Warwickian Michaelmas 2016 Layout 1
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Michaelmas 2016 Open! The official opening of Warwick Hall... Edition 49 Letter from the Head Master Dear Parents/Guardians Frantic paving, sweeping, plastering and painting all ensured that Warwick Hall was ready in time for the first assembly of the school year, just! Never have I looked forward to a school assembly quite so much and it was an honour to address the entire Senior School in our brand new, stunning hall. Warwick Hall has been a remarkable example of how our entire school community pulls together, both in terms of managing and funding the project, and it will play a major part in school life for many years to come. If reassurance were needed (and it is not), listening to Michael Attenborough CBE at our official opening reaffirmed the necessity of encouraging the arts within schools. He spoke of the arts’ unique ability to develop communication skills and empathy, moral and social awareness, to inspire creativity and self- Welcome to expression and to instil a sense of self-esteem identity. His frustration with the government’s withdrawal of funding of the arts within schools and the the Warwickian community was palpable. Yet it was clear to Michael Attenborough that the arts are alive and kicking at Warwick School and he spoke of Warwick School as a true ‘centre of Inside this issue excellence’. The opening event showcased the many talents of pupils across the Foundation; music, art, acting, dance, juggling and so the list continues. Letter from the Head A Midsummer Night’s Dream was an absolutely inspirational performance of a Master ∣ P2 much-loved comedy and enjoyed by an audience of all ages. Our musicians once again excelled at the regional finals of the National Concert Band Festival, taking three platinum awards, two golds and one silver, and we look News & events ∣ P3 forward to hosting the national finals next April. Meanwhile, our Choir sang in Canterbury and St Paul’s Cathedrals. Junior School news ∣ P4 In addition to the hall, other new facilities this term include our ‘blue’ hockey pitches, providing a much improved playing surface for our boys and King’s High girls. Our hockey profile is most definitely growing, with England Hockey School trips ∣ P6 selecting Warwick School as a Performance Centre. We have had national recognition for cricket, with selection as one of The Cricketer’s Top 100 Careers ∣ P7 schools. Our rugby teams also continue to progress in their national competitions and we wish them luck for future rounds. The arts ∣ P8 This term we published Our Vision for 2021, our Strategic Development Plan for the next five years. Whilst, I hope, a succinct document, a lot of thought and discussion went into agreeing our strategic priorities and objectives for the ∣ Music P10 years to come. I will be sharing progress with you on a regular basis. We hope to hear positive news in the spring regarding the planning application for News & events ∣ P12 Project One Campus – an exciting year ahead. In the meantime, I wish you all, most sincerely, a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Best wishes Sport ∣ P14 Collaboration: A R LOCK Foundation news & events ∣ P16 2 News& events The new Warwick Hall at Warwick School was officially opened on Friday, 23 September 2016 This state-of-the-art venue replaces the much-loved but outgrown Guy Nelson Hall. As well as providing the venue for weekly school assemblies, Warwick Hall is now one of the largest and finest performance venues in the region. Costing £7.5m, Warwick Hall was supported by a fund-raising campaign that raised over £1.1m for which we are hugely grateful. The hall was opened by one of Britain’s leading theatre directors, Michael Attenborough CBE. He News& events spoke about the importance of the arts in schools and, of Warwick School being a genuine inspiration and a true ‘centre of excellence’. The occasion was marked with a celebration of artistic talent from Warwick and King’s High students, past and present. Performances included an amazing piano introduction, the school’s Altiora dance company, and music from school shows including Les Misérables and West Side Story. The audience also heard, via video from a selection of Old Warwickians who have followed careers in the arts, including magician Ben Hanlin, singer songwriter James Taylor-Watts and actors Ralph Davis and Charlie Hamblett. The hall itself is every bit as impressive as the students’ talents and provides an amazing performing arts venue to accompany the excellent Bridge House Theatre, for use both within school and the wider community. 3 Junior School Lower Two Trip to Blackwell Adventure ∣ Harry Waters, L2K At the end of September, the Lower Twos went to Blackwell news Adventure to make new friends, bond and conquer fears! I thought that it was going to be a bit scary because I had never been away from home without my family before. However, I was going camping with my friends so I also thought that it was going to be fun! My favourite activity was the 250m zip wire! It looked so long! First, we had to put on our safety equipment and then the first person was clipped in and jumped off the platform. It looked really fun! Next up was me. I clipped myself in and walked up. I felt scared but suddenly I was off. I whizzed past the trees and felt like I was flying! There was an instructor at the bottom who helped us to get down. It was amazing, but the hard bit was bringing the wire all the way back up the steep, green hill! My second favourite activity was archery. As I picked up the bow and put in the arrow, I pulled back the cord and took a shot. I hit the board but not the target. After that, the rest of my group had a turn. Then it was my go again and I did even better this time. I hit the target and felt proud of myself. I had an amazing time going to Blackwell Adventure. I was really proud that I reached the top of the ‘multi scramble’ course as it was really hard. I had never been camping before and it was a lot of fun where I learned a lot. Remembrance Our Remembrance service, led by our Upper Two boys, proved to be a poignant and moving reminder of the sacrifice of lives during the major conflicts of the last three centuries. It also served as a reminder of the continued service of Old Warwickians. The lists of the fallen adorning the walls of the chapel, remind us how fortunate recent generations have been not to experience the horror of war. Teatime Concert Another successful Teatime Concert was put on by the Junior School pupils. The boys are given the opportunity to perform each term in a Teatime Concert in the Assembly Hall. This is a chance for them to play a piece or sing a song that they are enjoying learning, in an informal and friendly atmosphere. There are 12 Teatime Concerts each year and usually around 25 boys performing solos. There is always a full range of all of the instruments learnt and the boys are able to hear what their friends are playing and some even choose a new instrument, based on what they have heard. Performers range from a First Year boy performing for the first time up to a Third Year boy, already a seasoned performer! It is wonderful to watch the progression of the boys as they work their way up through the Junior School and to see them be enthusiastic about music. 4 Cup Winners Lego Club The U11s headed north on Saturday to QEGS, Wakefield Lego Club started in September 2016. It is open to to take part in their rugby festival. The quality of rugby at all boys in the Junior School and has proved quite the festival is always very high, providing the opportunity popular in its first term. There was even a waiting to play against some different sides. list of boys hoping to join if any spaces became available. Rugby festivals have been revised over the last few years in order to match up teams more evenly. The winners are The club was requested by Junior School boys last often decided not only on the results, but also on the year through the process of Class Council and School attractiveness of play, the sportsmanship of the players and Council meetings. Run by Mrs Bull, the club has been even the supporting spirit of the parents! lots of fun so far. The club has bought a variety of Lego, ranging from Lego Technic kits to boxes of Our boys remained undefeated on the day and secured the random pieces, allowing the creativity to flow. vote as the winners of the tournament, decided by all the Sometimes the boys watch some of the Lego Star various coaches, and were awarded the Harrison Cup. Wars short films and tidying up is done to the sounds of ‘Everything is Awesome’ which always inspires the boys to work as a team. If anyone wishes to donate any Lego, it will be greatly appreciated by the boys. Junior School news Warwick School U11 Rugby Day Our U11s team took part in the Warwick School Rugby Day organised in conjunction with Worcester Warriors Rugby. The boys spent the morning training with both the Warriors and Senior School coaches. In the afternoon they played four short games enjoying wins against RGS Worcester, King Henry's and Akeley Wood with a loss against Eversfield.