Edition 48 March 2011 SUTTON VIEWS The Voice of Sutton Valence School

Tuning up for Strings Day

Back To Victorian Times Page 5

World Book Day Page 9

Some three dozen children aged seven to 11 from Preparatory Schools in the county converged on the Senior School recently for a day’s expert tuition from In Fine Voice Page 14 Head of Strings, Mr David Holmes.

During the day, they learned to play Purcell’s Rondeau and a special strings arrangement of the theme from the film Pirates of the Caribbean , before putting on a concert for parents in the Baughan Theatre. Continued on page 2

Information A member of the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation For information about Sutton Valence School or to request a prospectus, please contact: Registered Charity No. 309267 • the Admissions Office at Sutton Valence on 01622 845206 or email [email protected] Founded in 1576 by William Lambe • Sutton Valence Preparatory School on 01622 842117 or email [email protected]

Sutton Views March 2011 1 Continued from front page

Children brought along their violins, violas, ‘cellos – and even a few double basses – to take part in the day, which was declared a resounding success.

Director of Music, Mr Phil Horley, who assisted with the classes along with strings tutor Mr Bryan Gipps, said, “It’s the first time we have organised something on this scale for external students, but it proved a great hit and is definitely something we will be repeating.”

Headmaster, Mr Bruce Grindlay, an accomplished musician and former organ scholar at Cambridge, said, “This type of event gives the children a greater insight into the world of music and teaches them team work, as well as proving they have the potential to produce a great sound after only a few hours’ concentrated effort.”

2 Sutton Views Author Ann addresses pupils

Children’s author Ann Bryant enthralled consider their own reading choices and Prep School pupils when she spoke to them inspires them to try out different authors and about her life as a writer and introduced genres.” them to some of her popular characters. She led an all-school assembly before conducting a number of workshops for different age groups during the day.

“The children had a really enjoyable day”, said Deputy Head, Miss Claire Corkran. “We believe that children should be encouraged to be ambitious with their reading and read as widely as possible. Bringing authors into the school, who can make reading fun and bring books alive, encourages children to

Biennial Inspection

On Parade

At the beginning of March the CCF “The cadets were a credit to themselves, the Contingent had their Biennial Inspection at School and CCF and should be very proud. Crowborough. The inspection was carried This was a fitting tribute to a very successful out by Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE, year for CCF at Sutton Valence.” Commandant Air Cadets, who was very complimentary about all that CCF Congratulations must also go to the Navy demonstrated and achieved. As Lt Col Anne section who won the ‘Becky Norris March Wilkinson, Contingent Commander said, and Shoot Trophy’.

March 2011 3 Army Exercise March and Shoot Cup Presentation

RAF Exercise

4 Sutton Views Contingent Adjutant Capt. B Miller, Head Master, Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE

Pupils step back in time as ‘Victorians’ have their day!

Pupils at the Prep School stepped back more than a century to experience life in Victorian times.

Children in Year 2 were asked to come to school in clothes reminiscent of the 1880s – as were some members of staff.

PCs, laptops and interactive whiteboards were banned as blackboards and chalk were brought back into play in a morning filled with living history.

School Archivist, Mr David Pickard, looking every inch the Victorian country gent, told the children about life at school in the

March 2011 5 Victorian era, in the days when Sutton Later in the week, the children in the Prep Valence was an all-boys . School Reception Class enjoyed their very own fairy tale day, dressing up as fairy tale After a morning of typical Victorian lessons, characters and ending with a special Fairy focusing very much on the three Rs, it was Tale Ball. off to the dining hall for a typical Victorian school lunch of gruel.

Head of Pre-Prep, Miss Philippa McCarmick said, “Life in school is so very different today compared with how it was a century ago. Re- enactment activities such as this help bring history to life for young children and the pupils had a wonderful morning.”

6 Sutton Views School looks to the East

With the rise of China as one of the world’s and providing a link with home. fastest growing economies, the School has introduced a series of activities to introduce On Tuesdays, Ms Quang teaches Mandarin our pupils to its culture and language and to Chinese lessons to Sixth Form, as well as highlight the opportunities that may be open leading two Mandarin Clubs. to them there. Ms Quang and Mr Xian are both on Two Mandarin Chinese teachers, Xian Tang secondment from the Confucius Institute, a and Quang Long, are working at both the non-profit public institution that aims to Senior School and the Preparatory School, promote Chinese language and culture and introducing China and the Mandarin support local Chinese teaching language to pupils from age five to 18. internationally.

On Mondays, Mr Xian hosts the Mandarin Headmaster, Mr Bruce Grindlay said, “It is Club at the Prep School, teaching young clear that China’s growth presents great children about his country, its culture, basic opportunities for our pupils in terms of future words and Chinese characters. employment potential, but there is also a lot we can learn from a nation which has In the evening, he joins some of the admirable rigour in its approach to teaching Chinese pupils who board at the Senior and learning.” School, supporting them in their homework

March 2011 7 My life as …. a Maths teacher, by Mr Coennie Wesselink

What made you decide to be a maths teacher?

One-upmanship; so many people struggle with Maths and I have a degree in History and Psychology so Maths was the obvious choice.

Tell us the best thing about the job?

Witnessing the development of so many young people. Meeting successful, happy past pupils when they have become adults.

And the worst?

Educational experts in protected employment reinventing the wheel and moving the deckchairs on the Titanic by changing the structure of the curriculum.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened in your career?

There is often humour in the classroom. As a teacher I demand the right to make weak jokes! The important thing is not to take yourself too seriously; Monty Python’s ‘The Meaning of Life’ serves as a reminder to keep it light.

How do you think the role has changed since you started?

Not at all! But there is more pressure on children to perform and get grades.

Is there anything that makes your maths department particularly special?

The most dedicated bunch of professionals I have ever had the privilege to work with!

What would be your top tip for anyone who is struggling with maths?

Don’t struggle with Maths; follow the ‘Nike’ slogan: “ Just do it! ”

As published in Sussex Life, April 2011

8 Sutton Views Don Quixote and Mary Poppins are ‘Top of the Form’

Pupils at the Senior School were surprised and delighted to discover that their teachers had been transformed into some of the most famous characters from literary fiction for World Book Day.

Staff arrived for classes dressed as characters from some of the most famous books in history – from Don Quixote to Harry Potter, Chaucer’s Canterbury pilgrims to Disney’s Mary Poppins.

The initiative was the idea of Head of English, Mr Chris Davenport and Librarian, Mrs Christine Carter, with teachers and pupils entering into the spirit of the day in style.

Almost 30 staff came in costume, including Spanish teacher Mr Fuentes as Don Quixote, Miss Charlotte Yoxall as Queen of Hearts (from Alice in Wonderland), Mrs Sally Rose as Red Riding Hood, Mrs Anne Kane as Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Poirot, Mr Chris Westlake as Malvolio and Mr Bob Carr as Just William! Mrs Carter flew into school as Mary Poppins, while Mr Davenport cut a dash as 007 agent James Bond. Mr Davenport said, “It was a different, and The day concluded with Sony Award- highly successful, way of celebrating our winning comedy writer, author, journalist literary heritage, and introducing pupils to and former Church of England vicar Simon great books they may not have read before.” Parke meeting pupils in the school library to pass on tips about successful writing. The Prep School joined in the literary media theme with ‘cub reporter’ workshops There was a ‘Design a Book Jacket’ ran by Charlotte Rawstorne, a journalist with competition with a chance to win book the Daily Mail. The children were to imagine vouchers, and teachers read excerpts from that they were reporters producing a favourite books at break-time sessions.

March 2011 9 newspaper in 1947 about the Queen’s wedding to Prince Phillip.

At the end of the day, they came together to see how the final layout of a newspaper is put together and to write some headlines. The full edition can be viewed in the Prep news section of the School website. Simon Parke

Mrs Rawstorne explaining how to start writing a story.

10 Sutton Views New trees for Prefects’ Lawn

For generations, pupils and teachers have Valence that spanned 27 years. On retiring, viewed the lofty chestnut trees overlooking his diligence and kindness and empathy for the Weald as a historic and evocative part of former pupils of all ages was put to good use the School’s scenery. as Honorary Secretary of the Old Suttonians’ Association for 12 years until he stood down Believed to date back to the 1850s, or even in 2010. earlier, three of the 40ft trees have now had to be felled after contracting the weeping The second tree was dedicated to Michael canker disease, which has killed horse R Ricketts, Headmaster from 1967 to 1980, chestnuts throughout the country. who instigated and oversaw many Unfortunately, the ground will now not developments at the School during his support horse chestnuts, so a different tenure. variety had to be found to replace them. The final one marks the 100th anniversary On Saturday 19th March, three plane trees of the School being acquired by the United were dedicated to unique elements of the Westminster Schools Foundation from the School’s heritage. Clothworkers’ Livery Company, who had governed the School since the death of Immediately preceding the dedication William Lambe. ceremony, over 150 Old Suttonians, colleagues, members of the Choral Society and his family attended a memorial service in the Chapel in celebration of the life of Colin R G Shaw, who died on New Year’s Day. Colin was a pupil in the early 1950s and then went on to Cambridge after National Service. He returned as Head of English in 1971, became a Housemaster and eventually Deputy Head during a career at Sutton

March 2011 11 Not to be out-done! nerve through penalty flicks and won the Hoping to be at least as successful as the tournament 5-3. girls had been last term, boys’ hockey got off to a fantastic start this term when the 1st XI Meanwhile, the U16 and U13 teams were beat Langley Park, last year’s County having their share of success. The U16s Champions, 3 - 0 in the first match of the came third in the Schools’ season. Championship and the U13s were runners- up in the County Championships, which A few weeks later the U15 boys set off for means that they will represent Kent in the the Peter Firminger Hockey Tournament, for Regional finals on 24th March. Kent Schools and Youth hockey. Despite losing our first match to we But, the icing on the cake must be the U18 made it to the quarter finals where we played squad coming home with the Frank Mason Langley Park, giving an outstanding Cup, which was last held by Sutton Valence performance to win the match 1-0. After a in 1992 and 1993! Nick Hewitt, Captain, gave triumph against Simon Langton in the semi- this (edited) report: final we met in the final, which we knew would be a tough match. “It was an early start at 7.30 in the quad. However, after going 1-0 down we equalised We knew it was going to be a good day when through a short corner, hit by Bill Townsend, we nearly left behind James Costin and we and ended the match level. After a nail- had to recruit Sam Russell-Vick from biting few minutes we managed to hold our boarders’ breakfast due to lack of numbers!

12 Sutton Views Arriving in Canterbury, our first match was MGS. Not underestimating them we started New Director of strongly. It took us a while, but we managed to put two goals past them. Rugby

Full of confidence we faced our second The Headmaster opponents, Tonbridge, knowing it wasn’t is delighted to going to be an easy match, but the final score announce that from was one all. September 2011 Mr Phil Smith will be Our third match and fourth matches taking up the post against St Edmund’s and St Lawrence were a of Director of little easier with wins of 3 – 0 and 4 – 0. Rugby.

Having won our group we moved through At Bristol University he played for to the quarters where we faced King’s Bristol RUFC and was selected for Canterbury. It was a closely fought match at England Students. Following six years the beginning but with some good ball speed as England Youth Development Officer and accurate passing the final score was left for the Eastern Counties he became 3 - 0. By the semi-final against Eltham College Director of Rugby at Cambridge our legs were a bit tired, but none the less University. our determination pulled us through leaving the final score 1 - 0. As a senior level 3 coach, Mr Smith is currently Director of Rugby at King THE FINAL! Facing Kent College with their Edward VI Five Ways School in handful of internationals, we were definitely Birmingham, where he transformed up for the challenge. With KC dominating the rugby programme in to a the first period they converted. However successful and well-organised sport with some well-worked chances and with an 85% win record; including tenacious tackling from James Costin we taking 9 county cups and seeing one of earned ourselves a penalty flick. Full time his U16s represent England. He is also was blown and we moved into sudden death Head Coach for the U16 North penalty flicks. With KC scoring their early Midlands team. flicks our heads went down, but we managed to equalize. The crucial KC flick taker Of his appointment, Mr Smith said, stepped up, but Clemens (goalkeeper) had “Sutton Valence has a proud tradition seen it coming and swatted it aside, leaving and is a community where students us as competition winners! can truly excel in all areas. I feel very privileged to be coming to the School A special mention must go to Bobby Harris and am very excited about developing who was voted Player of the Tournament. my new role, and rugby, to its full Finally, a big thank you must go to Mr potential.” Mathews and Diccon Stubbings.

March 2011 13 In fine voice!

The combined voices of more than 150 Mrs Heaton said, “It’s a great challenge to visiting children raised the bring so many children together and teach roof at the Prep School following a day’s them something from scratch, but they rose singing tuition and concert. to the occasion wonderfully and did themselves proud. The visiting parents and Proud parents packed into the Bates Hall teachers were quite taken aback at what to hear the results of an afternoon’s coaching they managed to achieve in such a short from Head of Music, Mrs Wendy Heaton. space of time.”

Children from six schools in the area joined the Junior Choir to learn some top tips and attempt sight-reading of several three-part songs, before giving a grand concert at close of play.

Visiting schools taking part were: Roseacre Junior School, Loose Primary School, Boughton Monchelsea Primary School, Headcorn Primary School and Hollingbourne Primary School.

The children were all from Years 3 and 4 and put on a concert which included ‘ The Hedgehog ’, ‘ Java ’, ‘ Merry-go-Round ’ and the appropriate Carpenters’ 70s hit ‘ Sing ’.

14 Sutton Views National stars offer advice

We might be just seeing the early signs of Earlier in the term we were lucky to Spring, but for our young cricketers it’s never welcome Toby Flood, whose name will be too early to plan for the coming cricket familiar to most of us, rugby enthusiast or season. not. Toby has no need to work on his reputation; he’s a role model to children all There have been a series of coaching over the country: clean cut, hard working, sessions in February and March with some and hugely talented. He also understands of Kent County Cricket Club’s top players, that role models have responsibilities, which including skipper Rob Key, former England recently led him here at the invitation of wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, batsman Mike Dunderdale (Westminster ’91), to put Darren Stevens and Old Suttonian Rob some of our pupils through their paces. Ferley, who played for Kent and Nottinghamshire. After meeting the Headmaster and some of the 1st XV it was time to get on with the Mr Vince Wells, former England, training and first up was the Sevens squad. Leicestershire, Kent and Durham all-rounder According to Mr Bill Buck, Master i/c Rugby, and Master i/c Cricket said, “We’ve lined up the enthusiasm and application displayed some of the finest players in the county to during this session surpassed anything he’d pass on their expertise and advice to some seen before and the bad news for the boys is of our best young cricketers.” he’ll be expecting to see it again.

March 2011 15 After answering some questions from the Prep School U10s, Toby explained the “dos and don’ts” of place kicking to a group of boys from various teams. Having listened carefully and made the necessary adjustments to their technique it was time for a competition in aid of Demelza hospice care for children.

After a round of goal kicks the players raised £450 which they successfully doubled Senior Squad to £900 when Will Miles hit the crossbar from a long distance. Toby had been impressed, Under 16 squad, staff and kickers an saying, “There’s some real talent here, if they unforgettable day, watched by staff and work hard, listen to their coaches and put many lunch-time spectators. He gave freely the effort in, it wouldn’t surprise me to see of his time, passed on invaluable coaching them at the top level soon.” tips and gave advice about routes into the professional game.” Mr Buck described what the event had meant for the school, “Toby’s visit gave the

16 Sutton Views