EWELL CASTLE SENIOR SCHOOL Summer Term Review 2020

INTRODUCTION

it. We’ll have to go though it!” Our in order to recharge their batteries resilience has been pushed to the ready for the Autumn Term. This will very limit, but we have moved on also be extremely important for all forwards through disappointments, our pupils. I know some parents may frustrations, and in some tragic be slightly concerned about possible cases, bereavements. gaps in learning and the need to be ready for the new academic year. We can grasp the opportunity to I am confident, however, that the create something more beautiful, Ewell Castle teaching has been stronger, and kinder as we come thorough and effective across the through these life-defining times, whole academic year and that we if we can find the inner strength to will quickly be able to identify areas grow through them. Do we want to for focus early in the academic go back to our previous attitudes year. Reading though the end- It has been heart-warming to have so and lifestyle choices, or can we of-year reports, I must commend many pupils back on the School site find a new love for the environment, all our young people in how they in recent weeks and to start to feel community cohesion, justice and have stayed on top of their work, the buzz of School life again, if only equality of opportunity for all? The maintaining the momentum of their momentarily. I would like to recognise Black Lives Matter movement has progress. A relaxing and fun-filled the Herculean efforts of everyone shown us all the power of activism summer-break away from academic involved in making this possible: and human agency to unite around study will be the best preparation for mums and dads’ taxi services; an urgency for change: much is the mental challenges of 2020/21. Governors and the Bursars’ Team already going on behind the scenes Get outside and get some fresh air! who oversaw the risk management to address this particular issue in our and site readiness, alongside the own Ewell Castle context, and I am As already mentioned, during sweat and toil of the Trojan-like Site excited to share our plans with you the summer break, a number of Team; indefatigable and resilient in due course. I have always believed colleagues are taking the opportunity teachers who have cheerfully kept that schools should not just be raising for some much-needed holiday time learning going on the home-front awareness about social and racial and will not necessarily be available and latterly in the classrooms; and injustice but rather be consciously to contact directly. I am therefore the PTA who boosted morale and equipping our young people to be pleased to recommend a helpline for fun through surprise visits from the influencers and agents for change those who might be struggling with ice cream van and a profusion of themselves. We will continue to use their wellbeing before we start the “99er” Flakes and cones. I wish I the United Nation’s Sustainable new academic year in September. could mention everyone individually Development Goals as an anchor for YoungMinds have a free parent by name so if I have forgotten you, our ongoing commitment to teaching helpline (0808 802 5544) with advice apologies. and leading on social responsibility: on behaviour, emotional wellbeing or https://www.un.org/ mental health and many resources One of my colleagues reminded me sustainabledevelopment/sustainable- for parents on their website: of a popular children’s story recently, development-goals/ https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/ which I think is applicable when I for-parents/parents-helpline/ Please reflect on the second part of this After the impact of the last few do get in touch with them if you academic year in which families and months, I hope we will all have the are at all worried about your child organisations across the nation have opportunity to relax and regroup over during this time. Of course, if you been placed under extraordinary the summer break. I am encouraging still have concerns at the start of the pressure. “We can’t go under it, we staff to ensure that they have several new School year, please do let your can’t go over it, we can’t go around weeks away from their School work child’s Form Tutor or Year Group

www.ewellcastle.co.uk @EwellCastleUK leader know so that we can provide • Miss Adewale has resigned as • Mrs Sanderson will be our new the appropriate pastoral support Saturday Sports Coach Forest School Coordinator to ensure they can thrive within Mrs Ikwuemesi has resigned from • Mrs Edwards will be taking on the the Ewell Castle community going her role as Head of Religious Studies role of Head of Year 8 and has forwards. but we are delighted that she will be resigned as Director of Music Inevitably, we do have some staff continuing as School Chaplain for a • Mr Essenhigh will be overseeing changes to announce for the coming further academic year. Miss Hughes the leadership of the Music academic year. In the meantime, is leaving her post as Part Time Department, in addition to we have been pleased to welcome Teacher for Year 3 but will continue his current role as Director of back Miss Lucinda Jones to the as a supply teacher at the Prep Performing Arts Learning Support Department after School. her Maternity Leave. • Ms Hoddell has resigned as Head I am sad to announce that Mrs Doreen of Year 11 to focus on her role as We are sad to be bidding farewell Parker, one of our longstanding Director of Social Responsibility to several members of staff and we Governors, is stepping down after 6 look forward to a gathering later on years of dedicated volunteer service • Mr Manley will be Head of Year 10 in the year to mark the occasion in to the School, where she has brought • Mr Edwards will be Head of Year a fitting fashion. In due course, we great experience and judgement to 11 will be sharing further details of the her safeguarding oversight of the valuable contributions these staff School. We wish her every happiness • Miss Wilkinson will be teaching have made to the life of Ewell Castle, for the future. one day per week for the next some of whom are retiring after academic year as she prepares for I am delighted to let you know that a considerable number of years’ the Japan 2021 Olympics. after ‘virtual’ interviews and rigorous service. For the purposes of this selection processes, the following We are currently planning for a full letter, however, I will merely provide colleagues will be coming on board return to School in September, a summary, and extend our warm for September and I am sure that including risk mitigation in: practical appreciation for their commitment to you will join me in welcoming them social distancing; safe catering the development of the Ewell Castle all into the Ewell Castle family: arrangements; hand-washing and community as we know it today: sanitiser protocols; and an increase in • Mr Bunce, Teacher of Geography • Mr Peto is retiring as Head of the frequency of cleaning regimens. the Personal, Social, Health and • Ms A Brown, Teacher of Philosophy Looking at calendar events and Economic Education programme and Religious Studies fixtures, etc, safety must be a priority but we are also keen to ensure the at the Senior School, having • Mrs Cowie, Teacher of Psychology widest possible opportunities are still joined in 1985 (part time) available for all our pupils. • Mrs Hillman retires as Teacher of • Miss Francis, Teacher of Maths Religious Studies, having joined in I will write with more detail about this 1987 • Ms Materna, Teacher of English before the Autumn Term commences, when we hope that a rather clearer • Mr Skinner, Teacher of ICT • Mrs Conibear has been at Ewell picture will have emerged. As I write, Castle in one guise or another • Mr Short, Key Stage 2 Teacher the Government has published since 1987 (according to local • Mr Stone, Head of Philosophy and more “guidance” about September folklore) Religious Studies reopening, but experience has taught • Mrs Buckley is retiring from the us all that there is a fine line between We have a few colleagues who are Senior School Learning Support wishful thinking and practicality. changing their roles: Department, having been with the We will continue to exercise our School since 2010 • Mrs Devane will be moving from judgement to find the best path for the Prep School to the Senior • Mrs Jarman retires as Prep School our local context and to do all we can School as a Learning Support Teacher, having joined in 2014 in achieving our ambition of a whole- Assistant School reopening in September. • Mrs Clark retires as Teacher of • Mrs Way will be splitting her Psychology, having been with us Wishing you all a safe, healthy and time between the Prep and since 2015 enjoyable summer. Senior School Learning Support • Mr Scott is retiring as Head of Departments as a Teaching Silas Edmonds Principal of Ewell Castle School Computer Science and ICT, having Assistant joined in 2017

2 MERTON MUTUAL VOLUNTEERING AID AT EPSOM AND

Hi, I’m Zak and I’m in my final EWELL FOODBANK year of Sixth Form here at Ewell Over the past three months Castle. I studied English Literature, during the COVID-19 lockdown, History, and Politics for A-level and my brother Ben and I have been I hope to study Law later this year. volunteering at the Epsom and At Ewell Castle, I was the President Ewell Foodbank twice a week. We of Model United Nations wherein pick up pre-organised parcels of I hosted termly MUN sessions food and other essentials with our discussing differing world opinions mum and deliver these to people on matters such as climate change. who have requested it. Normally On Sunday 15th March I started these people would collect it from Merton Mutual Aid, a group set the foodbank centre themselves up to provide support to those but because of the pandemic, the vulnerable and shielding during the food parcels have to be delivered COVID-19 pandemic. I had noticed to their homes. that there was no such group set productive. As the founder and We feel very fortunate to be able up for my borough of Merton, main administrator, I monitored to help people in need during which encompasses Wimbledon, the main email requests, oversaw this difficult time and to be able Mitcham and Morden. 60 WhatsApp groups, managed to understand that there are so It has now been more than three the NHS and care-home teams, many families that need help, months since setting up the along with a large number of other even in our area. Group and, looking back on the elements that I devoted my time to. There was clearly a real need experiences I have had, it’s been I wholeheartedly recommend those for us to volunteer and the amazing to see how the Group has reading this to join their local statistics speak for themselves. thrived and worked closely with groups to see what they can do in For example, in May 2019, 361 other organisations to maximise their local community. I am aware people were fed through the benefit to people in need, that slowly things are returning Epsom and Ewell Foodbank. In whether: delivering prescriptions to the ‘new normal’ and it may comparison, 1,169 people were and medication; food shopping seem like there isn’t much to do, fed in May this year! This is a and supplies; sourcing and but there are still many people in very stressful time for everyone, redistributing crucial household need as a result of the virus and we but especially those who are less items; or even just providing some all have the ability to make a real fortunate or vulnerable, so we felt company for someone on their difference. that volunteering was the best own. way for us to help. Looking back at myself months For me personally, the Group has ago, I would have never imagined Lucy Crockford - Year 11 provided me with an opportunity being in such a position wherein I Ben Crockford - Year 9 not to go crazy during lockdown, could make a tangible difference stuck at home watching TV to the lives of hundreds, if not and playing games since my thousands. I am immensely proud exams were cancelled, but of my decision to create the Group rather do something immensely and, furthermore, to model it into something that will hopefully last into the future through a partnership with the Dons Local Action Group, an amazing local group run by AFC Wimbledon, that I recommend you check out and join. Zak Dada - Year 13

3 SCHOOL STAFF ‘LOCKDOWN’ CHOIR

In keeping with the ‘virtual choir’ lockdown trend that you will have seen dominating your social media pages over the past few months, I decided to launch Ewell Castle’s own ‘Virtual Staff Choir’ to boost morale and to give the staff a new challenge to keep them entertained during the challenging ‘home-learning’ phase. was so impressed by the number of singing together at a time where we For those of you who have ever staff who got involved and pushed all felt so far apart and I’d like to thank tried recording yourself singing themselves well out of their comfort each and every one of them for their without any kind of backing track or zone. The result was an epic involvement. accompaniment, you’ll know it is an 25-strong chorus of ‘Happy’ teachers By Mrs V Edwards incredibly daunting prospect, but I (and accompanying staff band)

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD UPDATE

I was thrilled to receive a standards for the Duke of Edinburgh Over the course of lockdown, I certificate recently from the Duke Award will be as high as ever. could not go to my piano lesson of Edinburgh’s Award, detailing the physically. So, my teacher and I Here are a selection of comments amazing achievements of Ewell communicated through Skype. This from pupils about how they are Castle School during the last year. has been going reasonably well but getting on. Pupils have committed 1014 hours my teacher could not see where my to voluntary service within our local During lockdown, my brother taught hands were placed. Even with that communities, worth £4410.90 in me how to set up our tent and taught disadvantage for such a long period social value! Furthermore, 1131 me some skills and tricks to use, to of time, I will not give up practising hours were spent doing physical make the most out of the expedition. or quit. I am on Grade 4, nearly on activity and 1014 hours committed It was helpful that my brother had Grade 5. to developing a skill. I think you completed the DofE at Ewell Castle so Kamran Seward - Year 10 (Silver). will agree that these results are a he knows the way everything works! fantastic testament to the pupils Finally after 7 weeks of lockdown, of the School, which has seen My bass guitar teacher and I used I managed to get some yeast and a significant increase in awards Zoom to create the ability to practise this is the final product! achieved over the last year and and learn three songs off by heart, a total 65% of awards achieved normally we would have done it in a (above the Surrey average of 59%). recording studio. While we have had to put Harry Dunn - Year 9 (Bronze) expeditions on hold for the time I have learnt to cook multiple foreign being, pupils have been making dishes before and during lockdown, great progress on their activities. I have really enjoyed it and it has Pupils have been submitting expanded my palate to appreciate evidence to me about a wide range more foods. This appreciation has of activities, including fitness at come through knowing what is going home, running and home cooking. into food. Pupils have also been planning the activities they will be doing once we I have done football and rugby are all back in School. over two terms for my sport. It was Rest assured that as soon as we cut slightly short by quarantine. It developed my skills and has improved can, expeditions will be resuming Caitlin Coward-Younger - Year 9 me as a player. in the Surrey Hills and the New (Bronze) Forest. I am sure that despite the Joe Keohane - Year 9 (Bronze) present unusual circumstances, the Mr C Blencowe

4 SIXTH FORM ENRICHMENT PLUS

We are very proud of our Enrichment Programme in the Sixth Form, it takes a year of planning and a tremendous amount of thought to make each week interesting, engaging and informative. When forced into lockdown, we were faced with rebuilding our Programme in a way which would engage the Sixth Form and actually be feasible. required to put a business plan in place taught and their level of competency Myself, Mrs Lawrence and Mr Getty and pitch to the rest of Year 13 about was very impressive! The winning therefore came up with Enrichment how it would work and how much it film was by a Year 13 group who Plus where the Year 13s would would cost to launch. The one person put together a very entertaining be set a challenge each week, who was absent for this particular video involving a tennis ball, click working in small groups to produce week was Zak Dada who had actually here to see this funny video here something innovative and fun. To launched a very successful food bank (https://youtu.be/WbqVeLS-YLA) and delivery service to the NHS and add a little more, a small cash prize The final week was probably those self-isolating. The winning was awarded for the winning team the biggest challenge of all. The group was the group who suggested each week. The whole Programme students were told to find a local setting up a service to transport and took place on Microsoft Teams with business and build a website. deliver essential medication to the students joining us from all over This was a huge challenge which vulnerable. It was no surprise that the Surrey, North London, Hong Kong involved interviewing the customer group included our aspiring medics, and South Korea! and producing something eye- Lauren and Vish along with Jemin catching and creative. They were The first week saw the Great Student Park, communicating from South also able to learn the skills involved Bake Off where each team had to Korea. create a student meal for under in building a website, so useful for £12. They were placed into teams We were very fortunate to be joined the future. We had several entries of three and each student had to by Old Ewellian, Matt Robertson in which were all very impressive. The produce a dish, film and edit it and the third week. Matt, who left Ewell three top entries were Eloise Warren then send it to us. We were blown Castle three years ago, chose to work who built a website for the newly away by the sheer inventiveness of in Recruitment and was able to talk registered Ewell Castle Academy the groups. They were all extremely to Year 13 about job applications from Tennis Club which will be used in well filmed and edited and very the employer’s perspective. Run like the School’s bid for new courts, entertaining. Well done to Georgie, a webinar, the students were able Tom Hall who produced a beautiful Zak and Elliot for winning that week. to ask Matt questions about C.V.s website for someone trying to start You can see the winning film here and interviews. It was a very useful a bakery delivery business and, the (tinyurl.com/y8ra4t99) afternoon for the students and they winner, Jago Banham who has been benefited from Matt’s experience and building a website for some time The second week involved each advice. for his own photography business group creating a product or service which you can view here (tinyurl. The following week, the students during the lockdown. They were com/y8fl29qf) were asked to put a film together which involved continuity from one The whole Enrichment Plus student to another. We had a tie for Programme has revealed how first place with a group of Year 12 incredibly creative students can students producing a news report be under severe restrictions. on COVID-19Covid-19 aroundaround thethe world in Technology has meant that groups four different languages: Korean, can work together to produce some Spanish, Turkish and Norwegian. The amazing films and has highlighted remarkable part was that the Korean the fact that you do not all have to report was from George Greensmith be in the same room to work as a and the Norwegian report was done team. by Theo Bromley. Both boys were self Mrs E McManus

5

37145 Ewell Castle Senior Summer Term Review.indd 5 09/07/2020 14:41 SOCIALLY DISTANCED VIDEOS DRAGON’S DEN

With lockdown’s perpetual cycle of boredom slowly driving Ewell Castle’s Sixth Form to insanity, Miss McManus and Mr Getty kindly put in the time to organise online Enrichment meetings. Every Thursday at 2:00pm, I get a rush of nostalgia and warm feeling in my heart as they allow us to compete in weekly challenges to win a wholesome £10.00 per team member. My team won the Dragon’s Den challenge, with our exciting business venture, Vector Deliveries. A delivery service with the purpose of packing students’ belongings at their university accommodation and transporting them to students’ home during quarantine. My team found this particular challenge quite stimulating since it required us to not only work in a team to derive a feasible idea but also it allowed us to utilise different skills. We used our mathematical skills to produce the accounts for the business and find statistical evidence from our market research, as well as our creative skills to develop a superior advertising strategy. Presenting Vector Deliveries to my cohort and teachers, I felt truly blessed to be able to have teachers that dedicate their time to us, the students of Ewell Castle. Vishaanth Raguraj - Year 13

During lockdown, the Sixth Form has team went about this and aimed been running an Enrichment Plus to include small inside jokes programme to ensure that we are still within the video such as the tennis preparing for life afterwards, we also scholars missing shots. This was do fun projects throughout this too. a fun experience and gave us all a good laugh and lifted our spirits at One of our most recent projects this time. You can see our finished was a ‘socially distanced’ video video on YouTube using this link: of us interacting with an item, we https://youtu.be/WbqVeLS-YLA were given the socially distanced ‘fight’ videos as an example. Our Tom Hall - Year 13

6 ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY - YEAR 7

Joel Franey

Harrison Germain Emily Chater-Robinson

Julian Tank Phoebe Yuill

Alexander Skinner

Amy Fan Michael Salman

7 ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY - YEAR 8

Nicholas Bosman

Kasra Pochin

Ashton Nag

Kate Macallister

Joshua Goldstein

Tilly Wong Rotimi Oderinde

8 ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY - YEAR 9

Millie Gunson

Rebecca Hogan

Sophie Pershin

Andrea Sterritt Hernandez

Ella-Louise Collett Cameron McAnally

9 A FINAL MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD GIRL AND HEAD BOY

Our year hasn’t had the best of luck were able to flourish within the walls with exams, with being the ‘guinea- of Ewell Castle, despite having vastly pig’ year to go all ‘9 to 1’ with our differing interests, is truly a testament GCSEs and then having our A-levels to the Castle’s ability to accommodate cancelled, but that hasn’t stopped all types of students and provide them anyone from securing places on a with an amazing, enjoyable experience. range of amazing courses. Ewell I joined Ewell Castle in Year 9 as one Castle has opened countless of the first three girls, so my time here doors for us and has gone above has been a unique experience to say and beyond in every aspect of our the least. Bringing girls into an all-boys schooling. It is safe to say that we school was like opening a new exhibit its silver linings. The cancellation of will all be in debt to every member in a zoo, and although we have never exams was a shock, however also of staff, especially Mrs McManus, Mr had enough girls for a Hockey team, I a relief to many people, even if they Getty and Mrs Lawrence, for spoon- wouldn’t have changed a single thing. won’t admit that to the teachers. I feeding us to get us where we are The boys always complained that the too would be a liar if I were to deny today. I’m not sure how we will all girls got special treatment, and they the fact I was somewhat relieved by cope entering the real world going were right - we were princesses! I the prospect of not having to take to university, I am sure that there cannot thank everyone enough for exams, but comfortable in knowing will be many emails back to School pushing me and believing in me, my work throughout the years would asking for advice, although the skills especially when I struggled to myself. contribute towards my final grades. we acquired from Enrichment should Ewell Castle doesn’t just produce allow us to keep our heads above As well as all the support and academics, it produces well-rounded water. This is however one of my persistent hard work of all the staff, adults who should all be proud of favourite things about Ewell Castle, we would like to give a huge thank the morals and standards they hold the endless support everyone has you to our Senior Prefect Team, themselves to. given us even when we didn’t realise and everyone who held a role of we needed it. Many of the friends I have made have responsibility; and given our small been here since I joined in Year 7 and year size, this means absolutely My Ewell Castle journey began in the friendships are still going strong everybody! Our year has truly proven 2013 when I joined Year 7, however seven years later. The addition of new that it is about quality not quantity. the ‘Hall’ name had already gained pupils to the School at different times We will all walk away with an quite a reputation around the School has not left anyone out, instead the abundance of precious memories; - thanks to my brother who had Ewell Castle community has provided it is just a shame our time had to made strides in sporting areas and the space in which we have been be cut short. The way everyone was regularly a member of (and often able to make new friendships and has handled these pressing times captain) of various sports teams. I nurture existing ones, which will last reflects the strength and resilience imagine the prospect of another Hall far beyond any leaving ceremony, be of a Ewell Castle student. We think joining the School would have got it in person or virtually. This is true not it is safe to say that every single the Sports Department quite excited only for the end of Sixth Form which is student can walk away from Ewell however anyone that knows me will where my peers and I are now, but for Castle with their head held high with tell you, this excitement would have the pupils who decided to carve new confidence and pride, knowing that been short lived! The prospect of paths elsewhere. We remain in contact they were a unique asset to their me doing any more exercise than with and still see them at events put School and demonstrate all the necessary is about as likely as Mr on by the School and they are still positive attributes that the School Blencowe calling me Tom instead very much a part of the Ewell Castle prides itself on. I am proud to say of my brother’s name seven years family. When I think of our final day I that I was part of the Ewell Castle on (despite looking nothing alike)! am saddened, not only by the thought Sixth Form and that I went to School Instead, I found great joy in the of not seeing my peers or the staff on with these people, because they are Performing Arts and pursued this a regular basis, but also by the fact all truly amazing and have bright and got to enjoy all sectors of it from that our life-shaping experience didn’t futures ahead of them and we will the tech side of things and stage truly run its course and instead was all go far, and still be welcome at management, to being on stage in cut short on a random Friday in March. the Castle. We cannot wait to see various performances big and small This brought much disappointment to all the amazing places that life takes throughout the years. I speak of the Sixth Form; however we are aware you all, down a road paved by Ewell my brother in this as were it not for sacrifices had to be made as there Castle School. We love you all! him, I would not have known about were bigger problems at play in the the School, and possibly not joined. Lauren Body - Year 13 world although this was not without I think the fact that both he and I

10 LOCKDOWN MEMORIES

11 Ewell Castle School Church Street, Ewell, Surrey KT17 2AW 020 8393 1413 www.ewellcastle.co.uk @EwellCastleUK