last year, with performances at Lambeth Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Royal Albert Hall to name just a few. Our ongoing collaboration with Keynotes has really helped this meteoric ascent – and their visits are always a highlight in the musical calendar.

Design Technology students from the DG (Year 12) went on an inspirational trip to The Design Museum to see the Tim Burton Exhibition on 21 January.

The students were transported into Tim Burton’s world to explore the design of his unique aesthetic, including set and costume design, drawings, paintings, photographs, moving-image works and sculptural installations.

Tim Burton is the creative force behind some of the most celebrated films of the last four decades, internationally recognised as a master of the comically grotesque and the endearingly misfit.

While most well-known for his cinematic work, this exhibition displayed the full extent of his multi-disciplinary work as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author, as well as exploring key collaborations with designers.

On 17 January, the renowned explorer, paleoanthropologist, BBC presenter and stand-up comic, Ella Al-Shamahi, came to speak to students about the Neanderthals.

Ella is one of the leading experts on this subject, and her recent TED Talk has received over 2.5 million views. She is also the author of Times Book of the Year, The Handshake.

Aspen (DG/Year 12) said:

‘The mix of thrilling adventures and scientific insights kept the talk thought-provoking and dynamic, allowing the audience to reflect on what they thought they knew about the evolution of the homo genus. Although the focus was mainly on Neanderthals, Al-Shamahi also shared her work exploring Paleolithic caves in some of the world’s most hostile and unstable countries, such as Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Due to her vivid personality and inspiring stories, the talk was unusual and engaging in equal measure. Being a stand-up comedian who has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe enables her to bring a unique combination of wit and science to the stage.

In all, it was a delightful and insightful talk briefly exploring Al-Shamahi’s work as a paleoanthropologist and an evolutionary biologist.’

This year’s theme, Into the Wild!, took inspiration from our guest judges, Olly & Suzi.

They are collaborative artists who have made documenting nature and, most specifically, endangered species in their natural habitats, the focus of their artwork. They draw and paint together, working hand over hand on the same pieces of work, and their many adventures to all seven continents of the world have brought them face to face with sharks, whales, wild dogs, bears, snakes and crocodiles. They have exhibited their work all over the world in museums and galleries, and they are currently artists-in-residence at the Natural History Museum.

After choosing his winners, Olly Williams gave an insightful talk on his art education, working as a partnership, their influences, their place in the artworld, the animals and people they have met in their career, and his recent adventure into poetry.

There were over a hundred entries to the competition which generally responded to the theme emphasising the majesty of nature in the form of landscapes, seascapes, fauna, and animals.

This year’s winners were Junior: Dylan’s (02/Year 7) rock pool in the Red Sea, Intermediate: Stephanie’s (GE/Year 11) grasshopper, Senior: Betsy’s (DG/Year 12) abandoned hut in a wood, and the Best in Show: Eleanor’s (03/Year 8) atmospheric reflection of a tree (see below).

Our latest newsletter, packed with highlights from Michaelmas term, is available to read here:

https://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CH-Newsletter-Michaelmas-2024.pdf

Christ’s Hospital features in Independent Schools of the Year – Winners’ Edition magazine with two articles: one about CH winning the overall award for Independent School of the Year, and one about CH winning the performing arts category!

Read the articles on page 6-7, and 24-25 here:

Independent Schools of the Year 2024 – The Chelsea Magazine Company Shop

The Christmas Fair took place on 8 December in a festively decorated Big School. It was two hours of fun, music and wonderful stalls selling things such as homemade Christmas decorations, hot chocolate, cakes and biscuits.  Other stalls included: decorate your own gingerbread house, candy cane hook challenge, second hand football boots and wet sponge throwing! Among the highlights was a visit from Father Christmas (in the form of Dr Wines) and the CH model railway built by students over the last five years.

Entertainment for the afternoon was well received by everyone and featured the Mid A bell ringers, the drummers, the brass ensemble and senior jazz, all of whom provided a festive soundtrack throughout the event. Just over £3,500 was raised, all of which will be donated to house charities – including Macmillan, Springboard, The Royal Marsden, Kafusi Girls High School, Spring Board, British Heart Foundation, My Sister’s House and this year’s school charity, Trussell Trust, Horsham District Food Bank.

A huge thank-you to parents and students’ families for donating raffle prizes, including a fabulous Christmas hamper and generous vouchers.  We should also extend our gratitude to local businesses who provided a Christmas cake, hampers and other gifts.  Thank you to all the staff and student volunteers, house captains and especially to the Monitors in charge of organising the fair, Manasvi, Abi and Kaira who were outstanding in their logistics and planning.

Following our triumphant drama and music production of Les Misérables, we were delighted to receive the below glowing review from a NSTA (National School Theatre Awards) representative:

As an NSTA representative, I had the distinct pleasure of attending Christ’s Hospital’s production of Les Misérables on Friday, 6 December 2024. Under the expert guidance of Head of Drama, Ms Dawn Wylie, and the musical direction of Mr James Bartlett, this rendition of the iconic musical was nothing short of magnificent.

Les Misérables is a musical which scarcely needs an introduction to anyone with more than a passing interest in theatre, as the legendary show has been a firm favourite with UK theatregoers since it opened in London in 1985 — where it continues to play to this day. Set in early 19th-century France, it follows Jean Valjean, a peasant who is imprisoned for stealing bread to feed his sister’s child. After being shown mercy by a bishop, Valjean breaks his parole and starts a new life but is relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a revolutionary Paris, where young idealists rise up to challenge the government. Interestingly, the original London production included Roger Allam — a former Christ’s Hospital student — as the great antagonist Inspector Javert. With this in mind, the audience at the sold-out performance would be well within their rights to wonder if they were witnessing an early performance of a soon-to-be celebrated and accomplished West End actor. By the time the final curtain was drawn, it was clear that they very well might have!

First mention must go to Gavin Pattison for the set and theatrical design truly excellent in its classy and effective simplicity. Ragged cloth flanked the sides of the stage, lit “à la Tricolore” to instantly evoke the poverty-stricken landscape of early 19th-century France, while a brickwork-effect platform rose up at the back of the stage. Little else was used for much of the show, nor was much else necessary — save for a raucous tavern scene here, a lavish gate there, and, of course, the famous barricade that dominates Act Two.

Musically, the show is famously lavish and impressive, and it was performed here with aplomb and distinction by all the performers, including a considerable ensemble and a 13-piece orchestra, composed of current students Fleur and Sam, and a few alumni, too — all expertly conducted by Mr James Bartlett.

In the opening number, we were introduced to the central conflict of the musical — that between the (soon-to-be reformed) thief Jean Valjean and the hard-nosed, unforgiving police officer Javert. Dominic’s effortless tenor voice as Valjean soared through the notoriously difficult musical material with complete ease. Harvey’s stage presence alone as Javert was almost inconceivably powerful — and that’s before he opened his mouth, revealing a rich, deep bass voice. Large segments of Javert’s lines were sung down an octave by Harvey, which is extremely rare to experience, while also being so fitting for Javert’s character that it makes one wonder why it has not been done before. As a result, the contrast between the two central characters was unmissably stark.

Another cast member deserving of special praise is Amelie as the ill-fated Fantine. The role of Fantine is a unique challenge in theatre: to be introduced after the opening number, invoke as much pathos as possible, sing one of the most famous musical theatre songs of all time (“I Dreamed a Dream”), undergo a wig change, slap at least one fellow actor (on stage, ideally), and then die of an illness that is not mentioned in the text or even hinted at until your deathbed scene (which itself occurs less than half an hour after your first appearance on stage). The role clearly demands a stand-out performer, and in Amelie, we got this and more, with every checkpoint of the rollercoaster accounted for — including a genuinely excellent rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”. Amelie showed control and maturity beyond her years, pacing herself throughout the song and creating one of the stand-out moments of Act One.

Other highlights in Act One were Harvey’s yearning rendition of “Stars” — enhanced by beautiful lighting — and “A Heart Full of Love,” in which Marius (played by Nana), Éponine (portrayed by Amelia), and Cosette (played by Alice) showcased superb vocals that intertwined and blended quite remarkably. Guy and Rosie also shone in their depiction of the abusive squalor of the slimy Thénardier household; they clearly relished the opportunity to explore the immoral, sleazy Thénardier and Madame Thénardier respectively. The final stellar performance that cannot go unmentioned was Nana’s performance of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” near the end of Act Two. This was a show highlight — a three-minute masterclass in vocal performance and acting through song that really stood out, even among many other great moments throughout the evening.

Arguably most memorable about this evening for me was the opportunity to sit next to a Christ’s Hospital student who was there to support his friend but had not seen Les Misérables before. He felt every musical peak and trough quite viscerally, sometimes audibly gasping at graceful high notes, and physically reacting to particularly impressive vocal passages or dramatic moments at other times. This was a perfect reminder of how important and powerful musical theatre can be. Through the quality of this production and these performances, the young man next to me — and the rest of the audience — were genuinely moved and inspired. What a gift to him and many in the audience, who rose to give a full standing ovation at the curtain call — a well-deserved reward for the talented and passionate performers, teachers, musicians, and technicians of Christ’s Hospital.

The Social Mobility List, in partnership with bp, is a ground-breaking new publication from Making The Leap, focused on highlighting the key contributors and initiatives that are driving social mobility in the UK. 

We are proud that Christ’s Hospital is included as the only independent school on the list!

The Social Mobility List features a comprehensive overview of individuals, charities, and companies making significant strides in advancing social mobility across the UK. This annual publication is a key resource for stakeholders across the social mobility ecosystem, from policymakers to business leaders, educational institutions, and the wider public. There are 10 Movers and Shakers highlighted, who across 2024 have actively made an impact in the field of social mobility through policy, advocacy, innovation or direct action. Joining the Movers and Shakers, the List celebrates 56 different organisations across 12 categories as well as 18 individuals across a further three categories, and five charities leading the way in social mobility.

Read it here:

Home – Social Mobility List

Christ’s Hospital topped a list of 200 independent schools for its bursary and scholarship provision, awarding on average £25,900 a student — almost twice as much as the school in second place, says Robert Watts in The Times.

Read the article here (although it is behind a paywall, so you will need a subscription to The Times):

How to get a scholarship to a top UK private school