The Cranleigh School Newsletter Issue No 38
Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QQ Tel: 01483 273666
Michaelmas 2010
Head s Up BEYOND CRANLEIGH Dear Parents,
This has been a mixed term, with some considerable highs, a few lows and one of the saddest events Cranleigh has had to deal with in a long time. I was unsure whether to highlight it here, but feel that, in what is effectively an overview of the term, it would be inappropriate to make no mention of the sorrow shared by the whole community at Tildy Curran s Memorial Service an unforgettable day attended by so many of her family and friends, and a testament to a truly special girl. Likewise, this term has seen two other Memorial Services held for two much-loved Cranleigh figures Vivian Cox and David Bluett both of whom gave so very much to the School over the years, and who will be sorely missed by all those who knew them. All three days were a reflection of the deep and lasting bonds that those who attend Cranleigh form something of which we are very proud, and which is a feature of the community spirit of the School. Even after pupils leave here, those bonds tend to remain for a long time often a lifetime and it is surprising how many Old Cranleighans in fact end up married to each other! And little wonder, looking back over this term and given the relative intensity of the time we share together, packing so much into just twelve or so weeks. The hard work, the dedicated sport, the inspirational music, the spell-binding drama, the extraordinary number of activities available each week, and even the downtime from snowball fights to the Foundation Christmas Fair. It has been another incredibly rewarding term on all fronts, and I would like to reiterate Andrew Griffiths words in Final Assembly in thanking everyone pupils, prefects, Common Room and Bursarial staff alike for the incredible effort you have all put into this term, and for making Cranleigh the warm, close-knit and successful community it is. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Guy Waller Head
At Speech Day, the Head introduced the prospect of an exciting new initiative, Beyond Cranleigh , to enable Cranleigh pupils to get involved more physically, and on a long-term basis, with overseas communities. As this now becomes a reality, we speak to one of its key co-ordinators (and soon to be trans-Africa and Europe cyclist), Stuart Block, to find out what it is all about
What was the idea behind Beyond Cranleigh? On Speech Day, the Headmaster outlined the broadening of the Cranleigh Ethos to include the wider provision of opportunities for service away from the local area, including more chances for pupils to do service in communities in the developing world. We already have existing connections in the Lebanon and Kenya. To complement these, Cranleigh is now partnering with Beyond Ourselves (www.beyondourselves.co.uk), a London-based charity that works to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in both London and Zambia.
children, with limited resources and without being paid for their teaching. Having relayed our experiences to the wider Cranleigh community, there was an overwhelming sense from both the Common Room and the pupils that this was an excellent, and very welcome, opportunity for Cranleighans to make a difference Beyond Cranleigh whether by helping on a very practical, very personal level by going out to Zambia themselves, or by the initiation of a wide range of fundraising projects, some of which can be organised almost straight away.
Why Beyond Ourselves in particular?... Beyond Ourselves is a charity based upon similar principles to Cranleigh: those of community and teamwork. We liked the fact that Beyond Ourselves offers opportunities to help people both in the UK and in Africa; it underscores the need to be aware of people less fortunate than ourselves in a wide variety of situations, and it offers pupils the chance to get involved on both fronts, depending on where their personal interest lies.
When is the first trip out to Zambia, and what will the pupils be doing? The first trip is planned post A-levels in August and September 2011, for current members of the Upper Sixth and OCs, to start building much-needed classrooms at Kawama School, Kitwe. The school, currently consisting of 220 pupils, is run from a single building where five classes are taught simultaneously. Imagine over one third of the Senior School pupils, of varying ages, all being taught together! Following this, in the Michaelmas Long Leave, a group of current Fifth and Lower Sixth Formers will head out to finish the building and paint the classrooms, ready for use in January 2012.
You were one of the key brains behind the Beyond Cranleigh initiative. What is it that inspired you, and what do you think it offers to the pupils? Arriving at Cranleigh two years ago from the business world, I was hugely impressed by the quality of both colleagues and students, as well as the overriding sense of community. However, it was also fairly clear to me that we live a somewhat sheltered existence here. Having learnt a great deal personally from teaching at a school in Africa during my gap year, I hope that the project will help Cranleighans to gain a more balanced perspective, as well as helping them to make a difference in the wider world. What groundwork has been done so far? This summer myself and Richard Humes (Deputy Housemaster, East) visited Beyond Ourselves projects in Zambia, which work with several community schools in the Copperbelt region. It was an amazing and humbling experience, witnessing the passion of the local Zambians in trying to provide education for their
What are the longer-term plans for Beyond Cranleigh ? It is planned that there will be an annual trip to help with the Beyond Ourselves work at Kawama School, and potentially other community schools in the region. In recent years Richard Humes has led School trips to Tanzania and Ecuador, building classrooms and school facilities. They were excellent experiences for the pupils, and highly beneficial for the local communities involved. However, what excites staff and pupils alike about the Kawama School project is that rather than a one-off trip, as in the case of those mentioned above, this is going to be a continuous project, building a strong and long-term relationship with one school and Continued over.....
For full details of all School and House news, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community
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community. Pupils will have a significant build-up to their trip to Zambia, helping to fundraise and learning basic skills that they will need on the trip, such as teaching, sports coaching and building. They will then be able to keep in touch with developments, and the personal stories of those they meet there, in the years to come. In addition, we are hoping to put together a Gap Year programme that we d like to link to existing work in Kenya, to where David Waters (former Cranleigh Foundation Director) has recently returned.
You personally have your own partnership with Beyond Ourselves. Tell us what you are planning? I am planning to ride a tandem bicycle from Cape Town, South Africa back to London in time for the 2012 Olympics, via the Copperbelt region of Zambia a fundraising initiative we ve called Beyond the Bike (www.beyondthebike.org). I plan to depart next summer, and en route join the first Cranleigh building trip to Zambia. The ride will be raising money for the Beyond Ourselves project and also for other charities such as Right to Sight (helping to eradicate preventable blindness in Africa, working with schools in the process) and Alive & Kicking (a social enterprise with links to Cranleigh that manufactures sports balls, in Africa for Africans). I hope to be able to buy Alive & Kicking balls for each school visited en route. Why the tandem? Beyond the Bike is about partnership, helping to build links between two specific communities in two different continents. Doing the cycle on a tandem can be seen as a travelling microcosm of this broader goal. On top of this, it allows lots of different people to get involved personally, as it allows them to join for sections along the route, as well as locals/travellers that I meet. If you re interested in joining for a section, please get in touch!
GRIFF S GRIPES I should like to take this opportunity to highlight my increasing concern about the speed at which some people continue to drive around the campus. Please heed the 15mph speed limits that are in place; pupils and adults alike often have other things on their mind when they walk around the School grounds, and may well on occasion step out from between cars or behind coaches without looking. We do not want a serious accident to make us all realise the extent of the danger that speeding drivers represent. We shall be installing more sleeping policemen during the Christmas holidays in an effort to make the campus a safer place for everyone. I should also like to remind boarders that they are expected to attend all Sunday evening Chapel services. The Cranleigh week begins on Sunday evening, and such services are an important start to our routines, allowing time afterwards for us to prepare for the tasks that await on Monday morning. I do appreciate your support on this matter, so please ensure that you are back in good time so that you are able to make the service.
SAVE THE DATES CRANLEIGH MIDSUMMER BALL 18th JUNE 2011 Following the sell-out Winter Wonderland Ball for Cranleigh parents, and the phenomenal success of a recent Old Cranleighan ball at Madame Tussauds, the organisers of both have joined forces to bring all parties together, literally at the biggest party Cranleigh School has ever hosted! • Champagne Reception and canapés • Delicious three-course dinner by Rhubarb, with Cottage Caterers • Fine wines
Thank you. Andrew Griffiths, Deputy Head
PURELY ACADEMIC STUDY LEAVE SUMMER 2011 In anticipation of the external exam period next summer, parents are advised that the following arrangements will pertain for Study Leave next Summer Term:
• Superb auction with many exclusive lots, plus the opportunity to win a stunning £10,000 diamond • Fabulous entertainment, including chart-topping headline act • Dancing until 2am Tickets are £100 per person, and tables are going fast so don t miss out, reserve your place today! Email: midsummerball@cranleigh.org or call the Foundation Office on 01483 273666
PLUS
Parents and pupils are warmly invited to join us at the Cranleigh Fashion Show, on 23rd and 24th March 2011, in aid of Tildy s Trust and the Back Ben Parkinson campaign. Please see Page 6 for full event and ticket details.
What else can parents/pupils do to help with the Zambia project? Alongside the actual pupil trips out to Zambia, we will also be launching a child sponsorship programme. For £12.50 per month per pupil in Zambia, this would include uniform, teachers salaries, textbooks and one free daily school meal for each pupil. Plus there will be various fundraising initiatives implemented, also intended to contribute towards the overall £35,000 target the first of which is the auctioning of designer clothes on e-bay in the Lent Term. So if anyone has any clothes that they are willing to contribute, please send them in! If you d like to find out more, please email Stuart Block (saab@cranleigh.org) or Richard Humes (rach@cranleigh.org). 2
IF YOU HAVE ANY UNWANTED DESIGNER CLOTHES/BAGS/ SHOES ETC THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO DONATE, PLEASE COULD YOU SEND THEM BACK WITH YOUR CHILD AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT TERM, LABELLED FOR THE ATTENTION OF CLAIR NEILL . IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE ZAMBIA SPONSORED WALK ON 1ST MAY 2011, AND/OR YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME, PLEASE EMAIL STUART BLOCK AT SAAB@CRANLEIGH.ORG.
Upper Sixth - Study Leave will begin for Upper Sixth pupils after school activities on Saturday 11th June Lower Sixth Study Leave will begin for Lower Sixth pupils after school activities on Saturday 21st May and will run until the end of Long Leave. Lower Sixth pupils will be expected back in school for the second half of the term at the standard published time of 9.00pm on 5th June for boarders, or for the 8.10am Callover in the case of day pupils Upper Fifth Study Leave will begin for Upper Fifth pupils on Friday 27th May. Individual pupils may leave after their personal examination commitments are completed on that day. All our pupils in these year groups are encouraged to note that their teachers are available in School during Study Leave period for consultation and advice as required. Every year some of our pupils find it easier to revise for exams at School rather than at home for at least some of the Study Leave period, and this is often a sensible approach to take.
on the Zambia Walk, on 1st May 2011, to help raise money for the new Beyond Cranleigh initiative (please see Page 1 for details). The walk will be an all-day event, covering 20 miles around the Surrey Hills, and it is very much hoped to raise substantial funds towards an overall target of £35,000 (the rest to be raised by Cranleigh master Stuart Block s tandem cycle ride through Europe and Africa - see left). Please do join us the more the merrier. For further details and a sponsorship form, please email Stuart Block at saab@cranleigh.org.
FAST FACT The School s first Tuck Shop was opened on Horseshoe Lane, where it remained until 1936. It was not, however, universally popular: one Cranleighan wrote that it undermined those athletic, intellectual, unselfish attributes one expected to find in public schoolboys.
CRANLEIGH FIRSTS This term saw Cranleigh host its inaugural Prep School Invitational Academic Pentathlon a huge success, in which eight Prep Schools competed in Logic, Matchstick Puzzles, Spelling, Debating and a final Grand Quiz. Shrewsbury House took the Plate this year. Cooking was offered as a new activity this term with four boys across four year groups working with Executive Chef John Smith over the course of the term. Their new skill-base culminated in a meal for Guy Waller, Andrew Griffiths and Tim McConnell-Wood and their wives, entirely planned, prepared and cooked by them, that was described by one lucky recipient as divine, and worthy of a Michelin Star!
Finally, we are breaking with form this term to highlight a Cranleigh First that is in fact happening next term, as we are keen for as many parents and pupils as possible to support it. The first pupil-initiated Fashion Show, to be held on 23rd and 24th March, is the brainchild of Tori Prew and Nina Beeston, two UVIth girls who were inspired by the Back Ben Parkinson charity bike ride undertaken by five UVIth boys over the summer (please see last issue), and wanted to raise money for Ben s charity. Following the tragic death of Tildy Curran as a result of Leukaemia, the girls also wanted to raise money for Tildy s Trust. As well as supporting two inspirational causes, the evening promises to be great fun, with Cranleigh Sixth Form pupils modelling items from many well-known designers, in addition to some of their own creations, including handdyed silk sarongs and buckles created by Sixth Form students in the Design department. This event also represents the first joint project between the Art and Design departments, with teachers Margaret Maunders and Sara Roberts assisting pupils with the designs.
In November, Tom Hollister played the organ during a School Chapel service; the first time a pupil has done so in at least a decade, and certainly ever on the spectacular new Mander organ.
Tickets are £10 for parents/guests and free to Cranleigh pupils, although there will be a collection box for donations. For full details, please email mm@cranleigh.org. To request tickets, please contact Diana Pettifer at tickets@cranleigh.org.
FLYING COLOURS Well done to the following, who have been awarded their School Colours this term:
Rugby: Josh Hughes (N), James Cordy-Redden (L), Matt Gillott (L), Charles Alston (C) and Elliot Mclean (L). Hockey: Kelly Hughes (W), Nicola Hardwick (W), Georgia Watson (W), Mara Waters (W) and Katie Richards (S) Water Polo: Sam McCagherty (N) For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community. For House News, please visit the Houses section
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BEHIND THE SCENES
They say that the way to the heart is through the stomach in which case there is, arguably, nobody in the School quite so important as Jon Smith, the Executive Chef What did you do before you came here? I worked as an Executive Chef in London for about 9 years. My last placement was with a very big law firm, where each day I was responsible for feeding the core staff (900 covers); hospitality for approximately 1000+ covers; Boardroom dining for up to 40 covers, and the CEO s private dining! Before London I worked in Paris and New York, in various hotels and restaurants. Why a school chef as opposed to a restaurant chef? (I.e. what attracted you to the position?) I was looking for a break from the madness of the City, and I came away from my 1st interview feeling very positive. After what I had been told, I felt great things could be achieved here, and I could take the School dinners to a completely different level. I was really excited about the type of hospitality that could be produced at the School against a backdrop of fields and horses as opposed to buses and taxis. As a team we don t do any less hours than in London; we basically just have to fit 52 weeks into 38. At the Senior School, there are 7/8 of us covering 7 days a week, 13/14 hours per day. We do a lot of hospitality, which adds another interesting dimension, and we have a huge amount of support from the Bursar, the Deputy Bursar and, of course, Harrison Catering. What is your favourite part of the job and why? I like all of it. The friendliness of the pupils and staff goes such a long way to boosting the team the Senior School s Head Chef Mike Wadey, extremely ably assisted by Nigel, Abdul, Jane, Emma, Robbie, Michelle and Manuel, and the Prep School s Head Chef Carol Warner, equally well supported by Mandy. As in most cases, you can only be good with good people around you. I also enjoy the fine dining we do here a chance to let go a little bit, be quirky and creative. And I teach a cookery class, and have just finished a course with four pupils where we created and produced a three-course sit-down menu for the Head and five guests hard work, but really enjoyable. Do you have a favourite special school event/day, and if so what makes it special? Yes, Halloween it s such fun. And it just seems to get more creative and bigger each year. I love the atmosphere we create, and it s great to hear the pupils walking in and going Wow, that s amazing . Speech Day is great too because of the challenges it presents and now, combined with OC Day, even more so. And Christmas dinners are tremendous, because of the general sense of excitement, and the Dining Hall is just an amazing venue for them. What are your key philosophies when deciding on the menu? Seasonal produce is very important, and if possible British and local produce. The menu also has to be what the pupils like, within reason. I meet regularly with the Senior Prefects to see what the current likes and dislikes are but it s all about a balance and the five-a-day. We use a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, the pupils have a choice of at least two meat dishes and a vegetarian option every lunchtime, plus cold meats, soup, potatoes/wraps etc and an extensive salad bar freshly prepared each day. Being a sporty school, we also use a lot of pasta, a source of slow-releasing carbohydrate that gives more sustained energy to help pupils in their matches. What do you think are some of the pupils favourite meals? Pasta, pasta, pasta; anything in a wrap; our Jumbo BLT and, without question, Burger Night!! What do you think of Jamie Oliver s approach to school meals?! Mmm, I am not actually a fan of Jamie Oliver, but credit where credit s due, he has brought school food more into
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the public eye. It is something companies like ours have been doing for a lot longer than Jamie, they ve just not broadcast the fact. Fundamentally, it is about education and it is about healthier living and it is something that needs more funding from the Government, particularly in state schools. It is very difficult when you are up against cheap, mass-produced processed meals, which is all that some schools can afford. Is there any aspect of the catering that you would like to improve if you could, budgets allowing? We are very lucky here to be able to express ourselves with the food on offer, but of course there are always things you would like to change and improve to make the dining experience even more enjoyable. There are a couple of projects looming on the horizon that I can t say too much about, but should present another wow factor I hope. Have you had any unusual requests over the years? Not so much requests, but unusual events. I was once part of a large team that did an African-themed BBQ on London s South Bank for 36,000 people, and we cooked foods such as warthog, kudu, antelope and crocodile. Perhaps I should offer the same to the pupils some time?! The first three are, after all, essentially pork and venison and they say that crocodile tastes very similar to chicken If you could cook your perfect meal for 600 people, what would it be and why? I am assuming we are talking banqueting style now, but if money was no object and I had a ton of staff then I would do the following, for sheer wow factor in terms of flavours, colours and textures: Starter: Ceviche of wild Alaskan steelhead salmon with sautéed Scottish lobster tail on puy lentils, topped with seared foie gras and finished with a horseradish foam. Main Course: Pan-roasted cannon of venison marinated in sloe gin and rolled in a pancetta crumb, served on a crush of Shetland black potato with shaved white truffle, sautéed morel mushrooms and an aged port wine reduction. Dessert: Iced Champagne and apple parfait with honeycomb tuile and apple granita, finished with a spiced chocolate oil. If you could have your perfect meal cooked for you (anything at all!), what would it be? Bangers and mash, but I am very fussy: the sausages would be handmade and tied with my own recipe; the mash would be made using Cyprus potatoes, French butter, freshly grated nutmeg and double cream, and the whole thing finished with a three-onion sauce (red, white and banana shallot). That s my favourite dish, but then I also love quirky food such as rump of organic marshfed lamb roasted over hay and lavender, topped with a fried cock s comb served on a pomme de terre pureé, with a port wine reduction and a shot of garlic ice cream. How would you sum up School life as you see it, in one sentence? Busy, challenging, fun and cool. What is the biggest culinary challenge you ve been given? Apart from the afore-mentioned BBQ for 36,000 people, and being involved in catering a banquet for the Queen, one of the biggest challenges was producing a nine-course dinner for 15 covers in the Jubilee Memorial Pavilion, with its kitchen not yet in situ We had to form a chain of communication from the kitchen to the pavilion by way of walkie talkies, a lot of running between the two locations and an awkward little van. And all the while the guests were dining in ignorant bliss inside. What is your fondest memory from over the years? My fondest Cranleigh memory to date is, on the first day of working here, driving up the drive thinking Jon, you lucky man, this has the makings of something special . I will always be able to picture that moment.
The Term in
PICTURES A selection of highlights from all that has gone on at Cranleigh this Michaelmas Term, intended to give just a taste of Cranleigh life Please refer to the website/The Cranleighan for a more detailed review of all news and events. Pictures, from left to right, working across: Fun in the snow Economics/Politics trip to New York and Washington Christmas Carol Service East House Music Evening Girls Hockey, House Competition, Final Dining Hall ready for Christmas Dinner... ... and Christmas Dinner is served Ellen Dixon, 1st prize, Helen Wareham Competition, Strings Performance (Junior) Squash Purvis Society: Baroness Sharp, Winners, Prep Schools Academic Pentathlon Henry Taylor, South West of England U18s Around campus Jazz Band, Royal Hospital, Chelsea Debating Matters competition Basketball Prep Schools Academic Pentathlon Design students Erin McCombe, three double clears in three weeks IVth Form Cross-Country Competition Junior Music Scholars concert Rugby, UI4 B team Chloe Allison, National Youth Wind Ensemble Dance Show Inaugural Mander Organ Concert Remembrance Day, Royal British Legion Winter scene Purvis Society: United Nations Hattie Allison, Schools Intermediate ISODE Charity Mufti Day Public Speaking: Senior House Competition Rugby county representatives Schools Challenge, Final House Performance Competition North House Plays House Performance Competition, IVth Form Dance Schools Challenge Interact Club West Music Evening Fives match Timothy Ayling, 1st prize, Helen Wareham Competition, Brass Performance (Junior) Ruby Joy, Finalist, Helen Wareham Competition, Strings Performance (Senior) Tom Avery Society: Mr John Dunn Public Speaking: Junior House Competition Swimmers: Division 11 trialists Lacrosse Purvis Society: Professor John Stein Dinner for Head and guests, cooked by pupils Chapel Choir, St George s Chapel, Windsor Debating Matters competition Concert Series Golf, winners East House Music Evening Christmas Concert Classics Society Lecture: Daniel Hog School Play: Hamlet Christmas Concert
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For weekly updates of all of CranleighÂ’s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community. For House News, please visit the Houses section
SPORTS ROUND-UP by Tim McConnell-Wood, Assistant Deputy Head
With a great sense of anticipation, the Rugby Club welcomed Mr Andrew Houston as Director of Rugby, and his impact on Cranleigh Rugby has been wideranging: there is a sense of excitement amongst both players and staff for the future. As for the season, the 1st XV won eight out of 11 matches, including achieving a great victory against Epsom and putting 41 points on a very strong RGS Guildford side. Josh Hughes (N) has led superbly alongside James Cordy-Redden (L). The team s hard work has resulted in eight players being selected for various counties this season. The remaining Senior sides were strong, with the 2nd XV losing only one game, as did the 4th XV. In the Junior teams, the U16s produced some fine rugby and continue to develop into a very strong age group. The U15s are improving and are closing the gap between themselves and other schools. The U14s, unfortunately, have suffered injuries throughout the year, but have shown real promise when all their players are fit. The Hockey Club had a good season, although the 1stXI was very much a young and developing side, well led by Kelly Hughes (W) and Nicola Hardwick (W). They were unlucky to lose by only the one goal on a number of occasions when, with a bit of luck, they might have won or earned a draw. The remaining Senior XIs had successful seasons, playing with verve and determination. The U16s are the pick of the year groups, having reached the South Region Semi Finals: the first time that this has been achieved by a Cranleigh Girls side. The U16s as a year group scored 60 goals and conceded only six. The U15s have had a pretty good season overall and the U14As won their group in the Surrey County competition. Katie Batchelor (S) was selected to be a member of the England Elite U17 Development Group and Emily Robinson (S) was selected for the England U16 Tier 2, Futures Cup group. The Girls Lacrosse 1st XII were also young but played with developing confidence, and in Netball the U15s and U16s both qualified for the Surrey finals next term.
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Of particular note at the beginning of term was the Golf Club, where both boys and girls had great success, winning the West Sussex Schools Cup and Epsom College Invitation Cup respectively. Our athletes are also doing tremendously, with Maddy Austin (W) ranked number one for her age group in the National Biathlon Championships and Conor McCormack (C) fifth in his section. Ben Allon-Smith (C) set an incredibly quick half marathon time this term of 1 hr 27 mins and took a Lancing School record of a 5.87 mile course in 32 mins 38 secs. In swimming, the season has already started, with Ellie Connor (W) swimming backstroke for Division 11 in the National Schools Competition and coming 12th in the country.
PERSONAL BESTS This term has again seen some outstanding performances by Cranleigh pupils (individuals and teams) competing or performing at the very highest level in various spheres, who undoubtedly deserve a special mention:
SWIMMING
ACADEMIC
Handicap Salver at the West Sussex Schools Invitation Event: First place among 20 schools, thanks to the combined scores of James Boyle (Captain, UVIth) partnered with Charlie Craddock (UVth) and Marc Sadler (LVIth) partnered with Jonny Pullar (LVIth). Coronation Cup, Epsom College Invitation Golf Event: won by Lottie Grafton (LVIth), Chloe Nicholls (IVth Form) and Jen Vincent (IVth Form).
GCSE RESULTS Outstanding GCSE results this year included 27pupils registering A* or A grades in all exams, and eight achieving A* grades in all subjects taken: Peter Westcott, James Thompson, Emilia Milne, Peter Thompson, Chloë Allison, George Colgan, Olivia Cope and Sophie Kinally. Nearly as good were Lauren Chitty, Lucy Bown, Philip Charman, Charlie Cowdrey, Millie Crane, Ted Croker, Freddie Dicks, Carole Date Chong, Madeleine Iafrate, Lucy Hartley, Tash Large, Lydia Markwick, Tobias Nilsson, Katie Richards, Oliver Pike, Rosie Peters, Emma Wallis, Alasdair Young and Mara Waters. Sophie Kinally (LVIth) won the inaugural French Lower Sixth Essay prize. Her essay, on Qu est-ce qui pose le plus grand danger pour le monde? was an excellent piece of discursive writing. Peter Thompson, Mara Waters and Madeleine Iafrate were also commended for their entries. Runners Up, Regional Bank of England Economics Competition: Matt Cordwell, Ollie Davies, Jonny Atkins and Ben Allon-Smith. National UK Senior Maths Challenge Gold Award: Peter Thompson and Emma Wallis
DEBATING
Institute of Ideas Debating Matters, Surrey region: Sophie Shearer, Nicola Hardwick, Steven Williams and Milly Windus came second. World University Debating Championships: Frank Hardee, Head of Academic Competitions, has been awarded one of the highest honours in the debating world by being asked to represent Great Britain at the World University Debating Championships, as one of the country s expert adjudicators. English-Speaking Union Debating, Sectional Round: Sophie Shearer and Nicola Hardwick beat six schools (including Charterhouse) to earn a place in the regional Finals in March. BBC Schools Question Time, Regional Final: Emily Coleridge, Alex Curtis, Louisa Golden, Hugo Moxey and Peter Thompson, of the School s Knoller Society (history and politics), have made it through to the Regional Final of the annual BBC Schools Question Time competition. Young Enterprises Dragons Den: Matt Smith, Alex Curtis, Charlie Humberstone and Lucy Burton came first out of sixteen teams, winning a £100 cheque for their company.
RUGBY
Independent Schools Barbarians Trials: Josh Hughes, James Cordy-Redden, Matthew Gillott, Seb Sharpe. Surrey U18 Squad against Essex: James Cordy-Redden, Matthew Gillott, James Thompson, Harry Elrington, Henry Lamont and Seb Sharpe. Buckinghamshire U18s: Henry Taylor. Surrey U18s Squad: James Cordy-Redden, Seb Sharpe, James Thompson, Harry Elrington, Henry Lamont and Matthew Gillott. South West of England U18 Squad: Henry Taylor (U17 player). England U20 Elite Player Squad: Will Collier (OC, Harlequins).
HOCKEY
Southern Region round of the Nationals: the U16A Girls team won their group, taking them through to the SemiFinals (to be played next term) Tier 2 Regional Squads competing in England Futures Cup (U16/U18) or High Performance Assessment Camps (U15/U17): Will Calnan (U15), Emily Robinson (U16), James Gall (U16), Katie Batchelor (U17), Giles RozierPamplin (U17), Jonny Gall (U18) and Tom Batchelor (U18). National representation at the UK Schools Games: Tom Batchelor and Jonny Gall (England Gold medal winners) and Ollie Davies (Wales). Surrey U14 teams: Weston Lord and Chloe Nicholls.
CRICKET
Surrey U15s (and National Champions): Jack Scriven and Will Rollings, with Scriven taking two wickets in the Final and Rollings taking three. Surrey s U15 Cricketer of the Year: Jack Scriven. Surrey s U14 Cricketer of the Year: Nathan Thorpe. Harold Larwood Fast Bowling Scholarship: Stuart Meaker (OC, Surrey). MCC Schools Team at Lord s: Will Langmead (OC). England Schools Cricket Association (ESCA) XI: Michael Burgess selected as wicketkeeper (OC).
Division 11 (Surrey and Kent) representation at the Schools Nationals in 100m backstroke: Ellie Connor (UVth), 12th in the country. Division 11 Team Coach: Mr David Hailey. Surrey Team Championships: U15 girls won Silver in both relays.
GOLF
LACROSSE
Surrey Lacrosse Trials: Chrissie Hoolahan (UVIth) selected for county second team.
RIDING
Intermediate Eventing Championships: Tom Lane (UVth) fifth overall; Hattie Allison (LVth) cross-country clear; Erin McCombe (IVth Form) show-jumping clear. National Show-jumping Qualifier Novice Level: Ella Flavell (LVth) individual win and Chloë Allison (LVIth) sixth out of 90 riders; Izzy Rennocks (LVth) and Katie Bowser (IVth Form) double clears; Caileigh Faure (IVth Form) into jump-off in her first show jumping competition. Intermediate Level: Briony Pearson (LVth), Chloë Allison, Hattie Allison and Fred Phillips (IVth Form) third out of 20. Open Level: Imogen Way (LVIth) second individually. Erin McCombe: three double clears in three weeks while competing for the School.
NETBALL
Surrey Elite Satellite Academy: Tatiana St Pier (IVth Form) Surrey Satellite Academy: Poppy Bathurst (IVth Form).
BIATHLON
Regional Schools Biathlon Championships (1km run and 100m swim): Maddy Austin (UVth) won her category, and is ranked number one for her age group in the National Biathlon Championship. Conor McCormack (IVth Form) came fifth in his category. Both are through to the semifinals at Crystal Palace in January. Training day with Dame Kelly Holmes (double Olympic gold medal winner): Maddy Austin invited as part of a scheme to develop England s top young athletes.
FORMULA 2 Formula 2 World Title competition: Jolyon Palmer (OC). MUSIC
HELEN WAREHAM BRASS COMPETITION (SENIOR) Henry Harrod (trumpet); Peter Westcott (French horn) and Oliver Harris (trumpet) all won a place in the Helen Wareham Final. HELEN WAREHAM BRASS COMPETITION (JUNIOR) 1st prize: Timothy Ayling (French horn) 2nd Prize: Hebe Westcott (trumpet) 3rd Prize: Ben Mills (trumpet) HELEN WAREHAM STRINGS COMPETITION (SENIOR) Louisa Golden (cello), Ruby Joy (ghuzhen) and Sam McCagherty (violin) all won a place in the Helen Wareham Final. HELEN WAREHAM STRINGS COMPETITION (JUNIOR) 1st prize: Ellen Dixon (viola) 2nd Prize: Soyoung Choi (violin) 3rd Prize: Isabelle Simpkin (violin) Chloë Allison started at The Royal College of Music. Tom Hollister started at The Royal Academy of Music. Chloë Allison has been offered a place to join the prestigious National Youth Wind Ensemble (for players of Grade 8 standard and above) for 2011. As such, she will represent Great Britain at the International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in the Far East next Easter. Richard Saxel, Head of Performance, has received rave reviews in the music press for his solo CD, with accolades including: a haunting claim for intimacy... this recital is outstanding ; true to life and beautifully placed within the acoustic ; a spellbindingly eerie account .
DRAMA
Both the North House Plays and Hamlet have been reviewed elsewhere in this publication but a list of outstanding individual achievements would be incomplete without mentioning both the man behind the intelligently-cut Shakespeare masterpiece, Mr Copp, and of course Hamlet himself, inspirationally portrayed by Tommy Lyster (LVIth).
CHARITY
872-mile cycle ride from Inverness to Gosport: Harry Adolphus, James Cordy-Redden, Will Dean, Will Larwood, Josh Wise, Ross Preston, George Farquharson and Morgan Roberts completed their goal, and have so far raised over £20,000.
PERFORMING ARTS ROUND-UP by Peter Longshaw James Copp s production of Hamlet (16 th 19thNovember in Speech Hall) was a very significant landmark in the distinguished history of Cranleigh School drama, with Tommy Lyster s Hamlet of such stunning quality (at the age of 16) that we can only wonder what he might achieve in future years. Furthermore, in this truly company-style production, no-one spoke the blank verse with more understanding, conviction or clarity of communication than Adam van Schaik (UVth) as Polonius. James Copp created a disturbing sense of the supernatural through the lighting, movement and, above all, the music - culminating in Patrick Cahill emerging as the Ghost from the cellarage. A full review of this and all events mentioned here is on the website.
On Friday 15th October a large audience was treated to a stunning display of the extraordinary qualities and versatility of the School s new Mander organ. The concert (following an earlier private recital in which the worldrenowned Thomas Trotter also played) contained a recital by the School s new Organist-In-Residence Philip Scriven (recently organist of Lichfield Cathedral), whose programme displayed the organ s full range of sonorities. In Zadok the Priest by Handel and I Was Glad by Parry the combined sound of the large Chapel Choir under Marcus Pashley, organ and brass was splendidly powerful; in Rejoice in the Lamb by Britten its delicacy was more to the fore.
In October the North House Plays were given a touch of class by Stephen Artus (in his final term at Cranleigh) and, with Theatre Manager Mark Jenkins also being a North Tutor, the evening was in good hands. A skilfully condensed version of Bouncers was strongly directed by Angus Peters; two plays by David Ives then sandwiched Family 2.0 by Walter Wykes, directed by George Griffiths and Kelly Hughes. Kelly also codirected Time Flies, while Sure Thing was slickly directed by Stephen Artus himself.
There were far too many concerts and music competitions in a busy term to cover in this brief overview, so I will focus briefly on how Cranleigh Music has been heard far and wide recently. In July the Chapel Choir tour climaxed in their singing in St Mark s Cathedral, Venice, and in October they had the honour of again singing Evensong at St George s Chapel, Windsor. The School Big Band under Bob Wilson was honoured to be asked to perform a concert to the
in-pensioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea in September and, again, played to the shoppers in Stocklund Square in late November.
A special evening earlier in November was that of the return of David Rees-Williams, one of the UK s most respected jazz musicians, who started his jazz career here as a pupil from 1973-78, and who was now jamming with Phil Lockhart (still teaching drums here nearly forty years on). David later taught piano at the School for many years and one current parent in the audience told me, I was in the same House as David in the seventies and have not seen him for 32 years. What a great evening! The current pupils are lucky to have concerts as special as this at the School . As usual, the Christmas Concert, Advent and Christmas Carol Services and the Dance Show were at the heart of the end-of-term festivities, and remind us of how vital all the performing arts are at Cranleigh.
FOUNDATION IN FOCUS At Long Leave we wished David Waters MBE a fond farewell as he left to take up his new appointment as Director of the Gallmann Foundation in Laikipia, Kenya. His contribution as Director of the Cranleigh Foundation has been enormous, and we have continued to build on his good work over the course of this term. The arrival of the second Foundationer at Cranleigh was a rewarding moment for all those who have shown such commitment towards ensuring we are able to offer such places year on year, and we are hoping to welcome our third Foundationer next September. Progress on the new sports pitches continues, with the 1st XV pitch now under seed and the fundraising for the project receiving a real boost from the Memorial Service and Golf Day held in honour of David Bluett, after whom the 1st XV pitch, Bluett s, is to be named. We have more work to do and a little more to raise, but are confident that we can complete the project in time for next season. The Inaugural Concert on the Chapel s new Mander organ at the beginning of term represented a defining moment in the Chapel project, with many friends and families of Cranleigh School gathering to listen to world-renowned organist Thomas Trotter, Bruce Ogston
(brother of Hamish Ogston, OC) and the new OrganistIn-Residence, Philip Scriven, work their magic on this magnificent instrument. And the Trustees admirable fundraising efforts have continued apace, with everything from a Shooting Day to the Foundation Christmas Fair a huge success, with over 60 stallholders, 500 visitors, £8,000 raised and a great deal of Christmas cheer felt in the process. Such support bodes well for the Midsummer Ball on 18th June 2011 and for all of the Foundation s ongoing work. The Trustees would like to thank everyone who has made it all possible so far and to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous 2011. For further information regarding the Foundation s current projects, please contact the Cranleigh Foundation on 01483 542061 or email snl@cranleigh.org
For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community. For House News, please visit the Houses section
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BLAST FROM THE PAST 1897 The Gymnasium is built at a cost of £1,200
DATES FOR NEXT TERM S DIARY
A quick-glance round-up of some key events (in-school and out) to which parents are warmly invited or at which their support would be, as ever, extremely welcome! Weds 19 Jan
5.00pm U16 girls hockey South Regional Semi-Finals v Sir William Borlase School (Pickup)
Fri 21 Jan
7.30pm Concert Series: Merriman Concert Orchestra (SH)
Fri 4 Feb
7.30pm Helen Wareham Competition: Dashwood Piano Performance (MMS)
Tue 8 Thu 10 Feb
A WARM WELCOME THIS TERM TO Laurence Ardley (p/t French), Melina Baffou (French Assistante), Jamie Bartlett (BS & E), Heather Fearn (History and Politics), Ruth Frett (as Housemistress of South), Sam Harrod Booth (p/t Maths), Damian Henderson (Head of Modern Foreign Languages/ Assistant Director of Studies), Daniel Hogg (Classics), Andy Houston (Rugby/Assistant Director of Projects), Ruth Miller (Head of Woodwind and Brass), Jonathan Monk (English), Sarah Roberts (Design), Phil Scriven (Organist in Residence), Marie Ward (Head of Piano), Kevin Weaver (Head of Strings), Sophie Spear (Director of Riding), Will Graham-Rack (OC Intern) , Rosie Smith (OC Intern)
GOOD LUCK IN THE HOLIDAYS TO: The Boys Hockey 1st XI for their pre-season trip to Holland, 14th 18th December.
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...and finally, Cranleigh Staff would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year
FOND FAREWELL TO Stephen Artus, Head of Drama and Tutor in North, who leaves us to take up a position as Head of Drama at Greenford High School. Upon arrival at Cranleigh (and heading up a Department consisting entirely of teachers who were also new to the School) he brought huge vitality, energy and good humour. He directed a powerful Romeo and Juliet in his first year, and this term turned his talents to comedy, overseeing and guiding some talented pupil directors to put together a memorable collection of plays for North House. Throughout his time at Cranleigh he has also lent his military skills to the CCF. We wish him the very best for his move into the state sector.
For weekly updates of all of Cranleigh s news and events, please visit the website at www.cranleigh.org/community For House News, please visit the Houses section at www.cranleigh.org/school-life/houses
7.30pm Loveday House Play: Up N Under, by John Godber (VCT)
Fri 11 Feb
7.30pm Helen Wareham Competition: Vocal Performance (MMS)
Wed 16 Feb
8.00pm Informal Charity Jazz Concert: The Martini Collection (MMS)
Sun 27 Feb
8.00pm Meeting for Parents of those interested in Expedition to Indian Himalayas, Summer 2012 (ALT)
Wed 2 Mar
7.30pm Concert Series: Primrose Piano Quartet (MMS)
Fri 4 Mar
7.30pm Helen Wareham Competition: Pat Dixon Woodwind Performance (MMS)
Sun 6 Mar
7.30pm Pre-Evensong Reception for Parents (RR) 8.15 pm Evensong: The Revd Ken Moulder, Vicar, St Oswald s, Walkergate, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tue 8 Mar Fri 11 Mar
7.30pm School Play: The Suicide: a dark comedy by Nikolai Erdman (SH)
Fri 18 Mar
8.15 pm Tom Avery Society Lecture: Walking the Amazon, by Ed Stafford
Sun 20 Mar
7.30pm Concert Series: Choral Concert, Verdi s Requiem (SH)
Weds 23 and Thurs 24 March 7.30pm Charity Fashion Show in aid of Tildy s Trust and the Back Ben Parkinson campaign (SH) Thu 21 25 Apr The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
For comments and requests for content you would like to see featured in Cranleigh Matters, please email egmd@cranleigh.org A sincere thank you to Stephen Owen for providing the photography featured within, and to Nick Smith at Andesign for all the design and artwork.