The Chelmsfordian 2018 1
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The Chelmsfordian 2018 1 The Chelmsfordian 2018 2 Contents 3 Introduction and Foreword 4 School Captain’s Report 5 Headmaster’s Report 8 Valete 10 Salvete 11 Obituary 12 The Fallen 17 The Chelmsfordian: 1918 18 Political Convergence 20 Engineering Reports 21 Mogonjet 23 Metamorphosis of KEGS 26 House Reports 28 Combined Cadet Force 29 On Self Improvement 30 Essays 38 Duke of Edinburgh Award Report 39 Lake District 40 International Women’s Day 40 KEGS: Looking Back 42 Sports Review 45 Grenada Cricket Tour 47 A Collection of Lower School Poetry 49 The Nigel Fanshawe Sports Hall 50 Editorials The Chelmsfordian 2018 3 Headmaster’s Introduction am delighted to introduce this year’s Pattenden for his very substantial work in edition of The Chelmsfordian. I hope that inspiring and leading the production of this any reader will much of interest within publication. these pages, and I am also very pleased that Imaterial continues to be added to the long history Mr T. Carter of the school. I am very grateful to all the Headmaster contributors, and particularly to the editors Max Liddiard and James Thompson, and to Mr Foreword 018 marks the 124th year since the first the Lake District, and annual visits to Mogonjet publication of The Chelmsfordian, and and New York. The transformation of the ‘New naturally there is a great weight on the Gym’ into a new drama studio, as well as the shoulders of the editors to maintain the current drama studio into a new science lab, has 2strong traditions carried through the years, also been progressing throughout the year, whether these be traditions from the first edition in promising fantastic new facilities for students. 1895, or ones more recent. In this year’s edition, we seek to highlight the academic achievements of Despite many changes in the school, The the students, as well as the various trips, events, Chelmsfordian continues as one of those institutions and competitions throughout the year. that make KEGS what it is. The year has seen the construction of the Nigel James Thompson Fanshawe Sports Hall, alongside trips including Max Liddiard the cricket tour to Grenada, the Geology trip to Editors The Chelmsfordian 2018 4 School Captain Adam Norton-Steele School Captain’s Report Deputy School Captains James Thompson wide variety of achievements over the Callum Whittle past year has left so much House Captains to reflect upon as the Holland: Arnav Dutta Asummer term draws to a close. With Mildmay: Aidan accomplishments ranging from the Cunningham outstanding production of Othello, to Strutt: Armon Etemadi sporting successes such as the 1st XI Tindal: Max Liddiard football team’s victory in the Mid- Prefects Essex Cup, the extraordinary talents younger pupils, and their Max Acorn of pupils have been showcased on unwavering commitment has Rafee Ahmed countless occasions this year. ensured countless events have run Daniel Bacon smoothly. Likewise, the House Krishan Bansal Some of the most memorable events Captains have shown admirable George Bayliss this academic year include the CCF’s dedication to their houses, and to Jonathan Belay role in forming part of the KEGS as a whole. The winners of James Caples Remembrance Sunday parade in this year’s House Competition came Daniel Carter November. The cadets represented the Priyanka Chandrakumar KEGS contingent exceptionally well, from out of the blue, with Holland Hannah Chen with appropriate propriety for the making an unforeseen resurgence William Coupe occasion. Little more than a month with less than a month to go to Lucy Cowper later, the annual carol service provided claim victory. The final house events William De Vivo a welcome opportunity to hear the in the weeks preceding Easter Gayatri Dhar choir in full voice. It was one of the epitomised the competitive spirit Arnav Dutta many highlights of the week preceding between the houses, and will no Joseph Folley doubt have provided unforgettable Irene Jackson Sillah the Christmas holidays - a period experiences for all those involved. Harshal Jain which also included Prize Giving. As Katie Juniper well as seeing many students rewarded Over my seven years at KEGS, Camille Keyworth for their academic and extracurricular despite the changes to the Arkar Lwin achievements, the musical architecture and personnel along the Sajiban Manoharan performances and speech from OC way, the same attitude towards Harrison Mitchell Rajeeb Dey made it a wonderful learning and strong sense of community pervades - and long may Zain Mumtaz occasion on which to finish the autumn it continue into the future. On behalf Vishvan Naidu term. Since the New Year, the Omar Najim the students I would like to thank performances of Othello exceeded all Imogen Purkiss the staff and all those who make expectations, a profound achievement, Harry Risk KEGS such a special place to not given the quality of the recent school Cameron Rosie only learn, but develop as people. Sanjeevan Sandhu productions. Adam Norton-Steele Tommy Sedgwick Serving as School Captain has been a School Captain Ravi Shah great privilege, particularly due to the Nicholas Speed wonderful team of prefects I have had Shashvat Verma the opportunity to work with. They Adam Yardley have been true role models for Aleyna Yildirim The Chelmsfordian 2018 5 Headmaster’s Report Prize Giving Speech 2017 ormal occasions like Prize Giving give one the chance to reflect on the academic year which Fhas passed – and when I sat down to do this, the principal feeling that I had was one of gratitude. This might seem a strange reaction at a time when the media is full of stories of the funding crisis in schools, at a time when we are faced with ever more obligations, at a time when our nation seems to face so much uncertainty, and at KEGS, at the end of a term which has brought tragedy. These events and difficulties are certainly very real and sometimes seem insurmountable. But for me, gratitude remains a stronger feeling. I am grateful firstly for the wonderful young people who have been or are students here at KEGS. For their originality and their individuality; suitably qualified staff is becoming an increasing issue for their loyalty and their intelligence in its for schools and naturally enough, teaching and support broadest sense; for their drive and also their staff seek an environment where they can be free to be compassion for others. Every person can themselves, within the ethos of the institution. I hope contribute something special to the school – that we manage this at KEGS, and certainly we are and many do; but I do at this point want to fortunate that staff often stay here for many years. The pay tribute to our school captain in 2016/17, Summer of 2017 did though bring the retirement of Henry Sainsbury, who was a role model of three long standing KEGS teachers – Stuart Hitch, service to the school throughout his seven Sandra Naish and Jenny Platt, as well as Bill Wheeler’s years at KEGS. move to China. All are greatly missed, although I am delighted that Dr Naish has been in to do some supply And then I am grateful to the staff who work teaching for us, and that Ms Platt is due to do so in the here, and the volunteers who give their time. near future. Who knows, perhaps Dr Hitch will make Again, each person brings their own talents another appearance in a KEGS classroom at some and gifts – and the tension between necessary point. At any rate, my thanks and best wishes go to all systems and the freedom for people to express of them for their many years of service to KEGS. their individuality is a balance that, in my opinion, needs careful thought. Finding Then, I am grateful to everyone in our wider The Chelmsfordian 2018 6 community – particularly to parents for their important decisions in one’s life is often not an easy support, to former pupils and friends of the thing. Neither the analytical approach nor the gut school, the OCA and the Alumni Network, and of feel approach necessarily produces wise choices. course to Governors and Foundation Governors For what it is worth, my advice would be to for the many hours of unpaid work which they cultivate awareness of oneself and others, and then put in. The responsibilities put on Governors are decisions can sometimes become easier. I also feel now quite arduous, and we are, in my view, strongly that having a personal “hinterland” is extremely fortunate to be served by the people in important. I was speaking to an old friend recently those positions at KEGS. At this point, I would – someone who has been extremely successful in like to pay particular tribute to Spencer Wilcox, career and financial terms – but who took the who was Chair of the Management Governors decision some years ago to work four days per week before I became Head, and then worked with me and dedicate the fifth day to writing a book. Now – for my first three years in this position. I am very I don’t know if I will ever write a book, still less grateful for his support and guidance, and for that of Mary Turner, who has now taken over that whether anyone would publish it – but I do know position. the importance of reading books. School and local authority libraries are under pressure all over the The wider community, of which I’ve just spoken, place, but long may KEGS continue to have a did, in 2016/17, have a fine year. Just over a year flourishing library. ago we set out on a fund raising campaign, and the principal results of that can be seen through That sense of a “hinterland” – a broader life – can the windows of the hall.