ISSUE 44 • SPRING 2017 the link SPRING 2017 the link SPRING 2017 Wildhorn’s JEKYLL & HYDE Reviewed by Mr Will Burn, Head of English

Mr Wycherley’s production made for a moving and memorable evening’s entertainment in our Lent term school musical.

I’ve taught Jekyll & Hyde several times, and often excelled, singing with fierce anger and it has always struck me as an odd book. compelling conviction. Stevenson had to rewrite it, his original draft being so scandalous that his wife urged him to Dan Richardson (U6 C) created not one but two throw the manuscript on the flames. utterly convincing characters before us. His Jekyll was a driven, self-obsessed scientist, In Wildhorn’s hands, Hyde becomes an and his Hyde a murderous villain. Dan has avenging angel, picking off the worthies who played the lead in four very different dared to slight Jekyll’s scientific ambitions. productions, and in this one he has proved his What’s more, Jekyll (who, in Stevenson’s real measure as an actor, elevating Wildhorn’s novella showed no interest whatsoever in character to a fully rounded, searing intensity. women) is now torn between the incorrigibly virtuous Emma Carew (Hannah Prideaux L6 The Lent Term production is always a sad Wh) and the sometime madame of the Red Rat moment in the College’s drama calendar, as club, Lucy (Anisha Chana U6 Rv). These two we say goodbye to senior actors who have fine actresses brought depth and conviction to given so much to the College during their their roles, especially in a moving duet in the time with us. Another stalwart who gave their second act. final Epsom performance is Anisha Chana, whose characterisation of Lucy was soulful, The strength of this show lies not in the depth captivating and tender. of its character or the memorable musical writing, but in the quickly-drawn sketches Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde is through-composed, which a good actor can bring to life. the music broken only by very brief moments of dialogue, and it was especially impressive Hugo Rossi (U6 C) was repellent as the Bishop to see the performers sustain the drama in of Basingstoke, oozing out of a society ball such a demanding form. and into a brothel. Charlie McLean (L6 H) was all pompous self-righteousness as Simon The band was excellent, led by Mr Graeme Stride, while Lara Wildenberg (U6 Rv) brought Lodge, Director of Music, and the technical something of Lady Bracknell to her role as the crew crafted a brooding, craggy set and formidably-upholstered Lady Beaconsfield. atmospheric lighting to transport us into the The scene in which Jekyll had to face down back-alleys of . the Board of Governors was particularly memorable; full of dramatic intensity and a Lastly, well done to Mr Rod Wycherley, English highlight of the play. Teacher, and his team of student directors, who inspired cast, musicians and backstage crew to One of the greatest set-pieces of Victorian achieve a memorable and hugely enjoyable literature, Stevenson’s description of Soho evening’s drama. under the ‘first fog of the season’ is unforgettable.

Under moody lighting and images of London’s sordid slums, much of the musical’s moral force arose from those elements inspired by Stevenson’s ideas. Living on the streets are prostitutes and street-vendors, beggars and mudlarks, acutely aware of the façade behind which the wealthy hide their desire to exploit and abuse the poor. In this capacity, the chorus the link spring 2017 the link SPRING 2017 Annual General Inspection New appointments at epsom

Bright sunshine greeted The Worshipful The Beret now allows them to become fully fledged The College is delighted to announce the Mayor of Epsom and Councillor George members of the CCF. Crawford QPM and Mayoress Mrs Jackie appointment of a number of new members of teaching Hemmings for the Annual General Inspection A highlight came with the new introduction of of the CCF contingent at the College in March. the Inter-Service obstacle course, where the staff who bring with them new ideas, energy and Army won. In order to differentiate the three commitment to their various roles. The morning, which was presided over different services the cadets wore their new by Major Ben MacDowell, Contingent service jumpers, with the words LAND, SEA Commander Epsom College CCF, and W01 and AIR on the back. RLS Bonner, commenced with some rousing tunes and a professional marching display The afternoon was taken up with the inter- make this appointment. I believe that Ed by The Band of The Rifles. This was house competition, where pupils completed has the skills, attributes and experience followed by the Guard of Honour general fun tasks such as the log run, command task, to ensure the continued development, salute and inspection, conducted by the Mayor command course, drill, memory challenge, success and happiness of the Lower and Mayoress. assault course, Basha set up and shooting. School community.” Helen Keevil Fayrer took the honours as the overall winners. John Humphreys OBE DL Royal Engineers Chiara Fontaine (W) was the Senior NCO enlisted at 14 years old and served for almost Assistant Head: Pupil Welfare responsible for the rifle drill team who Our cadets were joined for the day by three Ed, joins Epsom from Whitgift, where he 41 years; escaping twice from prisoner of war Alongside the key appointment of Ed, completed a competent display rounded off by delightful Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal has taught since 2011. He joined as a camps and seeing action in some significant the College is pleased to welcome a gun salute firing blank ammunition. Hospital Chelsea who added an air of gravitas teacher of Mathematics, having previously battles while serving in Africa, Egypt, Libya, Helen Keevil onto the School’s senior to the occasion, and some very interesting worked outside the education sector as a Palestine, Germany, Hong Kong, Cyprus, leadership team. A Beret parade was also arranged for the U4 service history. Oman, Aden, Kenya and Northern Ireland. chartered accountant. training squad. Wearing the Epsom College Having served as Director of Welfare At Whitgift, Ed acted as Head of First since early 2016, Helen steps up to the Year (years 6-7), looking after 230 pupils. role of Assistant Head: Pupil Welfare This was followed by four years as Head from the start of the new academic year. of Fifth Form (years 10-11), overseeing 375 pupils, and has been rounded off The appointment acknowledges both the Ed Lance with a further two years as Head of Lower importance of pupil welfare at Epsom – Head of Lower School School (years 6-9), taking care of covering all aspects of pupil safety and wellbeing, online and in the physical 630 pupils. We are pleased to record that, from world – and the pivotal role Helen and September, Ed Lance joins the senior the team have played in leading the leadership team at Epsom as Head of In addition to teaching and pastoral agenda (see page 8). Lower School. responsibilities, Ed also sat on Whitgift’s senior management team with “Pupil welfare dominates all thoughts, Ed joins at an exciting time for Epsom, responsibility for admissions. In this role, at present; it exercises every waking as we welcome our second cohort of Ed oversaw 1,000 applications per year, moment of all schools,” says Mr Piggot. Third Form pupils, and the Lower School managed open events and entrance “Parents want assurances that their enjoys its first year of full entry. Ed will examination days. children will be safe in their chosen school environment, and a school’s spend time over the summer months ability to support pupils in this rapidly Before becoming an important part of the working closely with the current Head of changing digital age is, in part, one of teaching staff at Whitgift, Ed was a pupil Lower School, Alice Martineau, ensuring a the features that define it.” smooth and successful transition. at the school. Thereafter, he attained a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences from the Helen has been at Epsom for just over Among a strong field of candidates, Ed’s University of Durham. 20 years, having taught German, French pedigree and breadth of experience and Spanish, and been a boarding impressed Epsom’s Senior Leadership Ed has a wife, Shelley, who is Deputy Housemistress and Head of 5th Form, Team. The Headmaster, Mr Jay Piggot, Head at . Together, they before taking the role of Director of Welfare in 2016. L-R Robert Suttie, John Humphreys OBE, said: “I am delighted to have been able to have a son Henry, aged four. Chiara Fontaine (W) and David Lines the link spring 2017 the link spring 2017 New appointments at epsom

In addition to the new appointments to our senior leadership team mentioned overleaf, the following members of staff will be joining Epsom College from September. We look forward to welcoming them to the College community.

JAMES DUNN Eva Kennedy Leah Skipper Head of History Head of EAL Housemistress Crawfurd House Modern Languages Eva has been appointed as the Head of EAL. James is a former pupil of King’s School Eva holds an English Literature and Language Leah is a BA (Hons) graduate in French and Hispanic Rochester and a graduate of Birmingham degree from Stockholm University and an MA Studies from Queen Mary College, University of University, where he attained his History degree. (in TESOL) from Queen’s University, Belfast. London. Currently, she teaches French and Spanish His teaching experience began at The Judd Eva has taught as an EAL teacher in Sweden, and is Housemistress of a large girls’ boarding house School, Tonbridge; thereafter, he moved to Kenya and Ireland. at Roedean School. Brighton College as teacher of History & Politics Previously, Leah held various positions at Haileybury and Deputy Head of Lower School. Currently, Eva is Head of EAL at Campbell College and Oakham School. Leah has directed College, Belfast and she is also a teacher school plays, acted as section leader and assessor Currently, he is Head of History at Gordon’s within the IELTS Centre of the Queen’s for the DoE Awards, and has led many language trips Alex Burrows Emily Evans Chris Filbey School, Woking. He has coached rugby, football University, Belfast. She has considerable to France and Spain. She is also an accomplished Head of Academic Support Head of English House Master Holman House and cricket throughout his teaching career. experience of assisting with the DoE. Eva is coach of netball, lacrosse, hockey and rounders. Modern Languages James has a partner and a young daughter. married and has two sons. Alex holds a BA (Hons) in Politics and Economics Emily is a former pupil of Wycombe Abbey Leah is married to Grant, and they have two delightful from the University of the West of England and a School and holds both a BA and MA in English Chris attended Sherborne School and, thereafter, daughters, Esme, aged six, and Eloise, aged four. PGCE from the University of Canterbury. Literature from Durham University. She began attained a BA (Hons) in Modern European her teaching career at Aylesbury High School in Languages from the University of Durham. In her time, she has held a number of interesting Buckinghamshire and is, currently, Deputy Head Currently, Chris is Head of Modern Foreign Alex Buhagair roles across a range of state and independent of the English Department at The Lady Eleanor Languages and Assistant House Master at schools, including Learning Support Leader at Holles School, having run the department for a Head of PE and Activities Coordinator Haileybury College. Chris likes to play hockey, Harris Academy East Dulwich: Director of Inclusion year to cover a period of absence. and, subsequently, Deputy Head at Prendergast cricket and golf; he is married to Rhian and they Alex holds a BSc (Hons) in Sports Development from the University of Portsmouth and a PGCE from the University Vale School; currently, she is Head of Learning have a son, William, who is 11 months old. of Bath. He has six years’ teaching experience at City of London Freemen’s School and, in that time, he has Support at Dulwich College. undertaken a range of responsibilities: namely, Teacher of PE and Games, Head of Year 11, Key Stage 3 Enrichment Coordinator, Head of Cricket and Master in charge of Boys’ Swimming.

Alex is married to Lynsey, a Teacher of Maths, Dance and Drama at , where she also holds responsibility as an Assistant Housemistress of a girls’ boarding house. Alex shares with his wife an interest in the Chris Bates performing arts, particularly theatre and dance. Head of Biology

Chris is a graduate of the University of York with a BSc in Biology with Education and a PGCE from Cambridge University. He has been Assistant House Master and taught Biology at Harrow School; Senior Rhiannon Johnson House Master at Harrow International School, Hong Kong; and, most recently, Higher Education Adviser and Director of Drama teacher of Biology at Sevenoaks School. Rhiannon holds a BA (Hons) in Drama from Aberystwyth University and an MA in Theatre: Directing, Writing & Chris is an all-round schoolmaster; coaching rugby sides at A XV and 1st XV level at both Harrow and Performance from the University of York. Immediately after university she acted as Principal Soprano for the Welsh Sevenoaks, he also represented the 1st XV and LX Club whilst at Cambridge. In the CCF he has fulfilled the National Youth Opera, followed by a position as Education Assistant at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and the roles of acting Captain and in charge of the Royal Marine Cadet Detachment. Chris has assisted in running Pleasance Theatre. DoE Silver and Gold expeditions and led an Operation Wallacea expedition to Greece. As HE Adviser at Sevenoaks he oversaw applications for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. Currently, she is Acting Director of Drama at Haileybury College with responsibility for two major productions per year and teaching across GCSE, A level and IB. Beyond the life of the stage she enjoys rambling, writing plays and is a keen equestrian of 20 years’ experience. the link spring 2017 the link SPRING 2017 The latest news from the An Award-winning Education Trust & OE Club Team Digital education The last few months In April, this year’s leavers will be given the As distinctions between the online and offline Mrs Keevil said, “I am delighted with how and discusses what constitutes inappropriate opportunity to register with the OE Club. We worlds become increasingly blurred, and with enthusiastically the pupils and, indeed, the staff behaviour. have seen the work of the wish them luck in beating the 2016 leavers, who pupils now living their lives as true digital natives, have engaged with the theme of exploring the Education Trust and Old achieved the highest ever sign-up rate of 96%. Epsom College has embedded the internet power of image. We witnessed an impressive “Working alongside the senior students in and other digital technologies in all aspects of array of activities which led to thought-provoking delivering the course, it’s been enlightening Epsomian Club go from Epsom remains fully committed to its founding school life: from traditional classroom activities discussions around campus - we even had A hearing their views on promoting positive strength to strength. values of benevolence and excellence. In recent through to pastoral care and pupils’ recreation level photography students offering to take behaviour both on and offline,” Mrs Keevil said. “I years, the College has awarded approximately and leisure. snaps at the photobooth set up in the library.” love their energy, enthusiasm and honesty. They We were delighted with the fantastic response £5.7 million in bursaries (this includes money totally understand that the rules, policies and to our first major alumni OE Club questionnaire, donated to the Education Trust), with an average “Pupils and staff alike have embraced everything This activity came just days before Mrs Keevil procedures are there to protect them, acting as especially the 25% response rate from those of 43 pupils benefiting each year. Bursaries are that these new technologies offer,” said Helen was presented with an award naming Epsom a boundary from within which they have limited on email. The results have played an important truly transformational and really do change lives. Keevil, Director of Welfare. “It’s now a feature of College as Digital School of the Year, recognising freedom to explore the online world safely. role in helping to shape our plans, including the daily life here at Epsom. Teachers log on at the Epsom’s work around internet safety, wellbeing, Hong Kong reception For the younger pupils, hearing this School type of events we stage and the publications we start of each day, uploading presentations, online and its best practice approach to digital learning. message reinforced by senior students is most produce. Our new magazine, The OE Connection, The region has the second largest number of textbooks, apps and interactive resources. Pupils effective and certainly hitting home. Using the was created in response to this feedback. OEs after the UK, and we aim to build upon connect with their devices in the classroom, The award is richly deserved, and judges this success. We are enormously grateful to using things such as a prep app to stay commended the thorough and creative approach School WiFi is a privilege and a responsibility rather than a right, which will prepare them Many OE events, sports fixtures and reunions those who made the trip possible by generously organised, vocabulary learning using Quizlet, as taken by Mrs Keevil and the staff at Epsom in effectively for life at university and in the have taken place in recent months, including the sponsoring much of the activity. well as giving Prezi presentations to their peers.” tackling online safety and cyber-bullying, as well workplace.” highly successful receptions in Hong Kong and as helping the ways in which students consider In recent years, schools across the UK have . These were attended by OEs, parents Each of the three professional OE societies the impact the digital world can have on their begun to focus on issues surrounding online and College pupils who were home for half term. (Legal, Medical, and Finance & Property) recently mental health. staged an event in London. Sixth Form students bullying and cyber safety. While this is a feature interested in these sectors are always invited, of the work at Epsom - with pupils taught to Throughout the year, pupils and they appreciate the opportunity to network know when and how potential risks can be have taken part in Personal with OEs established in their careers, as well as avoided - they are also encouraged to consider and Social Development those who are just starting out. These events the ways in which digital technology can be used awareness days focusing to benefit and enrich their lives. highlight one of the many important benefits Bursary recipient Sandy Reid and OE Ian Mill QC on everything from of membership of the OE Club, with its global “In their down time pupils share new music, ‘cleaning your digital community of over 7,000 alumni. Many OEs are Unlike many other schools, Epsom College does video clips and revision tips with each other footprint’, to social prepared to help recent leavers by opening doors not have a large endowment, so fundraising on line, but they also see the benefit of media detoxing, and for them — some OEs have even secured a job is essential to help us achieve our strategic disconnecting from technology to simply chat mindfulness apps. as a result of building their connections. ambitions. We are enormously grateful to parents face-to-face,” said Mrs Keevil. Senior pupils also help and OEs who have donated to our bursary to deliver a four-week funds and other projects, and to those who In addition to a programme of activities held digital safety course have attended OE events in recent months; your throughout the year, this February saw pupils and to Junior pupils support is very much appreciated. staff support the annual Safer Internet Day. joining the School. The event focused on the theme of ‘Be the Completion of The OE Club and Education Trust team are: Change: Unite for a better internet’, and drew this course is Karen Doyle, Education Trust Director; Sue together over 100 organisations worldwide and mandatory, and Croucher, OE Club coordinator; and Colleen more than 1,000 schools in the UK. allows children Mowbray, Education Trust Administrator. to access their Epsom organised a whole range of activities, mobiles. The To find out more, please contact Karen Doyle, including L6th peer mentors surveying Lower course takes Education Trust Director, at School pupils about their online behaviour, Year them through [email protected] or on 10 pupils learning about the importance of not the School’s 01372 821290. giving away too much information in selfies and mobile online images, and Year 9 and Lower School phone and pupils hearing from psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, anti-bullying OE Medical Dinner, which includes OE John Lee and about the benefits of regulating screen time. policies, his granddaughter a current student the link SPRING 2017

Girls’ rugby Cross Country

Nobody on Girls’ rugby is going from strength to After intensive training the cross country team strength, with the team competing at has had another successful season. At the the Reigate Charity Sevens and Rosslyn District Cross Country race at Lightwater first the bench - Park National Sevens. Captained this place went to our U17 and senior boys’ and year by Rachel Soobiah (U6, W), the team girls’ teams, and the U15 team, with a third for sport for all welcomed ten new players. the girls U15 team. They train twice a week for an hour, with the In their first races for the College, Toby Sport at Epsom gives our pupils the chance to display empathy, confidence, training being suitable for all abilities and Reynolds (M4 G) and Megan Coffey (M4 Rv) creativity, determination and self-discipline, all of which are invaluable in later life. age groups. While they train together, only came first and second respectively. We have over 25 sports on offer – each providing camaraderie, leadership and the 5th and 6th form are allowed to play in teamwork opportunities, plus physical and mental challenge. the tournaments. All girls are encouraged to There was further success at the Central come and try rugby out at the twice weekly, meet, despite difficult conditions. One of our beliefs is that pupils should be given the chance to win and lose in year-round training sessions. Notably, Charlie Taylor (L6 F), came an a competitive environment to test themselves both individually and as part of a impressive sixth, running 6.9 km in 24.39 team. Sport at Epsom fosters a competitive spirit, ensuring pupils have a sense A few of our students have followed in the minutes. Naomi Witts (L6 R) led the Epsom of fair play and learn the ability to win without arrogance and lose with good footsteps of OE Rochelle Smith, who played girls’ senior team, finishing thirteenth. grace and dignity. for England Women’s U20 squad in 2012, by being selected for international honours. In snowy conditions at the Knole Park Run in Kent four Epsom girls finished in the top Percentage of pupils representing the college Ella Nigrelli (M4 Rv) (pictured above) has 50 out of 131. Olivia Stillman (5 Rv) put been selected for the England Girls U15 in an outstanding performance, coming Third Form M4 training academy programme, despite only eighteenth overall. 100% in 8 sports 96% in 13 sports being in M4. Ella took part in a training weekend during half term, and will also The season finished with a well-deserved 3rd M4 take part in a training match on 2 April in silver medal for the girls on a windy day Birmingham. at Farthing Downs, with Emma Coates (L6 R) putting in a great performance to L6th U4 81% in 18 sports L6TH U4 99% in 17 sports Meanwhile Isabelle Thesiger in (U4 R), has come fifth. been selected for the England Junior Touch Rugby squad ahead of the 2017 Junior Mr Lewsey’s challenging training u6th 5TH Touch Championships in Dublin. regime has ensured individual progress for all the College runners for which he u6th 5th Form deserves many thanks. 76% in 17 sports 92% in 17 sports Target Rifle Shooting This term, in the small-bore In recognition of their international Depending on the term, a typical seniors, inters and juniors; and postal matches that Gareth honours, and their long standing Saturday will see 20 boys’ football mixed junior and senior golfers. Davies initiated during his contributions to the Rifle Team over Talented Athlete Group teams, or 18 boys’ rugby teams, tenure as Acting Master in a combined total of almost ten years, competing. At the same time there During summer there will be Charge of Shooting, the Rifle Nikolai Beloussov and Roland Chan Development Workshops may be 21 girls’ netball teams or nine cricket teams; nine boys’, Team achieved much success. (G) (England, BSSRA International Epsom College values the towards her British Psychological 18 girls’ hockey teams competing. and seven girls’, tennis teams; Match 2016) received their major development of the overall student Society Chartership, delivered a one- Additionally, there are two mixed athletics teams for boys, girls, Although the final round of the colours this term. athlete, and with this in mind initiated off sport psychology workshop for hockey teams, one mixed fencing and mixed U19, U17 and U15 BSSRA League is yet to be nutrition and psychology workshops students from M4 to U6th. team, one mixed cross country age groups; four girls’ rounders scored, the Epsom College A David Nuthall, an OE, is looking during this academic year. squad and one shooting squad all teams, and two teams of mixed Team is currently in second forward to returning to the College in Students learnt about optimal representing the College. volleyball. place, with all to play for in the September as Head of Shooting, and Natasha Crawford, a Loughborough arousal states prior to, and final round. teacher of Geography. His last five graduate with an MSc in Nutrition, led during, fixtures, alongside During the week in other terms So there is enormous breadth years have been at Sedbergh School these and over 80 students attended. practical elements such as using there will be five rugby 7s teams; of opportunity for all pupils Elsewhere, Nikolai Beloussov (H) in Cumbria where he was a Geography Topics included how nutrition imagery towards mastery. Many two mixed badminton teams; one to find some area of College was selected to represent England teacher, rifle shooting coach and before, during and after exercise or students have implemented junior, and one senior, mixed table sport in which to contribute. in the BSSRA International Match resident tutor. He remembers being competition affects performance. these elements into their own tennis team; one junior and one In this edition of The Link we 2017 for the second time since part of the Epsom rifle team which lifestyles, training and match day senior basketball team; squash shine a light on some of the starting at the College. won the Ashburton Shield at Bisley, an Jo Davies, a graduate of the University preparations. for senior and U15 boys and other sports in which Epsom event he is keen to repeat. of Birmingham, who is working girls; mixed swimming teams with pupils excel. the link spring 2017 the link SPRING 2017 Stem: EPSOM’S ROOT and BRANCH APPROACH At Epsom we are preparing students • developing self-designed circuit Lower School curriculum for jobs and careers that, as yet, do boards, trackers and insulating The success of these long-term projects not exist. enclosures to follow our high helped to inform the design and development altitude balloons across Europe of STEM in the Lower School curriculum at Last year’s Future of Jobs report, by Epsom. From September 2016, our Lower the World Economic Forum, predicts This work has received widespread School students, via a carousel system, enjoy that the “fourth industrial revolution” acclaim, with Epsom winning national four 8-week long projects as part of their - ushered in by advances in artificial competitions and prizes, which in turn weekly timetable. intelligence and quantum computing - has funded an increase in our outreach will radically alter the shape and nature work with local primary schools. “Teaching projects that span eight weeks of the workforce. means we can set the children off on really Robot boats and high interesting tasks,” Mr Telfer says. “Tasks that To ensure our students are ready, the altitude ballooning encourage pupils to work independently and STEM team at Epsom have worked solve problems in ways that simply wouldn’t The MicroTransat Challenge – to sail hard over the past year to bring STEM be possible within the constraints of a a robot boat across the Atlantic — subjects to life for our pupils, and traditional curriculum. It gives our pupils the featured in national press, including to embed it into the Lower School time they need to explore STEM and develop , and received public curriculum. their skills.” recognition from strong engineering universities. The Head of Robotics Mr James Styles, Head of Chemistry, The four projects on the new curriculum are: at Aberystwyth University personally explains: “Earlier in my career I saw • Creating a Bridge invited Epsom students to visit as a STEM taking the form of one-off result of their work. • Ecosystems of Sea Monkeys competitions in which students undertake activities that aren’t • Programming Robots This project also inspired one of our uncommon as ice-breakers or team- • Rollercoasters students to suggest the high altitude building exercises in offices. Things ballooning project. We needed to like building tall towers from skewers “The beauty of these projects is that pupils test the electronics used in the and marshmallow, or strong structures are set challenges to which there is no ‘right MicroTransat attempt to cross the from paper and tape. Students enjoy answer’,” Mr Telfer says. “In the Rollercoasters Atlantic, and a student suggested these challenges and competing challenge, for example, they are asked to using them to track a high-altitude against their peers, but it left me consider a whole range of factors: using DT balloon. This would allow us to test our questioning how well it seeded the link when considering the structure and build; custom-designed circuits and software between the STEM subjects.” Physics to think about things such as energy in extreme environments. transfer; and Biology to understand what limitations the human body may have on In response, we have focused on long- Students and staff found the project the final design. They even harness their term projects that include students so enjoyable that they continued to computing skills when programming or from all disciplines and all year groups. work on their designs and electronics, developing software to operate their designs.” building a 20g Radio Teletype (RTTY) These student-led projects bring transmitter, capable of tracking a The STEM programme will be enhanced as together the disciplines of Chemistry, balloon anywhere in the world in it is rolled into Lower Fourth from September Physics, Design and Technology, real time through the website: www. 2017. Plans are already underway to adapt Microelectronics, Computing and habhub.org. The transmitter has been and extend challenges in order that they are Engineering, and highlight the ways in so successful that Epsom has been suitably demanding and rewarding for older which the subjects are interconnected asked to lend its design and software pupils. and complement one another. Two for commercial sale. of the most successful projects – As Mr Telfer says, “Our sustained approach undertaken by pupils in the co- Mr Chris Telfer, Head of Physics, said: curricular STEM clubs – are: “None of us knew anything about to STEM means that a child who comes to ballooning before starting this work, Epsom today will be fully-prepared for the • the development of custom satellite but we learnt so much and our interest world of tomorrow – a world in which jobs, life, navigation and communication progressed to the point that we won and learning will look and feel very different all three categories in the Boscombe software, used to navigate and than today.” Down Balloon Challenge. We have track our attempt to sail a robot used the prize money to roll out a high boat across the Atlantic (the altitude ballooning project into local MicroTransat Challenge) primary schools.” the link Spring 2017 the link SPRING 2017 gallery The creative arts at Epsom

1 2 The UK has long been a world-leader when it should be judged a success: last year’s A your own timeframes. You organise your time comes to the creative industries. For centuries, levels saw a record haul of A and A*s across and learn to prioritise. Whatever career path the diversity and influence of its drama, art, the creative arts, 100% of our art students got you choose to follow, these skills will only literature, music, film, design and dance has either an A or A*; with impressive showings enhance your success.” 3 far exceeded what one should reasonably from all other creative arts subjects. expect of a small island nestled on the This is a theme that the Headmaster is eager northern fringes of Europe. In addition to the curriculum, Epsom promotes to expand upon, in relation to the transferrable participation in the arts throughout the full skills learnt in drama and the performing arts. Whether high-brow or low, from Shakespeare scope of school life. to Game of Thrones, the country’s creative “All drama is directed towards refining your 4 5 6 industries exert their soft power across Each term we host a performance that the powers of communication – every exercise countries and continents, and contribute whole school participates in. Before Easter, or improvisation, every note your director £84.1bn a year to the UK economy it was a barnstorming performance of Jekyll gives you is designed to help you achieve the (DCMS, 2016). & Hyde (see page 2-3). We also boast an clearest, most convincing and memorable way impressive range of co-curricular activities in of saying what you want to say. Almost all jobs Equally, the arts at Epsom contribute greatly music, dance, drama, and the visual arts. are much better done when people know how to the life of our pupils, staff and the wider to communicate well.” community. Far beyond the classroom, we Each of these pursuits can add demonstrably look to the arts to fire up imaginations, and to to the life of a student, not only to their And there has rarely been a better time to enrich and transform young lives. academic interests, but also beyond into the turn an education in the creative arts into workplace. a rewarding career. According to the latest As the Headmaster, Mr Jay Piggot, says, available government data, in 2015 the “I was lucky to teach at a school when To illustrate this point, Mrs Katie Lenham, creative economy added new jobs at more Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston went Head of Art, explains the ways in which than twice the UK average. In the same period Art and Design prepares pupils for the 7 8 9 10 through the College and then on to become the UK’s creative economy grew by 5.1% in high profile actors. As Headmaster of Epsom wider world. 2015, compared to growth of just 2% for the College, I see at first hand that the arts have wider economy (DCMS, July 2016). “The subject requires pupils to develop an infinite number of benefits that are available observational skills, to reflect on successes to everyone. Art, music and drama nurture With the strong emergence of creative jobs and failures, to evaluate why some ideas have spontaneity, imagination, trust, teamwork, in the digital sector – apps and software worked and why some have not and then to community spirit and self-confidence.” development, the gaming industry, TV and film move forward as this knowledge is applied. SFX, digital design – this is a growth that’s set As Mr Piggot says, the value of the arts extend to continue, and one that Epsom students will As you embark on coursework, at GCSE and far beyond exam results, nevertheless results be prepared to embrace. at A level, you are following an individual remain a measure by which all schools are pathway, setting personal targets and creating 1. Roland Chan - U6 - watercolour boxes judged. And against that measure Epsom 11 2. Kit Man - M4 - wire drawings 12 3. James Johnson - L6 - oil 4. Guy Hutchings - 5th Form - Public Transport (pencil) 5. Molly Message - 5th Form - Public Transport (ink) 6. Eunice Lee - L6 - Landscape oil paint & screenprinting 7. Tobias Tatham - L6 - Pencil Hands 8. Max Fryer - U4 - Landscape - acrylic paint 9. Liza Kushnareva - L6 - Nike - mixed media 10. Abigail Alexander-Robinson - L6 - Wave 11. Beth Fielding (Wh), Upper Sixth A Level DT Jewellery box with three layered compartments & hanging storage, in walnut, brass and acrylic. 12. Darren McGaghey (C), Upper Sixth A level DT. Console hall chair and table, made in walnut, in the final stages of waxing, buffing and assembly.

Photography GCSE and A level pieces the link SPRING 2017 the link SPRING 2017 Co-CURRICULAR murrell house breadth and variety This summer the first phase of work begins to convert the Fayrer building into The College firmly believes that all pupils should have the opportunity to enjoy a breadth of activities two separate day houses, one for girls and one for boys. to enhance their school days with variety and discovery. The aim of the co-curricular programme is to help develop well-rounded individuals with all the qualities that will enhance their enjoyment of life. The work – which is being phased over the next three years will ultimately be complete by summer 2020. The house will be entirely upgraded to provide space for the boys and girls to separately coexist in comfortable and relaxed surroundings. We encourage parents to browse through the web pages: www.epsomcollege.org.uk choose Epsom Life from the main menu and navigate to Co-curricular Programme. By September 2020, 60 day girls and 70 day boys will occupy the two houses in the renovated building. The programme of work will cost Once on this page, you will see that every activity has an icon which, when you hover over them, £3.6 million - an investment that ensures our pupils will continue to enjoy state of the art facilities at Epsom College. indicates that activity’s learning outcome. The new girls’ day house will be named Murrell House, in honour of one of Epsom’s pioneering female figureheads: Dr Christine Murrell.

Your children should aim to choose a good variety, guided by yourselves and their tutor, as this will give them a whole range of skills which will be invaluable at school and in later life. Dr Murrell represented the Medical Women’s Murrell House further honours Dr Murrell by Federation at the first Epsom College using the family’s motto as its own: Be of Each term your child will be able to select from a comprehensive list of over 100 activities. Some of these are not academic in nature but provide pupils with important skills which will develop their Conjoint Committee meeting in 1932. She good courage. understanding of more complex theories and ideas. Two such activities are Debating and Model was the first woman to sit on this committee, United Nations, profiled here. and the first woman to be elected to the “For the motto, as for the new crest, we council of the British Medical Association. wanted to represent those qualities we wish to see in our students such as resilience, debating model united nations If that wasn’t impressive enough, courage and belief. Dr Murrell was also the first woman to be Debating continues to play an important part in Model United Nations is an academic simulation The debates were chaired by experienced the life of our houses. Carr have continued their of the United Nations where students play the members of the College MUN Society, who have appointed to the General Medical Council, The motto communicates this, as series against Fayrer, and Rosebery initiated role of delegates from different countries and attended MUN conferences at other schools and although she sadly died before being able to does the new house crest of an oak leaf Friday debates between members of their M4 and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies are familiar with the formalities of this unique and take up her post. with acorns, which are traditionally religious U4 tutor groups. Each Friday, the debating society and perspectives of their assigned country. exciting debating structure. symbols of faith, strength and endurance.” meets to improve our skills in technical debating Students are able to attend Model United Nations Ms Rebecca Jallot, Epsom College’s and debate in various formats. conferences around the world, and the College As The Link goes to press, Mr George Greenbury, Archivist, researched several potential names enjoy taking part in competitions. Head of Religious Studies, and responsible for This year the English Speaking Union celebrates Model United Nations, is taking a team to a for the new girls’ day house before the Board 60 years of the Mace debating competition, and The College held an inaugural Model United residential conference at Haileybury. The group is of Governors selected Murrell. offered an award to schools that can demonstrate Nations (MUN) Conference for the Lower School comprised of pupils from 5th Form to U6th. how they are establishing a whole-school debating in December, which gave our new Third Form “I wanted to go back to the roots of women culture. We were delighted to learn that Epsom pupils the chance to put their public speaking and involved with the school, so my research received a Commendation, as the judges were debating skills, developed during their fortnightly took me back to the first women to make an forward thinking, well-educated, and impressed with our school’s initiatives. Trivium lessons, into practice. impact here. I was also lucky to find women charitable. She gave her time and efforts During the year the Debating Society takes part in The topics under debate included the international who were successful in the wider world, freely to Epsom College. It seemed several national competitions. In January, at the refugee crisis and freedom of dress, and the such as Dr Murrell,” Ms Jallot explains. appropriate that the new girl’s house should English Speaking Union’s Mace competition, we young delegates did an excellent job of debating “Dr Murrell embodies the qualities which be named after her.” made it through to the regional semi-final losing the issues surrounding these resolutions and Epsom espouses. She was pioneering, out narrowly. In February, two College teams took representing their nation’s stance. part in the Oxford Schools Debating competition, where despite good performances neither team progressed. Finally in the UCL School’s Cup, another British Parliamentary competition, Mackenzie Mully (R) and Hugh Smiley (Rn) did very well, placing 13th out of 38 in the novice competition.

Girls’ day room Netball in Manchester day trip to paris Over 30 girls from the 1st, U16, U15 and U14 netball squads took part in a tour to Manchester to hone their skills in advance of the new season. The girls received Six Upper Sixth A level French students coaching from Paige Kindred and Ellie Smith, who both play for Manchester Thunder enjoyed a whistle stop tour of Paris with in the Vitality Netball Superleague. the aim of visiting three museums, immersing themselves in French history, In their matches against Cheadle Hulme School, Stockport, the 1st VII had a very and truly authenticating the knowledge exciting encounter, which they won 28-22, while the U15 and U14 VIIs won comfortably they have acquired in class. 30-11 and 30-1 respectively. The first stop was the Museum Cité de l’Histoire A mixed 2nd VII/U16 match was a much tougher proposition, as they were playing the de l’Immigration in the former Palais des Colonies Porte Dorée, winners of last year’s School Sport magazine U15 Netball Cup. The girls unfortunately where they pondered the topics of immigration and post-colonialism. lost 29-12. Their next stop was the Cité des Sciences. Here they investigated The final training session was at the Manchester Velodrome, the home of British cycling, where the urbanism and the impact of environmental issues on town planning. girls played as bicycles went tearing past them on Britain’s first indoor Olympic cycling track. Testing their interpretation of the Metro Map they took a ride to Opéra Garnier, followed by a scenic walk via the Place Vendôme to the Musée de l’Orangerie, thus witnessing the impact that Napoléon I and III have had on the cityscape. The tired group revived when they saw the stunning Grande Décoration by Monet with the famous Nymphéas. valencia The College’s footballers were not put off by the inclement weather during their five-day pre-season tour to Valencia in Spain. The 28 players, divided into U18 and U16 squads, and three staff members, enjoyed intensive training sessions under the guidance of professional coaches at La Liga club, Valencia CF, and a series of matches against local opposition. The training paid off as the U18s beat Ciudad Paiporta CF 1-0, and the U16s won 1-0 against Xirivella CF.

In the final match of the tour, Epsom suffered a 0-2 loss to Alfara Del Patriarca, the host club team. They also had the opportunity to take in some culture, visiting the Science Park Oceanographic Centre and the iconic Estadio de Mestalla, the 55,000-seat stadium and home to Valencia CF.

Skiing in the French Alps

A group of 6th formers had the opportunity for some excellent Venice skiing in the French Alps at Christmas. They were based at the ski resort of Les Deux Alpes in Mont-de-Lans, located at 1,650m During half term a group of English Literature students embarked on their with lifts up to 3,600m. (grand) tour to the most serene of all cities, sometime ruler of one quarter of the Roman Empire; Venice. Their focus was unashamedly literary: Despite lack of snow in many resorts, they were lucky, and were Desdemona’s house; the ghetto imagined in The Merchant of Venice; palazzi able to take part in some exciting high-altitude skiing. Students associated with Henry James, Robert Browning and Petrarch. on the trip, who were a mixture of very talented snowboarders and skiers, took full advantage of the outstanding facilities, with Sarah Gould L6 (Rv) said, “Venice is a city that’s as magical as it appears no injuries sustained. One ski instructor remarked, “It was a ghostly in the mist and just as silent in the water that beats through its heart.” delight to share the company of your boys and girls.” During a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal they marvelled at the ancient palazzi rising up out of the greenish water; and were fascinated by the boats planned trips unloading every imaginable item at the quay near Tronchetto. U4 History trip to Georgia Walking through Cannaregio towards the Rialto market, they later braved the Cricket tour to Dubai Carnivale crowds of St Mark’s Square. At the mighty Franciscan church of the Pre-season tennis tour to Portugal Frari, the group enjoyed two of Titian’s masterpieces, sumptuous choir stalls, and a Bellini altarpiece. They fully embraced five varied, entertaining, thought- Target Rifle Easter camp provoking days where they shared stories, wrote poems and followed in the DofE Silver and Gold practice footsteps of countless writers and artists. expeditions New Forest and Mid-Wales Epsom College, College Road, Epsom, Surrey KT17 4JQ General enquiries: T: 01372 821000 Admission enquiries: T: 01372 821234 E: [email protected] w w w . e p s o m c o l l e g e . o r g . u k

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