SHERBORNE NEWS Michaelmas 2017 ISSUE 26
Upon joining the School in September I did think the boys
Comment
might be a bit “guerilla-ish� if truth be told, being an all-male environment, but that perception could not have been further from the truth. The boys are an absolute joy to teach. There is a genuine warmth about the place. There is also an openness and an ongoing dialogue; there is no sense that the boys are told what they have to think or how they have to feel.
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‘That is the joy of a boarding school. Being together on a common journey. We do our little bit in the Chapel to help that journey, to help it open up in size.’
together and with one another. That is the joy of a boarding school. Being together on a common journey. We do our little bit in the Chapel to help that journey, to help it open up in size. Another memorable moment was the weekend of the Harvest
The School is undoubtedly very busy and it is through offering
Festival. There is a great food bank
space in the week for gatherings of the community and time for
here in Sherborne, pretty invisible
quiet reflection that personal search and spirituality can be
to most of us most of the time, but
explored. On Friday nights we have well over a hundred boys
they are regularly feeding in excess
coming to Chapel of their own free choice, taking the time to think,
of 300 families a week. We put out
time to think about ultimate values. For any institution to flourish it
a very quiet appeal to the boys to
has to have, as part of its core business, an encouragement of that
see if they would make a
kind of thought. That is something that the School does very well;
contribution. The response from
recognising that there is value in stepping aside to reflect and
the School was almost universal
making space for it. I have to say, quite honestly, that I’ve never had
and we had the most fantastic
a single complaint from the boys about having to come to Chapel,
collection. The Shirburnian
or any of the compulsory acts of attendance that we have here.
experience engenders a culture of
That says something about them and I hope, it says something
appreciation, a culture of giving
about me.
back.
There have been many highlights so far and some of the talks in
I would like to warmly wish all the
the Chapel, delivered by the boys themselves, are firmly amongst
boys and their families a happy and
them. We had one brilliant talk by Tom Perkins in the Upper Sixth
healthy Christmas break. Some will
about the people who were in his thoughts on the Friday before
be busy preparing for examinations
Remembrance Sunday. This was followed by the remarkable
in January and many will be
gathering in the Courts on the Saturday when the whole School
looking forward to time at home
was on parade and joined together in remembrance. That will
with family and friends. I am very
really stick with me, seeing people of a different generation from
much looking forward to seeing
me observing with the sort of genuine reverence that one would
them all back in January, refreshed
hope.
and ready for the start of a new term and a new set of
On Saturdays I always tour the sports pitches and came across the
opportunities and challenges.
Gentlemen’s XV. The camaraderie and friendship amongst those boys was remarkable. That’s what marks the School out; in a way part of what we do formally, but more importantly how the boys are
The Reverend Dr David Campbell Chaplain
Academic Enrich A FRESH APPROACH TO GEOGRAPHY A group of Fifth Formers travelled to Southampton for a Geography field trip using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. We are one of the first schools in the UK to be up and running using GIS software and the boys embraced the opportunity to take responsibility for planning and organising their own data collection and research tasks. The trip developed fieldwork skills, the boys understanding of inequality within the UK and an appreciation of how software can be used to collect data and answer research questions.
EPQ PRESENTATION
Tom Mason Head of Geography
Nine Upper Sixth boys presented their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in a joint presentation with Sherborne Girls. The atmosphere at the “market stall” event was fantastic, with lively conversations and explanations as visitors went around the displays and talked to the EPQ students about their work. The presentations and displays were the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work on independently chosen projects ranging from Archie Buxton’s (U6a) How will graphene change the design of wearable technology? to Sebastian Woodhouse’s (U6b) What are the main ways in which politicians use social media to influence the electorate?
SENIOR MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE Success for our boys in the 2017 Senior Mathematics Challenge. 10 boys achieved the highest Gold certificate, our best result to date. Three quarters of Sherborne participants won at least a Bronze certificate and along with the Gold, we also took home 12 Silver and 15 Bronze awards. Well done to all who took part, what a fantastic achievement.
ment News
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EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES The Modern Foreign Languages Department embraced European Day of Languages with gusto by setting on an enrichment morning for the Third Form. This annual tradition saw the boys taking part in a treasure trail round the School and town in French, German and Spanish. All learnt a new language, with Kalenjin, Dutch, Russian, Arabic and Irish being served on the linguistic menu.
SUCCESS AT CRANMER AWARDS REGIONAL HEATS
The highlight of the morning was undoubtedly watching the Upper
The School won both the
Sixth teach their A level languages to the Third Form. These lively
Junior and Senior Heats at
classes saw our older boys throw themselves into the role of teacher for the morning and our younger students enjoyed learning about Spanish football, German House music and a few French jokes thrown in for good measure.
the Cranmer Awards Regional heats. The competition is designed to introduce young men and women to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Louis Lindsay (4d) won the Junior Competition reading the Collect and Epistle for St Michael the Archangel. Bently Creswell (L6a) won the Senior Competition reading the conversion of St Paul. Both now progress to the finals early next year.
‘The programme is designed to whet the pupils’ appetites for language learning, as well as emphasising to the boys the importance of knowing more than just the English language. It also provides a fantastic opportunity for our very newest boys to learn from our oldest in a tangible and fun way.’ Judy Thurman Head of Modern Language
William Loughlin (4d) and Henry Dixon-Clegg (U6d) were runners up in the Senior Competition. The Hon Diana McGill CVO gave the vote of thanks to Sherborne for hosting the event.
Remembrance
The whole School fell silent as we
honoured those who gave so much in the two World Wars and later conflicts. As is custom, we held our own Act of Remembrance in the Courts where all boys and staff joined together with a due sense of importance. On Sunday, Reverend Nicholas Mercer,
In The Oliver Holt Gallery there was the
led a moving service in the Chapel and
opportunity to decorate a wall with
this was followed by Sherborne’s
poppies. Boys were encouraged to sign
Remembrance Sunday Parade. Tom
the name of a loved one, or write a
Ackerman Ferreira (U6d), Head of CCF,
message next to their poppy design.
had the privilege of acting as standardbearer as he led the parade down Cheap
Despite being on a trip for the weekend,
Street to the Abbey.
a small group of boys also found a way to pay their respects by planting crosses at Remembrance in the Mountains service.
Sherborne can say, with all sincerity, that ‘we will remember them.’
Co-
CCF PRINGLE TROPHY The 9-man Sherborne team of Royal Marines cadets proudly returned with the prestigious map reading trophy, and a top ten finish from this fantastic competition based out of the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone. The Pringle Trophy is named after an Old Shirburnian, Lieutenant General Sir Steuart Pringle KCB, a former Commandant General of the
This year’s Sherborne team was superbly trained and led by our
Royal Marines. It involves CCFs
Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major, Tom Ackerman Ferreira (U6d).
from across the country
The team were hit by three late withdrawals from U6 boys before
competing over a gruelling
the event so we are extremely grateful to the Fifth Form boys who
weekend that tests participants to
jumped in and took their place. Despite this disruption, the boys
their limits. The competition is
performed admirably and lived up to the Royal Marines’ mantra of
based around a number of
displaying cheerfulness in adversity. The team should be
military-based stands and
enormously proud of their efforts over the weekend showing grit,
culminates in a drill competition
determination, camaraderie, and a great sense of humour. With
and the much feared endurance
such a young team competing, the experience they gained will be
course.
invaluable for next year and they were a great credit to Sherborne.
curricular News FIFTH FORM HISTORIANS TRAVEL TO BERLIN A photo of a group of Gestapo agents all smiling with tiny party hats on each of their heads was just one example of how Berlin is a city that has surprises at every turn. On further inspection the photo showed a group of men in their fifties who had obviously been police officers before the Nazis came to power: not the fanatical ruthless figures we expected to see. The Berlin trip started with a sobering first twenty four hours with the Topography of Terror, the Berlin Wall and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. The 40 hardened fifth formers were confronted with brutality shown by Nazis and Communists alike that
city from the dome by night. An
Alexanderplatz by a group of
was often hard to take. The next
army marches on its stomach and
Kurdish protesters which showed
theme of the trip was memory;
as we marched nearly fifty miles in
to the boys that Berlin is still a city
contrasting the massive sunlit
three days, the food was
where controversy is part and
Soviet war memorial at Treptower
important. Currywurst, a great
parcel of life.
Park (where the boys were asked
Anglo-German invention, was on
to give their impressions of a series
the menu as was the classic pork,
The boys were great value and
of propaganda panels), with the
dumpling and red cabbage
kept their good humour even
Holocaust Memorial by night. It
combo. There were also a few
when our flight from Schoeneberg
was rightly pointed out that there
flights to the freedom of American
was delayed for nearly four hours.
are still no memorials to the
food for some...
As we had spent the morning touring Templehof, we saw
disabled nor to the ‘workshy’ as A new addition to the tour was the
enough airport that day. That
Berlin Spy Museum where our
apart, it was a memorable and
Architecture was a key feature of
guide was stunned to know that
moving trip.
our trip, and the German skill for
both Alan Turing and John Le
combining old and new was shown
Carre were Old Shirburnians -
in both the Olympic Stadium,
neither would have been suitable
where one member of the tour
to wear the bra camera we saw
party went the extra mile, and the
there. Less furtive was the
Reichstag, where we viewed the
demonstration we saw near
the Nazis called them.
Giles Reynolds Head of History
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Music
September marked there being
Praetorius, the Choir excelled in all
the first under the direction of new
one hundred and seven singers in
respects.
Head of Strings Lucy-Anne Alan—
the Choir: not quite a record, but
featuring music by Vivaldi and
nonetheless interesting for the
The Chamber Choir, which sings
Sibelius, and Corelli’s Christmas
fact that the Choir currently
an Introit every week—and very
Concerto with Jacky Zheng (L6e,
therefore consists of just over a
often the music of Tallis, Byrd or
violin), Alex Colville (Schol.Mus
fifth of the school. Fitting them
Palestrina—made its annual visit
L6m, violin) and James Pyman
into the stalls in the Abbey, a
to Salisbury Cathedral in October
(Schol.Mus U6e, cello) as soloists.
process that involves laying out
to sing Choral Evensong with
(and then tidying away) thirty-five
music by Elliott Park (music staff)
Jazz continues to flourish. The
chairs to augment the choirs
and David Bednall (OS), who also
Swing Band gave four concerts
stalls, is logistically complicated—
accompanied the Choir. Karg-
and, together with the Jazz Band,
as indeed was the Procession in
Elert’s impressive Marche
gave a recital new to the School’s
the earliest days of the term
Triomphale, performed by George
calendar—Advent Jazz—an hour
when thirty-five members of the
Jefferson (Schol.Mus 5e) on the
before the Advent Carol Service.
Choir were new both to the
magnificent cathedral organ,
The Jazz Band’s rock and roll
School and to the Choir. Central
finished the service in great style.
version of Wassail, featuring new
to the success of the operation
Weekly Cheap Street Church
drummer Tom O’Sullivan
are the two Head Choristers,
recitals continued this term on
(Schol.Mus 4d), would not have
Peter Folkes (ATCL Schol.Mus
Fridays at the new 1.45pm start
been out of place at the Autumn
U6a) and Jordan Berry (Schol.Mus
time. Particular highlights included
Ball where RocSoc, led by Sam
U6a), whose contribution goes far
the two extremely impressive
Talbot-Williams (5a), staged a
beyond the singing.
woodwind recitals, featuring large
black tie concert in a new
numbers of Shirburnians playing
departure where rock and pop was
The termly Music List, consisting
above grade eight standard, and
enjoyed by musical enthusiasts
of Evening Prayer on Wednesdays
the Chamber Orchestra’s recital—
rather than enormous crowds. The
at 6.30pm and Sundays at 8.15pm, is published on the website in the choral section, but highlights which bear special mention include both the Advent and Christmas Carol Services. Whether it was in the robust singing of Dyson’s Magnificat in D at the Advent Service, or Riú riú in the Carol Service, or the beauty of Darke’s In the bleak midwinter and Es ist ein ros entsprungen by
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Unplugged thrived, too, with Daniel Berry (L6a) producing a particular well rehearsed and ‘tight’ band. An all-day Woodwind Workshop in the Tindall Recital Hall on Sunday 12th November involved many Shirburnians and forty-two pupils from The Gryphon, Thomas Hardye, Sherborne Prep, Port Regis, Sherborne Girls and Leweston. Organised by Head of Woodwind Clare Jackson, the
Wonder and Schwandt, this
event was led by Mel Orriss of
talented close harmony group was
‘Wonderful Winds’ and involved
a great inspiration to the
large wind ensemble works which
Sherborne Close Harmony
LOOKING AHEAD MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
were arranged and cleverly re-
(Barbershop) which performed
Fri 12th January 7.30pm
orchestrated to incorporate
similar repertoire live on Abbey
playing levels ranging from Grade
104 FM during the Festive
Two right through to beyond
Shopping in Cheap Street on
Joint Schools’ Orchestral
Concert (BSR)
Wed 7th February 7.30pm
Choral Society: Bach St John
Grade Eight. A concert at the end
Sunday 3rd December. A jazz
of the day showcased, amongst
trio—Paradolia, an apparently
Passion (the Abbey)
other repertoire, arrangements of
deliberate misspelling—gave the
Thurs 15th March 6.30pm
Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King
second Tindall Recital which was
and Elmer Bernstein’s The
preceded by a masterclass
Magnificent Seven.
workshop for the Swing Band that
(St George’s, Hanover Square)
focused upon improvisation:
Sun 18th March 3.00pm
The new season of the Visiting
Freddie Graham (Schol.Mus 5c,
Artists’ Tindall Recital Series,
saxophone) and Charlie Smith
which is free to all Shirburnians,
(ATCL Schol.Mus U6g, guitar)
got off to a superb start with The
particularly excelled. Finally, Clare
King’s Men—the current choral
Hammond (piano) gave a
scholars of King’s College,
spectacular recital on 12th
Cambridge. Singing Poulenc and
November which included
Gjeilo alongside Flanders &
Stravinsky’s exhilarating
Swann, together with Stevie
Petroushka Suite.
Swing Band & SG Madrigal Society
Symphony Orchestra Concert (Victoria Rooms, Clifton, Bristol)
Fri 23rd March 7.30pm
Dinner and Jazz (Dining Hall)
James Henderson
Director of Music
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The Powell Theatre handed over its stage for several fantastic drama productions this term. It was the turn of The Digby and Wallace to stage their House plays. Wallace impressed with their version of Accidental Death of an Anarchist and The Digby took on Conor McPherson’s The Weir. Sherborne flavour was also in full flow in two joint productions with Sherborne Girls. Billy George Mutoti (4e), Jackson Shine (4m), and Harry Cook (4d) joined the girls’ school in an eerie rendition of 1984. This was then followed by the joint musical, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Sixth Former Bently Creswell (L6a) was in the audience and reviewed the powerful performance: Greeted by two snappily dressed gentlemen in their finest dinner jacket attire, I was directed to a seat at a round table, taking a step into an iconic English pub, for a fully immersive performance. As the lights in the Powell Theatre dimmed, the military like kitchen of a day dreamer dressed in his ‘city’ uniform and his neurotic, ‘Daily Mail is gospel’ wife was warmed by the barrage of stage lights in the blackout of the theatre. As the wife of Walter Mitty, clad in what might be described as the dress equivalent of a Bosnian security force officer hurtled her voice across the stage, Mr Mitty, played by Freddie Graham (L6c), stole the audience’s attention in a snapshot.
Drama
We were presented with our
all the music himself, brought a
protagonist, Walter Mitty, a toy
new, modern and audience centric
maker turning 40 having seemingly
performance to the table, and my,
never grown up but about to go
was it outstanding.
through a midlife crisis. We were enlightened by an alcoholic biker
Sam MacDonald (U6c) added
girl whose aspirations sat firmly on
newly composed incidental music
the stage. We were teased by a
and members of Sherborne Girls in
bachelor bartender in a dodgy
the cast were outstanding without
Hawaiian shirt and all before the
exception. Of particular note
daydreams of Walter Mitty with a
amongst our members cast were
clown, a sex addict and a Brexiteer
Charlie Barker (U6b) as Macmillan,
with a mop for hair. The artistic
Will Banks (L6b) as Gorman, Ben
license of Kester Jackson (Director)
MacLean (U6b) as the achingly
and the Musical finesse and
funny Harry, Henry Jones (U6g) as
writing of James Henderson
Irving and Will Loughlin (4d) as
(Director of Music), who composed
Peninnah.
Art
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The curtains closed in The Oliver Holt Gallery every Tuesday evening this term for our Sixth Formers to take part in life drawing classes. The well attended classes enabled boys to hone their core drawing skills whilst, at the same time, providing pieces for their A Level portfolios. This discipline is one of the most effective ways to benefit all areas of artistic practice as well as visual observation skills.
Michaelmas term has been immensely busy on the sporting front, punctuated by some fantastic performances in a wide range of sports. Several boys have secured impressive selections, elite pathway programmes, tournament victories and record-breaking successes. Both individually and within teams, our boys have played with passion and commitment, as well as fairness and discipline. The term also marks a shift in our approach to coaching and development; a change of emphasis that focuses on coaching the process, not the outcome. Through this new approach, we hope to assist the boys in developing not just as sportsmen but also as people, building resilience, determination, awareness, creativity and organisational ability.Â
RUGBY We are always impressed with the excellent participation levels for rugby and very fortunate that so many boys in their last year at the School still embrace playing the game with such vigour. For a number of Upper Sixth form rugby players, this term marked their last outing in a blue shirt. The ‘Carmen’ was once again belted out by the Gentlemen’s XV during their last match where they beat Cheltenham 4th XV. Several of our elite players continue to be members of Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs and London Irish Academies and special mention must go to Max Ayling (U6m), who has been offered a professional rugby contract with the Newport Gwent Dragons.
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APPOINTMENTS OF CAPTAINS Tom De Wesselow (U6c) - Football Barney Humphrey (U6m) - Hockey
FOOTBALL
HOCKEY
WATER POLO
Our Football Development A
The newly resurfaced Hughie
The fiercely contested and very
team have been storming this
Holmes astro has been well
well participated Inter House
term and their hard work, bravery
trodden and the talent and
Water Polo Competition has seen
and positivity have been very
potential boys have shown already
some brilliant performances this
evident. The team were
puts them in excellent stead for
term. Having not lost a match yet,
announced as the Football
the hockey season kicking off in
The Digby are currently in the lead
Wessex Independent Schools
Lent. Director of Hockey,
but it is still all to play for next
League winners and of their 12
Christopher Roberts, is excited
term as the contest continues.
games, they won 9 matches and
about what lies ahead and some
scored an outstanding 55 goals.
impressive selections are being
Indeed, it was Harry Fisher (U6m)
made already. Charlie Collinge
who was top-scorer with a tally of
(3f), Felix Northover (3f) and Angus
15 goals.
Bushby (3m) have been selected to attend The West Performance
The majority of these players, plus
Centre training part of the
some who are playing football in
England Hockey Player Pathway.
Lent term, are involved in a
Hot on their heels, there have also
Football tour to Valencia in
been several County selections; at
December. As well as the
U14’s Tom Ewart-Smith (3d), Arthur
opportunity for a major trip away,
Green (3g) and Oliver Carr-Smith
this will also enable the boys to do
(3m); U15’s Sam Usher (4m), Will
the important preparatory work,
Usher (4m), Will Brown (4c), Olly
under the tutorage of the Valencia
Westmacott (4c), Jacob Schwandt
CF coaching staff, before the
(3f) and Tom Rotheroe (3f) and
season starts next term and they
U16’s Seb Baldwin (5b).
take their places in the 1st and A teams.
SAILING We teamed up with Sherborne Girls School for a fiercely competitive and thoroughly enjoyable parent sailing competition. Although decidedly chilly, the weather at Sutton Bingham Reservoir was the ideal mix of breeze and sunshine. The boys team won the event over two races by 91 points to 118. Notable performances came from the boats of Tima Malikov (L6f) with Theo Banks (L6m)/Isaac Simpson (3a) and Ben Childerley (U6) with Nico Christensen (3f) who came
FIVES
SKIING
Benedict Mercer (5b) made history
A squad of skiers headed off to
first person to retain the Colts
Tignes in the French Alps for a
Trophy in the Colquhoun
training and selection camp
Tournament. Benedict came top
ahead of the British Schools
of his group, winning all five of his
Championships next term.
games convincingly. He then
again this year as he became the
managed to beat fellow Abbey
joint first overall.
SWIMMING Congratulations to Jai Thompson (4m) who broke the School U16 25m Butterfly record at the Inter House Swimming Gala in a time of 12.72s (was 12.87s).
House Fifth Former Harry Harvey (5b), who also played strongly coming second in his group.
David Guy
Director of Sport
LOOKING AHEAD Term Dates Travelling day: Wednesday 3rd January 2018 return by 7:30pm First Exeat: Friday 19th January – Sunday 21st January Half Term: Friday 9th February – Sunday 18th February Second Exeat: Friday 9th March – Sunday 11th March End of Term: Friday 23rd March
SHERBORNE SCHOOL ABBEY ROAD SHERBORNE DORSET DT9 3AP T: 01935 812249 E: enquiries@sherborne.org www.sherborne.org Thank you to all contributors. Photographers: David Ridgeway, Giles Reynolds, Gary Strand and others Registered Charity No. 1081228